Ishmael Alternative Ending Log- 9/28/09

Oh the classic alternative ending that never makes the pages...I think that it was a pretty good call to keep this section from being published. It is very interesting to read and makes some excellent points, but this particular ending is very anti-climactic. It does not give a very solid feel to the end of the piece. The whole bumper sticker ending is very intriguing as well, but is way off base as to the themes in the book, as well as the way Quinn wrote the rest of the book from a stylistic standpoint.

The point that Ishmael is no son of God was also and interesting excerpt. I didn't realize until reading this that he truly didn't show us the one right way to live, but rather the only way to survive. Ishmael was very good at making the reader think, but did not have the answer for us.

As for the bumper sticker slogan that Ishmael should have came with, the idea follows the theme of how Ishmael taught. He never GAVE his students the answers, but rather had them come up with the answer themselves. In the same way, a slogan would not have been revealed, but should be discovered by the student, and in this case, the reader.

Ishmael Question's Blog

Question #4- Why does Ishmael send the student away to find his own answers? What does the student mean when he says he wanted to have a teacher for life?

Ishmael sends the student away because the student needs to think for himself. If the student sits and listens to Ishmael talk he is learning to listen well, but not learning to think and discover for himself. By learning through Ishmael's thought process, the student is missing out on the problem-solving aspect. The student wanted to have a teacher for life because he wanted to have the answers. The student was seeking out the answer to the question, What is the correct way to live? Without a teacher how was he supposed to acheive this? Ishmael wished for the student to think on his own so that he could answer his own questions and further elaborate the world around him.

Question #5- Why would we not evolve if we continue to live as the Takers, but evolve if we live as the Leavers? Do you find Ishmael's argument here to be valid-why or why not?

Takers evolve by conquering and expanding their empire, and essentially their lifestyle. There is no cultural evolution because all culture change in a Taker society comes from the ideas of others. Takers work on convincing others to join them and live the "right" way, but then destroy an idea if it does not follow the correct philosophy. At the same time, any good ideas in a conquered culture are carried over and used by the Takers. This is not evolution, but rather stealing. The argument is very valid in that Leavers have constantly been refusing the ways of the Takers, and refuse to give up their personal customs. Therefore, survival requires evolution in which to survive. This survival is on their own, without stealing from others. This idea is TRUE evolution. The Takers are arguably "cheating the system" in their evolution process.

9/23/09 Blog, Blogged on 9/24/09- Response to Presentations

There were some very interesting presentations in class yesterday. I had many thoughts running through my head over the sixty-five minute chunk of time but two overshadow the rest. I will expand a little bit on these thoughts in the following paragraphs.

I'm a little unsure as to what particular group talked about this topic, but it was along the lines of genetically engineering dinosaurs and having them live in this time period. Is it possible or would the idea truly be plausible. The answer is no. Regardless of knowledge and dreams. Introducing a brand new species would completely destroy the equilibrium of an ecosystem. Granted, dinosaurs would never be corralled in a horse pasture, but the idea would be completely insane. At the same time, dinosaurs could not survive in the 21st century. The evolution of vegetation and species would be for more diverse and different from during the Jurassic period. Regardless of engineering plants to be good for dinosaurs, a dinosaur would not be able to survive effectively today...Just look at what happened to the triceratops in the movie. It ingested a plant that was not good for it...

Lastly, a particular group brought the topic of God into the ethics of science related ideas like genetic engineering. This is fine, but saying things like genetic engineering isn't in the bible, so it shouldn't be done is taking things a little far in my opinion. Reading the bible literally is fine to an extent, but looking past the advantages of genetic engineering because its not in the bible is like saying we should drive cars because it pollutes the air. Cars aren't in the bible, why drive them? This example is a bit much, but the idea remains. is It is completely fine to center your life around God, I do my best to live this way myself. However, taking things in such a literal way is a little bit extreme...

MLA Citation/Research Discussion Day: 9/21/09

The MLA Citation powerpoint was a great review for me today. I would be lying if I said there were not moments when I began to dose off, but it certainly refreshed some of my knowledge in the subject area. :)

As for our research discussion and the sources that were found on the Chaos Theory, our group found some excellent material. Ethan found some nice general information that explains the Chaos Theory really well for a better background understanding of the topic. I found a research study that interrelated the ideas of the Chaos Theory with life transition counseling. The principals of the Chaos Theory are carried from science processes in general to psychological situations with professional counselors. The fact that the Chaos Theory can be applied outside of the spectrum of ecosystem homeostasis makes it both applicable and interesting.

Goodnight.

Final Jurassic Park Blog

Well I'm back from Lincoln, Nebraska. Big cross country meet took me away from the beauty of the Wartburg College campus Friday afternoon and I arrived back this evening...

