Each intro below leads you in to a set of posts. Click on posts to the right to read more!
GREEN CHEMISTRY: Please read posts by Stephanie Stassi and Erin Etherson. Green Chemistry is a field of science that aims to minimize potentially hazardous waste and maximize “green” (environmentally friendly) processes. The field of Green Chemistry is a relatively new area of science but an extremely important one. Over the past several decades the impact of toxic substances on our health and the environment’s has come to the attention of all and Green Chemistry was developed to combat this. Our guest lecturer, Dr. John Warner, is one of the founding fathers of Green Chemistry and will be giving an informative and important lecture.
SPACE EXPLORATION: Please read posts by Chloe Oetting, Ryan Colligan, Tony Scott, Ben Stern, Jamie Hefetz, and Demario Reed. The 1950s marked the start of space exploration. From then, much has been learned. As a result of a growing interest, in what was thought to be an endless abyss, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was formed. Missions to the Earth’s moon and Mars followed soon after. Each of these missions had a specific, yet very important, task. These tasks could be anything from: finding black holes and their origins, bringing back lunar samples, to even applying real life things such as Aerogels to help assist a mission. Furthermore, some things are just out of our reach as humans, for now; a prime example of this would be the usage of the Mars Rover. As history shows, we will progress and seek more answers, just as we have since the 1950s.
GENDER & POWER, RACISM & ANTIRACISM: Please read posts by Jacqueline Whitman, Lindsey Kregel, Lanie Oles, and Kevin Agyakwa. Gender, racism, and inequalities seem to be timeless issues that continue to progress as time goes on. These topics continuously plague our society and we cannot escape them. Guest speakers Jane LaTour, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, and SUNY Potsdam’s own Dr. Youngblood and Dr. Mitchell will be addressing these prominent issues with unique views. So be there or be square, and be prepared to think outside of the box!
CONTEMPORARY MEDIA: Podcasting & Global music: Please read posts by Angela de Gregory, Amber Reid, and Amanda Ryan. Podcasts and the changing access to the radio aid the development of the familiarization of global music. Different music and the media are expanding more than ever, and we believe more people could become exposed to this technology and other cultures by attending these events.
FILMS: Days of Glory, Fierce Green Fire. Please read posts by Lucellys Ortiz, Joseph Roger, and Rachel Grefke. Films serve the purpose of educating their audience in an entertaining way. At the Making the Future presentation they will be screening Days of Glory and A Fierce Green Fire: Battle for a Living Planet. These films will enlighten the audience on topics that are not often spoken about: Algerian soldiers in World War II and grassroots environmental movements.
EDUCATION: Please read post by Adriana Rizzo on Teaching Writing in the 21st Century. Are you an educator? Do you want to become one? Are you interested in the changing world due to technology? With the innovations in technology the world of education is drastically changing. In this blog post, you can read how technology is becoming mandatory in all
classrooms and how it can be beneficial to any student.
Chilean military coup, the other 9/11. Please see post by Jimmy MacAleer. Are you familiar with the brutal takeover by military coup in Chile on 9/11/73? most people aren't so you could be one of the few who are informed about this monumental topic and know something that none of your friends know. So read this blog post by your fellow Potsdam
student and be amazed.
Ancient agriculture. Please read the post by Kelcie Adams. Not too many people question where their food comes from. Sure, we know local versus corporate grown food, but what if we were to look beyond that? Studying ancient agriculture allows us to see how we first domesticated our food sources and what foods are "truly local" to our area.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Angela de Gregory: Power of Podcasting
Radio in the Digital Age: Podcasting and Radio's Revival. David Sommerstein, Kellas 104, Wednesday 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Power of Podcasting by Angela de Gregory
Go to your computer, and open iTunes. Go to the iTunes store, and click on “podcasts” in the top of the window. You can now see the wide array of free podcasts available for you to listen to. Most people think podcasts are just about music and media. Actually, there is a huge variety of podcast genres on ITunes covering religion, science, fitness, education, art, games, family, government, and so many more topics. Easy-access podcasts allow you to listen to the news while you’re walking your dog or at the gym instead of sitting in the house waiting for it to come on the radio.
People have been using podcasts like since around 2004. Mark Curry developed the first podcast because he was disappointed with how long it took to download audio files from the internet, and to listen to a podcast you just hit “play” on a website. Now there is a broad availability of podcasts available, and they’re easily available too (Johnson and McClung 83). Not only is the wide range of podcasts surprising, but because there are so many different types of podcasts they can appeal to different people for different uses.
David Sommerstein is a North Country Public Radio reporter and blogger. On April 10th at 1pm Sommerstein will give a presentation called “Radio in the Digital Age,” and he will discuss the changing radio and how it relates to podcasting.
One way podcasts can be used is in the classroom as a teaching tool. Myke Bartlett talks about how many different types of podcasts can be useful to learning different subjects for students inside and outside the classroom. Because there is such a wide range of different podcasts, different podcasts made by different people and corporations can be useful in different subjects. For example: a podcast about different countries might be better for a history class, while a podcast about literature would be better for an English class. When looking at the education category of podcast choices they range all the way from “English as a second language” to “CNN Student News.” Because podcasts can be easily shared, they are an even more interesting tool in the classroom as well.
Podcasts are simply just a digital MP3 file, with a microphone and a computer, so students could make their own podcasts to share and post online (Bartlett 69-70). On April 10th, Sommerstein will present how to create a podcast. I think that because podcasts are so easily accessible they could be helpful in the classroom, they could expose students to a different experience in both listening and writing, and they could teach students how to share information in a new way. The information students can get out of podcasts is a good experience, and, because of the easy access to the internet on different devices, they could be a convenient teaching tool. Educational podcasts would probably appeal to people in a school setting, while other types of podcasts would be more useful in other situations for different people or even organizations.
National Public Radio is a media organization that broadcasts news and music to millions of people (NPR). Now, not only do they broadcast on the radio, they are transforming to make the media they broadcast more available to the people that listen to them, “Long defined by its radio programming, National Public Radio is reinventing itself as a multiplatform force” (Dorroh 25). This means that instead of struggling to cope with the convenience of the internet interfering with the amount of listeners they have, they’re making their media more available online in podcast form. National Public Radio is interested in making their broadcasts convenient for their listeners, and because of the internet NPR has ceased the opportunity to expand (Dorroh 27). NPR collaborates with iTunes to get their podcasts into the world, and they are making their site more iPhone friendly (Dorroh 28). This means that instead of downloading tons of podcasts, people with smartphones can go to the NPR easily with their phone and choose the podcasts they want. This way, listeners can access NPR news much easier and faster, whenever and wherever they want. Although the article “The Transformation of NPR” was written in 2008, it still applies to how the internet is and can be adapted to not only by a classroom, but also on a larger scale.
In 2009, an article written by a student, Anya Luscombe, discusses how BBC also seems to be transforming radio to become more adapted to the changing access to media as well. Luscombe states that BBC is training their reporters to adapt to the “commercialization of radio” (Luscombe 111). Because of the threat posed to most media outlets (television and newspaper), BBC is beginning to adapt to these changes. Even though the radio seems to remain unaffected by the changing access to media, millions of people still tune into the media by other means (Luscombe 112). The fact that BBC is adapting to the digital availability to media can only help them get their news out to the world.
Even local stations like North Country Public Radio are doing more than just broadcasting on the radio. NCPR puts out world news from Canton, and is associated with National Public Radio. Not only does the North Country Public Radio website have a spot where you can find the FM radio station for your area, there is an option to listen to an NCPR live stream. You can subscribe to NCPR podcasts on iTunes, and have their regional news stories emailed to you or sent to your cell phone (NCPR).
Podcasts are just one example of the transformation happening with the multimedia world, and they are just one easy way to access the radio conveniently. David Sommerstein will discuss the changes in radio, and although things like the internet and podcasts seem like a threat to the radio business, the radio is thriving more than ever.
Works Cited
Bartlett, Myke. “A Voice in the World: Podcasts and the Classroom.” Screen Education 64 (2012):66-70. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2013
Dorroh, Jennifer. “The Transformation of NPR.” American Journalism Review 30.5 (2008): 24-31. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 20 Feb. 2013.
Johnson, Kristine and Steven McClung. “Examining the Motives of Podcast Users.” Journal of Radio & Audio Media 17.1 (May2010): 82-95. Web.
Luscombe, Anya. “The future of radio news: BBC radio journalists on the brave new world in which they work.” The Radio Journal-international Studies in Broadcast and Audio Media 17.2 (2009): 111-122. Communication and Mass Media Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2013
NCPR North Country Public Radio. “What is NPR.” Web. 6 Mar 2013
National Public Radio. “About North Country Public Radio.” Web. 6 Mar. 2013
Power of Podcasting by Angela de Gregory
Go to your computer, and open iTunes. Go to the iTunes store, and click on “podcasts” in the top of the window. You can now see the wide array of free podcasts available for you to listen to. Most people think podcasts are just about music and media. Actually, there is a huge variety of podcast genres on ITunes covering religion, science, fitness, education, art, games, family, government, and so many more topics. Easy-access podcasts allow you to listen to the news while you’re walking your dog or at the gym instead of sitting in the house waiting for it to come on the radio.
People have been using podcasts like since around 2004. Mark Curry developed the first podcast because he was disappointed with how long it took to download audio files from the internet, and to listen to a podcast you just hit “play” on a website. Now there is a broad availability of podcasts available, and they’re easily available too (Johnson and McClung 83). Not only is the wide range of podcasts surprising, but because there are so many different types of podcasts they can appeal to different people for different uses.
David Sommerstein is a North Country Public Radio reporter and blogger. On April 10th at 1pm Sommerstein will give a presentation called “Radio in the Digital Age,” and he will discuss the changing radio and how it relates to podcasting.
One way podcasts can be used is in the classroom as a teaching tool. Myke Bartlett talks about how many different types of podcasts can be useful to learning different subjects for students inside and outside the classroom. Because there is such a wide range of different podcasts, different podcasts made by different people and corporations can be useful in different subjects. For example: a podcast about different countries might be better for a history class, while a podcast about literature would be better for an English class. When looking at the education category of podcast choices they range all the way from “English as a second language” to “CNN Student News.” Because podcasts can be easily shared, they are an even more interesting tool in the classroom as well.
Podcasts are simply just a digital MP3 file, with a microphone and a computer, so students could make their own podcasts to share and post online (Bartlett 69-70). On April 10th, Sommerstein will present how to create a podcast. I think that because podcasts are so easily accessible they could be helpful in the classroom, they could expose students to a different experience in both listening and writing, and they could teach students how to share information in a new way. The information students can get out of podcasts is a good experience, and, because of the easy access to the internet on different devices, they could be a convenient teaching tool. Educational podcasts would probably appeal to people in a school setting, while other types of podcasts would be more useful in other situations for different people or even organizations.
National Public Radio is a media organization that broadcasts news and music to millions of people (NPR). Now, not only do they broadcast on the radio, they are transforming to make the media they broadcast more available to the people that listen to them, “Long defined by its radio programming, National Public Radio is reinventing itself as a multiplatform force” (Dorroh 25). This means that instead of struggling to cope with the convenience of the internet interfering with the amount of listeners they have, they’re making their media more available online in podcast form. National Public Radio is interested in making their broadcasts convenient for their listeners, and because of the internet NPR has ceased the opportunity to expand (Dorroh 27). NPR collaborates with iTunes to get their podcasts into the world, and they are making their site more iPhone friendly (Dorroh 28). This means that instead of downloading tons of podcasts, people with smartphones can go to the NPR easily with their phone and choose the podcasts they want. This way, listeners can access NPR news much easier and faster, whenever and wherever they want. Although the article “The Transformation of NPR” was written in 2008, it still applies to how the internet is and can be adapted to not only by a classroom, but also on a larger scale.
In 2009, an article written by a student, Anya Luscombe, discusses how BBC also seems to be transforming radio to become more adapted to the changing access to media as well. Luscombe states that BBC is training their reporters to adapt to the “commercialization of radio” (Luscombe 111). Because of the threat posed to most media outlets (television and newspaper), BBC is beginning to adapt to these changes. Even though the radio seems to remain unaffected by the changing access to media, millions of people still tune into the media by other means (Luscombe 112). The fact that BBC is adapting to the digital availability to media can only help them get their news out to the world.
Even local stations like North Country Public Radio are doing more than just broadcasting on the radio. NCPR puts out world news from Canton, and is associated with National Public Radio. Not only does the North Country Public Radio website have a spot where you can find the FM radio station for your area, there is an option to listen to an NCPR live stream. You can subscribe to NCPR podcasts on iTunes, and have their regional news stories emailed to you or sent to your cell phone (NCPR).
Podcasts are just one example of the transformation happening with the multimedia world, and they are just one easy way to access the radio conveniently. David Sommerstein will discuss the changes in radio, and although things like the internet and podcasts seem like a threat to the radio business, the radio is thriving more than ever.
Works Cited
Bartlett, Myke. “A Voice in the World: Podcasts and the Classroom.” Screen Education 64 (2012):66-70. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2013
Dorroh, Jennifer. “The Transformation of NPR.” American Journalism Review 30.5 (2008): 24-31. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 20 Feb. 2013.
Johnson, Kristine and Steven McClung. “Examining the Motives of Podcast Users.” Journal of Radio & Audio Media 17.1 (May2010): 82-95. Web.
Luscombe, Anya. “The future of radio news: BBC radio journalists on the brave new world in which they work.” The Radio Journal-international Studies in Broadcast and Audio Media 17.2 (2009): 111-122. Communication and Mass Media Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2013
NCPR North Country Public Radio. “What is NPR.” Web. 6 Mar 2013
National Public Radio. “About North Country Public Radio.” Web. 6 Mar. 2013
Stephanie Stassi: Green Chemistry: Improving our lives
Green chemistry: New eyes and new ideas in science. Keynote address by Dr. John Warner, Kellas 106, Wednesday 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Green Chemistry: Improving our lives and saving our planet by Stephanie Stassi
When most people think of Chemistry, they usually see it as a tedious and complicated subject, and to those who are not interested in the sciences the very notion of it is of no use to them. However, Green Chemistry is a field of science that is of great interest and use to all. Green Chemists use a new set of processes to reduce and/or eliminate hazardous and dangerous substances. Many of these substances are waste products from industrial processes, such as in the production of pharmaceuticals. However, it is not only in waste material that we can find hazardous substances. Toxic substances are all around us. They are used in the making of the food we eat, in the materials that are homes are constructed from and even the toys that children play with.
The first principle of Green Chemistry, as stated by the two foremost experts in the field, is “it is better to prevent waste than to treat or clean up waste after it is formed” (Anastas and Warner 30). This may seem like a common sense notion, but in the industrial world it is a fairly new concept.
The following is an example of how industrial waste affected a community. In the early 1980s Holbrook, Massachusetts was home to the Baird & McGuire factory which produced pesticides and insecticides. For years, residents took little notice of the acres of open land that contained empty barrels and a “green slime” strewn throughout the property. In 1982, the EPA placed the plant on its list of national high priority waste sites after the highly toxic chemicals arsenic, DDT and chlordane were found to have saturated the soil surrounding the factory. After the plant was forced to close, residents of the neighboring towns figured that they were out of harm’s way. They were soon sadly proven very wrong. It was quickly realized that people had and were developing serious illnesses at a right much higher than normal. Between 1979 and 1983, 24 male residents of Holbrook passed away from lung cancer; almost twice as many as would be expected for a town of its size.
Also during this period, men were being diagnosed with fatal bladder cancer at three times the average rate and women in Holbrook were diagnosed with uterine, cervical and ovarian cancers at twice the normal rate (“Living Dangerously”). Almost everyone has heard of situations such as this, but few experience them. Our lecturer, Dr. Warner, is one of the foremost experts in the field of Green Chemistry. As the co-founder of the Warner Babcock Institute of Green Chemistry he is on the front lines of the battle against dangerous substances making their way into our environment and consequently our lives. Without the Green Chemistry movement, instances such as the one at the Baird & McGuire factory will continue to happen, putting countless lives at risk.
Several other momentous events in history brought about the need of current practices to be evaluated and led the emergence of Green Chemistry as a scientific field. Just thirty years ago, the majestic bald eagle was placed on the endangered species list after poisoning from the then common insecticide DDT nearly killed off the entire species (Scheer). By the time that DDT was recognized as a known carcinogen (cancer causing agent), numerous people had been exposed to it (Sawant ). DDT was banned for use in the United States in 1972, but before this ban it was used a common pest control in homes, as well as in large scale situations such as the control of malaria carrying mosquitos in World War 2. Consequently, people also were inadvertently exposed to this dangerous chemical (DDT).
Although Green Chemistry aims its practices at reducing waste at an industrial level, it also imposes practices that can improve our health on a daily basis. Have you ever wondered how coffee was decaffeinated? In coffee production, the unwanted caffeine is “washed” away from the coffee beans by soaking them in solvents that have are known carcinogens ( Events). Not only are these chemicals dangerous to consumers’ health, they also add to the countless amounts of dangerous waste products that pose a significant risk if introduced into the environment. Green Chemistry practitioners have developed a much safer and environmentally conscious way of removing the caffeine using supercritical carbon dioxide, which is non-toxic and does not introduce more chemicals, like the solvents previously used, into the environment.
Advances in the field of Green Chemistry are vital to preserving our environment as well our own health. While reducing the use of toxic substances is one of the greatest aims of Green Chemistry, the field is also working towards utilizing renewable resources in place of depleting ones. The use of fossil fuels is an example of a depleting resource. Scientists in the field of Green Chemistry are currently looking for a substitute to this. One hopeful alternative is biodiesel which is made from plant based material (Ravichandran 1048). Alternative “greener” methods such as this are at the basis for Green Chemistry.
The chemicals and unsafe processes that Green Chemistry aims to eliminate may have significant negative implications on human health as well as the environments. Not only does Green Chemistry work to eliminate these chemicals, it advocates stopping their production completely. To do this means altering the types of production of many goods and changing to greener methods.
Green Chemistry is a science that works towards bettering our lives and preserving our health as well the natural environments. Ultimately, what is at stake here is our wellbeing and the preservation of our planet and the natural resources that it provides. Supporting the efforts of Green Chemistry scientists and educating yourself about what’s in the products you buy is vital to keeping our world a safe place to live.
