Gravity is Now Arbitrary

Do rules still apply when there is no one around to enforce them? Yes? No? Sometimes? How do you know? Driving down the road, I always get a kick out of the people who slow down whenever they see a policeman in the vicinity and then, as soon the officer turns a corner and disappears, accelerate like there is no tommorrow. If a person is doing something that would make them feel ashamed and guilty with an officer of the law around, why are they doing it at all? Entonces, what about the insanely stupid laws, like a 25 mile per hour speed limit on a country road surrounded by corn fields? Should those always be obeyed? How about jay walking? It is so much easier to cross a street without having to make the long journey down to the crosswalk everytime. Is it okay to jay walk when there is no one around? Hmmmmm?

Popping M&M's

Yep, it's that time of year again! Time to plant the M&M's (know around here as "cold pills") and the rest of the junk food and see what grows! For those who like nasty, salty, dry, unhealthy popcorn that gets stuck in your teeth and makes you suffer with unquenchable thirst, the people at Purdue University have discovered why those last few kernels at the bottom of the bag remain un-popped. It is due to leaky hulls. It sounds like something you would get from buying a really cheap ship, but it seems that a few rebel kernels of corn have tiny holes in their exterior that allow too much moisture to escape for enough pressure to build up inside. Popcorn growers and manufacturers are supposedly using the new findings to try to figure out how to breed the best corn varieties to keep the stragglers from remaining unpopped and hard as a rock. I suppose that is good news for all those popcorn eaters out there! According to popcorn.org, Americans today consume 17 billion quarts of popped popcorn each year, or about 54 quarts for the average American! Enjoy it!

The Bard's Birthday

April 23, 1564. Historians believe that was the date, 441 years ago, on which one of the most famous men in history was born. Throughout his lifetime, William Shakespeare wrote approximately 38 plays and as well as 154 sonnets. Shakespeare-online says that, even today, "Shakespeare is the most widely read author in English speaking countries. His works are second only to the Bible in popularity." His birthday comes at a fitting time, as I am currently reading his tragedy "Othello." It is the sad tale of a general, Othello, who is tricked by his "friend," Iago--as revenge for not being made a lieutenant--into thinking that his wife Desdemona and good friend Cassio are having an affair behind his back . Othello ends up killing his wife right before finding out that Iago was lying to him and his wife was completely faithful the entire time. Not all of Shakespeare's stories were as tragic as that one, and, in fact, he wrote many comedies and historical plays as well, which are, in my opinion, much more enjoyable. Happy Birthday, Will!

Piety, Tradition, Power, and Change

I watched a debate on the viability of the resurrection of Jesus not too long ago, and, although I disagreed with practically everything else he said, the man arguing against the literal resurrection brought up an interesting point. He basically said that, in some churches, the parishioners are so stuck on tradition that if God himself said that they should change the color of their carpet, they would refuse to do so. I have, in fact, heard of churches breaking up over that very thing, except for the fact that the voice of God didn't come over the loud speaker telling them what to do. It seems rather silly, but many people refuse to listen to what God says that they should be doing because it would mean changes that they do not necessarily want.

Most of the Jewish religious leaders did the same thing when Jesus was crucified. Everything pointed to him being the messiah that they had taught about in the synagogues and whom everyone was awaiting, yet they refused to believe it. Instead, they accused him of blasphemy and had him put to death. After Jesus conquered death and came back to life, they bribed the soldiers guarding the tomb to tell a different story. Why? My theory is that, by acknowledging Jesus' authority, they would lose their own. They had a lot of power that would be taken away if the traditions and the laws were no longer the people's only hope. The change was not in their favor, and thus they did not want it to take place.

There is a famous chapter in Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov" in which one of the brothers tells a story that takes place during the Spanish Inquisition. Thousands are being burned to death because they were suspected of witchery. In the midst of it, Jesus comes back. The bishop of the time does not fall down at Jesus' feet and worship Him, but instead gets mad at him for coming back when everything is going so well. He does not want things to change and for his power over the heretics to be taken away. He was pious to the point that it gave him power, but when it came to really obeying God when it would mean less glory for himself, that was where his "piety" stopped.

We still live our lives that way. Comfortable in our homes, neighborhoods, and churches, we do not want to have our power over our lives taken away. We would rather stick to empty tradition than let any real change come into our lives that might be out of our control and put us into uncomfortable situations. Sure, we talk about it, saying someday we will start living for someone other than ourselves, someday we will make changes around here, but, for today, we will put it off until that someday and be content and comfortable just talking about how we should be living and looking like good little people for doing so. As long as we are still in charge, we are happy with our unchanging tradition and "piety."

