No Control

“Parasites Practicing Mind Control”

By: Carl Zimmer

Source: New York Times

http://nyti.ms/1pLNYIM

A new parasite called Toxoplasma Gondi has been discovered. This parasite has infected eleven percent of all Americans and half of the world’s population. Toxoplasma has the ability to alter behavior and cause the host to commit dangerous tasks. Toxoplasma was found to have the ability to turn the host’s genes on and off. However, Toxoplasma can only reproduce in cats. Once Toxoplasma produces cysts inside of the cat, the cysts enter the soil through the cat’s feces. Some animals are afraid of cats, such as mice. However, mice are not aware of the cat’s presence after being infected with toxoplasma. This parasite has the ability to take over a host’s nervous system and render it useless. After being infected, a host will begin to produce excess amounts of arginine vasopressin, a neurotransmitter. Scientists believed that they could be able to reverse this process and make a prey further aware of the predator. In order to test this theory, scientists used mice and injected them with molecular caps. The molecular caps would counteract toxoplasma and increase awareness of surroundings. However, this injection is in progression and has functioned properly.

Scientists need to be aware of the new threats that are spreading across the world. Through research and testing, we will be able to understand how this parasite affects the inner workings of our body. Scientists will soon be able to develop a remedy, which will help a host fight against Toxoplasma. However, this parasite is newly discovered and seems to be a form of pathogen. Scientists understand that no one wants to be controlled. They will work as hard as they can in order to guarantee that every host has control over themselves.

Speech to the Troops at Tilbury

S- supporting the troops

O- 1588, before attack on Spanish Armada

A-soldiers

P- to encourage, to support, to relate

S- Queen Elizabeth

T- brave, proud, thankful

By reviewing the SOAPST, the viewer will be able to better understand the purpose of the speech. By simply reading the speech, any viewer would understand that Queen Elizabeth is trying to encourage the soldiers to prepare for battle. However, the viewer may not realize Queen Elizabeth’s attempt to show the soldiers that she is willing to fight for England, even after she calls herself “ a weak and feeble woman (41).” Queen Elizabeth is trying to prove to the soldiers that anyone will be able to fight, as long as they are fighting proudly for their country. SOAPST helps viewers realize that this speech was given before the invasion on the Spanish Armada, a major victory for the English. Due to this event, Queen Elizabeth notices that each soldier will need to fight harder than ever before. She thanks the troops for all they have done and assures them that they will be rewarded for their services.

The speech does serve its purpose. The speech was meant to encourage the soldiers to fight courageously during the battle. Queen Elizabeth says, “I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects (40).” By stating these words, Queen Elizabeth reassures the confidence she places on the soldiers. In order to guarantee that the soldiers will fight as hard as they can, she provides an incentive by claiming that they will be rewarded for all of their work. Queen Elizabeth uses the word “we” in order to show the soldiers that she is an ordinary person who is willing to fight for her country.

Beware of Hackers

U.S Finds "Backoff" Hacker Tool Is Widespread

By: Nicole Perlroth

Source: New York Times

http://nyti.ms/1pmIDaw

            On July 31, the Department of Homeland Security has detected a new malware called “Backoff.” This new malware had affected over 1,000 businesses. “Backoff” steals the information from payment cards without the company’s awareness. Criminals attempt to break into the company’s networking system in order to obtain the passwords of the payment system. The largest known breach has been against Target. Criminals stole payment information from millions of customers for several weeks. Due to this event, banks and companies have developed a chip-based smart card known as E.M.V, or Europay-MasterCard-Visa. All companies were recommended to use this smart card due to the problem with the stripes on credit cards. However, most companies will not make the upgrade due to the cost of purchasing the smart card. Once the criminals steal payment information, they sell it at the black market. The Secret Service recommends that all companies use long, complex passwords for their network and encrypt payment information the moment it is used. Companies were also suggested to use two passwords and lock out users after several attempts.

            Hacking has become a major problem since the advancement in technology. Stealing credit card information is a serious issue because criminals could use the information to purchase products that will be billed to the owners of the credit card. All companies should find ways to protect themselves from hackers before they lose all their customers. It is highly important that companies find a way to stop their network from being breached. E.M.V. is one of the few systems that will help protect hackers from stealing payment information. The more advanced E.M.V. becomes, the more protection people and companies will have against hackers.

By looking at this image, ethos is portrayed through the company that published this image. Since the Lexus Company published this advertisement, people can realize that the image will stay true to its potential. Lexus is a well-known company for cars and they do make their products worth purchasing. This advertisement is meant to depict the car perfect because the Lexus motto is “The Pursuit of Perfection.”

Logos is shown in the image through the facts the company provided about the car. The car is meant to be the newest and best model of the company. The car is designed with a hand-stitched, leather-trimmed interior. The car is equipped with nineteen-inch alloy wheels, Brembo front brakes, driver-adjustable sport-tuned air suspension, and eight-speed transmission with race-inspired paddle shifters. These facts that the Lexus Company announced can be searched online and proven true.

Pathos can be found by reading the description that the image contains. Lexus is trying to convince people that by purchasing this car, people can have a memorable performance. This means that anyone will be able to have a best day in their lives if they purchase this car. The Lexus Company tries to prove to viewers that they will have an unforgettable time by showing that a person with this car will be able to have a beautiful girl with them. In another way, women can look at this image and believe that people with this car will always have a handsome man in it.

I believe the advertisement is effective because it convinces viewers that this car is the newest car. This car comes with brand new features that any other car does not have. Also, this image will persuade viewers that the car will instantly transform the owner of the car into a famous person. Anyone that sees another person with this car will be jealous because they do not have the car and beautiful girl.

"The Outsiders"

“The Outsider” is a special novel. This book demonstrates the differences between the Greasers and Socs in society. The Greasers are the people, who have struggled throughout life and had to work in order to make a living. The Socs are the rich people and have had an easy life. The Socs believe that they are better human beings than the Greasers because they have money and cars. Cars allow the Socs to have an advantage over the Greasers, since the Greasers need to walk. This makes it easier for the Socs to attack the Greasers throughout the story. In this novel, the Greasers show the bond friends need to share. The Greasers always stay together and defend each other all the time. The Greasers know they need to stay together or else the Socs will attack them. 

This book also shows that evolution of the Greasers gang. The main character, Ponyboy, is a regular teenager, who is scared to stand up for himself and his friends. In the beginning, Ponyboy always needs protection from the other Greasers. However, as the story progresses, Ponyboy realizes that he needs to be able to fight back against the Socs or else the entire gang will be in trouble. Ponyboy also learns that Socs and Greasers share similarities. The Greasers often share their emotions, whereas the Socs tend to keep their emotions locked up. However, at the end of the novel, Ponyboy learns that Socs just want to find a way to express their emotions without being laughed at. Upon understanding this, Ponyboy learns that Socs have a rough life too.