Dr. Warner is one of the founding fathers of Green Chemistry and the President, Chief Technology Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Warner Babcock Institute of Green Chemistry. Dr. Warner is also currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Green Chemistry Institute, located in Washington, DC (“Learn Green Chemistry”).
Works Cited
Anastas and Warner. Green Chemistry. New York: Oxford University Press Inc. 1998. Print.
DDT. National Pesticide Information Center. N.p. 1999. Web. 17 March 2013.
Everts, Sarah. "Greener Chemistry: Everyday Products With An Eco-Tinge." New Scientist 205.2751 (2010): 34-38. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
Learn Green Chemistry. The Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry. N.p N.d. Web. 3 March 2013
"LIVING, DANGEROUSLY, WITH TOXIC WASTES Three Tormented Towns Point Up Past, Present And Potential Problems." Time 126.15 (1985): 86. Academic Search Complete. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
Ravichandran, S. "Implementation Of Green Chemistry Principles Into Practice." International Journal Of Chemtech Research 3.3 (2011): 1046-1049. Academic Search Complete. Web. 25 Feb. 2013.
Sawant, S. et al. "Green Chemistry: Why And How - For Sustainable Chemical Industry And Environmentally Commendable Civilization." Journal Of Pharmacy Research 4.12 (2011): 4798-4804. Academic Search Complete. Web. 25 Feb. 2013.
Scheer R. Has the Bald Eagle Landed?. E: The Environmental Magazine [serial on the Internet]. (2004, Nov), [cited February 27, 2013]; 15(6): 24-25. Available from: Academic Search Complete.
Green Chemistry: Improving our lives and saving our planet by Stephanie Stassi
When most people think of Chemistry, they usually see it as a tedious and complicated subject, and to those who are not interested in the sciences the very notion of it is of no use to them. However, Green Chemistry is a field of science that is of great interest and use to all. Green Chemists use a new set of processes to reduce and/or eliminate hazardous and dangerous substances. Many of these substances are waste products from industrial processes, such as in the production of pharmaceuticals. However, it is not only in waste material that we can find hazardous substances. Toxic substances are all around us. They are used in the making of the food we eat, in the materials that are homes are constructed from and even the toys that children play with.
The first principle of Green Chemistry, as stated by the two foremost experts in the field, is “it is better to prevent waste than to treat or clean up waste after it is formed” (Anastas and Warner 30). This may seem like a common sense notion, but in the industrial world it is a fairly new concept.
The following is an example of how industrial waste affected a community. In the early 1980s Holbrook, Massachusetts was home to the Baird & McGuire factory which produced pesticides and insecticides. For years, residents took little notice of the acres of open land that contained empty barrels and a “green slime” strewn throughout the property. In 1982, the EPA placed the plant on its list of national high priority waste sites after the highly toxic chemicals arsenic, DDT and chlordane were found to have saturated the soil surrounding the factory. After the plant was forced to close, residents of the neighboring towns figured that they were out of harm’s way. They were soon sadly proven very wrong. It was quickly realized that people had and were developing serious illnesses at a right much higher than normal. Between 1979 and 1983, 24 male residents of Holbrook passed away from lung cancer; almost twice as many as would be expected for a town of its size.
Also during this period, men were being diagnosed with fatal bladder cancer at three times the average rate and women in Holbrook were diagnosed with uterine, cervical and ovarian cancers at twice the normal rate (“Living Dangerously”). Almost everyone has heard of situations such as this, but few experience them. Our lecturer, Dr. Warner, is one of the foremost experts in the field of Green Chemistry. As the co-founder of the Warner Babcock Institute of Green Chemistry he is on the front lines of the battle against dangerous substances making their way into our environment and consequently our lives. Without the Green Chemistry movement, instances such as the one at the Baird & McGuire factory will continue to happen, putting countless lives at risk.
Several other momentous events in history brought about the need of current practices to be evaluated and led the emergence of Green Chemistry as a scientific field. Just thirty years ago, the majestic bald eagle was placed on the endangered species list after poisoning from the then common insecticide DDT nearly killed off the entire species (Scheer). By the time that DDT was recognized as a known carcinogen (cancer causing agent), numerous people had been exposed to it (Sawant ). DDT was banned for use in the United States in 1972, but before this ban it was used a common pest control in homes, as well as in large scale situations such as the control of malaria carrying mosquitos in World War 2. Consequently, people also were inadvertently exposed to this dangerous chemical (DDT).
Although Green Chemistry aims its practices at reducing waste at an industrial level, it also imposes practices that can improve our health on a daily basis. Have you ever wondered how coffee was decaffeinated? In coffee production, the unwanted caffeine is “washed” away from the coffee beans by soaking them in solvents that have are known carcinogens ( Events). Not only are these chemicals dangerous to consumers’ health, they also add to the countless amounts of dangerous waste products that pose a significant risk if introduced into the environment. Green Chemistry practitioners have developed a much safer and environmentally conscious way of removing the caffeine using supercritical carbon dioxide, which is non-toxic and does not introduce more chemicals, like the solvents previously used, into the environment.
Advances in the field of Green Chemistry are vital to preserving our environment as well our own health. While reducing the use of toxic substances is one of the greatest aims of Green Chemistry, the field is also working towards utilizing renewable resources in place of depleting ones. The use of fossil fuels is an example of a depleting resource. Scientists in the field of Green Chemistry are currently looking for a substitute to this. One hopeful alternative is biodiesel which is made from plant based material (Ravichandran 1048). Alternative “greener” methods such as this are at the basis for Green Chemistry.
The chemicals and unsafe processes that Green Chemistry aims to eliminate may have significant negative implications on human health as well as the environments. Not only does Green Chemistry work to eliminate these chemicals, it advocates stopping their production completely. To do this means altering the types of production of many goods and changing to greener methods.
Green Chemistry is a science that works towards bettering our lives and preserving our health as well the natural environments. Ultimately, what is at stake here is our wellbeing and the preservation of our planet and the natural resources that it provides. Supporting the efforts of Green Chemistry scientists and educating yourself about what’s in the products you buy is vital to keeping our world a safe place to live.
Dr. Warner is one of the founding fathers of Green Chemistry and the President, Chief Technology Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Warner Babcock Institute of Green Chemistry. Dr. Warner is also currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Green Chemistry Institute, located in Washington, DC (“Learn Green Chemistry”).
Works Cited
Anastas and Warner. Green Chemistry. New York: Oxford University Press Inc. 1998. Print.
DDT. National Pesticide Information Center. N.p. 1999. Web. 17 March 2013.
Everts, Sarah. "Greener Chemistry: Everyday Products With An Eco-Tinge." New Scientist 205.2751 (2010): 34-38. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
Learn Green Chemistry. The Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry. N.p N.d. Web. 3 March 2013
"LIVING, DANGEROUSLY, WITH TOXIC WASTES Three Tormented Towns Point Up Past, Present And Potential Problems." Time 126.15 (1985): 86. Academic Search Complete. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
Ravichandran, S. "Implementation Of Green Chemistry Principles Into Practice." International Journal Of Chemtech Research 3.3 (2011): 1046-1049. Academic Search Complete. Web. 25 Feb. 2013.
Sawant, S. et al. "Green Chemistry: Why And How - For Sustainable Chemical Industry And Environmentally Commendable Civilization." Journal Of Pharmacy Research 4.12 (2011): 4798-4804. Academic Search Complete. Web. 25 Feb. 2013.
Scheer R. Has the Bald Eagle Landed?. E: The Environmental Magazine [serial on the Internet]. (2004, Nov), [cited February 27, 2013]; 15(6): 24-25. Available from: Academic Search Complete.
Erin Etherson: Green Chemistry Will Save Your Life
Green chemistry: New eyes and new ideas in science. Keynote address by Dr. John Warner, Kellas 106, Wednesday 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Green Chemistry Will Save Your Life by Erin Etherson
Do you know that anything with a mass is composed of chemicals? Do you know that
out of the 82,000 chemicals in the world, only 10% of them are safe (“Clean Chemistry”)? Well, we are affected by an unbelievable amount of chemicals every day and some could potentially harm us and the world. Products that you never thought would or could harm you are produced with extremely harmful chemicals, for example, the plastic wrap around corn.
There is no reason for products to be produced with these extremely hazardous chemicals. If you attend John Warner’s presentation, “Green chemistry: New
eyes and new ideas in science,” you will be informed that there is a new method of
production that chemists discovered that does not use hazardous chemicals. This new
method is called green chemistry, which by definition is “the design of chemical products and processes that reduce and eliminate the use and generation of hazardous
substance” (Anastas). Green chemistry targets pollution at the first stage of a product’s
development, meaning that before pollution can be produced, its eliminated or
extremely reduced.
John Warner graduated from UMASS Boston with his Bachelor of Science degree in
chemistry and then went to get his Doctor of Philosophy degree in chemistry from
Princeton University. In 2007, John Warner and Jim Babcock founded the Warner
Babock Institute for Green Chemistry. Warner is the President, Chairman of the Board
and Chief Technology Officer of the Warner Babcock Institute. John Warner has received three awards for his work, the American Institute of Chemistry’s Northeast Division’s Distinguished Chemist of the year from 2002, the 2004 Presidential Award for
Excellence in Science Mentoring, and the Council of Science Society President’s 2008
Leadership Award. Some people might be afraid to attend John Warner’s presentation
because they fear they won’t understand what he’s talking about, but a great quality of
Warner is that he’s amazing at talking to non-chemists. This is one of the qualities that
made me want to go to his presentation (John C. Warner, Ph.D.).
Research on green chemistry started in the mid-1900s. When the results of the green
chemistry methods were discovered, Professor Hearn, from Monash University, was
intensely curious why the method hadn’t been tested earlier in time because the results
were so fascinating (Greener Chemistry). Chemists were able to discover a method to make
products that don’t use hazardous substances. Not only does green chemistry make it
able to produce products safely, but it also cuts costs and avoids waste and hazards.
During the presentation, John Warner will inform his audience on different examples of
hazardous products that will most likely surprise his listeners. You would have never
thought that the plastic around corn could harm you, right? Well, the plastic is extremely
harmful to your health and to the environment. The plastic is considered to have an
“eco-tinge,” meaning that it’s produced with extremely harmful chemicals. The plastic is
constructed with fossil fuels. Fossil fuels take millions of years to build up and are only
useful for a few hours (Everts) This product takes years to disintegrate into the Earth,
which is tremendously harmful. Companies are now beginning to produce plastic from
renewable sources, making it safer for everyone’s health and the environment. Plastic
wrap isn’t the only unexpected product that is hazardous: other examples are wool
clothing and body creams. I’d prefer to know what products are going to negatively
affect me so I can avoid them, rather than not knowing and having harm done to my
body. Therefore you should learn about this by attending John Warner’s presentation, “Green chemistry: New eyes and new ideas in science,” on a method that could change the world.
During John Warner’s presentation, he’ll be discussing many topics. He’s most likely
going to go into detail about how old production methods harm human health and cause
pollution and the advantages of green chemistry in comparison to the disadvantages of
old methods. That might not sound interesting to some people, but the chances are that
if you go, since John Warner will be talking about everyday products in terms that his
audience can understand, everyone will be itching to know more.
An example of an advantage of green chemistry that Warner may talk about may be how, through research, chemists are trying to find a way to get the E-factor of products below one, meaning there would be fewer kilograms of chemicals in a product. Today, not using green chemistry, pharmaceuticals usually have an E-factor between 100 - 150,000. If green chemistry could discover a way for products to have an E-factor lower than one, products wouldn’t generate waste or they would produce barely any waste. Also, low Efactors would contribute to a huge cost savings to waste disposal costs. Not only does green chemistry affect human health and the environment, but it would also lower many different costs.
The effects of green chemistry benefit the earth and every person, so everyone should
care about this matter and should be informed on the topic! It’s important to understand
what you’re exposing yourself to everyday and John Warner’s presentation, will inform
you on a lot that you should know. I am extremely interested in going to his
presentation. It’s going to make me realize how many “dirty” chemicals (“Clean Chemistry”) I’m harmed by every day and exactly how they affect my body.
John Warner’s presentation, “Green chemistry: New eyes and new ideas in science,” on Wednesday, April 10th, at 7:30 p.m., will inform you on all the aspects of green chemistry. You’ll walk out of his presentation knowing all about products that affect your everyday life without you knowing and how products can be developed through the method of green chemistry that won’t harm your body. You won’t regret going!
Works Cited
Braidotti, Gio. "CHEMISTRY's NEW-AGE Green Reaction." Chronicle Of Higher
Education (2012): 28-29. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
“Clean Chemistry.” Utne Reader. Nov.-Dec. 2011. Web.
"The Green Chemistry Revolution." Multinational Monitor 30.2 (2009): 32-36. Academic
Search Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
"'Father Of Green Chemistry' To Speak In Melbourne." Chemistry In Australia 78.4
(2011): 5. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
"Leadership Team." Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry : About WBI : Who
We Are : : John Warner, Ph.D. Warner Babcock, n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2013.
"Beyond Benign." Beyond Benign : Green Chemistry Faq. Beyond Benign, 2007. Web.
07 Mar. 2013.
"John C. Warner, Ph.D." John C. Warner, Ph.D. The Warner Babcock Institute, n.d.
Web. 07 Mar. 2013.
Everts, Sarah. "Greener Chemistry: Everyday Products With An Eco-Tinge." New
Scientist 205.2751 (2010): 34-38. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
Warner, John. "Learn Green Chemistry." Learn Green Chemistry. A Warner Babcock
Project, n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2013.
Green Chemistry Will Save Your Life by Erin Etherson
Do you know that anything with a mass is composed of chemicals? Do you know that
out of the 82,000 chemicals in the world, only 10% of them are safe (“Clean Chemistry”)? Well, we are affected by an unbelievable amount of chemicals every day and some could potentially harm us and the world. Products that you never thought would or could harm you are produced with extremely harmful chemicals, for example, the plastic wrap around corn.
There is no reason for products to be produced with these extremely hazardous chemicals. If you attend John Warner’s presentation, “Green chemistry: New
eyes and new ideas in science,” you will be informed that there is a new method of
production that chemists discovered that does not use hazardous chemicals. This new
method is called green chemistry, which by definition is “the design of chemical products and processes that reduce and eliminate the use and generation of hazardous
substance” (Anastas). Green chemistry targets pollution at the first stage of a product’s
development, meaning that before pollution can be produced, its eliminated or
extremely reduced.
John Warner graduated from UMASS Boston with his Bachelor of Science degree in
chemistry and then went to get his Doctor of Philosophy degree in chemistry from
Princeton University. In 2007, John Warner and Jim Babcock founded the Warner
Babock Institute for Green Chemistry. Warner is the President, Chairman of the Board
and Chief Technology Officer of the Warner Babcock Institute. John Warner has received three awards for his work, the American Institute of Chemistry’s Northeast Division’s Distinguished Chemist of the year from 2002, the 2004 Presidential Award for
Excellence in Science Mentoring, and the Council of Science Society President’s 2008
Leadership Award. Some people might be afraid to attend John Warner’s presentation
because they fear they won’t understand what he’s talking about, but a great quality of
Warner is that he’s amazing at talking to non-chemists. This is one of the qualities that
made me want to go to his presentation (John C. Warner, Ph.D.).
Research on green chemistry started in the mid-1900s. When the results of the green
chemistry methods were discovered, Professor Hearn, from Monash University, was
intensely curious why the method hadn’t been tested earlier in time because the results
were so fascinating (Greener Chemistry). Chemists were able to discover a method to make
products that don’t use hazardous substances. Not only does green chemistry make it
able to produce products safely, but it also cuts costs and avoids waste and hazards.
During the presentation, John Warner will inform his audience on different examples of
hazardous products that will most likely surprise his listeners. You would have never
thought that the plastic around corn could harm you, right? Well, the plastic is extremely
harmful to your health and to the environment. The plastic is considered to have an
“eco-tinge,” meaning that it’s produced with extremely harmful chemicals. The plastic is
constructed with fossil fuels. Fossil fuels take millions of years to build up and are only
useful for a few hours (Everts) This product takes years to disintegrate into the Earth,
which is tremendously harmful. Companies are now beginning to produce plastic from
renewable sources, making it safer for everyone’s health and the environment. Plastic
wrap isn’t the only unexpected product that is hazardous: other examples are wool
clothing and body creams. I’d prefer to know what products are going to negatively
affect me so I can avoid them, rather than not knowing and having harm done to my
body. Therefore you should learn about this by attending John Warner’s presentation, “Green chemistry: New eyes and new ideas in science,” on a method that could change the world.
During John Warner’s presentation, he’ll be discussing many topics. He’s most likely
going to go into detail about how old production methods harm human health and cause
pollution and the advantages of green chemistry in comparison to the disadvantages of
old methods. That might not sound interesting to some people, but the chances are that
if you go, since John Warner will be talking about everyday products in terms that his
audience can understand, everyone will be itching to know more.
An example of an advantage of green chemistry that Warner may talk about may be how, through research, chemists are trying to find a way to get the E-factor of products below one, meaning there would be fewer kilograms of chemicals in a product. Today, not using green chemistry, pharmaceuticals usually have an E-factor between 100 - 150,000. If green chemistry could discover a way for products to have an E-factor lower than one, products wouldn’t generate waste or they would produce barely any waste. Also, low Efactors would contribute to a huge cost savings to waste disposal costs. Not only does green chemistry affect human health and the environment, but it would also lower many different costs.
The effects of green chemistry benefit the earth and every person, so everyone should
care about this matter and should be informed on the topic! It’s important to understand
what you’re exposing yourself to everyday and John Warner’s presentation, will inform
you on a lot that you should know. I am extremely interested in going to his
presentation. It’s going to make me realize how many “dirty” chemicals (“Clean Chemistry”) I’m harmed by every day and exactly how they affect my body.
John Warner’s presentation, “Green chemistry: New eyes and new ideas in science,” on Wednesday, April 10th, at 7:30 p.m., will inform you on all the aspects of green chemistry. You’ll walk out of his presentation knowing all about products that affect your everyday life without you knowing and how products can be developed through the method of green chemistry that won’t harm your body. You won’t regret going!
Works Cited
Braidotti, Gio. "CHEMISTRY's NEW-AGE Green Reaction." Chronicle Of Higher
Education (2012): 28-29. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
“Clean Chemistry.” Utne Reader. Nov.-Dec. 2011. Web.
