2018 may be a special year. Why? Because it is filled with so many record high temperatures. Last week, places all over the United States, from Los Angeles to Burlington, Vermont, have hit the 80s and 90s— not during the hottest time of the day but at night.
As I read in “Nights Are Warming Faster Than Days. Here’s Why That’s Dangerous,” it has been recorded that while daytime lows are increasing at a rate of 0.7 degrees Fahrenheit per century, nighttime lows are rising at twice the rate. That might not seem like a lot, but a small difference in the average can mean more extremes.
And extremes mean tolls on people everywhere. In fact, heat waves are a leading cause of death regarding natural disasters. Warmer nights will raise the number of those affected even higher, as the body will have no time to recover from the warmth: usually, night is the time for the body to cool down, but as the temperatures rise at night, bodies will have warmth stored longer. To me, that sounds scary.
I had felt it was extreme that thermometers were topping the 90s and 100s, but seeing the numbers exactly made me feel it even more.
This article also made me feel the real need to take action. Usually, when people talk about global warming, it seems distant and not directly affecting us, ordinary people living ordinary lives. Climate change isn’t just going to harm polar bears in the north— we can die from it too.
It is time to turn off the air conditioning and cycle instead of drive.
The Story of Thailand Cave Rescue
Before I even read this article, I saw many news reports about 12 kids and a coach stuck in an underground cave. It surprised me when I learned that all 13 people were all well and unharmed, but very weak. I was happy to learn that a lot of people from different countries all chipped in to help the team get out of the cave. Although at first, it was predicted that saving the team would take 4 months because of the rain season. If the rescuers didn't save the team sooner, the oxygen would run out or become toxic. In the end, the rescuers decided to save the soccer team on July 8th. The rescuers gave the team anti-anxiety medication, so they wouldn't panic in the relay race against time to save everyone in the cave. A lot of rescuers went into the cave to save the team, but a few of the rescuers got injured or killed by the rushing water. Saman Kunam was a retired Navy officer, who died of either the lack of oxygen or hyperthermia during the rescue of the team. It wasn't until July 10th until all-including the rescuers themselves-were out of the cave and sent to the hospital to check their health and conditions. This article interested me because so many people got together and saved 13 people and helped rescuers.
“The Power of Positive People: Are your friendships giving you a boost or bringing you down?”
I can always tell those who are lonely.
Often older and with a lot of time, but few friends, at work lonesome customers turn to me to ask advice or talk about life.
The article explains that love, support, and acceptance have a greater influence on health than diet. People with stronger social networks live longer. As a result, the article encourages individuals to spend more time with positive and healthy friends, who are often supportive.
While it is important to spend time with positive people, spending time with the people that make an individual happy is even more important. A strong social network doesn’t have to be solely composed of positive people, I believe it is more important to have a diverse group of friends who can support an individual through the challenges of life. Rather than a friend who will always encourage an individual to “look on the bright side,” I believe in the power of empathy and understanding. When I have faced difficult situations, I have always relied on my friends who were willing to listen. I rely on my honest and caring friends rather than someone who is excludes me because they only spend time with positive people.
Despite the age difference, I always listen and provide support to the lonely customers who frequent my place of work. Hopefully I can be the supportive and honest friend for someone who may not have anyone else to turn to.
‘I Couldn’t Tell Anyone’: Women Around the World Reveal Intimate Stories of Abortion
Do abortions take the lives of unborn babies? Yes. However, it takes lives of unwanted babies or babies with a harsh future. Babies, who will suffer with fatal diseases caused by prenatal defects. Babies, who are born unloved and abandoned. This article grabbed my interest because abortion is a controversial issue that countries could not find a solution to. The only way to find the genuine solution is to listen to the party that experienced this procedure. Unfortunately, people will still perform abortions even in countries where the process is illegal. Since the process has to be kept a secret, unskilled providers will require unimaginable amounts of money for the whole surgical procedure because they are also performing risky actions. All the government should do is to support the family and provide a safe environment for the family to take action. Since abortion is a serious matter, the benefit of the doubt must be given to the parents that they would have carefully weighed the pros and cons of such a life-altering decision. Therefore, governments should respect their right of choice. That is where the government stops. Mothers also have to deal with the perceptions, which is “unspeakable and demeaning” towards the mothers and is outright prejudice. This impression is probably the last image we, as humans, would ever want to provide to a mother who would be the one grieving the most.
How Our Beliefs Can Shape Our Waistlines - The New York Times
I believe this article is important because it acknowledges the power of the mind. I truly support the notion that if we could access and harness full control over our brains, humans would be unstoppable. In my experience, the impact of our mentalities, when it comes to accomplishing everyday tasks, is highly underrated. The death-defying energy boost that can be spurred on by a self-affirming mindset is not only powerful for losing weight, but also the same mental exercise at practice in the cases of people who willingly run into burning buildings to save lives, or those who volunteer to walk tightrope at fatal heights. It all comes down to courage- taking risks despite fear. However, our mindsets are just as powerful in the department of propelling negative energy, and that can definitely be detrimental to health. For example, physical manifestations of depression and anxiety disorders exist, such as irritable bowel syndrome. It’s all about the connection between the mind and the gut. If one’s mind’s belief is strong, then one’s gut intuition and motivation will be that much more intense. The phrase “go with your gut” is a cliché for a reason. Human beings are not doomed to be crushed by our predisposition to focus more on the negatives in life. We all have the power to strive and succeed at whatever we wish to accomplish, just as long as we truly, genuinely do wish it.
“I Did a Terrible Thing. How Can I Apologize?”
Apology: It’s a word that conjures images of 6-year-old me, stammering weak, forced phrases after throwing a tantrum or talking back. Most often, these obligatory “sorries” or “I won’t do it agains” offered only shallow remorse.
Recently, I encountered an article, entitled “I Did a Terrible Thing. How Can I Apologize?” The article began by exploring the superficial nature of apologies that pop up in our daily news feed. Often, our apologies are just exercises to protect our reputations. Cris Beam, author, draws upon this with examples of presidents who “wriggle away from explicit blame.” The word “apology,” however, comes from the Greek “apologia” which means justification. We must explain ourselves to others for our apologies to be genuine. The Jewish process of apology: “teshuvah,” means “return.” We should return to whoever we wronged, listen to them, and when it comes time, ask for forgiveness.
As a teenager, much like my 6-year-old self, I find it difficult to apologize. I say a quick “sorry,” pair it with a smile, and cross my fingers the other side will forgive me. But I hope next time, with this article tucked away in my mind and honesty within my heart, I’ll find the courage to justify my actions and listen to the other side: to truly apologize. We fortunately live at a time where more transgressions are made public! And making a genuine apology, rather than “wriggling away” is a huge leap towards reconciliation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/movies/skyscraper-review-dwayne-johns...
This week I was interested in the article "Review: In 'Skyscraper,' Dwayne Johnson Scales a Tower of Clichés" because I am a fan of the Rock when it comes to his movies. The article basically said that even though the idea of the movie seemed recycled and used, Johnson was still able to surmount the movie. Since I am a fan of him and his movies I was thinking about going to see the new movie,but now I'm definitely having some second thoughts. I hope the trailer doesn't overhype the actual movie. I've seen the trailer and the movie seems quite entertaining but after reading this acrticle I feel quite confused if I should go watch it. That is my opinion about this article.
[email protected]
How could twelve kids escape from this cave? About a week ago I remember reading about twelve boys being trapped in a cave in Thailand. At that point I didn’t understand the severity of the scenario and how hard it was to rescue. As I’ve followed the story through the “New York Times,” I’ve been praying for these kids to resurface. On Thursday eight of the twelve boys had been rescued, but tragically the coach had died due to oxygen loss. When I saw the headline “‘Still Can’t Believe It Worked’: The Story of the Thailand Cave Rescue” I was eager to see how the last four boys had escaped. I believe I am part of the majority whom partly observed the structure of the cave. After observing, I saw the intricacies of the cave and wondered if it was even possible to save these kids lives. I pondered upon the ways that anyone on the surface could even help. Also I wondered why only eight of the kids were saved, not all twelse and why the coach died, but none of the kids did. The article failed to answer these questions, but addressed my main quandary about how exactly these kids escaped. These kids that have now escaped are most likely affected negatively by this experience. I hope this event has taught the world the dangers of dangerous excursions. I enjoyed that the article explained the cave and how the rescuers and children were able to maneuver and escape the situation. However, I wish the article explained some of the possible effects of the situation on the kids.
"Anthony Kennedy and the Privatization of Meaning"
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's decision to retire in late June warrants some reflection in remembrance of his dynamic 40-year career. In "Anthony Kennedy and the Privatization of Meaning," David Brooks gives his take on Justice Kennedy's immortalized "Mystery of Life" passage in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. The columnist suggests that allowing everyone "to define one's own concept of existence" undervalues a sense of community, which is essential for social order.
On the contrary, I found Kennedy's outlook on personal autonomy to be more appropriate than ever in this day and age. The recent revival of identity politics has had a divisive effect on civil society, forcing individuals to identify with certain groups and adopt their beliefs. The controversies surrounding the University of Missouri and UC Berkeley among others demonstrate the extent to which some activism is afflicted with a with-or-against-us mentality, stifling free discourse.
Although written in 1992, Kennedy's words are significant to me because they remind us even today that independent values and thoughts should not be suppressed. An ocean of atomized individuals that Brook remains apprehensive about is not any more desirable. Democracy, however, functions under the assumption that a marketplace of ideas breeds progress. Kennedy's "privatization of meaning," therefore, must live on—even if the meaning of life remains a mystery forever.
Opinion “Trump Should Just Give People Money” by Annie Lowrey (July 7, 2018)
What interested me the most about this opinion was how it disapproves of the economic system that dominates the western culture. The idea that if you give poor people money that you will solve their problems doesn’t work. First of all, if it worked, then it would be something we have tried and found successful, and so would already be doing. This is not the case, so it is probably not successful. But second, poor people are often poor for a reason, whether that is the result of bad decisions they made, or they do not have appropriate education to get out of poverty, or their cultural background does not enable them to leave poverty. People are poor for a reason. The great thing about capitalism is that no matter what your situation is, you can go find work. Even if the work is not what you prefer to be doing, you can find some way to earn income. From there, you can advance up the ranks to better jobs and better income. “The United States has no welfare entitlement – people aren’t getting cash free and easy just because they are poor.” It is almost like you have to work to get money. Now it is harder for people with disabilities to get work, but they still do. Capitalism allows people of all types to take charge of their life, work hard, and improve their situation for themselves and their family. The plan given in this opinion does not do this for the people.
The article that interested me the most in the Times this week was , "What Babies Know About Their Bodies and Themselves." Touch is the first sensory thing that babies develop, and when researchers decided to delve deep into the brains of the babies, they discovered some engrossing results. When a certain part of the baby, such as the hands or feet, were touched, it immediately activated a part of the brain that was specifically for that particular limb. Once the baby got a few months older, showing them short clips of some body parts triggered a reaction in their brain, which showed that the babies knew which specific limbs were what. This article is particularly interesting because this has been something that was not known to us before, and could eventually provide some insight on who we really are. If we start of with untangling all the different theories we have about babies, there could possibly be a relevation coming pretty soon.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/09/well/what-babies-know-about-their-bod...
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/well/the-power-of-positive-people.html
Sometimes, we get so caught up in our own lives that we neglect those around us. In “The Power of Positive People,” Tara Parker-Pope considers her own personal experience in light of cross-cultural examinations to highlight the significant bearing that one’s social network has on one’s life and happiness.
While excessive positivity is often considered to be irrational or annoying, sometimes we all need a bit of cheer from those around us. That fact was exactly what drew me into this article: for our health and happiness, we need to season our existence with relationships that render a beneficial impact on our mental and physical status.
To enforce adherence to a social network may pose a significant challenge. Yet models such as Okinawa’s “moai” may allow nations to foster greater mental health and quality of life. Ultimately, the article illustrates the importance of moving past unhealthy pessimism, and in doing so, brings us all one step closer to long-term contentment.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/books/review/aspergers-children-edith...
Growing up with a brother who is presumably diagnosed with " Asperer's syndrome", I never really understood the depth and complexity that accompanies the word until I enrolled in an AP Psychology course during my junior year. Surprisingly enough, I saw the word " Apserger" in the textbook, but by then, it was no longer a subdivision of the bigger " Autism spectrum disorder": it was essentially the same thing. While reading this article, it concerns me that "autism" isn't really understood for what "autism" really is other than just a way for people to label and flesh out people who doesn't follow the standard societal norms and ideologies that governs us. This was simply the case in this article as well when the Third Reich murders would label someone as mentally ill when they didn't believe in their Nazi ideologies. It really has developed into a stereotype that really has no basis and it's shocking that many people fail to empathize with what a social and learning disability really feels like. Whether it has roots in World War II or not, it also raises a concern as to why even the word "autism" still exists to this day if except it is usetd as a measurement to separate the normal from the abnormal. How is this any different from the Nazi extremists and their anti-Semitic movement? It has grown to be much more than just a learning and social disability, it's discrimination at its best.
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's decision to retire in late June warrants some reflection in remembrance of his dynamic 40-year career. In "Anthony Kennedy and the Privatization of Meaning," David Brooks gives his take on Justice Kennedy's immortalized "Mystery of Life" passage in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. The columnist suggests that allowing everyone "to define one's own concept of existence" undervalues a sense of community, which is essential for social order.
On the contrary, I found Kennedy's outlook on personal autonomy to be more appropriate than ever in this day and age. The recent revival of identity politics has had a divisive effect on civil society, forcing individuals to identify with certain groups and adopt their beliefs. The controversies surrounding the University of Missouri and UC Berkeley among others demonstrate the extent to which some activism is afflicted with a with-or-against-us mentality, stifling free discourse.
Although written in 1992 to reaffirm Roe v. Wade, Kennedy's words are still significant to me because they remind us even today that independent values and thoughts should not be suppressed. An ocean of atomized individuals that Brook remains apprehensive about is not any more desirable. Democracy, however, functions under the assumption that a marketplace of ideas breeds progress. Kennedy's "privatization of meaning," therefore, must live on—even if the meaning of life remains a mystery forever.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
In this article, It mainly talked about how the divers placed the guide lines so that they can be closer to the missing boys and their coach. The British Diver John Volanthen placed the guide lines to try to get closer to the missing group. If the lines were shorter, he would have turned back and not reached them on Monday night. He finished his lines and he saw 12 boys looking down at him. The Thai navy suggested that they should spend another 4 month in the cave and wait for the end of rainy season. People suggested that it would been dangerous for them to stay in the cave for so long even if they have food, lights, and other supplies. If they stay in the cave for a long time, they could risk injury, illness or diseases. This happened on a June 23 after their soccer practice. They went into the cave and heavy rain started to fall which block their exit. A country that was divided become united because of this situation. Countries sent teams to help including the United States. U.S sent team of 30 which included 17 Air force. The Divers do all they can by breaking the rocks and massive passageway while they were wearing an air tank. They placed the ropes that divers can use to pass through the turbulent water. They said that it would be hazardous to bring them out underwater when they are in this condition. It is very far and complex and will cause them to panic when they can't swim.
With America facing its most controversial issue of kids being separated from their immigrant parents, across the world a comparable situation arose in Thailand where twelve kids and their coach were trapped in a cave for ten days without any food or liquids. In the article “Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team” written By Richard C. Paddock and Muktita Suhartono, the two authors both explicated the situation of how a total of thirteen got rescued from an isolated, submerged cave that was nearly impossible to find. Thanks to the mass amount of assistance given to find these children, all citizens were found and in living conditions. This is why I am most interested in the New York Times because not only do the New York Times present iconic news from around the world, the Times also shares touching stories that give the population some kind of futuristic hope. It is a pleasant alteration from all the appalling news about death or a child dying.
Additionally, this also interested me because of the topic itself. A group of soccer fans being locked in a space unable to get out made me feel conscious about so many more things. I am a soccer player myself so reading about what happened to a soccer team hit home because it could possibly happen to anyone I know and or play with. What I learned when reading this article is that I need to appreciate the people I am with because I could never know what will happen in the near future.
When I was 5, Hurricane Ike swept through Texas, where I used to live. I didn’t know what was going on. My parents had taped the windows and told me to sleep in the bathroom. By morning, the storm had passed as quickly as it came. It had been fun - almost like I had gone camping.
But who knew that Ike had ended the lives of almost 200 people?
Nowadays, I react differently. Whenever I hear about a hurricane, I check the radar, sighing in relief when the storm is set to stray away from us, or sucking in my breath when I see we’re in trouble. Over the years, I’ve realized that the threat of natural disasters is real. We all have.
Hurricane Maria is an example of what we have to lose. When I heard that a Harvard study reveals that the death toll was 70 times greater than what was reported, I realized that slowly, governments around the world have been numbed to loss of life. They cover up what makes them appear weak and hope that doing so will make them stronger. But ignoring death has never been a strength.
Natural disasters of all types plague our world. Humanity faces hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and more. No matter what happens, we will lose people - that is inevitable. But that doesn't mean we can forget those who have left us. We have an obligation to keep the memories of these people alive, and if that means placing the shoes of the departed in front of a nation’s Capitol to force acknowledgment, then so be it.
"Way Too Easy..." By Alexis Taylor
For this week, one article in particular definitely caught my attention. After reading & assessing the article titled, "Neighbor Calls the Police on a 12-Year-Old Boy Mowing the Grass", as usual, my beliefs are justified though situations like these. Within this article, Reginald Fields was hired through his own lawn care business to mow Ms. Holt-Colden's lawn. And due to slightly mowing some of the next door neighbor's lawn, the police were called. The unfortunate part about this article is the fact that as soon as I read the title. I knew that the boy had to be black and the callers had to be white. Our world is so predictable and ridiculous that it's becoming common sense to assume what races are involved in these situations. Of which tends to aggravate me or depending on the situation, sadden me. The reason why I am like this is simply because of my cultural background. I am mulatto which is a term meaning both black and white (race wise). This characteristic of course, it has an impact on my brain's thinking. Which is because of the fact that I know that having a connection/relationship with a different race, especially black & white, is absolutely obtainable!
"A Liberal's Case for Brett Kavanaugh"
Following President Donald Trump announcing Judge Brett Kavanaugh as his nominee for Supreme Court Justice, countless individuals and organizations have perpetually slandered Trump’s decision. As Congress debates instating Judge Kavanaugh, the question arises, will Kavanaugh’s values be fair to liberals, conservatives, and all those in between? I believe “yes.”
Many liberals argue that Kavanaugh’s views are too conservative to provide justice surrounding all political beliefs. Despite this, Mr. Akhil Reed Amar, a self proclaimed liberal and professor at Yale Law school, defends Trump’s choice. Amar acknowledges that the role of Supreme Court Justice is to decide cases based on the Constitution rather than based on personal beliefs. Kavanaugh’s case record affirms his abiding by this statue. If this was not the case, I hope that both Democrats and Republicans would question Kavanaugh’s position as Supreme Court Justice.
Rather than babbling on about issues nonessential to proper investigation, we must forge ahead and unite behind the best person for the job: Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
When we make a mistake is our impulse to take ownership or place blame? Is there a correct answer? Unlikely. However, it’s certainly interesting to consider why we do what we do. In a generation of seemingly instant progress, the pressure of time weighs over our heads. We make decisions quickly and sometimes impulsively, moving forward to cross the next “to do” off our list.
Chris Beam reflects on her own experiences with apologizing in her article “I Did a Terrible Thing. How Can I Apologize?”. While covering topics in the realm of asking for forgiveness, the article begs the question of the motivations, reasoning, and impact of our actions. The questions posed resonate with all readers, while the answers are only provided by a reader’s own willingness to be vulnerable. Seeing someone actively step into vulnerability, accept responsibility, and move forward empowers readers to take a glimpse into their past to see if they can do the same.
Beam’s claims reminded me of the concept that we often wait for our turn to speak rather than listening to what others have to say. I would strongly advocate for the ideas that she brings forward: we feel valued when we are listened to, relationships grow during constructive conversation, and how proper apologies allow us to let love into our lives. These concepts surely aren’t new or mind-boggling, but I’ve found that we often need to be reminded more than we need to be taught.
"I Did a Terrible Thing. How Can I Apologize?" By Cris Beam
Article: "Trump Officials Reverse Obama’s Policy on Affirmative Action in Schools"
The United States has always racism ingrained with it, stretching as far back to the birth of the nation. As a result, non-white people were heavily discriminated against throughout American history. The 20th century were important times for civil rights reform, which also included integrating white and African-American students into the same schools and making segregation illegal. As a result, schools became more diverse with people of all races and cultures going to colleges and universities in massive numbers. However, many universities were heavily filled with white students, leading to government action, creating programs such as Affirmative Action to allow more black students go pursue a higher education, even if they had a low GPA or mediocre SAT scores. Unfortunately, this had the effect of discriminating against other races, such as Asians, Caucasians, etc., by giving race a higher priority over academic performance.
I believe Donald Trump is right by removing Affirmative Action, but we need to reform the education system of the U.S. I believe it should be removed is because it’s too focused on a single ethnicity compared to the rest in the U.S. competing for college admission. It's unfair that a certain ethnicity is able to go to college because of race when there're more capable people that were denied. Diversity is great, but schools shouldn’t be forced to deny students on race.
‘Why Your Brain Tricks You Into Doing Less Important Tasks’
The article caught my attention because now, I can blame something else for my problems! Joking aside, procrastination is a trap that I fall into time and time again, so finding a definitive reason as to why that is was interesting to me. The article read that “...the brain prioritizes immediate satisfaction over long-term rewards...” That made me wonder if we have always been like this and it has only been exacerbated by the instantaneous world of today, or were we conditioned over time by advancing technology to set those expections? In any case, urgency drives our actions more than importance because at that point, you can’t afford to avoid the task anymore, placing it high on the to-do list. If the urgent task is undemanding, it won’t hurt just to get it over with, right? Sure, it’s satisfying to get things done, but what really needs doing isn’t first and foremost. The article proposed Eisenhower’s Box to combat this and it surprised me. I was shocked at how rarely I delegate, how I fail to follow through with my schedules, and how I eat up my time with tasks of the trivial kind, all because I prioritized gratification. These are all things I can, and should, improve on and knowing the brain’s tendencies can help me do that. I can break up tasks into smaller ones like the article suggests, set deadlines, and develop the discipline to work now and play later. My mind pushes me forward, starting now.
"Trump Officials Reverse Obama’s Policy on Affirmative Action in Schools," interested me because I realized that this news didn't even shock me. In fact, at this point, Trump could abolish the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and I wouldn't be surprised. Trump has made his views on diversity painstakingly clear since the beginning of his presidency: he hates it. He doesn't want intelligent and capable people from Africa or Haiti to immigrate to America because he believes Haiti and African countries are "shithole" countries. He wants to repeal the Diversity Visa Lottery program. And now he's decided that he should get rid of Affirmative Action, the main policy that promotes diversity in otherwise white-majority colleges. Even with affirmative action, most of the top colleges in America are white-majority, so what is the point of taking it away?
Trump's administration claims that they want to get rid of affirmative action because, according to the article, it "advocates policy preferences and positions beyond the requirements of the Constitution." But how can a policy put in place to ensure that minorities applying to colleges are not discriminated against based on the color of their skin be "beyond the requirements of the constitution?" Doesn't the constitution guarantee equal rights and protection? Does it not limit the power of the federal and state governments to discriminate on the grounds of race? This article confirmed for me what I already knew: Trump is a perpetual racist.
The article I was interested in today was "How Many Teenage Girls Deliberately Harm Themselves? Nearly 1 in 4, Survey Finds" I chose this article specifically because I've encountered a few people in my life who have experienced something similar to this. I understand that there are some peaks in peoples' lives that trigger them to perform such actions as self-harm but there are also options better than that such as openly talking about whatever it is with a trusted figure or some form of therapy to help. In most states, there are more girls who hurt themselves than boys. Fourteen year old girls tend to purposely injure themselves more than eighteen year old girls. Things such as sexual assault, cyberbullying, LGBT community, drugs, and smoking are reasons that can trigger an individual to take this action of hurting themselves. There are ways for parents to be involved and help their child through anything they may be facing. No one is ever alone in fighting through anything. There is always a solution for someone to get any help they want and need.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/health/self-harm-teenagers-cdc.html
This article seemed to ring out at me because the threat of losing abortion rights seems more and more real as the days of the Trump Administration carry on.
Saying that is a bit of an overstatement, considering I’m fortunate enough to live in a state where reproductive rights will likely be protected regardless, but that doesn’t make me less scared. Along with fear, though, I feel anger.
I feel that there is no good reason to repeal Roe, and plenty of others feel the same. The hypocrisy and entitlement exhibited by those who continue to battle against reproductive rights has gotten ridiculous. If Roe gets outlawed, abortions will still happen, just unsafely. This will harm people who are pregnant and choose to terminate their pregnancies, increase their mortality rate, and hurt them in many ways.
What’s even worse is that so many of those against abortion also support their views on immigration using the argument of ‘overpopulation’. Overpopulation will become an even bigger issue if abortion becomes illegal, because 1 in 4 women in the United States alone have had an abortion at some point in their lives. If all those pregnancies had carried through, our population would still be significantly higher. It’s time for pro-lifers to realize the effects of the idea that the government should have any sort of say in what occurs in another human’s body, and to stop pushing for laws that will inevitably harm the people and the country.
1
PART 1
What interested me this week in the Times was the article by Henry Winter, called the ‘World Cup 2018: England suffer fresh heartache as Croatia fight back to reach final’. It begins melodramatically, of course. Winter sets the tone through ‘as they stood drained and defeated’ and ‘eyes blurred with tears at an opportunity missed’, which made me snigger, even as I felt myself get a little disgruntled. Luckily, he gets to the point before my interest is lost (yes, I stop reading things that offend me) – England ‘are not out of the nation’s hearts’. Here, let me explain. Let the sixteen-year-old female with her nerdy glasses and haircut that she will regret as an adult explain.
Honestly, I’ve never been a football fan. It seemed to be a three-step procedure. One, round up a bunch of meatheads. Two, throw a ball in their midst. Three, move back and watch the flailing begin. Mix a lot of frantic whistling and hand movements, then you have a football match. Simple, right? The joy of kicking each other in the knees, crumpling to the ground in agony, launching oneself at the hard ground for a save (ugh, grass burn), spraining one’s neck… painful and unnecessary.
“How Conservatives Weaponized the First Amendment”
The United States of America is fortunate enough to be endowed with some basic human rights like the ones included in the first amendment. This article by Adam Liptak is staggering because it uncovers in what ways the first amendment is being used negatively. A set of principles, that were affirmed with good intentions, are now backfiring because of people who are using it to justify their unjust laws. Even though everyone should have the rights stated in the first amendment, politicians should use them in an equitable way instead of in a manipulative manner.
For instance, one thing that politicians have defended using the first amendment is the ability to spend unlimited money on a campaign. It is apparent how politicians can deceive Americans by saying limiting campaign spending results in limiting speech, which would technically be going against the freedom of speech. When it comes to elections though, the candidate with more money will be at an advantage because they can pay for more items (like billboards, advertisements,commercials, etcetera) that will help them be noticed by more people, which will result in more votes for that person. This is not just for candidates who are not as rich, because campaigns should be based off of the qualities of the candidates, not how much money they have. If there was a limit to how much money could be spent on a campaign, then things would be fair for everyone.
When the movie Black Panther came out, I knew it was special because it is a movie about the first black superhero which wasn’t a sidekick or villain and the movie had a cast of mainly black people. Now I am interested in the reason behind the cosplay for the movie and the difference these cosplayers are trying to make. These cosplayers want to make a more racially tolerant world that has more black superheroes and racially even cast in movies.
This interest me because I didn’t realize these cosplayers, whom I thought were just people who loved comics, have a meaning for cosplay. They are trying to make a difference in there own way. Inside and out of their costumes, they want to take away racial stereotypes from our environment. I would like if I could spread influence for the good of people.
“DeMarcus Cousins on Warriors potential: Scary”
Players are being traded to new teams or leaving their home to go to another team to create a team that will become unstoppable . Some fans totally agree with this and other fans totally disagree with these actions, saying this is ruining the NBA. There is pressure on the players when making these decisions. For example is this the right move for their career? Will their fans still love them?
Many say Lebron James created super teams which have become unstoppable when he made his decision to join the Miami Heat with all-stars such as Ray Allen, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. Since this we have seen Kevin Durant join the 73-9 Golden State Warriors and not many fans agreed with this decision. Making this team have 4 all-stars on one team, this team became a juggernaut. This week DeMarcus Cousin an elite superstar center in the NBA has signed a 1-year contract worth 5.3 million dollars with the Warriors. Although the Center is injured currently after he gets healthy and recovers fully the Warriors will be a team to be reckoned with. Making this 5 all-stars on one team.
This interested me the most the most in the New York Times because the two time back to back NBA Champions have just signed another superstar having high faith in him. Instead of just having to worry about 4 all-stars coaches will have to worry about 5. Coaches will have to create new game plans going against the Warriors.
“‘Still Can’t Believe It Worked’: The Story of the Thailand Cave Rescue” recounts the seemingly hopeless rescue mission that captivated the world. When 12 missing boys and their soccer coach were first discovered trapped in a flooded cave, it was suggested that they might have to stay there for four months until the rainy season subsided. Fortunately, because of the rescuers courage and commitment, all of the boys and their soccer coach have now been rescued and are safe. This rescue mission has received extensive coverage in the media, as people around the world, including me, were enthralled by how the rescuers’ were able to overcome all the complexities and dangers of the rescue mission with a determination that can only be described as inspirational. After all the events of this daring rescue mission, hopefully the world can rest a little easier knowing that because of the actions of some very brave people, the 12 boys and their soccer coach are no longer in any peril.
“Good Riddance, Boris Johnson" - The Editorial Board
The article “Good Riddance, Boris Johnson" is an editorial that conveys a message of persuasion by how the author conducts an extremely disrespectful manner towards foreign secretary Boris Johnson (as the title suggests). The author's main argument in relations to establishment is to persuade audience members to disagree with this secretary as well as urge the audience to view Great Britain’s representatives as distrustful and suspicious. In correspondence, the author also states, “The resignations immediately set off speculation about more defections, the potential fall of Mrs. May's government and even new elections,” which primarily focuses on the rising speculation from citizens in connections with Prime Minister Theresa May, David Davis, and Boris Johnson.
Furthermore, many strategies are utilized throughout the text in order to convince readers to support the author's argument of suspicion towards these representatives. (Or former representatives, in Davis and Johnson's case.) For example, the newspaper editorial presents an overall unique situation, proving effective due to these residents’ fear; which, in association, initially affects Great Britain's election results for this upcoming election season for the Prime Minister simultaneously. Instances of other strategic methods include displaying Mrs. May’s political actions in feeble and desperate attempts to twist them to deceive and manipulate readers.
After reading, "At Toys 'R' Us, 'There is Nothing Left': The Day It Closed for Good" I became very interested in the closing of this childhood store. I remember as a kid always wanting to go to Toys 'R' Us. This was a store that was in every kids' dreams. Once hearing that the company had declared bankruptcy, I empathized with Ms. Koperwhats in that my heart broke. Not only was this news devastating, but also the rumors that the employees were not getting what they deserved, when being laid off, shocked me. There are hundreds of employees who have devoted countless hours to that company, including Ms. Koperwhats and Ms. Claude. They have clearly given up much of their life working for Toys 'R' Us and when being laid off they get no type of severance. Those types of employees make this process completely unfair. In addition, instead of the employees being taken care of, the company made sure that all toys and the store itself were sold before all facilities were shut down. Overall, I believe that the leaders of Toys 'R' Us should have prioritized their employees over their toys.
"Mice Don't Know When to Let It Go, Either"
Here I am. It's 2:00 AM in the morning, a few hours before sunrise and the contest deadline. I'm staring into the piercing glow of my computer screen, my eyes glazed with fatigue; my body is telling me—begging me—to sleep. I started working on a response to this week's summer reading contest on Monday—well, I said I would. Technically, I started only a few hours ago.
I printed out several articles to peruse on Monday. Maybe, I could be inspired, write something impassioned come Thursday and hit that submit button. Nicely done. Come Friday morning, even as I put off my efforts, I couldn't let my mental goals, and all that printed paper, be squandered.
So here I am. It's 3:04 AM now, and after reading a dozen articles, I am finding camaraderie with mice to the detriment of my sleep schedule. It's good to know that I am not the only nocturnal creature in a determined pursuit of its goals, despite mounting adversity (or lethargy). If anything, it's reassuring. It's a testament to our persistence; our stubbornness and reluctance to give up brings us a long way. And it's animals too. We all struggle and work towards our goals, be them to secure food for your rodent pups or to begrudgingly finish listening to a dry lecture. It's that same resilience that makes sure all our efforts, all of our trials and tribulations, in whatever passion, course, or action we pursue, are never in vain.
And with that, I'll go get some rest.
5
The article I read was "Neighbor Calls the Police on a 12-Year-Old Boy Mowing the Grass". This article interested me today because nowadays racism is a big issue. I've seen quiet a few videos where a white folk called the cops for something a dark folk may have done, even if it was nothing they did. They could be going about their day and casually enjoying until they get the police called over them by a white folk for something the white folk may have thought was wrong or unacceptable. Reggie was just mowing the grass when the neighbors called the police on them for mowing a part of their property. The neighbors technically didn't have to call the police, they just did it because they cannot talk to them directly. They didn't have a problem of the little boy being black, but they had a problem with Ms. Holt-Colden since she moved in next door. Racism is becoming more and more of an issue nowadays.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/us/harvard-asian-enrollment-applicant...
When I was filling out my college application in the fall, I remember looking skeptically at the phrase “please indicate how you identify yourself.” I’m Indian, but I hesitated. Was there a better race I could go by?
Affirmative action seems like a paradox. An act that favors those who tend to suffer from discrimination, it’s precisely what upholds discrimination. When I read that Harvard consistently ranked Asian-Americans lower in personality traits, I was disappointed to see that my hard work, and that of others, was undermined by what I was born with.
It’s hard to understand the argument that although race barely affects college admissions, it’s vital to the application process. Treating people unequally in the college application process mirrors the underlying expectations for each race, thus representing a subtle but significant form of racism. Under the mask of racial equality, there’s an ongoing disruption of the playing field, therefore ironically breeding inequality.
Several people claim that affirmative action serves to fix the wrongful actions of the past, but that line of thinking is inherently illogical. The world isn’t a weighing scale; we can’t balance the unjustified actions of the past with more immoral actions today. We can only progress, beginning with treating everyone equally, regardless of race.
This week I found the article "China Sentences to Death Man Who Killed Students Over Childhood Bullying" extremely fascinating and thought-provoking. To begin with, many ironic scenarios take place throughout the event. For one, I found it ironic how the teacher who was traumatized and hurt by bullying found it comforting to not only traumatize children, but to also take their lives. Another ironic event takes place due to the fact that the children killed could have easily been innocent victims of bullying rather than the bullies themselves. While the murderer was sentenced to death, the children's lives were still taken out of pure anger and hatred which I not only found awfully cruel, but also terribly depressing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/03/smarter-living/how-to-see-what-the-in...
If you think you are not being analysed while browsing your search history on any digital accessories that you have? Google knows what you've searched for, your age and gender, where you've traveled, how long it will take you to travel from point A to point B, and much more creepy things.
Using the hidden metadata about the geographic location of where a photo was taken (which we share when we publish photos on sites like Instagram, twitter, facebook, etc.), your phone knows the places in which things are located in your everyday surroundings.
From the minute you visit the website, it begins detailing your actions on the screen in real-time. Your credit card company knows what you buy, stores know what brands you like, police departments know when your going to commit a crime, your auto insurance knows where and when you drive. Sites encourage users to turn on thavinga voice comment about your behavior. Data brokers help companies identify vulnerable customers. Your apps may have access to a lot of your personal data.
The fact of being monitored and tracked is easily found to be uncomfortable. The best thing you can do is to find out what the web knows about you and try to be more careful.It is up to us to be careful of the information you give away, when and to whom. It is a very useful tool to know the importance of our digital habits and how they affect our privacy.
My father is black & my mother is white. And they've been together since highschool. And despite their cultural backgrounds they're intelligent enough to understand that race shouldn't impact how you feel about another individual. But not everyone can be as wise as my parents in these situations, although they should be. People should be decent enough to not pull stupid things like this. People should be tolerant enough to not look down upon those with different pigments. People shouldn't be so petty to another just because of race. And people should be humane enough to not call the cops over a little black boy mowing slightly over the property line. But that would be way too much to ask for. That would be way to easy to just be kind to each and every different individual.
In class, students oftentimes struggle with how their education will apply to their life in the future. Some students believe that history classes are insignificant, for I have heard this first hand. However, the article "Making It Relevant: Helping Students Connect Their Studies to the World Today" challenges teachers to connect the education that is being provided to students to their futures. I looked over some of the sample lessons for teachers to apply in classes, and the purpose of most of the exercises given was to creatively get students to make connections between literature, texts, images, historical events, and more. As an Advanced Placement student, I have found that being able to make connections between these things is extremely important for success. I find it interesting that I am able to see how this teaching style is implemented in the classes that I am in. What most interested me about this article is all of the different ways to connect seemingly completely unrelated topics. This article helped me to gain a more in-depth understanding of the importance of connections between education and the world. I believe that students tend to believe that all work is busy work, but this article gave me a new point of view on the work that is done every single day in class.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/science/human-age-limit.html#comments...
The article's title caught my attention in the New York Times this week. I never have thought that the limit of how long humans can live hasn't been reached, meaning that people can possibly live longer than Jeanne Calment, who died at the age of 122. I find it so interesting how from 1900 to now, the average human life expectancy doubled. This makes me wonder that if in another hundred years, how much will the average human life expectancy increase by. Will people start living even longer lives, with the average person exceeding Calment's age? On the other hand, would it be natural for humans to start living very long lives, using technology to keep people alive longer? Should people live a long life, suffering from being disabled and debilitated? This made me think that maybe it is not necessarily beneficial if people started living lives past 100 years. It maybe good that the average person doesn't live past 100, due to the fact that the planet would be way overpopulated. People could potentially outstrip the food supply. There are many many consequences of people living extremely long lives. Personally, I think that there should be a new question: how long should humans live?
The article titled "Developing Countries May Need Their Own Strategies to Cope With Job-Taking Robots," by Jamie Condliffe, examines the threat that automation and artificial intelligence poses for developing nations. I found this article intriguing as most other discussions of artificial intelligence focus on its impact on western economies. The article suggests major portions of developing countries’ economies will be crippled by employing these technologies and subsequently indicates solutions proposed by western nations will prove inadequate for the developed world. One of the principle solutions proposed for advanced economies is the retraining of workers for future jobs, but for the developing world this is impractical as a result of workers' insufficient education levels. An additional solution proposed in western nations, a universal basic income, famously supported by Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, would be impossible to fund in developing nations as they lack a sizable tax pool to fund this expenditure. Finally, the article did discuss one solution targeted for developed nations: a global universal basic income funded by foreign aid. However, the political will in western nations to provide this is nonexistent. Although the commericial employment of artificial intelligence and automation is inevitable, we must recognize the burden placed on millions of workers. Whether it is the coal miner in West Virginia or a farmer in northern India, they deserve our sympathy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/travel/what-to-do-in-greenport-new-yo...
This particular article was interesting to me because it sounds like a great place to visit or live. From what I gather, there are so many things to do here. Two of the best things about this place, or so it seems, is the fact that you are surrounded by the sea combined with lots of lavender, my favorite! Couple that with all the yummy tasking delicatessens and it is sure to be a winner. There are also many options for fresh produce, which is wonderful.
"At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good"
I remember so vividly walking into a Toys R Us store when I was a kid. I would just be amazed at all of the colors, the atmosphere, and the toys. Up until about the age 12, Toys R Us was my dream land. I could spend hours upon hours roaming the aisles looking at all the amazing toys. All of my toys were bought from a Toys R Us. Even when I was very little, about 3 years old, I remember my parents taking me to a Toys R Us and buying me a Thomas Train set. I am still in shock that they are closing. I think the reason why I am so sad about the closing of my favorite toy store is the fact that a part of my childhood is being taken away. I mean, the first bike I ever had was bought at Toys R Us. The first Lego toys and the first video game set I ever owned was from a Toys R Us. I will deeply miss not having the toy store from my childhood. In addition, I also feel badly for all of the Toys R Us employees who are now out of a job. Many of them have contributed so much of their time and effort to this company. They should be given some sort of recognition and compensation for their years of dedication and service. I cannot imagine walking into one of the Toys R Us stores in their last days. I think that I would be incredibly devastated to see the blank shelves, which are usually stocked with toys. I hope that maybe one day, Toys R Us can return, and bring smiles to children again.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/us/lawn-mowing-boy-police-ohio.html
This article interested me the most this week because it shows how far our country has advanced in terms of racism. A 12 year old boy was just simply mowing his lawn when the neighbors had called the police. They state that the reason was because the child was trespassing their property, but it is obvious that there was a deeper meaning. The mother of the child stated that the neighbors would have not called the authorities if the child was white. This topic has been has been an issue all over the country as police are being prejudice toward people of color. Our country is made up on the idea of equality, so that should be portrayed by the law enforcement. It is little controversies such as the one showed in this article that should be noticed for the more serious issues to be stopped.
"A French Fry Gets Soggy in 5 Minutes. This Company Wants to Keep it Crispy for 60."
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/29/business/french-fries-delivery.html
The way that food is made in this day and age is incredible for so many reasons. Every step of the process, from growing food to processing and packaging to selling it is done as well and as efficiently as possible. This process is managed by massive industries that use the most cutting edge technology and are always working to improve their systems. This articles details the quest to design french fries that won't get soggy while they are being delivered. This article is fascinating because it shows just how much goes into simple fast food meals. The company that's trying to make its fries last longer has designed a new batter, which allows fries to stay crispy for up to an hour, but they're doing more than using a new recipe. The extent of the testing and researching that goes into the specifics of what you would imagine to be simple thing, fast food, goes to show how big and important the business really is. It also shows how impressive modern technology and innovation is, seeing just how maximal the detail, effort, and specificity goes into every aspect of food services.
‘I Couldn’t Tell Anyone’: Women Around the World Reveal Intimate Stories of Abortion
Abortion seems to split the American politics quite divisively and each article I read often take a side. While news is meant to be impartial and simply informative, its journalists, I generally find, are not always as unbiased. They tend to portray certain facts and not others and contain anecdotes that coincide rather than clash. Articles on abortion are either tinged red or blue depending on which newsroom it comes from. However, the Times in these stories did not take a stance, they were simply anecdotes detailing a process that splits apart our capitol. This unbiased stance, that did not cast for answer but merely catalogs the question is why I chose this article.
But, what intrigued me most about these anecdotes were how at odds they were with the black-and-white stance of those who fight over abortion. While laws all over the country range from pro-life to pro-choice struggle to pinpoint the best fix-all to this argument, it seems to me as if there is no fix-all. In these stories some women felt traumatized, others liberated, and if one things was clear, it is there is no set standard for abortion. Not all women should have done it, and not all women regret doing it, so how can one law be the right for everyone? How can something so grey can be written in the black and white of the law?
As someone who values the importance of the environment as well as the role of the EPA plays in keeping americans safe; I wanted to thank Scott Pruitt for his resignation. The United States needs the EPA and the EPA was suffering during his reign and will continue to suffer for a long time even though he has resigned.
Mr.Pruitt,
Thank you so much for your contribution to the planet that we live on, yourself included in case you forgot. I wish you well at your next endeavor but as a citizen, I advise you to listen to the people that still retain common sense(at this point Oklahoma does not count). Your wonderful list of achievements that includes but is not limited to spending thousands to build a private phone booth, upgrading flights to first class , as well as keeping secret calendars all of which against the law but hey if you are going to completely disregard the purpose of the EPA why not go that extra mile and break a couple laws with it anyway. I wonder though if you could point us, the people with common sense, in the direction to a planet where money and economy ignore the planets need for balanced temperatures and healthy environments. At what point does the philosophy of industry over science not become applicable? After we realize how much we need the Paris Climate Agreement? Despite all of this I wish you luck and pray that by “God's providence” there is a way to fix the damage you have caused.
A.Garg
1
"'Still can't believe it worked': The Story of the Thailand Cave Rescue"
According to the Merriam-Webster Dicitonary, the word "miracle" is defined as an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs. For many of us, the word miracle holds a special place in our hearts. From witnessing recoveries from what should have been a fatal accident to nearly escaping the ceaseless rage of war, we often cite these inconceivable events as miracles- outcomes that in reality and all sensible logic should never have taken place. The story of the Thailand cave rescue speaks volumes of the notion that mircales do exist and are actively working in this world whether we would like to acknowledge it or not. Twelve young boys and their coach spent more than weeks deep inside that treacherous cave, living off of the condesation that accumulated on the walls and the little hope that they had in a potential rescue. They waited patiently and bravely, and against all odds (bone-chilling temperatures, lack of food, and mental truama), all of the trapped individuals got out of the cave alive. This rescue mission, without any uncertainty, was a true miracle and there's no doubt that this event has exhibited one of the greatest characteristics of today's growing society: hope. What started out as a small-scale volunteer effort among the local Thailand community soon transformed into an international work effort that was determined to bring the boys back home.
The Last of the Tiger Parents
https://nyti.ms/2KgnBvm
“All the other occupations are base, only book-learning is exalted.” Although people now debate the accuracy of this traditional concept, this quote had shaped their parenting style. I do not totally agree with Mr. Park’s argument. As a Taiwanese, I understand Asian educating style gives children an enormous pressure. However, Asian parenting style is not absolutely wrong because it works for me and makes me a better person. The high population density causes Asians to be competitive. If they are not the crane stands in a crowd of cocks, they cannot survive.
I used to feel that my parents do not love me. They always expect me to be a perfect child who obeys elders, gets good grades, and do not have temperaments. However, they never asked my sister to. I tried hard, but who can be perfect? I never actually argued with my parents until I was thirteen years old. I thought she would find pretexts and blame on me as usual. Unexpectedly, she apologized to me and explained that they did not know how to teach me since I am the first child. I understood my parents; they care about me, love me, but learn from my experience. My sister does not do well at school, but she enjoys her freedom. I earn praises from people which give me confidence.
Everyone is unique and should be educated differently. Communication is important in parent-child relationships, but we often neglect to empathize when conversing with family members.
Trump Visit Tests Britain’s ‘Special Relationship’ With U.S.
Customarily, when the US and Britain meet, it is a cordial and beneficial event; unfortunately, this was not foreseeable for Mr. Trump’s visit with Prime Minister May in the UK. In the article, the main focus is on how the US-UK relationship will fair when the two dissimilar leaders come together to negotiate.
With tensions already running high in Britain due to both the Brexit and an unstable political climate, Mrs. May´s only hope was to get a trade deal with the US. However, the UK´s weakened position means that much of its fate lies in the hands of the Trump administration who does not currently need anything from Britain. Therefore, the relationship between the two countries seems to be in a state where the US is the alpha and Britain is attempting to act with flattery in order to stay a priority to the dominant US.
The article highlights both perspectives on how the relationship may be effected; some say it won't be because two people can´t determine the outcome of a relationship built on years of history, while others believe that the relationship has been on a constant decline for years, and that the tensions in Britain and the policies of the Trump administration may put the relationship to the test. Personally, I hope that the US-UK connection is preserved, but I believe that the differing values and stress both political climates are under may allow for the perfect storm to destroy the age-old bond.
Thermostats, Locks, and Lights: Digital Tools of Domestic Abuse
Imagine yourself sitting in a cauldron of boiling water as a punishment. Well, it’s 2018, so it’s probably difficult to apprehend. However, would you believe that there is a modern version of this? Now, imagine yourself checking your house’s thermometer to see that it’s up to a hundred degrees. What? How? Turns out, it was your significant other controlling the heat from miles away. This is one of the new methods of domestic abuse made possible with smart home technology.
With new technology being introduced everyday, more opportunities and tactics have also been introduced to abusers. I completely understand E. Olsen’s dilemma about whether or not to reveal this growing issue, as it can inspire abusers to take advantage of this new technology. But it’s also very necessary to talk about these kinds of issues so the general public is aware and cautious. What I’ve learned is that there will be negative outcomes either way.
It seems like there is no good balance between convenience and security. People want the ability to easily switch between who controls their houses’ security systems, but then they discover that a criminal has access to their doors’ locks. These systems are advertised to make our lives both safe and practical, but it’s apparent that one has to be sacrificed. Reading about “safety/security” devices being unsafe made me scared of what bigger problems could arise when technology fully takes over.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/magazine/military-guardian-angel-prog...
This article describes an American soldier who was killed in Afghanistan, but not by who you would think. Cpl. Joseph Maciel was trained as a "Guardian Angel" and essentially he would observe during communications and remain alert to the possible threat that their Afghan trained troops cannot be trusted. That something like this, could ensue. The purpose of the program aimed to keep "comrades safe". Yet, Maciel was killed by an Afghan National Defense and Security Forces member. The article states "The 20-year-old soldier from South Gate, Calif., is the 153rd member of the American-led coalition to die in a green-on-blue, or insider, attack.". This program was created in order to prevent this sort if thing but their efforts are proving futile. Those at the Pentagon argue that if these attacks continue to rise that they will have to reevaluate the reliability of training these Afghan forces.
https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2018/07/11/arts/11reuters-people-kylieje...
After seeing Kylie Jenner's face on the front page of Forbes's issue of America's Women Billionaires, I was shocked. She is described as "on track to becom[ing] the youngest self-made billionaire in the United States", and the word, "self-made", made me raise an eyebrow. I do respect the Kardasian/Jenners for using their fame wisely (most of the time), but I'm doubtful when I imagine her starting and running her own business as a nineteen year old who seems to have no business knowledge or experience. Without disregarding my respect for her success, I still felt that it was simply her privilege that allowed her to become so successful. Her following is large because she is a Kardashian/Jenner, and her mother is a successful businesswoman as well. Thus, her business did not start from scraps as many do, and it doesn't seem appropriate to deem it as self-made. As an apriring businesswoman, I look to entreprenuers for inspiration for my own dreams. However, Kylie Jenner does not inspire me at the least, and I was disappointed that Forbes chose her to represent their pick of successful businesswomen.
url:(https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
week 4:
What interested me this week would be the article on the 12 boys & coach of a soccer team in Thailand that suffered the catastrophe of being stranded in a cave. It interested me because it expressed how much power unity & ambition can have upon a goal. As well as elucidating the importance of timing and luck.
There had been several articles such as the one posted by post gazette, which had asserted the statement that the rescue mission would probably take months to execute, however because there had been so many helping hands, that time managed to decrease to about 17 days.
"Half a dozen countries sent teams to help, including the United States, whose team of 30 included 17 Air Force search-and-rescue specialists". Which illuminates how much good can come from coalesce.
Furthermore, another rather inspiring lesson that emerged from the tragic crisis had been the redeeming factor of luck. Now luck is very debatable in its existence. However those that do accept it would say this is a dead on example of its existence. "If his line had been even 15 feet shorter, he would have turned back and not reached them on that Monday night dive", and who knows how long it would have taken to discover them. So What may have seemed as a mere inconvenience was vital to the rescue. Which is why I feel as though we should take every aspect in life into account & never underestimate the little things.
"How Online Hobbyists Can Reaffirm Your Faith in the Internet"
This week, I was most interested in "How Online Hobbyists Can Reaffirm Your Faith in the Internet" written by Farhad Manjoo for several reasons, the first being that the title instantly captured my attention. Everyday, I come across a lot of unsettling things on the internet, so, I could use some reaffirmation. Secondly, I found this article to be extremely cute. I love how Manjoo acknowledges that there is a lot of negativity floating around the internet, across all social media platforms, but he emphasizes that the internet is not comprised of just that. I also love that he delves into his own personal experience with the pure side of the internet, discussing how watching YouTube videos allowed him to become better at pottery. Something I find particularly cute that he mentions is that food writer J. Kenji López-Alt watches YouTube videos of people cooking with their grandmothers when he wants to expand upon his culinary knowledge.
This article resonates with me because I used YouTube videos to learn how to play the guitar 5 years ago, and it is still one of my favorite activities to do. I feel that this article is important as it has reminded me how much knowledge I have available to me at the tip of my fingertips. Also, this article points out that although negativity tends to stand out when you look at the big picture, there is always some positivity present if you just dig a little deeper.
The article I chose this week was, "1 Neighborhood. 24 Kindergarten Classes. 40 Languages. (Some Miming Helps.)". This article proved to be very interesting to me because it discussed two things I enjoy learning/experiencing about- children and cultural diversity. In the city of Toronto, (which is known for its diversity), there is a school with twenty-four kindergarten classrooms, and each of these classrooms contain students of whom speak forty different languages. This type of education may seem lazy, and non beneficial to the average child. However, it has proved to be almost the exact opposite. Most teachers were able to work with their students on creating a "united front" in regards to teaching, disciplining, and speaking. This made me feel very hopeful for the world we live in today, as there are so many different political, social, and cultural collisions that most people continue to take part in. Yet, if kindergarten students of ages four to six are able to overcome these differences, so too can we Americans.
@[email protected]
What interested me most in the New York Times this week is the article, “Not Your Average Autograph Collection”, written by Jennifer Schuessler. The article talks about an exhibition that showcases various handwriting samples from past historical figures, including Queen Victoria and Rasputin! The person behind the showcase, a Brazilian collector by the name of Pedro Corrêa do Lago, started this collection at the age of 11, and now owns an estimated 100,000 of these documents.
This interests me because I do have an interest in handwriting, calligraphy, and brush lettering. I even do some calligraphy myself. I’m one of many who admires other people’s handwriting. It’s very interesting to see the nuances of other people’s handwriting, like how they style certain letters, or how those nuances can vary from letter to letter. For example, in Queen Victoria’s letter to her uncle, she adds a lot of flourishes to letters. Her letters are, for the most part, consistent, but sometimes her style does change. For example, in the letter shown in the article, her “B” in the word “Brighton” is different from the one in the word “Believe.” Overall, her handwriting is very neat and, in today’s world, would be considered aesthetically pleasing. On the other hand, the sample of Rasputin’s handwriting on a photograph of him in the article is not as pleasing. Although it is in Cyrillic, it is stated in the article that, “...those who know Cyrillic have said it’s very bad handwriting.”