Computer Gamers Anomynous

Hi, my name is Becky, and I was a computer game addict. A "Bubble Trouble" addict to be specific. My only goal in life was to make it to level 25 (although I only ever reached the heights of level 15). After attending no meetings, and doing so on a regular basis, I am now proud to declare that I am completely cured (a.k.a. tired of the game) and have moved on to better obsessions during my freetime as I continue to wait for a new "Lost" episode and the new "War of the Worlds" movie. Aahhh, tis life.

Today in History...

Yesterday, April 11, 2005, was the forty year anniversary of the Palm Sunday outbreak of tornadoes back in 1965, the worst, according to this article, in the history of the United States. It was a major factor in changing how tornado warnings and watches are put out to the public. Thankfully, meteorology and the technology that makes the science possible has come a very long way since the sixties, even since the early nineties. The major difference between the tornado in the Plainfield, Illinois area in August 1990 and the one in Roanoke, Illinois last year was the fact that there was a better warning system and much better radar. A model from the 1950's, the radar from the Plainfield tornado showed hardly anything happening due to a lot of ground clutter, when, in reality, there was a huge storm blowing up. Since it didn't look like a typical, ice cream cone-shaped twister and the radar was not showing much of anything, the tornado was not reported until some time later after it had done most of its damage. However, the Roanoke tornado was a different story. The newer technology, such as the Doppler radar, and better knowledge allowed meteorologists to have a much better view of the situation and to issue warnings before the citizens were hit. Hopefully, things in the weather community will continue to improve so that severe weather like this can continue to be predicted and people warned before it strikes.

Booga, Booga, Booga

Well, it seems that I have made it without posting for an entire week! Ooops!

That time of year again. Birds, sun, green grass, flowers, tornadoes... Yesterday was the annual Severe Weather Seminar that Tom Skilling puts on at Fermilab and, as usual, it was awesome. The entire five hours was very fascinating with discussions on lightning, tornadoes, and flooding and some awe inspiring weather footage. The power of the storms is always amazing.

Speaking of lightning, Frankenstein and his Creature have finally passed on. I do not know what it was about the book, but it came across to me as being rather stupid. Do not get me wrong, it was intriguing and gave a lot to think about, but it just seemed incomplete and to have its foundation on rocky premises. When one thinks of Frankenstein, an image comes to mind of a mad scientist in a white coat turning knobs and pushing buttons in his lab while a storm rages outside. Lying tied down on a table is a large, green monster with bolts coming out of his neck and a scar on the side of his face. With a bright flash of lightning the evil monster comes to life, wrecking havoc by murdering all those with whom he comes into contact and going "Booga, booga, booga." What is that monster's name? Surprise, surprise: he has no name. He is not "Frankenstein" as the common misconception, but a nameless entity created by science student who goes by that name. Also, he is not evil, his only wish is to help others and to be "good," and he becomes a menace only through the abandonment of his creator and the fact that society will not accept him because of his hideous features. He is innately good and a victim of his circumstances. When Frankenstein refuses to make him a companion for fear that they will destroy human society, the monster swears revenge and starts a campaign of making his creator as lonely and miserable as himself. He kills everyone near to Frankenstein, which in turn makes Frankenstein swear revenge on him, and they eventually die. The End. An interesting investigation of human nature, scientific ambition, societal norms and acceptance, and the need for companions, but full of improbable holes. Why did not the dead body parts that Frankentstein was piecing together to create the monster decompose? Did not the scientist see how hideous the creature was before he woke him up? Why didn't he destroy him when he first saw him? Why didn't Frankenstein tell anyone else about his discovery and error before it was too late? How did the creature learn so much about the world from sitting outside a small French cottage and peering in? Frankenstein had no foresight and created a creature much smarter, more cunning, stronger, faster, and altogether more than his match. Frankenstein was just stupid. I am surprised that he didn't go completely insane and start doing the "booga, booga, booga."

Why Sleeping Beauty Didn't Wake Up

According to this article, scientists have discovered that sleep habits, such as whether a person wakes up early or late, depends on the person's genes. Unfortunately, the "early bird" gene is supposedly the mutant one. Being a morning person myself, I would rather have it be the norm rather than the exception. The word "mutant" sounds like some slimy, disproportionate, evil creature that might come crawling out of the swamp. While it is difficult being different than most people, at times it has its rewards since the mornings when there is nothing going on generally tend to be fresher, quieter, and more relaxing that way. This is a phenomena that late sleepers hardly ever get to experience. As to why Sleeping Beauty didn't wake up: I guess she was more normal than the rest of us in getting her beauty sleep.

