Secrets = Security

Taken from: www.oxbridgebiotech.com 

In the article "Censoring Science Won't Make Us Any Safer," writer Laura K. Donohue argues that information from scientific discoveries should be available to all [Argument! 396-98].  She goes through various scenarios of how science can harm others, such as if the open knowledge of making certain weapons was available to everyone, yet she concludes that secrecy is not the answer [390].  While I understand that her motivations are well-meant, as they include openness in the scientific community to promote further discoveries, I believe that her conclusion is incorrect.  Scientific discoveries, at least initially, need to be kept out of the public eye for reasons of misuse, unintentional panic, and ethical concerns.

Taken from: phys.org 

First, giving the public access to scientific research puts all in danger as there are criminals and terrorists who would want to use this information for evil.  Even Donohue mentions this, and she reports that terrorists could easily poison large amounts of manufactured cow's milk with botulinum toxin, or make a homemade bomb, by reading the materials presented in many published scientific journals [397].  These facts alone should make scientific news and discoveries more classified to the public, and only available to scientists, so the public good is not compromised.

Taken from: en.wikipedia.org

Then, Laura K. Donohue fails to recognize the impact of the broad scientific media on the public, and the sordid history the two holds.  For instance, when the "War of the Worlds," a science-fiction novel by H.G. Wells, was broadcast over the radio in 1938, a nation-wide panic followed [Lovgen].  If modern science is misinterpreted, and then quickly spread via communications such as Twitter, Facebook, texts and phone calls, the same situation of panic and chaos will reoccur, which will not be good.  The masses are as vulnerable to panics and hysteria as the people in the late 1930's, so by concealing some potential anxiety-causing scientific data, a national panic can be prevented. 

Taken from: www.tikkun.org

The last and most controversial of reasons involves the mixture of science and moral policy.  The public should not be allowed access to all scientific information without it being censored for unethical ramifications, and so each discovery must be reviewed and revealed accordingly in light of moral reasoning.  A major example of this would be a discovery related to making torture even more efficient--should the scientists who made this discovery proclaim it to the world and to people who would take advantage of this information?  Or, what about a discovery regarding pedophilia and its perverted methods; would it be morally right to allow all  to see and know this as well?  In situations such as these, I would hope that science would be censored and that the researchers would use good discernment to prevent such knowledge from falling on the wrong ears.

Taken from: www.ipkitten.blogspot.com

Thus, science must be censored for the safety of all as a limitless access to it could promote nationwide panics, terrorism and other crimes.  While still allowing other scientists to work with the discovered data (in light of furthering research), some parts of science should be concealed as they interfere with moral issues, mental wellness and physical well-being.  Then, and only then, can the citizens of the United States of America be safeguarded from science-related attacks in every area of life.  Then, and only then, can Americans experience true freedom. 

Works Cited:

Donohue, Laura K. ""Trouble Ahead for Science"" Argument! 10th ed. N.p.: McGraw-Hill, 2011. 396-98. Print.

Lovgen, Stefan. ""War of the Worlds": Behind the 1938 Radio Show Panic." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 17 June 2005. Web. 25 Feb. 2013.

Dancing to a Scientific Fluke?

Taken from: www.es123rf.com

Normally, when one thinks of a scientific mistake that turned into a great discovery, they think of penicillin, microwave ovens, x-rays and chocolate chip cookies.  However, according to arts writer and film critic Jason Anderson, the song “Gangnam Style” by PSY constitutes as “a freak incident. To have a song of this scale, it doesn't create any kind of precedent. It's a scientific fluke” [Ligaya].  PSY never meant his chart-topping, goofy song to become a hit as he only wrote and filmed the music video for his local fans [Bub].  Yet why is it so popular?  What part in this song resonates with its audience?  By reviewing "Gangnam Style," one can see whether its aspects have contributed to its international success, or if this song is just a scientific fluke.

Taken from: www.bigbrownboxblog.com.au

First, the music itself mimics a variety of dance and pop sensations, and many people who first listened to "Gangnam Style" even thought that it was a new song of the group LMFAO.  Perhaps that is why it has been such an instant sensation as it is mimics others while creating its unique twist.  Mark Simos, who is the associate professor of songwriting at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, also found that PSY used rather complex sound techniques in “Gangnam Style” by pairing the mesmerizing dance tempo with rapid sound flashes and surprising music pauses [Ligaya].  Simos adds, "That pause is just a little bit out of time… It doesn't come in quite where you expect it. It's a cool musical effect" [Ligaya].  Indeed, when I first heard the song on the radio, I was with my friend, and we both instantly loved it and started to dance to it ... but that was before we even were exposed to the special cowboy dance in the song.

Taken from: www.cbc.ca

Then, the second most memorable (and omnipresent) aspect of PSY's "Gangnam Style" is the dance moves done by the singer and several others in the music video.  The omnipresent aspect of the dance, which further  promotes the song's popularity, lies in the 900 and counting parodies and group dances that can be found on Youtube [Ligaya].  Mark Simos affirms that the horse dance itself is the key to the song's popularity, and he adds that it "is a throwback to the dance craze songs of the '50s and '60s such as the twist" [Ligaya].  While I personally find the dance moves to be idiotic in nature, I have many friends who love this crazy cowboy move, and I know that many celebrities and political leaders have joined to throw the invisible lasso as well.