What interested me the most this week from the New York Times was the video article by The Learning Network. This video article is about thirteen people ( twelve boys and their coach) who were trapped in a cave complex in Northern Thailand. They got there by a occurring flash flood caused by all the heavy rains. After ten days of all the thirteen people being stuck they were able to help and rescue them. They were found in an elevated part of the cave were the water from the flood would not get to them. When the help crew was there to rescue them the family memebers of the twelve boys were there to to welcome them. I dont know about any one else but if l was one of there parent l would not leabe until my child was out safe of that cave were he/ she would be. This situation was on anykind of news for the past week and a half. I remember one of the news ladies in a spanish News channel talking about a planning to keep the people trappend there until October. The help people would still send them food to survive. To be rescued the were taken out one by one very slowly in a elevator capsul type of thing. Once all the trapped people were rescued it was said that they were diagnosed with hypothermia and all of them would me sent to medics to be checked. In a news report it was said that it was very dangerous for the help crew to get to were the soccer team was, it was also said that the divers had to take of there oxygen tank to be able to ho through certain parts of the cave.
"How Long Can We Live? The Limit Hasn’t Been Reached"
https://nyti.ms/2IBedxF
That being said, there was a research on Italians and how long is the lifespan of a person. It’s to be said that the longest living person was 122 years old before they died and a group of scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine has estimated that a fixed lifespan for a human is 115 years old. I believe living past 100 would be amazing, and it would give you enough time to do everything you want do in life.
As a highschooler, ballet dancer, friend, and family member, I already have a lot on my plate to finish things before the deadlines hit. Knowing I have more than 90 years left takes the pressure off a tiny bit but there are still different factors that can affect the amount of time left. One day you could be living life to the fullest and the next day you could be in the hospital.
I chose this article to read because I wanted to know more on how the limit on life hasn’t been reached. You’d think by now scientists and doctors would have figured it out. Also, right now I am in a summer dance program and every week you are improving more and more, It makes you wonder when you are going to be at the top or if you are ever going to make it there. School is almost the same thing with grades, college applications, and then afterwards trying to find a job. Having the ability to live longer will change the speed of a regular person’s life. Or at least will change mine.
Once in a while, when they were patient enough to endure it, my parents would take my brother and I to Toys ‘R Us. My dad always sang something silly that he had made up, and although lyrically lacking, it always made me laugh. Toys ‘R Us was always a treat, a safe haven where childish delight could never be dampened. It was there that my parents bought me my first real bike, complete with purple tassels and a flowery bell. There, I squandered away birthday money on things like Pokémon cards and stuffed rats. Toys ‘R Us was always right there, about a mile away. A few years ago, it was closed and transformed into a Steinmart. It was devastating loss. A place so full of joy had wilted into a clothing store for the middle-aged. As I grew older, Toys ‘R Us receded to the back of my mind. Of course I had heard about the bankruptcy, but reading about the people it affected in the article “At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good” made it feel personal. It may seem trivial to feel so closely connected with a store, but to many workers and customers alike, Toys ‘R Us was a second home. I will never be able to relive those childhood memories with Toys ‘R Us gone, but the mental snapshots will always remain.
"Lets Talk About My Abortion (And Yours)"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/opinion/sunday/abortion-kennedy-supre...
As a devout Catholic, I firmly believe in the right to life. I support the belief that everyone has a right to life, especially the unborn child. People who are part of the Catholic faith believe that life itself begins at the moment of conception, not when the baby's heartbeat is detectable. I respect everyone's opinions, especially the author of this article, Cindi Leive, but I am 100% pro-life. I understand that in some cases, women do not want to have a child because they are a victim of rape, however, that unborn, helpless child still has the right to live. If you do not want to live with a child who you may feel reminds you of a dark time in your past, you can always give up the child for adoption, so that it will be able to live and be loved. Children are not just some garbage that we can throw away! The are human beings who have as much of a right to live as we do. All life is precious, and God intends for all life to be lived. What gives us the right to determine if someone's life is or isn't valuable? The truth is, nothing. No one has the right to play God, except for God himself. My heart goes out to all the poor, innocent babies who never got the chance to be loved, and who will never have the chance to be held, or sang to, or read to, because someone chose to end their life, when it wasn't supposed to end, but begin.
“Why Does Every Soccer Player Do This?”
As a youth soccer player, I always mimicked my idols. When taking a free kick, I placed my hands rakishly on my hips like Cristiano Ronaldo. I cultivated a signature move that I deployed after every goal. Little did I know that putting my hands on my head after a hideous gaffe was another form of homage to the greats. While I’m disappointed to hear that this gesture isn't a secret signal to the coach, a celebratory salute to one's teammates, or an orphic gesticulation known only to World Cup players, Mr. Gendelmen’s article offers great insight and closure for soccer fans and players across the globe. As the article clearly spells out, through both medical research on primates and retirees, the gesture, despite its association with failure, is actually a dignified sign of honor. While I caution against full acceptance of this move, as it could threaten to undermine a game that suffers from too many players taking exaggerated dives to the turf, it does humanize players who I used to put up on a pedestal. It allows those of us who only dream of World Cup greatness to know that we can copy, with precision, one move of the best players in the world. After all, why shouldn't the sport of soccer include a pitch laden with expression, both on and off the ball.
"Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team" https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
From the last few days the story of the 12 boys, ageing 11-16 years, and their soccer coach were trapped in the Tham Luang Cave on June 23rd after their own soccer practice, where the rain water had came in and flooded their route.They had half a dozen of countries that sent them help including the United States with a team of 30 that included 17 Air Force search-and-rescue specialists. The boys were 3 miles into the 7 mile cave from the entrance. Luckily 2 British divers were able to make it to the boys providing them food, medicine, and light until the real rescue was able to be on its way. Ben Raymenants, a Belgian diver revealed that,"bringing the boys out underwater in their weakened condition — with strong currents and narrow passageways — would be both difficult and dangerous." The passageway is too narrow and flooded with the strong currents that may cause danger to the divers and the boys. They are aware that some of the boys are not able to swim and may panic at the long passage through the dark murky water but they'll help them pull through to make it out. Since then to right now, all of the 12 boys and the coach had made it out alive, except to the loss of a diver. The boys and the coach have been treated and reported back in their healthy state. It's amazing that they all were able to make it.
DeMarcus Cousins, on the Warriors' Potential: 'Scary' By: The Associated Press
This summer all throughout the NBA, players are being traded to new teams or leaving their home to go to another team to create a team that will become unstoppable . Some fans totally agree with this and other fans totally disagree with these actions, saying this is ruining the NBA. There is pressure on the players when making these decisions. For example is this the right move for their career? Will their fans still love them?
Many say Lebron James created super teams which have become unstoppable when he made his decision to join the Miami Heat with all-stars such as Ray Allen, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. Since this we have seen Kevin Durant join the 73-9 Golden State Warriors and not many fans agreed with this decision. This week DeMarcus Cousin an elite superstar center in the NBA has signed a 1-year contract worth 5.3 million dollars with the Warriors. Although the Center is injured currently after he gets healthy and recovers fully the Warriors will be a team to be reckoned with. Making this 5 all-stars on one team.
This interested me the most the most in the New York Times because the two time back to back NBA Champions have just signed another superstar having high faith in him. Instead of just having to worry about 4 all-stars coaches will have to worry about 5. Coaches will have to create new game plans going against the Warriors.
"This is What Happens When Friends Fall in Love"
This week's Modern Love story by Sammy Sass of friends embracing their feelings for one another captured my interest as it has reminded me of a time in my life where I too had to overcome emotional anxieties in the name of love.
Sass' article follows her relationship with Mirah as they escalate from friends to lovers and pressure builds. The main source is Mirah's fear that she would end up hurting Sass. Mirah's worry reminded me of the start of my second relationship. My first relationship ended sorrowfully when my first boyfriend took his own life. For months I blamed myself for his suicide, convincing myself that I caused his actions. This guilt kept me from trying to love anyone else as I felt that if I were in another serious relationship, I would hurt them too.
Sass details the night in which she expressed her love for Mirah. Mirah broke down crying, saying, "I am so terrified of hurting you." This deeply resonated with me as not even a month ago, a friend told me that he loved me. I felt numb. I told him that I didn't want to hurt him like I had my last boyfriend. But just like Sass, he responded with determination, saying, "That's okay. I won't give up. We'll find a way to make it work."
Sass' story ends with her and Mirah embracing their love. My own story has a happy ending as well. Since early June, I've been in a loving relationship with my boyfriend and can't wait to see what the future has in store for us.
How Trump’s Trade War Went
From 18 Products to 10,000
This week in the New York Times, something that interested me was the post about how Trump’s Trade war went up to 10,000 products. This article explains how The Trade War started with imposed solar panels and washing machines to the responses from the different countries. The most interesting part of the article besides the writing is the visual moving timeline shown in the article. Everytime you swipe up, a moving picture shows the timeline of materials coming in and out of America. This gives a good representation of what is happening and helps the audience understand the article more. The large amount of money being taken from different corporations is a lot. The worry of Trump's agreement has caused much worry from people all around the world. Products are being shipped all around the world and can expand to target 90 percent of what China sent last year. People in America are stressing with the war and amount of money being lost everyday. This really interests people because everyone has their own opinion and politics is a very touchy concept. Another reason the audience could be interested in this article is because it could affect our everyday life. This could affect the economy and related to people today which makes it so interesting to lead. These lasting effects on the global economy can lead to good and bad things. It is good that articles like this come out because they make us globally active students.
This week’s article, “A Jury May Have Sentenced a Man to Death Because He’s Gay. And the Justices Don’t Care,” disturbingly caught my attention. This passage describes the decision of a jury to sentence a gay man who was convicted of murder (to death), because of his sexual preference. Jury members feared that the defendant Charles Rhines would enjoy his potential life imprisonment without parole, because of the plethora of incarcerated men he would be in close proximity with. So simply because of this stereotypical thought viewing homosexuality, jury members voted to tear the life away from Rhines. This got me thinking. How is it that in this modern year of 2018, there are not any laws set in motion to protect people of the LGBT community from judicial bias? This problem needs to be looked at from a broader perspective. Sure, this problem starts from the uneducated minds of jury members, but what allows it to continue is our legal system itself.
The court hasn't intervened with this jury decision. If the court found that the decision made by the jury was influenced by bias, a retrial could be called into action. A retrial's purpose is to prevent the breach of a U.S. citizen's right to an impartial/just trial. So, if a retrial isn't enacted, then the court believes that a trial was in fact fair. As we sadly know, that is not the case for our new member on death row.
"We’ll All Be Paying for Scott Pruitt for Ages"
Your reign is complete
The office left behind replete
With holes
In the future planet you stole
You say
“God’s providence” has paved the way
For you to serve in the EPA
But all that is visible to me
Is duplicity
Your scandals are endless
Your decisions senseless
And all you did was swindle
As our polar ice caps slowly
dwindled
Corrupt
Morally bankrupt
Yellowed mattresses you seek
First-class tickets you bespeak
Luxury lotion was your priority
Ordering officials around due to your superiority
Even you cannot deny
That all you have done is lie
One and a half years
Have thrown our nation into fear
The damage you have done
Has destroyed us in the long run
Your unctuous essence
Forever lingering like an excrescence
So all in all
I cannot help but spew it
When I think of you, Scott Pruitt
8
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/science/northern-white-rhino-embryo.html?
Humans, the most unnatural animals of the natural world. We take what we want and destroy for comfort, rather than to simply live. Every task we accomplish, some resource was used, adding to the quick depletion of our finite resources. Except there’s one resource that has already been depleted, that has already been slaughtered and brought to extinction; our biodiversity.
An article written by Steph Yin discusses the possibilities of saving the white rhino population through hybrid embryos and implantation utilizing both of the last two white rhinos left on this planet, both of which are females. On the surface this sounds great. A population of rhinos is functionally extinct and here’s our chance to save them. Our real chance to save them was stopping poaching decades ago, and we’d be looking at a population in the tens of thousands, not single digits.
Humans are parasites to this planet. We take and don’t give back, and the little “giving back” we see, such as trying to create laboratory made white rhino embryos is nothing more than reparations for the destruction we’ve already done.
I found the importance of this article in it’s reflection of the human race. “We kill an entire species to make a small profit then spend hundreds of millions to try to save it”. Our focus should be on how to prevent this for the rest of our ever important species, not how to stick a band-aid on a bullet wound.
“Inside China’s Dystopian Dreams: A.I., Shame and Lots of Cameras”
Is high-tech better? We live in a world that certainly seems to think so. But recent events have highlighted the shortcomings of advanced technology, for example, the notable increase in domestic abuse cases being linked to smart home tech. While this instance is clearly a negative effect of our tech-savvy society, the situation in China isn’t so black and white. In fact, it’s complicated.
In attempt to bring order to the country, Chinese authorities have long craved a nation-wide surveillance system. With crucial aid from the Chinese tech boom, this goal has never before seemed so attainable. The Chinese government has now implemented millions of cameras and a cutting-edge facial recognition program to go with them, but what does all this mean for the citizens of China? Mr. Chorzempa explains, “The whole point is that people don’t know if they’re being monitored, and that uncertainty makes people more obedient.” This straightforward idea has already been proven effective. But one can only imagine the mental stress being placed on the citizens to behave obediently everywhere they go, out of fear for being recorded doing anything out of line. This amount of pressure and paranoia is something no human being should be forced to undergo on a daily basis. Or is it simply a prerequisite for a safer country?
"We’ll All Be Paying for Scott Pruitt for Ages"
I wrote my response as a poem(each slash represents the end of a line):
Your reign is complete/The office left behind replete/With holes/In the future planet you stole/
You say/“God’s providence” has paved the way/For you to serve in the EPA/But all that is visible to me/Is duplicity/
Your scandals are endless/Your decisions senseless/And all you did was swindle/As our polar ice caps slowly
dwindled/
Corrupt/Morally bankrupt/Yellowed mattresses you seek/First-class tickets you bespeak/Luxury lotion was your priority/Ordering officials around due to your superiority/
Even you cannot deny/That all you have done is lie/One and a half years/Have thrown our nation into fear/
The damage you have done/Has destroyed us in the long run/Your unctuous essence/Forever lingering like an excrescence
So all in all/I cannot help but spew it/When I think of you, Scott Pruitt
1
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/05/opinion/scott-pruitt-epa-resigns-corr...
I wrote my response in the form of a poem(each slash represents the end of a line, three slashes shows the end of a stanza)
Your reign is complete/The office left behind replete/With holes/In the future planet you have stole///
You say/“God’s providence” has paved the way/For you to serve in the EPA/But all that is visible to me/Is duplicity///
Your scandals are endless/Your decisions senseless/And all you did was swindle/As our polar ice caps dwindled///
Corrupt/Morally bankrupt/Yellowed mattresses you seek/First-class tickets you bespeak/Luxury lotion was your priority/Ordering officials around due to your superiority///
Even you cannot deny/That all you have done is lie/One and a half years/Have thrown our nation into fear///
The damage you have done/Has destroyed us in the long run
/Your unctuous essence/Forever lingering like an excrescence///
So all in all/I cannot help but spew it/When I think of you, Scott Pruitt///
“Access to Literacy’ Is Not a Constitutional RIght, Judge in Detroit Rules”
When I read the article about a lawsuit filed by an underperforming, poor school district in Detroit, Michigan, I was appalled by Judge Stephen J. Murphy III’s verdict
which was that access to literacy is not a fundamental right. In the lawsuit, it was stated that students of the Detroit school district were being denied basic resources such as books, teachers, as well as good school conditions due to significant discrimination, resulting in the students receiving poor education.
In America’s past, students of color and low economic status were always given subpar education, from being taught with outdated books by unqualified teachers, to working in terrible, unsafe work spaces. Today, the students of the Detroit school district are going through exactly what the students from the past had gone through, all because they are students of color that come from poverty-stricken areas.
One’s economic status, as well as skin color, should not be a reason to be denied access to better education; good education should be a right that every student in America can enjoy without having to beg for it first. Every student deserves to attend a school that can provide them with all the resources needed to be successful academically. It is disappointing that it is 2018 yet America has yet to recognize that access to better education and literacy is a right that all students deserve to enjoy.
1
"Second Suspect Arrested in Killing of Rapper XXXTentacion"
Article Written by Joe Coscarelli
XXXTentacion was revolutionary in the music industry and touched so many hearts with his creations, including my own, so it's no surprise that his death came as a shock to so many people. The reason I chose to write about this article this week is because it raises an interesting question. XXXTentacion's death was sudden and devastating, just like many of the other 14,000 deaths a year in the US caused by gun violence. What's different about X's case, though, is that his death affected many more people than the average case because of his fame and what he did for a living. So, this brings me to wonder if law enforcement would still be actively looking for suspects if so many people weren't watching. In other words, would the law still care if he wasn't well known? So many gun violence cases have been opened, but never closed in our country. Do not get me wrong, I am relieved that an important figure from this generation, whose music that I loved, is receiving justice. But it also makes it hard for me to believe that everyone is equal in this country. Every homicide that's occurred in history has negatively affected at least one person one way or another, so they all should be handled with the same prompt and intense investigating, no matter who the person was.
“‘Still Can’t Believe It Worked’: The Story of the Thailand Cave Rescue” recounts the seemingly hopeless rescue mission that captivated the world. When 12 missing boys and their soccer coach were first discovered trapped in a flooded cave, it was suggested that they might have to stay there for four months until the rainy season subsided. Fortunately, because of the rescuers courage and commitment, all of the boys and their soccer coach have now been rescued and are safe. This rescue mission has received extensive coverage in the media, as people around the world, including me, were enthralled by how the rescuers’ were able to overcome all the complexities and dangers of the rescue mission with a determination that can only be described as inspirational. After all the events of this daring rescue mission, hopefully the world can rest a little easier knowing that because of the actions of some very brave people, the 12 boys and their soccer coach are no longer in any peril.
"It Came From a Black Hole and Landed in Antarctica"
Neil Armstrong, an american astronaut who once uttered the infamous quote, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind" was the first man to step foot the moon. This quote speaks volumes to our society today due to the fact that Armstrong's "small step" was truly a giant step for the development of space exploration. Being an avid science geek, "It Came From a Black Hole and Landed in Antarctica" captured my attention this week.
As children growing up with an endless imagination, the childhood mind attempts to fathom the beauty and quintessence of the extraterrestrial world beyond what is visible. However, can human beings truly appreciate the complexity of outer space? This answer lies in the article; as our generations experience technological advancements, one can look no further. At the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica, a tiny particle was retrieved from a black hole. This occurred on Sept. 22, 2017, where the particle, Neutrino, bolted through the sky and ice and set off the detectors called the IceCube.
Cosmos, black holes, and the Milky Way were among our vivid imaginations. As particles from these celestial bodies appear closer, scientist can now use their knowledge of astrophysics and technology to uncover the secrets of outer space. What fascinated me the most was that satellites traced this particle back to its galaxy in the sky. This shows how one small step is truly a giant leap.
We May Be Able to Get Kevin Cooper Off Death Row
During a time where media can be more misleading and vacuous than ever, this article reinforced the true purposes of journalism— being a catalyst for meaningful change and getting leaders to listen. After discovering Kevin Cooper’s story (through The Daily), I was both shocked and disappointed by the refusal of California officials to allow further DNA testing for his case. In a state that prides itself as a champion for equality and humanity, leaders had misrepresented fundamental ideals by ignoring the racism-tarnished case for years. In summary, the situation seemed somewhat hopeless for Kevin Cooper, who is on death row.
After 35 years, however, due to immaculate journalism by the Times, the case is again being brought to the attention of many around the world, from California’s leaders themselves to the pope. More and more, now armed with knowledge, are dissatisfied and angered by the sloppy case, calling for action and further testing to reveal the truth. And indeed, new progress is being made.
This article shows what the fruits of powerful journalism are. Yes, there is no guarantee Cooper will be pronounced innocent of 4 atrocious murders, but there is hope now. Why? Because someone wrote about his case, someone shed light on the situation in the most impactful way possible. It is refreshing and empowering to be reminded of the volume that written word speaks, and the magnitude of change it brings to our world.
1
"'Still Can't Believe It Worked': The Story of the Thailand Cave Rescue"
The news over the past few weeks has been flooded with information on the soccer team that is trapped deep inside a cave in Thailand. I've been following the story from beginning and I was relieved when all of the boys and their coach made it out alive. I was worried that not all of the boys would make it out of the cave alive and some would die in the cave or during the rescue process at such a young age. The boys, ages 11-16, were trapped in the dark cave for almost 3 weeks with little food, water, and light. They only survived by sipping the condensation from the cave walls. This unique story caused me to think deeper into our everyday life. People all around the world take life for granted and think nothing terrible could ever happen to them. However, this isn't true because at any moment a disaster can strike, and your life could change in an instant. The boys and their coach were having an enjoyable day when they decided to take a trip to the Tham Luang Cave. Then in an instant, rain came and flooded the cave, trapping the team inside. With the conditions of the world today, people should take more caution in their lives. If people are cautious and prepared, the entire world would benefit. Together, we could help prevent tragic events like this from happening and reduce the severity of a situation by being prepared.
As I opened up the article “The Rise and Fall of China’s ‘Stout,’ ‘Dark’ and ‘Not Pretty’ Pop Star,” a familiar girl stared back at me. She had a body that was thin but not stick-skinny. Skin that was far from pale. Bright eyes that weren’t wide doe eyes. Legs that were strong - but alas, no thigh gap!
It struck me then, that she reminded me of myself and my friends. We were young and healthy. We should’ve been confident and content in our bodies. Instead, we were counting calories, shopping for double eyelid tape, and lamenting our tan skin.
However, seeing Wang Ju, who had the body of a typical Chinese woman, being celebrated by Chinese viewers was heartening to me. Wang was a contestant in a Chinese talent show, competing for viewers’ votes to join a pop band. Unlike her pale, thin competitors, she didn’t abide by traditional Chinese beauty ideals. She was unapologetically confident in her own skin - tan skin that many Chinese girls wore - and comfortable with her slightly larger body.
Though Wang fell short of victory, the article gave me hope that China, a country that held women to beauty standards few could achieve, was making progress. Wang gained many fans who admired her strength and determination to chase after her dreams. Barring a few critics, people cast aside preconceived notions of beauty and embraced women like her for more than their bodies. Wang might not have won the contest, but China’s acceptance of her is a resounding victory for Chinese girls like me.
Massive habitat destruction, species extinction, and environmental damage are nothing new to us. We’ve been hearing about these for decades, since we’ve been destroying the Amazon Rainforest and the North Pole. Now, Jacqueline Williams presents a shocking discovery with her article, “Great Barrier Reef Imperiled as Heat Worsens Die-Offs, Experts Say”; the Great Barrier Reef is in danger, too.
You don’t have to visit the Great Barrier Reef to see how stunningly gorgeous it is. Every year, its bright colors and diverse wildlife attract many visitors. It’s a natural wonder. And yet, “as often as every two years”, it loses more and more of its color and wildlife.
A year ago, we saw how global warming affected the Great Barrier Reef. The report from the Climate Council states, “nearly 30 percent of corals on the reef died as a result of the 2016 event”, and “corals are at risk of bleaching when sea surface temperatures reach 1 to 1.5°C above the seasonal maximum mean temperature”.
What scared me the most was when Williams stated that the rate of “large-scale coral bleaching events” like the one in 2016 had increased from every 27 years to every 6 years. As we continue to emit greenhouse gases and promote global warming, we are continuing to jeopardize natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef. At this rate, who knows what will be next?
https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/07/12/us/ap-soc-thailand-cave-coac...
The rescue efforts that took place in Thailand were truly extraordinary. Everybody that participated in retrieving the twelve young boys and their soccer coach are courageous. This was a very difficult job and even one professional scuba diver died trying to rescue them so this was no easy task. I was even more astonished that they had very little food and water to share among themselves and all thirteen were still able to survive. I also believe that the soccer coach deserves the most recognition because he put the kids first, he made sure that any food or water was given to the kids before he took any for himself. I also do agree that their bond kept them alive and they were able to get through it together because of the trust they have in each other. The rescuers also deserve a lot of credit because they knew the risk involved and still were willing to put their lives on the line to save these children who they did not even know. Ultimately their efforts were able to reunite everybody with their families. Anybody who helped save these children and their coach are true heroes. Nobody forced them to help these people and the only reason they did was because they knew it was the right thing to do. I followed this story daily and was so relieved that everybody was saved. This was a truly feel good story.
" Wimbledon Has a New Doubles Event: Tennis and the World Cup"
Wimbledon is one of the most iconic tennis tournaments in the world. It is known for its long standing traditions such as the all white dress code the players follow. This year the third grand slam tournament of the year overlaps with the World Cup in Russia. The All England Club will not use the big screen outside of Centre Court to televise the soccer matches when England plays. For this reason the tournament’s stadiums are lacking the normal throngs of people who want to enjoy the tennis. As a long time tennis fan, it’s frustrating to see a tournament with so much to offer its fans not willing to loosen their grip on tradition just a little bit to give the British soccer fans the best of both worlds. As a little kid I got to see many live sporting events and witness first hand the triumphs of victory and the disappointment of defeat. But what always mesmerized me was the way sports brought people of all backgrounds together. It’s an opportunity to make new acquaintances and share your passion with the people around you. We see it first hand with the Olympics held every four years. It is saddening to see tradition get in the way of a magnificent opportunity to open new doors and bring two sporting worlds closer together.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
[email protected]
The article about the soccer team trapped in the cave was interesting. i have been hearing people talk about this for about a week now, and i wanted to look more into it. the whole situation was very scary, and it makes you realize how dangerous some things really are. These boys had no idea that there would be heavy rains which could flood the cave. However, their lives could have ended because of this. it also makes you realize how lucky we are to have people that are willing to help others in these situations. those boys are very lucky to have made it out alive
The article “How Many Teenage Girls Deliberately Harm Themselves? Nearly 1 in 4, Survey Says” stated the statistics of adolescents who deliberately harm themselves. This article is very important for people to understand, especially teenage girls. The statistics showed that is was much more likely that girls harmed themselves. We should be aware of the amount of teenagers who harm themselves so that we can try to help those who are struggling with that.
[email protected]
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/business/toys-r-us-closing.html
At Toys 'R' Us, There Is Nothing Left': The Day It Closed for Good
By: Michael Corkery
The article I was most interested this week was about the closing of the company "Toys 'R' Us". This event marks a disappointment to many young children worldwide. When I was younger "Toys 'R' Us" was always busy and full of children. I would constantly beg my parents just to take me inside so I could look around at all the toys. It is sad to say that the company that was once the highlight of a kids world is now closing down due to bankruptcy. The closing became known when an image was posted of Geoffery the Giraffe walking out of the store. This is not the only store who has been fighting this problem, as stated in the article many Americans have stopped buying items in store due to online shopping. People find this as a much more convenient because you can do it wherever and whenever you want. Many people see the closing of the store as a chance to get toys for their children at a lower price, but as for the employees they are very sad to see the store go. When it came time to close the doors for the last time all the workers watched and began to talk about all the precious memories this job has brought them. As the workers left they felt heartbroken and some stated that they would be leaving part of themselves behind. Nothing will be able to replace the happiness this toy store brought to millions of people.
http://nytimesnie.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/pageview.aspx?issue=8302201...
This week, this article about sexual assault interested me the most as it is such a relevant topic today, specifically in late 2017 early 2018. It disgusts me that there are so many women in the world getting raped or sexually assaulted and no one is doing anything to help them. In the article, the agency took a week to conclude that they did not believe the woman’s story of being sexually assaulted and then a year later, re-investigated by asking what sexual positions she was in. This is sickening that investigators who are supposed to be helping and taking care of the situation are acting like that. The interesting part is that even after everything that happened in Hollywood with many women coming out with sexual assault stories, these things are still happening. And even though there may be a lot of attention on when it happens to celebrities, for others it is much more difficult for them to come out and tell their story.
Naturally as living beings, we wish to immerse ourselves in the living world for as long as possible. We fear death, and often times our actions and thoughts reflect that uneasiness. Although there is no such thing as forever, just the thought of getting an extension at life is appealing. That’s exactly why the article “The Thing Inside Your Cells That Might Determine How Long You Live” caught my attention.
Scientists have long been researching causes of human aging, as well as ways for greater longevity. Through their work, as well as many other new medical advancements, the average lifespan has increased significantly over the years; however, the root of the initial problem was yet to be known. That is why the research conducted by cellular biologist Adam Antebi was a scientific breakthrough.
Antebi and his fellow colleagues were able to identify the direct cause behind the science of aging, the nucleolus. They found that smaller nucleoli were favorable for the purposes of extending life, which they also learned was achievable through physical exercise and careful food consumption.
This particular article was especially captivating because it pertains to everyone. Any living thing has cells in their body and knowing what effect they have on their overall lifespan can be beneficial, in one way or another. Therefore, I found this article to be most intriguing and useful.
What interested me most the times this week what’s the story on the soccer team that got stuck in a cave in Thailand. This is fascinating to me because it is was 12 boys plus an assistant coach that were stuck in a cave for close to 3 weeks. They were caught in the cave when rising floodwaters began to cut them off and trap them inside. The operation to get all 12 boys and the coach out took close to two weeks, but three days to rescue. They brought in 19 divers, and four thai Navy Seals to help get them out, and a doctor to stay with them during the whole operation. This interests me most of the times this week because it’s very interesting on how all the boys and the coach got stuck in the Cave. It is hard to believe something like this would happen to people around the world. It is upsetting to see that they were stuck there for so long, but very happy to see that in the end they all made it out safe and back to their families. I am glad that after this traumatic experience to everyone, all the boys are out safe and back home.
"Tears As Immigrants Reunite"
Being kept away from your own family is an experience that a child does not need. Immigrant parents and their kids have been separated for months and have finally had the chance to reunite with one another. I have bee living apart from my family for the past week and just that time alone is hard. I feel homesick and miss my parents a lot of the time. Imagining how these younger children must have felt during their time of detachment is heart-wrenching.
Luckily, after a long two months, children under five years-old have been reunited with their parents. But the one question I have is about the children older than five. Are they not allowed to meet their parents? If not, why? The age of six is considered to be young as well, but because they are a year too old, they are not able to meet their parents? This treatment of separating kids from their parents is so cruel. They will be left with a damaged childhood. Additionally, not only will the children be traumatized, but also the parents. To miss out on about one or two months of your child's life is huge. In the article, it states that a kid who was two turned three while being separated. The parents had to miss their own kid's birthday.
The splitting of parents and children is not a matter that should be happening. Kids are at the age when they need to be cared for the most. By dividing families, not only are we hurting the children and parents, but society as a whole.
https://nyti.ms/2zuEcHT
The Onion is going out of business, I guess. Somewhere between a fever dream and Brave New World, this article makes a claim best fit by a coma-induced purgatory.
I couldn't help but laugh; the commonplace gallows humor is coming to fruition in the most ridiculous of ways.
Breaking news: dying violates contract law.
I cannot wait for Ghostbusters 7 where the gang persecutes ghosts for their debt, forcing them into slavery to work off their living debts. Paypal is pushing neo-indulgences to make the loved and fallen pay to simply rest in peace and their families pay to grieve and move on.
Companies are changing and de-evolving people into simple assets; OfficeMax and Paypal clearly care only about our money. Companies have been referred to before as soulless, but never have they been so heartless as this.
The robot apocalypse has come, not with AI, but with the soulless husks of men committed to their greed. Restaurants and enterprises bicker on twitter for the status of appealing to the youth and exploiting our senses of ethos and pathos to gain enough money to swim in it like Scrooge McDuck. Even Angry Birds is supposedly stealing data, as rumors go, claiming to know the user’s sexuality.
Humanity is a joke to the one percent, one they tell each other at dinners serving shark fin soup while bidding on exotic animals like Jurassic Park antagonists.
Living in a dystopia is forcing me to suspend my disbelief more so than for any novel.
1
In my hometown, Los Alamos, it is generally cool but the temperature has been increasing lately. The hot nights have been impacting my sleep which is why the article “Nights Are Warming Faster Than Days. Here's Why That's Dangerous” interested me. Los Alamos isn’t the only town suffering. July has been a hot month nationwide with daytime record highs set in fifty percent of the United States. These records are frequently set during the day although the night time lows are increasing twice as fast. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration state that nighttime temperature increases are a “dramatic example” of how small changes in the environment can become massive consequences in the future. For example, heat waves kill more people in the United States than any other natural disaster. However, the hot weather during the day is not the real killer. The high overnight temperatures leave no chance for the body to cool itself and this can be fatal. The outcomes of this nighttime heat are worse in historically cooler places because the people living there aren't acclimated to the extreme heat, and often don't have air conditioning. In Quebec, Canada the locals were no match for a heat wave moving north last week. Officials there have reported that seventy people may have died from heat-related causes. The record-setting increases in low temperatures can serve as a wake-up call for everyone to evaluate their carbon footprint and not turn a blind eye to the consequences.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/health/gene-editing-cancer.html?rref=...
This week I read an article about an innovation made by scientists that may open up new opportunities for people to get treated with an array of diseases, including cancer and H.I.V. This discovery is an effective way to remove genes form white blood cells from the immune system and insert replacements. This is a great discovery, however, it is so new that is has not yet been tested on a patient. I think that this new milestone is incredible and I am so thankful that we have advanced so far and are able to take find new and better ways to take care of ourselves as time goes by. I think people who study in this field are brilliant and I hold so much admiration for the bright minds who find new ways that mankind live longer and more productively. These new discoveries are amazing and give so much hope to those who are shrouded in doubt and negativity when it not only comes to their own but also a loved one's health.
[email protected]
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
I found this article interesting because the story heavily affects my surroundings as I am around the same age as the victims and I also live near Thailand. The good news is that the boy has been found after searching them for 10 days. The bad news is that it would be very hard to get them out of the cave since is the raining season and the water level in the cave keeps rising. The rescuers could leave them there with food, water, medicine, and oxygen while delaying the actual rescue 4 months after the raining season ends . But it would be very dangerous to leave them in the cave for so long because the risks of injury, illness and psychological harm by a prolonged stay is high. I wish the rescuers would make the best decision which is to get the boys out of the cave right away.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/world/asia/thailand-cave-rescue-seals...
The article 'Still Can't Believe It Worked':The Story of the Thailand Cave Rescue interested me the most out of the other articles because 10,000 of people participated in rescuing the teammates from the underground tunnel and from these 10,000 people were 2,000 soldiers. An officer named Saman Gunan passed away in an underwater passageway. This was not an easy task because two weeks ago everything seemed hopeless, but now everything went smoothly and was successful. It was said that there were heavy rain and very low oxygen, but still no one gave up which paid off at the end. This was a great shock that this has been going on for two weeks were everyone thought nothing was in their hands.
https://nyti.ms/2KChUF8
How Many Teenage Girls Deliberately Harm Themselves? Nearly 1 in 4, Survey Finds.
We say we treat women as equals, and we’ve gotten far from where women were just to stay in the house. They roam free as a part of this society now, but I think there still is an invisible wall that stops women from becoming equals. The wall could mean anything. To stereotypes, to expectations…? In movies, women are usually portrayed as a damsel in distress, who always needs a man to save them. These practices have been repeatedly shown in a young age (a famous example being princess movies). We know that this isn’t true, but our opinions might secretly differ. It might not be noticeable, but there might be pressure that females need to follow this stereotype. The pressure will lead to mental breakdowns and to self harm, but this is the normal case. Where the girl is tired of everything and just wants to disappear.
Attention. We all need it even if we don’t think we do. It’s a part of human life, but some people will go to drastic measures to gain it. Such as the case here: Self Harm.
This is where the problem kicks in. When we have a friend that self harms, how do we know if they’re serious or it’s just for attention? How are we supposed to react? Do we show them sympathy or just brush them off? There is no “good” answer. Both ways are equally bad as in good.
“Theresa May in Fight to Save Government Amid Brexit Rift”
What interested me most in the Times this week was the issue involving the United Kingdom and the European Union. It was fascinating to see the similarities between the politics here in America and the politics in Britain.
Most of my knowledge of Europe spans from Ancient Greece to World War II, so it was a surprise to see just how similar modern Europe and America are. Much of this article reflected the political happenings here in the United States: the big decisions, the leaked opinions, the political divide, and the resignations of politicians.
The big decision there is the exit of Britain from the E.U., probably only one of many divided political subjects like the ones we have here. One thing that was repeated quite a few times throughout this article was the political divide; a divide very similar to our country. The right-winged conservatives want more autonomy while the more left-leaning politicians want more global cooperation and regulation. A Conservative of whom this article spoke of was former foreign secretary Boris Johnson. He disagreed with the Prime Minister on how to go about Brexit. This was shown in his resignation, and also in his leaked, online comments. Many politicians in the United States have had their blunt opinions shown on the internet recently, and many have been leaving their jobs for one reason or another, particularly because of political disputes.
The similarities are obvious.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/well/the-power-of-positive-people.html
Personally, as teenagers, many individuals cope with the problems of finding your true friends or your true self. As young adults, many try to fit in with the "norm" and do whatever they can do to fit in. What many people don't know, is this can be very damaging to not only you but your health. According to the article, "certain health behaviors appear to be contagious to others." I can relate to this very much. In my friend group, there is a girl who is almost a bully. She says rude comments all the time and tries to look very cool. It honestly makes not only me but everyone in the group upset and irritable. Having this negative energy in my life causes me to portray anxiety and anger on other people. It is just not healthy.
Now, according to the article, Tara Parker Pope took a journey on a cruise where she was surrounded by similar people just like her. They gave her that boost of confidence that she needed, leading her to feel satisfied and at ease with herself. In my opinion, it is truly amazing that she did this. I think it really helps find yourself.
In my opinion, after reading this article i feel I should not let negative people take over my life. i should be around those who make me smile because I am only in High School. i should focus more on my mental health rather than having an unhealthy string tied to my back, making my life truly miserable.
“NATO, Emmys, Puerto Rico: Your Thursday Evening Briefing”
This article, especially the part about Michigan possibly having the most to lose from Trump’s war with China, was the most interesting to me because this issue is bound to affect me and the people around me being that I live in Michigan. to According to the article, families, for now, will face around a $60 per year increase. I found it interesting that if the tariff war continues to escalate and includes more affected products, the $60 increase could change. It’s intriguing to me that Michigan has a manufacturing hub with deep ties to international markets that could be caught in the crossfire. [email protected]
“Why the Supreme Court Opening Could Affect Gay Marriage as Well as Abortion”
As a queer woman, Anthony Kennedy’s decision to step down from the Supreme Court has made me feel uneasy, to say the least. The future of women and LGBTQ rights very much rested on his shoulders. Kennedy played a huge part in many Supreme Court decisions landing in my communities favor. However, the conservative party will pick his replacement putting our rights are on the line. While I read the article, it reminded me of how much of a struggle it was for the incredible men and women who have continuously fought for the rights of my community and countless others. Stacy Simmons, an advocacy director for the National L.G.B.T.Q. Task Force, captures our sense of anguish: “I’d really hate to see the clock turn back after we’ve made such tremendous strides,” It is so infuriating to think that the rights that we just recently attained through the efforts of people like Stacy Simmons are in danger again. However, there is an important benefit from this whole ordeal. It has brought attention to the fight for our rights back to where it needs to be -- on the tip of our tongues and not the back of our minds. It is crucial that we never stop fighting as a united community because, if the Supreme Court does repeal Roe v. Wade and Obergefell v. Hodges we will be taking steps in the wrong direction for this country. These repeals would clearly show the world that the United States isn't united at all.
“Theresa May in Fight to Save Government Amid Brexit Rift”
What interested me most in the Times this week was the issue involving the United Kingdom and the European Union. It was fascinating to see the similarities between the politics here in America and the politics in Britain.
Most of my knowledge of Europe spans from Ancient Greece to World War II, so it was a surprise to see just how similar modern Europe and America are. Much of this article reflected the political happenings here in the United States: the big decisions, the leaked opinions, the political divide, and the resignations of politicians.
The big decision there is the exit of Britain from the E.U., probably only one of many divided political subjects like the ones we have here. One thing that was repeated quite a few times throughout this article was the political divide; a divide very similar to our country. The right-winged conservatives want more autonomy while the more left-leaning politicians want more global cooperation and regulation. A Conservative of whom this article spoke of was former foreign secretary Boris Johnson. He disagreed with the Prime Minister on how to go about Brexit. This was shown in his resignation, and also in his leaked, online comments. Many politicians in the United States have had their blunt opinions shown on the internet recently, and many have been leaving their jobs for one reason or another, particularly because of political disputes.
The similarities are obvious.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/arts/music/nicki-minaj-wanna-thompson...
Every day something new and interesting trends on twitter, but lately, the most popular posts are those of internet trolls. Trolls move from case to case, all the while finding new victims to shame online. In the article, "How One Tweet About Nicki Minaj Spiraled Into Internet Chaos", Ms. Minaj and her stans attacked a media critic, Wanna Thompson, on her opinions, family, and job. Initially, this article caught my eye because I saw comments on twitter, but as I began to read, I learned many facts that twitter left out. Ms. Thompson's job was to formulate opinions on musicians and she wasn't just harassing Ms. Minaj. To simplify, it is like if the internet was to create an outrage because a bus driver was driving a bus. Ms. Thompson published her opinion as her job required, but because of the twitter backlash led by Ms. Minaj, she was fired.
After reading the article, I realize that twitter has power to control what young people believe. Most stans, even though they were uninformed of the details, chose to follow Ms. Minaj in her derogatory behavior. Additionally, many followers can hide behind their screens so they feel comfortable ruthlessly commenting "go kill yourself" towards her. All in all, celebrities must be responsible online to disapprove of cyberbullying and common people should be aware instead of blindly following a bad example.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/us/fema-puerto-rico-maria.html?hp&...
FEMA Was Sorely Unprepared for Puerto Rico Hurricane, Report Says
This article interested me the most because who would have thought such a disaster would have occurred. FEMA stands for Federal Emergency Management Agency which provides natural disaster assistance like Puerto Rico. The shocking thing I found out was that this agency had to provide so much food to the victims part of the disaster that there were shortages of food. FEMA is an agency that is created by the government, so I did not expect it to run out or have shortages because the government should be helping its people as much as possible so the trust can be kept. Some do not like FEMA because they think it is money wasting, but if we put ourselves in the place then the same person will not think that it is money wasting.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/us/politics/brett-kavanaugh-confirmat...
Since the time President Trump took office to his nomination of Judge Kavanaugh, the United States has become polarized. People's opinions have been brought under a sharp, veritable light, exposing true ideologies previously muted to others. Personally, I have seen relationships end because people have, perhaps not changed, but unveiled their true selves in the most intense way in the current political climate. With these feelings in mind I was drawn to this article. The picture depicts abortion rights activists demonstrating outside the Supreme Court while being yelled at by an opponent. The picture struck me as a bleak image of the future, specifically mine as a woman.
The article explains that both conservative and liberal groups are spending an immense amount of money on this unforgettable battle, which puts, most notably to me, women's reproductive freedom at a great risk. To me, the idea of a Supreme Court ruling from 1973 being overturned is baffling. I do not pretend to understand the laws involved in this possibility, but the very thought that society may turn back to the way it was almost 50 years ago is truly frightening. I have been raised to choose a future in which I will be happy, above all else. And so I know what side I must stand on in this inevitable battle, but despite the mobilization on both fronts, the outcome remains a suspenseful mystery.
"How Long Can We Live? The Limit Hasn't Been Reached, Study Finds" was what interested me the most in the Times this week. The article focuses on a study done focusing on elderly Italians, in which it was found that the mortality rate plateaus around the age of 105. Once people got past the 105 year mark, it seemed less likely for them to pass away. I find it interesting that the human life span has increased so much from what it used to be, and could continue to increase. I have always liked thinking about the possibility of humans living for hundreds of years, and this article and study explains that humans have not come close to reaching the limit on the life span if there is a biological limit. If this is true, then humans really could end up living for hundreds of years.
However, as mentioned in the article, there were possible problems with the study. These include only focusing on Italians, and the way the data was analyzed. It was interesting, however, to read two explanations as to why the mortality rate suddenly plateaus. One of these was that the fragile elderly people die off sooner leaving behind the rest who are tougher. The other possibility being that elderly people live at a slower rate than most, and because of this they don't damage their cells as quickly, allowing them to live longer. These ideas are very interesting to me, and I always enjoy learning more about the limits (or not) of the human body.
The story that I was interested in this week was https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/business/toys-r-us-closing.html . Five days before my childhood dreams died, I walked into Toys R Us for the very last time. Just like Cheryl Claude, I cherished every moment from the first time I walked in to the very last time. Toys R Us was the place that every child, no matter the age, could make their dream come true. In my opinion, I truly enjoyed being 5 or 6 and walking into this store with my birthday money and getting the newest barbie doll or whatever I wanted back then. The thing I enjoyed the most was walking in and seeing the shelves overflowing with LEGOS, American Girl Dolls, Barbies, and much more.
Walking into this toy store for the very last time was very hard. Not only was the parking lot outside empty, the store was also. The moment we walked in, every single wall was stripped of its toys except for the area right around the cash registers. We snuck our way into the back area where the bikes normally were, and the area had the yellow “DO NOT ENTER” tape all across it. All of the isles I would spend hours on when there were blank, which even brought tears to my eyes. There was nothing left.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/07/11/world/middleeast/raqqa-is...
I viewed a video on the people in Syria returning to their city Raqqa. The terrorists have left but there is still a lot of rubble and damage everywhere. One man and his family found out that their home had 2 floors gone but said that it’s better than the refugee camp. The rest of the video is too heartbreaking to describe. I feel this on a personal level because my family immigrated from the Middle East. I was born in America and even though I’ve never experienced something as bad as this, it still hurts and I’m not even Syrian. I did find something interesting and I feel like it’s the strength in the people. I mean these people have to rebuild their homes, cities, and lives because of all the horrible things the terrorists have caused. I admire that and I honestly give them a lot of respect. They keep there chins up, head high and rebuild their lives. It’s good when these kinds of stories are shared because even though it’s sad and devastating, it brings attention to the people and we can do something about it like raise money for them or give donations like clothing. I hope for the best of other countries and that they may be safe as well from such horrible actions or disasters. Peace on Earth!
“Can the Catholic Church ‘Evolve’ on L.G.B.T. Rights?”
L.G.B.T rights is becoming a mainstream issue, evolving many religious and cultural transformations which is making a big change. I do understand and apprehend both sides of this issue but I think the fact that this topic of L.G.B.T rights becoming an issue is the real problem. Usually, people want to be accepted and recognised by the society and community. And in this case, people who support or go against L.G.B.T rights want others to agree with their beliefs and support them like they do. This selfishness people have creates a bigger, pointless issue because everybody has his or her own personal beliefs, thoughts and different opinions that people should respect, which makes it impossible for everyone to agree on one side of L.G.B.T rights.
With our 21st century instinct of ‘I need to fit into society’ egoism, I think people should be more confident on their beliefs, not caring how other people judge like ‘what if they are homosexual?’ ‘ what if your lesbian?’ ‘what if we’re transgender?’. No one should be able to judge anybody, and even if the ancient institutions such as Catholic Churches believe differently, the world has developed and changed so much where the old rules need to adapt themselves into the new society.
Therefore, I believe the best solution for this issue is that Catholic Churches should change to fit the modern society by banishing the label of L.G.B.T rights so no one can judge another.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/science/human-age-limit.html
The article I found most interesting this week was "How Long Can We Live? The Limit Hasn’t Been Reached, Study Finds." I was drawn to this article because I am a naturally curious person and am fascinated by science. Not to mention, the title surprised me. As someone who refers to people around the age of 50 as "middle-aged," the idea that scientists do not know how long humans can actually live was quite surprising. Apparently, the oldest person recorded was Jeanne Calment who lived to the age of 122. Scientists at the Albert Einstein college of Medicine in the Bronx wrote her off as an outlier predicting that the maximum life span of a human being was approximately 115 years. The coolest part about this article is the rise and fall of death rates in certain age groups found by a group of scientists led by Dr. Barbi. I learned that "death rate starts out somewhat high in infancy and falls during the early years of life. It climbs again among people in their thirties, finally skyrocketing among those in their seventies and eighties." Most interestingly, the researchers found that "Among extremely old Italians . . . the death rate stops rising — the curve abruptly flattens into a plateau" and "people who were born in later years have a slightly lower mortality rate when they reach 105." I thought that people could not live to 100 or much past that but clearly, there is no obvious limit.
"At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good"
As most already know, Toys 'R' Us, one of the largest toy stores in America, has recently closed. This store was a go-to stop for many people that were in search of toys for children. This toy retailer was widely known for their large variety of inventory that ranged from toys, to electronics, to board games, to trampolines, to play ground sets. In this article, the author, Michael Corkery, explained how much this store has meant to many people. When he interviewed an employee of Toys 'R' Us, Cheryl Claude, he realized how much the store has impacted numerous lives. Cheryl worked there for thirty three years by unloading the trucks and stocking shelves, and she was left in devastation when she was notified about the store closing. Not only was she losing her job she had for a long period of her life, but she was also losing a place that, in the article, she described as her home. Personally, I can remember being so excited to go shopping at Toys 'R' Us every birthday I had when I was very young. I always wanted to go there immediately once I got my birthday money from my family, and I got so excited to see the giraffe that greeted you at the front door. Not only will this store be missed by myself and my family, but it will be missed by millions across America. Toys 'R' Us has brought numerous jobs to those in the toy industry, and it has made gift shopping much easier for many.
The article that interested me the most in the New York Times this week is called "Archaeologists Discover the Oldest Stone Tools Outside of Africa". This article stated an amazing finding of the archaeologists in China. They found the oldest stone tools in western China, outside of Africa. Even more amazingly, the hominids who used the stone tools have a brain size as small as a chimpanzee's brain size. I think it is very interesting to know more about the events back in the ancient time. I am always amazed by how smart human is when reading this kind of articles. Human is improving all the time and always looking for new things, and these qualities are what make human society stronger and stronger.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
I think what happened in Thailand these past weeks have been a remarkable moment. I think it is so fascinating how the 12 boys and the soccer coach got stuck in the cave and haven't been discovered since 2 weeks into the flood. If i was in this situation I would freak out and accept the possibilities of me not making it. They are very strong boys and I am curious what they would say next.
"At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good"
One of the major roles Toys 'R' Us played for children was to be a medium for entertainment in the early years of their lives. However, the spread of online alternatives to purchasing toys such as Amazon has taken over and caused businesses such as Toys 'R' Us to close down. Although Toys 'R' Us played a major role for children, it was also important for some adults such as Cheryl Claude, a woman whose life was greatly affected by the community within Toys 'R' Us. Mrs. Claude met her future husband while he was working with shopping carts and eventually went on their first date at the Toys 'R' Us store in Times Square. This anecdote exhibits the huge scope of effects Toys 'R' Us has had on not only children, but adults as well. However, Toys 'R' Us declared bankruptcy in 2017 after racking up massive debts over the years and creditors concluded Toys 'R' Us would have no viable future and should push to close operations in the US. The closing of Toys 'R' Us has taught me to cherish the little things in my environment and to hold sentiment for them before they're gone. Although it was shown in the article that Wall Street investors were to blame for by the protesters, it cannot be entirely justified because a large part of the closing of Toys 'R' Us has to do with the change from retail stores to online stores.
"Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team"
By Richard C. Paddock and Muktita Suhartono
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
All throughout everyone's lives, we always see crazy stories in the news. Yet, people always think, it'll never be me. However, for this poor soccer team from Thailand, that is exactly what happened. For 10 days, these 12 boys and their coach were waiting for a sign that they were going to be okay, that they were going to make it out alive. For these 13 people, John Volanthen was their hero. Despite this beacon of light in the darkness, all of the events that day were not positive. The Captain of the Thailand navy, who is trying to help rescue these miserable people, informed the families and many others who are watching this horrible situation that they may not be able to rescue the 13 people until after the rainy season ends. This is because the water levels have risen so much due to the extra rain that the cave entrance that they originally used has been blocked off. I truly hope that these innocent people can find the refuge that they have been waiting for. I hope that they will not have to suffer longer than they already have by staying in that cave for 4 more months until the weather dries up. Many have expressed their concerns for the mental and physical health of the boys, and I am right there with them. The sooner we can get to these people the better.
[email protected]
Ever since my dad was seriously injured in a car accident last year, I have started to mow our lawn since he is not physically able to do so. Today, as I was scrolling through some of the articles, one entitled Neighbor Calls the Police on a 12-Year-Old Boy Mowing the Grass by Jeffery C. Mays caught my eye. Throughout this article, it explained how a 12-year-old boy was mowing a neighbor’s lawn when someone called the cops on him. What I thought was crazy was that the police were only involved because the young boy was mowing a little over the property line. All that he is doing is leaving a little less work for the neighbors to do. Although this neighbor claim she only called the police because the homeowner is impossible to talk to, others believe that there was a deeper meaning. Many think that police were involved since this boy was black. Although this could be false, it amazes me how much racism is still in this country. We are all supposed to be equal yet not everyone is treated this way. Even though this boy may have suffered racism first hand, there is still a positive side because after all of this attention, he has been getting 15-20 new jobs a week and a Go-Fund-Me page has been set up for him to grow this business. Overall, what interested me most in the Times this week was learning that little boys mowing lawns are still subject to slavery.
“Theresa May in Fight to Save Government Amid Brexit Rift”
What interested me most in the Times this week was the issue involving the United Kingdom and the European Union. It was fascinating to see the similarities between the politics here in America and the politics in Britain.
Most of my knowledge of Europe spans from Ancient Greece to World War II, so it was a surprise to see just how similar modern Europe and America are. Much of this article reflected the political happenings here in the United States: the big decisions, the leaked opinions, the political divide, and the resignations of politicians.
The big decision there is the exit of Britain from the E.U., probably only one of many divided political subjects like the ones we have here. One thing that was repeated quite a few times throughout this article was the political divide; a divide very similar to our country. The right-winged conservatives want more autonomy while the more left-leaning politicians want more global cooperation and regulation. A Conservative of whom this article spoke of was former foreign secretary Boris Johnson. He disagreed with the Prime Minister on how to go about Brexit. This was shown in his resignation, and also in his leaked, online comments. Many politicians in the United States have had their blunt opinions shown on the internet recently, and many have been leaving their jobs for one reason or another, particularly because of political disputes.
The similarities are uncanny.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
The Thailand cave rescue was a success. A entire soccer team, consisting of players 11 to 16 and their 25 year old coach. The team had gone missing on June 23, after a Saturday soccer practice. When they entered the cave the heavy rain had hit. The cave flooded and they were trapped. The cave had been like a maze, there we very tight gaps and hard to get to places. They were trapped for a long time, but the thing that interested me most was this. That even thought divers died, they never gave up on them. The divers did everything they could and always had a strategy. With the strategy they came through and they were all saved.