Don't Forget to Check the Date

It is that time of year again. For this one day every year it is difficult to believe what anyone says. National Geographic ran an article about famous hoaxes throughout history that many people believed before it was revealed that they were not true (such as spaghetti harvests, changing the value of pi, and the discovery of the missing link "the piltdown man"). Unfortunately, rumors such as these spread very quickly even though the evidence was quite faulty and often missing logic. The stories were quite radical and, as the old adage says, "too good to be true," and yet large numbers of people were led to believe them. I guess the lesson is to be careful what you say and what you accept as true from other people without testing it first.

By the way, fans of college sports will find this article very interesting. ; )

The Robin has Landed

Some say that spring has begun when the first robin is spotted, others go the scientific route insisting that the first day of spring is the vernal equinox, but, for me, yesterday heralded the actual beginning of springtime. The weather was beautifully warm, sunny, and just about perfect, except for the very strong wind, until the afternoon arrived. Then it became beautifully exciting. A cold front came barreling through the area, producing the first real severe weather of the year. Thankfully, all we received was a severe thunderstorm. Counties not too far to the south had reports of tornadoes being spotted, which kept us all on our toes and staring at the sky waiting for the clouds to begin rotating. I had a memorable experience driving through a storm last night with hail pounding on the roof of the car. It was so loud that it became practically impossible to hear the person sitting next to you yelling. The hail was only about the size of marbles so there was not too much damage, but a nearby city reported chunks of ice about the size of golfballs coming down out of the storm cloud. After yesterday evening's first storm had ended and the sun came out one last time before setting, the cumulonimbus clouds were still visible as they moved on to the east. It is amazing that something so powerful and destructive can be so beautiful! Spring has definitely arrived.

My 'Umblest Apologies

My apologies for the lack of posts lately. It just seems that there is nothing worth writing. Most of my ideas have ended up incomplete and have become doomed to post "purgatory" as drafts. Whether or not they will make it out to see the myriad of faces staring back at them through the computer screen, only time will tell. My problem is that the things that I come up with seem to be either to trivial or too radical to post about. Maybe I just need to get out of that mindset and be bold.

=> By the way: Although this is rather belated, have a joyous celebration of the event that changed the world! (Happy Easter!)

The Nose Knows

Scientists in Australia have discovered how to grow adult stem cells from the human nose, which (correct me if I am wrong) would basically eliminate the need to use the stem cells from babies for scientific research. This should make everyone much happier now, but will it? I doubt it. The question remains to be answered as to whether or not scientists around the world will smell the scent of progress and accept this new achievement, or continue to insist on going down the original road towards using human embryos.

"When in doubt, Merriadoc Brandybuck, always follow your nose." -Gandolf the Grey ; )

Body Worlds

Where do death, plastic, Chicago, and Germany come together? Body Worlds, an exhibit of human bodies that have been plasticized by a German scientist and are now on display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. The exhibit manages to be weird, disgusting, cool, and fascinating all at the same time. Where else can one find muscles flying off the bones in all directions, real nerve fibers and spinal cord still attached, and a man holding his brain in his hand while riding a horse? I spent over an hour sitting next to a guy holding up his skin for the world to see. Some of the displays evade description, yet others are real eye-openers to the ravages of disease on the body. There are comparisons of healthy lungs to those of smokers, a slice of a brain with a tumor, a stomach with ulcers, body slices of obese people, joints from people with arthritis, a skeleton with scoliosis, and many more things that one almost never gets to see up close and in person. Some of the most fascinating are the people posed with nothing but their network of arteries in place. It is amazing how many there actually are. Even with how fascinatingly complex the bodies are, it is difficult to keep from thinking about who they were while they were still alive, walking around like you and me. They used to have lives, friends, families, thoughts, and emotions. The signs describing the bodies seemed very cold when they described them, not as men and women, but as "plasticines." One of the cadavers was a pregnant lady who was displayed along with her infant who had died along with her. Among the most difficult things to look at were the body parts of young children and babies. In the end, one has to realize that, although they used to be living human beings, all that is left on display is their plasticized body, not themselves.

Inconsistency

I found an interesting article about some of the double standards that people from all over the political spectrum use. The author, John Leo, focused mainly on political corporations and government institutions such as Planned Parenthood, the Supreme Court, the Republicans, the Democrats, the American Psychological Association, and the like. However, many of those whom one sees on a daily basis seem to do the same thing. People should start taking a look at their policies and beliefs and try following them through to their conclusions, seeing how they would apply in all cases. Unfortunately, they tend to only do what benefits them at the time, even if it is contradictory to how they acted previously. This leads me to wonder what inconsistencies I myself display.