"The Green Chemistry Revolution." Multinational Monitor 30.2 (2009): 32-36. Academic
Search Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
"'Father Of Green Chemistry' To Speak In Melbourne." Chemistry In Australia 78.4
(2011): 5. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
"Leadership Team." Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry : About WBI : Who
We Are : : John Warner, Ph.D. Warner Babcock, n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2013.
"Beyond Benign." Beyond Benign : Green Chemistry Faq. Beyond Benign, 2007. Web.
07 Mar. 2013.
"John C. Warner, Ph.D." John C. Warner, Ph.D. The Warner Babcock Institute, n.d.
Web. 07 Mar. 2013.
Everts, Sarah. "Greener Chemistry: Everyday Products With An Eco-Tinge." New
Scientist 205.2751 (2010): 34-38. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.
Warner, John. "Learn Green Chemistry." Learn Green Chemistry. A Warner Babcock
Project, n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2013.
Joseph Roger: Days of Glory, Days of Tragedy
Days of Glory. Film, followed by discussion led by Dr. Abdelkader Cheref, Knowles Conference Center, Wednesday 9:00 pm - 11:30 pm
Days of Glory by Joseph Roger
In 1944 Germany attacked Normandy and that’s when World War 2 started (history.army.mil, 3 Oct 2003. Web. 12 Mar 2013). World War 2 is known for being the most deadly war to men. The allies were the French, United States, and Russia. The axis powers were German and Japan. Italy was at first an axis power but then they switch sides to the allies (Holocaust Memorial Museum, 11 May 2012. Web. 12 Mar 2013). The Germans lost the First World War and that made them lose a lot of power and Hitler helped them get back on their feet, just in a bad way. There are many films made about World War 2 and one of them is Indigenes, also known as Days of Glory. Some countries drafted many people and the French even drafted Algerians from North Africa to help them fight to get France back from the Germans.
Soldiers usually get honor and respect for suffering and with everything they went through. We, the United States, are at war with terrorists in this modern age. For those who fight for freedom, you could see what they go through and the honor they get. You should also see and learn how soldiers can be treated badly in wars. Even though this movie is not about the United States, you could learn a lot from a great soldier's experience. In the French military, Algerians weren’t treated right and in the film you get to see that and how it affects them during their journey.
Many of the soldiers in the film Days of Glory are Algerians. Algeria is in the north of Africa, South of the Mediterranean Sea-- next to the countries of Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, and Mauritania. The French want to keep Algeria as a colony in order to have control of the Mediterranean Sea (ibiblio. Web, 12 Mar 2013). The French saw the Algerians as people who were going backward and didn’t have the same rights as the French people, like the right to vote. The Algerians had a war of independence against the French after World War II, from 1954 to 1962 (Wikipedia, 6 Mar 2013. Web. 12 Mar 2013).
Days of Glory is a movie written by Rachid Bouchareb, Olivier Lorelle and directed by Rachid Bouchareb (IMDb). In Europe many civilians were dying because of the Nazis, so they had to get many people to join the army. They went to Africa to recruit people for the army. Back in that time, there were still some racist problems. Their unit had some trouble at the beginning but later on the journey they started to get along. This movie is a tragic movie, so it doesn’t really have a good ending. In the end, many people died and you realize how many of them gave up their lives for their country and France the colonizer of Algeria. (IMDb).
Now a days the Algerians are known for being a warrior and standing up for their country. They will fight for the country, even if that means, sacrificing some men of their own. Algeria is one of the countries that won't tolerate terrorism and are doing a good job of keeping the terrorists away from them. They proved they will do anything for their country and have it free from invaders on Thursday 17 January 2013 when they attacked a gas plant that was taken by the terrorists (Guardian). The Algerians attacked the gas plant without telling anyone. At the gas plant there were many hostages, but they still attacked to get their gas plant back and that caused many of the hostages to get killed (Guardian). Algerians are proud of their country and will do what they can to not belong to anyone and stay free.
Algerians have made it really far as a country and their history is very interesting. They went though many things in the pass and are still going through many situations, but they still find a way to solve their problems. The Algerians are moving forward as a colony, they are free from the French and are doing a great job keeping the terrorists away from their country. They are proud of what they have done and we should recognize them and give them credit for everything they have gone through. Hopefully they will keep doing the good job they are doing by moving forward on technology and on life.
There are many reasons why you should watch the movie the Days of Glory. One of the reasons is because you don’t have to read: it's a movie. It's also good to see what people went through in the war. Also you learn more about history, not just yours but other country history. The movie is going to be showing on Wednesday, April 10 at 9pm. I really recommend you watch this movie; you are going to learn some history without reading a book.
Sources:
• Chris Cross, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2013/jan/25/algeria-hostage-crisis-full-story, 25 Jan 2013. Web. 12 Mar 2013
• History Army, http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/sfrance/sfrance.htm, 3 Oct 2003. Web. 12 Mar 2013 ( didn’t find the authors name)
• Holocaust Memorial Museum, http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005177, 11 May 2012. Web. 12 Mar 2013
• IMDb, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0444182/, Web. 12 Mar 2013( doesn’t have date or author)
• Patrick Clancey, http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-C-Algeria/index.html, Web, 12 Mar 2013 (didn’t found the last update)
• Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algerian_War, 6 Mar 2013. Web. 12 Mar 2013
Days of Glory by Joseph Roger
In 1944 Germany attacked Normandy and that’s when World War 2 started (history.army.mil, 3 Oct 2003. Web. 12 Mar 2013). World War 2 is known for being the most deadly war to men. The allies were the French, United States, and Russia. The axis powers were German and Japan. Italy was at first an axis power but then they switch sides to the allies (Holocaust Memorial Museum, 11 May 2012. Web. 12 Mar 2013). The Germans lost the First World War and that made them lose a lot of power and Hitler helped them get back on their feet, just in a bad way. There are many films made about World War 2 and one of them is Indigenes, also known as Days of Glory. Some countries drafted many people and the French even drafted Algerians from North Africa to help them fight to get France back from the Germans.
Soldiers usually get honor and respect for suffering and with everything they went through. We, the United States, are at war with terrorists in this modern age. For those who fight for freedom, you could see what they go through and the honor they get. You should also see and learn how soldiers can be treated badly in wars. Even though this movie is not about the United States, you could learn a lot from a great soldier's experience. In the French military, Algerians weren’t treated right and in the film you get to see that and how it affects them during their journey.
Many of the soldiers in the film Days of Glory are Algerians. Algeria is in the north of Africa, South of the Mediterranean Sea-- next to the countries of Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, and Mauritania. The French want to keep Algeria as a colony in order to have control of the Mediterranean Sea (ibiblio. Web, 12 Mar 2013). The French saw the Algerians as people who were going backward and didn’t have the same rights as the French people, like the right to vote. The Algerians had a war of independence against the French after World War II, from 1954 to 1962 (Wikipedia, 6 Mar 2013. Web. 12 Mar 2013).
Days of Glory is a movie written by Rachid Bouchareb, Olivier Lorelle and directed by Rachid Bouchareb (IMDb). In Europe many civilians were dying because of the Nazis, so they had to get many people to join the army. They went to Africa to recruit people for the army. Back in that time, there were still some racist problems. Their unit had some trouble at the beginning but later on the journey they started to get along. This movie is a tragic movie, so it doesn’t really have a good ending. In the end, many people died and you realize how many of them gave up their lives for their country and France the colonizer of Algeria. (IMDb).
Now a days the Algerians are known for being a warrior and standing up for their country. They will fight for the country, even if that means, sacrificing some men of their own. Algeria is one of the countries that won't tolerate terrorism and are doing a good job of keeping the terrorists away from them. They proved they will do anything for their country and have it free from invaders on Thursday 17 January 2013 when they attacked a gas plant that was taken by the terrorists (Guardian). The Algerians attacked the gas plant without telling anyone. At the gas plant there were many hostages, but they still attacked to get their gas plant back and that caused many of the hostages to get killed (Guardian). Algerians are proud of their country and will do what they can to not belong to anyone and stay free.
Algerians have made it really far as a country and their history is very interesting. They went though many things in the pass and are still going through many situations, but they still find a way to solve their problems. The Algerians are moving forward as a colony, they are free from the French and are doing a great job keeping the terrorists away from their country. They are proud of what they have done and we should recognize them and give them credit for everything they have gone through. Hopefully they will keep doing the good job they are doing by moving forward on technology and on life.
There are many reasons why you should watch the movie the Days of Glory. One of the reasons is because you don’t have to read: it's a movie. It's also good to see what people went through in the war. Also you learn more about history, not just yours but other country history. The movie is going to be showing on Wednesday, April 10 at 9pm. I really recommend you watch this movie; you are going to learn some history without reading a book.
Sources:
• Chris Cross, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2013/jan/25/algeria-hostage-crisis-full-story, 25 Jan 2013. Web. 12 Mar 2013
• History Army, http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/sfrance/sfrance.htm, 3 Oct 2003. Web. 12 Mar 2013 ( didn’t find the authors name)
• Holocaust Memorial Museum, http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005177, 11 May 2012. Web. 12 Mar 2013
• IMDb, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0444182/, Web. 12 Mar 2013( doesn’t have date or author)
• Patrick Clancey, http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-C-Algeria/index.html, Web, 12 Mar 2013 (didn’t found the last update)
• Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algerian_War, 6 Mar 2013. Web. 12 Mar 2013
Elina Rabinovich: Black Hole Finder
New Eyes Probing the Universe: NuSTAR - "The Black Hole Finder Mission". Dr. Charles Hailey, Kellas 104, Thursday 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Black Hole Finder by Elina Rabinovich
If you are anything like I used to be, and I am sure you are, BBC’s Doctor Who, or CBS’s Star Trek are the primary source for your entire knowledge of Black holes (and space in general). Unfortunately, that information isn’t exactly scientific fact, no matter how badly we might sometimes want it to be. On April 11th at 10am, you can learn some more reliable facts from Dr. Charles Hailey from Columbia University. Dr. Hailey will take us on an exciting hunt through the known universe for black holes.
Black holes are formed from the death of stars in supernova explosions. If the original star was big enough, about three times the size of the sun, and then when it dies it becomes a black hole. According to NASA (2013), a black hole is not the absence of anything: it is actually so much matter packed into such ‘small’ space that it creates a gravitational pull so large that even light can not escape its grasp. Since we are unable to see black holes, even with telescopes that detect x-ray light, one of the only ways we can observe black holes is through the area surrounding them. If, for example, a black hole will pass too closely to another star, then the black hole will essentially eat that star. While eating that star, they can produce massive amounts of radiation that can essentially give life to new stars.
Black holes are found in the center of most galaxies, even our own Milky Way (Spotts, 2011). Scientists believe that there are two different types of black holes: stellar black holes which range anywhere from three to ten times bigger then our sun, and super massive black holes, which are billions of times larger than our sun. (Kruesi, 2012). The black hole in our Milky Way is a much smaller version of the giants out there. The massive black holes that were recently discovered in other parts of the universe could fit into an orbit that was five times the size of our former planet Pluto. (Spotts, 2011).
When these giants are eating other stars, they produce something called “hard x-rays” (Columbia, 2012). Dr. Charles Hailey was able to create a telescope called the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope array, or NuSTAR (NBC News, 2012), that can see this radiation or “hard x-rays” that black holes give off. This telescope has 133 mirrors, all of which are specifically angled so that light will hit the mirrors a certain way, and the x-rays will be detectable. Scientists suggest that this telescope will help us understand how black holes consume their fuel sources and grow (Daily Galaxy, 2012). The telescope created by Dr. Hailey will be orbiting space for the next two years.
Dr. Hailey is a professor at Columbia University. He obtained his B.A in 1977 from Cornell University and his Ph.D. at Columbia in 1983. Before teaching physics he was a research scientist and then a program leader for the physics department at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, he also worked at KMS Fusion, Inc. as a senior research scientist. He now teaches experimental astrophysics and partial astrophysics (Columbia, 2011).
With this type of technology we will be able to see an unconceivable number of black holes. Though what is more amazing about this technology that Dr. Hailey has created, is what we might yet discover. There are so many unknowns in the universe, things that we might never understand, but Dr. Hailey’s work brings us one step closer to understanding the universe we live in and what is in our astrological backyard. So come down on Thursday, April 11th at 10am and let Dr. Charles Hailey open your eyes to the known, and maybe even some of the unknown universe.
References
Chown, Marcus. "Black Hole Universe." New Scientist 211.2826 (2011): 38-40. Academic Search Complete. Web. 6 Mar. 2013.
Clark, Stuart. "Secret Supernovae." New Scientist 214.2863 (2012): 38-41. Academic Search Complete. Web. 6 Mar. 2013.
Columbia University, 2012. “Black-hole Hunter”
Retrieved from: http://magazine.columbia.edu/explorations/fall-2012/black-hole-hunter
Columbia University, 2011. Charles J. Hailey
http://www.astro.columbia.edu/profProfile/cHailey/
Kruesi, Liz. "HOW WE KNOW BLACK HOLES EXIST. (Cover Story)." Astronomy 40.4 (2012): 24-29. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
Moskowitz, Clara, 2012. “Nasa blasts NuSTAR telescope into orbit to hunt black holes”
Retrieved from: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/47798276/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/nasa-blasts-nustar-telescope-orbit-hunt-black-holes#.UT3wfKV0obo
NASA, 2013. “Black Holes”
Retrieved from: http://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/black-holes/
Spotts, Pete. "Discovery of biggest black holes ever may shed light on galaxy formation." Christian Science Monitor 08 Dec. 2011: N.PAG. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
Talcott, Richard. "BLACK HOLES In Our Backyard." Astronomy (2012): 44-49. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
2012. “Milky Way's 'Sleeping' Supermassive Black Hole Erupts with a Flare Up”
Retrieved from:
http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2012/10/milky-ways-sleeping-supermassive-black-hole-erupts-with-a-flare-up-.html
Black Hole Finder by Elina Rabinovich
If you are anything like I used to be, and I am sure you are, BBC’s Doctor Who, or CBS’s Star Trek are the primary source for your entire knowledge of Black holes (and space in general). Unfortunately, that information isn’t exactly scientific fact, no matter how badly we might sometimes want it to be. On April 11th at 10am, you can learn some more reliable facts from Dr. Charles Hailey from Columbia University. Dr. Hailey will take us on an exciting hunt through the known universe for black holes.
Black holes are formed from the death of stars in supernova explosions. If the original star was big enough, about three times the size of the sun, and then when it dies it becomes a black hole. According to NASA (2013), a black hole is not the absence of anything: it is actually so much matter packed into such ‘small’ space that it creates a gravitational pull so large that even light can not escape its grasp. Since we are unable to see black holes, even with telescopes that detect x-ray light, one of the only ways we can observe black holes is through the area surrounding them. If, for example, a black hole will pass too closely to another star, then the black hole will essentially eat that star. While eating that star, they can produce massive amounts of radiation that can essentially give life to new stars.
Black holes are found in the center of most galaxies, even our own Milky Way (Spotts, 2011). Scientists believe that there are two different types of black holes: stellar black holes which range anywhere from three to ten times bigger then our sun, and super massive black holes, which are billions of times larger than our sun. (Kruesi, 2012). The black hole in our Milky Way is a much smaller version of the giants out there. The massive black holes that were recently discovered in other parts of the universe could fit into an orbit that was five times the size of our former planet Pluto. (Spotts, 2011).
When these giants are eating other stars, they produce something called “hard x-rays” (Columbia, 2012). Dr. Charles Hailey was able to create a telescope called the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope array, or NuSTAR (NBC News, 2012), that can see this radiation or “hard x-rays” that black holes give off. This telescope has 133 mirrors, all of which are specifically angled so that light will hit the mirrors a certain way, and the x-rays will be detectable. Scientists suggest that this telescope will help us understand how black holes consume their fuel sources and grow (Daily Galaxy, 2012). The telescope created by Dr. Hailey will be orbiting space for the next two years.
Dr. Hailey is a professor at Columbia University. He obtained his B.A in 1977 from Cornell University and his Ph.D. at Columbia in 1983. Before teaching physics he was a research scientist and then a program leader for the physics department at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, he also worked at KMS Fusion, Inc. as a senior research scientist. He now teaches experimental astrophysics and partial astrophysics (Columbia, 2011).
With this type of technology we will be able to see an unconceivable number of black holes. Though what is more amazing about this technology that Dr. Hailey has created, is what we might yet discover. There are so many unknowns in the universe, things that we might never understand, but Dr. Hailey’s work brings us one step closer to understanding the universe we live in and what is in our astrological backyard. So come down on Thursday, April 11th at 10am and let Dr. Charles Hailey open your eyes to the known, and maybe even some of the unknown universe.
References
Chown, Marcus. "Black Hole Universe." New Scientist 211.2826 (2011): 38-40. Academic Search Complete. Web. 6 Mar. 2013.
Clark, Stuart. "Secret Supernovae." New Scientist 214.2863 (2012): 38-41. Academic Search Complete. Web. 6 Mar. 2013.
Columbia University, 2012. “Black-hole Hunter”
Retrieved from: http://magazine.columbia.edu/explorations/fall-2012/black-hole-hunter
Columbia University, 2011. Charles J. Hailey
http://www.astro.columbia.edu/profProfile/cHailey/
Kruesi, Liz. "HOW WE KNOW BLACK HOLES EXIST. (Cover Story)." Astronomy 40.4 (2012): 24-29. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
Moskowitz, Clara, 2012. “Nasa blasts NuSTAR telescope into orbit to hunt black holes”
Retrieved from: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/47798276/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/nasa-blasts-nustar-telescope-orbit-hunt-black-holes#.UT3wfKV0obo
NASA, 2013. “Black Holes”
Retrieved from: http://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/black-holes/
Spotts, Pete. "Discovery of biggest black holes ever may shed light on galaxy formation." Christian Science Monitor 08 Dec. 2011: N.PAG. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
Talcott, Richard. "BLACK HOLES In Our Backyard." Astronomy (2012): 44-49. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
2012. “Milky Way's 'Sleeping' Supermassive Black Hole Erupts with a Flare Up”
Retrieved from:
http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2012/10/milky-ways-sleeping-supermassive-black-hole-erupts-with-a-flare-up-.html
Amanda Ryan: Global music: Electrotango
Leading edge of global music: Shattering the 'World Music' Label. David Sommerstein, Kellas 105, Thursday 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Global Music and Electro Tango by Amanda Ryan
In the Academic Festival, DJ David Sommerstein is going to be giving a presentation on “The Leading Edge of Global Music.” He is going to illustrate all kinds of different music around the world but most importantly a genre called nu cumbia and introduce global hip-hop. Sommerstein has lived in Argentina and was influenced by this kind of music. Not only does he say that it is influencing our culture but other resources are saying this also. Sommerstein was a Spanish teacher in Buffalo but now participates in our local public radio station known as the North Country Public Radio where he plays cumbia music that was played in Argentina (David Sommerstein).