@[email protected]
LeBron James to the Lakers: There’s Much to Unpack Here
I am very pleased with Lebron's pick to join the Lakers as they are probably my favorite team in the NBA. His place on the cavaliers the previous season just wasn't as punctual as seasons before. The roster was really weak in terms of chemistry and play style. The Lakers have a history of having some of the most iconic players in the NBA throughout the years and they haven't come to disappoint their fans. The Lakers were silently panicking in their attempts to pick up their next "star" for the 2018-2019 roster. In their struggles, they somehow picked up Lebron, and boy are the Lakers fans pleased with the decision. There are a lot of high hopes for the Lakers this season and I doubt they will disappoint.
Stein, Marc. "Lebron James To The Lakers: There’S Much To Unpack Here." Nytimes.com. N. p., 2018. Web. 13 July 2018.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/world/asia/thailand-cave-rescue-seals...
This week in the New York Times, I was interested about an article surrounding the boys that were trapped inside of a cave in Thailand. On the eleventh and final trip to save one of the boys after 18 days, things went dangerously incorrect. A diver navigated the eleventh teammate through the water, and then the boy lost hold of the rope. Personally, if I was in the same situation as these boys, I would be terrified. It is amazing that the amazing team of divers found all of them and got everybody out alive and well. The bravery that these rescuers had is very admirable since this was such a dangerous mission for both the restorer and those being saved. The variables in saving the boys such as the water, air, mud, and the mental and physical state of the boys kept changing, therefore making this rescue trip not a simple one. It was also very difficult being that the boys could not swim and needed to be given anti-anxiety medication to avoid any of the boys experiencing a panic attack during their time while leaving the cave. While it was a chaotic, terrifying, and dangerous rescue mission, it is reliving for Thailand and the whole world to know that these boys are safe and alive.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/07/11/world/middleeast/raqqa-is...
I watched a video of the devastating struggles of the people from Syria. The terrorist group was finally driven out but now as people enter back into the city of Raqqa, they wittinessed the destruction of the city. One man and his family had two floors of their house gone, but claimed it was better than the refugee camp. There’s more to the video, but it’s just very heartbreaking. It’s hard to explain the many disasters that have happened. I learned that these people are trying to cope with what has happened to their homes and cities. I take this very personal because my family is from the Middle East and immigrated to America. Even though I was born in America and never experienced these kinds of hardships it hurts that these countries go through so much pain. What interested me was the fact that they have to rebuild their city, homes, lives, but also of how strong they are. It’s sad but it grabs people’s attention;to make them understand what is going on and possibly how we can help. I understand the issues but i’ll never understand what horrible things they have witnessed. Sometimes we take things for granted but by viewing stories like these make me feel thankful. I honestly hope for the best with these people and any other countries going through these kinds of struggles.
“A K-Pop Primer for Olympic Listening.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/07/arts/music/k-pop-olympics-korea.html?...
Probably a topic different from most of the other comments posted on this article, the subject that interested me the most this week was an article written by Jon Caramanica about the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. Not to mention, last time the Olympics were held in South Korea in 1988, North Korea and South Korea were still in the midst of their political minefield. The relationship between the two political forces threatened the Olympics of 1988, but came together in 2018 for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. Through the Winter Olympics, the culture and art of Kpop was introduced as several major influencers of the music industry performed throughout the games. Not only was South Korea’s music showcased, but along with artists such as EXO, CL, Bolbbalgan4, and 2PM, “the North Korean singer Hyon Song-wol led a delegation of North Korean officials to the South to prepare for the cultural performances that will be a part of the events..” - Jon Caramanica.
The article that interested me the most this week was "At Toys 'R' Us, 'There is Nothing Left': The Day It Closed for Good". This interested me because growing up, I always used to go there to buy new toys. It is the place where my parents bought most of my presents. Going to Toys 'R' Us as a child was always such a fun experience because I got to try out all the different toys and ride bikes through the isles. The fact that the store is closing is very upsetting and shows how the multiple generations are different from one another and how the world is changing. Many young children these days are being given gifts such as phones, Ipads, laptops, and other technological devices. These devices are their toys, much different from the toys that many other generations played with when we were younger. I think it is very sad that Toys 'R' Us is closing because it was a part of my childhood that I very much enjoyed, and now the young children of today won't get to experience it anymore. They won't get to experience going to the toy store and getting to play with all the different items. The closing of Toys 'R' Us not only affects the children, but it also affects the employees that worked there. The devoted their lives to their job and loved every second of it, and now it is being taken away from them forever.
"U.S. Reopens Emmett Till Investigation, Almost 63 Years After His Murder"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/us/emmett-till-death-investigation.ht...
This article really has me thinking of the reasons why America is labeled as a "great" place when in reality we are so racist to the point where we turn away our own race. The reality is that we do not realize how racist we really are until we witness an example of racial violence just like Emmett Till. His case is now among the starkest examples of racial violence in the South and it makes me wonder, why would the U.S. government want to re-open a 63 year-old-case in the first place? I had never heard of this case until now but it makes me realize how much racial segregation is never going to go away, no matter how much we try to change peoples perspective on the matter. The way Emmet Till was murdered should teach us not to treat people of different race or skin color any different that we would like to be treated but unfortunately, we can not change everyone's view all at the same time.
bengal10Jadd030103
The article that interested me was "At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good" by Michael Corkery. Toys R Us was struggling with debt and ended up bankrupt and the company decided it was best for them to close their doors after nearly 70 years. With all the stores that were going to close it also meant that all of the people associated with working for Toys R Us were then left jobless. It was really sad to read the whole article and the experience that the workers had to go through when they closed their doors. Many workers who loved their job now have to find a new form of work and a lot of them did not have a backup job. Personally, I was heartbroken to hear that Toys R Us was officially going out of business. Toys R Us was a big part of my childhood while growing up because as a kid it was always amusing to me to wander the aisles of toys and finding the one that I would end up begging to buy. For six year old me, it was special whenever I got to pick out a toy as a reward. I feel that most children nowadays do not care a lot for toys anymore and that they will never get to experience the joy of going to Toys R Us once a month or for their birthday and picking out a toy they want.
“Can the Catholic Church ‘Evolve’ on L.G.B.T. Rights?”
L.G.B.T rights is becoming a mainstream issue, evolving many religious and cultural transformations which is making a big change. I do understand and apprehend both sides of this issue but I think the fact that this topic of L.G.B.T rights becoming an issue is the real problem. Usually, people want to be accepted and recognised by the society and community. And in this case, people who support or go against L.G.B.T rights want others to agree with their beliefs and support them like they do. This selfishness people have creates a bigger, pointless issue because everybody has his or her own personal beliefs, thoughts and different opinions that people should respect, which makes it impossible for everyone to agree on one side of L.G.B.T rights.
With our 21st century instinct of ‘I need to fit into society’ egoism, I think people should be more confident on their beliefs, not caring how other people judge like ‘what if they are homosexual?’ ‘ what if your lesbian?’ ‘what if we’re transgender?’. No one should be able to judge anybody, and even if the ancient institutions such as Catholic Churches believe differently, the world has developed and changed so much where the old rules need to adapt themselves into the new society.
Therefore, I believe the best solution for this issue is that Catholic Churches should change to fit the modern society by banishing the label of L.G.B.T rights so no one can judge another.
“Can the Catholic Church 'Evolve' on L.G.B.T. Rights?”
“Can the Catholic Church ‘Evolve’ on LGBT Rights?” addresses the growth of LGBT supporters around the world and how it affects the Catholic Church. The article describes the conflicts within the Catholic Church regarding the LGBT community, but the answer to the question is simple: the Catholic Church can, and should ‘evolve’ on LGBT rights.
Many Catholics already support same-sex marriage. That number will only continue to grow, as society continues to shift towards the LGBT community. Also, as the article states, “the church’s opposition to LGBT rights drives young people away.” This is important, as being opposed to LGBT rights is an outdated idea, and will only stunt the growth and spread of Catholicism. If the Catholic Church wants to continue to increase their followers and spread their word, they will have to change their perspective and support the LGBT community. As the society becomes more modernized, diversity (whether that is in skin color, gender, or sexual orientation) will only become more normal and accepted. Society is heading towards, and soon very well could be, a place where racism, sexism, and homophobia no longer exist. However, if the Catholic Church fails to follow along and adjust its stance on the future that is becoming reality, it is very likely that the LGBT community along with the rest of the world overpowers the Catholic Church, and Catholicism could become a thing of the past.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/world/australia/great-barrier-reef.html
The article “Great Barrier Reef Imperiled as Heat Worsens Die-Offs, Experts Say” sparked my interest. Just the title grabbed my attention because I am an avid ocean goer and find the Great Barrier Reef to be a magnificent display of nature. The fact that it may be in danger in any way startled me. So I read through the article and was shocked by what I found. Due to climate change the temperature of the water around the Great Barrier Reef is rising, causing great damage to the reef. Coral bleeching has occurred making the reed loose some of its vibrant color. And the bleaching will contunine unless the the environment is taken better care of. The article had a great impact on me, making me realize that steps must be taken if the Great Barrier Reef is to be saved.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/us/black-man-asked-pool-incident.html...
A Manager Asked a Black Man to Leave the Pool at His Own Apartment Complex-really?
Basically the woman was just being racist because she saw a black person. When he showed her his key to his apartment room she still did not believe him. Even the man she called said he lived there. I thought that was really wrong of her to continue to ask him to leave after he just proved he lived here. Why put him in that position Just admit the mistake. She should have been fired not on leave. He should have sue her. When people saw the video, people should have known that she was really mean and she should apologize to him and give him his apartment back. She should have never snatched the key from his hand, that is very rude. I agree when he said that the key should have confirmed that he lives there. I also agree that it is ridiculous that a sign said he could ask whomever to leave when he lives there. I think that asking him to leave because he was black and he just wanted to cool off because it was hot.
I think the manger and the security should get fired and the owner of the building should not let this happen again. This is happening all around the world, here, in Memphis, North 7 South Carolina, don’t forget the Yale incident and the picnic in Oakland. When will it end?
([email protected])
([email protected])
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/sports/world-cup/harry-kane-england.h...
While scrolling through the NY Times this article caught my attention because I had no idea that there was a particular reason for players to spit out the drink they sip on during matches. As a soccer fan and player, I’ve seen many professional players “mouth rinse” during the course of the World Cup this summer. Before now, I never even knew that they were squirting a carbohydrate fluid into their mouths, I always thought it was just water. As a player of the game, I have never actually had the opportunity to use this “special method.” The article says it is supposed to trick the brain into thinking more sources of energy are coming, so muscles in your body will push themselves harder, for max performance after long periods of physical activity.
After reading the article, I’m most interested to hear how much of a difference a player feels from using this method during a game compared to not using it. Is there really a noticeable difference or is it minimal? This method is a growing and becoming more commonly used and I’m curious to what kind of impact it would have on my game if I tried using it.
During my first few days recovering after getting two of my wisdom teeth extracted, I watched “Raqqa Was the Capital of ISIS. Can it Ever Be Home Again?”, a series of video clips which documented the destruction in Raqqa following the American coalition where the city was bombarded to flush out ISIS. Self-centric from weeks of seclusion where I hid in my room playing video games, I thought mostly about how I could possibly endure an entire week of slow, grueling recovery.
These videos humbled me, forcing me to reexamine myself in the big picture on a global scale. What I found the most fascinating from the videos was the sheer tenacity these ordinary people displayed as they lived their daily lives. Just about every person living in Raqqa was affected by ISIS in one way or another. Many returned to find that their homes have been reduced to rubble. In some cases, the smell of decaying corpses permeates through that same rubble. Mothers are filled with the constant fear that ISIS will one day reoccupy the city. Yet despite it all, they push forward. The resilience the inhabitants of Raqqa demonstrate is utterly remarkable. To me, these people are an inspiration. The next time I feel frustrated at the pace of my recovery or if I'm faced with a difficult task, I’ll be sure to remind myself of the people living in Raqqa and borrow some of their endurance to keep on pushing ahead, just as they are while they continue to march on the grueling road to their own recovery.
"Amazon Is Used to Promote White Supremacist Merchandise and Views, Report Says"
In the article, “Amazon Is Used to Promote White Supremacist Merchandise and Views, Report Says”, the author explores two non-profit organizations’ report in which Amazon allows itself to be an instrument in the profit of hate groups. Although the company’s policies allow it to remove offensive items, the report claims that Amazon is neglecting this ability and in this, benefitting hate groups. Amazon has removed many offensive items since but has not displayed a boost in its initiative. A spokesperson for Amazon reiterated their policy as a response to the report.
The weak upholding of Amazon’s anti-hate related products is a glaring issue, however, the greater problem lies in that there have been no consequences for the company. Although they may be attempting to stop hateful items from being sold, the lack of effort is evident. While there is some grey area in what constitutes something as offensive, items like Hitler masks are indubitably hateful and unnecessary, and yet can be purchased at will. When people began protesting confederate flags, Amazon stopped selling them, yet books like "The South was Right!" can be found on the website. Unfortunately, Amazon will likely continue their barely sufficient pace of blocking hate groups and will remain unaffected by their neglect. Interestingly enough, the company has continued to flourish despite doing the bare minimum to avoid controversy.
"How Many Teenage Girls Deliberately Harm Themselves? Nearly 1 in 4, Survey Finds"
In this article, Emily Baumgaertner explains how girls are more likely to deliberately injure themselves, with a survey finding that "up to 30 percent...in some parts of the US" have done so. After the administration of a comprehensive survey, it was found that numerous factors impacted the self-injury rate-state they live in, race, and age.
I was originally interested in this article being a teenage girl myself. I was shocked to see the alarmingly high statistic of self-injuries for girls: 1 in 4. Girls are usually more emotional than boys are. Like I thought they were, in the survey girls were more likely to report being bullied or sexually assaulted online. This emotional trauma is what may lead them to intentionally harm themselves. They are not able to bear being bullied and may feel out of control of what is happening to them, instead turning to self harm.
Baumgaertner writes that researchers call for us to consider this issue as a public health concern because of how frequently it is happening. I definitely agree with this. Self-harm especially among girls is not something to be easily disregarded. Since this is something that is widespread, serious measures and precautions should be taken to keep individuals from turning to self-harm.
“Can the Catholic Church ‘Evolve’ on LGBT Rights?”
Over past couple of years, the Catholic Church has been slowly accepting homosexuals into their community. But is the Catholic Church that accepting?
I was born in a Protestant family, and from my experience, most Protestants do not accept homosexuals as it goes against the Bible. In Leviticus 20:13, it says, “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”
However, there are dilemmas. From Isaiah 41:10 - 11, “So do not fear, for I am with you… Those who oppose you shall will be as nothing and perish.” In reality, the Christians would perish, as they are against the L.G.B.T. and God would be supporting the homosexuals, which creates deeper dilemmas. For practical solutions, it would be the best to maybe go against God— for now.
I especially find this article interesting because it reminds me of my way of believing Christianity and about accepting others. I believe that the Catholic Church is evolving because the Catholics are taking steps to accept the L.G.B.T. Community but the Protestants aren’t. And I understand because they are risking their relationship with God just to accept others, which I believe is called “evolving.”
The week of July 13th, the article that interested me the most was the article about mental illness by Lisa Pryor. This article was interesting because it showed the different types of mental illnesses that have been discovered. This article had also provided facts supported by the suicide of Kate Spade, which was a result of her depression. Lisa Pryor has tried to say that some people with real and complicated mental illnesses do not actually realize that they have a serious mental illness. Sometimes the people with minor mental illnesses are being treated rather than the people with the chronic mental illnesses. She had explained that mental illnesses such as depression are extremely common in low-income societies. This must be obvious, considering the whole world revolves around money. There are many different types of mental illnesses and different severities. It is hard to determine which mental illness is worse unless there are more studies and more organizations are funded to research the illness. Mental illness is complex and needs to be treated to everyone. People say that depression is incurable because a pill can not make you happy, but what if it can give you a better aspect on life? [email protected]
This week the article titled “Do You Believe in Magic? I Do” by Steven Petrow captured my attention. This article interested me because it seemed like such a silly concept to believe in magic, but as I read the article, I realized that the author was not talking about the kind of magic where magicians pull rabbits out of hats or make flowers appear out of thin air. This article discussed the magic of how the human brain has control over one’s health. The author starts out by saying that a velvety stuffed rabbit was one of the things that cured his cancer. For the first couple of paragraphs, this seemed ridiculous to me. A stuffed animal cannot change one’s health, only surgeries and medical treatment can. By the end of the article, I realized that the rabbit was more figuratively magic. The author does not actually believe that rabbit is the sole reason he was cured, but the rabbit brought up his spirits, gave him hope, and allowed him to be strong during such a scary time. A positive attitude is instrumental during any medical treatment because it causes one’s body to continue fighting for its life. The rabbit was magic in that it completely changed how the author approached their treatment, making him strong enough to fight for his life.
“A Space Force? The Idea May Have Merit, Some Say”
To me, America is a spacefaring society. From telecommunication to navigation, our civilization is intertwined with space. Before I read this article, I thought most Americans viewed our nation’s relationship with space the same way I do. I found out, however, that many, including some of the most influential in our government, see space differently. For them, space is either associated with sci-fi laser guns and warp drives, or it is a place so inaccessible and distant, you need massive rockets and billion-dollar budgets to even kiss its edges. The antiquated image of space displayed by so many in this article leads to dangerous logic. If America is not connected to space, or so goes the thinking, why should people concern themselves with it? This idea of alienation as an excuse for ignorance is endemic to American society, and is observable in our relationship with China or our dealings with climate change. The side-effect of this kind of thinking, however, is all too apparent in this article. When people don’t understand something, they fear it, and, as a result, act irrationally.
The next few years are very important: our climate is perpetually deteriorating, nuclear weapons still hang over us, and space, our last peaceful frontier, is now the source of conflict and possible armed escalation. We have the potential to reverse some dangerous trends, but first it appears we must ensure that our democracy is informed.
"‘Still Can’t Believe It Worked’: The Story of the Thailand Cave Rescue by Hannah Beech, Richard C. Paddock and Mukita Suhartono"
This article attracted me because it dealt with certain events I had heard about, but also gave me information about it that I did not know previously. Specifically, how much of a disaster the whole situation was. It's great that the kids made it out and all, but with the problems that occurred, which could have been avoided if extra caution was used, are not acceptable. First, the kids should not have been in that situation to even begin with. They should not have blindly traveled deep into a cave with little knowledge or caving ability, especially during monsoon season, where flooding is common. Second, Saman Gunan's death as well as the injury of three SEAL frogsmen. The three SEAL frogsmen were hospitalized because they ran out of air in air tanks. Saman Gunan died because he got trapped in an underwater passageway. These consequences could have easily been avoided with more caution and careful planning. Lastly, during trip number eleven, one of the last trips to pull the kids out ran into some problems. There was a pull of a rope to signal that a kid would soon emerge from the tunnels. It took 90 minutes for the rescuers to resurface after the signal. The diver recalled losing hold of the guide rope, and having to find it again. This could have easily led to the demise of more people, and created more of a disaster.
I was watching the news with my parents and there was a special report about a Thailand soccer team was trapped in a cave. What interested me the most this week in the Times was the article "Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team" by Richard C. Paddock and Muktita Suhartono because it talked about the young 12 boys and their soccer coach being rescued. After learning that they were stuck in the cave since June 23rd and the 12 boys were aged between 11 and 16, I was devastated. Furthermore, learning that the US helped in this situation shows the positive relationship between the two countries. From the last few days, I've learned that the soccer team has been rescued and are out of the cave. I appreciate all the effort both countries have done to save this group out of the cave.
"Can the Catholic Church 'Evolve' on LGBT Rights?"
After reading the article: “Can the Catholic Church ‘Evolve’ on LGBT Rights?”, I could not help but think that those who are against accepting people of the LGBTQ community, are in a way, contradicting their beliefs. Although the Bible describes being homosexual as a sin, one of the core values and morals that Christians abide by is to learn how to love and forgive someone. It is already excruciating enough for members of the LGBTQ to come out and become honest with both themselves and everyone around them, but when a religion preaches the very fact that to identify yourself as different than others is an iniquitous sin, there is a problem.
That is exactly why I agree with the author that the Catholic Church should perhaps open up their perspectives to both sides: those who are against homosexuals and those who are for them. People can choose for themselves to attend a pride march and wave rainbow flags in support of the LGBTQ community; however, we must also realize not to condemn and punish those who are against LGBTQ people.
The most important takeaway I had and particularly why I chose this article was that love is love, and nothing really can be done to change that. Someone choosing to love another person of the same sex is never something that should be thought of as unrighteous or wrong; rather, it should be something that everyone should learn to accept— including the church.
Article Title: Lebron James to the Lakers: There’s Much to Unpack Here
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/sports/lebron-lakers.html
Recently NBA player Lebron James signed a four year 154 million dollar contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. This is Lebron’s first time playing the Western Conference. Basketball fans believe his goal is to overthrow the Golden State Warriors of their conference in order to build his own dynasty. This will be Lebron’s second time leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for another team. He left the team in the year of 2010 and returned in 2014 with the goal to help the city gain a championship. The fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers are more than grateful because he ended the cities sports title drought in 2016. Many Lebron fans assumed he was going to go to the Lakers, but no one knew exactly when he was going to leave. He is now another great player to have played for the Los Angeles Lakers. One of the greatest franchise players chose a huge franchise team and fans can’t wait to see what he will bring to the table.
"At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good"
This week an article regarding the closing of Toys 'R' Us stores interested me. The whole process of the closing of Toys 'R' Us has been an upsetting journey, however, all good things must come to an end. I consider myself lucky to have been able to enjoy & experience the Toys 'R' Us era. For me & many children, Toys 'R' Us held many special memories. Kids also had an emotional connection with the store. While the reason behind the closings of the stores is due to many different reasons, I believe that the company's financial problems is what truly led to it's downfall. Along with the hard truth - children are not as interested in toys anymore. Even if some still are, stores like Target & Walmart are much more convenient locations for parents to purchase toys. It is still upsetting to learn that future children will not able to undergo the magical experience of going to Toys 'R' Us for toys. Furthermore, Many adults also have many fond memories with the toy store. Away from the magic of Toys 'R' Us is another dark truth. Through this article I learned about the dedication of employees like, Cheryl Claude, have had for Toys 'R' Us. While I was unaware about the many protests demanding new laws to prevent bankruptcy, I was pleased to know that others were out there fighting till the end for a place we all knew & loved. To me, the story of Toys 'R' Us is like a child's heart in the wrong hands.
“Can the Catholic Church ‘Evolve’ on L.G.B.T. Rights?”
For hundreds of years, the idea of L.G.B.T. was looked down upon. No one accepted the idea of same sex marriage, especially not the Catholic Church. However, ever since the “Supreme Court’s 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage,” many opinions shifted and changed.
I am used to how unaccepting people tend to be towards L.G.B.T. rights. Living in a rather conservative society, many people around me are fixed with the mindset that it should be a man that is married to a woman.
This makes me wonder, ‘How can we change this society? Can it change someday?’ I believe that though it is not a requirement for people to change their whole beliefs and opinions to support L.G.B.T., it is crucial that they are able to show respect towards people that are different from them, and the changing society.
The L.G.B.T community consists of the same human beings as us. We all eat the same food, live on the same Earth, and breath the same air. So, why should they be treated differently? Everyone has the right to decide how to lead their lives. No one should be denied of this right, even people part of the L.G.B.T. community.
At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There is Nothing Left’:The Day it Closed for Good
By Michael Corkery
What interested me the most this week was the sad reality that hit us all. The closing of toys r us, even though I am older it is were most of us spent our time when we were little. So its like saying good by to our childhood. Also, a sad reality hit all the old workers there who now have to find jobs.And for Cheryl Claude, who had spent 33 years working there, she now has lost her “home” and career. Then the saddest part of all is that they closed down due to bankruptcy. ([email protected])
"Can the Catholic Church ‘Evolve’ on LGBT Rights?”
The world is changing at a rapid pace along with its views on the LGBT community. But why does the church persist such traditional mindsets?
Here’s an answer: Faith. Catholics believe that the LGBT community differs from the ‘norm’ that God had planned and is therefore ‘evil’. But I urge you — whoever you may be — to look closer at the distress of people around us. People who are still stuck ‘in the closet', trying to hide their true identities out of fear. These are the people who truly need an accepting community to help them feel loved and confident with who they are.
But what happens when a body as powerful and influential as the church pushes away those that seek its comfort? To me, at least, the church has always been a place where everyone belongs, where you are not judged for being yourself. I would hate to think that this is a benefit given to those who are ‘worthy’ enough. Churchgoers could agree with the church on their opinion on the LGBT community, and in a blink of an eye, the church would turn from a place of solace to one of misery. Or, they could disagree and begin to welcome those that were deserted.
Fortunately, this article proved that the latter is taking place. Finally, the once invincible church is beginning to adhere to the message of its supporters. It is now time for them to demonstrate their beliefs about love, acceptance, and equality so that fewer people feel the need to hide ‘in a closet’.
I read the article on Toys R Us closing or selling all of it’s stores in the U.S. It interested me because you would never know how much in debt Toys R Us is. Usually, if we have to buy a toy for someone, we choose to go to Walmart or Target over Toys R Us because of the prices and it just gets over looked. The article said that Toys R Us had nothing special to make customers want to buy from them. As much debt as they were in, they would have to completely change or add something to their stores to even be able to get close to being out of debt.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/world/asia/thailand-cave-rescue-seals...
I couldn't even imagine myself surviving in a cave, let alone having a little bit of hope that someone will save me. These 12 boys and their coach were so resilient and it proves that our body and mind are much stronger than anyone anticipated it to be. After reading the article, I was in shock at the size of the cave and how many steps there were in this elaborate plan. I forgot how massive and dangerous caves can be and to be trapped in one with no outside communication is insane. This just further proves that a little bit of hope can go a long way.
Volunteer cave divers from all around the world, for instance, Finland, China, Britain, Australia, and the United states came to help.This was a really powerful moment because it showed how different countries are able to set aside any differences to just provide help to a situation. Times like these, where a sense of unity is present, is really incredible to me. Fortunately, with the aid from navy seals and volunteer cave divers, the boys and their coach made it out safely.
This week, I chose the article “How Long Can We Live? The Limit Hasn’t Been Reached, Study Finds”. I picked it because I thought it was interesting that we could possible be able to live much longer. The study found that people are now living up to double the lifespan from 1900. The oldest person to live was 122 years old and scientists believe the average lifespan is 115 years old, but people rarely live that long. There was a study in Italy showing how the death rate is high then goes up and then plateaus. This was a good article because it showed how the lifespans of people have changed over time and how they can continue to change in the future. Scientists say we have not yet met maximum life expectancy and can continue to climb in years to come.
@[email protected]
The article “Rhino Embryos Made in Lab to Save Nearly Extinct Subspecies” by: Steph Yin, interested me the most this week in the New York Times. This article interested me the most because personally I have a strong love for science especially when it comes to biology. It has been sad to hear that the population of White Rhinos have been extremely close to extinction! Luckily, biologists have been starting embryos inside of Petri dishes and hopefully soon having two female rhino’s caring those babies and successfully reproducing more white rhino’s. To me this sounds like a great idea due to the fact that we are strongly capable of doing this with the help of our current technology. Now I’m the article, it does state that there are some skeptics towards this project and I also have to agree with some. They named quite a few, but you do have to think about some consequences that could happen in this situation. Since we do see technology as the “shiny object” in a room, what if it fails on us? Then how will we reproduce and save this wild animal from going extinct. Along with what if the DNA of one of the embryos has a condition or disease that prevents them from living a long life span. These biologists used the exact same sperm and egg for all of these fertilized embryos so what if two of the four are diagnosed with heart disease or a flesh eating disease. Then what happens? But then again, we have the technology to help us fix that! Lets save the rhinos!
Mac_GHS_2020
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/29/business/french-fries-delivery.html
There’s nothing I want more in the world than french fries that stay crispy for 60 minutes. Soon, thanks to endless experiments, I will no longer suffer at the hands of soggy fries.
After two years of toil over potatoes and fries, Lamb Weston, America’s largest french fry manufacturing company, perfected the batter used to coat them. Lamb Weston can now produce fries that stay crispy for an hour thanks to ingredients unbeknownst to most customers. Considering factors such as the amount of water given potatoes, researchers looked at all the elements they believed made the fries soggy. They overlooked the blatantly obvious: it’s fast food.
Many have heard stories about a dropped, and later forgotten, french fry from McDonald’s that was found months, or even years, later. Other than looking a little dry, this fry looks the same as the day it was bought. Homemade fries, on the other hand, usually have mold growth in a matter of days.
This is very alarming; fast food companies are seemingly more concerned about ensuring their fries last long and remain crispy rather than natural. Lamb Weston is already using a shocking number of chemicals in fries. Such include dimethylpolysiloxane,
used in the building material, caulk. Additional chemicals will need to be pumped into the fries to ensure long-lasting crispiness. How many chemicals are people willing to ingest in order to eat a perfectly crispy french fry?
“” the 12 boys on a soccer team rescued in the Thai tunnel that flooded””
This is my first time reading about this topic but it is very inspirational because although these boys was trapped down there for a long time there was people who didn’t give up and saved them. This just shows me what not giving up on a situation can lead to and the mindset set that reading an article like this provides for you .im looking forward to one day saving someone my own self .
"Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team"
This article intrigued me the most since this was posted a lot on my social media page. I cannot believe this situation that they were put in. It was extremely unlucky that the monsoon came early and trapped the kids and the coach inside the cave. The harsh environment clearly had a toll on their physical health and I'm praying for their recovery. I also heard about the former Thai navy diver who lost his life trying to deliver air tanks to the kids. I appreciate him for risking his life to help out the kids that were trapped in the cave. I've heard recently that the Thai soccer team were rescued. It was such an unfortunate event that happened to the Thai soccer team. They had to learn how to dive but I am glad that everything worked out in the end. To see this "impossible mission" work out seems like a miracle. God bless everyone who helped out.
Article: “ Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
This article interested me the most this week because how can a soccer team and their coach get trapped in a cave?
Trying to get the boys and their coach out of that cave would be very dangerous because of the water current. The water current could change at anytime depending on the weather. So getting them out safely all depended on the weather.
The people working to help get the boys and their coach out wanted to wait a couple of months till the water level dropped and the weather was not as bad, but “Mr. Unsworth said, it would be far better for the boys to be taken out immediately by experienced cave divers than to be forced to wait for months.” So getting the boys and the coach out as fast as possible was there best bet. Everyone working together to try and get the team and their coach out was an amazing thing.
Big and terrifying events always bring the community together, which is a beautiful thing.
“Can the Catholic Church ‘Evolve’ on LGBT rights?”
"And have mercy on those who doubt...to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh." Jude 1:22-23. I have been taught to forgive that one friend that pushed me in the playground or that one friend that retorted a malicious remark. And now, I believe it is time to forgive and love that one friend that decides to come out. The stigmatization against LGBTQ people has dwindled, but it’s time especially for a particular group of people to apply their very religious beliefs to this controversial issue.
Growing up as a Christian, I’ve been taught to follow God’s word and to seek his fellowship. Even though the Bible opposes homosexuality, I find that there is a huge misconception around the idea of how Evangelical members must treat homosexuals. I deeply appreciate the author’s usage of the word ‘evolve’ simply because it presents the possibility of the Catholic Church community to gradually accept the LGBTQ community instead of suggesting to rewrite the Bible or transform the perception of homosexuality.
And perhaps, this is to why I was fascinated by this article. It provided a hopeful light to the heated debate between the two sides of religion and the LGBTQ community, and it has proven to me that I don’t have look like a Bible-thumping church member; but it’s completely fine to be faithful to our religious beliefs, as long as we realize the underlying message of unconditional love.
The “Rescue Mission Rivets Thailand”
As I have been following along with the story it has most definitely caught my eye and made me interested in all aspects of it. First off, the courage and bravery that the young boys showed was astonishing. They showed true grit by persevering through all the conditions that struck them. On top of this, it was amazing to see how powerful the human body is. The fact that these boys could survive off of very minimal food and water for so many days and be in stable condition is eye opening. This story was unique and powerful, and definitely interested me and I was glad I followed along with the story throughout the way.
"Love and Pride in Alabama: A Photo Album"
What caught my attention the most this week was the pride the LGBTQ+ community had in Alabama. I understand how difficult it can be for them to be themselves in a world where they feel like they do not belong. They are all so beautiful and confident. It is heartwarming to see them try to create a welcoming environment where people can express themselves. ''Getting a chance to go to queer prom, to go be surrounded by love and family in a place where my queerness and transness doesn’t make me feel othered, it’s like finding yourself''. We still have so much to accomplish as a society but I believe that with people like this there is a lot of hope.
“Can the Catholic Church ‘Evolve’ on L.G.B.T. Rights?”
I felt scared but also curious as I opened the article “Can the Catholic Church ‘Evolve’ on L.G.B.T. Rights?” At first glance this title grabbed my attention because I am a part of the Catholic Church and I know that the L.G.B.T movement is a very controversial topic.
Many have different interpretations on the beliefs of the Catholic Church, and I am very interested in knowing how others interpret the beliefs of the Church. As I read more about this topic, I found that many members of the clergy are open to including people in the L.G.B.T community into the Church. The author also states that the Pope has become more open to stepping into today’s society, while still preserving Catholic traditions. Even though the Church has become more accepting, many think that the Church should do more in recognizing the L.G.B.T. rights. While I think that the Church has progressed in being more open, I feel that the Church should not have a voice on the topic of L.G.B.T rights. I believe that the Church should be a part of today's culture, but should also stay away from topics that oppose the beliefs of the Church in some way.
Reading this article has presented me with an eye opening experience, has shown me how today’s society can affect the Catholic Church, and has given me a deeper understanding on why people want to evolve L.G.B.T. rights into the Church.
What interested me the most this week is the Lebron article. About him becoming apart of the LA Lakers basketball team. This interested me because I love sports; basketball especially and the fact that Lebron is going to a different team was and still is a shock. It was a shock to all the basketball and Lebron fans out there. I just hope that because of his decision, a good outcome will come out of it.
"How Long Can We Live? The Limit Hasn't Been Reached Study Finds"
Logically, it would make sense that since death rates steadily rise after hitting your 70s or 80s. However, a new study finds that that is not necessarily the case. This research claims that after passing 100, the morality rate begins to plateau. This would mean that there isn't necessarily a fixed limit on human life, no number that is impossible to break. I find this fascinating because who knows, by time that my generation is in our 90s people could be living till 130.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/science/human-age-limit.html
"We May Be Able to Get Kevin Cooper Off Death Row"
How could people that are supposed to protect us knowingly accuse a hypothetically innocent man of murder? The police were originally at fault; but as the years have progressed the government is to blame for ignoring the case.
The California justice system tampered with evidence that clearly pointed to multiple suspects. They decided to dispose of all information and, instead, plant evidence incriminating a man who is thought to be unrelated to the crime. The local police substituted an innocent black man for the actual suspects (of whom were white) and framed him for four deaths and one attempted murder.
However, while the immediate jurisdiction was responsible for sending this unconvicted man to death row, one cannot blame a small branch of the justice system to overlook 35 years of a man's life. After some time, a larger level of legislative power with the tools to prove him innocent should have either realized what was going on, or chosen to act on what the information they had access to. Personally the only reason that I, like many others, believe this man was convicted is because of the color of his skin.
What I struggle to understand is the amount of corruption within our justice systems, and lack of change being pursued. Nothing is being changed, yet we see the same case with different people day after day. If social justice continues to disregard a change, who else is going to be wrongfully sentenced to death?
Harvard Rates Asian-Americans As Less Likable, Plaintiffs Claim
Applying for colleges is daunting, especially if you’re aiming for a more selective school. What may infuriate many applicants is the fact that colleges discriminate against Asian-Americans. As an Asian-American myself, this was extremely upsetting to learn. According to this article, Harvard is one university that is under fire for racial discrimination against Asian-Americans. The lawsuit they’ve been charged with states that Harvard “keeps the numbers of Asian-Americans artificially low, while advancing less qualified white, black and Hispanic applicants” for “racial balancing.” Why admit students who aren’t as qualified just so that the college doesn’t have a large number of Asian Americans? Harvard’s ethnicity chart doesn’t even show racial balancing, as Asians make up just 13%, while white people make up 43%. How is their admissions committee deciding who should be admitted and who should be rejected? Is it purely based on a holistic admissions process, or is part of it heavily weighed on the race of the applicant? Denying an applicant who would have been a fitting student for the college just for the sake of making sure that Caucasians remain the racial majority isn’t logical. Colleges need to realize that they're not playing with toys, they're playing with thousands of students' futures. One's race shouldn't shoot down their chances of getting into their dream college. It's utterly absurd.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/opinion/sunday/wang-ju-china-women-be...
To many in Asia, 25-year-old Wang Ju is too dark, too big, and too different. But on the show "Produce 101", she has been one of the most popular contestants, and is slated to be signed by several different companies. So why has such an anti-stereotypical woman become a media darling? Wang Ju is living proof that societal norms and individuality are often in conflict. Thankfully, she also embodies the idea that a person's talent and uniqueness can transcend the stifling pressures of conformity.
Many in America would not see Wang Ju as being "stout" or "dark". However, in China, pearly white skin and slenderness are "prized" attributes, especially for women who want to feel attractive. It is easy to dismiss such yearnings as being driven purely by personal insecurities. But as an Asian-American female in her teens, I can attest to the fact that the desire to fit within society's definition of beauty crosses cultural lines, age groups, and even gender.
This article showed me that while Asia is indeed making progress, there is still work to be done all over the world. It is my hope that through understanding, communication, and mutual support, the fact that someone like Wang Ju is winning a televised competition is no longer newsworthy. The first step in creating such a future starts with learning to love ourselves, and extending that love to others, no matter how different they may be.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
This article caught my attention this week was the rescue operation in Thailand. I had previously seen the story the day it aired on the news, so a follow up was the first thing that I wanted to read when logging on today. I consider myself as a low risk person, I don't do much outdoor activity and I steer clear from danger. Therefore, when I saw these kids who went cave exploring and got trapped I couldn't try imagine the itch for adventure the kids must have felt wandering in the cave and the crazy fear they must have felt after being trapped. The most intense part about the article was the fact that they were in the pitch dark for the whole time until discovered by a rescuer. I also enjoyed the article because it shows how the whole world can come behind and stick together when times in need. Numerous countries contributed members to help the rescue, nobody cared about race or diplomacy, everybody cared about the life and rescue of the boys and coach in need. To me, this is a beautiful thing. The purpose of people and civilization is to come together and be supportive of one another, that is why we live so confined and open with one another. The whole world became a community watching and waiting for these boys to be saved and to watch and read with the world on this situation felt good to my heart.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/opinion/cyber-war-russia-china.html
As our world becomes more digitized, Nicholas Kristof in “To Hackers, We’re Bambi in the Woods” advocates for enhanced cybersecurity. Since the disturbing news of the Russian hacking of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, security experts have good reason to believe the U.S. has become vulnerable to cybercrimes from countries such as China and Russia. Malicious hackers are also becoming extremely dangerous and brazen as the U.S. fails to act accordingly to these criminals.
As someone who partakes in cybersecurity camps and competitions, I chose this article for its “call to action.” Criminal hackers are waiting for people to fall into their cyber traps in hopes to gain access to sensitive files and documents. Kristof warns against being too complacent in our cyberspace abilities. He also introduces an interesting point that cyberwarfare has the ability to be more serious than terrorism as an all-out cyberattack could cut electricity from cities and needed amenities. Also, the title of this article illustrates an alarming situation where the U.S. may suffer major losses from hackers much like Bambi with his human hunters.
There needs to be superior defenses against advanced cyberattacks from hostile countries. This article enlightened me on the current state of the U.S. on these cybercrimes and how the current idleness of the Trump administration on this issue could possibly disrupt the nation’s peace.
This week the article that interested me was “North Koreans Are No-Shows at Meeting to Discuss U.S. Soldiers’ Remains.” The article implemented many different features that helped me learn something new. It surprised me that the Korean War ended sixty five years ago and the remains of roughly 200-250 servicemen are still under forensic works. Yet these servicemen are only part of the 5,500 Americans presumed to have been killed. It is interesting yet can be devastating what a war can do to the nations involved, in this case the meeting will be the first meeting between the North Korean and United States military generals in nine years. This interests me since as mentioned before, the war ended sixty five years ago, surely an agreement could have been made between the nations to have the remains repatriated without having much trouble from where the servicemen came from. The process at the time may have had a powerful twist of multiple diseases spread in the search through the bodies could have killed more people. Another interesting thing I found in this article is about the “truce-village,” Panmunjom, found at the border of North and South Korea this played a huge role with the main event since it was where the meeting was going to take place. This article was helpful and left with good note as well as the further news on when the meeting will take place since the North Koreans did not show up.
This week’s article, “A Jury May Have Sentenced a Man to Death Because He’s Gay. And the Justices Don’t Care,” disturbingly caught my attention. This passage describes the decision of a jury to sentence a gay man who was convicted of murder (to death), because of his sexual preference. Jury members feared that the defendant Charles Rhines would enjoy his potential life imprisonment without parole, because of the plethora of incarcerated men he would be in close proximity with. So simply because of this stereotypical thought viewing homosexuality, jury members voted to tear the life away from Rhines. This got me thinking. How is it that in this modern year of 2018, there are not any laws set in motion to protect people of the LGBT community from judicial bias? This problem needs to be looked at from a broader perspective. Sure, this problem starts from the uneducated minds of jury members, but what allows it to continue is our legal system itself.
The court hasn't intervened with this jury decision. If the court found that the decision made by the jury was influenced by bias, a retrial could be called into action. A retrial's purpose is to prevent the breach of a U.S. citizen's right to an impartial/just trial. So, if a retrial isn't enacted, then the court believes that a trial was in fact fair. As we sadly know, that is not the case for our new member on death row.
How Long Can We Live? The Limit Hasn't Been Reached, Study Finds
We haven't found the limit to how much we can age, that didn't shocks me. With how science has been progressing it seems fit that our life expectancy progresses as well.
So far the oldest person alive has been 122, that is a major jump from the average life expectancy. Our society seems to be obsessed with being able to live longer and science can do that. Since the being of time we have been looking a way to preserve our youth ourselves, it has gone from the fountain of youth to eating placenta to plastic surgery. We have found a way to de-age fish so way not human.
There is a question that comes to mind, "will people want to?", do people want to be able to continue growing older? I cannot see my being 120 or 140 and I don't want to be.
This article interested me because being able to live longer is an interesting concept and its not a question of "if it will happen" but of "when". This article also made me think, do people want to live longer or do people want to be able to be young again?
Opposition to Breast-Feeding Resolution by U.S. Stuns World Health Officials
Trump tweeted “The failing NY Times Fake News story today about breast feeding must be called out. The U.S. strongly supports breast feeding but we don’t believe women should be denied access to formula. Many women need this option because of malnutrition and poverty.” Giving women who can’t breast feed another option sounds reasonable enough, but that is not what this resolution is about. The World Health Assembly wasn’t trying to deny or even limit access to infant formula. Rather, the battle centered on a resolution stating that “mother’s milk is healthiest for children and countries should strive to limit the inaccurate or misleading marketing of breast milk substitutes. Once again it is a case of the Trump administration attacking truth as “fake news” and siding with the chemical industries over the health and safety of infants and children. And once again, it is a case of this administration facing universal condemnation from the scientific community for putting profit ahead of people.
"Orcas of the Pacific Northwest Are Starving and Disappearing"
Orcas are known for their killer instincts as well as their black and white color pattern.Their skills in water shows across aquariums.They are majestic killers and are beautiful to see swim.But who would ever think that they are disappearing.Its true and yet we seem to be acknowledging the fact that we don’t know why.
Whales have to eat 30 times a day and because their main food source is dying out,they are starving.Yet we seem to do almost nothing about it. It may be a disease as we have seen in the past with other sea creatures. 5 calves are born every year but in the last 3 none have been born. And something I find interesting is the fact that these whales live so far to civilization and that may be a reason why they could be dying off,a disease maybe? I hope that these whales emerge once more and are able to thrive again.I feel like this could be our doing maybe pollution is cause the fish to die out starving the whales or maybe its it's a disease we released in the waters.We are capable of a lot of things and right now we need to focus on saving these whales.
In the Times this week I read about the torn feelings many British sports fans have been experiencing recently. With England’s soccer team advancing into the semi finals of the World Cup, many fans have been at the edge of their seats, watching every game. However, many of these fans are those with tickets to Wimbledon, a famous worldwide tennis event. Often, they have been leaving the stadiums and abandoning tickets they have to watch England’s team in the World Cup, or have been watching it in the stands on phones or other devices at the tennis matches. This has been causing many tennis fans to wonder which sport to give their attention to, seeing as the finals in both sports will take place on the same day. So far, Soccer has been the winning side of this debacle. In fact, in a tennis match on the largest court last Saturday, England was playing the World Cup, and only about a third of the stands were full. Now I can’t quite understand the mass appeal to a bunch of guys seemingly just kicking a ball around with a maximum of only a few points per match, and I understand the feeling many British fans have toward their national team. It is similar to how every four years, swimming becomes every American’s favorite sport (including mine), because Michael Phelps continues to dominate. I suppose that if the United States was in the last round of such a major worldwide event, I would be glued to each match as well.
"The Wounds of the Drone Warrior"
What is the first thing to come to mind when we think about a soldier? A person physically fighting in a war. However, we need to be aware that even the people away from the fight can still be injured. Watching people die and not being able to do anything about it must be really frustrating and traumatizing for Christopher Aaron. Even though he was not directly fighting in the battles he was still experiencing them, just in a different way. After a while, Aaron started becoming physically and mentally frail. He was becoming nauseous and having vivid dreams about the deaths in war. He felt as if he was being forced to watch innocent people die.
The drone program is "kept hidden from view," so we rarely hear about the impact it has on the soldiers. Imagine having to watch this violent and blooding footage day after day. It would take a toll on our brain if we had to sit through all that. So, just because these soldiers do not undertake in all the maiming and PTSD as the war veterans, it does not mean that their injuries are any less serious! For mental trauma sometimes never heals and the horrific memories and emotions are carried out forever.
"How Many Teenage Girls Deliberately Harm Themselves? Nearly 1 in 4, Survey Finds"
After reading this article, I was left completely speechless. Personally dealing with anxiety and depression issues, it was not easy to comprehend the information found within this article, especially since I was the one out of the four. As mentioned in Baumgaertner's work, I do believe that different influences and observations can cause specific actions. For example, if an adolescent's best friend is obsessed over self-harming themselves, or a loved one has committed suicide in the past, one may be also curious or interested in trying similar activities as well. Still, that is not always the case and there is no excuse for this type of behavior. No matter how tough things may be, you are never alone, there is always someone who is willing to help. Learning that the prevalence percentage of self-harm is 18% was an extremely heartbreaking moment though. I am determined to make sure that our next generation makes changes and is able to prevent the percentage from growing any larger. I’m hopeful that the future will bring more positivity and love into each and every person’s life. People needs to be more forthcoming and open about their struggles and emotions. If we continue to hide suicidal and dark thoughts, we will never receive the proper treatment and never be able to overcome the obstacles that stand in our path.
[email protected]
"A George Washington Monument, Rediscovered in Fragile Plaster"
I was interested in this article because I like to learn more about the history of the United States and artwork. I also like the addition of the Roman clothing and the tablet with the stylus to the statue and it's not just George Washington as we see him in paintings and other statues. I find it odd that more people don't know about the destruction of the statue. It's such a shame the original was destroyed, but at least the modello is still in one piece.
"What it Cost To Be Smuggled across The U.S Border"
So I was interested in the headline of this article I just wanted to know how much it cost to be smuggled across the border. And I found out that it cost 6000 dollars to be smuggled across the border. So then I was like wow this guy must make a lot of money. But he doesn’t because what he did as a job was pick Coffee beans. So he worked a lot to be smuggled across the border. And the reason the guy did it was just to be safe because he says that it is dangerous from where he’s from. And also it says that it was a really dangerous journey since there was multiple occasions where he was almost caught. And he would have to sleep in filth just to cross the border. So this makes me think that they would do all of this just for a much better life in America. Which is full of racist and people who hate hispanics.
"Rape Jokes We Laugh At"
During the #MeToo era jokes considering sexual assault in jails were deemed “ok” or “the norm” but are unfathomable, now with brave women and men sharing their stories of inappropriate behavior that they have gone through. Today hearing the “jokes” people in power use showed me where our society is and the much work there needs to be done to show it’s not right to talk like this.
The deeper issue here is that there is a big double standard when it comes to men opening up about being sexually assaulted. We often stereotype men as being bigger, stronger and more powerful than also-stereotyped the frail weak women. So when a man comes forward to talk about the experience they are judged. In addition as the story progresses in the film it goes to show that the main point the director is trying to get across is that it is wrong to make insensitive jokes. The film uses Rodney as an example on how a comment like that is insensitive to someone who has actually been through it.
The moral of the story is to not make jokes about sexual assault or any type of abuse and if you hear a comment like this put that person in their place because it is not right.
Link Below:
https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000005899858/the-rape-jokes-we-...
“How Many Teenage Girls Deliberately Harm Themselves? Nearly 1 in 4, Survey Funds.” By Emily Baumgaertner
I just found it interesting how the government data showed that boys are half as likely to physically harm themselves than girls. Apparently the girls harm themselves on purpose without the intention of suicide. It’s crazy to think that 30% of Girls in just SOME parts of the United States have harmed themselves, and 18% of boys too. I hope these people aren’t self harming for fun, and I wish I could help them.
People are so wrapped up in the media. Wanna Thompson is a freelance writer. When she made one tweet about an artist with a large fanbase, harassed her. This is very unfair, and childish. If these people felt strongly about something, they wouldn’t have wanted to get a bunch of backlash from it. Sending death threats, because somebody made a little criticism. Instead of hating on a certain person because they have an opinion, they should respectfully disagree. In the article, Wanna said that the fans mimic the way the artist acts. I feel like this can be okay in some cases, but in cases where the artist is not the best influence, they shouldn’t act in that way. These people were also being extremely rude, and offensive, saying that she deserves everything coming to her, and even coming after her daughter. I feel like something should be done about this. I’m not trying to say that people can’t disagree with another opinion what I mean is that they shouldn’t do it in a way that can harm somebody’s mentally. Wanna Thompson also says if she knew what the outcome of her tweet would’ve been, she never would’ve posted it. She shouldn’t have to be afraid to speak on the internet. But all the harassment she got caused her to be. All she was suggesting was that the artist talk about things that have happened in their life. The hate she received was unnecessary.
https://nyti.ms/2m4Q0XA
"Tesla’s Latest Aim: Build 500,000 Cars a Year in China"
This article is about how Elon Musks company Tesla is planing to manufacture 500,000 cars in china.Elon says "For example, an American car going to China pays 25% import duty, but a Chinese car coming to the US only pays 2.5%, a tenfold difference".This is a economic decision and will help put more electric cars in the hands of more people.This could have an backwards effect on the environmentally clean cars, as more resources will be used to make the cars than they are saving.
I chose the article "Inside China’s Dystopian Dreams: A.I., Shame and Lots of Cameras"
A.I or artificial intelligence is intelligence demonstrated by machines. Where humans create that is more advanced than the creator sometimes themselves.
In my opinion I feel like the world of A.I is a safer world due to the fact that A.I is programmed to fulfill certain tasks in order to replace humans which could be useful sometimes. If the human worker does not have advanced set of capabilities than that is where A.I is come in. These capabilities that A.Is have well are advanced in ways such as having better vision and identifying people in an huge crowd in an matter of seconds or minutes. Belgium, a country in Europe has managed to use the world of A.I to their advantage. This country managed to modify A.I into an way to find and lock up criminals. The days of Belgium are days that will revolutionize the way people live knowing that A.I is in their community. There can be some weaknesses in this future due to the fact that its digital which mean there's a possibility of it getting hacked. If something gets hacked it can be an opportunity for criminals to take over an identity that isn't theirs. This can then create problems for the person they are incriminating. The best way to resolve this would be to improve the security digitally. In the end this world of A.I is that Belgium is living in is going to change the way in a positive manner.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/health/mitochondria-transplant-heart-...
The article titled “Dying Organs Restored to Life in Novel Experiment” by Gina Kolkata addresses a subject of personal interest as my mother donated a kidney to my uncle for his second transplant operation when I was eleven years old. Because approximately eight thousand people die each year while waiting for an organ transplant, any increase in the supply of viable organs is consequential. The article briefly mentions how infusions of mitochondria have increased the survival time of harvested organs without providing additional detail. This brevity belies the critical nature of this observation. Focusing on the most commonly donated organ, the kidney, about twenty percent of these organs are discarded after harvesting, resulting in two to three thousand organs being discarded every year. If a mitochondrial infusion could salvage a fraction of these organs, hundreds of deaths would be averted yearly. For a family member speculating on whether his loved one will receive an organ in time, the import is self-evident. Science is marching towards the goal of harvesting a patient’s cells in order to chemically alter them to facilitate populating an artificial matrix, which ultimately results in the formation a new functional organ. Until that goal can be realized, it is vital that we investigate mitochondrial infusions as a path to reduce the number of discarded organs and patients who die waiting.
In my opinion, the Article “Is North Korea a Nuclear Threat or Not? The President Now Says It Is”. It’s a nice article because it’s talking about the people’s voice and what they say about, the threats that North korea gives to the United States. Because even though the President Of USA said that we don’t have to worry about a nuclear threat. But the people say that they still feel that their is still is a threat, since North Korea still has their nukes and everything. Something that the author can work on is to show like a solution about the fact that the people still don’t feel safe about the fact that, the president says that we’re safe but, north korea still has their weapons. But It also has quotes from people,to shows that they still don’t feel like their safe. Which is evidence for the claim of the article, making the article really strong.
Link to Article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/22/us/politics/north-korea-national-emer...
The "rescue mission Rivets Thailand" news story has shown me two things, The human body can do some impressive things and Nature can ruin peoples lives. It amazes me that the human body can survive for that long without food or water(if they didn't drink the water from the flood). That alone got me to question, How long can you go without food or water before it becomes fatal? I looked into it and you can survive three weeks without food and water and not die. The fact that this team was two weeks away from dying scares me. It's a good thing they were found and rescued at the time they were because they didn't have much time left. The fact that these lives were almost taken away by something they had no control over frightens me. It't really scary what nature can do. This reminds me of a friend I had who lost his life due to nature. He went to go swim in a lake and the current in the lake got too strong and it took him away. He was a really good athlete and he loved to play basketball. Sadly he was never found like this team. So when I hear stories of people affected by nature related accidents and they get rescued it brings a smile to my face because I wouldn't want anyone to go through what his family went through. Nature can ruin lives.
http://nytimesnie.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
What interested me in the times this week was an article about the potential threat of losing rare earths, if a trade war with China ever happened. Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on Chinese goods, and in turn China has vowed to match any tariff the U.S. enacts. What is put at risk during these tariff battles is the possibility that China holts all sales of rare earths, which are 17 minerals found in the ground that are turned into minerals that are useful. Currently, China is one of only a few places that has the capability to turn these common minerals into the ones known as rare earths. One American company in Malaysia, called the Lynas Corporation, is trying to find an alternative source of the rare earths but hasn't yet. If heated arguments continue over the tariffs, we might not have the minerals needed to produce everything from cell phones, hairdryers, and even cars.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/us/emmett-till-death-investigation.ht...
