Post # 9- NYT Books- Google Book Database

Google has recently launched a new database for books. The database has a storage of 500 billion words found in various books from the year 1500 to 2008. Mr. Erez Lieberman Aiden, a junior fellow of the Society of Fellows at Harvard, and Jean-Baptiste Michel, another fellow at Harvard, have collaborated to describe how this Google database has revolutionized the people's understanding of language, culture and even the flow of ideas. They discuss how this new digital database has opened so many doors in the world of literature and history. This newly advanced online tool was intended for scholars, yet anyone can plug in up to 5 words and see the graphs of the evolution of those words.

How will this database change our lives? Will they be able to expand the database and update it in the future?

This link talks more about the database and how it is a cultural revolution.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/12/cultural-evolution-google/

Blog Post # 8- CNN- Failed Missile Test

A failed test of the newly a newly developed group of missiles called "ground-based interceptors" raises questions throughout the country about if the new system will do us any good. Ground-based interceptors were designed specifically to knock down any incoming ICBM. Riki Ellison, the founder of a non-profit group that encourages the country to develop missiles for defense describes the budget for this project. He explained that in total, the new program has a budget of $10 billion a year. According to him, each test costs $100 million plus the actual ground-based interceptors which can cost anywhere from $60-70 million. This means that a massive amount of moeny has been invested into this program, so it is crucial that the tests prove successful.

How long does the process take to make the missiles and then test them? What will happen in the future to ensure that the missiles work properly? What solutions are there to make the missiles more effective in the first place?

Voacab:
ICBM- intercontinental ballistic missile

This link provides more information about ground-based interceptors.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/gbi.htm

Blog Post # 7- Swimming World- Steve Lochte resigns

The Daytona State College head swimming coach, Steve Lochte recently has stepped down from his position. Steve, as well has his daughter Kristin have been placed on administrative leave since December 2, 2010. During this time, Daytona State College has been investigating the poor behavior of some swimmers. The school feels the need to intervene, after there have been reports of some swimmers testing positivley for marijuana, having posession of weapons, and posting racist posters throughout the pool. Also, Lochte has recently been arrested for DUI. According to the resignation terms, he will continue to receive pay until April 15. Meanwhile, Kristin will continue to be a member of the staff until the end of March. After that, she will be able to decide whether or not she wishes to continue working at the school until the end of her contract in June. Apparently, Steve will continue to coach his USA Swimming club team, Daytona Beach Speed.

I was extremely shocked after reading this article. When I first started reading, I wondered if Steve Lochte had any relation to the Olympic swimmer, Ryan Lochte. Towards the end of the article, it describes how even though Ryan Lochte helped his father with the team, he is not a part of the investigation from the college. I could not believe that Steve and Ryan were father and son. I think it's sad that the actions of the team affect the coach, yet I know it is necessary that he resigns. His recent arrest is clearly not a good model for his swimmers. I never realized that at the collegiate level a coach could be affected by the behavior of its athletes.

How Kristin got involved in the investigation? Also, what is her job at the college? Do you think the coach is to blame for the athletes' behavior? I am curious to learn what happens to Steve and Kristin after they officially leave the school, and how it affects Ryan in the 2010 Olympics.


This link goes more in depth about Steve's arrest, and has quotes from Steve and Kristin about the resignation.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2010/12/14/coaches-speak-out-about-arrest-few-bad-apples.html

IR Blog Post #6- CNN- Oceans Fail Acid Test

The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) published a book "Environmental Consequences of Ocean Acidification". This book talks about the effects increazing acid levels in oceans will have on sea organisms. The chemistry of the oceans is increasing in its acid content. The rate at which oceans around the world have been changing has been unseen for 65 million years. So far, there have been many negative effects on not just the organisms, but ecosystems as well. This problem is negative because it can potentially harm the food-chain. The pH levels in seas and oceans have been increasingly falling. The reason for this problem is from Carbon dioxide emissions that are being absorbed by the oceans and turned into carbonic acid. Although most sea life is endanger from the changing chemistry of oceans, some species are benefiting. For example, Adult lobsters can increase their shell-building as pH levels continue to fall.

Are there any solutions to this problem?

What actions, if any, have been taken in order to prevent more emissions from pollution the oceans?

What effect will this have on global warming, and vice versa?

I found a website that describes some solutions to how to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions.

http://projectscoop.multiply.com/photos/album/5/Ways_to_stop_CO2_emissions

IR Blog Post #5- NY Times Books- 10 Best books of 2010

The editors of NY Times released the top ten books of 2010. The names will not be available in print until December 12, but they are available online. Half of the books are in the fiction genre and the other five are non-fiction books. As I looked over the titles and authors, there were not any authors that I have even heard of. Also, out of the ten books, I only recognized the title of one- "Cleopatra: A Life" by Stacey Schiff. The article had a link for the list of the books.:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/books/review/10-best-books-of-2010.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Also, the article mentioned two books that did not make the top ten. In addition, these two books were not listed on the 100 Notable Books list. These books are "Letters" by Saul Bellow and edited by Benjamin Taylor, and "A Portrait in Letters of American Visionary" by Daniel Patrick Moynihan and edited by Steven R. Weisman. I found it strange that the editors were included, but then the article discussed how these books were especially noteworthy for their editorial creativity.

If the books were good enough to be noted, why didn't they make at least the top 100 Notable Books?

What does it take for a book to get on these lists? Who decides?