Global music is becoming more popular as people from different countries move to other parts of the world. Even though some people aren’t as open as Sommerstein when sharing the music that he loves, it still spreads through media, and different elements of music are borrowed in our generation of music to come up with new sounds which is creating a fusion. He also has a music show called the Beat Authority and a Facebook page to share the music that he plays. (Beat Authority at: http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/programs/local/beatauthority.html)
Sommerstein will also give a view on these trends. The reason why cumbia is exciting is because it is a genre that is made to make you dance, like pop for instance. With the use of hand drums rather than an actual drum set, it is definitely different and enjoyable, making you want to listen more. (Borrero). Unfortunately, we do not use as much hand drums and brass in our own music because we are involved with technology so much that the computers are making the beats for us rather than creating it with our own hands with the actual instrument.
Cumbia is a type of music that was played in Argentina that had its own rhythms that made it very unique. There’s an interesting emphasis on percussion as well as different instruments that blend together to make cumbia a music genre of its own kind. The blending of the instruments is nothing like the music that we listen to here in the United States and gives a whole new outlook of what other genres there are in the world. This music is also popular in dancing halls which are known as bailes or bailantes (Leaver). David Sommerstein will be showing us cumbia by playing various songs and pieces in his presentation. When listening to it you will find that you will get a better sense of culture of Argentina and how they represent themselves differently through music. One song from the cumbia genre is “Caminando” (meaning walking in Spanish) by Caramelito. You will hear the beautiful sound of energetic trumpets as well as a guitar that blend together in a way that makes it exciting to listen to while getting the sense of culture that is represented. Another artist that uses the same kind of style but only with more percussion and brass is Jimmy Bosch (Leaver). As we can see, they like to use more brass instruments to illustrate the meaning that they are trying to get across to make their music more exciting and intriguing to listen to.
Listening to cumbia that will be illustrated by David Sommerstein is definitely something to look forward to because it will give us a sense of global fusion that is occurring in the world. Not only does cumbia give us a good sense of that fusion, but there is another cool fusion called electro tango, or “tango fusion.” Electronics are a big factor and fuse together with the music genre we all know as tango. Acoustic tango is with guitars and lighter sounds opposed to electro tango that uses that lightness as the melody and the electronic sound as the bass. Three examples of electro tango artists are Tanghetto, Carlos Libedinsky, and Bajofondo (“Tango”). Tanghetto is a band that is in Buenos Aires who adored the ability to fuse electronica and tango. They also developed this sound in 2004 when it was just a side project called “hybrid tango” ("Tanghetto - Electrotango"). Their side project received a Latin Grammy and ever since has been one of the popular fusions. Another band, Bajofondo, is one of the great examples of electro tango.
Bajofondo (listen here at: http://www.youtube.com/artist/bajofondo) is another band that was created with artists from Argentina and Uruguay that had the familiar project of fusion between tango and electronica ("Bajofondo Biography - The Official Bajofondo Site."). They released their remix in 2005 and also were aware that this new piece of music was going to start clichés like others, and stated that this what they wanted to stay away from. Since this electro tango genre received a Grammy of its own, it is definitely an amazing fusion that I haven’t considered.
David Sommerstein is the one who, with North Country Public Radio, introduced the genres of electro tango and nu cumbia to Potsdam listeners. Both styles of music are a fusion of other genres that are blended together to create a sound that is brand new and unique that others would want to listen to it as an alternative to current genres around the world. Since it is unique, it may inspire you to listen to more of this kind of music and become familiar with the culture that is being shown in Argentina and around the world such as Uruguay. David Sommerstein is an expert himself since he lived in Argentina for a year recently and familiarized himself with the music that makes you want to get up and dance. It is becoming popular now as technology is expanding and making music genres blend together and be influenced by one another. Before we know it, there will be more music fusions that will occur in our nation as well because it is happening right now around the world and soon the music that we listen will become influenced by their unique style.
Works Cited
“Bajofondo Biography” The Official Bajofondo Site. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
David Sommerstein. “The Beat Authority.” North Country Public Radio. 2013. Web. 22 Mar. 2013
Borrero, S. 2008. “La cumbia: music from the Caribbean coast of columbia.” Percussive Notes, 46, 20-22, 24-27
Leaver, R. “Noches calientes: oasis latino.” The Beat, 23, 42-43, 59
“Tango.” Wikipedia. N.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013
“Tanghetto - Electrotango.” Tanghetto. N.d. Web. 18 Mar 2013
Global Music and Electro Tango by Amanda Ryan
In the Academic Festival, DJ David Sommerstein is going to be giving a presentation on “The Leading Edge of Global Music.” He is going to illustrate all kinds of different music around the world but most importantly a genre called nu cumbia and introduce global hip-hop. Sommerstein has lived in Argentina and was influenced by this kind of music. Not only does he say that it is influencing our culture but other resources are saying this also. Sommerstein was a Spanish teacher in Buffalo but now participates in our local public radio station known as the North Country Public Radio where he plays cumbia music that was played in Argentina (David Sommerstein).
Global music is becoming more popular as people from different countries move to other parts of the world. Even though some people aren’t as open as Sommerstein when sharing the music that he loves, it still spreads through media, and different elements of music are borrowed in our generation of music to come up with new sounds which is creating a fusion. He also has a music show called the Beat Authority and a Facebook page to share the music that he plays. (Beat Authority at: http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/programs/local/beatauthority.html)
Sommerstein will also give a view on these trends. The reason why cumbia is exciting is because it is a genre that is made to make you dance, like pop for instance. With the use of hand drums rather than an actual drum set, it is definitely different and enjoyable, making you want to listen more. (Borrero). Unfortunately, we do not use as much hand drums and brass in our own music because we are involved with technology so much that the computers are making the beats for us rather than creating it with our own hands with the actual instrument.
Cumbia is a type of music that was played in Argentina that had its own rhythms that made it very unique. There’s an interesting emphasis on percussion as well as different instruments that blend together to make cumbia a music genre of its own kind. The blending of the instruments is nothing like the music that we listen to here in the United States and gives a whole new outlook of what other genres there are in the world. This music is also popular in dancing halls which are known as bailes or bailantes (Leaver). David Sommerstein will be showing us cumbia by playing various songs and pieces in his presentation. When listening to it you will find that you will get a better sense of culture of Argentina and how they represent themselves differently through music. One song from the cumbia genre is “Caminando” (meaning walking in Spanish) by Caramelito. You will hear the beautiful sound of energetic trumpets as well as a guitar that blend together in a way that makes it exciting to listen to while getting the sense of culture that is represented. Another artist that uses the same kind of style but only with more percussion and brass is Jimmy Bosch (Leaver). As we can see, they like to use more brass instruments to illustrate the meaning that they are trying to get across to make their music more exciting and intriguing to listen to.
Listening to cumbia that will be illustrated by David Sommerstein is definitely something to look forward to because it will give us a sense of global fusion that is occurring in the world. Not only does cumbia give us a good sense of that fusion, but there is another cool fusion called electro tango, or “tango fusion.” Electronics are a big factor and fuse together with the music genre we all know as tango. Acoustic tango is with guitars and lighter sounds opposed to electro tango that uses that lightness as the melody and the electronic sound as the bass. Three examples of electro tango artists are Tanghetto, Carlos Libedinsky, and Bajofondo (“Tango”). Tanghetto is a band that is in Buenos Aires who adored the ability to fuse electronica and tango. They also developed this sound in 2004 when it was just a side project called “hybrid tango” ("Tanghetto - Electrotango"). Their side project received a Latin Grammy and ever since has been one of the popular fusions. Another band, Bajofondo, is one of the great examples of electro tango.
Bajofondo (listen here at: http://www.youtube.com/artist/bajofondo) is another band that was created with artists from Argentina and Uruguay that had the familiar project of fusion between tango and electronica ("Bajofondo Biography - The Official Bajofondo Site."). They released their remix in 2005 and also were aware that this new piece of music was going to start clichés like others, and stated that this what they wanted to stay away from. Since this electro tango genre received a Grammy of its own, it is definitely an amazing fusion that I haven’t considered.
David Sommerstein is the one who, with North Country Public Radio, introduced the genres of electro tango and nu cumbia to Potsdam listeners. Both styles of music are a fusion of other genres that are blended together to create a sound that is brand new and unique that others would want to listen to it as an alternative to current genres around the world. Since it is unique, it may inspire you to listen to more of this kind of music and become familiar with the culture that is being shown in Argentina and around the world such as Uruguay. David Sommerstein is an expert himself since he lived in Argentina for a year recently and familiarized himself with the music that makes you want to get up and dance. It is becoming popular now as technology is expanding and making music genres blend together and be influenced by one another. Before we know it, there will be more music fusions that will occur in our nation as well because it is happening right now around the world and soon the music that we listen will become influenced by their unique style.
Works Cited
“Bajofondo Biography” The Official Bajofondo Site. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
David Sommerstein. “The Beat Authority.” North Country Public Radio. 2013. Web. 22 Mar. 2013
Borrero, S. 2008. “La cumbia: music from the Caribbean coast of columbia.” Percussive Notes, 46, 20-22, 24-27
Leaver, R. “Noches calientes: oasis latino.” The Beat, 23, 42-43, 59
“Tango.” Wikipedia. N.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013
“Tanghetto - Electrotango.” Tanghetto. N.d. Web. 18 Mar 2013
Amber Reid: Global music: Let the Music Flow
Leading edge of global music: Shattering the 'World Music' Label. David Sommerstein, Kellas 105, Thursday 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Let the Music Flow by Amber Reid
Have you ever wondered why some of those American citizens, who have an issue with other cultures coming into this free country, will talk about how interested they are in that culture’s language, food, or music, but then turn the people of that culture away simply because they were not born here? For example: are those said Americans complaining at the club when the new DJ, who happens to be from Latin America, plays their favorite Latin beat? There are many possibilities as to why some people think this way, but one of the most important, in my opinion, is exposure. If those said Americans believe that, then maybe they have not had more of an experience with that culture or people from that culture. Then why tell them they cannot stay here? Although there are many different genres of music and “to find a single definition that will satisfy all is impossible,” so why not have the experience first-hand with a person with that background they are curious or interested about (Burnett 29)?
The students of SUNY Potsdam and the locals of the town are in luck, for on April 11th, David Sommerstein, a bilingual North Country Public Radio journalist and music provider will be sharing his variety global music at eleven in the morning at SUNY Potsdam. This event could allow the students, faculty, and guests who attend it see that it will bring unity, not only to a little town in the North Country, but spread that unity to the rest of the world.
Sommerstein has been presenting to SUNY Potsdam students since 2002, and is well-known locally known as well as internationally, considering he quite recently spent a year in Argentina. His voice is heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and other NPR programs. Every Friday from 3-5pm, he is regularly heard on NCPR for “The Beat Authority,” where he plays a variety of music to help his listeners unwind from work in order to get ready for the weekend. Sommerstein even has his own Facebook page called Beat Authority where people from all ages and nationalities post on his wall about the music they would like to hear or just to tell him what they have heard already and loved (Mitchell).
Check out Sommerstein’s Beat Authority Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Beat-Authority/112300745490661?fref=ts
It is clear that music can bring people from all ages, races, ethnicities, and beliefs from around the globe together. At the event, Sommerstein will be focusing on the Ñu Cumbia music genre from Argentina and the continuation of hip hop music around the world. He will also be discussing that musicians from totally different continents are working on music together without ever having to meet due to modern technology, how music from different eras are being “mashed” into new hit songs, and how fans are able to listen “live to radio stations and concerts anywhere in the world” (Mitchell). Even though the music industry is operated differently in other countries, with the new technology now, those musicians are still coming together to collaborate in making the music sound better to make the listeners feel better (Bernstein). If those musicians can do that without even meeting each other, imagine what we could do once we come together as listeners! Even Congress has attempted to bring the people from different cultures who reside in the United States together with American citizens.
President Obama has proposed an act to Congress that children, and young adolescents under the age of fifteen, who were brought to this country by their parents, can become American citizens and live out the “American Dream”; this act is known as the Dream Act. Many people are unaware of this act because it has not been passed, but this bi partisan legislation can help those kids who have known nothing but America as their home to actually become “law abiding residents” (dreamact.info). If you are interested to learn more about eligibility and requirements, below is a link to the Dream Act information website: http://dreamact.info/faq/1#1n1991
And here’s information on how the Obama administration is implementing the idea: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/06/15/remarks-president-immigration
This topic matters to me because I adore Spanish-speaking cultures, along with many others; but Hispanic cultures are my favorite and has been since I was very young. It has always been fascinating and beautiful to me to hear someone speak in a different language or dance a certain way or even eat a certain food. Does this matter to you? How so?
I hope people can see by the enthusiasm and participation that will come from this workshop, with the help from David Sommerstein, that being diverse is not always just an immigration issue. It can be a surprisingly fun experience to be involved in something different from your own everyday life style. I honestly feel that this workshop will allow many of the viewers to realize that in more ways than one.
Work Cited
Bernstein, Sekine, Weissmen. The Global Music Industry: Three Perspectives. New York: Routledge, 2007.
Burnett, Robert. The Global Jukebox: The International Music Industry. New York: Routledge, 1996.
The Beat Authority. David Sommerstein. Facebook.
Mitchell, J. E-mail. Potsdam College. 2013.
Let the Music Flow by Amber Reid
Have you ever wondered why some of those American citizens, who have an issue with other cultures coming into this free country, will talk about how interested they are in that culture’s language, food, or music, but then turn the people of that culture away simply because they were not born here? For example: are those said Americans complaining at the club when the new DJ, who happens to be from Latin America, plays their favorite Latin beat? There are many possibilities as to why some people think this way, but one of the most important, in my opinion, is exposure. If those said Americans believe that, then maybe they have not had more of an experience with that culture or people from that culture. Then why tell them they cannot stay here? Although there are many different genres of music and “to find a single definition that will satisfy all is impossible,” so why not have the experience first-hand with a person with that background they are curious or interested about (Burnett 29)?
The students of SUNY Potsdam and the locals of the town are in luck, for on April 11th, David Sommerstein, a bilingual North Country Public Radio journalist and music provider will be sharing his variety global music at eleven in the morning at SUNY Potsdam. This event could allow the students, faculty, and guests who attend it see that it will bring unity, not only to a little town in the North Country, but spread that unity to the rest of the world.
Sommerstein has been presenting to SUNY Potsdam students since 2002, and is well-known locally known as well as internationally, considering he quite recently spent a year in Argentina. His voice is heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and other NPR programs. Every Friday from 3-5pm, he is regularly heard on NCPR for “The Beat Authority,” where he plays a variety of music to help his listeners unwind from work in order to get ready for the weekend. Sommerstein even has his own Facebook page called Beat Authority where people from all ages and nationalities post on his wall about the music they would like to hear or just to tell him what they have heard already and loved (Mitchell).
Check out Sommerstein’s Beat Authority Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Beat-Authority/112300745490661?fref=ts
It is clear that music can bring people from all ages, races, ethnicities, and beliefs from around the globe together. At the event, Sommerstein will be focusing on the Ñu Cumbia music genre from Argentina and the continuation of hip hop music around the world. He will also be discussing that musicians from totally different continents are working on music together without ever having to meet due to modern technology, how music from different eras are being “mashed” into new hit songs, and how fans are able to listen “live to radio stations and concerts anywhere in the world” (Mitchell). Even though the music industry is operated differently in other countries, with the new technology now, those musicians are still coming together to collaborate in making the music sound better to make the listeners feel better (Bernstein). If those musicians can do that without even meeting each other, imagine what we could do once we come together as listeners! Even Congress has attempted to bring the people from different cultures who reside in the United States together with American citizens.
President Obama has proposed an act to Congress that children, and young adolescents under the age of fifteen, who were brought to this country by their parents, can become American citizens and live out the “American Dream”; this act is known as the Dream Act. Many people are unaware of this act because it has not been passed, but this bi partisan legislation can help those kids who have known nothing but America as their home to actually become “law abiding residents” (dreamact.info). If you are interested to learn more about eligibility and requirements, below is a link to the Dream Act information website: http://dreamact.info/faq/1#1n1991
And here’s information on how the Obama administration is implementing the idea: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/06/15/remarks-president-immigration
This topic matters to me because I adore Spanish-speaking cultures, along with many others; but Hispanic cultures are my favorite and has been since I was very young. It has always been fascinating and beautiful to me to hear someone speak in a different language or dance a certain way or even eat a certain food. Does this matter to you? How so?
I hope people can see by the enthusiasm and participation that will come from this workshop, with the help from David Sommerstein, that being diverse is not always just an immigration issue. It can be a surprisingly fun experience to be involved in something different from your own everyday life style. I honestly feel that this workshop will allow many of the viewers to realize that in more ways than one.
Work Cited
Bernstein, Sekine, Weissmen. The Global Music Industry: Three Perspectives. New York: Routledge, 2007.
Burnett, Robert. The Global Jukebox: The International Music Industry. New York: Routledge, 1996.
The Beat Authority. David Sommerstein. Facebook.
Mitchell, J. E-mail. Potsdam College. 2013.
Ryan Colligan: Journey to Mars
Journey to Mars: The Rover Curiosity. Danny Krysak, Kellas 106, Thursday 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Space Exploration, Aliens, Curiosity and Danny Krysak by Ryan Colligan
Note to the reader: Here is a startling update. It’s important to note, with scientific articles in particular, that news and current information is subject to change, and often does at an alarming rate. This essay/blog post has been a work in progress for a few weeks now, but new information has been released since the essay was finished. The “ingredients for life” have been found in a sample of the ground taken by Curiosity on Mars. For information on this recent announcement, please visit http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2013-092 , as it will surely be a topic of conversation at the upcoming presentation.
Did we find evidence of an “alien death ship” on Mars?