The murder of Emmett Till was one of the sparks that really kicked off the civil rights movement, so the reopening of the case should be seen as a marker of how much progress we have made; not only have racial tensions decreased dramatically, the government is seeking out the truth behind the horrific crimes committed that were once seen as okay. Even the woman mainly responsible for Emmitt's death has come out and said that the boy had done absolutely nothing to deserve death. She also admitted that what she had said in the courts was not true at all. Now because of the Justice Department investigating old hate crimes since 2006, people like the woman responsible for Emmitt's death might be held accountable for their despicable actions. However, investigating a crime that took place more than sixty years ago makes it incredibly difficult to convict anyone involved due to them being dead or not being able to be tried for the same crime twice. So far, the facts of the case have been brought before a grand jury in an attempt to convict the prejudiced woman with manslaughter, but no charges were made. Either way, this should be seen as progress in our never ending mission to end racism.
Week 4 ~ 7/12/18
https://nyti.ms/2FEOAdO?smid=nytcore-ios-share
What interested me in the times this week was an article titled, "Hawaii Passes Bill Banning Sunscreen That Can Harm Coral Reefs." This article was fascinating to me because every year approximately 14,000 tons of sunscreen is suspected to be dumped into the ocean. This harms the coral reef areas in Hawaii and also the Caribbean. Sunscreen is not the only threat to the coral reefs. Disposing of sewage in the ocean, agricultural runoff, and ocean warming are also harmful factors in damaging the coral reefs. This is important because people in Hawaii will be discouraged to wear sunscreen at all if most of it has been banned and if they don't wear it at all, they'll end up with skin cancer and/or other dangerous skin diseases.
[email protected]
The chance to allow kids to read over the summer but also share there thoughts because over the summer you get caught up in all the fun and forget about learning
"López Obrador, an Atypical Leftist, Wins Mexico Presidency in Landslide"
Although I haven't seen this topic covered on any major news stations recently, it is still a monumental occurrence for the people of Mexico, and as an enthusiastic follower of current politics, this article greatly interested me. A president less focused on globalization and more focused on domestic issues such as eliminating corruption and poverty may be exactly what Mexico needs right now. However, dealing with neighboring leaders such as United States president Donald Trump is a major part of López Obrador's position as well. Cooperation on issues such as illegal immigration from Mexico into the United States and the funding of President Trump's border wall is imperative from López Obrador, and his label within the headline as a "Leftist" directly contrasts my president's right-leaning agenda. I'm incredibly interested in seeing how the two will work in tandem and how López Obrador will make Mexico great again.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/world/australia/great-barrier-reef.html
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most vibrant and colorful wonders that amazes me with its diversity and brilliance. However, this dazzling ecosystem is endangered by the deadly effects of global warming caused by our foolish over-usage of nonrenewable resources. Because I am so struck by the reef's beauty, I was naturally drawn to the article, "Great Barrier Reef Imperiled as Heat Worsens Die-Offs, Experts Say." This article interestingly explained that the reef's coral will continue to die at even faster rates than already if nothing is done about the ocean's rising temperatures. In 2016 and 2017 alone, the Great Barrier Reef experienced extreme bleaching that killed nearly a third of all coral life. If no initiative is taken, this fatal bleaching could unfortunately become normal by 2034. Without a doubt, I believe that we as a society need to care for our environments. We need to realize that our irresponsible actions have consequences on the entire world around us. The coral reef environment is home to a plethora of species that we are endangering by destroying their home. Not only do we put animal and plant life at risk, we are also harming people's livelihoods by putting thousands out of jobs who work in the tourism industry for the Great Barrier Reef. All in all, society needs to realize the devastating reality of global warming and work for change now.
[email protected]
1
The Thai soccer team was trapped in the cave since June 23rd. That seems like such a long time to be in a dark cave. I can’t imagine how scared they must have been. It probably would have made me feel better knowing that I was with my teammates. Luckily, divers would eventually find them and carry messages back to their worried families. That would have made me feel much better knowing that my family had heard from me. In order to get out of the cave, they had to go threw a series of narrow tunnels, and they had stayed calm throughout the journey. When they finally got out, they were sent to the hospital, and remain there until doctors are sure they are free from any infections and are strong enough. I am glad that their families are able to see them through the glass windows at the hospital. I bet they are so anxious to give their children big hugs and take them home.
https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000005996792/soccer-team-boy...
[email protected]
I've no doubt that nearly all of the comments in this comment section have to do with this subject, but here it is again: I was glad to hear that the entire Thai soccer team was able to survive in the cave for more than two weeks before being rescued.
This week I saw an article that really caught my eye. It was called “BTS Becomes the First K-Pop Act to Top Billboard Album Chart”. It was about a South Korean group named "방탄소년단"(BTS) who have accomplished many amazing things here in the U.S. They have not only made K-pop itself more popular here, but the Korean culture as well. I think it’s amazing to see how much they’ve done. The article stated “K-pop has finally gone to No. 1.” meaning that it was thanks to them. This hasn’t been done in years! Not only that but their " ‘Love Yourself: Tear’ had the equivalent of 135,000 sales in the United States in its first week out, of which 100,000 were copies sold as a full album”.
But sadly, I've seen that they get a lot of hate and criticism for performing at the BBMAs and AMAs in another language (Korean). I find that very unfair since they were the first K-pop group to ever even perform at the BBMAs. They deserve more credit than what they’re given. And honestly, no one ever complained about the song “Despacito” which is in another language (Spanish). And the thing is, that if people took the time to look up the meaning the groups, they’d see how meaningful and deep the songs are, while Despacito is a bit of an inappropriate song.
But when I read that article, it made me happy to see how much they have accomplished and proves that their music doesn’t need to be 100% in English for people to enjoy it.
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/arts/music/bts-no-1-billboard.html
1
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/sports/lebron-lakers.html
Since the Cavs aren't helping Lebron with his goal to win championships, the king has decided to take his talents to the west. Lebron had a lot of options for his free agency. He could have went to the 76ers, Rockets, or other teams. Lebron ultimately decided to go to the Los Angeles Lakers, a team which had superstars like Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and more. Lebron team consists of new players like Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and more. Lebron wanted to join the lakers to have a better chance of winning a championship and defeat the warriors. Of course Lebron has faced a lot of criticism with his decision. People have created murals of Lebron and declaring that Lebron is the king of L.A. But these murals were being vandalized by people that don't agree with that statement. I say that people should wait for Lebron to prove himself and then declare where he stands as a player that played for the Lakers. i think that its great that Lebron is looking at a different direction and trying out a new team, and he might even win a championship. The reason that i picked this for this week is because i really like basketball, and i look up to Lebron because he's a great player.
I chose the very moving article The Woman Whose Hair Frightens Iran by Rafia Zakaria. I have always been interested in written work that illustrates the struggle that women have to go through to gain equal rights. This article, explains this trek very well, by sharing the story of Rafia Zakaria. Zakaria went through terrible hardships, including arrest for adversarial activities, being left by her husband, and her 3 year old son being taken away from her. Zakaria is an activist of the Iranian Revolution and didn’t let these horrid experiences hold her back. She continued to rebel in order to gain more rights for women across Iran. This is one thing I admire and find extremely interesting about this article, the fact that she persevered through these traumatizing experiences. One other concept I found interesting includes the fact that she sticks to her principles no matter what is thrown at her. As an example, she boldly removed her hijab when another individual was threatening her with the complaint that she had to cover up. She still continues to fight Iranian inequalities against women, mainly with the production of her memoir, “The Wind In My Hair”, where she explains the workings of the Iranian revolution. This is what I found most interesting in the New York Times this week.
Dying organs restored to life in novel experiments
ByGina Kolata
It was a surprise and a stun to me when reading this article thinking how a new way would saves lives in such a way no one could think of, using mitochondria from cells to be able to restore the dying organ. The surgeons had an idea, this would work because they even tested it on animals and on humans. For instance they state in the article that in animal studies at boston children's hospital elsewhere, mitochondria transplant revived heart muscle that was stunned from a heart attack but not yet dead and revived injured lungs and kidneys, this just shows how they have a good result with the project. This article brings up a very important info that can help with other problems and this makes me think that our doctors are always finding new ways to save patients lives. Something I like about the article is that the writer supported there writing by using the experiments the surgeons did as evidence. This project can help us with others things like but very slim but if you think about it this project can maybe heal people who have loss a limb like a arm or maybe a leg. One more idea you could think about is that when you need skin doctors would usually take a piece of skin from a different part of your body to cover a wound but maybe instead of doing we should try a test so see if mitochondria can heal the skin instead of them taking a piece of it somewhere else.
An article by Ceylan Yeginsu regarding London Mayor and fierce Donald Trump critic, Sadiq Khan and his decision to allow protesters to fly a balloon depicting Trump as a baby to be flown above parliament during his visit to London. I found the article interesting mainly because of the hilarity and quirkiness of the proposed balloon. Trump has widely been regarded as a rather immature and boorish person and leader and the protesters hope to remind him of how they feel of both him and his actions. The article discusses how the protectors would need the Mayor and Metropolitan Police's approval because of the potential safety concerns. In the time since the article Mayor Khan has allowed the balloon to be flown and it shall be interesting to see if and how Trump responds to the protests and the balloon mocking his alleged lack of character and good judgement.
The article that I found interesting this week was "Thai Official: Rescued Boys Generally Healthy and Smiling". After seeing multiple articles on social media about these boys tapped in the cave I was pleased to hear that they had safely escaped from the cave. In the previous weeks I wondered when their plan to help the team escape was going to go through and what the odds were that everything would go well. Learning that those who have been rescued are healthy and that some of the boys have been able to see their families has put me to ease about the situation. Even though four of the boys and their coach remain in the cave, I believe that like they will be successfully rescued.
-Jasmine_GHS_2020
"Archaeologists in China Discover the Oldest Stone Tools Outside Africa"
It's always interesting to learn about our ancestors and how they used to live millions of years ago. I love learning about our history and seeing how far we have come as a species. It's amazing how a tool that the hominins used 2.1 million years ago is preserved to this day in an identifiable condition. It seems almost impossible. How can archaeologists determine whether this was a tool people created and used, or just a conveniently shaped rock? Would it ever be possible to know the entire truth of these early humans, or if they were even identified as humans?
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/science/human-age-limit.html
This week, I read the article "How Long Can We Live? The Limit Hasn’t Been Reached, Study Finds." The name of this article caught my eye. It's interesting, this subject of life, and lifespans, etc. I'm a teenager, but I think about life a lot. Perhaps I think about life a lot because I am a teenager. I think about the present and its problems, both of my own and in the grand scheme. I think about the future and scenarios for a happy future life. I think about death and what happens after death. I'm an atheist, but I like to believe that my "soul" would be "reborn" into a different body. What's the point of me having a consciousness? What is it supposed to do after it can't experience in a body anymore?
Going back to the article, seeing the speculation on the span of humanity's lives...and considering how it has kept stretching out since the time of the earliest humans (Lucy, an early human was determined to be around 18 years old from her remains, but she had actually led a long life compared to her contemporaries) to the modern day, I'm curious; what IS the limit for humanity? For me, this also calls to me mind lobsters! They don't die from aging and technically could be immortal.
I don't believe we humans can attain a naturally eternal lifespan. But there's something about the topic of life that makes me think, for sure.
The article that interested me the most this week is, "At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good". As you heard, Toys R Us filed for bankrupcy earlier this year. This store that dates as far back as 1957, has closed the last 735 stores in the last week of June. Due to more people purchasing online from Amazon, Target ect. Toys R Us was considered 'outdated' and filed for their five million dollar bankrupcy. In March 2018, all Toys R Us employees were announced that they will only have 3 months left to work. This article interested me for this week's contest because I always used to shop at Toys R Us growing up. It is very devastating to see my childhood dissappear from Toys R Us. From getting calls from Geoffery the giraffe on my birthday, to announcing my name on the announcements in store when it was my birthday and getting all of my toys from Toys R Us year-round, I will truly miss Toys R Us.
[email protected]
I chose the article, "At Toys 'R' Us, There Is Nothing Left': The Day It Closed For Good" as it was the most interesting article I read. Although the title was very gloomy to me, I wanted to be aware upon why my favorite childhood landmark came to a depressing end. As I read the article I followed the career of Woodbridge native, Cheryl Claude and how she came to be a devout worker for Toys R Us. Throughout her life she's been through thick and thin with the whole environment at Toys R Us. With the article giving background history of how Toys R Us suffered from constant bankruptcy each year, it also shared details of how Claude reacted to the whole situation, sticking with it until it was finally over. Just like how Toys R Us has sentimental value to me and other teenagers around my age, it was the same feeling for Claude just by working there. The encounters she had come across, the people she had met or worked with, and the customers she had greeted everyday made the experience for her a phenomenal one. As news got to her that she would possibly be unemployed without severance, her and other coworkers protested at the company's advisers for the failure of giving them severance and how this should not happen again to another company. In the end she recalled the precious memories at Toys R Us and the final moments she and her coworkers had. Overall, the article was very interesting and it touched upon how this can affect older people too, employed there or just shopping.
The article that interested me the most this week was titled "Can the Cave Rescue Save the Thai Government Too?". To me, the fact that the leaders of Thailand along with those of several other countries could forget about political divisions and unite over one universal rescue was a welcome change in the news. Over the last year, the United States has been more divided than ever over issues such as religious rights, immigration, the 2nd amendment, and international commerce. These arguments never seem to stop, even during periods of tragedy or catastrophe. In fact, these conflicts only seem to grow worse during these events.
However, hope is not yet lost. I believe that the cave rescue in Thailand can help better our society for the better. In my observations, one political group often points the finger at another group when disaster strikes. However, a more productive approach would be for as many people as possible, regardless of political standpoint, to unite towards one common solution. This way a result similar to that in Thailand can occur, in which success was achieved through universal teamwork.
It Came From a Black Hole, and Landed in Antarctica https://nyti.ms/2L8hBlL?smid=nytcore-ios-share
I was interested in this article because space and science has always fascinated me. I really like science especially when I learn about neutrons, protons, neutrons, stars and planets. I also really like learning about the Periodic Table and the elements.
It seems that no matter how hard we try to protect our water sources and environment, something will always go wrong sooner or later. I would know from experience since it wasn't so long ago that Lake Ontario would have constant algae contamination and unhealthy waters, because you never forget the first time you see a "Beach Closed" or "No Swimming" sign in the middle of summer. Unfortunately, it seems that Stuart, Florida is having the same problem right now.
The article titled "Algae, Seaweed Discolor Florida Waters and Beaches" appealed to me as interesting not just because of my history with the problem, but simply because it is becoming less and less of a problem, or at least compared to bigger issues(oil spills, wildfires, flash flooding, etc.). Florida's Lake Okeechobee was recently covered with a green-blue algae, which in turn, flowed down through the many canals that were connected to it, effectively spreading the "thick, toxic slime". Meanwhile, in the southwest area of Florida which comes into contact with the Gulf of Mexico, a "red tide" which is a discoloration of seawater caused by a bloom of toxic red dinoflagellates.
Something else I found interesting about this article was along with the algae bloom, the situation also creates a possibility of flooding into the nearby communities, which is being countered by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers discharging gallons of water into nearby water sources and filtering out the algae of the lake.
“Rescued Boys and Coach Are Recovering Swiftly, Official Says”
For all of those who have watched the news recently, you are well aware of the shocking story about 12 young soccer players, and their coach, who were recently discovered, after being trapped in a remote cave in Thailand since late June. This article immediately grabbed my attention, as I remember being in the living room with my dad a few weeks ago, watching the news, when all of a sudden, the news reporter shared that they had received breaking news. I specifically remember the alarmed look on my dad’s face as the news reporter shared the story about these kids, and how they were only 12-14 years old, and had been trapped for several weeks. My stomach dropped as I listened, and I immediately began to worry about the health of these kids and their coach. I wondered if they were going to be able to live normal lives again, after going through such a traumatic experience. I have thought about these kids constantly from that day on, and prayed they would make it out safely. I ultimately chose this article, hoping that it would put my mind at ease, and I am happy to say... it truly did. Learning that no one is being faced with any serious physical or mental diseases, was exactly what I needed to hear. I can only hope that with each day, these kids become healthier and healthier, and will soon be back to living normal lives again.
The Ebola outbreak first started in February of 2014. Almost four years later, the outbreak has finally been contained in its place of origin. Tens of thousands of people have been affected by the virus and no one has heard about it. While thousands of people are getting sick and dying, only when an American person gets infected does the United States care. The total number of people contaminated with the Ebola Virus in the United States was four. Sadly, two of the four Americans passed away from the disease. Once Ebola was expunged from our country however, all news about the deadly disease faded away. Personally, I was very glad to read that the virus was contained, however I found it comical that it took four people to raise an issue that thousands were already dealing with. Thankfully organizations such as "Doctors without Borders" and "the World Health Organization", were able to quell the virus. After realizing that these organizations worked without public support, it made me admire the tenacity that these groups had. Even though it wasn't popular, they extended their helping hands to those in need, and saved thousands of lives.
Link to passage: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/health/congo-ebola-vaccine.html
Unfortunately, the world we proudly refer to as our home is one of pure racial labeling/mistreatment. Whether you are a victim, offender, or a bystander of bias, our world witnesses profiling of some sort everyday. I always seemed to associate the word profiling with people of ignorance. I never envisioned a government, let alone an intellectual as one who would take part in the practice of racial profiling. Still, as I increase my knowledge of societal matters through interpreting articles such as, "In Denmark, Harsh New Laws for Immigrant ‘Ghettos’" by Ellen Barry and Martin Selsoe Sorensen, I realize that my prior assumptions were not only incorrect, but pure wishful thinking.
The authors state that areas of lower income effected by these new laws are referred to as ghettos by the government, conveying that profiling and name calling is not limited to ignorant society members, but is carried out by those as bright as government figures. If that in itself isn’t a shame, I don't know what is, but Denmark’s government doesn’t end its profiling there.The authors also include that the severity of the consequences of crimes committed in areas that are considered ghettos can be “doubled,” which really increases punishment for a certain group of people, because it is not likely that people besides immigrants will be found in these areas. As a child, I often looked up to world leaders. It is disheartening to know that their efforts to treat people equally are none but perfunctory.
"How Long Can We Live? The Limit Hasn't Been Reached Yet, Study Finds: The mortality rate flattens among the oldest of the old, a study of elderly Italians concludes, suggesting that the oldest humans have not yet reached the limits of lifespan"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/science/human-age-limit.html
Upon reading the article, “How Long Can We Live? The Limit Hasn’t Been Reached Yet, Study Finds” I found myself interested in how far medicinal technologies and sanitation of comestibles has progressed and how it has significantly impacted our lives for the better. Researchers who conducted this study found that people born today have a "slightly lower mortality rate when they reach 105". Having elderly, such as Jeanne Calment, living all the way up to age 122 is an extraordinary feat and allows studies like this one to find ways humans can live their lives to the fullest.
My grandfather is definitely someone who wants all that life can offer him; he travels to visit every branch of his family, goes for walks regularly, and he’s always exercising to keep himself healthy. My grandpa attends many doctor’s appointments and eats healthier than me sometimes. He never ceases to remind me that he will live to see me have a family of my own and become a great-grandfather. I believe in him one hundred percent. Though this article was very thought-provoking, I still firmly believe that living to the fullest does not mean counting the years, it’s making the years count.
How Long Can We Live? The Limit Hasn’t Been Reached, Study Finds
Life is peculiar. You’re born, into a world full of billions of other people, the vast majority being those you will never form an acquaintance with. You’re time here means so much according to optimists, yet so little to realists, who may also be deemed pessimists. I’ve often heard the saying “life is short”, yet my mere 16 years have felt as eternal as the galaxy we have all been generated within. The article that caught my eye discussed life span. In my lifetime, I have borne witness to plenty of people who say they would hate to live forever. Many others find immortality to be the greatest gift possibly bestowed upon them. Most times, the argument that the former makes is “you can’t do anything when you are disheveled and worn.” The latter may respond by stating “the only thing for sure is one’s time here on Earth, so why not have it last endlessly?” The truth is, humans do degenerate over time. Science does, as it always will, trump all. Eternal life may get laborious, or lackluster, possibly. What I believe all people desire is for that one special moment, feeling, or happening, to gift them with the most powerful, yet organic, state of euphoria he or she experienced the first time the glorious event occurred, and for it to be the only thing they will ever know, forever more. Nothing greater, nor anything less.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
The article "Thailand Cave Rescue Turns To How To Extract Trapped Soccer Team" interested me the most this week. It interested me the most because when I first heard about the soccer team trapped in the cave I was really confused. I did not know how they even got in there and whether or not the team would ever get out and to safety. When I read this article it answered many of my questions and now I understand the whole situation better. I thought that the boys and the coach were never going to be able to get rescued, because none of the boys knew how to swim and there was rising water in the cave. But luckily there were seals in Thailand who were very confident and knew that they would be able to get this team out and back to their families. When the divers finally got to where the group was one of the boys said " Eat,eat,eat" the group was really hungry and medical teams were giving them high-protein food so that they could regain their strength. But after many days of being trapped and many days of trying to find the group the mission has finally succeeded and the group is out and safe.
I chose the article “How Many Teenage Girls Deliberately Harm Themselves? Nearly 1 in 4, Survey Finds” because I have friends that have told me they have self harmed and sometimes it’s difficult to help them. If one in four teen girls self harm it’s difficult to be able to help every girl that harms herself in one school. It’s happening more often that now many teens see it as a normal way to cope with problems or pain. I personally would love to be able to help my friends but we aren’t really taught that well on how to help them. More has to be done to be able to help teens that self harm because it’s not healthy for them. The article says that some parents believe that if their kid self harms they are “mentally ill” but that’s not true. Parents have to find a way to help their kids and understand why they did what they did and not judge them. More people have to be aware that this is a serious issue that has been expanding more and more. Self harming can sometimes be due to problems at home, with friends, stress, and so much more but because of that I believe schools should have a stress free environment where students can just go relax and de stress from any problems they can be going through. Some of the teens that self harm stay quiet and they don’t say anything because they don’t want to be judged but for people to be able to help them they have to show them that they are not being judged.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/12/opinion/politics/background-checks-gu...
This article,”Background Checks are not the answers to Gun Violence” really interested me. It explains on how background checks decide if people are allowed to hold a gun or not.
Of course, many people are afraid of guns. Shootings can give us severe anxiety of what is happening. Today, before people hold a gun, they need to have background checks, to decide they are allowed to have a gun. Not all people with guns are dangerous, people need them for protection from threats. But this process has a big flaw in it: false positives. The article tells on how false positives disqualify people who follow the law from holding a gun. In some cases, people who are guilty of crime, don’t have it reported to federal law, and they are given a gun. If people didn’t commit a crime and follow the laws, shouldn’t they be allowed to have a gun for protection? We need to have more accurate background checks, more information on what they have done, to make an accurate decision.
This article caught my attention because gun control is a cause i care about and having a gun is a big responsibility.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/29/business/french-fries-delivery.html
This week I chose to read the article "A French Fry Gets Soggy in 5 Minutes. This Company Wants to Keep It Crispy for 60." This article caught my eye because I personally hate when fries are soggy. I have always thought to myself that there must be a way to keep fries crispy for longer than just a few minutes. This article went in depth on the type of technology that is starting to be used in order to keep fries crispy for longer. The article explains that the key to crispier fries is to use potatoes with less water when making the fries. This will make the fries crispy for up to an hour, instead of having limp fries by the time you get home from McDonald's. The article also touches on the growing food delivery industry, explaining that companies such as UberEats cater specifically to delivering food from places that don't have a delivery service themselves, and that with fast food places, it is important that their fries aren't soggy by the time they are delivered to someone's home. Overall, this article was very interesting and informative, and I am glad that I chose to read it.
“How to Start Knitting (and Learn to Love It)“ by Alanna Okun
“How to Start Knitting (and Learn to Love It)” is what grabbed my attention this week in the New York Times. This has interested me because I am currently looking forward to new hobbies and such, so when I read how simple and beneficial knitting could be, I was considering the option of doing it in my head. Knitting can reduce stress hormones and even prevent low-memory loss. In addition, you can have the joy of owning or giving a knitted hat or scarf to a close one for the holidays or a birthday. I believe that knitting as a hobby can be enjoyed by people of all ages, as long as they have fun with it.
The article from the New York Times that I was interested in the most this week was “A Cultural Vacuum in Trump’s White House.”
I became interested in this article because every president since Richard Nixon had some sort of appreciation dedicated to the cultural arts, such as music concerts and poetry readings. I was also interested in this article because many of my friends have specialties with cultural arts, either being performers, artists, or writers. A third reason why I was interested in this article is because cultural art is always around us, in our cars, on our devices, and even out in the streets. In this article, I’ve discovered that Donald Trump has spoken out against many cultural artists, such as Michael Wolff and Meryl Streep. He has only brought two cultural artists of any kind, Ted Nugent and Kid Rock, but neither performed. The author gives a comparison between Donald Trump and other authoritarian leaders relating to cultural arts: they both see cultural arts as nuisances or for the creation of propaganda.
Imagine a society where there is no music, no art, and no books or stories. I think that that’s what Donald Trump may be trying to make a reality.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/nyregion/undocumented-families-deport...
"At Graduation, a Son in the Limelight and a Father in the Shadows
Image"
This article that caught my attention was about how an American high school graduate made a speech about his undocumented father. Although I have no idea what it is like to be undocumented in a country, I have read several personal accounts explaining how restricting and terrifying it feels. Because you cannot afford to catch attention, you have to be on your tiptoes all the time. People escape to foreign countries in hope that better opportunities are awaiting them and their families. I believe that that act is courageous because you are going to be settling in a absolutely different environment with no guarantee that you will be at peace.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/well/the-power-of-positive-people.htm...
Let me tell you why this summer has been my best summer by far. Two words. Positive Influence. This article is about how your friends and social media impact your frame of mind, and I one hundred percent agree.
It is guaranteed that everyone has problems. To quote that monkey from The Lion King, "you can either run from it or learn from it." friends are the number one encouragement to help through rough times.
From my experiences with my generation, everyone seems so caught up in technology and social media. I mean, even this comment is a form of social media. It is integrated into our lives, and my peers are forced to constantly compare their lives to celebrities on Instagram, on the television, in ads on The New York Times website. This often leaves a negative impact because a lot of what is advertised is fake.
Anyways, This is why I encourage people to get off their phones and connect with people. Make friends and have real human moments. Surround yourself with happiness. This doesn't mean people that are constantly happy and smiling, but people that will support you. Your summer body will be meaningless if you have no one to go to the beach with.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/world/europe/uk-bbc-pay-gender.html?r...
This week, the article in the Times that interested me the most was called "BBC Closes Gender Pay Gap, But Men Are Still It's 12 Highest-Paid Stars" by Ceylan Yeginsu. BBC is a British broadcasting company and it's male and female stars have been paid different salaries for doing the same exact job but after a year of debate, that has finally came to an end. This really interested me because I cannot believe that even though we are in the 21st century, sexism is still present. The Declaration of Independence states " We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." The Declaration of Independence clearly states that al men are created equal so why is there still discrimination. Women do the same exact jobs as men and still get paid less. Why. There is no justification whatsoever for paying two different genders two different salaries solely based on the reason that they are a woman. This change needs to take place is every single workplace around the entire globe.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/nyregion/statue-of-liberty-protester-...
This week, the article in the times that interested me the most was the one titled "Statue of Liberty Climber Upends Holiday for Thousands". I was interested in this article because the woman who climbed the statue, Therese Okoumou, was able to shut down the island despite being only one person. She had scaled the statue at around 3 p.m in order to protest Trump's administration's policies on immigration into America. I was fascinated by the fact that one protester would be able to shutdown a popular tourist spot on an even more popular holiday, which was the 4th of July. Although Therese's actions were viewed in both positive and negative lights, she was still able to make her voice heard on her own.
I am a student activist and I have participated and organized events for the gun reform movement that has gained momentum since the Parkland shooting earlier this year. So, seeing how Therese was not afraid to risk consequences to make a bold statement is something that interested me. When I first saw the article I was intrigued because usually protests are done by groups of people and it is rare to see one person doing it alone. Seeing news like this continuing to be published gives me hope that our voices will be heard and that effective change will be made. Articles like this one help people pay attention to issues, like immigration policies, and how they impact groups of people in the U.S.
"How Many Teenage Girls Deliberately Harm Themselves? Nearly 1 in 4, Survey Finds" By: Emily Baumgaertner
In today's society, it's extremely difficult, especially for girls, to feel self-confident. As a result, this article really interested me. In my opinion, most self-harm leads back to the dangerous use of social media. There are many bullies, hiding under social media, who constantly harass and "body shame" people. Although these girls who self-harm are not considered "ill", they still have a very large problem with themselves from their harassers. It is absolutely crazy to know that the percentage of girls who harm themselves is so high. The article states, "The overall prevalence of self-harm was almost 18 percent." This article states that boys are only half as likely to harm themselves. However, boys are more inclined to turn to drugs and/or alcohol. People are so easy to self-harm when they are feeling depressed or insecure about themselves. Now, it is time for people to think less about others, but think about yourselves.
In "Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team," I found it interesting how renowned the story had become. When I first heard about it while watching the news, of course it was sad, yet I assumed I would not hear about it again, for many stories like this are brought up in the news for only a day or two. However, the story blew up instead. Nearly everyone I had talked to had heard about it, and everyone was quite invested. Many people, myself included, followed this story to the end, the rescue, and many more even lost sleep because of it. Not only did this story become common knowledge, but I found that it united the world as well. The world has been quite divided lately, a large part of that being due to the United States' very controversial president, Donald Trump, leading to the United States, especially, being extremely divided. However, this story seemed to create a sense of fellowship among the people of the world, with so many showing their support for the 12 boys, their families, the coach, and the divers. Everyone was invested in this story, and everyone felt great relief and togetherness when the boys and their coach were finally rescued. In a time of division and anger, whether caused by Trump's new tariffs on China or simply the World Cup, I was delighted to see the world come together for a common cause once again.
“Rescued Boys and Coach Are Recovering Swiftly, Official Says”
For all of those who have watched the news recently, you are well aware of the shocking story about 12 young soccer players, and their coach, who were recently discovered, after being trapped in a remote cave in Thailand since late June. This article immediately grabbed my attention, as I remember being in the living room with my dad a few weeks ago, watching the news, when all of a sudden, the news reporter shared that they had received breaking news. I specifically remember the alarmed look on my dad’s face as the news reporter shared the story about these kids, and how they were only 12-14 years old, and had been trapped for several weeks. My stomach dropped as I listened, and I immediately began to worry about the health of these kids and their coach. I wondered if they were going to be able to live normal lives again, after going through such a traumatic experience. I have thought about these kids constantly from that day on, and prayed they would make it out safely. I ultimately chose this article, hoping that it would put my mind at ease, and I am happy to say... it truly did. Learning that no one is being faced with any serious physical or mental diseases was exactly what I needed to hear. I can only hope that with each day, these kids become healthier and healthier, and will soon be back to living normal lives again.
The article from The New York Times that interested me most this week was "Zsa Zsa the English Bulldog, ‘World’s Ugliest Dog,’ Dies at 9" by Sarah Mervosh. I was initially frustrated by the title of the article because I found it rude to not only call a dog ugly, but also to put it through a contest and rank it as the "World's Ugliest Dog". However, when I read the context of the article, I realized that the contest was meant to raise awareness for dogs in adoption centers that people won't take home because of their appearances. I found the idea of the contest very smart and also very effective, because it popped out at me and I was able to learn about the situation in the adoption centers. While it is sad that Zsa Zsa died, she lived a happy life in a loving home regardless of her "dry, dangling tongue" and "severe underbite, with crooked teeth that almost touched her nose". Hopefully more people will show empathy for the not-so-beautiful dogs in adoption centers and love them for who they are inside, exactly like they would for any other dog.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/08/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue.html...
"In Daring Underwater Cave Rescue, 4 of 13 Thai Are Freed"
It was really amazing and relieving to read this article about the ongoing rescue of the Thai soccer team. When I first found out about the lost soccer team, and their ultimate discovery in the caves, I didn't realize the complexity involved in getting them out of those underwater caves. I just assumed that once they were discovered, it would be easy. After reading this article, I realized I couldn't be more wrong. The planning and execution of the rescue was complicated and dangerous for all involved. It was wonderful to read that many nations were involved in the rescue operation, but sad that one individual passed away during this time. I couldn't imagine being one of the trapped individuals that were there for almost 10 days, even before being discovered. After being found, then having to go through the treacherous journey underwater to get out. I didn't realize it would be a 2.5 to 3 mile journey. It was nice to read that the families didn't put blame on the coach, but instead praised his efforts to keep the boys alive. I think, that shows a lot of maturity in the families in an era where finding blame is always put first. I'm so glad for the rescue of the 4 individuals and hope that the rest of the rescue operation goes as smoothly.
Neighbor Calls the Police on a 12-Year-Old Boy Mowing the Grass
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/us/lawn-mowing-boy-police-ohio.html
The article that I found interesting was "Neighbor Calls the Police on a 12-Year-Old Boy Mowing the Grass" On June 23 Lucille Holt- Colden asked 12 year old Reginald and his friends to cut her yard. Reginald proceeded to do so when Lucielle's neighbor called the police saying that the kids were cutting her part of the yard.
I found this interesting because I can't someone would call the police for a simple problem.
When no one does their job, people like Ms. Daniels suffer. Two letters were sent to the company informing them of the conditions Daniels was in. Her daughter had informed the power company as soon as Daniels needed the oxygen tank. Even if the company didn’t receive any letter from her, they definitely should’ve received one from Daniels’ nurses. What if they did get it, just never read it? Did anyone call? Email? If the company has a policy where they wouldn’t shut off the power for people like Daniels, does the company have any surveys? Files of their living conditions? If not, how do they claim to give a pass to people whose life depends on power? That doesn’t make any sense. Looking at the family, there must have been a reason for owing so much money. Daniels should’ve been getting disability checks that should’ve helped pay the bill. What happened there? Did her rent cost more? If it did, I understand, the family thought it was more important to pay rent since the company had already told them she’d still have power even if they owed money. Not only that, but the family claimed to have paid some money to the company to be sure the power stood on. So, why did this happen? Can anyone tell the public a reason why Ms. Daniels had to die such a morbid death? No one can. That’s because there were so many ways to avoid this. But, no one did their job. Now Ms. Daniels isn’t with us anymore.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/09/nyregion/woman-dies-oxygen-tank-elect...
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/well/the-power-of-positive-people.htm...
This week I was quite interested by Tara Parker-Pope’s article in the New York Times titled “The Power of Positive People”. In the article she explains why having a group of friends who are positive and are able to motivate you can have long standing impacts.
This got me thinking: are the people I surround myself with contributing positive energy to my life? The answer is often easy to reach but hard to accept. I struggled with this in my sophomore year of high school. The four years that compromise high school are some of the most difficult for adolescents, and during my sophomore year I found my friends were often moody and irritable, whether from lack of sleep or the numerous AP classes they were taking. Sometimes I felt that I couldn’t escape the negativity surrounding me by way of my closest friends and peers.
However, by virtue of the experience I was able to more easily recognize what people I needed to spend my time with to have a positive experience. I think that for young people finding a moai or a group of people who are compassionate and positive is crucial. During the growing pains of adolescence having the guiding light of a supportive friendship can make all the difference.
While reading “ Into The Wild With Kanye West” I realised that even a person that’s famous and even has all the money he can ever had can’t always be happy.This article is about the tragic events that kanye west has been going through and the ways he feels about it.After reading this I have learned that money actually doesn’t bring you happiness.Most people always want money or wish to be this person just because of the money.But even that won’t just make you happy.People have to understand that all celebrities are just human like everyone else.I have family members that wish they can have all this money but i just look at them with a face.They are always speaking about if they had money it’ll all be find and they won’t have to worry about life.I mean some part of that is true but it won’t make you mentally healthy or any other kind.At least now a days people see that and have more of an open mind when it comes too this kind of topic.Another thing talked about was depression.That’s a serious thing.To think that a man with a lot in life can have this kind of mindset.People would probably think that depression won’t come to be into a person of high status.All in all if you have a problem with depression you should speak to
someone.Because as you can see in the article Kanye is talking to let people know what haunts him in his life everyday just so others don’t make the same mistake.
It is undeniable that displays of racism have been present throughout American history, but it is also clear that to an extent, such unpleasant history is often pushed aside or forgotten because of shame or embarrassment. Due to this general observation I have made, I was particularly surprised when reading the article: "U.S. Reopens Emmett Till Investigation, Almost 63 Years After His Murder". While the article made it clear that it would be extremely difficult to press charges due to the amount of time that has passed since the event, constitutional issues, and problems with certain legislations, I still think the reopening of this case, as well as many others, serves as an important reminder of historical racism. The attention that this case in particular, will bring to national media is crucial, due to its status as an event particularly symbolic of the racial issues of the time. While nothing can be done to change the horrific actions of those who brutally murdered Till, this investigation serves as an important history lesson for the American public. We must remember mistakes of the past to avoid repeating them.
“Rescued Boys and Coach Are Recovering Swiftly, Official Says”
For all of those who have watched the news recently, you are well aware of the shocking story about 12 young soccer players, and their coach, who were recently discovered, after being trapped in a remote cave in Thailand since late June. This article immediately grabbed my attention, as I remember being in the living room with my dad a few weeks ago, watching the news, when all of a sudden, the news reporter shared that they had received breaking news. I specifically remember the alarmed look on my dad’s face as the news reporter shared the story about these kids, and how they were only 12-14 years old, and had been trapped for several weeks. My stomach dropped as I listened, and I immediately began to worry about the health of these kids and their coach. I wondered if they were going to be able to live normal lives again, after going through such a traumatic experience. I have thought about these kids constantly from that day on, and prayed they would make it out safely. I ultimately chose this article, hoping that it would put my mind at ease, and I am happy to say... it truly did. Learning that no one is being faced with any serious physical or mental diseases was exactly what I needed to hear. I can only hope that with each day, these kids become healthier and healthier, and will soon be back to living normal lives again.
The article I found most intriguing this week was “Oprah, is that you? On social media, the answer is often no.” This article caught my eye because impersonating public figures can result in serious trouble for the people behind the account or for the person the profile is based on. Kip Moore, a famous country singer, was a victim of this social media identity theft. During some of his shows, women would approach him stating that “they left their husbands to be with him after he said he loved them.” Fake accounts on social media happen not only to musicians but to politicians, actors, and other celebrities. There are many reasons for posing as a well-known figure, some people want money, some want a larger following, or they want something more serious. A 42-year-old Australian man had “more than 900 child sex offenses for impersonating Justin Bieber on Facebook and other sites”. Stealing the identity of celebrities and other people for any reason is wrong and can lead to serious issues such as scamming and even worse, breaking the law.
Richard C. Paddock’s article “How rescuers in a Thai Cave Pulled off the Impossible”, that was published on July 10, 2018, caught my eye because I wanted to read and understand what occurred in Thailand, and I wanted to read the challenges and obstacles the divers and the soccer team had to go through to survive. The SEAL divers were dedicated and trained to get the soccer team out alive. The divers risked everything to get the team out, and one of them, Saman Gunan, even died for it . Saman Gunan was even named “the hero of Tham Luang Cave” by the operations’ leader Narongsak Ostottanakorn.
Although this situation was very sad and tragic, it brought some sort of unity within the world. When this situation occurred, there was no us and them, there was a sense of hope that this team was going to get out alive.
One thing I found it very interesting that Thailand’s king was the one who donated all of the food to the team. Also, imagine the hardships that the divers and the team had to go through, and imagine what may have happened if one diver, John Volanthen, had a line that was 15 feet shorter and he wasn’t able to find the team. What really amazed me was the amount of time each small task that was involved in this rescue mission took, and how everyone involved, including some of the divers, had to be quarantined the first minute they got to the hospital. Imagine the families who haven’t seen their child in weeks, only to see them behind glass.
"Stateless and Poor, Some Boys in Thai Cave Had Already Beaten Long Odds" by Hannah Beech
I was interested in this article because it was connected to the most popular story this week, "Rescue Mission Riveting in Thailand" (the 12 boys and their coach had been trapped in a flooded cave for more than a week), but surprisingly this particular article mostly focused on one kid from the 13 people trapped in the cave for 10 days. His name, Adul Sam-on, 14 years old. This 14 year old practically saved the team from dying in a flooded cave because of his intelligence. He is proficient in English, Thai, Burmese, Mandarin, and Wa. His ability to speak multiple languages allowed him to communicate back to the British divers and ask for food. At this point they were not worried about leaving the cave, they were worried about dying because of starvation.
https://nyti.ms/2L5EkyP
This week’s article was “Thailand’s Cave Rescue Turns To How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team” by Richard C. Paddock & Muktita Suhartono. This article caught my attention because its always great and interesting seeing how people work together in stressful times like this, a moment whereas people focus on the importance and strive for the ones in need of safety. “When we first discussed this mission, we said right away this mission is impossible,” said the governor of Chiang Rai Province, Narongsak Osottanakorn, who is overseeing the operation. “ But the SEALs were very confident in their ability, and they told us they would bring the boys out.” This quote from the article shows remarkable optimism, which is what we all should have in our lives. The researchers found an alternative entrance-a shortcut rather a 3 mile than a 7 mile extraction, where the navy seal diver’s line could reach and rescue the 13 boys from captivity.
In "In Indonesia, 3 Muslim Girls Fight for Their Right to Play Heavy Metal", I found the one line "A hijab is my identity, and metal is my music genre.” to be something new and interesting. I lives in Saudi Arabia previously where most things are very traditional. Usually a woman wouldn't be singing and especially not metal. The line seemed significant because it kinda goes against the whole halal (vocal and clean) music thing, and also the fact that it's a group of females doing it.
[email protected] - I chose to read the article "At Toys 'R' Us, 'There is Nothing Left': The Day It Closed for Good", I find it sad that online shopping is causing so many retail stores to close down including Toys 'R' Us. I know you can get toys at Target and at Walmart but in a child's eyes to go to a store with nothing but toys it is great. I find it upsetting that Toys 'R' Us is closing because i remember always going there as a little kid and getting many toys. It is also upsetting because people all around the world that work in Toys 'R' Us's have lost their jobs and have to find new ones. I do believe in my lifetime retail stores will become extinct.
The article that caught my attention this week was “Hard News. Angry Administration. Teenage Journalists Know What It’s Like.” by Jaclyn Peiser. The job of any journalist is to present us with information. The fact that some school’s aren’t letting their students write about certain topics is ridiculous. We are told we can’t talk about some of the most important things happening in society. But at what cost, to quote A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith “Intolerance, is a thing that causes war, pogroms, crucifixions, lynchings and makes people cruel to little children and to each other. It is responsible for most of the viciousness, violence, terror, and heart and soul breaking of the world.” Smith’s main character, Francie Nolan, discovers while the world may seem like a terrible place, it only looks that way if you don’t do anything to help it. We need to talk about these “sensitive subjects” or they will never truly be addressed and resolved.
Well written!!
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/business/toys-r-us-closing.html
There are many things in life that we cherish as a child. Mine was Barbie dolls and Nintendo DS. Most of my childhood was spent lurking the corners of 'Toys R Us'. A huge part of many childhood memories was shut down not so long ago. Many jobs were lost and the devastation started to sink in. For example, Ms. Cheryl Claude. She stopped inside the store one day to pick up diapers in 1985. The store manager noticed how Cheryl picked up a toy that had fallen onto the floor. He offered a job on the spot. From then on, she has spent 33 years working at 'Toys R Us'. The last of the 735 stores have already started to shut down. This was a devastating sight. The store chain had filed for bankruptcy; people are now ordering online instead of going to a traditional toy store. Employees weren't getting the necessary servance after they leave. In fact, Cathy Koperwhats, had to take breaks to go to doctors visits before her health insurance ran out. They felt as if they were leaving with nothing. As the final few weeks came, people started to come to the store to buy shelving units and chairs, not toys. Most stores only had about three shelves full of the left over toys. This article interested me because 'Toys R Us' was part of many childhoods around. It was a major part of my life. That part of my childhood will be close near and dear to my heart. That is one memory that will never fade away.
[email protected]
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/world/asia/thailand-cave-rescue-hospi...
The article I did for this week was "Soccer Players and Their Coach Are on the Mend, Thailand Says". This story kind of correlates with the article I did last week. Last week I wrote about these kids getting stuck in a cave and wound up still missing. I decided to do this article because I wanted to see if everyone made it out safe and sound. It was also a miracle because these boys have been missing for around one whole week. I was hoping that eventually they would be found, but you never know, they may have never been found. I am just so happy and glad every one of them was found and seems to be doing okay. The doctors say they ran multiple tests to make sure none of them suffered from any fatal diseases or illnesses. The doctors were worried because being in a cave for such a long time could cause many diseases including "leptospirosis, a bacterial disease carried by rodents, or histoplasmosis, an infection caused by a fungus present in bat excrement". Huge thanks go out to everyone who contributed to this cause. If it was not for them there would have been no search and the boys would still be stuck in a cave. It is just wonderful all the time and money people spent on this mission.
Olivia DiSanto
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
[email protected]
“Thailand Cave Rescue Turns How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team”
The article that interested me the most this week was “Thailand Cave Rescue Turns How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team” because I read it last week when they were still trapped in the cave when people were saying it could take months to get out of the cave. In the cave there was 12 missing boys (age 11-16) and there soccer coach (age 25). On Tuesday, they were finally rescued out of the flooded cave. Even though one man died trying to save the team, the SEALS were still very confident on getting the team out safely. Many countries did help out in this situation, including the United States. Once the people got to the cave and to the team they gave the boys medicine and high in protein foods so they would be able to swim and not get weak easily. What I know now from not reading this article is that they are keeping the boys in a medical room to make sure they get back to normal and don’t have infections. But they are able to see and speak to family through a glass window.
In “The ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’ Is Ballooning, 87,000 Tons of Plastic and Counting” I found it interesting to read about how plastic and debris are building up in the Pacific Ocean and getting eaten by fish and may end up in our food chain.The article predominantly talks about the amount of garbage and the type of garbage in the “ Great Pacific Garbage Patch” The piece shows that throwing garbage in the sea can affect ocean life negatively. I chose this article because it demonstrates the effects of throwing garbage in the sea. For example “Some sea turtles caught near the patch were eating so much plastic that it made up around three-quarters of their diet” This demonstrates the negative effect on garbage in the ocean life.
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/22/climate/great-pacific-garbage-patch.html
This week in the times, the article "LeBron James to the Lakers: There's Much to Unpack Here" interested me most. This article caught my attention because of my interest in sports and particularly in the game of basketball. The trade of LeBron from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Los Angeles Lakers has been one of the most surprising of the offseason. Many people are very eager to see if LeBron will succeed on this new team. @[email protected]
The article that interested me was titled, "Drake’s ‘Scorpion’ Is a Streaming Giant". On June/29/2018 Drake released a 25 track album, "Scorpion", which dominated streaming and billboard records. With only one day of the albums release, it accumulated hundreds of millions streams on Apple Music and Spotify. By July/1/2018, billboard recorded a total of 435 million streams, which beat Post Malone's record of 431 million streams. Drake's album and self is being promoted non-stop by many big name companies, like apple. I found this article very interesting because I really like Drake and his new album. I couldn't believe that his album was this successful, so I wanted to read more about it.
link to article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/arts/music/drake-scorpion-streaming-r...
What interested me in the times this week was “The Rape Jokes We Still Laugh At”. When I had finished watching this video for the first time, I had to sit back in my chair and just sit for a while thinking about what I had just watched. I was not only horrified at the experience that Rodney Roussell had gone through, I was also shocked that I hadn’t heard more cases like these before. Until now, I have never heard a case where an incarcerated man is raped and sold into sexual slavery.
After the #Metoo movement started to gain attention, the world seemed to finally take the first steps towards addressing cases of rape properly. However, while many people have come forward and shared their experiences, they seem to mainly be white females. Never before, while scrolling through twitter or instagram, have I seen posts addressing rape cases such as one like Rodney’s, who is a black male.
As we take the first steps forward towards a future where cases of rape and sexual assault will be justly handled and not swept under the rug, as a society we must recognize and validify the cases of rape that aren’t talked about commonly. We must treat cases, such as being raped while incarcerated, with the same respect as we would treat those of celebrities in hollywood. The #Metoo movement must speak for all and not just the minority with the biggest megaphone. For reform to happen it can not be applied to one but to all.
An article that grabbed my attention was, "In a Novel, Nine Voices in the South Anticipate an Execution" by Tim Gautreaux. The article is a book review about the book "Mercy Seat" by Elizabeth H. Winthrop.
The review states that Winthrop's novel is about the execution of a southern African-American man raping his white girlfriend. The novel is written in nine different point of views. Gautreaux tells the reader that Winthrop writing , although not ideal, keeps you enthralled up until midnight, when the execution takes place.
His review keeps the book exciting while not ruining the ending for the reader. The review was well writtien making the book more enticing for readers.
Link to Article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/books/review/mercy-seat-elizabeth-h-w...?
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/health/gene-editing-cancer.html?rref=...
"Swift Gene-Editing Method May Revolutionize Treatments for Cancer and Infectious Diseases"-Gena Kolata
Long have scientist pondered about the numerous ways in which cancer could be treated, or even cured. Swift gene-editing is a new method that involves the process of splicing up white blood cells, removing the genes from said cells, and replacing them with more beneficial ones. Even though this is method is quite novel that no patient has been treated by this before, scientists have attempted to splice up DNA and replace genes through the means of viruses. It was proven unfruitful because of its difficulty and long time-consumption. In my opinion, the efforts of the scientists in developing will be not for naught. As technology maintains its steady growth, the possibility of curing incurable diseases increases along with it as well. The author mentions about the use of electrical fields to insert more beneficial genes into the white blood cells. Constantly identifying new ways to make the process more efficient and effective will result in a desirable outcome. After reading many articles and advertisements on curing cancer such as faith healing and other unorthodox methods, I have high hopes for a sustainable and logical method like this.
“Let's get down to the nitty-gritty and get this show on the road—qumero numero uno!” Amanda Hess’ article, “How HQ Trivia Became the Best Worst Thing on the Internet,” exposes the hypnotic vibes of one of the world’s most popular live trivia games, capable of enslaving millions of minds to do its bidding for fifteen intense minutes every day. And I am one of those minds. All it takes is a single notification for me to drop what I’m doing and join the world’s collective pursuit for knowledge—and money, of course.
Even at a measly couple cents a game, the satisfaction of beating out hundreds of thousands of other players is, by itself, enough to keep the game thriving. But is money really the irresistible drive behind the game’s success? Or is it the perfect mélange of competition, collaboration, and the cognizance that there is nothing to lose? I choose the latter. In a competitive society where it literally pays to be the best, it’s easy to get caught up in the constant struggle for first place. HQ Trivia encourages the opposite. For fifteen minutes a day, the game breaks all political, cultural, and socioeconomic boundaries, uniting millions under one goal and proving that we truly are stronger together.
HQ Trivia is more than just a game. It’s a lifestyle. Standing at the heart of a reservoir of untapped potential, it holds the key to fighting discrimination on a global level. But more importantly, it’s 12 p.m.—time to play!
3
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Soccer Team
What interested me this week was the rescue mission in Thailand. Twelve boys and their coach got trapped in a flooded cave for more than a week without assistance. On June 23, the soccer team disappeared into the Tham Luang Cave. Heavy rain then began to fall and water rose in the cave. This lead to the cave exit being blocked. Thailand is a divided country, but hope in finding the missing boys united them. Half a dozen countries, including the United States, sent teams to help. When diver Mr. Volanthen ran out of line and surfaced in the cave, he found the boys and the coach. Thankfully, all of the team was alive. Over the next 24 hours, many deliveries of needed supplies were given to them. Unfortunately, with the boys’ weak condition, it would not be safe to bring them out underwater with the strong currents. Also, the soccer team cannot swim. An explorer of the Tham Luang Cave, Mr. Unsworth, said that it would be best for the boys to be taken out immediately instead of waiting months for the water levels to drop. Leaving them in there would risk injury, illness, and psychological harm. Even though finding a way to get them out has divided opinions, everyone is trying their best to save 12 boys and their coach.
[email protected]
"A.P. World History Tries to Trim Thousands of Years, and Educators Revolt" by Julia Jacobs.
I had no idea about this until now, and like it states in the article, many weren't very happy about this, including myself. The author says that the College Board was planning on not including any of the history that happened before 1450 in the Advanced Placement World History Exam. Merry E. Weisner-Hanks talks about how "Eurocentric" that idea would be, which I agree with. She says the first thing people would talk about when it comes to Africa is the slave trade, which was a traumatic event for the native Africans, and not such a great place to start off with when it comes to their long enriching history. There'd be no Roman Empire, no Mongols, no Ancient Chinese dynasties, etc. So many of these things that happened in the past were a huge influence on how our society is today, and it's a huge chunk of history that should not be washed over. When it comes to trying to be diverse, and letting other ethnicities be able to learn about their background, it almost completely takes that away. Though, it states that the College Board is reconsidering because of all the vocal opposition, and that they're planning to move the start date "several centuries earlier" then 1450. I really hope they do decide to, because me, as a person who loves the history of the world around me, would be devastated to know that others couldn't learn these fascinating things that happened here.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/sports/lebron-lakers.html
LeBron James to the Lakers: There’s Much to Unpack Here
This article caught my attention because I like watching basketball. LeBron James is one of the best basketball players of all time and he went to Lakers. Although Lakers isn't a very good team right now. They have so much potential and I think LeBron can bring out the best in them due to his experience. Most of the players in Lakers are rookies so they don't have much experience. However LeBron have been playing for 15 seasons and I think he have a lot experience to share with his new team. However I think it will take a few years for Lakers to be able to have a chance at beating Golden State Warriors.
At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/business/toys-r-us-closing.html
This article interested me because I grew up buying toys and clothes in a store rather than online. Once I got older I had less time to go shopping which resulted in me doing my shopping online. The whole reason stores such as Toys 'R' Us went bankrupt is because of the growth of online companies. It is now more convenient to buy items online, so more people stopped shopping in stores. The closing of stores has narrowed the retail job market and prevented children in the future from experiencing walking through the aisles and looking at all the toys like I did when I was a child.