Vocab:

elision- (noun)- the omission of a vowel, consonant, or syllable in pronunciation.
scruple-(noun)- ethical consideration that acts as a restraining force of certain actions.

IR Blog Post #4- Swimming World Magazine - Protection Committee

Earlier in the week, USA Swimming created a committee for athlete protection. They realeased the names of the eleven memebers who will be a part of the Athlete Protection Committee. These members are all volunteer, and represent different groups of people. They will be working to make sure that the policies and protection program for sexual abuse scandals are effective. The committee includes experts on the issue of sexual abuse, olympic athletes, as well as coaches. The olympic athletes include a former olympic swimmer, Margaret Hoelzer, and for olympic cross-country skier, Nina Kempell. Also, a survivor of sexual abuse, director of the Child Welfare League of America will be members of the committee. I was wondering, how the people who will be representing the committee were picked? Also, did a significant event happen in order for USA Swimming to create this committee, or did they just want to create it?


http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=0&itemid=3064&mid=8712

This website just provides additional information about the new committee. It also describes the members as well as the importance of the issue they are protecting against.

IR Blog Post 3- Swimming World: Tom Dolan Invitational Featuring the Fran Crippen Memorial Mile

The Curl-Burke Swim Club in Virgina hosted the 2010 Tom Dolan Invitational swim meet. At this invitational meet, the mile long race will be dedicated to Fran Crippen. The race will be open to the 13/14 age groups, as well as the 15 and over age group for both males and females. The race to honor Fran Crippen was named the Fran Crippen Memorial Mile. Fran graduated from the University of Virgina, where he was a captain of the swim team. Also, he graduated from Germantown Academy. Fran was dedicated to the sport of swimming, especially open-water swimmer. He volunteered his time to help younger kids, and aspired to be a part of the U.S Olympic team.

I want to find out the results of the meet. As well as, How much money the event raise for the Fran Crippen Foundation.

Growing up in the area, The Crippen family is a well-known family in the swimming world. When Fran died a month ago, many questions were raised about the cause of death and how someone could die at such a large event. I found an article, that was published after his sudden death during the FINA Open Water 10 km World Cup. This article provides background information on Fran's death, which is the inspiration for the Fran Crippen Memorial Mile event at the Tom Dolan Invitational Meet.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/swimming/news/story?id=5718372

IR Blog Post 2- New York Times Books: C.I.A Agents ,Blowing Their Own Cover

This article is a book review of the book, "The Human Factor: Inside the CIA's Dysfunctional Intelligence Culture." This book was written by a former spy who goes by the name Ishmael Jones. The C.I.A has sued him for writing the book. They are accusing him of revealing secrets that he agreed to keep confidential. Also, they claim that he did not recieve the proper approval for publication. After word got out that the C.I.A has sued the author, the Amazon ranking for the book have increased since the release of the book in 2008. Jones fights back against the C.I.A's claims, saying that except for a few paragraphs, the censors he submitted his manuscript to, approved it. Also, this review talked about the recent trend of former spies sharing their experiences.

The article said that most of the money for secret intelligence efforts goes to the C.I.A. I was wondering where the rest of the money for secret intelligence efforts goes?

Also, I want to know what long term effects these memoirs will have on the C.I.A.


This article described how most memoirs, like Jone's talk about requirements for getting hired for the C.I.A. On a "How to" site, I found out what it takes to become an agent for the C.I.A. I find it funny that for such a secret agency, the information about how to get in, is so public.

http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-CIA-Agent

IR Blog Post 1- CNN: China's aid for North Korea

This article discussed the current tensions in North Korea. Part of the reason for these tensions, deals with the recent deaths of South Korean's during a military drill. But, North Korea is insisting that the South provoked the attack after shells from their military drill landed in North Korean waters. In order to keep peace between the Korean Peninsula China wants to have an emergency meeting with the six-party pack. The six party pack includes the countries- United States, Japan, Russia, China, South Korea, and North Korea.


After reading the article, I am still confused about the six-party pack. China said they wanted to have a consultation with the other members about the growing tensions, yet they also stated that this does not mean a resumption of the six party talks. I just did not understand what it meant to consult them but not resume the talks.

Also, the article said the six-party talks were put on hold in 2008. I am curious to why the talks were put on hold.

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Fresh-US-South-Korean-War-Games-Under-Way--110929494.html

This link is to a website that discusses South Korea's view on China's proposal to intervene. South Korea rejects the proposal from China to intervene with the North/South Korean tensions through multi-national talks.

IRB Websites

current events/politics- cnn.com
Books, arts,- http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/index.html
entertainment- swimmingworld.com

PDN- 11/15/10

I guess I do not realize how much I actually read online, but I do a substantial amount. Every day I probably read three hours worth of online material. I read news articles for current events, ads on websites, Face book posts, and e-mails. I also read homework assignments, or discussions on the Moodle site. I follow a blog called post-secret, which posts secrets sent in on postcards from people.

PDN 9/20- Reading for meaning/pleasure

Reading for meaning means that you are looking for a deeper meaning. This means that as you read, you are annotating passages and finding the symbolism in the text. When you are reading for pleasure, you are simply reading the book for the pure enjoyment of the plot. When I think of reading for meaning I think about books such as, The Giver, Invisible Man, and Animal Farm. Books that are usually read for pleasure are fun, fiction ones, such as- Twilight, Harry Potter, and Nineteen Minutes. Mostly Nicholas Sparks’ books come to mind when I think about books that are read for pleasure.