On January 30th, 2013 the Mars rover Curiosity sent back a mysterious image, an image of a .5 cm “metallic arm.” Reflecting light in the manner that metal would, the photo has both scientists and enthusiasts guessing. An article by Michael Rundle of the Huffington Post UK entertains some of these theories. Could it be a metal more resistant to erosion, or could it really be some alien manufactured metal? (Rundle)
It’s stories and articles like these that lead our minds to wander like they did when we were children, that bring us crawling back to our grade school days when we entertained Star Wars-esque fantasies of life on other planets. It is a great tragedy that these days, we seem to take space exploration for granted. It not only helps to answer our many questions about what might be out there beyond Earth, but it also helps to support our economy!
Scott Hubbard, a professor in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford and a 20 year NASA alum, has said that “$7 or $8 in goods and services are still produced for every $1 that the government invests in NASA.” (Gaudin) These investments in NASA not only help us to achieve new feats in engineering, but also help us to develop new communication technology. Could you imagine a world without smart phones and laptops? Without the Apollo missions, you wouldn’t have to! We would not have the integrated circuit, a key component to microchips (Gaudin), and without microchips, we would not have the amazing computer devices we have today! It’s difficult to imagine the world without these “byproducts” of space exploration.
So why aren’t people noticing this trend? Because we as a nation do not understand this relationship between NASA and technological progress, we consequently did not rally around Curiosity. A rover “roughly the size of a Mini Cooper” (Ball) not only touched down on the surface of Mars, but it provided a live feed with only a 14 minute delay (Ball)! It seems however, that America is just no longer fascinated by space exploration, but maybe, just maybe, Danny Krysak can muster up some enthusiasm and support.
“Who is Danny Krysak?” you may be asking?
Danny Krysak is a Planetary Geoscience graduate from the University at Buffalo and he will be presenting as part of SUNY Potsdam’s 2013 Academic Festival on Thursday, April 11th. The presentation, titled “Journey to Mars: The Rover Curiosity” begins at 1 PM.
It would be difficult to find a better speaker when it comes to Curiosity. Not only did Krysak minor (in geology) here at SUNY Potsdam in 2008 (SUNY Potsdam Department of Geology), he is currently a “Mission Operations Specialist” for Curiosity at Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS) (Ball)!
What Krysak does, in simple terms, is operates the four science cameras on board Curiosity (the four cameras being MARDI; the Mars Descent Imager, MAHLI; the Mars Hand Lens Imager, and two mast cams) (Ball). The role of the four cameras is to provide images for the science team (Ball), so in a way, they are Curiosity’s eyes. Krysak is one of the first people on Earth to see these images, and is therefore of importance to Curiosity’s main mission.
For those who may not know why we sent a rover to Mars, an article titled “Face to Face with a Giant” by Emily Lakdawalla sums it up quite nicely.
“Curiosity is designed to study ancient rocks in order to determine what the environment was like when they formed, and whether the ingredients for life- water, a source of energy, and organic materials- were present, and for how long.” (Lakdawalla)
The search for these “ingredients for life” as Lakdawalla put it, is Curiosity’s main mission, and unlike its predecessors-- Spirit and Opportunity, Curiosity is significantly more equipped for the task. Curiosity is nuclear-powered and features tools for excavation (a brush, a drill, an Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer, and sieves) and tools for analysis (assorted cameras and on-board chem labs) (Lakdawalla). Krysak’s role, operating the Mastcams, is pivotal in this main mission. By making use of the Mastcams, promising rock formations are selected for drilling and examination. (Lakdawalla)
Much progress has been made since Curiosity has touched down on August 5th, 2012 (Drake). Shiny objects shrouded in mystery aside, Curiosity has, at last, drilled its first 5 cm hole into the surface. (Palmer) By analyzing the powder and sediments drilled from the rock (Amos), we can begin to hypothesize how a planet that was “once more like Earth became the dry, dusty and acidic ball it is today (Drake).”
Curiosity has also begun to take impressive photos of itself on Mars using its MAHLI hand cam (one of the cameras operated by Krysak!) (Amos).These interesting photos can be viewed on Curiosity’s twitter, along with current news and updates on what the rover is doing at https://twitter.com/MarsCuriosity.
So come show some support for our space program. Come to Danny Krysak’s “Journey to Mars: The Rover Curiosity” at 1 PM on Thursday, April 11th, and discover for yourself what Krysak and the team have found, whether life may have existed on Mars, and see where the future may take us!
Works Cited
Amos, Jonathan. "Curiosity Mars Rover Spins Its Rock Drill." BBC News. BBC, 02 July 2013. Web. 23 Feb. 2013.
Ball, Jessica. "Danny Krysak: An Out-of-this-world Geologist (Accretionary Wedge #49) - Magma Cum Laude - AGU Blogosphere." AGU Blogosphere. American Geophysical Union, 28 Aug. 2012. Web. 14 Feb. 2013.
Drake, Nadia. "Safe On Mars, Rover Begins The Search For Signs Of Habitability." Science News 182.4 (2012): 5-6. Academic Search Complete. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
Gaudin, Sharon. "How Moon Landing Changed Technology History." Computerworld UK. DG News Service, 21 July 2009. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
Lakdawalla, Emily. "Face To Face With A Giant." Sky & Telescope 122.6 (2011): 22-30. Academic Search Complete. Web. 14 Feb. 2013.
Palmer, Roxanne. "NASA Rover Curiosity Is First Robot To Drill Into Martian Surface." International Business Times. International Business Times, 22 Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
Rundle, Michael. "Mars Rover Spots Metallic 'Arm' Sticking Out Of A Rock (PICTURES)." Huffington Post UK. Huffington Post UK, 7 Feb. 2013. Web. 14 Feb. 2013.
SUNY Potsdam Department of Geology. "2011 & 2012 Double Issue." State University of New York College at Potsdam Geology Newsletter (2012): 19+. Web. 9 Mar. 2013. PDF file.
Space Exploration, Aliens, Curiosity and Danny Krysak by Ryan Colligan
Note to the reader: Here is a startling update. It’s important to note, with scientific articles in particular, that news and current information is subject to change, and often does at an alarming rate. This essay/blog post has been a work in progress for a few weeks now, but new information has been released since the essay was finished. The “ingredients for life” have been found in a sample of the ground taken by Curiosity on Mars. For information on this recent announcement, please visit http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2013-092 , as it will surely be a topic of conversation at the upcoming presentation.
Did we find evidence of an “alien death ship” on Mars?
On January 30th, 2013 the Mars rover Curiosity sent back a mysterious image, an image of a .5 cm “metallic arm.” Reflecting light in the manner that metal would, the photo has both scientists and enthusiasts guessing. An article by Michael Rundle of the Huffington Post UK entertains some of these theories. Could it be a metal more resistant to erosion, or could it really be some alien manufactured metal? (Rundle)
It’s stories and articles like these that lead our minds to wander like they did when we were children, that bring us crawling back to our grade school days when we entertained Star Wars-esque fantasies of life on other planets. It is a great tragedy that these days, we seem to take space exploration for granted. It not only helps to answer our many questions about what might be out there beyond Earth, but it also helps to support our economy!
Scott Hubbard, a professor in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford and a 20 year NASA alum, has said that “$7 or $8 in goods and services are still produced for every $1 that the government invests in NASA.” (Gaudin) These investments in NASA not only help us to achieve new feats in engineering, but also help us to develop new communication technology. Could you imagine a world without smart phones and laptops? Without the Apollo missions, you wouldn’t have to! We would not have the integrated circuit, a key component to microchips (Gaudin), and without microchips, we would not have the amazing computer devices we have today! It’s difficult to imagine the world without these “byproducts” of space exploration.
So why aren’t people noticing this trend? Because we as a nation do not understand this relationship between NASA and technological progress, we consequently did not rally around Curiosity. A rover “roughly the size of a Mini Cooper” (Ball) not only touched down on the surface of Mars, but it provided a live feed with only a 14 minute delay (Ball)! It seems however, that America is just no longer fascinated by space exploration, but maybe, just maybe, Danny Krysak can muster up some enthusiasm and support.
“Who is Danny Krysak?” you may be asking?
Danny Krysak is a Planetary Geoscience graduate from the University at Buffalo and he will be presenting as part of SUNY Potsdam’s 2013 Academic Festival on Thursday, April 11th. The presentation, titled “Journey to Mars: The Rover Curiosity” begins at 1 PM.
It would be difficult to find a better speaker when it comes to Curiosity. Not only did Krysak minor (in geology) here at SUNY Potsdam in 2008 (SUNY Potsdam Department of Geology), he is currently a “Mission Operations Specialist” for Curiosity at Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS) (Ball)!
What Krysak does, in simple terms, is operates the four science cameras on board Curiosity (the four cameras being MARDI; the Mars Descent Imager, MAHLI; the Mars Hand Lens Imager, and two mast cams) (Ball). The role of the four cameras is to provide images for the science team (Ball), so in a way, they are Curiosity’s eyes. Krysak is one of the first people on Earth to see these images, and is therefore of importance to Curiosity’s main mission.
For those who may not know why we sent a rover to Mars, an article titled “Face to Face with a Giant” by Emily Lakdawalla sums it up quite nicely.
“Curiosity is designed to study ancient rocks in order to determine what the environment was like when they formed, and whether the ingredients for life- water, a source of energy, and organic materials- were present, and for how long.” (Lakdawalla)
The search for these “ingredients for life” as Lakdawalla put it, is Curiosity’s main mission, and unlike its predecessors-- Spirit and Opportunity, Curiosity is significantly more equipped for the task. Curiosity is nuclear-powered and features tools for excavation (a brush, a drill, an Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer, and sieves) and tools for analysis (assorted cameras and on-board chem labs) (Lakdawalla). Krysak’s role, operating the Mastcams, is pivotal in this main mission. By making use of the Mastcams, promising rock formations are selected for drilling and examination. (Lakdawalla)
Much progress has been made since Curiosity has touched down on August 5th, 2012 (Drake). Shiny objects shrouded in mystery aside, Curiosity has, at last, drilled its first 5 cm hole into the surface. (Palmer) By analyzing the powder and sediments drilled from the rock (Amos), we can begin to hypothesize how a planet that was “once more like Earth became the dry, dusty and acidic ball it is today (Drake).”
Curiosity has also begun to take impressive photos of itself on Mars using its MAHLI hand cam (one of the cameras operated by Krysak!) (Amos).These interesting photos can be viewed on Curiosity’s twitter, along with current news and updates on what the rover is doing at https://twitter.com/MarsCuriosity.
So come show some support for our space program. Come to Danny Krysak’s “Journey to Mars: The Rover Curiosity” at 1 PM on Thursday, April 11th, and discover for yourself what Krysak and the team have found, whether life may have existed on Mars, and see where the future may take us!
Works Cited
Amos, Jonathan. "Curiosity Mars Rover Spins Its Rock Drill." BBC News. BBC, 02 July 2013. Web. 23 Feb. 2013.
Ball, Jessica. "Danny Krysak: An Out-of-this-world Geologist (Accretionary Wedge #49) - Magma Cum Laude - AGU Blogosphere." AGU Blogosphere. American Geophysical Union, 28 Aug. 2012. Web. 14 Feb. 2013.
Drake, Nadia. "Safe On Mars, Rover Begins The Search For Signs Of Habitability." Science News 182.4 (2012): 5-6. Academic Search Complete. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
Gaudin, Sharon. "How Moon Landing Changed Technology History." Computerworld UK. DG News Service, 21 July 2009. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
Lakdawalla, Emily. "Face To Face With A Giant." Sky & Telescope 122.6 (2011): 22-30. Academic Search Complete. Web. 14 Feb. 2013.
Palmer, Roxanne. "NASA Rover Curiosity Is First Robot To Drill Into Martian Surface." International Business Times. International Business Times, 22 Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
Rundle, Michael. "Mars Rover Spots Metallic 'Arm' Sticking Out Of A Rock (PICTURES)." Huffington Post UK. Huffington Post UK, 7 Feb. 2013. Web. 14 Feb. 2013.
SUNY Potsdam Department of Geology. "2011 & 2012 Double Issue." State University of New York College at Potsdam Geology Newsletter (2012): 19+. Web. 9 Mar. 2013. PDF file.
Tony Scott: Mysteries of Earth’s Moon
Earth's Moon: What we have learned since the Apollo missions. Dr. Ryan A. Zeigler, Kellas 106, Thursday 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Mysteries of Earth’s Moon by Tony Scott
For many years, the moon has served as a major point of interest for astronomers. It is also the only other area in the galaxy, other than earth, that humanity has stepped foot on. The first two men to ever step foot on the moon were Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin on July 20, 1969 (NASA-The First Person on the Moon). Since then, several other trips to the moon have taken place to retrieve sample moon rocks for further study. The origin of the moon, to this day, still remains uncertain. Scientists use moon rock samples brought back from the Apollo missions for examination to get a better understanding of the history and creation of the moon (“Moon” Wikipedia).
One of the lunar geologists who are involved in these studies is Ryan Zeigler. Ryan Zeigler is a SUNY Potsdam graduate who is now one of the researchers employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (NASA) Like many other scientists in the same field, Ryan shares the common goal in finding the answer to the question: How was the moon formed? One theory suggests that the moon was formed about 4.9 billion years ago from a combination of debris caused by a collision between earth and a Mars-sized body (Earth’s Moon). However, there is no concrete evidence that fully supports this theory. Though, it’s been discovered that even though earth has very different levels of composition compared to other bodies in the solar system such as Mars and Vesta, the isotopic compositions found on earth and the moon are very similar. (“Moon” - Wikipedia) This could imply that some of the compositions on the moon came from earth, thus promoting the theory of the moon’s creation taking place by a collision between earth and another body.
More than three hundred kilograms of lunar rocks have been collected from nine different areas on the moon for examination (Christiansen, Eric/ Hamblin, W), and like forensic anthropologists study bones to clarify the lifestyle and physical growth by studying the remains of a subject, lunar geologists like, Ryan Zeigler, study lunar samples to piece together a timeline based on the moon’s physical states and experiences since the beginning of its existence, to current date…By studying the lunar rocks, scientists have constructed a plausible timeline of events that took place after its creation... The first occurrence implied by their hypothesis, was the changing of the moon’s exterior structural formation resulting from the crystallization of a magma ocean covering the moon’s surface… Based on other studies, researchers have found that a large portion of the moon was at one time, covered in magma… They figure the magma was a result from the formation of the moon after the theorized, collision took place (Christiansen, Eric/ Hamblin, W). Consider this an educated guess, but it’s probable that the magma was formed due to a portion of the matter being highly overheated from the collision, thus, somehow forming into pure magma during the fusion from the debris. However, understandably, the magma crystalized, which formed a solid landscape after hardening… The timeline suggests that the moon also went through a heavy bombardment of meteors…This would obviously explain the several impact craters that cover the moon. The extrusion of magma beneath the moon’s surface was implied to have happened later on, which also crystallized and formed igneous rock, adding to the moon’s rough terrain… The last occurrence said to have happened was a lighter bombardment of meteors (Christiansen, Eric/ Hamblin, W). Having constructed a timeline for the moon could serve as a useful factor in discovering the answer many scientists are looking for. If we can learn about the moon’s development maybe that can help us learn about its formation. It’s a process of working backwards to finally work our way to the very beginning.
While the creation of the moon still remains a mystery, the search for the truth is of high importance. Solving this mystery could help researchers answer more commonly asked questions as well. Such as, how the earth was created, or the questions many people have about why earth is so unique, and why the earth is the only known planet that holds life. Perhaps the answer lies in the creation of earth. Maybe it was the process of the earth’s creation that resulted in its capabilities of sustaining life. It could give us a better understanding on how life on earth became possible. If we understand that, it could give us a probable indication that maybe there are other areas in the universe that sustain life. Maybe our existence isn’t a mere accident or coincidence, but rather a natural occurrence. It’s interesting to believe that such a small part of the universe could not only reveal mysteries of its own, but likely reveal mysteries of the universe at large.
In conclusion, Ryan Zeigler will be making an appearance at the Making the Future Festival to talk to students about his research and what interesting information he has to offer, so I feel it may be appropriate to give you a little bit of background information about Ryan, since he also went to college here at Potsdam state. I feel this information may be important for many other students to hear because many of them could probably relate to what experiences Ryan went through during his education at this college. Ryan describes himself as somewhat of a “nerd” in college, due to the fact that he did spend a bit more time studying than most other students. However, he did involve himself in campus clubs, sports, and other recreational services the campus has to offer. On top of that, like many other students, he did take classes that he struggled with and didn’t quite enjoy. One of these classes that comes to mind is Art History. This piece of information is somewhat intriguing because I have heard the same thing from other students that go here now. Out of all the hard classes here, Art history is so far, the one I’ve heard peers ranting about the most. That is why I find it interesting to know about his experience. However, despite the struggles he had in some of his classes, he believes that every class does hold some amount of significance to every student, even if it’s a course that has nothing to do with their major. No matter what class it is, there’s always some amount of knowledge to be obtained from it. (Zeigler, Ryan) Here's how Ryan put it in an email to me:
Ryan will be speaking at the Making the Future Festival on April 11th at 3:00 p.m. in Kellas hall, room 106. Lunar geology is an interesting topic to learn about because it answers and raises questions that not only pertain it itself but to other topics as well, like how the earth and planets may have been created. I would advise any student to see this presentation. It promotes new knowledge, and in my opinion, any kind of knowledge is worth obtaining.
Works Cited
“Moon.” Wikipedia. 2013. Web. 3, March 2013
Earth’s Moon: Formation, Composition and Orbit. Space. TechMediaNetwork. 2013. Web.
3, March 2013.
Canright, Shelley. “NASA-The First Person on the Moon.” NASA. n.p. Web. 9 April 2009.
Christiansen, Eric. &Hamblin, W. “Chapter 4: The Geology of the Moon.” exPlanets. n.p. 2007. Web. 3 March 2013.
NASA. “Dr. Ryan A. Zeigler: Planetary Scientist; Apollo Sample Curator.” 2013. Web. March 3, 2013.
Zeigler, Ryan A. Personal Communication. 4 March 2013.
Mysteries of Earth’s Moon by Tony Scott
For many years, the moon has served as a major point of interest for astronomers. It is also the only other area in the galaxy, other than earth, that humanity has stepped foot on. The first two men to ever step foot on the moon were Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin on July 20, 1969 (NASA-The First Person on the Moon). Since then, several other trips to the moon have taken place to retrieve sample moon rocks for further study. The origin of the moon, to this day, still remains uncertain. Scientists use moon rock samples brought back from the Apollo missions for examination to get a better understanding of the history and creation of the moon (“Moon” Wikipedia).