England Takes Another Step Toward Bringing 'It' Home
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/07/sports/world-cup/england-vs-sweden.ht...®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=collection
The World Cup is one of the most widely covered and watched sports events around the world. Some countries have won the title over four times or are constantly one of the last teams standing. However, England is not one of those champion teams; the last title they took home was in 1966, and that is currently their only title. They've been knocked out in the first few games every World Cup but this year they fought until the semi-finals.
The whole team and country of England inspires me. You'd expect that a team and country hasn't that won in over half a century would give up and lose hope of ever winning again. Instead, fans in England and across the globe have been constantly supporting the hopeful team. The team has been such a positive example of hard work, optimism, and support for each other as teammates.
As a soccer player myself, I know how important it can be to keep a positive attitude and just keep pushing through all the disappointments. These important aspects really make a difference in your playing and often lead to victory. How England is still pursuing their dreams without giving up inspires me to do the same in my playing and my everyday life outside of sports.
After watching, "Thai Soccer Team Recuperates After Rescue Mission", I realized just how serious this situation was, for both everyone involved and their families. The diving team that rescued all 12 of the boys and their soccer coach did an amazing job and put their lives at risk to save others who were already in that situation. This is one of my favorites this week in The New York Times, because it really grabbed my attention with the relatable topic that anyone could easily go through. This soccer team was just out doing a fun activity together when danger struck and they had to do their best to stay safe in such a scary situation. The team was stuck for a total of ten days alone, waiting for someone to come and rescue them from the danger they faced. I am so glad that they were all found safe and are being giving the medical attention they need to get well very soon. Following they're recovery I hope to see an interview of some sort being done with the team talking about there experience in the cave and just what it was like to be trapped in their for almost two and a half weeks. All in all I'm glad they are safe and thankful to everyone involved in the rescue and medical treatment.
At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good
Toys 'R' Us has gave me an amazing childhood with their love, their toys, and just how majestic the place was. This place was once a very friendly environment with smiles on everyone's faces. About a couple days ago, we had a discussion about this in my summer UCLA class. Everyone was shocked and most of us were disappointed. At least the stores in Asia are still open.
This article did a great job by using different people's emotional stories. Ms. Claude, for example, had worked for Toys 'R' Us for 33 years. She had a chance to talk about how she had hard times sleeping when she heard about this. Even I was hit hard by the words "The Day It Closed for Good." Well I guess the saying "All good things must come to an end" is very true.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/09/style/facebook-google-data-download.h...
Most people do not have the time to just sit down at the end of the day and reflect on their day in a diary nowadays, but we now have social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and SnapChat where all our memories and conversations are stored. Over time, they have become like a digital diary. When I was looking through all my photos and old texts on Facebook, it was like a trip down memory lane. I would cringe at the things I posted before and the conversations I had with my friends. It was all too funny. Things that were so serious and problematic then were not so much now and it very entertaining to read them. Our social media accounts have become a part of ourselves where a stranger could sense what we are like from our activities and pictures. For instance, about five years ago I was a "Frozen" fanatic where I would like pages and posts related to it. It was easy to tell I loved the animation. And looking back now, I feel quite embarrassed but it was a reminder of my younger self. Snapchat is also a great digital diary since it lets us save what we post for the day. And I think that is more special as it can store our daily lives; just one photo or a two second video means so much when you are looking back ten years later. I look forward to making more memories on my social media where I can look back decades later just as the author has.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/world/europe/germany-merkel-russia-tr...
President Trump has without a doubt been on the headlines for months since he was victorious in the 2016 election, and the article “Trump vs. Merkel: Blistering Salvo Meets Quiet Rejoinder” is no exception. This article speaks of the American President bashing our ally, Germany, because they receive their energy from Russia. German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended Germany’s decision by stating her country makes their own policies.
I find it interesting to see that a country stays cool and collected when another country calls them out. If I am being completely honest, I believe every country should pursue their goals and try to make their country peaceful and honest for their citizens like Merkel does with Germany. She does not back away from anything and speaks for her country even when others do not agree with her which in this case happens to be President Trump. I find this attitude admirable on her part.
I chose this article because I have rarely seen a world leader call out an ally in public. It is as if the alliance was gone for just a moment. This article makes me wonder whether things will will get worse or will they get better for both the U.S and Germany . If things get worse, who knows what things could escalate to. Lets just hope that things get better soon between the two allies so that there will be more cooperation in the future.
"New Clues to How the Biggest Dinosaurs Got So Big"
This article was particularly interesting to me because it really highlights on the idea that humans do not know as much as we think we do. Researchers and Excavation Experts in Argentina discovered the new largest known dinosaur on an excavation mission. The reason this discovery was so significant was due to the fact that not only is this a newly discovered dinosaur, it is also from a completely different time period. While many of the largest known dinosaurs arose during the early Jurassic Period, this dinosaur likely developed in the late Jurassic period, showing that human understanding of dinosaurs is not, and never will be, a complete science. Findings like these are very rare, and many professional had come to believe that humans had discovered the biggest dinosaurs once and for all, but now that conclusion has been flipped on its head. An interesting analysis is that we will never really know if we have found the largest dinosaur. While theories can be made and conclusion can be sought, it can never truly be confirmed if the search is over. Ideas like these, as mentioned previous, are the sole reason why humans understand less than they believe. Human genome is hardwired to always seek closure and purpose, and sometimes those concepts simply are not present. Humans can never truly know everything, and that can prove a scary thought to some when they realize just how small they are in this massive world.
Cancer runs through my family. It is the future I fear. No matter the stage or the type; the word cancer brings a blanket of dread.But it seems we are advancing into a stronger world. Scientists have discovered a method of percisely romoving genes from white blood cells and inputting helpful replacements. At first they used modified viruses to deliver the recreated genes, immunotherapy, but the virus method is very time consuming and complicated. While there has been some sucsess with immunotherapy, it's limited due to the difficulty of having viruses carry the genes and the time-consuming work of creating them. But now it seems that eletical fields can be used to transport both gene- editing matireal and the modified genes into the cell. Due to this new information, treating cancer will no longer take months or years but only a few weeks. Through out the entire cancer process we hope for better odds, we wait for the day we can see them healthy again; this is our chance, this is our miracle. If another loved one hears they have cancer, I want to know they have more than just a flip of a coin, I want to be able to know they will be better in a matter of weeks. This information is more than just a breakthrough, it's a chance at life many.
"Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team"
This article caught my attention because it shows how important the navy seals are and how they perfect their crafts by putting their lives in danger to save people in difficult situations. In this particular case a soccer team was stuck in a cave for about a week and the navy seals faced a very difficult, almost impossible task to get them out the cave. Unfortunately one of the divers died, in order to save the kids. So if these vets put there lives out their for us, then they shouldn't be on the streets homeless. They should have more security, so they can live a healthy, stable life like they deserve.
"In Brazil's Favelas, Caught Between Police and Gangsters"
João Pina's collection of black-and-white photographs taken from some of Brazil's favelas is what I found most captivating in the Times this week. After spending some time in Brazil on a long-term project to explore urban violence, he learned that the pacification campaigns were "less effective than portrayed." Only 45 (out of over a thousand) favelas had been pacified, with 46750 murders in just a decade, revealing that these pacification campaigns were more propaganda than anything.
João Pina's photographs capture the unfortunate reality of everyday life in Brazil's favelas: heavily-armed officers, teenagers getting arrested for drug trafficking, and children both playing in the favelas and witnessing a murder scene. The way I interpret it, the use of photographs of violent situations, such as the Civil Police operation and the aftermath of a murder, and normal situations, such as the street party and the soccer game, emphasize how crimes like murder and drug trafficking have become commonplace--a part of everyday life--in Brazil's favelas due to the ineffectiveness of the pacification campaigns. João Pina's photographs have, in this way, accurately portrayed the corruption of much of the police force in Brazil.
Name: Tiffany Magno
Bengal12Tiffany101100
Facebook’s Push for Facial Recognition Prompts Privacy Alarms by Natasha Singer
It is almost impossible to imagine a world today without a single screen in sight. Computers are everywhere and whether we like it or not, they are merging with out individual everyday lives. Technology has reached the very problematic climax of being able to recognize our individual faces. Why is this so problematic you may ask? Facial recognition technology, or anything along the lines of such devices, clashes with the concept of our own individual privacy.
"Facebook’s Push for Facial Recognition Prompts Privacy Alarms," by Natasha Singer has touched covered the problematic subject of privacy and technology recognition. Facebook alone already holds an abundant amount of information about its users. These bits of information are quite crucial to many of our lives, some of which are our location, relationship status, how we may be currently feeling, and even our "friends." However, this is information we give to Facebook for our own reasons. Facial recognition, and voice recognition in consideration, are different in the field of privacy we consent ourselves to. For example, Amazon has admitted to listening in on users' conversations through Alexa for the technology's "cloud" base. Recognition technology may be sending our information back to their servers without our knowing, and that alone is a disturbing issue of privacy we have to address.
The article that I found and thought was very interesting was "Astronomers Follow Ghost Particles Down the Barrel of a Black Hole". In the article it talks about how scientists have been able to trace a neutrinos origin. Neutrinos only get affected by gravity and the weak nuclear force which means neutrinos pass through the Earth and our own bodies. Because of this a neutrino can travel millions of light years without being obstructed by anything which is how scientists were able to trace it's origin to a certain galaxy. Scientists being able to do this shows just how smart humans have become. We were able to detect something that normally passes through our body and is invisible to the human eye and then tell the location where it came from billions of light years away. This also opens up new opportunities for science. The articles talks about how this may open up the understanding of where cosmic rays come from and how they may be formed. It also talks about how this may be the beginning of a new type of astronomy. "High energy neutrino astronomy" may become a real astronomical field for professional astronomers to work on. This shows that we still have so much left to discover even with knowing all the things we do.
After yesterday's World Cup Semi-Finals, England was left devastated after their loss to Croatia. Last week, when I wrote my post about the article "Why England or Belgium Will Win", I had completely canceled out the possibility of Croatia winning. England, as well as myself, thought that we could easily win. This week in the New York Times, I wanted to follow up on the World Cup, so I read the article, "Croatia Turns England's World Cup Destiny Into Despair". Although they lost, England still has to battle for third place. "It will be Croatia that plays France on Sunday in the World Cup final in Moscow. England will head to St. Petersburg for a rematch with Belgium that neither team wants in the third-place game." Everything was going fine for England, they would have been the underdog champions and would have been the first team to win the World Cup for England in 52 years. Now that Croatia has the chance to win in the finals, they could make history by being the second smallest country to win the World Cup.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/sports/world-cup/england-vs-croatia.h...
In early July, my family took a cruise to the Caribbean. Much like the article “Cruises Are So Uncool They Are Cool” by Michael Ian Black hilariously describes, the cruise provided the ultimate escape from reality. From the charming towel animals to the lavish buffets and the tropical destinations, the ship was a floating heaven. If a passenger wanted something, it would be brought to them by a smiling employee. However, it quickly became evident that these cruise employees worked diligently for long hours serving guests. In his article, Black briefly mentions the conditions of the employees, which reminded me of my own experiences with the crew members. Many of the waiters that my family spoke to are from foreign countries like the Philippines or Croatia and have their own family that they had left behind. One waiter from Indonesia had left his four children and wife in order to provide for his family. His job requires him to stay nine months onboard, and then he is given two months of break. In these two months, he can return home. He video calls his family during his spare time in the night, instead of sleeping. Another waiter, a former law student, remarked that sometimes she works for free if cruise guests do not leave tips. These waiters’ stories, among others, indicate the emotional and human cost of running a cruise ship. Although cruises represent convenience and luxury service, the conditions of the crew are decidedly uncool.
The article “Ethiopia and Eritrea Declare an End to Their War” has circulated through my family this week. This historic news has been greatly anticipated and has brought celebration to our household. Both my parents were born in Ethiopia and their families are both very cultured and spirited. We have always had great pride in our country and have been thrilled by the progress that the new prime minister has implemented.
My grandfather specifically has been extremely invested in the current events of the country.
As vice president of the African Peace Mediation Institution, he sees the peaceful coexistence of the two nations as monumental. He originally left the country due to political exile but hopes to return to witness and play a role in the evolving Ethiopia.
The two countries along with their people have had growing tensions for many years. By ending this war, they will hopefully be able to work together and improve the commonwealth for their citizens. I have always been proud of my country, but with the great leadership that has been put in place, the opportunities for progress are limitless. We could be seeing a totally new East African dynamic in the coming generations. All in all, it is nice to see some reconciliation in the world amongst all the hatred and turmoil that has become so prevalent today.
“Poland Purges Supreme Court, and Protesters Take to Streets"
Poland’s right-wing Law and Justice party recently forced 27 of its 72 Supreme Court justices to retire, and a “discipline chamber” will punish justices if they dissent. This is a clear warning about politicians undermining judicial legitimacy. The question is, will America listen?
I have my doubts. Liberals are already furious that President Trump will appoint multiple justices to the Supreme Court. Believing that his previous pick was invalid, some want to pack the Court with leftist justices in retaliation. I understand their frustration, but I deeply disagree with this approach. Treating justices like political pawns will damage the Supreme Court’s institutional legitimacy, and like Poland, “it will require years of rebuilding.” Americans will increasingly see the justices as black-robed rulers rather than neutral arbiters, making them more likely to disobey unpopular rulings.
That last sentence should scare you. It should remind you of Poland, where thousands are rioting because they no longer trust their courts. It also reminds me of President Andrew Jackson, who ignored the Supreme Court to massacre thousands of Native Americans in 1832. The rule of law may not be sexy, but this article shows that we should hesitate to undermine our Court for temporary political gain.
The article that grabbed my attention the most this week would definitely have to be the rescue mission of Thai students and a teacher.
This news first came to my attention when my mom alarmingly shouted "There are kids stuck in a cave! I told you field trips are dangerous," from the living room. My mom being a mother herself, blamed the teacher for carelessly taking the kids into the cave and me being a stuck up teenager, disagreed with her just for the sake of it. As days go by my mom and I would discuss over the news trying to support each side of our argument and my dad would join in as days go by. After a week of keeping keeping up with the news, we started to worry more and more for those children instead of bickering. Before I know it, it became a routine for my family to look at the news and pray for them daily. Finally after getting the status that they found the kids and the teacher, we were so relieved and my mom said "I would someday like to live in a country that care for each and every one of our lives." That night I went to bed dreaming of a world where the government is made for and by people and where greed and power does not rule.
Link to the Article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/06/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-divers.html
'Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team'
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
This week, the title of this article caught my attention because the topic seems very familiar as it has been breaking news on news for a while. This interested most out of the other articles because I was in Bangkok (Thailand) the whole time the event occurred. I have been talking to my thai friends and they expressed their sadness for the kids and the coach while the searches began. it was such a great sadness for all people not only in Thailand but all around the globe. Then, I got to witness their happy faces once they found out the news that the divers had successfully found them. The news were all over the places. It was such good news for everyone including people from Myanmar who actively shared the news and monks helping religiously on praying for the success. Although half a dozen countries sent help including the United States. Everyone seems to be very relieved that all the kids and the coach were back without being hurt and for the speedy recovery after ten days inside the cave.
The Thai Cave Rescue: How Divers Pulled It Off
What interested me this week was an informational video about the recent miracle that occurred in Thailand. After suffering 18 difficult days in a flooded cave, all 13 of the Wild Boars soccer team were saved. The young boys were mentally strong and brave to overcome freezing cold conditions, lack of resources and still maintain hope and smiles throughout the journey. Hearing about their experience makes it impossible to believe how I could overcome such a scare and keep calm. I admire all the support efforts that came to the rescue and kept hope throughout the rescue mission. The divers did an extraordinary job, allowing them to deliver resources and gear to help the kids swim out safely even with their lack of swimming knowledge. The manner in which Thailand came together, whether through physical help or simple prayers was an inspiration to watch, by demonstrating how united we should be. Unfortunately these kids had to suffer through a nightmare which one can only imagine to be true on television but were courageous to pull through. Watching their journey was an eye opener to the safety precautions one must be aware of when out in nature. Pushing through the harsh water conditions, unfortunately Petty Officer Saman Gunan, former Thai navy diver, died while delivering tanks for the mission. I congratulate the rescue team’s bravery and quick organization throughout the process. I wish everyone a quick and healthy recovery.
For this week, I picked the article "Vaping Can Be Addictive and May Lure Teenagers to Smoking, Science Panel Concludes." I picked this article because for me, a person that is a 100% believer in sobriety, it was satisfying to prove something that, frankly, everyone knew on the inside: that e-cigarettes have at least some element of risk to healthy bodies, particularly younger ones. One little thing that I noted in the article was "The report concluded that much of the current research on e-cigarettes is flawed, either in methodology or because of industry-financed bias." In other words, the studies put forth by the companies that produce these products are flawed because they intentionally try to fabricate the results to put sheep's clothing on a potentially harmful wolf. Even if there is little risk besides addiction, using them is still not okay because, well, it's an addiction. Addictions are never good to get into, regardless of what shape or form they happen to be in. I heard a wise saying that states "a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step, so watch your step." Even if it is apparently acceptable at face value, it just might be the step that leads to an undesirable thousand-mile journey, which is, in the case of this article, conventional, nasty-for-your-health smoking. In fact, we as a society should reevaluate why we have any industry that sells us products that allow us to hurt ourselves, since the only ones that profit from this exchange is the seller.
The article that caught my attention this week was "Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team" By Richard C. Paddock and Muktita Suhartono. It caught my attention because rescuers finally found this soccer team and their coach who had been missing for a week. Some of the rescuers satetd that the best way ti get the boys out would be to wait out until the rain season was over which would be about 4 months as stated in the article, relatives argued that that would be a long time. I agree with the parents because who knows who difficult it is for them and how scared they might be. The water levels might be raising so they need to get them out as soon as possible. Some of the most expert divers said in an interview that " It is very far, and very complex. There is current. The visibility can be zero at times. So getting boys through there one by one, and the risk that they will panic is there. They can't even swim." stated Ben Raymenants. Of course the boys are going to be scared which is why the divers need to move fast in getting them out of the cave.
"When a Baby Is an Everyday Reminder of Rohingya Horror"
To this day, mass rape has yet to be recognised as a genocidal crime. Yet the horrifying, unspeakable acts of sexual violence committed against Rohingya women today as a part of Myanmar’s ethnic cleansing of the Muslim minority group fits the criteria for “genocidal crime” almost perfectly.
Beech’s article, which details the life of Noor, a young Rohingya woman who was gang-raped and impregnated by Burmese soldiers, and her resulting ostracisation from society, resonated with me for several reasons.
Growing up Bangladeshi-American, the Bangladesh Liberation War was something I’ve been cognizant of from a young age. However, it was only recently that I fully understood the true extent of the horrifying treatment of Bangladeshi women during the 1971 War, when members of the Pakistani military violated over 200,000 women in a systematic campaign of genocidal rape; bearing a frightening resemblance to the violence inflicted upon Rohingya women such as Noor today, nearly fifty years later.
Perhaps what resonated with me the most as I read Beech’s article was the realisation that this isn’t just Noor’s story, but the story of hundreds of thousands of women throughout history who have been tortured, humiliated, and degraded in a way that was not coincidental, but an integral part of premeditated military strategy, designed to demoralize, defile, and destroy a people.
1
I chose the article "Lue to Meet With Lakers' Walton About LeBron." The reason I chose this article was that the LeBron trade has been one of the most surprising this off season. I was surprised that Lebron was such an easy player to coach according to his former coach. Since he is such a super star you might think that he would let all of his talent get to his head. I think it was refreshing to know that LeBron not only lets his talents shine on him, but on the rest of his teammates. He has been in this league for such a long time that he really knows what is needed to make a winning team. Another thing that was never really thought about was the Lakers now have to deal with the extra publicity of having one of the greatest players of all time in their franchise. While reading this reading this article I learned that even being such a super star Lebron is still an team player.
[email protected] https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2018/07/08/sports/basketball/08reuters-b...
An article that grabbed my attention the most was, "Being a hoejabi" this article was really offensive especially because I'm a young muslim myself.This article talks about how muslim women are supressed and can’t really have opinions or an option to speak, which I feel as is totally wrong, as a young muslim my opinion can be heard Even the title is offensive, how do you expect people to respect what the meaning behind this article is. Not all muslims are sexless victims or belly dancers, you don't have to be muslim or middle eastern to belly dance or be a sexless victim, and the hijab is not forced, its something you put it on yourself to do it’s not because you are forced that’s an option you place on yourself. Also it makes it sounds as if all muslims are just some porn stars.We all come from peace and love, we just respect ourselves and one or two people shouldn’t be able to define the whole muslim population especially because we're all different and unique. Marriage is also a choice of our own like americans you need your parents approval, but my own brother is married to a black woman how does that makes us different. Stop making it seem like were things that were not , this word shouldn't be a word to describe muslim woman.
Name: Angel santos Class:
Link:https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/health/mitochondria-transplant-heart-...
.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fhealth&action=click&contentCollection=
health®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtyp
e=sectionfront
Comment 1: Due July 12th
I really enjoyed reading this article because it really interested me due to the fact
that some people can relate to it this article this is about a new born child who
has a serious heart disease and the doctors in the hospital were working
together to try to find a cure that could allow this child to survive. while doing this
process a doctor was actually able to find a cure doing this by experimenting and
then testing it out on animals to see they were able to survive they were and this
allowed them to save the girl. I would recommend reading this article because it
is really enjoyable and i believe many people would like this in order to get a
sense of what is happening in the world. Not only that but some people might find
this really inspiring for there future cars and they might be able to help solve this
problem in the nearby future
"Why Does Every Soccer Player Do This?"
I’ve seen it and done it countless times. Whether it be that moment of despair when the unexpected low test score bores a hole through the paper or when I false start out of the blocks, the ubiquitous hands to the head gesture is guaranteed. Now I feel some comfort in knowing that it is a protective instinct that we humans all have to shield ourselves from danger. I always thought it was a move to sort of involuntarily wrap our hands around our brain to signify that we made a bone-headed move; like I can’t believe my brain allowed me to do that. Human emotions are so complex in one sense and so simple in another sense. I love those pictures of fans after a critical blunder with hands on the their heads and mouths wide open. It’s a kind of mob mentality that spreads through the crowd and we all feel like we are unified at that time. We look around and get some comfort in knowing that we are all miserable together.
On a side note, it struck me suddenly that the article featured no images of women engaging in the same innate behavior. I fully understand that the stimulus of the article is the World Cup, but the basis of the study is about human behavior and yet no females athletes or even females fans are included. Simple mistake or is there something more nefarious going on? All jokes aside, you could’ve squeezed one female agonizing over a missed goal in there.
I found that the article “How Rescuers in a Thai Cave Pulled Off the Impossible” was a good boost of positivity in the world at the moment. Why do I think this about this article? Well in my case with our president passing the no tolerance law for immigrant families trying to get into the united states, and with this soccer team it seemed that the world was going downhill, with navy seals trying to pull out the most impossible rescue ever seen. And with one of the divers dying, that was a veteran, it seemed like there was no hope for the team. But mother nature decided the teams fate and made sure they got out. This gives us a glimmer of hope for our world and for our leaders to make the right decisions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/05/opinion/scott-pruitt-epa-resigns-corr...
This week, I became interested by an article about Scott Pruitt’s resignation. I was shocked when I found out that Pruitt had not been fired even after all of the scandals and the “embarrassing revelations”. This man had a part in reversing a considerable number of environment-protecting policies, and was involved in many scandals. Pruitt took advantage of the fact that he was the head of the EPA to get whatever he wanted. He tried to use his position to get his wife a job, ordered his employees to get him snacks during the work day, demoted EPA officials when they questioned his actions, and spent loads of money on pointless things. He illegally spent $43,000 to install a phone booth in his office, exceeding the $5,000 limit. That’s tens of thousands of dollars he could’ve donated to a good cause, instead of buying unnecessary supplies for his office.
Along with many other people, I’m concerned about the effects of global warming and believe that we should all work together to protect Earth. It’s absolutely ridiculous that Pruitt would take away so many policies that are meant to help our planet. His opinion of the importance of “industry over science” is absurd. Sure, getting rid of some rules would let people be more free to use things like chemicals and dirty engines, but how important is all of that compared to rising sea levels, more frequent hurricanes, and dirty, polluted air?
Link: https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/world/asia/thai-soccer-team-escape...
The article i picked was “ Why The Thailand Cave Rescue Was So Difficult: A Diver Explains” published in NY Times. And it describes a difficult process that the rescue team went through to save the soccer team.
Since I love soccer I know the feelings of the kids who want to become soccer players and they are not going to accomplish their goal if they died. Fortunately they got rescued by the Thai rescue team and that brings joy to me because the rescue was difficult and many could’ve died, for example Saman Gunan, a former member of the Thai Navy Seals, died after losing consciousness placing air tanks to where the soccer team was trapped.
This week I’ve chosen this article because it shows that it is our responsibility to save any person especially children who are trapped or in any kind of problem/situation, and this article explains how the rescue team were kind enough to help children get out of the cave although sacrificing a worker.
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/arts/music/xxxtentacion-dead.html?act...
In the article “XXXtentacion, Rapper accused of violent crimes shot dead at 20”, we get more details about X’s murder and his life. A lot of the things that we see about X’s life is that he was responsible for horrible crimes that he committed against women, although this is true… it bothers me because we’re only focusing on his past. The thing is, X really DID change his ways, and he DID make an effort to become a better person. XXXtentacion’s songs helped so many people and so many people could relate to his songs because he wrote them from his own pain and what he was dealing with and to me, that's something very powerful, he wrote his songs from the heart, and that's what matters. Many are judging him based on his controversial past, but if i'm being honest… no one deserved to die the way he did, from gun violence. We’re focusing on his past and all the bad things that he did, but we’re not looking at all of the good things that he did and how he really wanted to spread positivity. We aren’t paying attention to the fact that gun violence is becoming a bigger problem, but we ARE focusing on X’s flaws. Gun violence is becoming a more deadly problem and if we don't start working to fix it, it's only going to get worse, there are kids that are YOUNGER then XXXtentaction who have suffered from gun violence.
www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/world/asia/thailand-cave-rescue-live-updates....
The article “Thai Cave Rescue: The Watery Trap Is Now Empty” is a decent article giving some good news about the soccer team being rescued from that cave. But the article does not really express the sadness that comes from the casualty of Saman Gunan, a 38-year-old former Navy SEAL diverl. He dies while bringing oxygen to the trapped kids and their coach but the diver ran out of oxygen himself and lost consciousness. I believe that the article should of elaborated more on his death and honor him a bit more, Also the soccer team has been taken to the hospital but are kept away from their families to prevent infection, the families can see eachother but can not make physical contact. But aside from all of that I believe that the article did a excellent job with including all the details such as times the rescues took place, steps taken towards the rescue and the dates these things took place on.
Immigrant families have been separated at the border and now are being reunited. I am focusing on the article “ ‘Mi Amor!’: Tearful Scenes as Immigrant Reunions Begin in New York" This is important news because it shows us the government is not all lies. Within the lies there are times where we will hear the truth. This article talks about the good the government has done by returning the children but they still show the government could not be trusted. We still do not know how many children they are still holding. Also the amount of time they separated these families was too long. There was a time where the child had to stare at their parent for a few seconds in order to recognize them. It seemed as the child began to forget about their parent while they were being held. It also speaks about people who volunteered to help these people out. This is a very interesting article. It speaks about both sides of the government. The author seems to be an optimistic person. They focus mainly on the good side of these events but they don’t deny the problem. They still show how cruel it was for the families to be separated. They took the children by force telling the parents they were being out for adoption.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/nyregion/immigrant-children-reunited....
What caught my attention in the Times this week was "At Toys 'R' Us, There Is Nothing Left': The Day It Closed It's Doors for Good" because it shows how much Toys 'R' Us meant to it's workers. The article focused on Cheryl Claude who worked at the Woodbridge ,New Jersey Toys 'R' Us for 33 years. Through the store she was able to raise her daughter and met her second husband, John. When she first began working at the store the manager gave her the night shifts so she could watch her daughter during the days. Through her many years she made connections with everyone she worked with, the people she stocked shelves with daily to the teenagers working just for the summer. This article was bittersweet to read. It's sweet because of all the connections the group made and the memories they shared but it's sad because you know they won't be able to create any more shared memories because the chain is shutting down. The Times illustrated this story well by not only showing what the store meant to people but using an actual person experiences.
The article that interested me the most in The New York Times this week was the video, "Thai Soccer Team is Rescued and Everyone is Happy". The whole situation was very crazy and I couldn't believe what happened to the 12 boys and their soccer coach. They were trapped in a flooded cave for many days suffering with no food and water and trying to find land in the cave where it wasn't under water. How it all started was, they wanted to explore the cave but didn't follow the signs and went to far. The cave began to flood and they couldn't find their way out. This resulted in hundreds of Navy SEAls, divers and volunteers to help rescue them. After all, it took 18 days to rescue 12 boys and their coach. I truly found this amazing and I am very happy that every one is safe and recovering. [email protected]
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/arts/television/emmy-awards-nominees-...
It has a few days since the lost group of 12 young boys and their soccer coach have been found. They were missing for nine days, and were recently found alive and well. I chose this article because this is an event that I, along with the rest of my country, have followed very closely due to it occurring in our neighboring country and the victims being teenage students, just like me. I've seen the news of them on Facebook, television, the newspaper, and much more. I watched the live video on Facebook as they were found. They have yet to get out of the cave, but volunteers from around the world such as British divers and Navy SEAL members have come together in an effort to rescue them. Overall, this is an incredibly delicate situation and I wish for a speedy success.
1
Would it be fair to take away benefits from families that will benefit others ? I think that emergency food program won’t be enough to benefit everyone. For instance, if it were to get more funding it would mean less money given to people with food stamps and less people can get food stamps which makes it a lot harder for families. Sometimes it’s hard for families to pay off for their homes or rent and with the food it will make it harder since food cost a lot of money and it’s not cheap and having to buy to make food for families everyday will be most of peoples money of what they earn from their job. Giving money to the emergency food program will benefit a lot of people who don't have enough money to buy food for their families and get low income but i think that they should given an even amount to people with food stamps and the emergency food program should not take away food stamps and money from them since that what families use to help get food. Even though it can benefit other people it will have some disadvantages for some families also which won’t be fair. The NYC council can’t really understand the fact that a lot of families struggle with money problems that it’s hard to fix and should put themselves in other people shoes to understand that families do need the help and need to put more effort in trying to help everyone.
What interested me most in The Times this week is this article about positive people and how having positive, self-motivating people in our social circle brings nothing but benefits to us all. I strongly agree.
Due to a few challenging weeks, I found myself losing parts of myself to bad days and entering that particular state of idleness, unproductiveness and self-loathness. While I have searched and found little energy and strength in Instagram quotes stating that every grey cloud has its silver lining or that hope is only found within you by you, they were not nearly as impactful as my family and friends’ silent hugs, cooked meals and corny jokes. It is my family and friends who have helped me maintain constant strength in keeping in touch with hope.
I have nothing but gratefulness for all those around me, specially those who have lent their shoulders for me to lean on: my friends from overseas who sent in encouraging messages to keep my chin up and my family members who checked in daily to see if I have eaten all three meals and slept for at least 6 hours.
Ms. Auerbach mentioned that we need people who see the world as a glass half full, not half empty. I do not disagree, but I also believe that it is important to keep in mind that either way, you won’t be going thirsty. Sometimes, that’s all that matters for us to keep going and winning our own battles.
link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/well/the-power-of-positive-people.htm...
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/11/sports/world-cup-groups.html
The article that interested me was "World cup 2018: YOur guide to all 32 teams." This article interested me because I love soccer and I love watching the World Cup. I’ve been playing soccer ever since I was 4. 6 of my cousins play it. It runs in our family along with baseball. Even though the United States is not in the World Cup this year I still enjoy watching it. I never knew how the teams got into the World Cup and all their standings before. It was very interesting to find out their main players and stars of the teams. Finding out all the teams expectations and what success would would for that specific team was cool to know. I understand better why some teams lost and how others won 5-0. I thought it was kind of funny the author added the sentence of how to sound smart when talking about a certain team. I guess it would help for people that want to understand soccer and persuade other people that they know things about soccer even though they don’t. I also chose this article because I love sports in general. I love being active and being outdoors. I love hiking, soccer (of course), track, bouldering, football, baseball, basketball and swimming. I play don’t play all of theses sports, but I do play soccer and track. My cousins and I go bouldering once in awhile and we love hiking. Usually anything about sports interests me. My family is always out on the go doing something involving sports.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/sports/world-cup/england-vs-croatia.h...
"Croatia Digs Deeper, Burying England’s World Cup Dreams" - Rory Smith
Croatia's victory over England was something quite remarkable in the world of football. I was stunned by the sheer effort the players put in to achieve such a feat. Even though Croatia is considered a small country with only a population of 4 million people, their massive hearts and sizeable vigor shined through their incredible performance against England. I, myself, came from a small country known as Burma. Watching an underdog team beat the renowned football team of England brought me a lot of joy, also stirring hope for countries like ours.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/world/asia/thailand-cave-rescue-live-...
If you live in this universe anywhere in America , South america ANYWHERE. You will agree with me that this story about these kids and their coach whom have been stuck in a “cave” for 18 days without any food,water,or anything to keep them alive. Not even space,was all over the world and a very heart rising story that touched millions of people hearts.These kids did not have space at all.Than there was a flood that made it less possible to get out of this cave.There came to the rescue the people who have our backs the most,Military and Navy soldiers to help as our heros. Many people were very touched by this because not many people help one another and recently since this story and other scenarios that have happened we as a humanity will have come together a bit more.I think personally that it is very important to show the world that not everything happens all around us and only us,there are other stories to be told and they should be told regardless the situation if its huge or not at all.I also think that the people whom helped these kids and their coach deserve a lot more than just a thank you they deserve to be treated as well even if their job IS to help those in the world.
The article that was the most interesting to me was "‘416,’ ‘Witch,’ ‘Not Creative’: How Fires Get Their Names" by Matt Stevens. In fact, I had no idea that fires were officially named. It turns out, that fires are named based on their place of origin. For example, the disastrous fire in San Diego in 2007 was called the San Diego Fire. In addition, having fires named based on their origin helps emergency personnel effectively organize information about evacuations and closed roads.
On the other hand, hurricanes are named by an international panel of meteorologists, who have named the hurricanes years before they occur. Male and female names are used in rotation. However, I think that the hurricane naming should also be based on location. This could also help with emergency procedures. However, this may be impossible because hurricanes are naturally much larger than fires and could possibly be affecting multiple areas at once.
The article that most interested me in the New York Times this week was entitled "What Happens if the Gender Gap Becomes a Gender Chasm". I was interested in the topic because it has to do with gender equality and explaining the opinion of both genders. The article is about how Trump won the past election by one of the largest gaps in male-female voter ratios in history. There were more men who voted for Trump, and there was also more people of both genders without degrees who voted for him. Overwhelmingly, the statistics of voters of both genders with college degrees prove that if they were to be the majority, Clinton would have won the election. However, statistics shown in the article also show if the gender gap continues to increase at the rate it is going at now Democrats might win the next election. Trumps main supporters are known as the "alpha" type of person, and if the population of these forceful leadership following people does not increase soon Trump might just loose the next election.
“Proof of Children’s Vaccination? Italy Will now Take Your Parent’s Word for it”
Vaccines are important for a child for preventing disease. Vaccines are a topic that I feel very firmly about and they interest me every day. I have researched them for a school project, and I learn that they help many people not to get a disease. People feel that vaccines have negative effects on a child, like autism, which is untrue. They are very important for children because they prevent diseases in them and others. If Italy has the policy that parents are in control of their child receiving vaccines, then there could be many vaccine avoidable sickness and death. Some people in Italy don't agree with the idea because they say it goes against faith and science. People need to realize that we are dealing with a topic that doesn’t only hurt one person with the many diseases, but can harm many. It can spread and hurt many different people and then we have no control over it. Diseases can spread, and the idea can spread to other areas. This idea can spread to other nations, which will not help researchers to use vaccines to prevent many diseases. The ideas that support it are that it helps people to get required schooling and also to shorten the enrollment method. The items that don’t support it are that many people will be more at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases, and it will spread fast around schools and people. Italy is second in Europe for its disease cases and the numbers could rise.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/opinion/talking-about-mental-illness....
"What interested you the most in the Times this week?"
What interested me the most in the Times this week is the article about finding ways to have a better conversation about mental illness. Dr. Pryor said that when having a conversation about mental illness, it should be done with nuance. While working in the mental hospital, as she watched the movements of her patients, she noted that her patients set their hearts on thinking that depression can only be cured by medicines. Taking strong medicines can lead to side effects that may worsen the illness. She advised that having a conversation with the patient would cure the illness more so than taking medicines. Conversations about mental illness, especially depression, can take days as the patient has to reflect on the traumas they had depending on the degrees of severity. I strongly agree to having mental illness conversations with nuance. I believe that if pointing to their pasts and traumas that they had directly, it may cause more damage.
The article was talking about how scarlett johansson is going to be playing a trans man in a movie and the transgender community is not taking it well. They are not taking it very well because they feel that a trans person should be playing a trans character in a movie about a trans man.
My thought on the topic is that , yes the trans community could feel some type of way about that. But I feel like there called actors for a reason and there playing a role and I feel like you cannot take that role away from her just because they some type of way about that.
But i feel like a compromise they can make to not take that role away from her is to get a trans person to help her play that role because no one participating in the movie so they don’t understand the transgender life and what there going through. So if they were to get a trans person on set it would make the movie much more realistic and would please the trans people.
So in conclusion they should compromise so that everyone is happy and no one hates on the movie and no trans or trans supporter get mad.
The article “Hot Springs Lower Stress in Japan’s Popular Bathing Monkeys” (https://nyti.ms/2zrhLn3) interested me for two reasons. One, it shows that the monkeys learned a behavior from humans - when one monkey got into a hotel and used a hot tub alongside humans. The hotel’s residents did not want to share the hot tub with the monkeys, so they made an outdoor hot spring just for the monkeys to use. Interestingly, that monkey introduced the hot spring to the other monkeys that it was living with. The second reason was that it was not only that one generation of monkeys that used the hot spring, but they passed on this behavior learned from humans to later generations, and the practice is still continued today.
For humans, it is known that bathing in hot water can help relax and relieve stress. Surprisingly, it looks like it had the same effect for monkeys, even though it was a learned behavior. Researchers, who studied these monkeys closely, found out by measuring chemical levels that bathing did indeed lower stress for the animals. According to the article, “Another indication of the value of bathing to the macaques was that the higher-ranking females spent more time in the pools.” Since these females take part in activities considered most important to the group, this highlights the importance of the ritual of bathing and how it has become an integral part of the monkeys’ culture.
This article displays the chain of prohibition on abortion. In my personal beliefs based on what this article conveys, I highly support abortion. As a woman who believes in the equality and rights of one another, people should be able to make whatever decision they want with their body. I am highly aware of the controversy about this topic and it should be addressed publicly. Banning abortion can heavily affect people who are capable of giving birth. A lot of mistakes happen, people conduct them almost everyday, and some want to strive to fix it. Why are we stopping someone from wanting to fix something that wasn’t meant to happen? This is usually the case for abortion. A lot of people get body modifications to change themselves yet this world wants to stop abortion. Banning usually creates controversy which can be more of a negative effect than what the situation already “was”. I do not believe that abortion is a negative thing, it’s just a choice anyone would make with their body if they chose to, just like any human would do. Banning abortion is the last thing we should do, it helps a lot of people. Overall, humans have a right to their body, they can do so much with it so why ban abortion? Why ban something that could change someone’s life for the better? Abortion should not be banned.
www.nytimes.com/2018/07/05/upshot/americans-are-having-fewer-babies-they...
As longs as women are comfortable with their decisions to have fewer babies, everyone should be supportive. Having children is not a bad thing but it’s about whether or not you feel ready to take full responsibility and become a parent. Being a parent come with many things to worry about. I’m glad the New York Times took the time to publish this article. There’s a lot of concern about why women aren’t having as many children. I believe women don’t want to have as many children because they want more freedom, can’t afford child care costs, and worry about failing as a parent. Not all women are ready to make lifelong decisions if they know they won’t be able to handle the things that come at them. Also, having a child can cause women to start facing economic obstacles because their careers can stall when they become mothers. This made me realize that the New York Times care about women and fully respect their decisions as to why they have fewer children. I feel like not many people understand why women make the type of decisions they make , but what they don’t understand is that it’s not easy raising a child, especially if you struggle the most. However, not only is it hard to raise a child but women have to give birth to the child, which can be painful.
I found an interesting article titled "Starbucks to Stop Using Disposable Plastic Straws by 2020" the title itself is a statement and I agree with that because it can be very beneficial to the environment due to the rapid release of pollution from the production and use of things like straws. I think this would be beneficial to the surrounding environment because it can decrease the rate of pollution in the area making it less vulnerable to contaminated air or water. The author shows this by stating, “The plastic straw, a once ubiquitous accessory for frosty summer drinks and sugary sodas, has been falling out of favor in recent years, faced with a growing backlash over its effect on the environment.” This shows how much of an impact of something simple like the production of plastic straws can have on an environment and this leads me to believe that the author and engineer for starbucks are trying to help reduce pollution.
The New York Times article that interested me this week was “How to meet your body water needs.” This article title reminded of a quote I read from freakonomics. “Who says drinking eight cups of water actually does something for you? It made me think because I usually try to drink as much water as possible. The article talks about the importance of water and how is responsible for major part of our body’s functionality. It is the cause for many body problems and benefits the body as well. Some people might not know this but not drinking the adequate amount of water a day can cause fatigue, poor appetite, constipation, kidney stones and drop a on blood pressure. Water makes up for 75% of of our body weight and therefore it makes sense that water is needed to keep our body going. Water transports nutrients, regulates body temperature, supports the structure of cells ,lubricates joints and internal organs, and I can keep going. By not drinking enough water our body can suffer many problems and might not function properly. It’s important to be hydrated but It doesn't necessarily only come from water but from fruits, vegetables and “plant water.” A healthy life is a happy life and drinking a lot of water and eating a fruit a day can help your body stay regulated.
N.F.L. Players Association Files Grievance Over Anthem Policy
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/sports/nfl-anthem.html
Ever since Colin Kaepernick first knelt during the playing of the National Anthem in 2016, the N.F.L. has been a platform of controversy. The orginal rule for players was that during the National Anthem all players must be on the sideline, but not all players have to be standing in respect to the flag. Recently, the President has tuned into this issue and made a clear stance on his dissaproval of the rule and dissaproval of kneeling or sitting or any disrespect of the flag during the National Anthem. Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the N.F.L., took the presidents opinion and those whom agreed with him into consideration putting a different rule in place. The official new rule is that players must stand in respect of the flag during the National Anthem, but players in disagreement of standing are allowed to remain in the locker room during opening ceremonies. This new policy caused further controversy and even resulted in a file of grievance from the N.F.L. Players Association.
I found this article intriguing due to my interest in the N.F.L. Every Sunday my family watches football together. Although when we first saw Kaepernick kneel during the Anthem we were a bit disappointed due to the fact that my father served time in the military. Therefore, I hold some bias to the topic, but the article clearly showed both sides of the argument, which was appealing.
What interested me the most this week in The Times is the article,"Bulwark Against an Abortion Ban? Medical Advances". They article talks about how abortion could be banned. Statistics show that abortion has decreased throughout the years because of birth control and forms of contraception. I believe that abortion is wrong and should be banned because it means taking a life away. People should take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. The babies are not to blame for their parents' mistakes. There is different types of medical advances that prevent someone from getting pregnant. This helps to avoid abortion. Abortion also affects women and causes dangerous health problems. Women risk becoming sterile and if they have an infection they are more likely to experience ectopic pregnancies. Abortion just causes dangerous consequences for both babies and women which is why it should be banned.
The article that I choose is “Soccer Team is found alive in Thailand cave rescue”. I choose this article because it’s very interesting and scary to think about the situation that the young boys are in. I’m very glad that the boys and their soccer coach were all rescued, if I was in a situation like this, knowing that I might not make it, really scares me. I’m really thankful for all of the people risking their lives to rescue them. If they were in the cave a little longer, who knows what would happen to them, that’s why I’m thankful for people saving their lives. Everybody tried their best to rescue all the boys and they never lost hope and will, and they were eager to accomplish it.
Headline: Can a Bar of Soap Transmit Infection?
“Are there any health risks to using a bar of soap in, say, a health club?” Well, according to scientists a bar of soap does not transmit disease. Scientists experimented this by contaminating their hands with approximately five billion bacteria. These bacteria were causing strains such as E. coli. Scientists then washed their hands with a bar of soap and had another person wash their hands with the same bar of soap. Bacteria were not transferred from the first person to the second. Scientists concluded that “The level of bacteria that may occur on bar soap, even under extreme usage conditions does not constitute a health hazard.” On the other hand, recent studies show the ability of a bar soap to encounter infection, especially during outbreaks of viral infections such as Ebola. Does this mean that a jar of liquid soap is better than a bar soap? Scientists have looked into this since the 1980s. Much of the controversy was surrounded by the number of bacteria found on the surfaces of bar or bottle soap. The key question is whether the bacteria pose a risk of infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that each individual washes their hands in order to defend against infection. At the end of the day, a mistake of one to not wash their hands can be found with contamination.
Video- After 40 Days Apart, a Migrant Family Reunites
This video showed what family’s separated go through, they said that their mother went to a place called immigration detention, they spent 40 days apart.Their mother was told by a guard that she would have to forget about her children and move on. There was more than 2,000 families detained and separated. The mother and her two children, a girl, 9 years old and a son,17 years old, had to flee Guatemala because they were getting threats saying that they wanted to kill her son. Her husband was threatened too so he left the Guatemala three years earlier than they did. I could never imagine being seperated from my family so it’s hard to see someone else get separated from their family.
://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/world/asia/thailand-boys-rescued.html
The article I found to be most interesting is “Soccer team is found alive in Thailand cave rescue”. I find this article to be so interesting because this can be such a scary experience to go through and there are several things that are capable of happening in the blink of an eye. Finding out that these soccer players were rescued really made me happy because I actually thought of putting myself in their position and thinking of how I would feel if I was the one in danger and how I would want people to rescue me if I was. Although the rescuers also had risky situations of risking their life and others lives they were able to bring all 12 of these players out safely. Thankfully these players were saved because no one knows what else could’ve happened in that cave if they had stayed in any longer. Also the support that was given was amazing because everyone doesn’t take time out of what their doing to help others but no one lost hope and no one gave up. Everyone was determined to get these boys out of the cave and that’s why they did. I wish them all the best in everything.
Could you imagine not seeing your father? Being told he was dead? Would you try and find the man that saw your father before he had died? Well Daryln Hoffstot had to go through it all. The article talked about how Daryln lost her father in a airplane accident. Of course she was determined to find out more information on what happened so she asked for files on her father. She was determined this whole time to find out what really happened to her father.
For me I never had a dad in my life. If I did he would run in and out of it and make my life miserable. Her father had died when she was younger so she only knew him for a few years. She was definitely very determined to find out what had exactly happened with her father. She didn't give up at any point on her journey to find the man that last saw her father when he was alive.
The reason I clicked on this article is pretty simple. First the photo on the article was pretty and I love photography especially older pictures from the past. Also the title had me hooked. I needed to know what it would be like to meet the person that last saw your father while he was alive. To be able to shake his hand and for him to tell stories of her father. It was definitely a article that will tug at your heartstrings.
The article that grabbed my attention was the the New York Times Article “Rikers Inmate Dies After ChokeHold Attack,Official Say” and the article was about A rikers island inmate dying because he was attack by another inmate that had a mental illness and that got me thinking “why were they in the same facility?” “where was the guards when this was taken place?” it just has me thinking why.
I think that the inmate with the mental issue should have never been in the same place as another patient because you never what's going in there mind and since you don’t know that you don’t know their intentions to others so I feel like this would have never happened if they seperated.
While I was reading the article Is saw that this wasn’t the first time someone died in Rikers island there was also a case in witch a 18yrs old was beaten to death and by looking at that I think Rikers Island needs more security to keep it safe and when I say security I mean by more guards that around the corner to make sure everything is okay and more cameras.
Link to Article Below:
www.nytimes.com/2018/07/09/nyregion/rikers-island-inmate-death.html?nytm...
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/science/chemistry-virtual-reality.htm...
Humans today are in a place in time of advancement that had not been thought possible in multiple milenia. It is no surprise when reminded of all the brilliant minds that have made outstanding discoveries in order to improve our knowledge of the world as it is known. It seems like every year something new is discovered that puts into perspective how little we really know even when we are much more knowledgeable than the earlier homo sapiens. The reason why we are constantly learning new things is because there is so much more left to learn, things that we barely scratched the surface of.
In the New York Times article, “It’s Time for a Chemistry Lesson. Put on Your Virtual Reality Goggles.” by Veronique Greenwood, the author reveals to us yet another knew invention that could potentially revolutionize physics and chemistry by the simple idea of ease. Albeit not known to most people tend to hold onto things because of sentimental value and no practicality, this is perfectly portrayed by the example of a new form of technology that would assist many physicists and chemists but it not yet in use because others prefer more archaic methods to reach the same goal. Efficiency is something that most people should strive to obtain and it would clearly be beneficial to give scientists a necessary apparatus that makes their jobs easier than what it used to be.
New York’s Emergency Food Program gets more funding, but will it be enough?...Will it? Yeah. It will. I believe that more funding for this program will definitely result in better resources for the families that have little to no income. There are so many people in need of these resources that even the pantries are running out of food to give to people, so they would have to reduce the amount of food or just reject them. They reject the people in need, who need help, the people that can’t feed their family let alone themselves. Reaching-Out Community Services is food pantry that serves about 4,000 people every month. 4,000 a month!! Of course you’re not going to have enough food!! Sometimes the NY City Council need to put their feet in the people’s shoes who struggle to just get one meal. They get to go home and eat a full meal with their families while they are debating if they should increase the funds for people to get more food, a full meal, for their families and themselves. So how can you ask will it be enough? Of course it will.
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/07/08/nyregion/new-york-emergency-food-p...
Have you ever gone to a fast food place without the use of plastic straws? I’m guessing not because every fast food place uses plastic straws. Whether you’re getting a cold soda to a milkshake. But little do we know it’s very dangerous to the environment. Causing pollution not only to us but for the oceans as well. Making the organisms that live in the ocean die. That could not only affect our community but that could impact the species living in these oceans. According to the New York Times article “Starbucks to Stop Using Disposable Plastic Straws by 2020” it clearly states “That means plastic straws get tossed in the garbage, ending up in landfills and polluting the ocean.” Starbucks is helping the environment become better. They decided to take a step forward because the environment is in more danger than we think it is. The lids have already made it in 8,000 stores between the United States and Canada. I hope that other fast food places, including Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell, etc will be able to see how much they can make the environment a better community to live in. The theme of Our Voice Matters will help us kids make the environment a better place.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/09/business/starbucks-plastic-straws.html
"Woman Arrested in Beating of Man, 92. ‘Go Back to Mexico,’ She Reportedly Said."
After reading the article "Woman Arrested in Beating of Man, 92. ‘Go Back to Mexico,’ She Reportedly Said." I was intrigued by it due to the fact that a 30 years old woman beating up a 92 years old man. It surprises me that racism is still rising in today's society as if history is repeating itself about 50-60 years ago. The article states that the victim Rodolfo Rodriguez was beaten on the day of July 4th which is a day to celebrate and not a day to be beaten by a 30 years old woman with no motives. After reading this article I felt that I should be careful of my surroundings before I do anything because it can affect me greatly if I don't. The sad part about this article is that racism is still a thing in today's society which invokes catastrophe which involved a lot of arguments. After reading the part where the 92 years old man was getting kicked by a group of men which angers me even more because the old man didn't deserve getting kicked or even hit by a brick. The fact that the lady said "Go back to your country. Go back to Mexico" shows how horrible people are and how racism is still affecting everyone in today's society. It amazes me that the woman was able to determine if he's Mexican or not to have the guts to tell him to go back to Mexico. This angers me because the lady had no reason to beat up the old man there when he's already weak for his age. I'm glad the old man survived
"Swift Gene-Editing Method May Revolutionize Treatments for Cancer and Infectious Diseases"
This article is about removing certain genes from white blood cells and replacing them with more beneficial ones using electrical fields so that the white blood cells are able to target and eliminate diseases more efficiently. This technique is thought to be a big step towards another effective treatment for diseases from rheumatoid arthritis to cancer. I think that this article is incredibly interesting because it portrays genes as, well, not all powerful. I grew up under the impression that our genes defined just our traits and, if nothing else, that they were absolutely solid and unchangeable. The method for altering genetic material was (previous to this breakthrough) to transport the engineered genetic material to white blood cells using viruses modified for this task. The amount of time it takes scientists to create viruses to transport new genetic material is far too great to be widely adopted as a treatment. However, this method served as a great baseline to a more efficient method: using electrical fields to make the cells more permeable. Once the cell is permeable, "a type of molecular scissors" would be used to create an opening wherever the new gene was to be placed. This will prove far more effective mainly because the virus can only deposit the gene at a random location in the DNA. I am fascinated by the concept of altering genetic material. History is being made NOW.
This week’s article by the name of “Border Patrol’s Last Line of Defense? It Isn’t at the Border”, by Nicholas Kulish caught my interest because it nicely explained how the border control is set up and the ways smugglers get immigrants into the USA. I have always had a vague picture of what the borders looked like between Mexico and the US and this article helped me clearly see what I was lacking through its helpful pictures and short clips. I was fascinated at the layered approach the border agents have set up such as having the roads by the fences smoothed so that agents can see when a migrant’s car drives on it or the constant patrol on the river and by the fences.
Another section of this article that was interesting was learning about some of the techniques smugglers use to smuggle immigrants into the US. The places were agents find immigrants hidden is insane. Immigrants can be found in dashboards, next to engines, sewn into car chairs and so forth. It is unbelievable that people will fit and squeeze into these uncomfortable places. It is unfortunate to see that people become so desperate to leave their homeland and the measures they will take to do so. I hope all countries can find a way to provide refuge to those in need.