Jurassic Park was a thriller yet again on Friday. The pursuit of the scientists and children by the the raptors was both exciting and suspenseful. At the same time, it was very ironic that in the end, it was the t-rex that saved the day. My final thoughts on the conclusion is that it is sad that the park couldn't be endorsed. The fact that the chaos theory indeed applied to this park is disheartening because it would be AWESOME to go to.

Past Imperfect was a very interesting read. Personally, I agree for the most part with what the author has to say. The chances and ability of recreating dinosaurs is a little farfetched. At the same time, the point made about using frog alleles to finish the DNA chain of the dinosaurs does in fact make little sense. The characteristics just don't match up. I wish that it was possible to recreate the dinosaur population, but the legitimate knowledge is just not there yet. I want to be the first to get involved when the science and technology is truly there for the rise of dinosaurs...

Blog #4 (9/16/09)- Jurassic Park Day #2

Thats what I'm talking about! Man vs. Wild. No movie can duplicate what happened in Jurassic Park today. A t-rex and real encounters with the dinosaurs. It was another very exciting day in IS 101 as a movie watcher.

The main thing coming to my mind today was the lack of knowledge and caution truly taken by John Hamman to create the park. Why on earth would a park in need of so much security be left to only two men on computers. A high security park like this needs to be protected and actions such as complete shut down should never happen. The sneaky fox played by shaving cream boy ("Newman" in the classic sitcom Seinfeld) should not have been given the capabilities to perform such a computer function. There should have been some way to see him doing this. More computer geeks were needed....

Lastly, there is the dying triceratops. Why was there not more knowledge about species function and survival when creating the park. Plants were present that had no business growing in a jurassic ecosystem. Hire some better botanists John!

Over and Out...

Blog #3 (9/14/09)- Jurassic Park Day #1

(As the Jurassic Park Theme Song is playing) Class began in abnormal fashion today. Students seemed overexcited to be in IS 101. Who wouldn't be though? Dinosaurs walking around, eating leaves off trees, and ripping longhorns apart. On top of that there is excellent science being exposed as the mastermind of Michael Crichton is revealed. (Music Concludes)

I have seen the movie several times and it still amazes me that the plan to transfer the embryos is in a shaving cream canister. For a science nerd like myself, THAT IS AWESOME. As for the excitement of the movie, I'm looking forward to more Man vs. Wild action between the scientists and the dinosaurs.

Lastly, I find Jeff Goldblum hilarious. His sarcasm, wit, and sense of humor fits his character perfectly. He makes an excellent addition to the team of specialists visiting the park.

Blog #2- The Things I Carry

To begin, it always helps when you bring an item to college, that all the parts and pieces are included. It doesn't do a lot of good to bring a camera to college to use for class projects when you don't bring the cable to upload the pictures to your project. One of many lessons learned...and carried.

As for the physical things, there are many. In my pack, our family van, a vast assortment of items were hauled and transplanted into this little ten-foot by fourteen-foot space called a freshman dormitory. Outside of the typical clothes and toiletries, many sentimental and personal entertainment items were packed. I brought a laptop, 5 pounds, that I can use for not only schoolwork but also communication back home and with old friends. A stereo system, about 50 pounds with the speakers, I brought to supply me with music and melodies to take my mind off the pressures of college. Along with that came my Ipod, 4.9 ounces, to take these melodies on the go. My cell phone, 3 ounces, I brought along to keep my connected with those around me and to call home whenever I may have a question or just want to talk. Lastly, a microwave and miniature refrigerator are stashed in the corner, 60-70 pounds collectively, to supply me with snacks and food when the Mensa is not open.

Among the physical things are mental and emotional baggage that I carry with me. I carry the stresses of doing homework again and making sure time is effectively spent. I carry the need to meet new people and make new friends, even though that requires putting myself out there. I carry the physical soreness from being on an athletic team. Lastly, I carry my dreams. The dreams of what I want to do with my life and how I want to spend it. The dreams of a career and a family. It's the dreams that keep us going. Through all of the things I see and feel, dreams are the most important. In the words of the transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau:

- "I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."

Blog #1- 9/10/09

I've made it through the first day of college classes! When people say that college is going to be more work then high school it is an understatement. The reading is intense in all classes, not just literature. :)

I have had a great experience thus far too. Cross country camp in the Black Hills was a blast, and I found a group of people that I feel very comfortable around. At the same time, practices are very difficult and a totally different level the high school. My legs have never been this sore day after day, and yet I'm faster then I've ever been.

My roommate is awesome, and I'm learning how to live with someone else after having my own room for so many years. The large increase in freedoms comes with greater responsibilities and I'm learning the time management is imperative. Well, thats enough for blog #1. I should really go study....

Josh Hones