One of the lunar geologists who are involved in these studies is Ryan Zeigler. Ryan Zeigler is a SUNY Potsdam graduate who is now one of the researchers employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (NASA) Like many other scientists in the same field, Ryan shares the common goal in finding the answer to the question: How was the moon formed? One theory suggests that the moon was formed about 4.9 billion years ago from a combination of debris caused by a collision between earth and a Mars-sized body (Earth’s Moon). However, there is no concrete evidence that fully supports this theory. Though, it’s been discovered that even though earth has very different levels of composition compared to other bodies in the solar system such as Mars and Vesta, the isotopic compositions found on earth and the moon are very similar. (“Moon” - Wikipedia) This could imply that some of the compositions on the moon came from earth, thus promoting the theory of the moon’s creation taking place by a collision between earth and another body.
More than three hundred kilograms of lunar rocks have been collected from nine different areas on the moon for examination (Christiansen, Eric/ Hamblin, W), and like forensic anthropologists study bones to clarify the lifestyle and physical growth by studying the remains of a subject, lunar geologists like, Ryan Zeigler, study lunar samples to piece together a timeline based on the moon’s physical states and experiences since the beginning of its existence, to current date…By studying the lunar rocks, scientists have constructed a plausible timeline of events that took place after its creation... The first occurrence implied by their hypothesis, was the changing of the moon’s exterior structural formation resulting from the crystallization of a magma ocean covering the moon’s surface… Based on other studies, researchers have found that a large portion of the moon was at one time, covered in magma… They figure the magma was a result from the formation of the moon after the theorized, collision took place (Christiansen, Eric/ Hamblin, W). Consider this an educated guess, but it’s probable that the magma was formed due to a portion of the matter being highly overheated from the collision, thus, somehow forming into pure magma during the fusion from the debris. However, understandably, the magma crystalized, which formed a solid landscape after hardening… The timeline suggests that the moon also went through a heavy bombardment of meteors…This would obviously explain the several impact craters that cover the moon. The extrusion of magma beneath the moon’s surface was implied to have happened later on, which also crystallized and formed igneous rock, adding to the moon’s rough terrain… The last occurrence said to have happened was a lighter bombardment of meteors (Christiansen, Eric/ Hamblin, W). Having constructed a timeline for the moon could serve as a useful factor in discovering the answer many scientists are looking for. If we can learn about the moon’s development maybe that can help us learn about its formation. It’s a process of working backwards to finally work our way to the very beginning.
While the creation of the moon still remains a mystery, the search for the truth is of high importance. Solving this mystery could help researchers answer more commonly asked questions as well. Such as, how the earth was created, or the questions many people have about why earth is so unique, and why the earth is the only known planet that holds life. Perhaps the answer lies in the creation of earth. Maybe it was the process of the earth’s creation that resulted in its capabilities of sustaining life. It could give us a better understanding on how life on earth became possible. If we understand that, it could give us a probable indication that maybe there are other areas in the universe that sustain life. Maybe our existence isn’t a mere accident or coincidence, but rather a natural occurrence. It’s interesting to believe that such a small part of the universe could not only reveal mysteries of its own, but likely reveal mysteries of the universe at large.
In conclusion, Ryan Zeigler will be making an appearance at the Making the Future Festival to talk to students about his research and what interesting information he has to offer, so I feel it may be appropriate to give you a little bit of background information about Ryan, since he also went to college here at Potsdam state. I feel this information may be important for many other students to hear because many of them could probably relate to what experiences Ryan went through during his education at this college. Ryan describes himself as somewhat of a “nerd” in college, due to the fact that he did spend a bit more time studying than most other students. However, he did involve himself in campus clubs, sports, and other recreational services the campus has to offer. On top of that, like many other students, he did take classes that he struggled with and didn’t quite enjoy. One of these classes that comes to mind is Art History. This piece of information is somewhat intriguing because I have heard the same thing from other students that go here now. Out of all the hard classes here, Art history is so far, the one I’ve heard peers ranting about the most. That is why I find it interesting to know about his experience. However, despite the struggles he had in some of his classes, he believes that every class does hold some amount of significance to every student, even if it’s a course that has nothing to do with their major. No matter what class it is, there’s always some amount of knowledge to be obtained from it. (Zeigler, Ryan) Here's how Ryan put it in an email to me:
I took classes I loved and took classes I hated, and almost all of them have beenAnd personally, I’ve been a strong believer that the more you learn, the faster you learn. The more time you spend increasing your current knowledge, the more rapidly you excel in gaining further knowledge.
useful to me after I left. Despite having gone on to success after leaving Potsdam,
there were still classes that gave me fits while I was there (Art History and
Calculus spring to mind), but I'm glad I've taken them. I think that in general when
students get challenged by a class, especially one outside of their specialty, they
tend to write it off as unimportant. I would urge students that every class is
important and will help you in life, and to try to persevere. I also found that in
graduate school, I was as well prepared as my colleagues who went to more
prestigious undergraduate institutions. What you get out of college will be a direct
reflection of what you put into it. If you spend 4 years working hard, you'll come
out well prepared. If you spend 4 years goofing off and scraping by, you'll come out
of it poorly prepared.(Zeigler, Ryan)
Ryan will be speaking at the Making the Future Festival on April 11th at 3:00 p.m. in Kellas hall, room 106. Lunar geology is an interesting topic to learn about because it answers and raises questions that not only pertain it itself but to other topics as well, like how the earth and planets may have been created. I would advise any student to see this presentation. It promotes new knowledge, and in my opinion, any kind of knowledge is worth obtaining.
Works Cited
“Moon.” Wikipedia. 2013. Web. 3, March 2013
Earth’s Moon: Formation, Composition and Orbit. Space. TechMediaNetwork. 2013. Web.
3, March 2013.
Canright, Shelley. “NASA-The First Person on the Moon.” NASA. n.p. Web. 9 April 2009.
Christiansen, Eric. &Hamblin, W. “Chapter 4: The Geology of the Moon.” exPlanets. n.p. 2007. Web. 3 March 2013.
NASA. “Dr. Ryan A. Zeigler: Planetary Scientist; Apollo Sample Curator.” 2013. Web. March 3, 2013.
Zeigler, Ryan A. Personal Communication. 4 March 2013.
Ben Stern: Mysteries of Earth’s Moon
Earth's Moon: What we have learned since the Apollo missions. Dr. Ryan Zeigler, Kellas 106, Thursday 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Earth’s Moon: What we have learned since the Apollo missions. by Ben Stern
Many look up into the night sky and gaze at the moon. Everyone is aware of its presence but no one really knows much about it. However, many are intrigued and are eager to learn more. Why does it appear to us the way it does, what role does it play on our world, and what can we learn by studying it? The presentation I am encouraging everyone to take part in is “Earth’s Moon: What we have learned since the Apollo missions” by Ryan Zeigler. Zeigler will explain the relationship we have with our moon and decipher and break down what information we’ve discovered since the Apollo missions, in addition to the collected samples and how they keep them safe in Houston. This topic interests me and I am sure it will interest others if only they open up their mind and decide to learn about something new.
The topic has to do with what we have learned about space, the moon, and its relationship with us, since the Apollo missions. The moon has always been a part of our world, and we all know what it is, so why not learn something about it? Long before the Apollo missions, we known little about the moon and what lied on its surface. We have acquired many samples such as rocks and soil from the moon, and conducted many experiments with them. With the help of the knowledge the Apollo missions granted us, we’ve been able to understand the moon more clearly, and it has increased our comprehension about our “inexpressible dependant relationship” (Taylor) we have with it.
The information one could learn by attending this event could assist in gathering useful knowledge and facts about Earth’s moon. “There is much information beneath the surface of this lunar object that many have yet to learn.” (Ridpath). Even if you think you know a lot about it, there is no doubt that one will learn something new and informative by attending. For those who are interested in astronomy, or just space in general, this event is strongly recommended. Ryan Ziegler wanted to encourage all students to participate in his event by stating, “No science background should be necessary to understand my talk” (Ziegler). He is trying to convey that you don’t need to be completely interested, or have any knowledge about the moon and Apollo missions to learn something about them. I encourage anyone with an open mind and a little curiosity about space to consider attending. The moon is something that we all live with and we all gave it a good extensive look before. It is truly beautiful object and its very unsettling knowing most of us won’t is able to see it in person. Nevertheless, “it’s the most commonly observed astronomical object” (Grego 2).
The topic of space and the moon has always interested me ever since I was a little boy. I’ve always wondered what was up there, and what it must be like to actually be on the moon. I would always want to be an astronaut when I got older, so I could one day actually go there. Science fiction movies always acquired my attention, not because of the plot or cast, but of the settings, which were usually in space or affiliated with the moon or other planets. This is the reason I chose this topic, and I am looking forward to attending. I feel that after this presentation, one will have a grasp what the moon is, and what effect it has on us.
Just because you don’t know anything about space or the moon, doesn’t mean you should bypass this presentation. This event could be very useful to one’s understanding of our moon. The related sources I’ve found about my topic allowed me to be confident that this event will be interesting and draw the audience in. This event just like any other should not be just passed up, anyone with an open mind and the will to learn something new and interesting should consider showing up.
Works Cited
Grego, Peter. The Moon and How to Observe It. London: Springer-Verlag, 2005. Electronic Resource.
Ridpath, Ian. Exploring the Moon. ianridpath.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar 2013..
Talyor, S.R.. Twenty Years Since Apollo 11: What Have We Learned About the Moon?. Adsab.Harvard.edu. University of Vienna, n.d. Web. 6 Mar 2013..
Zeigler, Ryan. Personal Communication to Tony Scott. 13 Mar 2013.
Earth’s Moon: What we have learned since the Apollo missions. by Ben Stern
Many look up into the night sky and gaze at the moon. Everyone is aware of its presence but no one really knows much about it. However, many are intrigued and are eager to learn more. Why does it appear to us the way it does, what role does it play on our world, and what can we learn by studying it? The presentation I am encouraging everyone to take part in is “Earth’s Moon: What we have learned since the Apollo missions” by Ryan Zeigler. Zeigler will explain the relationship we have with our moon and decipher and break down what information we’ve discovered since the Apollo missions, in addition to the collected samples and how they keep them safe in Houston. This topic interests me and I am sure it will interest others if only they open up their mind and decide to learn about something new.
The topic has to do with what we have learned about space, the moon, and its relationship with us, since the Apollo missions. The moon has always been a part of our world, and we all know what it is, so why not learn something about it? Long before the Apollo missions, we known little about the moon and what lied on its surface. We have acquired many samples such as rocks and soil from the moon, and conducted many experiments with them. With the help of the knowledge the Apollo missions granted us, we’ve been able to understand the moon more clearly, and it has increased our comprehension about our “inexpressible dependant relationship” (Taylor) we have with it.
The information one could learn by attending this event could assist in gathering useful knowledge and facts about Earth’s moon. “There is much information beneath the surface of this lunar object that many have yet to learn.” (Ridpath). Even if you think you know a lot about it, there is no doubt that one will learn something new and informative by attending. For those who are interested in astronomy, or just space in general, this event is strongly recommended. Ryan Ziegler wanted to encourage all students to participate in his event by stating, “No science background should be necessary to understand my talk” (Ziegler). He is trying to convey that you don’t need to be completely interested, or have any knowledge about the moon and Apollo missions to learn something about them. I encourage anyone with an open mind and a little curiosity about space to consider attending. The moon is something that we all live with and we all gave it a good extensive look before. It is truly beautiful object and its very unsettling knowing most of us won’t is able to see it in person. Nevertheless, “it’s the most commonly observed astronomical object” (Grego 2).
The topic of space and the moon has always interested me ever since I was a little boy. I’ve always wondered what was up there, and what it must be like to actually be on the moon. I would always want to be an astronaut when I got older, so I could one day actually go there. Science fiction movies always acquired my attention, not because of the plot or cast, but of the settings, which were usually in space or affiliated with the moon or other planets. This is the reason I chose this topic, and I am looking forward to attending. I feel that after this presentation, one will have a grasp what the moon is, and what effect it has on us.
Just because you don’t know anything about space or the moon, doesn’t mean you should bypass this presentation. This event could be very useful to one’s understanding of our moon. The related sources I’ve found about my topic allowed me to be confident that this event will be interesting and draw the audience in. This event just like any other should not be just passed up, anyone with an open mind and the will to learn something new and interesting should consider showing up.
Works Cited
Grego, Peter. The Moon and How to Observe It. London: Springer-Verlag, 2005. Electronic Resource.
Ridpath, Ian. Exploring the Moon. ianridpath.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar 2013.
Talyor, S.R.. Twenty Years Since Apollo 11: What Have We Learned About the Moon?. Adsab.Harvard.edu. University of Vienna, n.d. Web. 6 Mar 2013.
Zeigler, Ryan. Personal Communication to Tony Scott. 13 Mar 2013.
Chloe Oetting: What are Aerogels?
Space exploration applications of aerogels. Dr. Steven Jones. Kellas 106, Thursday 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Space Exploration and Applications of Aerogels by Chloe Oetting
“Solid smoke” – that’s not only an oxymoron, but also a fair description of aerogels (“Aerogels”). Aerogels are the topic being discussed in April at a presentation by Steven Jones. Steven Jones will be giving a presentation on Space Exploration and Application of Aerogels, solid silica aerogel to be specific.
Just one reason to attend this seminar is the question that many of us are asking: what exactly are aerogels? I can only give so much insight as to what they are, but even with a little information Aerogels can be very interesting. For those interested in this topic, a presentation might be easier to comprehend than what you might find in the library on your own. The majority of the articles available on this topic were so complex and scientifically in depth that it became tough to comprehend aerogels’ practical applications. Attending the seminar will surely give the people that attend a reasonable basis of knowledge on aerogels without much struggle, as compared to independent research.
Aerogels certainly sound fascinating, but what properties do they hold? One of the uses of aerogels is its ability to be used as insulation. Aerogels can’t be found in houses just yet, but can be found in space exploration projects such as the Mars Rover, in which aerogels are used for insulation, protecting equipment from the severe cold of space. Another use of the aerogel in space exploration is to trap materials traveling through space known as “cosmic bullets.” There’s a dust collector attached to a spacecraft that does this. After this process is done, the sample may be analyzed when it returns to Earth.
As for the composition of aerogels, they are 99.8% air. It has an immensely low density, so it is a very light material, which makes it incredibly easy and low cost to send this material into space. Its ability to be formed into sheets, beads, or fibers ever expands its possible applications. Even when formed into other shapes of different surface area, the aerogel still retains its integrity as far as its semitransparency, strength, and stability. However, unlike a gel, this material is actually quite brittle. An example of how heat resistant aerogels are can be seen in pictures at this webpage: http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/photo/aerogel.html.
The pictures show a flower, crayons, and a box of matches on top of a sheet of aerogel, with a flame underneath it. None of the materials that sat atop the aerogel wilted, melted or caught fire. Visual aids often provide a great process of learning, yet another reason to attend Steven Jones’ lecture. Another picture shows a brick which is placed on top a sheet of aerogel that weighs only 2 grams and can be seen intact even under the weight of the brick.
Aerogels will probably one day have a vast impact on our lives and the environment. Since aerogels can be used as an insulator it may one day be used to insulate our homes. It would be very cost effective. The uses for aerogels seem endless. Since business today thrives on technology, and technology is ever changing, it is a logical choice to learn about upcoming applications of new technological breakthroughs.
The presentation can’t come soon enough. There are a lot of intriguing things about this topic that people should be eager to learn more about. Some questions to ask are, is how long did it take to develop these aerogels? Was its development accidental or through much research and study? When will the public see the use of aerogels for common applications? What other uses does aerogel have in space exploration? What does the future hold for aerogels? Hopefully everyone has these same questions along with others and will attend the presentation to discover their answers.
Works Cited
"Aerogels." Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.
Aerogel.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013
"Aerogel Photos." Stardust NASA's Comet Sample Return Mission. NASA. U.S. Government, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.
"Preventing Heat Escape Through Insulation Called ‘Aerogel’." Mars Exploration Rover Mission. NASA. USA Government, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.
Kevin Agyakwa: Realities of Racism
Making our Futures Together: Racism and Antiracism Activism. Dr. John Youngblood & Dr. Jennifer Mitchell, and students, Kellas 105, Thursday 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Realities of Racism, Potential for Change by Kevin Agyakwa
Racism, a belief that one is less human than another, no longer exists politically, yet still affects people socially. As we look in detail in this particular topic, which damages our everyday societal interactions, we see that racism is not just a problem in various southern or western states, but in the colleges many of us attend today. Although many individuals believe racism is fully over, they might have something to learn. If people became more aware of current racism, maybe that could possibly spark a change that is highly needed. Some may not want to follow through with advocating for anti-racism practices, because they believe that it only involves blacks and whites, when it is actually more that that. Branching off from racism, we can see other kinds of unnecessary negative judgment; these can involve your sexual orientation, religion, race, as well as ethnicity. Negative judgment is an attitude of prejudice that can grow into a feeling of fear, mistrust, or hate, or even an action involving discrimination.
To provide some context on these elements of prejudice and its various identities, we first start off with sexual orientation. Many of you are probably saying, well, prejudice isn’t as harsh on someone who is bi-sexual, gay, lesbian, or trans-gender as compared to its other forms. Well, my friends, that’s where you guys are wrong. Little do you guys know that people who have various forms of sexual orientation are often looked down upon within the social atmosphere. In male-dominated professions such as sports, a lot of gay or lesbians are typically looked down upon and pushed into some sort of exiled state for something that is really not wicked. Simply due to the fact that it is not the norm within that particular community, people these people are shunned. “At its best, sports do not discriminate. If you are young or old, tall or short, male or female, gay or straight, all that really matters is how well you play and contribute to your team” (Ayanbadejo). Individuals like Brendon Ayanbadejo from the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, believe that sports have the power to strongly influence how we view gays. From the standpoint of religion, whether you’re Christian or Muslim, some people will treat you differently or inhumanely over something that shouldn’t really matter. This form of prejudice was highly targeted towards many Muslim individuals simply because of 9/11. After that very tragic, event a lot of Muslim Americans were wrongly labeled as “terrorists” which is unfair because it doesn’t fully show what all Muslim Americans represent.