Holiday Irony

Upwards of 700 people were arrested in Ireland for alcohol-induced fights in the wake of Saint Patrick's Day partying. Ray O'Conner, a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, said that, "I do find it ironic that St. Patrick had a mission to evangelize and convert people to a better way of life, and our St. Patrick's Day doesn't reflect any of that Christian heritage." It seems as though a lot of holidays, in fact most, have lost their original meanings and have instead become excuses to party and have fun--including Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's Day, and Independence Day. Somehow, it makes me sad.

Nature vs. Choice

In Maine, State Representative Brian Duprey wants to ban abortions based upon whether or not the child is deemed to be homosexual. This is founded upon the assumption that scientists will one day discover a "gay-gene" that determines what a person's sexual inclinations will be. Duprey said that, "Technology is changing every day. They could map the homosexual gene tomorrow." In my opinion, the questions that this bill brings up concerning abortion and the rights of homosexuals, no matter how interesting, are immaterial to the matter at hand. I do not think that scientists will ever find a gene that causes a person to have inclinations towards being homosexual since it is contrary to how human beings are designed and is a rebellion against the natural order of things. Nobody is born innately homosexual, we are all, however, born sinful. People do not have their sexual actions determined by their DNA any more than it determines whether they will commit murder, steal from someone, or cheat on a test. These are all conscious choices that people make, and there is always the option of choosing to not do something.

Beef...It's What's For Dinner

My big beef with most "Christian" music is that it is...well...simplistic and unoriginal. There are a few musicians out there in that "genre" who are the exception, but, for the most part, the lyrics are really simple and basically the same thing over and over again. They do not only repeat overly repetitiously throughout the song, but throughout the whole world of CCM (contemporary christian music). It is as though most of those people have troubles coming up with something new that requires more thought to both write and to listen to than "Jesus Loves Me". Do not take me wrong, I like "Jesus Loves Me," but there is more to life and music than just that. Just my opinion.

Watch Those P's and Q's (and E's and U's)

Wow! Talk about a major typo! It seems that a website for the United States Congress made a mistake in their reporting. Instead of saying that nuclear testing went on in Sedan (in Nevada), they accidentally reported that the United States performed nuclear tests in Sudan. The Sudanese were not too happy when they read that a foreign government was doing that under their nose. Although they were completely assured by the United States that it was a mere typing error and no testing took place, they are still performing investigations to make sure that nobody starts glowing in luminescent colors or growing multiple limbs in weird places. The Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail said, according to BBC News, that, "Our first concern of course was for the people of Sudan." If only they were that concerned about all their people. By the way, I ran this post through spell check a couple of times before posting it...just in case.

Cold Snap

Cold Snap (n.): The time of year when everyone becomes tired of the cold weather and, when they can no longer bear being confined indoors, eventually snap and go out of their minds.

The Greater Good

There are many examples in literature and history of one man dying for the greater good of the many. Sometimes it is to save lives, other times to improve living conditions. The question is, is it worth it? Here are just a few of those examples:

In the movie Master and Commander, a sailor, by the name of Wharley, falls overboard during a storm when the mast that he is on snaps. His only hope of rescue is to grab onto the yardarm of the mast as it is tossed in the waves, dragged along by the ropes that still attach it to the ship. The problem is that the yardarm in the water is acting as an anchor, dragging the ship down and putting it in great risk of capsizing and sinking, and taking the entire crew down with it. The captain, "Lucky" Jack Aubrey, is forced to make the decision to cut the ropes holding the yardarm to the ship, thus leaving Wharley to die in the midst of the storm. His life is taken so that the rest of the crew may live on. Was it worth it? In this case, I would say yes since, there was not much chance of his being rescued and, in the attempt, everyone else may have gone down with him. However, there was a slight chance that both he and the ship may have been saved, but it was not very likely. As Jack Aubrey said, "one must always choose the lesser of the two weevils (evils)."

Raskolnikov, the main character in the book Crime and Punishment, comes up with the same idea, that sometimes it is necessary for a select few to die that society as a whole may prosper by it. He carries out his idea by murdering an old pawnbroker who owns large sums of money, while those around her live in poverty. His crime is eventually found out when he can no longer live with his own conscience and admits to doing it. This time, however, the death of one does not aid the many, but, instead, makes more people suffer. Was it worth it? In my opinion, even though Raskonlnikov may have become a better person after all of his trials, it was not worth taking the life of the old woman and, as it ended up, her sister.

Those are both fictional stories, but there is a prominent example in history of the notion found in the man Jesus. He also died, suffering a cruel death, so that others may live and have better lives. His death allows others to escape the wrath of God for their rebellion against him. While they are sometimes persecuted for believing in his death and the salvation that comes from it, their lives are in many ways better because of the forgiveness for their rebelliousness and the hope for the future. Was Jesus' death worth it? I would emphatically say yes.