"What It Costs to Be Smuggled Across the U.S. Border"
What interested me the most in the New York Times this year was the article "What It Costs to Be Smuggled Across the U.S. Border". It tells the story of Christopher Cruz and his illegal journey across the U.S. border. The article also shows how it costs a lot more than you may think. Cruz was trying to escape violence in San Miguel. He (and the people there) was hunted down by the police and the local gangs there. This shows how life is like for people in these places with corrupt law enforcement and gangs. Cruz didn't make much money in the first place. He did get about $20 a week, but he had to pay gangs in order for them to let him go. The quality of life isn't as good in some places. Cruz and his family lived in constant fear of the gangs and the police. Although crossing the border isn't right (or legal), when Cruz managed to get away with it he lived a much better life. Another example of the corrupt law enforcement is that during the multiple times that the police caught Cruz, he bribed them and continued easily. The total trip had costed Cruz thousands of dollars. Although it is illegal many people make the trip across the U.S. border to seek a better life. They mostly wanted to escape the gangs and other violence or escape incredibly low paying jobs. In conclusion, there hopes and dreams of a better life for themselves and their family in the United States motivate them to cross the border to America.
"What It Costs to Be Smuggled Across the U.S. Border"
What interested me the most in the New York Times this year was the article "What It Costs to Be Smuggled Across the U.S. Border". It tells the story of Christopher Cruz and his illegal journey across the U.S. border. The article also shows how it costs a lot more than you may think. Cruz was trying to escape violence in San Miguel. He (and the people there) was hunted down by the police and the local gangs there. This shows how life is like for people in these places with corrupt law enforcement and gangs. Cruz didn't make much money in the first place. He did get about $20 a week, but he had to pay gangs in order for them to let him go. The quality of life isn't as good in some places. Cruz and his family lived in constant fear of the gangs and the police. Although crossing the border isn't right (or legal), when Cruz managed to get away with it he lived a much better life. Another example of the corrupt law enforcement is that during the multiple times that the police caught Cruz, he bribed them and continued easily. The total trip had costed Cruz thousands of dollars. Although it is illegal many people make the trip across the U.S. border to seek a better life. They mostly wanted to escape the gangs and other violence or escape incredibly low paying jobs. In conclusion, there hopes and dreams of a better life for themselves and their family in the United States motivate them to cross the border to America.
As I scrolled past literary works to read, my heart sank at the sight of the dispiriting title “As Migrant Families Are Reunited, Some Children Don’t Recognize Their Mothers.” The authors express the tragic reality of migrant family reunions in Phoenix, Arizona. The article reveals that children who had been detained for extensive periods of time without communication to relatives had struggled to recognize both their mothers and the structure of their families. Children like 3 year old Darly Pablo cried for the social worker who she believed was her mother while a boy of the same age, Ederson Lopez, linked his newfound relationships with younger children in the detainment center to siblinghood.
After hearing the stories discussed within the article, I realized a harsh truth rooted in American society: if the suffering families and children had been white, legislative action and public outcry would have magnified in both efficiency and urgency. The lack of relatability between those who suffer and the majority of Americans has forced innocent children to endure severe psychological trauma, distress, and anguish. The reality of our nation’s indifference to our own humanitarian crisis has created a biased double standard within social progress. While Darly and Ederson will be going home to their families today, thousands of their brothers and sisters will continue to be detained as the American populace sits idly by, passively and apathetically expecting change.
"The Power of Positive People"
I couldn’t agree more with the findings in this article that our well-being is significantly impacted by the company we keep. Negativity spreads like the plague and the one surefire way to avoid all that nastiness is by keeping a social network of people who are like-minded and share interests. However, I have noticed over my years in high school that people who keep themselves around only supportive company may not fare well in new, unique, or even hostile environments. I have a classmate who went to an alternative school in New Jersey that was all about being positive, forging supportive relationships, and indulging in your interests. When he first moved here he always had a smile on his face and seemed like he was at peace with the world. His former school had a dream environment that every student would want to be in, but when this student moved to my school, which is extremely competitive to the point where friends can’t bear other friends getting a higher test score, the free spirit from New Jersey wilted under the pressure. He withdrew into himself, gained a lot of weight, got horrendous grades and became a social outcast. All he was used to was a tight-knit social network that looked after him and when that went missing, he was lost. While the premise of the article rings true that positivity produces happiness, a problem could arise when that positivity evaporates for one reason or another.
1
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/world/europe/denmark-immigrant-ghetto...
With rising immigration into Europe and the United States there begs the contrevercial question about integration verses assimilation. This conflict interests me becase to live in a peaceful and prosperous nation all people’s within that country need to share common values such as rasing a healthy family, providing for one’s community and believing in national pride. The new “ghetto laws” in Denmark dangerously tread the line between integration and assimilation. I strongly believe in integration into society, a diverse country with common values and goals is almost always successful. The issue arises when people must be integrated against their will, creating assimilation. As I stated before I firmly believe in integration but I also believe in someone’s right to live as they choose. This conflict interests me due to my clashing beliefs. The laws feel unfortunately needed due to the distinct cultural divide present between the Muslim people of these “ghettos” and the rest of Denmark but they feel wrong to implement due to restrictions in freedom of choice, and aspects such as more severe punishment for the same crime feels unnecessary. My core values feel conflicted more in this article than any other I’ve read in a long time, which peaks my interest in how these laws will change the county and possibly the rest of the world.
-Jake_GHS_2018
“The Houston Rockets are interested in Carmelo Anthony”
This article “The Houston Rockets are interested in Carmelo Anthony,” by Marc Stein is more trying to prove that the OKC Thunder wants to get rid of Carmelo Anthony because he is overpaid and the organization will save millions. Carmelo Anthony is more worried about his money in my opinion so the fact that he is opting out of his contract is hard to see. If the Houston Rockets are trying to acquire Carmelo Anthony, then that is a lot of money needs to be put towards him. As stated in the article he is worth 27.9 million dollars for one season. He may be willing to go only a little fewer million down. In my opinion it will be a great fit for both Houston and Carmelo Anthony because Houston may need that third person to really rely on especially against the Warriors. Again that’s if the Houston Rockets are willing to spend that much money on a person whose career is soon coming to an end. The OKC Thunder are saving an estimated 90 million dollars on luxury tax on Carmelo Anthony which means the Houston Rockets are going to lose around that much. In conclusion, Carmelo Anthony and the Houston Rockets are a great fit. All will work out for the better.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/06/sports/basketball/carmelo-anthony-hou...
This week I read an article about orcas, and specifically the article focused on how now the orca population is decreasing. The author discusses human lifestyles/actions in which is causing the orcas to disappear. I felt many ways towards the article. One main thing that I felt was guilty. Guilty that as a child I grew up going to SeaWorld and having a part to do in the fact that orcas are inbreeding. As in the article it states, “Not only are there fewer calves in recent years, but signs of inbreeding also point to a weakening population. In the 1970’s and 80’s, theme parks like Seaworld captured nearly 4 dozen orcas from the region, possibly shrinking the pods’ gene pool.” So reading that made me feel guilty on what is occurring. The author has made me wonder what will happen once the orcas go extinct. I wonder if at all their extinction will come and if it does how much time do we have left to try and save the orcas. So the author did a decent job at making me wonder about what will happen next to the orcas and the effect it will have on us. Even with that I feel that the author could have made the article more interesting. He could have included some cool facts such as statistics. All in all the article made me think out of the box but the author could have done more to make the article more fun.
Link:https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/09/science/orcas-whales-endangered.html
'In Homecoming for Nigerians Who Fled Boko Haram, All That’s Missing Is ‘Home’
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/world/africa/nigeria-boko-haram-bama....
The article that interested me this week was “In Homecoming for Nigerians Who Fled Boko Haram, All That’s Missing Is Home.” More than four years ago, residents of Bama had to live in camps and temporary housing as Islamist militants from Boko Haram had invaded the their town in the northeastern Nigeria. However, earlier this year, the residents of Bama had received news from the government that it was safe to return. The government was able to escort 3,600 of the residents back home as the government promised them that a whole new Bama with new homes and new schools awaits. However, when people arrived in Bama, they found out that only some schools were functioning, the homes interiors were unfinished and there was no plumbing. The hospital was poorly staffed and there were not enough working refrigerators. This article has interested me this week because it had caught my attention in wanting the best for the residents of Bama to be able to live in peace. I hope the best for the residents of Bama in facing the new set of challenges that came along with reopening the town so soon under political pressure.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/world/australia/great-barrier-reef.html
The article that interested me the most this week is “Great Barrier Reef Imperiled as Heat Worsens Die-Offs, Experts Say” by Jacqueline Williams. During 2016 and 2017, the Great Barrier Reef’s colors diminished due to climate change. I was agitated when I found out that the Great Barrier Reef will never be the same again. It breaks my heart to know that one of the seven natural wonders of the world is slowly fading. Not only will the disappearance of Great Barrier Reef affect tourism it will reduce the amount of species that thrive on the reef. The article also stated that if actions aren’t taken against climate change the Great Barrier Reef will experience coral bleaching every two years by 2034.
Last year, I read an article where “coral breeding” has been successful in restoring damaged coral reef. Scientists and volunteers are using that method to restore the Great Barrier Reef. This method was successful in restoring coral reefs in Philippines so I pray that it will work on the Great Barrier Reef too. It is such a shame to know that what was once beautiful was severely damaged by the actions of self-centered human beings.
“The Power of Positive People”
The article that interested me the most this week was the Power of Positive People written by Tara Parker-Pope. The main question of the articles was to ask the readers if their friends are benefiting them and helping them to have a healthier lifestyle. The article gives examples of a group being put together and forced to be together for 10 weeks. This exercise seems unreal and unnatural to me. I believe that friends should come naturally and you should be the one who picks who your friends will be. From my experience, friends who are meant to be together will meet without anyone interfering.
Another interesting part of the article was the statement that friendships with happy people affects your physical being and not only your mental state. I agree with this statement but believe that the physical state comes from the mental state. When a person is happy and positive he will more likely care about his physical state and have the motivation to live a healthy lifestyle. When a person has good, happy, and healthy friends he will be more positive and therefore will be healthier. In conclusion, this article interested me and made me think of my personal life and of my friends. I hope it will make other people think of their life too and maybe help them be healthier happier people.
"Was This Powerful Chinese Empress a Feminist Trailblazer?"
As an ethnic Chinese whose ancestors came from China, I have always been intrigued by China's imperial dynasties. Hence, my favourite TV shows are typically those that take place in the warring state period and involve ruthless political schemes, wars and drama.
Modern-day politics often make me very upset so I tend to stay away from it but I found this article very interesting, particularly because it tells us about a controversy regarding an empress who "ruled" during a transition from an ancient to modern ruling system. The article was thought-provoking because it leads me to wonder if our perception of Empress Cixi is accurate.
Confucianism has long been a part of Chinese identity, and so has its impacts on their views about women. As mentioned in the article, Cixi, like many other women, was uneducated and most possibly treated with contempt by those in her court. Being a woman in modern China is hard enough, and given that gender disparity only started reducing in the past century or so, I think it's' very impressive of Cixi to survive as a female ruler and even more so in a time when the political landscape is changing vastly.
"History is written by the victors". The Chinese government is known to be repressive and I wouldn't be surprised if they pushed the entirety of the blame to CIxi for losing to the Japanese. However I can also see the logic behind their reasoning and this leaves me with questions.
“Thai Cave Rescue Live Updates: The Watery Trap Is Now Empty.” The soccer team that had been trapped in a cave for 18 days is now free and safe. Its good to know that these guys are finally rescued because it has been in the news for such a long time. I did some research on this mishap and a lot was found from my research.
Review For: "Kanye West Writes a Song Himself on 'Ye'" For as long as I have been around to know about pop culture and music, Kayne West has always been in the public eye. Whether it be good or bad media attention, Kayne has always shined through and become a public figure through music and fashion. The first negative media I have seen was through his tweet with the MAGA hat, then came his opinion on slavery. He makes very bold choices and that's exactly what he did. People have said "Kayne does crazy stuff before he drops an album" but to me, this is real. This is the Kayne that we haven't seen before and it's finally breaking through. Kayne West has always been the "odd one out" but in this case, as an out Trump supporter, he is among many people in this country who support this. Although the article states that "Mr. West still has a streak of compassion and empathy, in the rare moments when he's not thinking of himself." may be true, his true colors always seem to shine. On 'Ye', he talks about himself being a father, rapper, celebrity, etc., but is very full of himself. Kayne has stated, "I don't take advice from people less successful than me." which proves that he doesn't really care what he has to say or what anyone says about him. This article showed how Kanye West has made an album all about himself, while managing to talk about others in his life.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/sports/lebron-lakers.htmlicle
This week the article that I thought was the most interesting was the article about Lebron moving from the Cavilers to the Lakers and the Lakers dynasty. It was interesting to me because I have been a huge Lakers fan ever since I was a little girl. Overall, I am very interested in sports in general so any type of sports article tends to catch my eye. This article kept me intrigued with the 2nd person writing such as the "we" because it makes it less formal which I tend to relate more to. Another part that was interesting was the part where it talked about the Lakers legacy and that 6 of the top 8 scorers ever have been on the Lakers. It being my favorite it was more interesting rather than learning about a team I didn't know.
"Ronaldo Leaves Real Madrid to Join Juventus"
I have been a lifelong supporter of Cristiano Ronaldo. The way he maneuvers around the pitch, ball glued to his feet. His blistering pace down the left side, causing the opposing team to quiver. The large variety of skills and tricks that he does not hesitate to apply in almost all situations across the field. All these elements that he brings to the game cause people from all over the world, including my family, to love this man. While you watch him control the result of games, smashing in wonderful goals left and right, you begin to feel as though there is nothing that Cristiano Ronaldo can't do.
This is without talking about his large array of trophies and awards he has received. He is a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has won the UEFA Champions League five times, and countless other awards. As a soccer fan, the first thing you think about when you hear Cristiano Ronaldo, is Real Madrid. This was always thought, ever since he joined Real after playing for Manchester United for six seasons. I have nothing against Ronaldo for leaving Real Madrid, but it is going to be hard to get used to.
I picked this article because it really interested me. I love watching Cristiano Ronaldo play soccer, and I am heartbroken to see him leave Real Madrid. My family have been rooting for Real Madrid in all El Classico showdowns, and even with his recent move, will continue to support Ronaldo.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/business/toys-r-us-closing.html
The article that interested me the most in the New York Times this week was called "At Toys 'R' Us, 'There is Nothing Left': The Day It Closed for Good." The inspiration for the writing of this article was the closing of the last of 735 Toys 'R' Us stores across the country. I found this to be very sad and unfortunate for multiple reasons. First, Toys 'R' Us was a toy store that was known to all-- likely the most well known toy store of all time, as it was certainly one of the largest. Second, it brought joy and happiness to children and families everywhere for many years. I remember how much fun it was to go to Toys 'R' Us as a kid, and the excitement of children of all ages checking out the wide assortment of toys was always visible. In addition, family memories were made during trips to Toys 'R' Us. Another reason I felt this article was very sad is that the closing of the stores has negatively impacted the employees in a significant way. They are all now unemployed, and not only did they lose their jobs, but they lost what they considered their second home. Hopefully, their memories will bring them happiness, as my memories of shopping in Toys 'R' Us do for me.
"‘SpongeBob’ Musical Will Close on Broadway and Plan for a Tour"
If I could define my childhood with one word, it would be SpongeBob. I spent countless afternoons with my face pressed to the TV screen, singing in tandem with the narrator every word of the SpongeBob theme song. If asked, I could probably still name every character in Bikini Bottom or recite the plot of any episode if given the title. As I grew and matured, I did discover new interests, including my love for theatre and set design, but none of them were ever able to replace SpongeBob entirely. That is why when I learned of 'The SpongeBob Musical,' I was thrilled. And when it won the Tony award for best scenic design, I knew I had to see it on Broadway. This article deeply saddened me, knowing that my dream of experiencing SpongeBob on a Broadway stage was unlikely. However, it also brought me joy to know that the rights to the show will become available to schools and youth groups. I hope that the children who perform this musical will treasure SpongeBob's kooky antics for years to come, just as I have. Because in all reality SpongeBob was created not for me, the sixteen-year-old grasping at childhood memories, but for the children currently creating those cherished memories.
" Beating the odds"
The article, "Why the Thailand Cave Rescue Was So Difficult: A Diver Explains" grabbed my attention . Young soccer players and a coach were stuck in a cave that was narrow and difficult to access were rescued. Rescue workers had many difficult obstacles to face when saving these kids and coach. Imagine trying to save people from a cave without being able to carry all the gears you need to rescue the kids, having zero to no clear vision in the cave, and not knowing how narrow each section of the cave is. Rescue workers don't typically practice on saving people from caves. It is astonishing that the kids were able to be rescued with a lost of an important member to the U.S. military. Imagine being stuck and being told that it would be almost impossible to save anyone in the cave you are stuck in and the best professionals aren't at your service? These innocent kids faced life threatening situations and managed to survive with all odds against them. After reading this article, it made me think of how precious life is. Your life can be great for a couple of seconds and the next thing you know you could be in a life or death situation. Next time you wake up just think for one moment and appreciate the wonderful life you are living.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/style/dogs-pay-to-pet-biscuits-bath.html
The article that interested me the most in the New York Times this week was 'Committing to a Dog Is Hard. This Place Lets You Just Flirt.' This article was based around a place where you can play with dogs for as long as you like, without the ability to buy them. I have two dogs myself, and it is extremely hard not to get attached to other dogs when first meeting them. Although you have to pay and sign an application to do this, I still think it is a pretty good idea. Many people have extremely busy lives and can't give a dog enough attention because of work, school, or other commitments. This place allows you to meet many dogs and play with them without making a commitment to buy them. Some people have dogs and, during the day they put them in a 'doggy day care' type of program in which they may want more attention. Dogs put in this program seem to get a lot of attention and are always played with. I also think this program is good because of those who are afraid to make a commitment to a dog, but still want the ability to interact with them. Losing a pet is tough, and buying a new animal right away may not be the best decision for those still mourning. People signed up in this program will have the opportunity to 'flirt' with dogs without the fear of getting too attached.
[email protected]
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/health/self-harm-teenagers-cdc.html
Recently, I read the article; "How Many Teenage Girls Deliberately Harm Themselves? Nearly 1 in 4, Survey Finds." The subject of this article was not unfamiliar to me because all around me I hear about teen girls self harming themselves and not being in healthy mental states, but this article specifically showed me unbelievable statistics to prove how big of an issue this really is. The fact that one in four girls harm themselves on purpose compared to one in ten boys really opened my eyes to how different lives are for each gender. Why do girls tend to harm themselves more? The article says that in a survey, more girls said they are part of the LGBT community, has been cyber-bullied, or sexually assaulted, while more boys admitted to using drugs and smoking. By these results, it seems to me that issues more girls go through are more emotionally degrading which may cause an increase of self harm Either way, 18% of a surveyed group having admitted to self-harming is a horrifyingly big number, and the statistic needs to decrease. Maybe the reason it's so hard to help and prevent people who want to self harm or are depressed is because it's so hard to understand what they are feeling. Thankfully, the media is talking about these issues more nowadays, but we need to bring much more awareness to the problems of self harm and the realness of it so that these numbers become much smaller.
Should siblings be responsible for each other? What happens if one sibling is severely disabled? And most importantly, how does a parent do right by all of their children when their wants and needs clash? In the article “Reluctant Keepers of a Brother With Autism” the author, Elizabeth Choi, asks these questions and desperately tries to find answers as her son, Jeffrey, is diagnosed with autism and her younger children are often subjected to his physical outbursts. As her children grow older, Choi begins to plan a future for Jeffrey to prepare for when she can’t take care of him anymore. She finally decides to put him in a group home and then convinces her younger children to put their painful childhood experiences behind them and agree to assume the responsibility of Jeffrey one day. The article’s title heavily foreshadowed this but nevertheless I was shocked. It would be kind if Jeffrey’s siblings all pitched in and took care of their brother, but they should not be forced into it by any means. Jeffrey is not their child and definitely not their responsibility. One day, they could be in a bad situation and unable to take care of Jeffrey. I was upset by Choi’s choice but then I reread the article and it became obvious to me that Choi tries her hardest to do right by all of her children. The article, “Reluctant Keepers of a Brother With Autism” interested me the most this week because it showed me that some questions have no right answers.
"F.A.A declines to Regulate Airplane Seat Size"
This article is about the F.A.A's decision to not make airplane seat sizes bigger even if there have been lots of complaints about comfort and safety. To help make others understand their decision, they have said that current seat sizes are a factor in evacuation speed and the current seat sizes create a safety issue necessitating rule-making.
The only evidence the F.A.A has of this is running evacuation tests to see if the people on the plane are able to escape the plane within 90 seconds. But, however, certain groups of people like children, the elderly, and obese people are excluded from these tests due to the claim that they can slow down evacuations. These tests are different from reality where there are different ages and conditions of people that can react to the evacuation in their own way.
Since many more Americans have gained weight over the years than in previous times like the 70's, it's going to be harder for them to navigate through a plane due to the size of the seats. If there is an evacuation, then it would be difficult to move past the narrow airplane rows. More people are going to complain about comfort and flying might soon be thought of as an uncomfortable experience for everyone.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/sports/lebron-lakers.html
The article that really interested me this week in New York Time is called "Lebron James to the Lakers: There is much to unpack here". Being as an NBA fan for years, I know that Lebron James plays an influential role in the NBA stage. The action that he signed with the Lakers made most of the Lakers fans to be excited, however, it upset the Cavs fans at the same time. In my opinion, signing with the Lakers was a smart action ever. Because not only it increases the chance of Lebron getting another ring, it actually benefits the Lakers since they really need someone to save their lives. In short, the NBA league is like a system of sharing economy, it satisfies the players and the teams at the same time (the teams are always run by specific managers), the team would earn money and the players would get what they want. In other words, the NBA is a stage for those potential players and all-stars to reach their goals.
"Committing to a Dog Is Hard. This Place Lets You Jusr Flirt."
I chose this article because anything involving dogs usually allures me. I really enjoyed this article because I think is a very good idea. Any body who has a dog or has the privelage of meeting a dog knows dogs are one of the most lovable creatures on Earth. From their soft fur to their cute tricks, dogs are pretty much the most adorable animals on Earth. But some people don't get to experience this. Dogs are a lot of work and some people can't take care of them but dogs can be used to help de-stress humans. This idea is a good idea because it allows people to laugh and have fun with dogs but not have to buy them which I think really helps a lot of people.
The article that interested me most in the times this week was "Do You Believe in Magic? I Do." When I saw something with magic in the headline, and because most of my other options had much darker topics, I knew I wanted to read it. Essentially this article is about a man who had cancer, and who believed that not only science, but also magic and believing in a stuffed bunny was what cured him. I've always been infatuated with the idea of magic and the concept of the unknown, like seeing something that completely baffles you yet sparks your curiosity at the same time. Magic reminds me of childhood, and of the times where it's almost as if we were truly living, if that makes any sense. I think everybody could use just a little more happiness in their life, or even just some positive energy in a rather negative world. Whether magic actually exists or not, I think it's nice to have something to hold onto, to bring people hope and happiness and even peace, even if it's just a stuffed bunny that does the trick.
"High-Skilled White-Collar Work? Machines Can Do That, Too"
This article about the computer program that uses two algorithms to create a product surprised me. I have never thought of a computer program able to create a good selling product. Since computers can now design clothing, I wonder what they can start doing next. Will there be computer algorithms for designing better phones, laptops, and other tech be next? The existence of this technology also makes me wonder what are workers in fashion going to do. If computers are the future of designing, I wouldn't mind wearing this kind of clothing. There will always be something different, unique, and complex about the clothing.
Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/world/europe/denmark-immigrant-ghetto...
This week, the article “In Denmark, Harsh New Laws For Immigrant ‘Ghettos’” intrigued me the most because I was completely unaware of the severe treatment that low income groups sometimes face in other countries, in this case Denmark. It seemed appalling to me that the government threatened to pull financial aid from families specifically in these primarily non-western, low-income immigrant ‘ghettos’ for things that seem almost insignificant. Plus, the mandatory schooling to ‘accustom’ children of immigrants to Danish culture seemed eerily reminiscent to prior incidents in history of forced assimilation into a country. However the thing that both shocked and fascinated me the most was the consensus that the country seemingly came to regarding these issues. Even though Denmark is a small country, it was still very surprising to me that leaders of the country seemed in general agreement about putting harsher laws to restrict the freedom of those in low-income neighborhoods. In the public too, there is generally much more divisiveness about how to handle immigration issues. However, it seems as though many more in Denmark are willing to possibly sacrifice the freedoms of others to ensure the homogeneity and unity of their country.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/business/toys-r-us-closing.html
"At Toys 'R' Us, 'There is Nothing Left:' The Day It Closed for Good"
By Micheal Corkery
This article caught my eye this week because of the tragic closing of my favorite childhood store. Toys 'R' Us was the place to be. My sister and I would beg my mom to stop and shop with us at this store. Whether it was buying dolls, bikes, and all around different toys, Toys 'R' Us was a happy, feel-good place for kids to enjoy themselves. I remember getting a gift card in the mail for every birthday and I remember the feeling of joy it gave me to see that giraffe on the front. Now, hearing that apart of my childhood and a part of children's happiness around the United States is permanently closing, is heartbreaking. Children nowadays do not get to experience this joy. Kids are glued to their iPads and tablets these days. They are more entertained with what is on a screen than physical toys. This is also a great example of how the economy is changing. People are more likely to buy stuff online from different online stores, or on Amazon. The article shows the reader the decline and bankruptcy of the franchise. It is awful to think of all of the employees who made a life for themselves at these stores. Ms. Claude spent her life there and she was not even able to receive a severance check because of the amount of debt the brand is in. Toys 'R' Us was a family that the new generation has ripped apart.
[email protected]
I am interested in reading about how sports have a global impact on the world, so I read Pamela Druckerman’s opinion editorial titled, “Parenting Lessons From the World Cup”. The World Cup promotes global awareness that can be difficult for younger people to understand in the complex world of politics. People can learn about countries’ celebrated cultural traditions, rather than countries’ current issues. The World Cup can accurately display global culture in a platform free from political turmoil. It is an event that celebrates national pride, yet also encourages people to support the endeavors of foreign nations. This subject is relevant because people should recognize that sports can connect people of all backgrounds peacefully, and this event only occurs once every four years.
The writer makes a strong argument that the World Cup provides many benefits to all people. She explains how games provide allow family bonding by explaining how she watches the matches with her children. Since suicide rates are lower in European countries during competition months, she suggests the idea that the World Cup brings communities together. Another strong piece of evidence of the World Cup’s many benefits is how her friend’s child cheered for a team against his own heritage, connecting to the idea that the event allows people to support foreign nations.. The World Cup has many aspects that can be capitalized on to promote the general welfare of all people.
"In Homecoming for Nigerians Who Fled Boko Haram, All That's Missing Is 'Home'"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/world/africa/nigeria-boko-haram-bama....
People often say, "home is where the heart is." It conveys a warm sensation, and the feeling of a cordial welcome one cannot disregard.
Imagine the scenery of your home obliterated, gone with the wind.
Since the beginning, the world has always been experiencing conflict, between nations, societies, and the people. It seems to be our human nature on the persistent disagreements.
Recently, in the town of Bama in Nigeria, after being abandoned from the violent assault by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, many residents have returned to their home after many years. Such a violence turmoil resulted in numerous of innocent people being displaced from their home, craving to return to their genial havens.
For me, home is a distinctive, memorable, and tranquil place. For the residents, home is portrayed as the place where their dreams and affectionate memories are annihilated by violence.
In particular, this article caught my attention. Such a story was very emotional, and it provided me the time to truly reflect the values of home. The meaning of "home" should be the place of peace and affection, but rather, became a tormenting memory for them.
1
This week I was interested in the article "Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team" By Richard C. Paddock and Muktita Suhartono. This interested me because it amazed me how long it took for the rescuers to find the team inside the cave and the horror of players during their experience. I just recently got back froma trip where I did a cave swim with headlamps and not being able to escape from that cave would have been terrifying becasue it really is pitch black.
“How Long Can We Live? The Limit Hasn’t Beeen Reached, Study Finds”
This article in The NY Times really interested me this week because I’ve thought there’s always a limit to something, even age. Life expectancy rates have improved drastically over the last few centuries thanks to the advent of medication, health care and antibiotics. However these are solutions to possible external causes of death such as disease, infection or injury. The article showed that we must next try to find solutions to internal causes of death such as cancer, and the symptoms of old age such a small frailness. The study shows that the people in Italy’s that lived to be over 100 hadn’t superior genes in their DNA. This suggests that the cure to old age may lie in our genetics and how our body repairs itself. It is amazing to think that we could stretch the human lifespan even longer by altering key pieces in our DNA. It won’t be long before someone lives to be 130 or even 150, as long as technology and science progress as it is.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/world/australia/great-barrier-reef.html
This article was very interesting to me this week because it was about how climate change is affecting our planet for the worse. The article focused on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia; which is experiencing devastating coral bleaching that is occurring every six years, but will start to occur more frequently if the world doesn't reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are put into the atmosphere. A lot of the reef's coral has already been killed, and due to the damage that has been done the mixing of the different species of coral has been changed. The coral has died due to the the changes of temperature in the ocean; this has caused some of the magnificent colors of the reef to be erased, and once the colors are gone the reef will never get back to the same health it was at again. I think the world needs to really look at what is going on all over the world due to all the greenhouse gases that are put into the atmosphere, and change to save or fix what has and will be done. The Earth is our one and only home, and if we don't change then we are going to bring our own extinction. We only have one Earth, so lets treat it right.
I have always been intrigued by the biology of the human body and its amazing perplexity. That’s why the article “How Long Can We Live? The Limit Hasn’t Been Reached, Study Finds” by Carl Zimmer caught my attention. The article discusses the evolution of the human lifespan from the 1900s to the current day, specifically how the lifespan age has more than doubled. As the research proves, human beings have not been close to reaching the upper bound of human longevity, which means even the oldest people that have lived have not even reached their full lifespan potential. I do believe that humans do have the potential of living longer than what has reached, however, a lot of our health issues today are caused due to our current lifestyles. Our health and over wellbeing is definitely being affected by the environment and our diets, something that is in some cases unavoidable. I also believe that God has a plan for each and every one of us and that is something science can not measure nor predict. Although these scientists are showing valid proof that humans could be living much longer, nobody can perfectly predict what happens in our lives. Each second, minute, and hour of us living and each breath we take is unique to us and everyone’s body functions at a different pace, therefore some this data the scientists are collecting is standardized and not specific. Although this is an interesting idea, only the next generations can give us that answer.
[email protected]
"That Spitting Thing at the World Cup? It’s Probably ‘Carb Rinsing’"
I have greatly enjoyed the World Cup this year as a fan and soccer player. I've seen plenty of players carb rinse, and have wondered why they don't ingest the fluid. Having an artificial performance enhancer like this, where your muscles think they have more energy seems dangerous to me, as the over-exertion of the muscles could easily lead to injury. I've had my fair share of overuse injuries in the past, and recognize the strain of going ninety minutes without much of a break. I partially agree with the critics in that they should ingest the carbohydrate water, or not use it at all. Many of the World Cup games have gone into overtime, which pushes the time into double that of the recommended for carb rinsing. Subsequently, about the suggestion that they drink it, I disagree again. The weight of the water needed for it to be effective is most likely too much to continue playing on. I, along with most soccer players, have had to learn the balance of water-drinking efficiency and amount during breaks. The cramps and sloshing in your digestive system while playing are at best distracting, and not worth the extra energy one might get from carb rinsing. I have found that a heedful mix of a sugary drink with processed sugar and water give me enough to keep going. I enjoyed this piece because of the familiarity and background I have as a player. I was also able to analyze the science of it, which was enjoyable.
In “Cages Are Cruel. The Desert Is, Too,” former US Border Patrol agent Francisco Cantu unveils the federal government’s brutal treatment of migrants crossing the US-Mexico border, and contends that the government now perceives migrants as numbers rather than humans. This is a dangerous and unsustainable approach that the public must overwhelmingly condemn if we are to put an end to it.
In an attempt to legitimize its policies, the government labels migrants as “aliens” and “bodies”—generic, dehumanizing terms—and launches occasional “searches and rescues” to bolster its public image. But these red herrings cannot conceal a vicious zeal, backed by a policy of extreme deterrence, for undermining fundamental human rights. From wrenching children from their parents to vandalizing water supplies left out by humanitarian groups in remote deserts, the government is parading its magnificent disregard for human life even as it claims to defend liberty and humanitarianism across the globe.
Although Cantu offers few solutions to the situation, I found this op-ed especially illuminating about not only our government, which sponsors these cruelties, but also our media, which gives these outrages far less attention than they deserve, and our society, which has learned to turn a blind eye to the crimes in our own backyard. Cantu wisely asserts that, having learned of these atrocities, “[w]e cannot return to indifference.” To do so would only give the government the acquiescence it seeks.
Title: Dear Sugars: Who's Your Daddy
link:https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/16/podcasts/listen-to-dear-sugars-whos-y...
This week what interested me most in The New York Times, was a podcast. This podcast interested me most, at first, because the title intrigued me and made me laugh but as I listened my eyes were opened to how far society has come from the 1900s. The podcast speaks about people finding out that family they thought was biologically related to them, is or may not actually be related to them biologically, or that family is biologically related to them differently. Most of the podcast speaks about adults who were raised in the 1900's who were kids who conceived before their mothers were married. Most of the mothers who did not get married before having a kid, were told to give there child to their parent so no one would know they were having a kid pre-marriage because it was a disgrace and embarrassing. Now a days, although some people still ridicule others for being pregnant before marriage, society as whole has moved forward and is now more accepting. This podcast is so eye opening, and is truly what interested me most this week in The New York Times. Another small reason I decided to write about this podcast this week is because I related to it as well. I did not need a test to tell me who my biological father was, because my mother sat me down one day and told me that the man who had raised me was not my biological father.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/us/politics/trump-administration-catc...
"As Migrant Families Are Reunited, Some Children Don’t Recognize Their Mothers"
This title made me feel disappointed. But the way the world is now, I wasn't surprised. Doesn't that scare anybody? How we don't react to certain things with the same disgust and shock we did when we first heard of it? For example, school shootings. It will forever be a sad and unfortunate event, but it's become a natural occurrence in our society and we don't seem surprised anymore. This article didn't surprise me, it disgusted me. When did the word "immigrant" become such a bad word? When did immigrants stop being human beings that doesn't deserve the rights we have as citizens? No matter if they are illegal, no mother such be separated from their child, it could hurt their mental state. This situation isn't about what's legal or not, it's about what's morally right? America was built on the morals of immigrants. The American colonies fought for independence and freedom. What can be said, now that America puts ankle bracelets on immigrants who are looking for the same freedom our ancestors once did? I understand that some people want border control, but if you're a true patriot, how can you stand by and see families being ripped apart? Is this the price you want to pay?
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/world/australia/great-barrier-reef.html
We’re all aware that we release a tremendous amount of greenhouse gases into the environment at a tremendous rate. We’re also aware that this rate needs to be lessened and the amount of emissions must also decrease, but it’s very rare we’re actually told of the visible effects of this. So to read an article dedicated to illustrating the visible effects of these emissions is quite relieving. I was particularly drawn to this article due to the initial shock I received once reading that one of the largest marine structures in the world was in peril. Learning about how our actions are causing the slow but sure death of such a structure extremely resonated within me. A key note that was made in the article was the emphasis of the necessity that world leaders must do something now in order to preserve the largest coral reef in the world. When viewing the issue on a larger scope, the implications of these emissions can be seen. If a third of the coral in the Great Barrier Reef were killed off, it’s apparent that other ecosystems or aspects of the globe must also be affected as well. This article served as a great reminder that our actions can have a very detrimental effect on the environment we live in and need to preserve; and also as a call for change as the author called upon the leaders of the world to do something about the tremendous amount of greenhouse gases being released into the environment.
The article that interested me the most on the New York Times this week was an article written by Jonah Engel Bromwich, “IHOP Promotes Burgers by ‘Changing’ Name to IHOb, Gets Reaction”. I believe this marketing campaign was genius because it caught people’s attention in a different way. Everyone’s attention was caught because the well-known International House of Pancakes was changing their image. Every time I passed the IHOP near my house, I wondered when they were going to change the ‘p’ to a ‘b’. I have never been to IHOP, but with all of the attention it got from its marketing campaign, I grew an interest in going and trying their new burgers.Their genius marketing campaign successfully got my business. Well done, IHOP marketing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/06/sports/wimbledon-queue-roger-federer....
Hilary Howard's "Braving the Queue, for Mom and Roger Federer" was the article I found most interesting. This is the story of a mother, who feels that her battle with cancer is connected to tennis champion Roger Federer's success, and her two daughters, who camped out on line for tickets to let their mother see Federer. As someone who grew up watching tennis, I never appreciated Federer until this article.
Most of Howard's article is about the various people she and her sister met while on line. From Yash Desai from Dubai, to Isabelle Putseijs from Belgium, people from all over the world came to watch Federer play. On that line, people were not liberal, conservative, straight, gay, or anything else; they were simply Federer fans. In a world that is divided about so many things, the fact that so many people can gather together in support of their favorite tennis player despite their personal, political, and religious beliefs is extraordinary.
But what I find most inspiring is the connection between the mother and Federer. Howard describes how her mother, who has cancer, empathizes with Federer's struggle to keep competing as he gets older. As someone who is also battling against the odds, I relate to this situation. This article has made me realize that if the author's mother and Federer can continue on successfully, then I can too; that, more than anything, makes me feel hopeful about my future.
1
What interested me the most this week in the New York Times was the article, “How to Have a Better Conversation About Mental Illness.” This article interested me the most because the topic is very common in today’s society. The article taught me that mental illnesss is not only present in wealthier countries such as the US but it is also very common in not so wealthy countries. In fact, mental illness is even more common in struggling countries than it is in wealthier western countries. @[email protected]
Spirituality and science, Shermer argues in “Must Science Conflict with Spirituality?” are two seemingly
mutually exclusive concepts that are actually deeply connected. In tackling such a profound subject,
Shermer quotes from scientific greats such as Richard Feynman and Alan Lightman to highlight the often
overlooked kinship between science and spirituality. Through Feynman’s interview, Shermer focuses on
how science widens and deepens one’s comprehension of reality, pushing one’s intellectual pursuits
towards the realm of spirituality. Lightman’s exquisite writing on death furthers the undeniable
connection between science and spirituality because spirituality, after all, is the bridge between one’s
self and the physical.
As someone who has always been fascinated by the natural sciences, I have striven to better understand
how the natural world, essentially comprised of the same basic components, can yield such a
wonderfully varied array of interdependent entities. Yet, no matter how much I tried to comprehend the
physical world, I could never reach the ultimate “why” and “how.” Sherman’s article helped my mind
wrap around the fact that “absolutes” are “out of the realm of science,” and that we may have to accept
the possibility that these answers can only be solved through faith.
Shermer’s article represents the beauty of science, which emphasizes the continual pursuit of
understanding, even if that pursuit leads us into the realm of spirituality.
https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/07/09/us/ap-us-immigration-separat...
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/06/learning/summer-reading-contest-week-...
In Los Angeles, More than 54 migrant children under 5 years old got to be united with their parents I think this is the right thing to do because kids under 5 years old are supposed to be with their parents. They were forced to be separated from their parents. I think this is a wrong thing to do because kids need their parents. Kids need their parents because they do everything for their children. On a Monday, a justice lawyer named Sarah B. Fabian reported that 54 of the 102 children were scheduled to be returned to their parents on Tuesday. When their parents were separated from their children they were really worried and upset. An A.C.L.U lawyer named Lee Gelernt said “These kids have already suffered so much because of this policy, and every extra day apart just adds to that pain.”
I think he is right with this quote because every day their parents are worried and their kids are crying missing their parents. I think this should not be a policy to separate their young kids from their parents. Children were put into shelters across the country sometimes even a thousand miles away. President Donald Trump issued the executive order with ended the separation. I think he did the right choice to make people and children happy!
https://nyti.ms/2NFtRMc
Trump has passed several different enactments to depress the number of illegal immigrants coming in from Mexico. One of hi legislations, the "zero-tolerance policy", was passed in May, and it ruled that illegal immigrants caught crossing the border would be sent to jails to await their hearings. However, their children caught crossing with them would be separated from them and sent to detainment shelters.
This ruling caused outrage among many political groups, and it was not until late June when Trump finally issued an order allowing the children to be reunited with their guardians. Unfortunately, this process is quite tedious, thus many families have yet to be reunited. Even for those families that have been reunited, many reunifications have been somber and upsetting. Some small children did not recognize their parents, including a 3-year-old boy named Ederson and another 3-year-old named Darly. Their mothers were deeply saddened when their own children tried to reject them after months of separation.
While I know that this was done as a warning to those wanting to cross the border illegally, it troubles me to see the psychological effects this is having on little kids. Children experiencing behavioral problems and emotional stress like this intrigue and terrify me at the same time. As the daughter of two Arabian immigrants, I could not even begin to imagine the consequences that a childhood event like this could have on me in my future life.
An article entitled “How to Have a Better Conversation About Mental Illness” by Lisa Pryor seemed to interest me this week due to its different perspective on mental illness. The article discusses the way society often views mental illnesses and how people often misdiagnose themselves when it comes to experiencing symptoms. These assumptions may be correlated to the normalities of disorders, such as depression, which are typically addressed within our society. A misdiagnosis of a mental illness can cause damage to not only the individual misdiagnosed, but to those around them as well. Along with this, Pryor discusses the way in which our focus has shifted away from less wealthy countries due to the idea that “mental health does not discriminate”. These ideas have spread due to the loss of several celebrities by suicide. This article contradicts several normalities which have been established throughout the media, which is why I personally found it interesting.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/technology/personaltech/apple-iphone-...
"I Used Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time (and It Worked!)" by Brian X. Chen intrigued me the most this week. This article covers a topic that is extremely relevant in our day and age with cell phones being one of the most important and powerful pieces of everyday technology. In my life, I never let my phone leave my side. It's always in my pocket, my bag, or a few inches away on my desk.
When I first read the title of this article, I clicked on it right away with the idea that my response would be an argument against this new Apple feature. As a teenager and avid phone-user, my opinion was that it's unfair and silly for parents to have so much regulation over their child's private phone. The teenager whose phone was limited in the article, Sophie, admitted that she didn't like the restrictions at first, but later realized that it helped her maintain a better sleep schedule and focus more on her homework. Like her, I was too stubborn to notice it at first, but having limitations on how much I get to use my phone could actually be a good thing. Sometimes if I am bored with my homework I will instinctively reach for my phone for a few minutes of distraction. In bed, I can spend a few hours on social media or Youtube or Netflix. I am sure many others are in the same boat, so restrictions on our phone, whether we like it or not, are quite beneficial.
The article that interest me the most is “Why Thailand cave rescue was so difficult :A diver explains “
This article shows how for 18 rough days, 12 boys and their soccer coach were trapped in a flooded cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Rescue operators and the Navy seals rescued the 12 boys whom play for the Wild Boars soccer team and the 25 year old coach who were trapped in the cave ever since June 23rd. The operation was rough, as most children could not swimm and had to cross the flooded sections of the cave in which the divers could not see much underwater since dirt in the cave made the water murky. Through these conditions and the small narrow spaces the rescue operators were able to bring the soccer team and their coach out of the cave safe and all have been taken to the hospital.
I chose this article because it shows that when there is a crisis, the world will provide help to those in need. Help will be sent to make sure victims of a disaster are safe and taken care of. It shows how there is a great and helpful society amongst the problems we face daily.
"Are You a Fortnite Addict?
The article that interested me the most in the Times this week was “Are You a Fortnite Addict?”, inspired by "Parenting the Fortnite Addict". There was a time where the witty names of 'landing spots' in the game were cryptic to me, but one day I went on my Playstation and downloaded the free game, and things changed. Let me be very clear, I never became an expert of any sorts, but the game did grab my attention, and I obtained one or two lucky wins. This article interested me because it makes it seem that this obsession mostly among teens is new, when really it's just another form of a fad.
In, "Are You A Fortnite Addict?", Natalie Proulx cites the previous article, "Parenting the Fortnite Addict", and then asks multiple questions to students who play the game. To be blunt, yes, Fortnite is addictive. Some students are distracted in school by it, which is inappropriate. The violence in this game is minor, as no gore accompanies it, but many young people do play it and their parents shouldn't let them. Truthfully, the biggest issue with Fortnite is that they offer different costumes for the player’s character, and these cost a considerable amount of money. If anything, that is what parents should be putting a limit on. Overall, the Fortnite buzz has died down, but soon there will be something else that many people are obsessed with, and that’s just how the world has always worked. The Fortnite “addiction” is nothing new, it’s just another fad.
1
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/sports/lebron-lakers.html
What interested me the most this week was the article, LeBron James to the Lakers: There's much to unpack here. This article talked about one of the top eight scorers, LeBron going to the Lakers. LeBron decided to go to the Lakers because he believes they can win him his 4th championship. It may take a couple years for the Lakers to rebuild themselves into a championship contender but Lebron is willing to wait for a team that can support him to his next championship. Now the Western Conference is now home to all seven of the active M.V.P.s. The Cavaliers have now lost their star player because the Lakers made enough cap room for LeBron by trading Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. Also many people are wondering if LeBron and LaVar will be able to coexist in the same area. This article interested me because I am a Lakers fan and I am happy that LeBron is now a part of the Lakers. I am excited for the season and I hope we can make the playoffs. Like the article stated we may not win the championship this year but we are trying to rebuild our team and hopefully we are able to obtain Kawhi Leonard. I was also interested by this article because I wanted to learn about how the Lakers were able to obtain LeBron James. Thanks to this article i now know the process of how they were able to obtain him.
"Do You Believe in Magic? I Do"
In his book "The Wee Free Men", Terry Pratchett says “It doesn't stop being magic just because you know how it works.” That quote really stuck by me ever since I read it, and I think about it almost every day. This article talks about a stuffed bunny helping a man dealing with his cancer, and it reminded me of that quote. Did the toy actually help in his treatment? I mean, probably not in the way medicine and surgery did, but, psychologically, the morale boost was real. I myself have beliefs that can't be factually proven. I wear evil eye beads to ward off hexes, and even though I don't really believe in curses the way my parents do, they are comfort me. I always use a specific pencil on exams, believing that it'll bring me some luck. Do I know that it was my studying that earned me an A rather than my pencil? Well, yeah, but just because I know that doesn't make my pencil any less lucky. Of course you can think about things like luck and superstition logically, but where's the fun in that? I used to think striking a match was magic, but now I know it's a chemical reaction. Then again, all of science seems a whole lot like magic too. Like Pratchett said, it didn't stop being magic just because I knew how it worked. We know what placebos are, but good luck charms are still common. Like the article says, it's not all that crazy to believe in stuff you can't scientifically prove, and you can still believe in magic despite knowing how it works.
1
"Google's Parent Births New Businesses: Balloons and Drones"
It seemed that just a few years ago that speedy delivery by drones and bringing internet access to the entire world was just an ambitious dream, but now Alphabet's scientists at their lab "X" are making these dreams a reality. It has always interested me on how it could be possible to bring the internet to the entire world, and how it could benefit society. For example, if everyone can access the web, our connection to the rest of the world in significantly increased. By being able to connect with other countries--especially third world countries--a call for action will not only become more effective but also realistically achievable. In seeing the events happening around the world, people have a tendency to become more proactive. The link provided by bringing the internet to places where there is none will be vital in unifying our world.
In addition to cool internet balloons, delivery drones can bring social and environmental advantages. Our rapidly developing society has become impatient, meaning that this is a natural step for companies. I think it's interesting how societal shifts affect the economic structure. Also, drones produce fewer carbon emissions, thus benefiting nature yet being faster than other delivery options. Overall, internet balloons and delivery drones will benefit our world as a whole.
Excuse Me… That Is Supposed to Go down Your Throat!
Yes! Croatia scored twice! Time to drink some water. Wait… why is Harry Kane from England’s team squirting water from one side of his mouth to the other only for it to hit the floor? The grass is so green that the emerald bay would turn into a green-eyed monster! It doesn’t need to be watered! Is this a new trend?
According to ”That Spitting Thing at the World Cup? It’s Probably ‘Carb Rinsing’” by Jeré Longman, some footballers are rinsing and spitting the water instead of drinking it. It's a trick that footballers use to ”trick the brain” into thinking that ”more energy is on the way, so the muscles can push a little harder” since the body won't be tired any longer.
This interested me because I have recently enjoyed the football games with my family in Denmark; however, my brother and I have been asking the question of why we have not seen any player actually drink his/her water. Now, I know that it is all a mental trick to help with a player’s mojo, and help him exceed in the challenges that may come in the game.
“Kids Don’t Just See Art at This Show. They Work With the Artists, Too.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/arts/design/childrens-museum-of-manha...
I responded to this article. It portrayed a way of early artistic development that I wish I had experienced as a child. Growing up, I’ve taken numerous art classes, most of them focused on techniques and accuracy. I believed that art belonged in museums, painted by masters hundreds of years ago. I didn’t realize that contemporary art existed and that it could be so dynamic. Until this article, I envisioned museum visitors as mere spectators to someone else’s imagination.
Laurel Graeber’s article introduced me to another space: the art studio as an interactive place where students learn, hear stories, experiment, contribute. This form of interaction between the exhibited and the observer blew my mind. It must be an amazing experience to witness the creation of art while participating in its making. Artist in residence took on a new meaning for me. Inspiring.
https://nyti.ms/2NFtRMc
Trump has passed several different enactments to depress the number of illegal immigrants coming in from Mexico. One of hi legislations, the "zero-tolerance policy", was passed in May, and it ruled that illegal immigrants caught crossing the border would be sent to jails to await their hearings. However, their children caught crossing with them would be separated from them and sent to detainment shelters.
This ruling caused outrage among many political groups, and it was not until late June when Trump finally issued an order allowing the children to be reunited with their guardians. Unfortunately, this process is quite tedious, thus many families have yet to be reunited. Even for those families that have been reunited, many reunifications have been somber and upsetting. Some small children did not recognize their parents, including a 3-year-old boy named Ederson and another 3-year-old named Darly. Their mothers were deeply saddened when their own children tried to reject them after months of separation.
While I know that this was done as a warning to those wanting to cross the border illegally, it troubles me to see the psychological effects this is having on little kids. Children experiencing behavioral problems and emotional stress like this intrigue and terrify me at the same time. As the daughter of two Arabian immigrants, I could not even begin to imagine the consequences that a childhood event like this could have on me in my future life.
This week, I chose the article entitled, "Neighbor Calls the Police on a 12-Year-Old Boy Mowing the Grass." This particular article caught my eye because it befuddled me as to why someone would call the cops on a boy who was just mowing the lawn. As I read the article, I realized that a possible reason that the neighbor reported Reggie's innocent lawn mowing could have been based on racial prejudice. Jeffery Mays mentioned in his article that people in Reggie's neighborhood called the police on black people who were barbecuing or sitting in a Starbucks. These are ordinary activities. If a white person were to do the same things, the police wouldn't be called as likely. It is unfair that African Americans have to face such discrimination based on their skin color. In addition, more problems can be solved when people talk face-to-face rather than going to the authorities. So, instead of calling the police, Kakora should have either talked to Reggie (who was mowing the lawn of her neighbor, Holt-Colden), or talked to Holt-Colden and politely asked that Reggie not mow the lawn on her side of the property.
https://nyti.ms/2HI8sOq?smid=nytcore-ios-share
In the 21st century, the trend of video games amongst the community has stayed steady with well known games such as Call of Duty and Pokémon. This year on the other hand has been much different in the gaming community due to the attention grabbing game called Fortnite.
About January of this year, Fortnite was first starting to become a true attraction when they released the mode Battle Royale. Later that month, the development of skins and emotes brought the game to new heights making it the most popular game currently. To improve game, the creators, Epic Games continued to add improvements and new features to the action packed game. Just when the gaming analysts thought their rise was done, Epic Games blew away the competition again when they added the feature of cross-platform. Cross-platform was a wall breaking achievement because it allowed players of all platforms to play and interact with each other.
Currently, Fortnite has made close to about 300 million dollars per month due to its in-game feature of buying skins, emotes, and pickaxes. Statistics even show that almost 70 percent of players spend money on these cosmetic items in the game. Another reason for their rise has been the common occurrence of famous celebrities playing the game as well. At the rate the game is going, the game is expected to reach a point where the likes of the games Pokémon and Super Mario stand.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/sports/world-cup/england-vs-croatia.html
The article that interested me the most today was "Croatia Turns England’s World Cup Destiny Into Despair". I've been watching the World Cup for a while and the match between Croatia and England today was one of the most intense and nerve wrecking match I've ever seen. I'm a fan of Croatia, so when England scored not long after the match started, I was already sweating. However, Croatia managed to scored 2 goals, one in the 68 minute mark and the other in extra time, which lead them to participate into their first ever World Cup final. The Croatian team played extremely well, but England on the other hand missed a lot of opportunities and played disappointingly, which I believe is what caused them to lose. England's fans must really be disappointed too because many of them have said on the internet that "football is coming home", which means that they were gonna win the World Cup 2018. I'm really glad Croatia won and I'm looking forward to the match between France and Croatia.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/world/asia/thailand-cave-rescue-hospi...
This week the article "Soccer Players and Their Coach Are on the Mend, Thailand Says" interested me the most because I was curious to see the results and conditions of the boys who were stuck in the cave. I found it crazy that these 12 players and their coach have been "trapped since late June." Drawn to see how they are fairing afterward since I couldn’t imagine being in their shoes, I am now so glad to see that they are all doing well and getting their strength back. The support the boys gave one another while trapped and the comradery they demonstrated is truly heartwarming. Dr. Thongchai, who is taking care of the team, has said that "'Their mental health condition is good, maybe because they stayed together and helped each other.'" I am so glad to see that the whole team and coach have been rescued and are able to see their families soon.
"Your Graduation Speeches in 50 Words"
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/06/us/graduation-commencement-speech.htm...
Reading Hard’s article reminds me of advice I have received throughout high school. As a rising senior, I have had my share of frustrations and helpless moments. Too many times people tell me to “chase my dreams” or “relax and be happy.” Others gave me more tangible advice like “never compromise sleep” and “exercise.”
Hard’s article is more of the same. Some advice is concrete, others are more abstract and while they contain snippets of wisdom, something is off. I read those words, but I cannot relate, no matter how much I think I do. For the majority of students like me, this advice can only be understood in hindsight, after we make our mistakes or experience life.
I would tell young graduates: “Never forget why you do something.”
Take AP classes to learn, not for the grade. Volunteer to help, not for resumes. Take advantage of colleges’ resources, not their prestige. Find a job to live, not for fortune.