As we go further in detail into the topic of prejudice, we have to give a historical perspective behind the origins of racism and how it came about on a national stage. Three hundred years of racial tension, cruelty, and violence in the U.S. reached its peak in the early 1900s. Racism had reached levels that were unimaginable. A folk character named Jim Crow, originated around 1830 when a white, minstrel show performer, Thomas "Daddy" Rice blackened his face with charcoal paste or burnt cork and danced a ridiculous jig while singing the lyrics to the song, "Jump Jim Crow" ("Origin"); he became the face of what we now know as segregation. Black and whites were so separated politically that certain restrooms, restaurants, and schools to name a few were segregated. Whites received the better of those sections while blacks had to settle with the worse of the restrooms, restaurants as well as schools. With leaders and groups such as the NAACP and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. the fight for equality was on. It reached its peak during the ‘60s, a time in America of high controversy from the assassination of J.F.K and the Vietnam War. It became known as the Civil Rights Movement, a movement that would influence many other movements for creative change in their communities. During the famous Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, there were many kinds of discourse, various strategies and methods that were implemented within the movement as a whole to achieve equality, from “George Schuyler's conservatism, Malcolm X's black nationalism, Kenneth Clark's racial liberalism, and Bayard Rustin's socialism” (Burrell and Kristopher). In this particular article, the authors discussed many various ways black activists handled the Civil Rights movement. “With this approach, time, place, and the intellectuals' intended goals, articulated those ideologies for black and white Americans, and, in the process, evolved those ideologies so as to create new ideas and ways of seeing race relations, racism, civil rights, and the condition of black people in the United States” (Burrell). It gave blacks many various ways to approach racism and segregation on a professional level. Not only did it just focus on racism, but it was also the guideline for blacks to create and expand a better future for the race as a whole. Stemming from vision of notable civil rights leaders came about a famous advocacy group known as the Black Panther Party. The Black Panther Party or BPP was established in the mid-1960s during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. They were a very radical group, and “Internationally recognized for its powerful pageantry and militant rhetoric.” However, little did most individuals know that the BPP wasn’t just about Black Nationalism, and “Power to the People” they used their vision for good as well.
As we fast forward into today’s society, even after Obama was elected as the first black president, many people believe that racism is over or close to it. These are the same individuals who contribute to the delay of anti-racism activism. For those who don’t know, “Racism can take many forms, including individual racism, institutional or structural racism, and cultural racism” (Pedersen, Clarke, Dudgeon, & Griffiths, 2005). However, it is like we are blind to it or, we don’t have the courage to speak on it. Why, when “Everyday racism, or ‘racial micro aggressions’ are mundane or common everyday acts, including speech, through which people express racism” (Mitchell)? As an African-American male there are times when I would go to some stores and a staff member would be following me with the expectation that I was going to steal something. Some of you guys probably didn’t even know that a conservative Christian female worker was fired from Burger King for wearing a skirt which was a part of her religion, or that they were “regulating” African-American Burger King owner in places of low profit in “poor urban neighborhoods” while setting aside for white owners a more “profitable” location while paying more than white owners to lease out the store (“Federal Suit”).
Lastly, racism still continues to exist on our college campuses. Why is that? Well part of the reason is that a lot of individuals black, whites, Asians, Hispanics, etc. are reluctant to either branch out to other groups or are not willing to partake in various activities held by student organizations. One of the major reasons for this is lack of diversity. “If one of the key purposes of higher education is to prepare students for engagement in a diverse democracy," one author says, "educators and policy makers must understand the conditions under which students' academic and civic learning can be facilitated or hindered. Low representation creates a detrimental effect on campus climate" (Sandoval 2012). Maybe if we decided to just involve ourselves into trying to become diverse as a whole human race and get involved in events such as the “Making the future” presentations, then we can spark our creative minds and start the journey of long- awaited change.
Why is it important to continue to do actions? Well today other than the famous NAACP, there are also other organizations. NCBI, People’s Institute, Anti-Defamation League, which are trying to racially improve conditions so should you. On April 11, Dr. John Youngblood an Associate Professor of English and Communication whose scholarly research has addressed religion and sexual identity in the African-American community, as well as the experience of college teachers of color and Dr. Jennifer Mitchell an Associate Professor in English and Communication who has studied language diversity and participated in antiracism training workshops will be joined by students from Dr. Youngblood’s Interracial Communication course to discuss racism and anti-racism (Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Youngblood). Come to this event to learn about the power you have as individuals to change a problem that still continues to plague our society.
Works Cited
Ayanbadejo, Brendon. "End Homophobia in Professional Sports: Column." USA Today. Gannett, n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
BURRELL, KRISTOPHER. "Where From Here? Ideological Perspectives On The Future Of The Civil Rights Movement, 1964-1966." Western Journal Of Black Studies 36.2 (2012): 137-148. Academic Search Complete. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
"Federal Suit Accuses Burger King Of Discrimination Against Blacks." The New York Times. The New York Times, 18 Oct. 1988. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
Kirkby, Ryan J. "'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised': Community Activism And The Black Panther Party, 1966-1971." Canadian Review Of American Studies 41.1 (2011): 25-62. Academic Search Complete. Web. 22 Mar. 2013
Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Youngblood. Abstract for “Making our Futures Together: Racism and Antiracism.” December 2012.
Mitchell, Margaret, Danielle Every, and Rob Ranzijn. "Everyday Antiracism In Interpersonal Contexts: Constraining And Facilitating Factors For 'Speaking Up' Against Racism." Journal Of Community & Applied Social Psychology 21.4 (2011): 329-341. Academic Search Complete. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
"Origin of the Term Jim Crow." Origin of the Term Jim Crow. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
Sandoval, Timothy. "Students." Discrimination Is Greater on Low-Diversity Campuses, Report Says. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
Realities of Racism, Potential for Change by Kevin Agyakwa
Racism, a belief that one is less human than another, no longer exists politically, yet still affects people socially. As we look in detail in this particular topic, which damages our everyday societal interactions, we see that racism is not just a problem in various southern or western states, but in the colleges many of us attend today. Although many individuals believe racism is fully over, they might have something to learn. If people became more aware of current racism, maybe that could possibly spark a change that is highly needed. Some may not want to follow through with advocating for anti-racism practices, because they believe that it only involves blacks and whites, when it is actually more that that. Branching off from racism, we can see other kinds of unnecessary negative judgment; these can involve your sexual orientation, religion, race, as well as ethnicity. Negative judgment is an attitude of prejudice that can grow into a feeling of fear, mistrust, or hate, or even an action involving discrimination.
To provide some context on these elements of prejudice and its various identities, we first start off with sexual orientation. Many of you are probably saying, well, prejudice isn’t as harsh on someone who is bi-sexual, gay, lesbian, or trans-gender as compared to its other forms. Well, my friends, that’s where you guys are wrong. Little do you guys know that people who have various forms of sexual orientation are often looked down upon within the social atmosphere. In male-dominated professions such as sports, a lot of gay or lesbians are typically looked down upon and pushed into some sort of exiled state for something that is really not wicked. Simply due to the fact that it is not the norm within that particular community, people these people are shunned. “At its best, sports do not discriminate. If you are young or old, tall or short, male or female, gay or straight, all that really matters is how well you play and contribute to your team” (Ayanbadejo). Individuals like Brendon Ayanbadejo from the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, believe that sports have the power to strongly influence how we view gays. From the standpoint of religion, whether you’re Christian or Muslim, some people will treat you differently or inhumanely over something that shouldn’t really matter. This form of prejudice was highly targeted towards many Muslim individuals simply because of 9/11. After that very tragic, event a lot of Muslim Americans were wrongly labeled as “terrorists” which is unfair because it doesn’t fully show what all Muslim Americans represent.
As we go further in detail into the topic of prejudice, we have to give a historical perspective behind the origins of racism and how it came about on a national stage. Three hundred years of racial tension, cruelty, and violence in the U.S. reached its peak in the early 1900s. Racism had reached levels that were unimaginable. A folk character named Jim Crow, originated around 1830 when a white, minstrel show performer, Thomas "Daddy" Rice blackened his face with charcoal paste or burnt cork and danced a ridiculous jig while singing the lyrics to the song, "Jump Jim Crow" ("Origin"); he became the face of what we now know as segregation. Black and whites were so separated politically that certain restrooms, restaurants, and schools to name a few were segregated. Whites received the better of those sections while blacks had to settle with the worse of the restrooms, restaurants as well as schools. With leaders and groups such as the NAACP and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. the fight for equality was on. It reached its peak during the ‘60s, a time in America of high controversy from the assassination of J.F.K and the Vietnam War. It became known as the Civil Rights Movement, a movement that would influence many other movements for creative change in their communities. During the famous Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, there were many kinds of discourse, various strategies and methods that were implemented within the movement as a whole to achieve equality, from “George Schuyler's conservatism, Malcolm X's black nationalism, Kenneth Clark's racial liberalism, and Bayard Rustin's socialism” (Burrell and Kristopher). In this particular article, the authors discussed many various ways black activists handled the Civil Rights movement. “With this approach, time, place, and the intellectuals' intended goals, articulated those ideologies for black and white Americans, and, in the process, evolved those ideologies so as to create new ideas and ways of seeing race relations, racism, civil rights, and the condition of black people in the United States” (Burrell). It gave blacks many various ways to approach racism and segregation on a professional level. Not only did it just focus on racism, but it was also the guideline for blacks to create and expand a better future for the race as a whole. Stemming from vision of notable civil rights leaders came about a famous advocacy group known as the Black Panther Party. The Black Panther Party or BPP was established in the mid-1960s during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. They were a very radical group, and “Internationally recognized for its powerful pageantry and militant rhetoric.” However, little did most individuals know that the BPP wasn’t just about Black Nationalism, and “Power to the People” they used their vision for good as well.
“Recently, however, scholars have started to counter this traditional interpretation of the Panthers by highlighting the group’s many community projects, or ‘‘survival programs’’ as they were often called, which sought to empower the Black ghetto populace clustered within America’s many urban centres. From 1966 to 1971 the BPP established a variety of social programs in the areas of human sustenance, health care, education, and criminal justice.1 These socialist-styled projects, offered free of charge to the Black community, were central to the party’s identity and ideological composition, yet their importance to the revolutionary struggle has frequently gone unnoticed.” (Kirkby)As the article states, they were seen as just a group of “glorified gang of criminals” and a lot of people don’t give credit to them for being bold and inspiring other social groups/movements in America such as the gay rights movement. It just places a reminder to us of how powerful we can be if we all just decided to unite and speak up for what’s right.
As we fast forward into today’s society, even after Obama was elected as the first black president, many people believe that racism is over or close to it. These are the same individuals who contribute to the delay of anti-racism activism. For those who don’t know, “Racism can take many forms, including individual racism, institutional or structural racism, and cultural racism” (Pedersen, Clarke, Dudgeon, & Griffiths, 2005). However, it is like we are blind to it or, we don’t have the courage to speak on it. Why, when “Everyday racism, or ‘racial micro aggressions’ are mundane or common everyday acts, including speech, through which people express racism” (Mitchell)? As an African-American male there are times when I would go to some stores and a staff member would be following me with the expectation that I was going to steal something. Some of you guys probably didn’t even know that a conservative Christian female worker was fired from Burger King for wearing a skirt which was a part of her religion, or that they were “regulating” African-American Burger King owner in places of low profit in “poor urban neighborhoods” while setting aside for white owners a more “profitable” location while paying more than white owners to lease out the store (“Federal Suit”).
Lastly, racism still continues to exist on our college campuses. Why is that? Well part of the reason is that a lot of individuals black, whites, Asians, Hispanics, etc. are reluctant to either branch out to other groups or are not willing to partake in various activities held by student organizations. One of the major reasons for this is lack of diversity. “If one of the key purposes of higher education is to prepare students for engagement in a diverse democracy," one author says, "educators and policy makers must understand the conditions under which students' academic and civic learning can be facilitated or hindered. Low representation creates a detrimental effect on campus climate" (Sandoval 2012). Maybe if we decided to just involve ourselves into trying to become diverse as a whole human race and get involved in events such as the “Making the future” presentations, then we can spark our creative minds and start the journey of long- awaited change.
Why is it important to continue to do actions? Well today other than the famous NAACP, there are also other organizations. NCBI, People’s Institute, Anti-Defamation League, which are trying to racially improve conditions so should you. On April 11, Dr. John Youngblood an Associate Professor of English and Communication whose scholarly research has addressed religion and sexual identity in the African-American community, as well as the experience of college teachers of color and Dr. Jennifer Mitchell an Associate Professor in English and Communication who has studied language diversity and participated in antiracism training workshops will be joined by students from Dr. Youngblood’s Interracial Communication course to discuss racism and anti-racism (Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Youngblood). Come to this event to learn about the power you have as individuals to change a problem that still continues to plague our society.
Works Cited
Ayanbadejo, Brendon. "End Homophobia in Professional Sports: Column." USA Today. Gannett, n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
BURRELL, KRISTOPHER. "Where From Here? Ideological Perspectives On The Future Of The Civil Rights Movement, 1964-1966." Western Journal Of Black Studies 36.2 (2012): 137-148. Academic Search Complete. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
"Federal Suit Accuses Burger King Of Discrimination Against Blacks." The New York Times. The New York Times, 18 Oct. 1988. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
Kirkby, Ryan J. "'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised': Community Activism And The Black Panther Party, 1966-1971." Canadian Review Of American Studies 41.1 (2011): 25-62. Academic Search Complete. Web. 22 Mar. 2013
Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Youngblood. Abstract for “Making our Futures Together: Racism and Antiracism.” December 2012.
Mitchell, Margaret, Danielle Every, and Rob Ranzijn. "Everyday Antiracism In Interpersonal Contexts: Constraining And Facilitating Factors For 'Speaking Up' Against Racism." Journal Of Community & Applied Social Psychology 21.4 (2011): 329-341. Academic Search Complete. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
"Origin of the Term Jim Crow." Origin of the Term Jim Crow. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
Sandoval, Timothy. "Students." Discrimination Is Greater on Low-Diversity Campuses, Report Says. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
Jimmy McAleer: The Other 9/11 in Chile
Translation as a Human Rights Tool: Stories from the other 9/11. Dr. Oscar Sarmiento and students. Kellas 105, Thursday 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
The other 9/11: Chile 1973 and Beyond by Jimmy McAleer
Imagine that your country is caught up in battle, but the battle is between the army generals and the president of that same country. Then your customary way of life was turned upside down by a brutal military coup. A coup is an “unexpected takeover in government usually in a violent manner by a small group” (Merriam-Webster). Think about how your life would change if your society were to go from a democratically elected government to vicious military dictatorship. A dictatorship is “a form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in one person or a small clique” (Merriam-Webster). Well, this imagined nightmare became a reality for the citizens of Chile on September 11th in 1973 as the leader of the military coup, Augusto Pinochet, took over the country of Chile with brute force from the democratically-elected president Salvador Allende.
There will be a presentation given by Spanish professor Oscar D. Sarmiento and his students about the takeover in Chile on September 11th 1973 by the military coup. This is one of the most monumental takeovers in history. After Pinochet and his military coup were defeated, they were responsible for at least 3,200 people that disappeared or were killed during his regime (Gareau). The Chilean people have had much sorrow and distress with their 9/11 and the hardships that it entailed. In 2001, we experienced our own hardship as the World Trade Center got struck down and killed many innocent people. Both the United States and Chile have had tragic September 11ths, and each has their own stories (Sarmiento).
Since the takeover has had such an everlasting impact, many people are curious to find out exactly why Pinochet preformed such a bold assault on the President. That’s why Time magazine went out and interviewed Augusto Pinochet and asked the very question “Why did the coup take place?” and this was his answer:
We did this because the President had exceeded the constitutional limits of his office. He had made fools out of the judiciary and the legislative branch. On the one hand he told us [the military] that he did not want a civil war. Yet day after day our intelligence service reported the presence of arms even in his own house. While he said to us that he was the victim of civil war, we had documentation that he was preparing for one. (Time)
Pinochet clearly states here in his response that he felt threatened by President Allende. Pinochet felt that there was going to be a conflict either way, so he might as well strike first rather than getting burned first. It seemed like a logical technique from Pinochet’s standpoint.
The government of Chile was also at a standstill under Allende, which only encouraged Pinochet’s military take over. Under the democratic rule of Salvador Allende, there were both political and economic instabilities. To start off, Allende only beat out his opponents (Jorge Alessandri and Radomiro Tomic) in the election by a very small margin, which instantly concerned the citizens because he didn’t have the majority of votes or anything even close to it. Allende decided to introduce many socialist ideas to the country, which caused major divides between the church and the country. This put Pinochet in a great position politically to make his move to take over. When Allende took over, the economy wasn’t doing any better than the already crumbling policies. “Chile was in the middle of an economic crisis, unemployment was increasing and national production levels were falling.” So Allende tried to fix this, but instead his efforts only resulted in extremely high inflation levels. Then strikes broke out amongst doctors, lawyers, miners, truckers and many others; the strikes were carried out both in favor of the government and in protest against it. This presented the opportunity for Pinochet to make his move as some of the people were unsatisfied (Political Pathologies).
Pinochet’s intention was to do a better job stabilizing the country; however that surely changed when he took over with military force and began his reign of terror. Pinochet struck fear in the eyes of all the innocent citizens of Chile. Within the first 3 months of the coup’s takeover, there were killings and disappearances of people reaching the thousands (Gareau).
One may ask, can we truly relate to those impacted in Chile? Yes, we did have several thousand innocent deaths but we were not under a brutal military coup for 13 years. In Chile, it was more like a civil war, where the only real enemy was the country itself. People in Chile had to live in fear for those 13 years where the minute one tried to fight back, they would be taken away and tortured. Most of these citizens that were tortured were hidden and never got to see their families again. So was Chile’s tragedy on 9/11/73 the same as ours on 9/11/01?
