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/
Thursday, December 16, 2010
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
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
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
Thursday, December 2, 2010
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
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.
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.
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