Ask yourself the real reason you do something. If it’s simply because you are “supposed to,” then drop it, because you will be miserable. Live in the present, plan for the future, but never forget, because sometimes, you have to play the game to beat the game.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/us/lawn-mowing-boy-police-ohio.html
[email protected]
The article that interested me the most in this weeks New York Times was the twelve year old boy who had the police called on him for mowing the lawn. This is just another sad example of how racism has affected the people of our world. This neighbor called the police on Reggie, a young black boy for mowing the lawn on their side of the property. The racist white neighbor continuously calls the police on the black family living next door to her and calls them horrible names such as “garbage”.
This story just shows how wicked racism really is. No one should be treated differently because of their race or the color of their skin especially a boy who is just trying to do good.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/09/arts/music/taylor-swift-reputation-to...
The article that really interested me this week in the New York Times was titled “Taylor Swift Begins Her ‘Reputation’ Tour, Taking on Foes and Her Old Self”. The article was a review about Taylor Swift's first show of her Reputation Stadium Tour. As a fan of Taylor Swift, I was very interested to read a review about what a show of hers is like. Based on the reviewer’s experience at the opening show of Taylor Swift’s Reputation Stadium Tour, it seems like Taylor Swift was very creative and thought about every aspect of the show. Snakes were a huge part of the show. She had huge snakes on her smaller stages in the back of the stadium, snakes on the screen during her performances, and a snake on her microphone. She used a name that she was called during her feud with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian and incorporated it into many elements throughout her show. Taylor has also never done any type of choreographed dancing in her shows before, which proved she has stepped out of her comfort zone for her shows on this tour. Even though she proclaimed that the old Taylor was dead in her hit single Look What You Made Me Do, she still sang multiple songs from her previous albums. Those songs have helped her get to where she is today and have helped her have one of the most successful careers of all time. Her tour is a true reflection of who she is and her reputation.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/30/world/smuggling-illegal-i...
The article that interested me the most was about being smuggled across the U.S. Border. Mr.Cruz fled Mexico as there was a lot of violence where he lived. With President Trump putting extra police on the border it was harder and very pricey for him to get across. He is risking his life to live a better one without any violence. He should not have to experience this just to live a better life . The United States should let people come into the country if they are in danger .
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/world/europe/denmark-immigrant-ghetto... - In Denmark, Harsh New Laws for Immigrant ‘Ghettos’
In a country that has been homogeneous for all of its history, immigrants are a stark change. Helping immigrants is a double-edged sword because it is great to help them, but it comes at a cost for these immigrants: being put into "ghettos." The children in these "ghettos," must be put assimilated into Danish culture.
Danish acceptance of migrants has led tolerant Danes to become backlash from Danes. The backlash against them has grown, as Danes have accused Muslims and other immigrants of milking the welfare system.
In my opinion, acceptance of others is great, but in Denmark, these immigrants are bringing crime and unemployment. Would the immigrants get jobs and stop committing violence, if they were let out of the "ghettos," or would they just bring it with them?
“At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There is Nothing Left’: The Day is Closed for Good”
By: Michael Corkery
Personally, this article was the most captivating. Considering, that Toys ‘R’ Us is what defines my childhood. Whatever that made me happy as a kid, the solution was always Toys ‘R’ Us. However, when reading this article and realizing that Toys ‘R’ Us was closing for good, it broke my heart, as if my childhood was also falling apart. While reading multiple articles regarding Toys ‘R’ Us going out of business, I was very shocked at the story behind it, such as its bankruptcy and the amount of debt they had. Toys ‘R’ Us was a place of wonders and happiness. A place that impacted many people, especially Ms. Claude, a long devoted employee/manager, who always worked with an open mindset, regardless of the circumstances. It is very sad to see businesses like Toys ‘R’ Us go out of business, this might not seem like a big issue, but it shows that our society is changing and businesses becoming more competitive than ever.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/world/asia/thailand-cave-rescue-hospi...
During June 23rd of last month, 13 boys aged 11 to 17, and a 25-year-old coach got trapped in the Tham Luang cave after sudden continuous rainfall fell flooding the cave. After 18 days, a thousand people including Thai Navy SEALs, volunteers, and technical assistance teams from multiple teams, the Wild Boars has been finally found and safely escorted from the cave. It has been a miracle that these boys were alive and has escaped this treacherous cave. It has been an amazing feat by the SEALs team as they risked their own lives for the well beings of strangers. Unfortunately, an ex Navy Seal died during the rescue, giving up his own life for the good of the Wild Boars team. This whole event has truly restored my faith in humanity.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/05/arts/scarlett-johansson-transgender-r...
Scarlet Johansson has accepted a role in the upcoming movie called "Rub and Tug". Personally, I am not big on what celebrities do or don't do with their lives. However, I do love movies and often watch them for the story, not who looks attractive.
So, when I went to the movie section I was figuring I would comment on "Ant-Man and the Wasp" or another movie relating to any of my personal movie interests. When I saw this article I was drawn towards it. What I did not previously tell you about Scarlett Johanson's role, was that she had accepted a role in the movie as a transgender man. This angers many in the lgbt+ community, and that was shown throughout the article. The Lgbt+ community often face discrimination, particularly in the film industry. Shows are written through straight cisgender perspectives, or lgbt+ actors get sidelined for straight, cisgender movie stars, among other things.
It was refreshing to see that I am not the only one that feels left out of movies. I know many face discrimination in a world led by the whims of directors, critics, and beauty standards, but it is a thing we must try to change. Seeing that portrayed in a respected news company is what is truly what attracted me to the article.
"In Denmark, Harsh New Laws for Immigrant ‘Ghettos’"
The article that interested me the most this week is "In Denmark, Harsh New Laws for Immigrant ‘Ghettos’". This article informs me that people like Rokhaia who's a low-income immigrant is being described as a "ghetto" because of its finincal issue not only that her children whose also being described as a ghetto child will be sepreated from their families for at least 25 hours a week. I found this article to be the outrageous because the children couldnt speak for themselves, so as a social welfare states. I think it's very important that the Danish government should treat everyone who's Danish the same even if they are a immigrant having a finincal issues. The government could help the "low-income" people will benefits like free education which the government offers to the citizens, and the govenrment should also covers most of "ghetto" health care as well. This plan force people to chage their beliefs and attitudes which you know rarely works and trying to manipoulate those kidn of changes through the children would be bad for the children and their families. All and all I enjoy reading this article.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/us/politics/trump-administration-catc...
I am a person of set values, and I never condone acts that led to the events described in this article. When I discovered that migrant families became separated from their children, I was furious. How could the proclaimed "land of the free" allow this inhumane process to carry out? Caged children have had their "parent-face" replaced with a social worker's, and they have come to believe that the other traumatized kids are their siblings. While it is good to form emotional bonds with other children, I can't imagine the heartbreak and melancholy that the parents felt when their child cried out for another person. I believe that the Racist States of America has allowed the destruction of a family bond that should foster for every child, no matter the race. However, then again, if another country did this to the Americans, I'm sure there would be much more controversy over the topic than there is right now.
"The Power of Positive People"
The article in the New York Times that really interested me this week was called, “The Power of Positive People”. The main question of the article, “Are you spending time with the right people for your health and happiness?” is a very important question for everyone to be asking themselves. The article makes it clear that our social networks can truly affect our overall happiness. Surrounding ourselves with genuinely happy and supportive people will result in a positive impact on our life and emotions. The article gives an example about how women in Japan, who often have high life expectancies, form a social network called “moais”. In these groups, often five women, offer each other social, emotional, and sometimes financial support for a lifetime. These women are put into these groups at a young age by their parents and take a lifelong journey with one another. The idea of moais has begun to spread throughout areas in the United States like Texas and it is proven that the people have much healthier and happier lives. I think it is very important for people to know that surrounding yourself with healthy and happy people is great for your health and important to be positive. If you have too many negative people in your life that are bringing you down, you won’t be happy and won’t be living your life to its full potential.
[email protected]
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/business/media/student-journalism-sch...
I often read articles written by young
people close to my age because I
find their content much more relatable.
That's why, it appalls me that
these student journalists are being
silenced by high school administrations
simply because their pieces are
considered "controversial" or
just “out of line.”
Honestly, even though I don't keep
up with the news as much as I
should; I can't imagine our country
without "controversial" news.
For instance
when NYTimes first published he
contentious article about Haney
Weinstein, an investigation was
forced to be launched which exposed
even more habitual sexual predators.
Thanks to the article, a new era has been born where women can feel safe telling their truths.
With that said, I truly believe that student journalists should have the right to published whatever they want without the fear of administrative backlash.
However, if the piece conflicts with the school’s policies then it should at least be reviewed by a less biased party.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/business/toys-r-us-closing.html
If the contents of my 2009 bedroom were still intact, you would basically be looking at a Toys 'R' Us catalog. From Barbie Dolls to cribs, they had it all. This is why I chose to read this article out of the many others I looked at. Hearing that the place where basically all of my childhood items and toys came from was shutting down, I was hit with a realization that I am in fact growing up. No more trips to Toys 'R' Us just for the sole purpose of riding on the machine shaped like an animal after begging Mom for a spare quarter. No more picking a Barbie Doll out after returning all the Birthday clothes that did not fit. No more being a little kid.
I chose to read this article because I felt a connection to Toys 'R' Us, the topic, just as many other kids my age probably do. After reading it I see how greatly the shutting down of Toys 'R' Us affected its employees. This is not only because they are now unemployed, but because they were part of a family when they worked there, which has now been taken away from them.
Even though the store is gone, the memories are still somewhere safe inside my head...and also stuffed underneath my bed with my old barbie dolls (we don't have to talk any further about that).
An article that interested me this week was called ¨Thailand Cave Rescue Turns To How TO Extract Trapped Soccer Team.¨ I chose this article because the other day my mom had mentioned something about this story; although, I didn't quite understand what she meant. I think that it is incredible that the flood happened quickly enough to where the cave was impossible for the team to escape. The ideas that the rescuer had for the team was interesting and the way that they went about solving the problem. I intend to follow the story and see what happens to the boys.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/science/human-age-limit.html @[email protected]
This week I was interested most by an article about the life expectancy of humans. I was interested to see that a lot of the scientists cases on the article were very different. Some scientists say that we have peeked at our life expectancy, and others say we will continue to grow our lifetimes exponentially. I think that our life expectancy will continue to grow, just not exponentially. I think it'll grow because of our better public health, food supply, and sanitation. Another huge positive impact on human health is the huge medical advancements we have been making, at some point we will find a cure for just about everything. Another thing that I found very interesting is the arguments some scientists were making about life expectancy being based on demographics. For example, some studies showed that Italians historically had longer life times than people of other countries; however, it was later found that the study related to demographics was poorly designed and the results were not statistically correct or supported. Personally, I think the biggest part of extending your life expectancy is taking care of yourself, and being fortunate enough not to acquire any serious medical issues. In conclusion, my opinion is that our lifetimes have grown over time and will continue to grow due to our improved lifestyles and advancements in the medical field.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/us/lawn-mowing-boy-police-ohio.html
"Neighbor Calls the Police on a 12-Year-Old Boy Mowing the Grass"
This week, I was intrigued by an article about a neighbor, Linda Krakora, calling the police on a 12-year old boy. Lucille Holt-Colden saw Reggie Fields with some lawn mowing equipment one day and asked him to mow her lawn. Fields accidentally started mowing on Krakora's side of the yard and she preceded called the police. Apparently, Krakora has had issues with Holt-Colden before so she decided to call the law instead of trying to talk to her neighbor and resolve the issue. Holt-Colden claims that she thinks that her neighbor wouldn't have called the police if Fields was a white boy, Krakora says race has nothing to do with it, she just simply didn't want someone mowing the lawn on her side.
This article interested me because I love children. I feel like children deserve rights and should be treated equally just like adults should be treated fairly. So when I saw that the police was called on a 12-year-old just for mowing the grass, I was flabbergasted. As I read the article, I somewhat began to understand why the police were called, but I never understood why Krakora couldn't have just told Holt-Colden or even the boy to please not mow on her side. I feel like the situation could've been handled in a different way.
“Do You Believe in Magic? I do.”
Although this was a sweet story of having a magical stuffed bunny help cure a man's cancer, it showed depth and the belief of the impossible, and that is why this article interested me most in The Times this week. The article talked about the use of talismans, objects believed to hold magical powers, which I had never even thought to read about. As a child, I grew up believing there was magic in this world whether I knew it was real or not. Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy are just a few examples of my childhood beliefs. So why did I stop believing? As mentioned in the article, we are living in an age of science and in a world where facts and data overpower any creativity. However, growing up Catholic, I always believed in miracles as seen in the Bible. That was one of the points made in the article because although medical science provides us with some cures, there is room for "irrational beliefs" which can include those of religion and magic itself. All my life I have always believed there is a greater power watching over me, like God, so why can't there be greater forces than science and reason in this world? The author of the article did not think he was crazy to believe in magic, luck, or superstitions. I think that's the outlook we have to have on subjects like that because we can never prove them. It's not crazy to want to embrace your inner child and believe there is something more in this world that meets the eye.
1
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/arts/music/shirley-manson-garbage-the...
After coming across multiple articles, this article was what caught my eye. The article tells the story of Shirley Manson and her struggle with drugs, alcohol and cutting. She writes about how she used cutting to deal with her problems. Shirley stopped cutting after she got out of her unhealthy relationship but, she was close to relapsing again not too long ago because she was putting stress on her mind. I found her story interesting and inspiring because it makes me think about mental health in greater detail. I think that mental health should receive more awareness because unlike physical injuries, mental illness is not taken as seriously. For example, if someone had a broken arm they would be immediately rushed to the hospital without question. On the other hand, if someone had depression, some people would just tell them to get over it or tell them their just looking for attention. This is why I admire celebrities that come out and publicly speak about their struggles with mental health. If more people bring more awareness to mental health, teenagers dealing with mental health problems can see that their not alone and they won't be ashamed to get help. Overall, I hope that mental illness gets more attention in the future because nowadays mental illness related issues are rising.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
In this article, we learned that twelve kids and one coach were miraculously found trying to survive in a complex flooded cave without food and water . After ten days they were rescued from death by skilled Navy Seals or other officers. This is remarkable that all thirteen of them were found and saved before they starved. It was said that the coach decided it was a good idea to explore in the cave, not knowing about the heavy rain which caused them to get stuck in there. Is the coach at fault for going in the cave to begin with or should we look to him in gratitude for protecting the kids and keeping them alive those ten long days? I think that the coach should be thanked for his efforts in helping the kids survive. He had no way of knowing that the cave was going to flood and become impossible to escape from. In the end, everyone is safe and that’s all that matters, but I couldn’t imagine the physical and emotion hardships the kids went through in that week and a half.
I chose this article because it shows that even though our world seems crazy, split up, and unable to reach a common decision, when the times get tough the whole world will pull together to help. Experts from all over the world came to Thailand and assisted in the cause. This is pleasing to know that in a dangerous situation we will be aided by our fellow countries and I really hope that this unity will continue forever.
This week I read about my favorite player Lionel Messi losing in the world cup. This was interesting to me because I love soccer and follow it a lot to, also it shocked me the my favorite player lost in the world cup. This also interested me because I wished that Messi would win the world cup this year but he didn’t.h
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/sports/lebron-lakers.html
The article that interested me the most this week was, "LeBron James to the Lakers: There’s Much to Unpack Here, by Marc Stein because the greatest player in the world just signed with the LA Lakers. I have been a Laker fan my whole life and when the king came to my team, I was beyond rejoiced. James is joining the legacy of the greats from Kareem Abdul Jabbar to Kobe Bryant. Ever since the retirement of Kobe Bryant, the Lakers have not looked like their former selves. This is a franchise that has sixteen NBA Championships and for them to not be making it to the playoffs consistently, really started to get to some fans. Now that LeBron has committed to the Lakers, that hope and faith has been brought back to life. The reason LeBron came to the Lakers was quite very simple. In Cleveland, where he was drafted, he won a championship a few years back, but then his team started to fall apart and the ownership was not bringing any assistance for James. He saw an opportunity with the Lakers with their young core. The Lakers also have enough cap space to sign more all star caliber free agents as well. Making this move has transferred all the active MVP's to the western conference and things are heating up in the west. As for the east, they are not as packed with all-stars. The challenge for James will be in the western conference playoffs because the might powerhouse, the Golden State Warriors, are the team to beat.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/business/toys-r-us-closing.html
"At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good"
This article was the most interesting article to me from this week. I wanted to avoid any political or World-Cup related news since I find them really boring and they do not relate or affect me in any way. But this article did. Toys R Us was basically one of my childhood memories. My parents would always buy me toys from this store. Even up to recently, (before it shutdown) I would buy toys, drones, skateboard or etc... Hearing that one of the world's most top toy selling industry is shutting down FOREVER is quite a sad notice. It seems that the reason behind this was due to the industry falling into bankruptcy. I bet that most people were unhappy when this announcement was out. This article explains the entire story of how Toys R Us went bankrupt from the beginning to the end. It also tells more about the employees’ last days. This article was heartbreaking to read, especially when the assistant manager, Ms. Claude did not give till the very end. Overall, I chose this article is because I wanted to know the explanation about this tragic new.
"As Migrant Families Are Reunited, Some Children Don’t Recognize Their Mothers"
Hiding in the corner of my website tab, the phrase “he doesn’t recognize me anymore” on the headlines, with a grey-toned image of a relieved mother and a confused girl, captivated my attention, filling my mind with heart-breaking questions.
One day you are watching him, your happiness, grow up and the next, he doesn’t even know who you are anymore. That must be a parent’s greatest fear; first, seeing your child being taken away from you without giving him explanations, then his perplexed eyes inspecting you, trying to fill in the missing puzzle pieces. Bitter anecdotes narrated in the article, discussed about the whole situation catching them off-guard, appearing as outrageous incidents that couldn’t possibly happen in a nation which promotes the American Dream.
This article brings to light the negative consequences due to the new immigrant laws which are being legislated. The both physiological and social problematic issues arising, caused by the separation of once united families. It highlights the bias and fear for the “different” still present in a developing nation, mainly composed of differential racial ethnicity. Innocent migrant parents were being “released” in the communities, walking around with ankle bracelet monitors, as if they were criminals. An era moving back in time.
Thankfully, slow changes are currently being made but it doesn't justify the past actions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/business/toys-r-us-closing.html
The article that interested me the most this week was "At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good". The reason I think that it was most interesting to me was because I used to go there all the time as a reward for doing something good or learning something new as a little girl. Another reason is because with them closing all of the stores means that they are putting every single one of their employees out of a job, which could mean no income for them and their families. But with this day and age everyone one shops online , including myself and its most likely costs a lot for them to keep the store up and running.
[email protected]
In the New York Times this week, the article "Delivering Amazon Packages to the Top of the World" interested me the most. The article, by Vindu Goel, informs on the innovations Amazon is making to hasten the delivery process for remote areas of the world. Leh is an isolated town in India located 11,562 feet up in the Himalayas. Because of the remote location, the local post office often takes a month to deliver a package. Amazon, however, has partnered with the local delivery service, Incredible Himalaya, to deliver packages within a mere five to seven business days. Amazon, which was founded in 1994, is known for fast shipping, but this new process has taken delivery services to new heights (literally). Amazon is already an international company, so it surprised me to learn that it is still attempting to further innovate its delivery process. For me, this is just one more example of why Amazon is such a successful company today.
[email protected]
"Place Your Bets on the New Millennial Pink"
We all wear clothes, we all have our own style, so fashion is relevant to every single person. But what this article emphasizes is that fashion is always changing, and colors that were popular last year may be totally ignored this year. Also, fashion has a deeper meaning underneath just being the clothes we wear. As I read in the article, each color has a specific meaning and effect on people. Whether it is Melodramatic Purple or Gen Z Yellow, the decisions of what we wear can dictate the feelings we have.
I chose this article because I found it interesting that the world is always changing. Millennial Pink was the popular color in the previous years, but as styles change, new colors arise. What we perceive as fashionable starts from somewhere and as the article said, these new and upcoming colors start on runways and celebrities. Personally, I really enjoy fashion and trends, so I was able to relate to this article and learn more about the psychology behind colors of clothes and also how to predict trends. And as a response to this article, I believe that Gen Z Yellow is becoming a thriving color in the fashion industry because not only is this color present in many stores but since summer is here, the yellow is able to bring a sense of happiness and brightness into one's outfit.
"How Many Teenage Girls Deliberately Harm Themselves? Nearly 1 in 4, Survey Finds."
Another day, another study laying out statistics that make readers shake their heads sadly and feel sorry that the world is the way it is- without doing anything to help the problem. This article describes the alarming rate of teenage girls who are participating in self injury (one in four), as well as the varying numbers between genders, ethnicities, and states. However shocking these numbers are, the article doesn't really point to how one can help reduce them.
It's not to say that searching for correlation between mental health and lifestyle is useless. In order to solve a problem, one must identify the cause. But studies like these are all over, connecting mental health to every concievable aspect of life. Meanwhile, the health of teens continues to decline. They don't need to be told that their emotions are a result of location or skin color- they need treatment.
However, the article did make many important points. Self harm is a taboo topic, and those who participate in it may feel isolated. The article shows that those who self harm are not alone. It also highlights the issue of gender, discussing the higher rates of self injury in females. This is a crucial aspect of mental health that must be taken into account in order to concieve realistic solutions. Ultimately, this article made important points about self injury. I just hope that these statistics are used to make real change.
The article I chose this week is "Soccer Players and Their Coach Are on the Mend, Thailand Says". I picked this article because this is a horrible situation of these soccer players and coach being trapped with an amazing ending of being rescued. The rescuers got all the boys out and are now recovering in a hospital with all good results so far. However, the doctors are worried that the boys may feel symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder. Young boys should not have to deal with the horrors of reoccurring nightmares of those horrible days they spent in a cave. The families visiting the boys had to keep a distance from then at all times and wear protective clothing. If my child was down in a cave for a few weeks I would not want to have to wear protective clothing and keep my distance from my child. This must have been very hard for the families to do. The team has to be monitored for the next two weeks and have still not been cleared to play; however, they have allowed for all the boys to have one big hospital room with all their beds so they can talk. The boys were invited to attend the FIFA World Cup final in Russia on Saturday, and after yesterday's game Paul Pogba dedicated the win they had against Belgium to them. The support these young boys are receiving from people all around the world is truly amazing. It shows how people in this world still care about others, and there well being after something truly horrible has happened.
The article that interests me the most this week is "How Trump's Trade War Went From 18 Products to 10,000" written by Keith Collins and Jasmine C. Lee. As the title says, the article shows a slide kind of presentation of how much tariff Trump imposed and China, European Union, and Mexico retaliated. At the very end, it shows Trump putting. 200 Billion dollar tariff on all goods going outside the USA. He said he is ready to impose even another 200 Billion on top of that.
I find this article interesting because I never really knew anything about it. While learning about that American Revolution, I learned about Tariffs but never paid attention to them here in the US. The article states that if the disputes continue, it could have a lasting effect on the global economy. "Markets have been rattled, and companies have been forced to reshape their operations, raising the possibility of higher prices on businesses and consumers." I think we are all kind of scared of what the future holds and what all this Trade War will mean on us. I hope that Trump and the other countries find some type of negotiation and have a peaceful trade.
The article “New York’s Elite Girls’ Schools Are Starting To Admit Transgender Students” was the most interesting to me this week. I found this article to be the most interesting because the topic of transgenders is a very fluent one, and many people struggle to comprehend or accept it. I think it’s very important and exemplary that these academically rigorous and elite school are now beginning to accept the enrollment of student who are transgender. Schools like Brearley School recently announced that anyone who identifies themselves as female can apply, and more importantly if they are already enrolled and their identity changes they may stay. I think this is important because these schools are so reputable for their levels of education, and are only open to females. However times have changed greatly since their foundation, and so has the definition of female. Now that the schools are allowing the enrollment of anyone who identifies as females more people who deserve an equal shot at these prestigious educations will receive one. More and more all female schools of New York City are starting to join in and allow for the enrollment of these students. These school also mention that they will still refer to their students as girls and young women but will also make an effort to address each person as the identity they associate too. All and all this article interested me the most because I liked the important change towards understand, acceptance, and equality was being made.
"There Is Nothing Left" (Toys R Us)
I chose this article purely because it referenced Toys R Us.
The closing of Toys R Us was also the closing of my childhood. As a die-hard Toys R Us kid, I grew up dashing through the doors of the vast toy vault of Geoffrey to get the new exclusive figure, showing up to free giveaway events, and waiting in lines for midnight releases on school nights (despite having a test the next day).
You could call it passion or fanaticism but regardless of my connection to Toys R Us the ones who suffered the most are its loyal employees. Seeing their lifestyle decimated by the the demise of Toys R Us is truly heartbreaking. While most companies are able to give severance pay to their loyal members, the increasing debt drastically reduced that possibility. Significant growth of online shopping became a major trend which damages Brick and Mortar retail locations.
The cultural and economic trends of our society are constantly changing, but it is also up to us to preserve a consumer-friendly structure or we will suffer the same fate as these retailers.
“Kate Spade and the Illness Hidden With a Smile”
In this opinion piece, 55-year-old Kate Spade, who hanged herself with a red scarf in her bedroom, becomes the subject matter that allows for discussion regarding the deceiving nature of depression and mental illness and those who suffer from such.
It is becoming alarmingly clear that depression and the by-product of suicide lack predictive characteristics. Those suffering from depression make a choice between discussing their turmoils or disguising them. A majority of the time, the latter is chosen which only serves to worsen the current mental state of that individual. Here in lies the deadly predicament. When suffering from serious depression, the individuals feel as though darkness is consuming them, thereby rendering them useless and depicting the world in a manner that is abrogating. However, society plays a role in further sealing individuals with depression in their cocoon of darkness metaphorically speaking. The article makes clear that individuals, in an attempt to be accepted in society must put forth a persona that is pleasing or positive. The bitter truth is that the false, temporary gift of 'friends' results in the real, permanent end of suicide upon which those left in the wake of the deceased begin to wonder how such an act could occur.
This article touched me deeply as I find importance in people being aware that feigning happiness will not lead to happiness. Awareness is the first step towards change.
bengal10Casey041103
The article that interested me the most this week was "Freed From Thai Cave, Boys May Still Face Health Problems" written by Richard C. Paddock and Mike Ives. I knew the story of this soccer team and their coach being stuck in the flooded cave and I was interested in learning more about what happened. This article focused on the health hazards that being in the save might result in. I don't know much about what diseases could be found in a cave like that and learning about some of them was very interesting. I was glad to see that there was a low likelihood of the boys getting any infectious or serious physical diseases. It is really upsetting that the team could end up with PTSD from this experience and that risk is keeping them from seeing their parents. In the end, I am very glad that the team was able to make it out of that cave without any life-threatening diseases.
1
The article this week that interested me the most was called "Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team" by Richard C. Paddock and Muktita Suhartono. To me, this article interested me seeing that this was actually a hot topic, so wanting to learn more about this certain article on the internet than just on t.v. I searched it up. From what I have found out, the soccer team that got trapped in Tham Luang Cave consisted of 13 teenagers with ages ranging from 11 to 16 and a 25-year old coach, as well. It seemed as if it were days until they were finally rescued; with limited resources and everyone doing their best to save them especially during this monsoon weather, which caused a higher risk to save them. And so, the rescuers finally found them, teaching them how to dive in order to get out of the cave, but there were higher risks to actually making it out alive because of the monsoons, technically diving into mud, and not being able to see through trying to make it out. However, thankfully they were all able to escape the cave alive, with their amazing diver expert who helped them and all those people who helped rescue these boys. Now they are again happily in their mothers' arms, safe and able to live their life to the fullest once again.
The article that interests me the most this week is '‘I Couldn’t Tell Anyone’: Women Around the World Reveal Intimate Stories of Abortion' written by Josephine Sedgwick. As the title suggests, the article shares stories of abortion from different women around the world.
I find this article interesting because of the way it makes me feel and think. I was always pro-choice when it came to the topic of abortions, But I never came across real stories from women who had to deal with an unwanted pregnancy in a country where abortions are illegal unless it will save the woman's life. As the article states, in the Philippines where abortions are illegal, roughly 1,000 Filipino women die each year from abortion complications. That is the cost of illegal unsupervised abortions, and all these women could have been saved if abortions were legal.
another difficulty is the inability to tell family members and friend of what these women are going through. A recurring theme of the stories in the article is that a lot of the women felt that they could not tell anyone, either because an abortion is a shameful thing to go through or it was completely unheard of in their society.
I think that a woman's life should be more important than the life on an unborn child, and the choice over the woman's body should be her own, especially when a lot of women will risk their lives to be able to make this choice, and this article brings those thoughts to the public's eye.
1
“Global Warming in South Asia: 800 Million at Risk”
The article “Global Warming in South Asia: 800 Million at Risk” caught my attention this week. It's hard to imagine that the lives of some of the “world’s poorest and hungriest” are about to become worse. But it's a harsh reality that will become true if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced. If steps are taken to reduce global greenhouse gases, the affected South Asia population would drastically decrease from 800 million to 375 million. This step would have to be a global effort to protect our planet and its citizens.
This article interested me because I’ve begun to be more aware of environmental issues. Recently, I travelled to China and experienced the pollution and the unhealthy air quality. Though what I experienced was air pollution, different than the drastic temperature changes going to occur in South Asia, the thought of life becoming worse for those already living in squalid conditions is a grim reminder that climate change is real and measures need to be taken. I think most people are aware of the effects of climate change, but too few are taken initiative to reduce their carbon footprint and destructive environmental impact.
"‘I Couldn’t Tell Anyone’: Women Around the World Reveal Intimate Stories of Abortion"
When I was a little girl, I remember seeing the "choose life" license plates while on drives with my parents and thinking they were pretty. I wanted my parents to get one because the smiling kids on that yellow background made my seven year old self happy. Now, at 17, the sight of those license plates makes me feel...strange. This article here intrigued me, because the fate of a woman's right to choose within my home country, might soon be redecided by the Supreme Court.
The thought of this, makes me feel sick. It's the exact opposite of progress and feeling as though this country is continuing to move backwards is not what I want to be doing as I'm entering adulthood. It makes me wonder honestly, we are a nation that prides itself in promoting freedom, yet we think it's right to take this important choice away from women? I understand if some people personally think that they could not undergo getting an abortion, but how is it within their jurisdiction to decide that others cannot? Why does the idea of some woman they'll probably never know getting an abortion make them so upset? I don't know if I'll ever understand it--maybe it stems back to people viewing women as objects instead of the full-fledged humans we actually are or maybe it's something else--but then again, there are many things I don't understand. Things like racism, or sexism, but those are discussions for another day.
“Global Warming in South Asia: 800 Million at Risk”
The article “Global Warming in South Asia: 800 Million at Risk” caught my attention this week. It's hard to imagine that the lives of some of the “world’s poorest and hungriest” are about to become worse. But it's a harsh reality that will become true if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced. If steps are taken to reduce global greenhouse gases, the affected South Asia population would drastically decrease from 800 million to 375 million. This step though, would have to be a global effort to protect our planet and its citizens.
This article interested me because I’ve begun to be more aware of environmental issues. Recently, I travelled to China and experienced the pollution and the unhealthy air quality. Though what I experienced was air pollution, different than the drastic temperature changes going to occur in South Asia, the thought of life becoming worse for those already living in squalid conditions is a grim reminder that climate change is real and measures need to be taken. I think most people are aware of the effects of climate change, but too few are taken initiative to reduce their carbon footprint and destructive environmental impact.
“Turkey’s Economy Is So Hot That It May Face a Meltdown”
This article was pretty interesting to read, just as any other article is while reporting on Erdogan’s presidency. I mean, dictatorship. Being a Turkish citizen that lives in Germany, I sometimes get the feeling that its easier to acquire different perspectives when you're outside the country. What also has an effect on this is the omission in media. Turkey claims it's a free country and many people are pretty convinced in that. Reading how different news agencies in different countries portray the same idea deepens one’s thoughts. What most news agencies have to omit in Turkey is anything that is against Erdogan or his views. It's always interesting to watch or read different views on the current/future state of Turkey especially when you can easily figure out bias or omission. This article had lots of ideas that I agreed with which, if were written in Turkey, might be a cause to be taken to jail. Omission causes the public to believe in the false information as true. This manipulation leads to the fading of thought and knowledge. This is what Erdogan wants because anyone who can think logically, any intellect, won't vote for him. While voting for Erdogan, people were convinced that he would fix the economy because they'll believe anything he tells them without doing any research themselves. So this meltdown in the economy could be a good thing. Maybe it's the only way Turkey will finally come to a realization.
Why Your Brain Tricks You Into Doing Less Important Tasks
https://nyti.ms/2KZyEq0
As a fellow procrastinator, I can very much relate to this article. Multiple times, I’ve found myself texting, eating, and brushing my hair instead of finishing my project due next week. Even now, I have procrastinated to finishing this commentary. Though I delay myself every day, I’ve never been curious or known why I tend to be less enthusiastic when it comes to long term and important projects. This article explained that we distract ourselves from long, daunting tasks with smaller, urgent ones. Why? For the sake of immediate ~satisfaction~. At first, I disagreed with this statement, but as I thought about it, I started to concur with it again and again. This article interested me because it gave me an explanation to the very thing I do best: procrastination. Although I read this piece multiple times, I don’t think I will ever stop stalling myself (Thanks a LOT brain).
I read the article about Lebron James going to the Lakers. I think the Lakers got him so they can make a playoff run. For example, with Lebron, they are going to try to get other stars, such as Kawhi Leonard. This will shake up the wild western conference and might even lead to a California head to head match in the conference finals. In addition to this, I think that James chose the Lakers so he can be with one of best know NBA franchises in history. And...I think that 154 million may have added a little something to the decision.
“A French Fry Gets Soggy in 5 Minutes. This Company Wants to Keep It Crispy for 60”
In a world where there are constant technical advances, so much so that it is hard to keep up with all of them, a light hearted headline about a company’s quest to create the best french fry is refreshing and capitalizes on how the world of science does not have to be so serious. Lamb Weston, the fry provider for McDonald’s and the Yum Brands Corporation has their mind set on a task completely different from the usual corporations trying to improve the medicinal field… They want to keep a french fry crunchy for 60 minutes. Now obviously this is not the most pressing matter that will completely change a human’s lifestyle, but you can not argue that these studies are worthless. Consumer sciences are often overlooked but can prove to be relevant in someone’s lifestyle whether they realise it or not. Science is supposed to improve a human’s well being and better food products (and crunchier french fries) can secretly play a role in that. So although a headline like this may seem silly, it can simply serve as a reminder that all fields of science are improving one french fry at a time.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/world/asia/thailand-cave-rescue-how.h...
For this week this article got my attention because Thailand is in South East Asia has Myanmar included in it. I also love football so it is tragic to hear this type of news however at the same time I am glad that the divers in the cave have managed to save the twelve kids and the coach from not surviving. Seeing that it took ten days to locate the kids then afterwards help the kids escape in a week showed me that this would be very hard for the kids to survive. I found out that the kids would be in deep trouble as well as their parents because of this situation. Thinking about living in a cave trapped with hunger is unimaginable. I feel happy for the kids surviving and thankful for the divers to help find the kids and the coach.
“If It’s on ‘Love Island’, Britain’s Talking About It”
This article about a British reality show struck my interest, not because of the show itself, but because of the fact that this seemingly meaningless show could capture so much attention. It’s no secret that reality tv is loved by the masses, but it seems as if viewers have hit a new low with Love Island. Love Island is the epitome of shallow, boring, mind-numbing television. The whole concept revolves around a bunch of isolated strangers trying to “find love” as they each get voted off their Spanish villa by the public. The last couple standing wins £50,000, but all that really happens is petty drama that amounts to high school hallway talk. As if the objective of the show wasn’t idiotic enough for you, the contestants collectively have an IQ lower than a sack of rocks. The fact that people have a need for intrusion into others’ romantic lives just sends my eyes into a never-ending cycle of rolling. My feelings about this vapid show can best be summed up by Sir Giles Coren. In his wise words it is a “a vile, sexist, apocalyptically tasteless, immoral, sick, vomitous abomination, made by morons for morons.”
The article about neighbors calling the police on a 12 year old boy mowing the lawn interested me in The Times the most this week. The story of the police called on the 12 year old interested me the most because I believe that unless a person is doing something illegal, causing some kind of harm, or disrupting the cops should not be called on a person. Also I was interested in this article because it shows some of the racist stuff in the world. And what happens in the world because people do not like other races.The reason I picked to read this article was because I wanted to know why the cops were called on a 12 year old.
@[email protected]
The article that interested me this week on Times this week was "Getting Student Power Into the Voting Booth". I was drawn into the article because, as a Korean American minority, I know it is important to vote and voice your opinions. So, this article hit right at home with me. Organizations and programs like the ALL IN Challenge and The Civic Engagement Alliance are important to get students and other non-voting people to vote. Though, voting laws in some states do de-incentivize voting. State governments should do their best to make the voting process very easy, in order to try to get people who usually do not vote, to vote. There are many people who just are too lazy or don't feel the need to vote. That is why this summer I have an internship for KACE (Korean American Civic Empowerment). I can't stress how wrong they are and how wasteful they are being by throwing away such a valuable privilege. In many countries, there is no voting, or voting is sealed off by many restrictions. Through KACE and the other organizations/programs I mentioned, we can get Americans to vote. Most importantly, students need to vote. Students are the next generation and they need to be active as they will soon be the politicians, workers, and classes affected by laws.
"LeBron James to the Lakers: There’s Much to Unpack Here"
When I saw the news that LeBron James moved to the LA Lakers I thought that he would have went to a team that he could get from out of the mud, maybe a team that didn’t do so hot this past season. This also helps the Lakers because after Kobe retired, they didn’t have a “Big name” anymore that would bring boom to the court as well as off of it. The only person on the Lakers that is known outside of the court as well as on it is Lonzo Ball with his brothers, his shoes, and his music. I personally am not a big fan of his but he does have a networth of 14 million dollars after signing a rookie deal with the Lakers. Lebron is probably one of the greatest basketball players of all time, definitely the best in the NBA currently. He brings headlines in from wherever he is. From the Heat down in Miami as well as bringing back a championship to the city of Cleveland, LeBron has captured the eyes of many people. His skill as well as his name alone could help the Los Angeles Lakers regain their strength, and climb back to the top. With this move, there are some title contenders that are looking to upset the dominating Golden State Warriors, including LeBron in his new hometown of Los Angeles. I can’t wait to see if Lebron can capture more titles given his new team.
My third entry to the New York Times Writing Contest was on the article titled "At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good." Upon hearing about the closing of Toys 'R' Us, my heart immediately began to ache. Not only did Toys 'R' Us cement the fondest childhood memories in my brain, but it gave me something to look forward to when I was younger. During the summers of my pre-teenage years, my dad would take my sister and me out to play tennis every morning. Naturally, I dreaded it more than anyone could comprehend. Don't get it twisted, I loved my childhood and the things my parents did for me; they had more love for my sister and me than Laker fans have for LeBron right now, which leads me to Toys 'R' Us. After we were done with tennis, my dad would chauffeur us to Toys 'R' Us every other day. This place was Heaven on Earth for every child. My sister and I would run around the aisles, play with the display electric cars, and gaze at all the big-ticket items. I feel like my personality today would be completely different if it weren't for Toys 'R' Us. Because of its significant impact on my early years of growth and discovery, it will always be apart of me. Now that it is gone, I am left with a mixed feeling of nostalgia and emptiness, and unfortunately, it will not be able to be filled. Toys 'R' Us was an iconic part of my childhood, and growing up now helps me appreciate the memories it has given to me and kids all around the world.
Thai Cave Rescue Will Be a Murky and Desperate Ordeal, Divers Say
I just heard about the 12 kids and the coach getting trapped in a cave today. It astonished me that the cave was so long, some of the boulders were as big as houses, and swimming out was equivalent in difficulty to climbing up Mount Everest. Now I understand why the rescue took so long. I was glad to hear today that all of the children and the coach made it out safely and I hope the cave didn't give any of them serious permanent conditions. It must have been so scary for them to be in the dark for that long when most of the cave is covered with water and none of the children can swim. They also didn't have that much oxygen so that must have been scary as well. I hope that they all feel safe now that they're out of the cave. They all have shown outstanding bravery especially those willing to go in to rescue them.
Article:Why Your Brain Tricks You Into Doing Less Important Tasks
By:Tim Herrera
As a life long procrastinator I really enjoyed reading this article. It showed me that there was some science behind my laziness. The article explains about this phenomenon called the urgency effect. it basically means your brain makes you want to take care of tasks more urgent tasks that should be done sooner than more important tasks that don't have to be done for a long while, even if the more urgent task is worse or more tedious than the more important one. The solution the article comes up with to help combat this problem is to plan out your tasks from most important to least important. Now after reading this article it gives me hope that there might be some science behind some of my other bad habits.
“If It’s on ‘Love Island’, Britain’s Talking About It”
This article about a British reality show struck my interest, not because of the show itself, but because of the fact that this show could capture so much attention. It’s no secret that reality tv is loved by the masses, but it seems as if viewers have hit a new low with Love Island. The whole concept revolves around a bunch of isolated strangers trying to “find love” as they each get voted off their Spanish villa by the public. The last couple standing wins £50,000, but all that really happens is petty drama that amounts to high school hallway talk. As if the objective of the show itself wasn’t idiotic enough, the contestants collectively have an IQ lower than a sack of rocks.
The fact that people have a need for intrusion into others’ romantic lives fascinates me. Don’t get me wrong, a good rom-com is sufficiently entertaining for me on a rainy day, but those types of movies have a plot and characters who have more motivation than “I want to shag that hot chick and get 50 grand for it” (not an actual quote). My feelings about Love Island can be summed up by Sir Giles Coren. In his wise words it is a “a vile, sexist, apocalyptically tasteless, immoral, sick, vomitous abomination, made by morons for morons.”
“Coney Island’s Newest Wonder: Sharkitecture!”
As a child, I loved going to aquariums to marvel at the exhibits. As I’ve grown up, I maintained my love for animals, but now, I marvel more at the way people look past the barriers separating them from carnivorous sharks.
Like I used to, wide eyed children are flocking to Coney Island’s reopened aquarium to wonder at its fantastic creatures. In the article, “Coney Island’s Newest Wonder: Sharkitecture!,” Michael Kimmelman details the spectacular attractions the aquarium now offers, but glosses over how 15% of the marine life died due to Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Just as people are blind to the animals’ tanks, they disregard the value of each animal. People’s blindness stems from seeing these creatures as entertainment conveniently located in pretty displays, and not as living, feeling organisms.
Kimmelman further expresses this shared misconception stating “sharks [are] to aquariums what lions are to zoos and Picasso is to art museums.” Kimmelman, along with many aquarium visitors, sees the animals as animated objects that are collected for the public to view like art. Comparing lifeless canvases to living animals illustrates people’s lack of awareness. The tanks surrounding these beautiful creatures are ignored just like the frames encasing paintings. Regardless, aquariums still fascinate me. However, I no longer stare at the animals, but instead, at people’s reflections in the polished glass walls.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/world/australia/great-barrier-reef.html
The Great Barrier Reef is becoming more and more damaged every year. It is rapidly losing its color, thus destroying the marine life that feeds off of it. This is called coral bleaching. As stated by the article, “Unless drastic action is taken, extreme coral bleaching will be the new normal by the 2030s.” Unsurprisingly, the large amount of greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for this problem. I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard this multiple times throughout my life: climate change is caused by us. Yet, I’ve never read any articles about anyone doing anything about it. I picked to read this article thinking it would be different, but they’re all the same. These climate change articles revolve around the problem. There are never any articles about the good people trying to reverse climate change. Honestly, articles like these just make me depressed, since they spread the message that climate change and the issues following along with it are inevitable. I feel like nothing I do will be able to stop it, so why do anything at all? Someone needs to write about people trying to stop this problem because maybe it will help me and possibly others, understand that their small efforts can actually help.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/29/business/french-fries-delivery.html
This article describes the efforts of companies and delivery services to ensure that our precious french fries come to our home crispy. Now, what drove me to comment upon this specifically is not the way the article was written, which was good, but the fact that there are groups spending enormous physical and financial efforts for the sole purpose of french fry freshness. Have we gone so far that we now require such cutting-edge technology to cut and grow potatoes? I understand that the farming industry greatly benefits from access to such devices, but with the amount of effort put into french fries, I would like to see more effort upon different studies. Perhaps creating a hardier potato that needs less water to grow to full size. Spending this much effort towards something so trivial like fry dampness shows how luxury-oriented we've become.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/world/europe/trump-nato-summit-latvia...
The article "Trump Derides NATO as ‘Obsolete.’ Baltic Nations See It Much Differently" interested me because it entailed on the country of Latvia, one we don't hear from often on the grand scheme of media, yet a very interesting and historical country all the same. Latvia exists in a unfortunate location wedged between Russia, a powerful neighbor and the Baltic Sea, Latvia requires heavily on the guaranteed protection of NATO and the USA to revoke invasion. However, with Trumps strong views against NATO Latvia and many other small countries may find themselves soon without protection. I found this article important because where most are centered around the goals and focuses of the United States, this instead shows the other side of the spectrum on the places that are overshadowed in media by what may seem as more important or large scale countries. It's a good thing that countries such as Latvia aren't just completely ignored by the media to one-sided politics in the U.S. It is better to have an understanding view upon the world rather than just one place, that's why I found this article both interesting and important.
“Facebook’s Push for Facial Recognition Prompts Privacy Alarms”
The article that most interested me in The Times this week was about the potential for Facebook to use Facial Recognition. This article discussed the possibility of Facebook using Facial Recognition and the reaction many groups had and continue to have to this potential technological application. While I recognize the positive aspects this technology could have, I am mainly concerned for the public’s privacy. I think that there are rights that those using technology should have, and I fear that the use of facial recognition could take away or oppose some of those rights. Given the current ability people have to hack into information which is considered protected, I can easily imagine that instead of people’s identity being safeguarded, it could be accessed in a way not previously possible. I find many groups’ reaction to this possibility interesting, and I also find it reassuring that many states and countries already have legislation which can counter the negative aspects of Facial Recognition.
" Rescue Mission Rivets Thailand"
I found this new article to be intriguing because how the rescue workers from Thailand used huge pumps to reduce the water within the cave. The reason I find this to be intriguing is because even though during the time when they were reducing water the ongoing rain set them back they still managed to save all 12 boys and the coach.
"How Rescuers Pulled Off the Impossible in a Treacherous Thai Cave"
I found this article very interesting, because when I first heard about the tragedy of the soccer team being stuck in a cave, I thought "It's not a big deal, someone will get them in a couple days". However after reading this I realized how much harder the mission is than it originally seemed to me. The fact that it took ten days to even locate the boys was very shocking to me. And the fact that a volunteer died in attempt to evacuate the boys showed how truly difficult the mission was. One thing that the article did not talk much about is the feelings of the families through the whole thing. Even though the article touched on the families I wish it went deeper in depth. I also wish it went deeper in depth with how the boys were feeling while being trapped in the cave. They must have been terrified, and scared to death. However the article did an amazing job on highlighting the teamwork, and the efforts put in to save the boys. And making sure to point out that it was not just a thai issue, it was an international issue. And everyone's main goal was to save the boys and send them back home to their families safely. Overall I found this article very interesting and I will make sue to follow up on the boys more as they go through recovery.
As an Asian American high school student who plans to apply for college, I believe that affirmative action should be terminated. Hence, this article was the most intriguing to me this week. According to Reecy Aresty, affirmative action is “when a less qualified minority individual gets picked before a more qualified individual.” In my opinion, this policy is cruel because it would grant an easier path to college for less qualified minorities, and discourage the “ethnic majority” from being diligent and earnest. Granting less qualified minorities a higher chance of admittance into college is unfair because the more qualified students, who have been diligent, wouldn’t be rewarded for their efforts. Whereas less qualified minorities, who have slacked off, would be rewarded because of their race or religion. Therefore, affirmative action would seem cruel to the more qualified students who have experienced sleep deprivation due to schoolwork, or even to any student that has better qualifications. This policy would also affect students in the “ethnic majority” because they would be less inclined to work rigorously to achieve outstanding grades as they would already have a decreased chance of being rewarded for their efforts. As a result, affirmative action may lead to more qualified individuals wishing that they were minorities because it would have been such an easier path to college. This is appalling. In conclusion, affirmative action is inequitable, so it must be eradicated.
Orcas of the Pacific Northwest Are Starving and Disappearing. [https://goo.gl/y2qPZv]
When I read that the orcas in the Pacific northwest coast were starving I was shocked. I knew that orcas were endangered but I didn’t know that the numbers have gotten so low. But according to the author the number in the northwest coast have decreased all the way down to 75. This really upsets me because I’ve always thought that the orcas were the coolest marine animal. They were to me the most dangerous animal in the sea. It just makes me really upset that their numbers are this low. Apparently there are two reasons why they are dying off: food shortages and pollution. The orcas main prey, the king salmon, is dying off. Orcas carry some of the highest amounts of pollution of any marine animal. The reason is not only because they are in the areas that had oil spills in them but it is also because that there are pesticides and waste chemicals that are lipophilic. This means that the contaminant stays in the fat, and the females transfers a lot of that to their offspring through nursing their calves. I’m just upset that the orcas are dying and the reasons sound like that it’s just all our faults. We can help save the orcas by stopping all the trash going into the ocean.
Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/business/toys-r-us-closing.html
When I first heard about Toys R Us was closing, I was really upset because this was my favorite store. I am still a Toys R Us kid and all of my toys were from Toys R Us. I remember the first time I went there and I was so happy. I remember I felt like I was in another world while I was there. When I was a little girl, I never seen a place like that before. I saw all the Barbie dolls in one aisle and I saw all the Nintendo Wii games in another aisle. I still can't believe it's gone and I had so many memories going there. I remember every weekend I would ask my mom can we go to Toys R Us and she will always say yes. Toys R Us was the best place in the world to me and it still is. I will never forget about this store. Toys R Us will always be in my heart and I don't know what I'm going to do without it. I love seeing all the different toys at the store and I love seeing everyone smiling inside the store. I miss Toys R Us so much and when I become an elderly person I am going to tell the children about Toys R Us and tell them how amazing that toy store is.
[email protected]
1
“If It’s on ‘Love Island’, Britain’s Talking About It”
This article about a British reality show struck my interest, not because of the show itself, but because of the fact that this seemingly meaningless show could capture so much attention. It’s no secret that reality tv is loved by the masses, but it seems as if viewers have hit a new low with Love Island.
Love Island is the epitome of shallow, boring, mind-numbing television. The whole concept revolves around a bunch of isolated strangers trying to “find love” as they each get voted off their Spanish villa by the public. The last couple standing wins £50,000, but all that really happens is petty drama that amounts to high school hallway talk. As if the objective of the show itself wasn’t idiotic enough for you, the contestants collectively have an IQ lower than a sack of rocks.
The fact that people have a need for intrusion into others’ romantic lives just sends my eyes into a never-ending cycle of rolling. Don’t get me wrong, a good rom-com is sufficiently entertaining for me on a rainy day, but those types of movies have a plot and characters who have more motivation than “I want to shag that hot chick and get 50 grand” (not an actual quote).
My feelings about Love Island and any show that bears similarities to it can be summed up by Sir Giles Coren. In his wise words it is a “a vile, sexist, apocalyptically tasteless, immoral, sick, vomitous abomination, made by morons for morons.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/business/toys-r-us-closing.html
What interested me the most in The Times this week was the article, ‘At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good’. I found this article most compelling because of the fact that the advancement of technology in our society and increased usage of electronic devices has caused online shopping to become the preferred way of shopping, to the point where big companies, such as Toys ‘R’ Us, are being overrun by companies online. I was also captivated by how a person’s life, Ms. Claude in this case, had been so impacted by working at such a lowly job like a toy store, to a point where she made very good friendships with the people she had been working with, something an online store would be unable to provide. This is just an example of how our country is changing with the times, maybe in a few years people will only shop online. If that were to happen, employees may no longer have the opportunity to make such close friendships with their coworkers that they could have made if they worked at a job with them in person. The shutting down of Toys ‘R’ Us seems like the beginning of a decline in stores, soon many other in-store brands may have the same sad fate as Toys ‘R’ Us did.
"LeBron James to the Lakers: There’s Much to Unpack Here"
I found the news of LeBron James to the Los Angeles Lakers to be extremely interesting because it heavily shifts some significant aspects of NBA basketball. Arguably the greatest basketball player of all time,certainly in our generation, brings headlines in whatever conquest he embarks upon. From the superteam down in Miami to bringing back a championship to the city of Cleveland, LeBron has captured the sports headline for many individuals, including myself. His determination and grit is an extremely valuable asset that the Los Angeles Lakers have gained as they look to repeat the golden years of their esteemed history. With the move, there are several title contenders looking to upset the dominant Golden State Warriors, including LeBron in his new hometown. It will be remarkable to see LeBron and the Lakers compete in the upcoming NBA season.
"Why does every soccer player do this? "
This article discusses the common pose of soccer players putting their hands over or on their face after missing an easy shot on goal.Most of us have seen how most players of any kind of sport show their frustration by putting their hands on ther face. This article told us the many reasons why.Whether the ball misses the net because of a gaffe by the shooter or a spectacular save by the goalkeeper, the response by the rejected players remains nearly identical. “It’s exactly the same statistical reality,” the British soccer historian David Goldblatt said.Others think that it's a sign that means you are sorry and that you should have done better.I read this article because my interest in the subject and becuase of my interest in soccer.
1
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/style/millennial-pink-what-next.html
This week what interested me in the Times was the article about the new "it' color. This intrigued me because fashion is a big part of my life. I think color plays a big role in your sense of style and persona. I agree with the article when saying Millennial Pink, one of my favorites to be honest, is in a way fading away. It's important to have a color to take its place when society decides to officially bump it down from its first place ranking. The four contenders are Safety Orange, Melodramatic Pink, Gen Z Yellow, and Neo Mint. My personal favorite is Melodramatic Purple, probably because thats my favorite color. Even though I prefer this purple color, I think that Gen Z Yellow is going to take over. Yellow is a new hit color and I slowly see it rising in social media and in my life a little actually. It's versatile and bright, so what;s not to love about it. This article made me feel excited about the changes the future has in store. This topic really hasn't been on my mind lately, but it sparked a great interest in me when I saw it. I suspect the new "it" color will be making its grand appearance very soon, whether it be on social media or everyday life.
"'What We Call a Miracle': Baby Survives 9 hours in Montana Woods."
This article interested me since some people don't treat their babies properly. Like, I know it's hard to take care of babies but mistreating them to a whole other level is not good. Francis, who was caring for the infant, ditched him. The infant could've died due to the cold conditions! But, he luckily survived with a few minor cuts and bruises. According to the article, Francis was charged with criminal endangerment. Apparently, he seemed to be on drugs and threatened other people saying he has a gun. What is wrong with people these days? The point of having a baby is to treat them properly and raise them so they could have a better future and have a family. Not just ditch them somewhere like it's not important to them and ruin their future. I've read other articles related to this in the past, but this one caught my attention since it's uncertain for an infant to survive in the woods for 9 hours in such horrible conditions. What a lucky baby!
