Philosophy or Money

In my opinion, Into the Wild was the most inspirational book we read this year because it shows people about the importance of money. This book is a perfect example of what happens to people who do not have any money. The main character, Chris, burned his money and gave up all of his belongings. So, he received his punishment in the end. This story shows readers that we should not be stupid and do crazy things. This book will show readers about the consequences of being interested in philosophy or finding your true self. Philosophy is for people who have failed in all other aspects of life. In addition, the book does not give only one example of a person living a stupid life. The author provides several examples, including himself, about people performing similar events. It is now proven that many stupid people exist in the world. We should make more money and live a happy life because money is happiness. Also, this book drew a fine line between wanting to accomplish a task and being dumb. Wanting to accomplish a task, such as losing weight or making money, is considered sane. However, traveling into the wilderness with little food and no support from others is insane. How did Chris McCandless expect to survive in that condition? This proves that we need to live a simple life full of money and not try to be “one with nature.” I recommend reading a book or article about why money is the most important item in life, such as a book written by Mr. Wonderful. Capitalism is the solution.

From Nature to Money

In order to provide myself with a challenge, I would want to start a business from scratch. However, this business will be from nature. I would purchase a small island that is not inhabited my any humans. The goal of my journey would be to use the resources found on the island to start a new business and become richer. To start off, I will enter the island with a one-month supply of food. This means that I am forced to work really hard to make sure I do not starve after one month. I would have to hunt animals with the weapons I craft (i.e. bow and arrow, harpoon). Soon, I would build shelter with the tools I build, raise animals, and alter the landscape to my advantage. The place I live in will be a farm. I will grow my own food and take care of animals, which will be used for food or labor. As we all know, the business idea will arrive. Eventually, I would try to create a product out of the island’s resources and sell them to the mainland after building my own boat out of wood found on the island. This mission is not solely to make money. The reason I would do this is to prove my skills in survival by being able to make everything from nothing. This is my belief, capitalism. I believe that capitalists should prove themselves by starting a business with all odds against them. This is why I want to embark on this journey and prove to everyone that I am always capable of making money.

Protect Animals

China Blocks Yangtze Dam Project, Activists Say

By: Edward Wong

Source: New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/11/world/asia/environmental-order-in-china-to-prevent-building-of-contested-dam.html?ref=science&_r=0

The Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection has issued an order preventing dam building on the upper Yangtze River that will result in the removal of a proposed hydroelectric dam near the western metropolis of Chongqing. The Xiaonanhai Dam would cost billions of dollars to build. The construction of the dam was supported by Bo Xilai, the former Chongqing party chief who was sent to prison. Environments are glad this dam was not build because it would have destroyed an area of the river that was ecology-friendly. This protected area has been a safe place for many aquatic organisms. Zhang Boju, an advocate at Friends of Nature, claimed that the construction of the Xiaonanhai Dam would have set a dangerous precedent. Its construction means that future safe areas would be destroyed too. Mr. Zhang said, “If the Xiaonanhai Dam was built, the entire protection zone would be destroyed, and the protection-zone system would be rendered meaningless.” Mr. Bo and his company worked to shrink the protected area along the Yangtze to remove roadblocks for dam construction. In December 2011, China’s cabinet approved a proposal to shrink the preserve. However, Mr. Bo’s downfall helped prevent the construction of the dam.

            The preservation of organisms is becoming more and more important. Humans are destroying many environments, such as cutting down forests, and forcing organisms to flee. People need to realize that animals are living organisms too; we cannot just ruin their homes and do whatever we want with the area. The preservation of wildlife should be an important objective.

Help Has Arrived

“Biogen Reports Its Alzheimer’s Drug Sharply Slowed Cognitive Decline”

By: Andrew Pollack

Source: New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/21/business/alzheimers-drug-trial-shows-cognitive-decline-sharply-slowed.html?ref=science&_r=0

A new experimental drug has for Alzheimer’s disease has slowed the decline of mental function. The drug was created by a man named Biogen Idec and is called aducanumab. Although the drug can have a significant impact on mental function, it can rarely be taken in high doses, which means the time it will take to improve an individual’s condition will take a while. However, Alzheimer specialists continue to be cautious of the new drug claiming that most drugs that are claimed to help with the disorder end up not working properly. Aducanumab is designed to get rid of amyloid plaque in the patient’s brain, which is believed to be the cause of dementia. The main concern about this drug is if it will be effective in a larger trial, due to the fact that most drugs for this disorder only work on small trials, not large ones. To further increase the drug’s chance of success, Biogen tried to give the drug to patients who are in the early stages of the disease. In general, the drug slows cognitive decline and reduces plaque in the brain. Higher doses did prove to be better than lower doses, but can only be used for a short amount of time.

This new drug may be a way to find a cure to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Although this new drug has created hope for many scientists, they should not rush into believing this drug is the cure. The drug only slows cognitive decline; it does not stop it. 

Stereotypical Roles

            Gender roles have become prevalent in today’s society. People are expected to behave as others in society and fulfill pre-established stereotypes. Both men and women are affected by society’s stereotypes of a man and woman. Men are supposed to be tough and take care of the family. They are the ones that earn the money to pay for the family’s expenses. As teenagers and adults, men compete with each other to see who is the tougher one. In addition, people tend to enjoy watching sports when men are playing. The reason for this is that men play more physical than women, which makes the game more interesting to watch because it creates suspense. Also, men have had always had higher positions in government. In the past, men governed countries because they were believed to make better decisions without emotions interfering in their choice.

This does not mean that women are not capable of performing the same tasks as men. However, women have had a far more difficult time adjusting to a stereotype because they have had a constant struggle for equality in the past. In the past, a stereotypical woman was one who would stay home to cook, clean, and take care of the children because very few job opportunities were available for women. The average Women was found to have a smaller brain size than a man, so they were not considered to be smart. This caused men to not allow women to take part in society because they were considered unintelligent. However, these stereotypical gender roles have begun to change. Women have begun to take important roles in society. In our present economic state, most families require that both parents obtain a job to help pay for the family’s expenses.

Ocean on Mars

“Ancient Mars Had an Ocean, Scientists Say”

By: Marc Kaufman

Source: New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/06/science/mars-had-an-ocean-scientists-say-pointing-to-new-data.html?ref=science

            After several years of research, scientists at NASA claim that Mars may have had an ocean, which is predicted to be the size of the Arctic Ocean. Scientists say that the ocean covered Mars’s northern hemisphere. If NASA scientists are able to prove that Mars had an ocean, they will gain a further understanding of Mars and the possibility of life on the planet. Dr. Mumma and Geronimo Villanueva discovered that two types of water were located on Mars. The first type is the basic water on Earth, but the second one is different. The second type of water is MDO instead of H2O, in which the hydrogen atom contains a neutron. Scientists are able to determine how much water Mars had by finding how much of it was lost. Based on previous findings, scientists estimate that Mars had enough water that was 137 meters in depth. The Curiosity rover that was placed on Mars discovered the different types of water molecules on the Gale crater. However, Mars is missing signs of topographic and geological features caused by oceans, such as sea cliffs and shorelines. Other scientists identified a possible system of channels on Mars that originated in the planet’s southern hemisphere. It is predicted that these channels traveled to the northern hemisphere and caused water to flow to the northern hemisphere.

            The possibility of water being found on Mars would prove that life was once sustainable on Mars and can be in the future. Although scientists have discovered small traces of water molecules on Mars, they cannot guarantee that life was possible on Mars because the ocean failed to leave behind geographic traces.