Are we a wounded country trying to heal ourselves with democracy that today we take for granted? It should be extremely interesting to hear the views and points of the students in Dr. Sarimiento Spanish class during this presentation. They have translated into English fictional stories from Chile that mention the devastating events that occurred. Having heard all the different viewpoints from the different students and stories they share, one will be able to make their own unique connection regarding the tragic events that happened on 9/11/73. This is difficult, especially because there were thousands of records from 1979 all the way through to the end of the dictatorship that are completely classified (Kornbluh). This is why the fictional stories have an importance for remembering, since so many records are unobtainable. Fictional stories about the coup and dictatorship help people remember incidences when there aren’t enough facts available. Translation of these stories helps people give more attention to these past abuses as well. Today, we can make connections with Chileans by listening to stories that were translated from Spanish to English. These stories are often interesting and insightful to the reader. Each story has its own different perspective, and, after listening to several of them, we could then form our own personal connection. These connections are special and something that you will remember for the rest of your life. Being informed of these translated stories helps us learn about and become aware of past abuses. Translating these stories also helps us to prevent future abuses as well. However, something that is worth thinking about is the title of the presentation which is Translation as a human rights tool. Perhaps the speakers will show us how translation acted as such a vital tool in their situation.
The truth of the matter is this presentation is going to be really intriguing and unpredictable. Our students here at Potsdam are doing something meaningful by translating stories about Chile’s experience and they deserve your attention. So attend this spectacular presentation, witness this history in a unique way and support your fellow Potsdam students.
Works cited
Gareau "Chile under Pinochet.". Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Feb. 2013. Web.
Kornbluh, Peter. "Chile Declassified." Nation 269.5 (1999): 21-24. Academic Search Complete. Web.Feb. 2013.
Merriam-Webster. "Coup D'étatAbout Our Definitions: All Forms of a Word (noun, Verb, Etc.) Are Now Displayed on One Page.", n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013.
Merriam-Webster. "Dictatorship About Our Definitions: All Forms of a Word (noun, Verb, Etc.) Are Now Displayed on One Page. “, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2013.
Political Pathologies. "Table of Contents." 2013.
Sarmiento, Oscar. “Proposal for Making the Future”. In Personal Communications. 15 Feb. 2013
Time "General Pinochet: Bloody Democracy." 102.14 (1973): 44. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
The other 9/11: Chile 1973 and Beyond by Jimmy McAleer
Imagine that your country is caught up in battle, but the battle is between the army generals and the president of that same country. Then your customary way of life was turned upside down by a brutal military coup. A coup is an “unexpected takeover in government usually in a violent manner by a small group” (Merriam-Webster). Think about how your life would change if your society were to go from a democratically elected government to vicious military dictatorship. A dictatorship is “a form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in one person or a small clique” (Merriam-Webster). Well, this imagined nightmare became a reality for the citizens of Chile on September 11th in 1973 as the leader of the military coup, Augusto Pinochet, took over the country of Chile with brute force from the democratically-elected president Salvador Allende.
There will be a presentation given by Spanish professor Oscar D. Sarmiento and his students about the takeover in Chile on September 11th 1973 by the military coup. This is one of the most monumental takeovers in history. After Pinochet and his military coup were defeated, they were responsible for at least 3,200 people that disappeared or were killed during his regime (Gareau). The Chilean people have had much sorrow and distress with their 9/11 and the hardships that it entailed. In 2001, we experienced our own hardship as the World Trade Center got struck down and killed many innocent people. Both the United States and Chile have had tragic September 11ths, and each has their own stories (Sarmiento).
Since the takeover has had such an everlasting impact, many people are curious to find out exactly why Pinochet preformed such a bold assault on the President. That’s why Time magazine went out and interviewed Augusto Pinochet and asked the very question “Why did the coup take place?” and this was his answer:
We did this because the President had exceeded the constitutional limits of his office. He had made fools out of the judiciary and the legislative branch. On the one hand he told us [the military] that he did not want a civil war. Yet day after day our intelligence service reported the presence of arms even in his own house. While he said to us that he was the victim of civil war, we had documentation that he was preparing for one. (Time)
Pinochet clearly states here in his response that he felt threatened by President Allende. Pinochet felt that there was going to be a conflict either way, so he might as well strike first rather than getting burned first. It seemed like a logical technique from Pinochet’s standpoint.
The government of Chile was also at a standstill under Allende, which only encouraged Pinochet’s military take over. Under the democratic rule of Salvador Allende, there were both political and economic instabilities. To start off, Allende only beat out his opponents (Jorge Alessandri and Radomiro Tomic) in the election by a very small margin, which instantly concerned the citizens because he didn’t have the majority of votes or anything even close to it. Allende decided to introduce many socialist ideas to the country, which caused major divides between the church and the country. This put Pinochet in a great position politically to make his move to take over. When Allende took over, the economy wasn’t doing any better than the already crumbling policies. “Chile was in the middle of an economic crisis, unemployment was increasing and national production levels were falling.” So Allende tried to fix this, but instead his efforts only resulted in extremely high inflation levels. Then strikes broke out amongst doctors, lawyers, miners, truckers and many others; the strikes were carried out both in favor of the government and in protest against it. This presented the opportunity for Pinochet to make his move as some of the people were unsatisfied (Political Pathologies).
Pinochet’s intention was to do a better job stabilizing the country; however that surely changed when he took over with military force and began his reign of terror. Pinochet struck fear in the eyes of all the innocent citizens of Chile. Within the first 3 months of the coup’s takeover, there were killings and disappearances of people reaching the thousands (Gareau).
“The National Stadium was being used to hold 5,000 prisoners, and as late as 1975, the CIA was still reporting that up to 3,811 prisoners were still being held in the Stadium. Between the day of the military coup and November 1973, as many as 40,000 political prisoners were detained in the Stadium. 1,850 of them were killed; another 1,300 are missing since then.” (Gareau)These numbers are definitely overwhelming to say the least and are completely unprecedented. These actions caused many citizens to flee the country to escape Pinochet’s wrath. Pinochet was not only extremely intimidating, but was also unfair and took away people’s rights. Once in power, he decided to get rid of elections, political parties, free speech, Congress, unions, and civil liberties (Political Pathologies).
One may ask, can we truly relate to those impacted in Chile? Yes, we did have several thousand innocent deaths but we were not under a brutal military coup for 13 years. In Chile, it was more like a civil war, where the only real enemy was the country itself. People in Chile had to live in fear for those 13 years where the minute one tried to fight back, they would be taken away and tortured. Most of these citizens that were tortured were hidden and never got to see their families again. So was Chile’s tragedy on 9/11/73 the same as ours on 9/11/01?
Are we a wounded country trying to heal ourselves with democracy that today we take for granted? It should be extremely interesting to hear the views and points of the students in Dr. Sarimiento Spanish class during this presentation. They have translated into English fictional stories from Chile that mention the devastating events that occurred. Having heard all the different viewpoints from the different students and stories they share, one will be able to make their own unique connection regarding the tragic events that happened on 9/11/73. This is difficult, especially because there were thousands of records from 1979 all the way through to the end of the dictatorship that are completely classified (Kornbluh). This is why the fictional stories have an importance for remembering, since so many records are unobtainable. Fictional stories about the coup and dictatorship help people remember incidences when there aren’t enough facts available. Translation of these stories helps people give more attention to these past abuses as well. Today, we can make connections with Chileans by listening to stories that were translated from Spanish to English. These stories are often interesting and insightful to the reader. Each story has its own different perspective, and, after listening to several of them, we could then form our own personal connection. These connections are special and something that you will remember for the rest of your life. Being informed of these translated stories helps us learn about and become aware of past abuses. Translating these stories also helps us to prevent future abuses as well. However, something that is worth thinking about is the title of the presentation which is Translation as a human rights tool. Perhaps the speakers will show us how translation acted as such a vital tool in their situation.
The truth of the matter is this presentation is going to be really intriguing and unpredictable. Our students here at Potsdam are doing something meaningful by translating stories about Chile’s experience and they deserve your attention. So attend this spectacular presentation, witness this history in a unique way and support your fellow Potsdam students.
Works cited
Gareau "Chile under Pinochet.". Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Feb. 2013. Web.
Kornbluh, Peter. "Chile Declassified." Nation 269.5 (1999): 21-24. Academic Search Complete. Web.Feb. 2013.
Merriam-Webster. "Coup D'étatAbout Our Definitions: All Forms of a Word (noun, Verb, Etc.) Are Now Displayed on One Page.", n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013.
Merriam-Webster. "Dictatorship About Our Definitions: All Forms of a Word (noun, Verb, Etc.) Are Now Displayed on One Page. “, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2013.
Political Pathologies. "Table of Contents." 2013.
Sarmiento, Oscar. “Proposal for Making the Future”. In Personal Communications. 15 Feb. 2013
Time "General Pinochet: Bloody Democracy." 102.14 (1973): 44. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
Lindsey Kregel: Women, Power Tools, & Electoral Votes
“Meet and greet” with author and women’s labor activist Jane Latour. May include a kiosk for multimedia viewing of interview materials with women in nontraditional jobs. Crumb Library, LTEC, Thursday 10:00 – 11:00 am
Women ‘Leaning In’ to Attain Power: Pros and Cons of Sheryl Sandberg’s notion on the Empowerment of Women. Panel with Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Jane LaTour, Kell 105, Th. 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Blue Collar Women: Legacies and Lessons from their Nontraditional Jobs. (part of the Anne Righton Malone lecture series). Jane Latour, Kellas 105, Thursday 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Women taking power seriously. Keynote address by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Hosmer Hall, Thursday 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Women taking Power: Power Tools & Electoral Votes by Lindsey Kregel
Men, listen up! Women are taking over your jobs. Yeah, you read correctly. Women are starting to take positions in nontraditional jobs. To be honest, though, women have been taking over nontraditional jobs since as early as World War II. When the men were fighting the war, women were the ones to be back on the homeland keeping the United States running. Making production of weapons and machinery these were few of the jobs women had to take on top of their already large plate. Women balanced the manly role of working with the women’s role of being the caretaker of the children and the house. Women have had nontraditional jobs since the early 1940s, and many of the jobs were given back to the men when they came home. But, some of these women kept their job after the end of World War II because they liked to be independent and relied on themselves. So women can do it, but it is not easy. All of us should wake up and see the discrimination the female gender has been through, and see how far we CAN go as a gender.
Nowadays women are taking political positions, like Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin. These women have shown that they could do a man’s job just as good as them. These are well known women that have struggled to rise to their positions. These are jobs that are in the public eye, well known and well respected positions. But these aren’t the only jobs that women have taken. There are women taking jobs in construction, plumbing, and electrical (LaTour). The website www.talkinghistory.org/sisters/author.html shows interviews and actual women who are in these fields, like Consuelo Reyes, Kay Webster and Joi Beard. These women don’t hold political power, but they do handle power tools.
These women are placed in a very difficult position as they try to be successful in a male dominant field. These women work just as hard as the men in their field, yet still don’t get hired because they are females. Even though they might be equal in their profession, people gear towards the man because of stereotypical ideas. I personally can relate to what these women that have struggled through it. I excelled in all six of the engineering classes I took in high school. When my teacher asked me what I wanted to be, I told him with confidence I wanted to be a structural engineer. My teacher then proceeded to tell me that engineering was a man’s field, and that there was no hope for me to find a job. After hearing this come from a teacher, it crushed my dreams.
Two women who have been persistent in helping to stop gender discrimination in the job force are Jane LaTour and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. Both of these women are coming to SUNY Potsdam to inform us of their efforts. Jane LaTour is an advocate for women. Although never being in a nontraditional job herself, she wants to help people understand that there are other women in the field to have support from. She interviewed the women in the above URL and in her book who were from all different nontraditional job fields. Those women took a lot of risks in taking those jobs: they had to face negative attitudes of pity, resentment, and discomfort. They might have had to take a lot of sexist comments on the job about “go make me a sandwich” or “you should be in the kitchen.” That’s what I heard in high school. LaTour will tell us about her interviews and research on women who broke barriers in their fields. So if Jane LaTour helps with women with power tools, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend is all about the political power. Her talk is called “Women Taking Power Seriously.” She was the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland (Townsend). She has faced gender discrimination when she attempted to run for office. This shows that women can push through and get the job they want with a lot of hard work and dedication. When you know the material and you know how to do your job, people will take you more serious. Both of these women have advocated for women in jobs and politics. These women in this field struggle with the stress, as well as the competitiveness just to be in their job field (Griffin-Blake et al).
There seems to be some territorial tension about women competing against men for good jobs. Many men might think that women are stepping on their toes by going into a field where now they have to fight against a woman to be hired for a job. Both men and women have not only have had to really know how to do the job: they actually have to perform really well to compete. This means that men and women have to fight the competitiveness of each other. Many people need to understand that gender shouldn’t be as important as the actual outcome of the task. However, there are some women in the union believe that men should have their job fields and that women should have their own job field (“Ms. Blue Collar”).
If you want to know more about the struggle of women in working with power tools and political power, come see LaTour and Kennedy Townsend’s talks on April 11. These will be great events to come see, because they might help women learn how to cope with discrimination and stereotyping. This will be an event to finally understand how these women were so influential and were able to help other women through the tough times of being in a nontraditional job field. This event might also answer many of the questions that came up while you read this article. Both men and women are encouraged to come to this even. Please come and support your fellow ladies who are trying to strive for their dreams.
Works Cited
Kennedy Townsend, Kathleen “Why Brown is not the Pro-life Candidate in Massachusetts Senate Race.” Huffington Post, 2010. Web 14. Feb 2013.
Latour, Jane/ Talking History “Sisters in the Brotherhood: Working women organizing for equality in New York City.” Talking History, 2012. Web.14, Feb. 2013.
"Ms. Blue Collar." Time 103.18 (1974): 80. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
Griffin-Blake, C. Shannon, Pattie J. Tucker, and Leandris Liburd. "Mind Over Matter: Exploring Job Stress Among Female Blue-Collar Workers." Journal Of Women's Health (15409996) 15.10 (2006): 1105-1110. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
Women ‘Leaning In’ to Attain Power: Pros and Cons of Sheryl Sandberg’s notion on the Empowerment of Women. Panel with Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Jane LaTour, Kell 105, Th. 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Blue Collar Women: Legacies and Lessons from their Nontraditional Jobs. (part of the Anne Righton Malone lecture series). Jane Latour, Kellas 105, Thursday 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Women taking power seriously. Keynote address by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Hosmer Hall, Thursday 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Women taking Power: Power Tools & Electoral Votes by Lindsey Kregel
Men, listen up! Women are taking over your jobs. Yeah, you read correctly. Women are starting to take positions in nontraditional jobs. To be honest, though, women have been taking over nontraditional jobs since as early as World War II. When the men were fighting the war, women were the ones to be back on the homeland keeping the United States running. Making production of weapons and machinery these were few of the jobs women had to take on top of their already large plate. Women balanced the manly role of working with the women’s role of being the caretaker of the children and the house. Women have had nontraditional jobs since the early 1940s, and many of the jobs were given back to the men when they came home. But, some of these women kept their job after the end of World War II because they liked to be independent and relied on themselves. So women can do it, but it is not easy. All of us should wake up and see the discrimination the female gender has been through, and see how far we CAN go as a gender.
Nowadays women are taking political positions, like Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin. These women have shown that they could do a man’s job just as good as them. These are well known women that have struggled to rise to their positions. These are jobs that are in the public eye, well known and well respected positions. But these aren’t the only jobs that women have taken. There are women taking jobs in construction, plumbing, and electrical (LaTour). The website www.talkinghistory.org/sisters/author.html shows interviews and actual women who are in these fields, like Consuelo Reyes, Kay Webster and Joi Beard. These women don’t hold political power, but they do handle power tools.
These women are placed in a very difficult position as they try to be successful in a male dominant field. These women work just as hard as the men in their field, yet still don’t get hired because they are females. Even though they might be equal in their profession, people gear towards the man because of stereotypical ideas. I personally can relate to what these women that have struggled through it. I excelled in all six of the engineering classes I took in high school. When my teacher asked me what I wanted to be, I told him with confidence I wanted to be a structural engineer. My teacher then proceeded to tell me that engineering was a man’s field, and that there was no hope for me to find a job. After hearing this come from a teacher, it crushed my dreams.
Two women who have been persistent in helping to stop gender discrimination in the job force are Jane LaTour and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. Both of these women are coming to SUNY Potsdam to inform us of their efforts. Jane LaTour is an advocate for women. Although never being in a nontraditional job herself, she wants to help people understand that there are other women in the field to have support from. She interviewed the women in the above URL and in her book who were from all different nontraditional job fields. Those women took a lot of risks in taking those jobs: they had to face negative attitudes of pity, resentment, and discomfort. They might have had to take a lot of sexist comments on the job about “go make me a sandwich” or “you should be in the kitchen.” That’s what I heard in high school. LaTour will tell us about her interviews and research on women who broke barriers in their fields. So if Jane LaTour helps with women with power tools, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend is all about the political power. Her talk is called “Women Taking Power Seriously.” She was the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland (Townsend). She has faced gender discrimination when she attempted to run for office. This shows that women can push through and get the job they want with a lot of hard work and dedication. When you know the material and you know how to do your job, people will take you more serious. Both of these women have advocated for women in jobs and politics. These women in this field struggle with the stress, as well as the competitiveness just to be in their job field (Griffin-Blake et al).
There seems to be some territorial tension about women competing against men for good jobs. Many men might think that women are stepping on their toes by going into a field where now they have to fight against a woman to be hired for a job. Both men and women have not only have had to really know how to do the job: they actually have to perform really well to compete. This means that men and women have to fight the competitiveness of each other. Many people need to understand that gender shouldn’t be as important as the actual outcome of the task. However, there are some women in the union believe that men should have their job fields and that women should have their own job field (“Ms. Blue Collar”).
If you want to know more about the struggle of women in working with power tools and political power, come see LaTour and Kennedy Townsend’s talks on April 11. These will be great events to come see, because they might help women learn how to cope with discrimination and stereotyping. This will be an event to finally understand how these women were so influential and were able to help other women through the tough times of being in a nontraditional job field. This event might also answer many of the questions that came up while you read this article. Both men and women are encouraged to come to this even. Please come and support your fellow ladies who are trying to strive for their dreams.
Works Cited
Kennedy Townsend, Kathleen “Why Brown is not the Pro-life Candidate in Massachusetts Senate Race.” Huffington Post, 2010. Web 14. Feb 2013.
Latour, Jane/ Talking History “Sisters in the Brotherhood: Working women organizing for equality in New York City.” Talking History, 2012. Web.14, Feb. 2013.
"Ms. Blue Collar." Time 103.18 (1974): 80. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
Griffin-Blake, C. Shannon, Pattie J. Tucker, and Leandris Liburd. "Mind Over Matter: Exploring Job Stress Among Female Blue-Collar Workers." Journal Of Women's Health (15409996) 15.10 (2006): 1105-1110. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
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