The article I found interesting this week is “López Obrador, an Atypical Leftist, Wins Mexico Presidency in Landslide,” to me the biggest thing coming from the New Mexican President is that he is a leftist, because it has been decade since the last leftist president was elected. Mr. Obrador promises to fix Mexico’s violence, corruption, and poverty problems which have been a major flaw in Mexico’s for several years now due to the circulation of drugs, guns, and other illegal substances. The new president has come up with several solution to these problems and hasn’t a vision of a better Mexico, but many critics doubt he will be able to afford all of the new ideas he is thinking of and may leave Mexico in a worse state than it is now. In order to help himself in the government many are thinking most of ex-president Enrique Peña Neito’s party shall be cut. One of his biggest challenges coming into office is persuading other countries that they should trade with Mexico. If he fails to convince Mexico could dig itself into a deeper hole. I believe that Mexico can cause an uprising and overcome the problems it has now with the resources and authority they have, but it will be a long process especially with the drug cartels deep in Mexico.
"Baby Found Buried Alive In The Montana Woods."
By Christine Hauser
July 10, 2018
Discusses a tragedy with a 32 year old man, Francis Carlton Crowley, that was supposed to be caring for his 5 month old child but, instead the child was found in the woods buried under sticks, leaves, and other waste by search and rescue teams, Montana Highway Patrol, and The Bureau Of Land Management. Luckily the infant was rescued alive and only suffered slight scrapes and bruises while Francis Carlton Crowley was charged with criminal endangerment, assault on a minor, and fugitive. This is definitely a hard/sad topic to scrutinize and elaborate on but, I am glad that the outcome was favorable to the child.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/health/self-harm-teenagers-cdc.html
This article interested me because of the style of writing used. It was a short piece that offered only a platform to repost a already published report. It broke down the analysis and findings of the report and repackaged them. This breed of “Study Finds...” articles are nothing but poor reporting. The only skill that they require are the skills to analyse the report itself. This is a far cry from investigative journalism, instead of finding the facts, and supporting them with scientific articles, the fact are simply repackaged and watered down. This also keeps the readers from forming their own conclusions about the report, because the author omits facts in order to provide a focused and powerful point. Finally, it takes credit from those who put their time and effort into analyzing a national survey and gives it to a page and a half soundbite. It is the wonder bread of statistics, it offers little substance or depth. If the article was a way to raise awareness about this issue, it would offer next steps, but it only meagrely does that in the last paragraph as a way to validate the rest of the article. If you want to raise awareness, offer a more in depth analysis and offer credit to those who did most of the work. The prevalence of The New York Times should be used as a bully pulpit to fight serious issues, but low effort “Study Finds...” articles do not cut it.
"Thai Cave Rescue Live Updates: The Watery Trap Is Now Empty"
In Thailand a team of soccer players and their coach got trapped in caves. This article talks about how they are all finally out and safe. The reason this article interests me is because I find it admiring how everyone worked together in order to ensure that they all made it out safely.
Right now, all you tend to see in the news are stories about hate and crime. With so much hate and racism going on, this story helped show that there is still faith in humanity. At the end of the day, we all still have our hearts at the same places and unite together when needed. In this story, everyone came together to help out these kids. Divers, medical personnel, Navy members, and hundreds of volunteers from all over the world all tried to help out as much as they could. This was no easy job either, the divers risked their lives just to make sure those kids turned out okay. One diver even lost his life in the process. All these people were very honorable. This is why this article interested me. It showed that there is still love in this world full of hate.
“Want to Feel Happier? Your Phone Can Help. (Maybe.)”
I live in a society that depends on technology and if it was taken away, I am not sure we would be able to survive as people once had. I also live in a society where technology and the internet are often used to bully and bring down the self-confidence of others. Sadly, I often see hate comments or negative posts towards others. People, unfortunately, try to make themselves feel higher by trying to bring someone else down. According to this article, 80 percent of our thoughts daily are negative. Ms. Jamie, a board member of the U.C.L.A. Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, is using her power to make an app that can help us become happier and think more positively.
Some of us may have the wrong idea of true happiness. We may think happiness is buying a new pair of shoes or a designer bag. But that feeling is only temporary. We also may be under the impression that to be happy all of our problems have to be solved. Ms. Jamie explains that happiness is our ability to cope with problems that arise in our lives. She wanted to make an app that could lead us to a better version of ourselves. She wanted us to learn to be able to cope with these emotions. So, she developed the “Happy Not Perfect” app.
Ms. Jamie is using technology to her advantage. Ms. Jamie is working towards helping others feel what “happiness” actually feels likes. Through her efforts and many more, we can lead the world in the direction of true happiness.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
This article talks about how the NAVY was confident on the search about the boys and their achievements on their current search. They captured the interest of the king himself and half a dozen of countries. The search team were also provided resources and equipments for search by them. On July 2nd they were found. Most of the people believed it was impossible for the rescue to succeed putting the distance, water, and difficulty of the trip into account. I too believe it is impossible, but was worth a try. Currently the boys and their coach are given first aids and high-protein food given by the medical teams. This article sparked by interest because the news about the boys went viral. I wanted to know why it went viral. Why people cared about 13 insignificant boys being trapped. I still do not fully understand why but I do sincerely hope that they do come out of the cave alive.
“Thai Cave Rescue Live Updates: The Watery Trap Is Now Empty”
The soccer team that had been trapped in a cave for 18 days is now free and safe. It took dozens of divers, many, many volunteers, and a countless number of police, firefighters, and medics to help the 12 players and their coach to escape the cave. Even some navy seal people helped in the rescue. The soccer team is now currently in the hospital for a week. The 4 member military team who had been staying with the boys for days have also exited the cave safely. Sadly, one navy seal diver had been killed in the operation. Like I said before, the boys are now in the hospital getting rid of possible infections they might have. One player is suffering from mild pneumonia. The players families are able to visit them later Tuesday afternoon. In all, the the Thai Cave rescue mission to save the 12 soccer players and their coach has finally come to an end. @[email protected]
bengal10Josette110402
Re: An Instagram-Obsessed Anthropologist Riffs on the Meaning of ‘Maleness’
By Zachary Lazar
A fictional novel written By Lynne Tillman follows an average Joe’s journey to understanding himself as a male and his role in society. People today have changed their perspective on how we see people and gender roles. However, the ideas of how a girl or boy should behave still continue, even if we have broken down social barriers. Having a novel that challenges the social norm from the male perspective is quite refreshing to hear about.
Although I one hundred percent support women’s movements and their heroine tales of breaking social unfair rules, I also wish to see what the other gender has been going through since these movements. I would ask myself questions such as “Has the male perspective changed their way of viewing women?” or “How do they handle gender roles today?” People forget sometimes that breaking down social boundaries do not just affect the participants, but could always change those around them for the better. So maybe within the women’s movements men also find confidence within themselves to change their gender role as well.
No one should feel as if they should act according to their gender, but rather act according to themselves and personality. While I only have a brief description of this novel, I already have the urge to challenge the social norms around me.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/06/upshot/the-unemployment-rate-rose-for...
What interested me the most in the Times this week is the rise of the unemployment rate. Over the last month, the unemployment rate rose from 3.8% to 4%, but this isn't bad for the economy, it is actually a good thing. The reason for the rise was because of the fact that most of the unemployed were looking for work but didn't find it immediately. "That suggested they were ready and willing to fill the jobs that employers have kept creating at a healthy rate". The job market is trying to create more jobs and is willing to pull more people into the market. People are more likely to walk around and see more help wanted signs posted then they were a few years ago.
The trend in 2010-2012 suggested that millions of Americans even gave up looking for work. The rising of the unemployment rate show that the United States economy isn't overheating and that it has growth potential.
The new data numbers show that over the next months, there should be improvements. The improvements are shown to be with the increasing supply of workers. "But in June, at least, this labor supply effect was the more influential one. Employers have been successful at coaxing people into the workforce to fill vacant jobs". The labor force aren't increasing but they are much better than they were in February.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/opinion/sunday/abortion-kennedy-supre...
The piece talks about abortion and women's rights. Third wave feminism has progressively gotten worse. The author of this mentioned her own abortion story. She was in college and got drunk and made a mistake and had an abortion to get rid of the baby. She had her abortion after seven weeks. When the baby had a heartbeat, so it was a living baby. A cell on Mars is considered life but a heartbeat from a baby on Earth isn't in most cases. Some women want the right to abort babies. But it shouldn't be a womens's right when the life of an innocent baby is taken. Feminists talk about Trump separating illegal immigrants at the border and say it's inhumane. However, it's perfectly humane to kill an innocent baby because you made a mistake.
“Covering Beyoncé and the Surprise Album Drop”
This article interested me the most because most artists give a release date for their albums, while Beyoncé randomly drops an album without any sort of hint. Beyoncé’s 3 most recent albums, Beyoncé, Lemonade, and Everything is Love were dropped without anyone knowing on a Thursday at midnight. Although fans have learned to look for signs of album releases, the album drops can come at a completely different time then when the fans think it is coming. I enjoyed reading this article because it went deep into when Beyoncé drops her albums and it explained why she drops her albums without saying anything on social media. Random album drops are exciting and with each new album, her music gets better and better.
Re “What Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Victory Means” by The Editorial Board.
The article correctly notes several takeaways from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s victory over Congressman Joseph Crowley, however, fails to mention the more subtle changes in the electoral landscape. As a sixteen-year-old, I am acutely aware of the power of social media.
This election signifies the emerging power of social media in political campaigns. Representative Crowley ran an old-school campaign, relying on mailings and TV ads. While the campaign did have a social media presence, it was English only, failing to reach over 50% of his constituents in their native language. Further evidence of Ms. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s use of social media to expand her platform; she currently has 173,000 Instagram followers, while Congressman Crowley has 1,498.
When I vote for the first time in the 2020 presidential election, social media will play an even larger role. While the role of social media in US elections is in its infancy, undoubtedly technology and social media will have lasting effects on politics. Imagine a US where voter registration and actual voting may be done over the internet. A campaign would need to be predominately driven by social media where candidates would be compelled to articulate political positions. Citizens in turn, would be able to hold politicians accountable with the ability to publicly call them out for missteps and deviations from stated political positions.
The 12 boys and their coach had been trapped in a flooded cave for more than a week.Published OnJuly 2, 2018CreditImage by Royal Thai Army
i been keeping myself updated on those young boys and there
coach trapped in a cave. its interesting how they where saying it would take them maybe a month to save them because the water kept o flooding and the boys didn't know how to swim but they where not panicking or anything they where calm and understood.Recently all 12 of the boys and there coach have been saved and get to go with their family's and go back into civilization. The sad thing about this is a man lost his life helping these kids he went back under the water to go to the boys but ran out of oxygen and died he was a ex Thai navy seal.He will not go unnoticed for him volunteering to save those boys.
This week I read an article titled, "In Praise of Wearing a Dress Again and Again". It centered in on celebrities that wore an outfit in public more than once. They talked about Tiffany Haddish and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. This article made me realize that us as a society tend to react to celebrities' actions even if they're normal ones. Wearing an outfit more than once is something that an everyday person does, but since it is a celebrity it raises alarm. This is just one of the ways that we put celebrities at a higher status and dehumanize them.
This week the article "How a Pediatrician Became a Detective" interested me the most. I chose this article because I have been interested to see the steps officials will take to fix the water in Flint, Michigan since first learning about the lead crisis in my earth and environmental science class. The crisis started in 2015 when the city started using the Flint river as their main water source. Lead, a dangerous nuerotoxin, was seeping into the water through old pipes contaminating the water. State officials knew about the dangerous lead concentration in the water, however, they made no efforts to fix it. After months of no one taking action, Dr. Hanna-Attisha decided to take matters into her own hands. As a pediatrician, she was able to monitor the increasing lead concentration in the blood of the children and saw that they were slowly being poisoned. Dr. Hanna-Attisha became an activist. She wrote letters, called state health officials, and met with the mayor. However, she was met with more excuses and stalling. Dr. Hanna- Attisha then, with a growing team of doctors and scientists, held news conferences to release their findings and demand action. Due to the growing National pressure, the state finally agreed and switched back to the Detroit system. Despite the change, the Flint water crisis continues. The pipes still must be replaced and the people of Flint must still use bottled water, but Flint is now back on the right path to healthy, clean water.
The article Imran Awan, Ex-Congressional I.T. Worker, Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud by Karen Zraick, posted on July 3, 2018, interested me. I have read about Imran Awan online. Some commentators noted that Awan had subscribed to some suspicious YouTube channels, one which was discussed on Tosh.0. There has been speculation online that members of the Awan family were involved in fraud, terrorism, and a spy operation. Some theories involved the 2016 Presidential Election. An investigation, which addressed right-wing conspiracy theories, found no evidence that Awan had engaged in illegal conduct involving House computer systems. On July 3, 2018, Imran Awan pleaded guilty to making a false statement on a bank loan application and other charges were dropped. Awan admitted that he submitted an online application for a loan using his wife’s name and stated that a residence in question was his wife’s primary residence. It was actually his wife’s rental property. Awan’s lawyer said that the money was sent to Pakistan to help his gravely ill father, who has since passed away. Although he’s been convicted of just one charge of making a false statement on a bank loan application, and it’s said that investigators found no evidence of illegal activity with House computers, what about the accusation that Imran and one of his brothers had mistreaded a woman? Also, why did he subscribe to SevenSuperGirls on YouTube? Maybe it was his young daughters, but would he have not been wary about this?
"Do Poor People Have a Right to Health Care?" by The Editorial Board
This week I chose an article which discusses the controversial topic of whether people who can’t afford healthcare should be given the same as those who can. The article interested me because it is very often that you hear about these topics on the news, and I am often curious about the specific cases that lead the controversy. This article summarized the big-picture in that most government officials are taking opposite stances in the debate. Those that stand far to the left believe that everyone should have the opportunity to Medicaid. On the other hand, people on the right claim that Medicaid should be granted by a system purely based on what an individual earns. I did not, however, understand the point that the author was trying to illustrate in their paragraph sentence when they said, “A country’s deepest values are reflected in how it treats its most vulnerable citizens.” I understand that there are many vulnerable people who need programs such as Medicaid, however, I also believe that in order for someone to have access to programs as such, they must earn them as being a productive member of society. For instance, all of the people mentioned in the opening paragraph have productive roles in society. I do not feel that these are a fair representation of those who are on the Medicaid program. Overall, this article was very interesting and explained the health care debate with more specific examples.
"A Space Force? The Idea May Have Merit, Some Say" peaked my interest this week. The title immediately caught my eye because the idea of a "space force" seemed very obscure. Reading the article opened my eyes to the potential need for a space force. I did not realize that other countries may be building up their technology in space that may pose as a threat towards the United States. With our Air Force not paying enough attention to outer space, it seems that creating a space force would be useful. It was eye opening to read about such a seemingly obscure topic. Prior to reading this article, I never would have thought of a space force, because to me space seems so distant and untouchable. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this article as it has broadened my awareness of current events.
"Why Does Every Soccer Player Do This?"
As I have been following the world cup, this article peeked my interests. I have seen many players doing the motion countless amount of times. I have also noticed myself raising my hands to my head. It was very intriguing to read that these players and fans receive a psychological pain when a goal scoring opportunity is missed. Overall, through this article, I have gained knowledge on what really happens in the brain during these moments.
https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/07/09/us/ap-us-starbucks-straws.html
Let’s say we are heading over to our favorite coffee shop, Starbucks. We order our favorite beverages and we would expect to receive our drinks alongside the iconic green straws because it just seems totally normal, right? Well, it may not seem to exactly be “normal” for much longer.
Within the next two years, Starbucks plans on eliminating plastic straws from all of its locations, and I certainly believe this is amazing. While plastic straws may seem like just a small piece of the plastic waste crisis as a whole, for most of us, plastic straws are seen in our daily lives. Therefore, cutting these straws out can be a simple way to reduce waste. I think with large companies such as Starbucks advocating for the reduction of plastic straws, it certainly aids in reducing the global production of plastic waste. So much plastic is seen throughout our daily lives and we often use these plastic objects without thinking about the impacts of using them- and I’ll admit, I'm certainly guilty to this, just like most of us are.
Merely omitting plastic straws won’t necessarily save our world, but it is only by starting with this simple change, can we develop the consciousness that leads to further societal improvements. Sacrificing a plastic straw may sound like such a small change, but it is certainly a crucial step in reducing the vast amounts of plastic waste we generate.
1
Review for: “BTS Becomes the First K-Pop Act to Top Billboard Album Chart”
Growing up, no music in languages other than English would be heard. A Spanish song would be played on the radio once in a while, and skipping it would be the first thing that came to mind. My thought process would be, “I do not know what they are saying, so what is the point of listening to the music?” When PSY’s song “Gangnam Style” blew up in 2012, that is where the majority of the American scene got their first glimpse into this foreign music genre: K-Pop.
The obsession with this foreign music genre came out of nowhere, but knowing nothing about the language and having zero clue on what they were saying did not stop me from listening to it nonstop since PSY’s song. As time went on, by late 2013, the K-Pop universe had introduced me to BTS, where I knew that my life was never going to be the same. Being a part of their fan army for so long, this past year really showed all of the hard work and dedication that they did to get to where they are today. Hearing that their album “Love Yourself: Tear” was the first non-English album to become No. 1 on the Billboard Charts, I was the one in “tears” of how proud I was of them. My childhood self would have never expected this to have happened, and I know he would be looking at BTS in complete shock, thinking how crazy is it that a Korean album is No. 1 on the American charts, and my present self thinks the same way, just from a different perspective.
In a Migrant Shelter Classroom, “It’s Always Like the First Day of School,” by Dana Goldstein and Manny Fernandez
Migrant children in federal custody across the country are being faced with the challenge of abiding federal law, which requires all children in the US to receive a free public education. It’s interesting to me that schooling is even a concern rather than focusing on getting the children back with their families. The articles states the guidelines of ICE, which says that children should be tested for disabilities and have access to translation services. However, these standards are not consistently followed and seem to be ignoring the many other issues with the shelter schools. So, while these children are getting six hours a day of education, they are still in large classes. For example, at age 16, if I were at the Berks County Residential Center (run by ICE), I would be learning the same curriculum as 11-year-olds. This example doesn’t even factor in a language barrier or kids with special needs. In situations like these, Eleanor Acer (part of the Human Rights First group) says that children are “not really taught much of anything,” also due to the constant repetition in curriculum to accommodate new students. There is no doubt that having a curriculum and certified teachers is valuable to children, but the schooling environments that can be seen in these shelters is unhealthy and provides kids with just another obstacle.
"London Mayor Allows ‘Trump Baby’ Balloon for President’s Trip to U.K."
“When they go low, we go high.” Do you remember that memorable quote from 2016? Oh how I long for those composed days. Let me come back to that quote in a moment, though.
In an utter lack of respect for the President, London mayor Sadiq Khan has approved of a giant Trump Baby balloon to be flown over the city during protests starting on the 12th of July. While I would not categorize myself as a Trump supporter, the ugliness, insults and low brow humor has been taken to the next level with this diaper clad effigy of Trump. I guess the saying goes that you have to stand up to the schoolyard bully instead of trying to appease him, but the petty actions of political leaders these days is appalling.
Let me get back to that quote now. Whose words were those? Any guess? Former First Lady Michelle Obama said those virtuous words in a speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in response to the hateful language used during the campaign by you know who. Those words resonated then and I wish the so-called political leaders of today, who serve at the pleasure of voters, would take Mrs. Obama’s words to heart and stop the frivolous back and forth. But who I am kidding, right?
Anyways, to try to match Trump insult by insult might not be humanly possible as his erratic twitter rants have become grossly obtuse and unhinged. However, I guess Londoners feel up to the challenge and will take on the President.
https://nyti.ms/2m73sdK
This week I chose an article on Facebook's facial recognition algorithms. This article intruiged me because I am an avid social media user, and even I had barely any knowledge of this practice. Facebook scans our faces in images in order to identify us from an ever-growing database, which they portray as a harmless way to protect users' identities. However, this idea gives off a borderline dystopian feeling. The article's mention of Facebook's idea to use store security cameras in order to match our face to our social media and decide whether or not we are "trustworthy" enough to earn special shopping priveleges, is very reminiscent of a "Black Mirror" episode in which people earn social rankings for their actions. This idea will create a world in which life truly revolves around our appearance on social media, even worse than it does already. Social media presence has come to the point that it can be difficult to delete our accounts even if we fear this privacy breach, due to the fact that many people have years worth of photos and memories. Also, Facebook requires page owners to have a personal profie, so business owners must have an account in order to advertise on the site. In the modern world we are truly ensnared in social media use, and its grip on us is only getting tighter.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
Suffering comes in many different flavors, and we are exposed to it daily in the form of tragic incidents from school shootings to corruption in society at large. Many of these various problems are without solutions, the answers to their end muddled by the antagonism between different political factions and corporations. This particular incident about the Thai rescue effort, an international endeavor consisting of countries like the USA and China, is a hopeful and reinforcing show of public relations in the current political climate of the world. If countries sour with each other can come together briefly to help 12 boys(and their coach), that right there is a little bit of effort towards creating a world where the threat of war or conflict is forever eradicated. If many of these little efforts are shown and put in by various countries, then without a doubt, we are making slow and steady progress towards a better society.
"How a Pediatrician Became a Detective"
Recently I have been interested in anything surrounding the crisis in Flint, Michigan. It was interesting to read from the perspective of a pediatrician helping patients through this crisis. I was surprised that Dr. Hanna-Attisha and many other doctors told their patients that the water was safe to consume. the article also tells the reader that Flint was fifteen million dollars in debt at the time the water source switched from Detroit to the flint river. It was also interesting when the author describes that after she conducted the study at her clinic she saw that her job was not just to treat patients, but to be an activist, and as she puts it, a detective.
The world needs more doctors like Dr.Hanna-Attisha so crises like Flint may be stopped before damage is done. -Emily_GHS_2018
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
I have been closely following the news behind the 12 boys and their coach who are trapped in a cave in Thailand. It is nice to see how these brave divers are risking their lives to find a way to save these boys and get them out safely. The dangers in this mission are unimaginable. One diver already has sadly passed after trying to find a way for the boys to escape. The boys are stuck miles into the cave, and due to heavy flooding anticipated, the divers need to find a way to get them out of there. One problem, they can't swim. The divers have been teaching the boys how to swim and successfully escape the cave, but the process needs to be sped up due to the flooding that could kill them. I find how these men are risking their lives to save these people inspiring. They have been working day in and day out to try and find a way to get these kids out safe and unharmed. This shows that there is still so much good happening in the world around us.
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/health/self-harm-teenagers-cdc.html
[email protected]
What interested me the most in the Times this week was “How many teenage girls deliberately hurt themselves? Nearly 1 in 4, survey finds” This article caught my attention this week because to think that girls my age are purposely hurting themselves is a scary thought. This article talked about why teenage girls do it. Some of the reasons are because of depression, being bullied, or are a sexual assault victim. They also included why teenage boys do it. The research shows that the boys do it because of them being on drugs. The article also included the percentage of how many girls purposely hurt themselves in every state they also did that for boys. The states with the highest percentage for boys and girls included Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico and Kentucky. The state that had the lowest percentage was Delaware. Lastly the article talked about the races of girls that hurt themselves. The top race of girls to do this was Native Americans, the Hispanic, then White, then Asian. All of these races have 20% of girls hurting themselves. While Blacks only have 12%. For all of this being said this article interested me the most because I wanted to know more about girls my age doing this to myself. I wanted to know what triggered them in to doing it.
https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2018/07/09/world/asia/09reuters-thailand...
For the past week or so, I’ve become fixated on the fate of the twelve boys and their coach that were trapped within the Tham Luang cave complex of Chiang Rai. Caves have always seemed to me as these menacing and frightening places. They were dark, rocky, and humid. They start out with a humongous entrance, the rocky ceiling high up, misleading you to thinking of them as inviting shelters. Then, soon enough, the halls would turn into small, murky corridors. Your confident march turns into a tight crawl through some claustrophobic passageway. Despite being intimidated by these caverns, I’ve been in their chambers before. Being from Myanmar, the caves that I’ve visited are filled with pagodas and statues of Buddha. Even then, I’ve always felt uneasy visiting these locations. Seeing that eight of the thirteen people trapped within Tham Luang were saved, it felt like some sort of miracle. I doubted that those boys would be found in time, much less alive. Fortunately, I was wrong. I hope that the remaining four boys and their coach are brought out safely. Many people have helped in the rescue mission of these boys from the government to the divers to all the people wishing for their safe return. My praise, as well as my respect, goes to all of them.
“Let’s Talk About My Abortion (and Yours)” by Cindi Leive was the article that caught my attention this week. Abortion has always been a contentious topic among people, and although I am not an expert on this topic, this is my say on it.
If I had to choose one word for my response to abortion, it would be the word “choice.” Whether to abort or not is a hard decision to make, but no matter what choice a woman makes, we have to remember that it is a painful decision. It was mentioned in the article that, “no woman owes anyone an answer about whether she has or hasn’t. But roughly one in four of us have...” Abortion is still a taboo subject, although the data above shows that is very common. I believe that women should have the right to make decisions, even if some consider them as being selfish, about something that can be life-changing, instead of being forced to do something that clearly violates human rights.
The following comparison is from a post that I found on tumblr. Some say that women shouldn’t be able to get abortions because it was their choice to have sex, but the writer went against that statement by ironically saying that, “so we should refuse treatment for people with lung cancer because it was their choice to smoke.” Like not all people who have lung cancer smoke, not all women who are pregnant willingly had sex. This may seem off topic, but I mentioned it because I believe that the writer of this tumblr post brought up a very interesting point.
Re: When a Baby Is an Everyday Reminder of Rohingya Horror
It was heartbreaking to hear of the story of Noor. The girl is around my age but her life was completely different. Her ethnicity had branded her a target for the Myanmmar soldiers who came to massacre those like her. She had lost her parents. She had been subjected to rape. Now, she was scorned by society for the baby in her stomach that was no fault of hers and was forced to stay away from her brother.
I think he still loves me even though he is ashamed of me. I sat there numbly for a while as I processed the statement. Noor was painfully aware of the situation she was trapped in. I cannot imagine what it is like to be in her shoes, to be aware that the family member you loved was ashamed of you.
My heart goes out to Noor and the many others like her in Myanmmar. They are victims, but society cannot recognise their pain. Instead, these women continue to live their lives, bearing the heavy knowledge that they are not welcomed and their loved ones are embarrassed of them.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/05/business/media/tv-viewer-tracking.htm...
I am a person who uses technology every day. Whether it be my phone, laptop, or just watching my TV. I know that I don't have as much privacy from the world now as my parents probably did when they were my age. Yet, I still expect a certain amount of privacy when using electronics. That is why I found the article "How Smart TVs in Millions of U.S. Homes Track More Than Whats On Tonight" extremely shocking. It showed that Television companies like Samba TV have been able to track nearly everything on consumer's televisions without their knowledge. The feature is activated when consumers set up their TV. However, the pop-up that appears makes the program sound great. To summarize it says that in order to enhance your viewing experience click allow, and does not make anything that may sway the consumer to disable it easily accessible. Personally, I don't necessarily mind the company's logging all the stuff I'm watching if the features that come with it are so awesome, but if I agree to it I want to know everything I'm getting into.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/sports/lebron-lakers.html
I chose this topic because I Love playing and watching basketball and have been keeping up with the Trades going on. LeBron James the 2016 NBA champion for the Cleveland Cavaliers has decided that he will sign with the Lakers after loosing to the Warriors two straight times. He signed back with the Cavaliers back in 2014. The team he played for before that was the Miami Heat. LeBron signed a 1 year contract last year after his duo Kyrie Irving left him to go join the Celtics. People mostly knew that James was gonna leave because he had no help along him. His son joined a school in Los Angeles a few weeks before LeBron had announced that he will be joining the Lakers. So that pretty much broke out the news that LeBron will be leaving pretty soon. LeBron said that he will be only joining the Lakers if another superstar joins with him but no one has joined him yet. The Lakers were trying to the Superstar Paul George but he decided that he will be staying with the Thunder. I hope LeBron gets a better player with him in L.A. so he can win a Championship.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/06/opinion/sunday/ant-man-wasp-movies-su...
We are asked what our culture’s obsession with superhero films say about us. The author posits that they embrace the idea of the empowered individual, which is an interesting reflection of our values, but overall, I found there was no one focal argument made about why moviegoers flock to see the likes of Thor, Wonder Woman, and Co. grace the silver screen.
Instead, we are told what these movies hope to achieve and what various characters represent, but not why the world at large is so hungry to see stories adopted from popular comics. The author seems to want to inspire a distaste for these cotton candy films, that lack substance or originality and that often fall short of the legends they are based on, however, at the article’s conclusion, he notes that he keeps coming back for more. Rather than simply being impressed by beautiful actors, cool superpowers, or glittering special effects, I think the reason today’s audience is so enamored of superhero films is this: pure escapism.
In a world that grows ever bleaker, with despotic rulers, financial instability, and growing social issues, rather than sitting down to weightier and often depressing films, we would rather spend a couple hours thinking about an Amazon goddess destined to keep humanity afloat or a secretly prosperous African nation or just a world where seemingly insurmountable problems can be solved.
This week the article that I found most interesting was, "At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good." The passage I read was about how Toys ‘R’ Us went bankrupt. Many of the employees lost their job and went home with nothing. The article states that this happened because "there’s not enough money left after paying the company’s creditors, bankruptcy attorneys and consultants." So many people where upset, because they grew up with the store, and were confused and shocked when they learned that the store would soon be closing for good. Lawers and people tried their hardest to help the store succeed, but the store was still dying and bankrupt.
Article Title: "In Los Angeles, Where the Rich and the Destitute Cross Paths" by Tim Arango.
I feel as though this article shed a light on the growing homeless population in the Los Angeles area in a very informational and interesting way. A lot of the time, the homeless are neglected or not treated as humans due to their poor socioeconomic status. This problem was addressed in the article and even talked about several ways in which there have been solutions to it. All of the solutions that were put in place, helped the homeless become no longer homeless and made the more fortunate be less tentative to help them. By small acts of kindness from those of a higher socioeconomic status, such as; talking to the homeless, providing them food, or even smiling when making eye contact with them, the stigma towards the homeless lessens. Often times, if there is a stigma towards something or someone, we are less likely to want to associate with that thing, so even though some cities are making small changes in their attitude towards the homeless, it is leading to bigger things. As stated in the article, in the cities where common people are treating the homeless better, the city's government is giving more money to help the homeless get off the streets and living on public property. Getting the homeless homes, not only benefits the homeless but the community as a whole.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/world/australia/great-barrier-reef.html
The Great Barrier Reef is becoming more and more damaged every year. It is rapidly losing its color, thus destroying the marine life that feeds off of it. This is called coral bleaching. As stated by the article, “Unless drastic action is taken, extreme coral bleaching will be the new normal by the 2030s.” Unsurprisingly, the large amount of greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for this problem. I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard this multiple times throughout my life: climate change is caused by us. Yet, I’ve never read any articles about anyone doing anything about it. I picked to read this article thinking it would be different, but they’re all the same. These climate change articles revolve around the problem. There are never any articles about the good people trying to reverse climate change. Honestly, articles like these just make me depressed, since they spread the message that climate change and the issues following along with it are inevitable. I feel like nothing I do will be able to stop it, so why do anything at all? Someone needs to write about people trying to stop this problem because maybe it will help me and possibly others, understand that their small efforts can actually help.
Since I missed last weeks contest I need to do two and I already did the one from last week about Lebron James but my second article I read was about young teenage girls injuring themselves. This is a terrible topic to talk about but no one really understands that depression is a really big deal in life. The more I hear and other people hear about topics like this one they start to realize that it is becoming more common in our world especially with social media. By reading this article I learned more about teenage girls that are around my age that get so depressed in life and end up burning or cutting themselves, I am not just saying it only happens with young teenagers or anyone under 18 because that's not true I know older people that are mothers and fathers that can't handle the depression anymore and end up harming them self. This article interested me because I think everyone in our world needs to know and read about this so that they can help those that are depressed and in harm because the percent or teenage harm towards them self is increasing and we need it to decrease, so that everyone is safe and happy in life.
@[email protected]
This week I read about the article that talks about Lebron James going to play with the Los Angeles Lakers.The article made me realize that celebrities just do things to make money and to be higher up then everyone else but if I was Lebron James I would probably do the same thing. The reason why Lebron left the Cleveland Cavaliers is because he knows that his team didn't care about anything as much as he did but since he is leaving the Cavs now they won't even make it into playoffs. From what I see Lebron James is very selfish and just wants to win a ring next year and all the other years that he is going to be with the Lakers. Some fans from both teams are happy but some are also mad because other NBA players on the Lakers aren't going to get to achieve the attention they want since Lebron has joined their team. This article interested me because I am interested in basketball and I dislike Lebron James and wanted to read about the reasons why he has accepted the offer of being traded to the Lakers.
@[email protected]
As technology continues to play an ever prevalent role in our lives, our society is increasingly affected by AI and the vast leaps it has made for our society. Just recently I took a class on artificial intelligence which gave me a newfound respect for what machines are capable of. These leaps can be both sinister and beneficial for the average consumer. Voice assistants and self-learning machines are becoming increasingly common and they help us with menial tasks. Having technology so integrated with our lives also takes a measure of privacy from us. Paul Mozur uncovers the increasing role of cameras and algorithms in tracking the citizens and criminals of China in "Inside China’s Dystopian Dreams: A.I., Shame and Lots of Cameras." Face recognition and AI are tracking and scaring criminals. China's infrastructure will identify a jaywalker and put their identity on billboards for colleagues and friends to see. The lack of privacy in the coming days has not seemed to faze most Chinese citizens however, these initiatives have deterred crime. Fewer criminals come at the cost of everyone's privacy. Our friendly assistants in our homes will also be the government's best friend in delivering justice. When no action will go without proper justice, will anyone risk breaking the rules? Laws would a become hard-coded fact in our lives similar to the limitations of a computer. For better or for worse, we are heading towards a reality that is recorded and judged by algorithms.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/sports/lebron-james-lakers.html
The article that appealed to me most this week was in regard to “Lebron James Joining the Lakers on 4-year $154 Million Deal” This is not good for Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers have lost in the N.B.A finals three times against the Warriors. The Los Angeles Lakers record last year was 35-47. This is not that good. Therefore, when Lebron James goes to their team it's going to help increase their chances of winning. Lebron has switched teams only three times in his whole career. His deciding factor for the change was the four game loss to the Golden State Warriors at this year's N.B.A finals. I am a huge fan of Lebron James. I am on the varsity team this year and I also started. I was also named captain of my team. I have a love for basketball and aspire to play college ball and start a real career with sports just like Lebron did.
I respect Lebron for not switching teams as frequently as most because to me this means he is not a quitter! He is a four-time N.B.A. most valuable player and has led Eastern Conference teams to eight consecutive N.B.A. finals. Lebron posted a picture of Cleveland’s 2016 championship parade with the caption on Instagram: “Thank you Northeast Ohio for an incredible 4 seasons. This will always be home.” This is what I like about Lebron. He is open and honest and upfront and I only hope I can carry some of these awesome qualities as I also aspire to go into sports as a career.
As a teenage girl stumbling my way into adulthood, I turn to the news to learn about worldwide events and the decisions politicians are making that will affect me. Between deep breaths and aggressive typing in the comments section, I read about leaders across the globe, often male, who try to tell women what would be best for them. This week I chose the article "'I Couldn’t Tell Anyone’: Women Around the World Reveal Intimate Stories of Abortion" by Josephine Sedgwick because I am passionate about a woman's right to make decisions about her body. The article was a collection of stories from women in different countries, centralizing around a common theme: "I couldn't tell anyone." This idea affected me immensely because for many women, the possibility of others finding out would threaten their safety. Even in the small town that I live in, abortion is a taboo subject and a woman would have to travel over 100 miles to receive a safe procedure. In other countries, however, it is common for a woman to be forced to travel hundreds of miles and undergo unsafe and unsanitary procedures. Recently, Donald Trump nominated a very conservative candidate to Supreme Court Judge and soon after, I began to see Facebook posts with a repeating message: female reproductive rights are about to disappear. I do not want to live in a country where my body is regulated by anyone but myself and it is crucial for women everywhere to have access to safe and accessible procedures.
Thai Cave Rescue Live Updates: 8th Person Is Out
I've heard of this story through Media and conversation with other people, today more than ever because four more people were rescued from the cave. This story interested me because I didn't know much about the event itself beyond “people are trapped in a cave.” I didn't know that there was a total of thirteen people, twelve soccer players and one coach, that needed to be rescued and I wanted more information on this topic.
My first run in with this was during the morning news where a rescue operation was mentioned, this immediately grabbed my attention and I wanted to know more. This article was a perfect opportunity to complete my assignment and get more information, killing two birds with one stone. From what I've gathered the group has survived ten days so far in complete isolation from the outside world, there is a constant threat of basic survival needs and an oncoming storm as its monsoon season. So far eight total people have been rescued, on top of this more good news that the remaining five will be rescued tomorrow or shortly after on July 9th. Further good news is that all rescues are alive and currently hospitalized for any injuries or trauma, no other information such as names are mentioned and that's probably for the better. For such young children, ages eleven to sixteen, and the young coach I can only hope they will be found safe and sound.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/09/reader-center/abortion-around-the-wor...
When I was 10 one of my family members told me she had an abortion. The title 'I couldn't tell anyone' caught my eye because she had said those same words. At the time I knew little about what that word meant. Today I still know little about her story. All around the world women struggle to find safe and affordable abortions, and its something everyone is aware of but don't seem to recognize in times when they have the power to make a change. Whether you are pro-choice or pro-life, I find it almost infuriating that so many people say nothing to protect these women and their children (wanted or otherwise). As a teenager growing up in a time where "hookups" are more important than a serious relationship, it doesn't make sense that it should be so hard to obtain such procedure in a culture constantly placing an importance on sex. I think what this article does such a fantastic job at, is presenting evidence. Nowhere does the author state his or her opinion, they simply allow the stories to be heard. After reading each story, sometimes I felt anger, other times I felt proud, but in the end I am glad that the lives of these women are out there for all to see, for all to make up their own opinion before they sit back in their homes and only offer judgement.
I scrolled through passages and found what is happening in Japan the most interesting. "Amid Japan’s Flood Devastation, Survivors Dig Out" was published on July 9th. The writer illustrated how the flood is taking over cities and disrupting people’s lifestyles. It is incredible how one day can just start off in routine but quickly end up being the worst day of your life. That is life for people in Japan—anything can happen at any time, especially when you least expect it. People lost not only their homes, but family members because of this flood. All their priced possessions are gone. They have no where to call home. People have to start over from scratch. Japan faces many natural disasters and can never catch a break.
Review: "Harvard Is Wrong That Asians Have Terrible Personalities"
What I learned in the New York Times today: something most kids in school dream about has been denied for masses of Asian students because they lack. . . the right race.
The hypocrisy of elite institutions preaching egalitarianism such as Harvard fail to surprise, but with ever-progressing movements of the 21st century, it's practically insulting; the insult goes beyond racial bias. Academic institutions play God, placing their doctrine for the perfect student on the shoulders of adolescents worldwide. All so that the masses struggle to do and be whatever is 'Harvard worthy' until their identities are perverted and their own lives are wasted on working towards acceptance based less on merit than on ridiculous factors such as race.
This kind of despair is what pervades school culture, young perfectionists seeing each other solely as competition. Students strive to become better versions of a Harvard applicant rather than themselves. The sad thing is, even if several Asians did lack traits portrayed by the less strictly disciplined and seem 'robotic', it is because the promises of the academic system they devoted most of their childhood to motivated shaping themselves that way.
However, the fact remains that Harvard researchers have noted a bias against Asians and the school has done nothing but deny and try to hide it. As an American, let alone an Asian myself, it is what's most disheartening.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/08/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue.html
When reading or watching the news we often hear a lot about horrific events that happen in the world. We hear about shootings and news of an increasingly polarized political climate. So when I heard about this story, I thought it was a refreshing change other stories that to be considerably more controversial and depressing. The story itself also shines a light on what we can achieve if we all come together. Of the 90 divers that had been present about 50 were from other countries. Divers from countries like the U.S. and China, who seem to be increasingly hostile towards each other, are working together to help the trapped boys escape from the flooded caves. So far 8 of the boys have been rescued from the caves and despite the lost of Saman Gunan, who was one of the divers, I am confident the rescue will be a success and I hope the rest of the boys will be rescued soon.
The article that caught my attention was the "In Denmark, Harsh New Laws for Immigrant 'Ghettos'" because it was not something to marvel at. Instead, it showed the atrocities of forced assimilation, the erasure of a culture as a result of bigotry and the inability to recognize a problem. Politicians in Denmark have shown a clear distaste for the immigrants living in what they have deemed as ghettos when the true problem clearly lies in the the system working against the Muslims living there. They are not allowed to teach their children their customs, whether it be their own religion or their language. They are instantly criminalized and demonized because they are subjected to such poor conditions without any chance of earning more despite whatever hard work they may put in. From the moment the children are born, they are swept away to become more like the rest of the populace as opposed to who they were born as. They are labeled as ruthless leeches, trying to take everything from those who already get what they want when there are little to no benefits or chances. They are threatened with losing what they barely have if they do not comply to the biased laws, and it is all this that truly rattles me. The poor conditions they are being forced to live in (which, in the article, they compared to the ghettos of the Holocaust) are so wrong, but not enough citizens of Denmark realize this. Plenty support it, and I cannot stress enough how absolutely terrible that makes me feel.
I read "Four Underground Rescue Efforts That Riveted the World Image" and I found it to be a very interesting article. Two of the "efforts" discussed were ultimately failures, and were truly saddening. Those who work in the mining industry lead extraordinarily dangerous lives. What they go through just to make a buck is unbelievable. After a mysterious explosion that triggered a flood hit a mine in India, not a single miner made it out alive. There were so many missing miners that the total amount trapped down will forever be unknown. On a happier note, the other three stories did result in the rescue of at least 1 and if not all of those trapped. When Baby Jessica, at only 18 months old, fell down an old abandoned well in Midland, Texas. The whole nation was riveted to edge of there seats to see if rescuers were able to get her out in time. The most important thing that I take from this is that in tragedy we, as people come together. It is sad that we can not care about our fellow neighbors until their lives and lifestyles are threatened. We have no reason to care about the plights of miner or other people in different countries and to be honest we do not.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/26/smarter-living/how-to-clean-your-filt...
A laptop op is an everyday item to us for our education. As we use our laptops daily, we don’t realize that the daily laptop that we surround is often the dirtiest. Sometimes, We use the laptop while watching tv on it while in bed or doing our needed work to be done while eating and etc. Mostly we all eat something near your laptop, it may leave some crumbs or residue. This certain article brought my attention since I am also a person who usually eats while using my laptop for school assignments and etc.… The thing I like about this article was that it gave us tips to help us get our laptops to become brand new ones. In the article it stated that I also feel like having a cleaner and fresher laptop can be much more refreshing rather than using a dusty one. This can help us improve the assignment we are doing by working in a clean environment
“Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team”
This story first caught my attention because I first read an article that reported that a Navy SEAL member had died after trying to help with the escape of the boys. The more I read about the situation, the more interested I got. At first, I didn’t understand how the team for trapped in there in the first place, and I was interested to find out exactly how that happened and how an entire team of young boys ended up stuck in a cave. Through reading various articles, including this one, I was able to learn about the rising water levels paired with the rain, that creates a need to extract the boys soon. The efforts of all of the various groups of people helping to come up with solutions to help the boys escape in incredible because it’s not very often that we see so many people devoting their time and resources to help others in this way, and the attitudes of the boys in the letters that they sent to their parents are so sweet, funny, and heartwarming to see that they looking on the bright side of such a difficult situation.
https://nyti.ms/2Nyj5r6 "Inside the Thailand Cave:
The Obstacles Facing Rescuers"
This week, the story of the 12 boys and their coach being stuck in a cave due to raised water levels has been heard and seen across all forms of social media. Hearing the story of why their rescue took so long and how their parents and families suffered waiting for their beloved children to be rescued is heartbreaking. On top of all this, an ex-Thai navy SEAL died trying to rescue the boys from the cave; he ran out of oxygen while delivering oxygen tanks to the children that were stuck in the cave. A heroic act like this deserves more recognition and a memorial should be held for such a courageous man like Samarn Kunan. As of the writing of this comment, 8 of the 12 boys in the cave have been rescued and this extremely good news. Now Thai officials have to put all their effort into saving the other four. Everyone's prayers and support will surly be behind the boys and their families during this time of great distress.
"The Rise and Fall of China’s ‘Stout,’ ‘Dark’ and ‘Not Pretty’ Pop Star"
A simple change in our current society could save countless lives. So many lives have been taken from unsuccessful cosmetic surgeries and appearance-driven suicides. In the years that were viewed as the bright future, why is it still so hard for society to accept everyone as who they are and for everyone to love themselves? Why must everyone feel like it is their duty to “fix” their themselves to become “better”? While it's fortunate that an increasing number of women have been rebelling against societal standards, society has remained unresponsive. Just after reading the title of the article, I felt a connection to the female pop star. Being a Korean-American myself, not only have I seen peers buckle under the absurdity of Asian beauty standards, but I myself have felt the undue pressure as well. The fact that these kinds of accounts are still written proves that a woman loving herself as who she is is not typical. There is more to a person than their outer appearance. The amount of potential they hold cannot be seen through their face or body. It’s time for us to grow up and move on. What I don’t understand is that women are insulted for their appearance, but are continued to be verbally abused after cosmetic surgery for not being a “natural beauty”...
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/thai-cave-rescue-soccer-te...
The article that caught my attention this week is "Thailand Cave Rescue Turns to How to Extract Trapped Soccer Team".The 12 boys that were around ages 11-16 and their coach went into Tham Luang Cave on June 23 after a soccer practice.Their bikes were spotted just right in front of the entrance.The heavy rain began to fall which causes to block the entrance.They have been stuck in the cave for already 10 days.But they have been found by divers.Many nations and Navy seal are trying to help them get out.Since the cave was very dangerous and tight to maneuver,Elon musk send small pods for kid size so that the process could be a lot easier and quicker.Till now 8 boys have been rescued.I hope the best for the boys and pray for them to get our as soon as possible safely.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/world/asia/john-oliver-china-ban.html
At first glance, Tiffany May's June 21 NY Times article "John Oliver, Having Mocked Chinese Censorship, Is Censored in China" seems to use humor to pull in readers. After reading it, however, I discovered that while this story does highlight the humor in President Xi Jinping's apparent overreaction to being compared to Winnie the Pooh, it also focuses on more serious issues like Mr. Oliver's "hard-hitting critiques of China’s human rights record" and Xi’s elimination of term limits. However, this frivolity is incorrect, not because other issues don’t deserve attention, but because President Xi Jinping's actions are not simply a display of a fragile ego. My interest in this article lay not in what was written, but what was omitted: the significance of the censorship.
Most big budget Hollywood films pander to international audiences. President Xi could very well ban American feature films or other American produced media, and the resulting fear of losing a large international market can sway American opinion. The President of the United States cannot make TV talk show hosts stop making fun of him. China’s president can.
That isn't fragility, that's power.
This week, the article that interested me the most was titled "Theresa May in Fight to Save Government as Brexit Rift Deepens". Ever since the Brexit vote in 2016, I have been very interested in how it will unfold. This is because nobody has ever left the European Union before. Following the referendum, more and more people have begun to feel that the United Kingdom leaving the EU would be a mistake. Due to this, the British government is very split upon how to, or even if, they should carry out Brexit. Today, the British foreign secretary Boris Johnson, quit his position after an agreement had been reached in Prime Minister May's cabinet about Brexit. This obviously escalated tensions within the British government even further after two other cabinet members have left in the last week. The "Brexiteers" as called in the article, are arguing amongst themselves about how to pull away from the EU and there is no clear or easy solution to be found. I am interested to see how the rest of Brexit plays out, which is why this article caught my attention to begin with. I personally think that exiting the EU would be a horrific idea for the UK and should be stopped at all cost. I predict in the end that they will not end up leaving the EU after all the backlash and economic problems that have resulted in the Brexit vote.
In Denmark, Harsh New Laws for Immigrant “Ghettos”
In this article I though it was really interesting to hear that in Denmark unfair rules were put in place. One women who is from a poor neighborhood is having a child and when the child is born the child will have to go through 25 hours of danish rules and laws a week. Even Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said ghettos would reach their tentacles out into Denmark and spread violence. Politicians who once used the word “integration” now call frankly for “assimilation.” Also if immigrant parents force their children to make extended trips to their country of origin they could face four years of prison because the Denmark government believes that the parent is damaging their schooling, language and well-being. In one Denmark ghetto 43% of its residents are unemployed,53% have bad education and 51% low earnings,and majority come from a “non-western” background.Another lady said her daughter was going to preschool because if not she would lose her benefits but, one day her daughter came home begging for presents from Santa’s and she said she would rather lose her benefits than submit to force.Denmark is giving immigrants no option of how they want their children to grow up and forcing them to learn and believe in topics not praised by their country of origin.This is not fair and it needs to be stopped people no matter what heritage should have a say in the way they raise their children and still get their government benefits.
"How Many Teenage Girls Deliberately Harm Themselves? Nearly 1 in 4, Survey Finds."
According to statistics, it has been proven that self-harm has become extremely common within today's society. According to Emily Baumgaertner's article, "How Many Teenage Girls Deliberately Harm Themselves? Nearly 1 in 4, Survey Finds," about 30 percent of teenage girls living in the U.S. have purposely hurt themselves without having the intention to commit suicide. It is certainly shocking to see how much higher this percentage is for teenage girls compared to the percentage of teenage boys. These statistics lead to individuals asking one question--what is the main reason behind why girls are resorting to self-harm? Especially in today's generation, there is heavy pressure being placed on girls whether it be how they look, act, think, or all of the above. Social media has made a huge impact, causing many girls to often compare themselves, along with their lives, to others. This has overall caused girls to begin thinking more about self-harming. I believe that this is a truly a problem that must be fixed. Being a teenage girl myself, I understand how much pressure there is in order to live up to societal expectations. Nobody, however, should feel as if they have to live up to specific standards in order to be considered "good enough." I believe that, instead, we must teach girls how to love themselves and see their own true beauty and potential, despite what that may look like to society.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/well/coffee-drinkers-may-live-longer....
There is such a bad stigma around one of the most popular drinks among Americans. When I saw this article the word "Coffee" stood out because I love coffee. Coffee isn't just something I drink in the morning and throughout the day, its apart of my lifestyle. Ever since I was a little girl I would go to my grandma's house and we would both drink our coffee together I felt like such an adult. People always told me "Oh no coffee is bad for you", "Coffee will give you diabetes" or, "You'll become addicted" which is true that you'll become addicted because I'm living proof of that. But despite what people said I couldn't stop drinking coffee, it was apart of me. After reading this article I learned that coffee not only isn't bad for you but can actually benefit you. It blows my mind that the number of people with the risk of heart disease or cancer began to decline as more of them drank coffee. What if everyone were to start drinking coffee it could make a huge difference in the health of many humans with high health risks, and hey why not benefit someone with the great health benefits but the amazing taste of coffee, I'd say that's two bonuses in one. Now if you'll excuse me while I go drink gallons of coffee after all this coffee talk.
“It’s coming home.” Everyone in the stands, on social media, and all of my friends were yelling this and I was with them. England won the penalty kick shootout against Columbia. This win was so great because it was the first time in a while that England won a shootout. I was sitting in my room, on the edge of my seat, texting my friend the whole match. When England won, I called her and yelled, “It’s coming home!” We were so excited because this was the end of a three match losing streak. I have been following England in soccer, or football, for about five years now, whether it be Manchester City, Manchester United, or the English FIFA team, they almost never let me down. My family doesn’t really watch soccer, but my friends do and this victory meant a lot to us because we have been following this team for so long and have been cheering for them all along the way. My favorite part about soccer is the energy. I believe the energy is what makes a match great and entertaining. Between the cheers and the costumes of the fans, I love the sport. Soccer, in a way, is an escape for me because it brings me to another place that makes me energetic and happy. I would love to go to a match, preferably in England, and see the players I have been watching on a screen in person.
https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/07/03/world/americas/ap-soc-wcup-c...
Hearing that Toys R' Us is closing makes me so sad. Many workers there lost their "family", and lost their long working job. Many children lost their childhood memories, and even adults as they were growing up.
In this article "At Toys ‘R’ Us, ‘There Is Nothing Left’: The Day It Closed for Good" by Michael Corkery it states, "By the end, Ms. Claude was making about $62,000 as an assistant manager in Woodbridge. 'This was a good job,' she said." Ms. Claude was forced to lose her job at the age of 55. She worked for 33 years, with her secondary family that she never wanted to lose. The article also states, "The employees in Woodbridge store were told in March they had three months left to work." "Ms. Claude's hurt over the closings soon turned to anger. She considered Toys R' Us her family." Once reading and understanding this article, it's sad to think that a famous store with almost 800 places around the USA that was made, now closing for good. Lots of dreams came true, but now they all got lost because of Toys R' Us offical closing.
After reading this article, I found out that Toys R' Us closed because of financial issues. I never thought that Toys R' Us would close, even though they were making money and lots of people were coming around. Hope a new store would come in mind and that it will live on as long as Toys R' Us was made.
At first glance the article "Do you Believe in Magic? I Do," caused me to become very curious about what the article could be talking about. Once reading and understanding that it was about a cancer patient and his unique path to recovery, I was struck hard in the heart. It amazes me to see how people can stay so positive under such harsh conditions, and this case was no exception. This story was specifically interesting to me, because I love to think there is something out there helping us through the hardest times in our lives. For some people that is God, for some it is the people they surround themselves with, and for some it could even be a teddy bear. It really is amazing to see what a little hope and positivity can do for your life.
Imagine being isolated in utter darkness, surrounded by the claustrophobic environment of a cave. This must have been torture for the 12 Thai boys and their coach who had to endure this for more than a week. Thai SEALS and divers are trying their best to rescue them despite delays caused by the torrential rain. People still prayed for them, despite the odds. This is why the video "Rescue Mission Rivets Thailand" appealed to me. It must be a nightmarish experience to be trapped in that cave without light, food, and any contact from civilization. Yet the team kept up their spirit and so did the outside world, which I think is outstanding.