Seeing the Invisible

Photographs can actually capture disturbances in the air! It is called Schlieren photography, and it can be accomplished by using "a small, bright light source, precisely placed lenses, a curved mirror, a razor blade that blocks part of the light beam, and other tools". The main point is that the photo can capture something like a cough because it makes the disturbances in the air visible.

Not only is this really cool, but it can also be used scientifically to determine the air and heat movements of a burning candle, and firing pistol, a blow dryer, an explosion, or a cough. A closer look at a cough has helped scientists see how viruses are spread by coughing.

I know that our photography unit is over, but I just thought it was interesting how photography can contribute to science. I found this article at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/science/28cough.html?_r=1&ref=science&oref=slogin

Using Photography for Education on the Conservation of the Environment

Nature and wildlife photographer, Daniel Cox, who is also involved in the conservation group Polar Bears International combined his profession and his talents to depict the effects of climate change. On October 23, he showed his photographs in a seminar in an effort to further educate people on how particularly polar bears are affected by climate change. He declares that it is his heart-felt mission to teach people with his photography about the dangers of climate change, so that hopefully, more people will do something to stop.

I was inspired by this article because it was a wonderful example of how we can use any of our skills to make a difference in the world. This article makes me think of how I can use the gifts that I have in creative ways to make the world a better place to be.

Here's where I found the article: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=9&did=1581558471&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1224806876&clientId=47945

Lil' guy with big book

Toddlers Who Look at Mouths Rather Than Eyes: Sign of Autism

During a toddler's early stages of "talking" they will look at a persons eyes rather than at their mouths as they speak. This means that they are developing social skills that they will need later in life. Now, scientists are finding that a toddler who watches a person's mouth as they talk is going to have autism. The more they watch a person's mouth, the more severe the disorder is. The reason this is is because they are focusing on only the physical aspects of the person's face rather than on the person themself. This is an important discovery for scientist because now they can flag autism at an early age.
This article didn't really relate to me because I don't know anyone with autism, but I did find the article very interesting. I wouldn't have thought that not toddlers not looking into peoples' eyes directly related to autism. I wonder what the fundamental causes of autism are and how it can be treated. I hope that scientists can make these discoveries, but they have made a good start with this discovery.
I found this article at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080926143751.htm

Zimbabwe on the Way to Having Useless Money

Hyperinflation is driving the country of Zimbabwe into turmoil. Experts are calling their inflation problem is among the top five worst. From 2001 to 2007, the inflation has skyrocketed from 1,000 percent to 12,000 percent. The cost of items that we take for granted are blown way out of proportion to the amount the Zimbabweans are are getting paid to do their jobs. Tens of thousands of workers have stopped arriving to work because their salaries can't even even cover the cost of taking the bus to work.
As these economic crisis' rage on, the Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, refuses to give up control of Finance and House Ministries. Meanwhile his country has nothing they can do but watch their economy die, which is happening at an alarming pace.
It really disturbs me that only one man can have so much power and the he would abuse that power. As of now, he is the only man who can help bring a stop to Zimbabwe's massive crisis, and he has done nothing. Now thousands of people are not working and they cannot afford to buy meals or necessary supplies.

Blog Question Concerning the Odyssey

According to The Odyssey, it would be much more correct to say Homer was an early feminist than a sexist as the women in the story play a very crucial role. Telemachus, for example, would never have found the courage to set sail in search for his father had Athena not showed up and inspired him to go. Were it not for Athena, Telemachus would likely have moped at home until the suitors had licked his house of treasures dry. Athena is also the one who convinces Zeus to order the goddess Calypso to set Odyssius free. These examples are two of the many that show that anyone reading Homer's The Odyssey could not come to the conclusion that Homer did not appreciate the importance of women.
Homer in his book also delves into the power, intellect, and charm of women. The goddess Calypso is powerful over Odyssius because he is held captive by her and can only be released by her will. The wife of Odyssius, Penelope, is an example of the cleverness that women have. She was able to keep the suitors at bay for a year by telling them that she would marry once she finished weaving, but every night, she would unravel everything she had woven. Penelope also demonstrates the charm of women. Many powerful men of Ithica were determined to marry her. These women used in The Odyssey are figures of strength, cleverness, and beauty, so clearly Homer could not have been a sexist.p