Taken from: www.youtube.com

Finally, the words in "Gangnam Style" are important to the song's success, for if the original audience in South Korea did not like it, how would the song ever spread further than Asia?  The song's premise, according to the singer, is generally ironic as he portrays a man claiming to be fashionable, like the affluent Gangnam district  of Seoul, South Korea, yet he is everything but cool [Bub].  Besides this humorous twist, PSY repeats the (roughly translated) line, "Girls, your big brother is Gangnam Style" [Bub] and he raps descriptions about his ideal, conservative girl and guy.  From an American point-of-view, however, the song is anything but conservative as the only understandable line is "Hey sexy lady!" [Bub].  Nevertheless, this one comprehensible phrase seemed to be a driving factor into American popularity, according to Mark Simos, for "[w]ho wouldn't want to sing that?" [Ligaya].  

All in all, the music, dance and words to "Gangnam Style" has conjointly played a part to this song's success. Yet the question still remains; was this song a planned, meticulously-made work, or was it just a hugely-successful fluke?  According to PSY himself, this work was meant for fun as he remarks, "The YouTube video never targeted [at] foreign countries. It was for local fans," and, "My goal in this music video was to look uncool until the end. I achieved it" [Bub].  I must disagree, however, for the song's aspects are well-thought out and so collaboratively planned that I instead believe that PSY is a genius.  Indeed, from the addicting sound beats and pauses to the insane dance step and ironic, catchy wording, PSY has it all purposely in his song "Gangnam Style."  The real test of his genius, nonetheless, is time — what new hit song will PSY make next?

Works Cited:

Bub, Adam. "'Gangnam Style': How a Korean Viral Sensation Beat Justin Bieber and Katy Perry on the US Charts." Music Fix. NineMSN, Aug. 2012. Web. 20 Feb. 2013.

Ligaya, Armina. "What's the Secret to Gangnam Style's Success? - Arts & Entertainment - CBC News." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 28 Nov. 2012. Web. 20 Feb. 2013.

RST (or Rethinking Simplified Thinking)

Taken from: www.colourbox.com

A goy, or a man's man, is the highlight of the article "Turning Goys into Girls" by Michelle Cottle.  Through this work, the author ascertains that men who keep up their appearance, stay physically fit, and dress well are  "girls."  Though some aspects of this, such as make-up and cosmetic surgery are typically feminine, it is a mistake for Cottle to assume that men who behave in a more civilized, health-conscious way are now woman.  By examining Colette's reasoning in a critical and logical way, one can find that "Turning Goys into Girls" is a just an exaggerated article.

Taken from: www.avrillavignetalkshow.webs.com

To begin with, it is sexist to pair "attractive" and "physically fit" with a particular gender as there are always exceptions in each member of each sex.  One can easily find woman who would not fall into Colette's definition of the female gender, which she defines as a group that is "insane, insecure, and irrational about physical appearance as any Cosmo girl" [Argument! 260] or that obsesses over expensive clothes and accessories.  Take myself, for example; I barely ever read these popular magazines, and I only wear and do things that please me, and not the popular society.  Thus, her claim, or over-generalizations, proves to be false, and it decreases the credibility of this author, Michelle Cottle, which tempts me to not heed anything else that she says.

Taken from: www.fitmanoncampus.com

Another assumption that Michelle Cottle makes involves the popular media, or the increase in sales of popular magazines such as Men's Health and Men's Journal.  Cottle assumes that when men are exposed to such media, that they will want to imitate it.  Her conclusion of the article reads, "my consolation will have to be the image of thousands of once-proud men, having long scorned women's insecurities, lining up for their laser peels and truing to squeeze their middle-ages asses into a snug set of Super Shaper Briefs--with the optional fly front endowment pad, naturally" [Argument! 263].  However, these are rational, human beings, and Colette just uses a stereotypical "dumb dad" approach to the subject.  Again, she oversimplifies the issue , and just as some women chose not to be as superficial as the media projects them to be, some men (or most of the men) will chose differently as well.

Taken from: www.celebrityheightslist.com

All in all, by oversimplification and some sexist reasoning, the article "Turning Goys into Girls" is not a correct prediction of the Western man-kind at all.  Though the facts mentioned by Michelle Colette may be true (i.e. increase in men's magazines, more men paying attention to their health and appearance, and so on), her conclusions are not.  This article is thus a good example of how simplifying an argument or relying on stereotypes only ruins one's position by weakening the work.  For not all of man's man will be "vulnerable to the lure of high-priced underwear, cologne, running shoes ... boots, energy bars and sex aids" [Argument! 263], and it is hard to imagine Chuck Norris in line for a liposuction. 

Works Cited:

Colette, Michelle. "Turning Goys into Girls." Argument! 10th ed. N.p.: McGraw-Hill, 2011. 260-63. Print.

The Climate's Going To The Dogs!

Taken from: www.boston.com

Their bodies quiver under the harness as the morning sun shines brightly through the dark, naked trees.  The teams are the embodiment of excitement; while the dogs pant loudly, an occasional bark is voiced, and their hearts beat quickly in anticipation of what is to come.  Yet, what typically occurs next in sled races, such as the Iditarod, is not happening now.  Mary Pilon, in her article, “Warm Weather Forces Changes Ahead of Iditarod Race,” claims that global warming caused the numerous sled race cancellations.  By researching how the warmer temperatures affect the canine racers and how much the environment has changed, one may better see the effects of global warming.

Taken from: www.mushingbootcamp.com

First, global warming has affected the sled races by undermining their safety, which is primary concern.  The dogs normally run through great stretches of wilderness (distances of 200 to 400 miles is normal in a race), so the tracks need to be in top condition to insure a successful run [Pilon].  In other words, the woods should be full of snow and all river crossings must be frozen over.  However, with temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, there is a greater danger for accidents; so many planned races have been cancelled [Pilon].  Other effects of the warming climate include the exposed, rough terrain that ruins the harness and other equipment used, which subsequently could break during the race.  Also the dogs may suffer more health issues in warmer temperatures as there is a higher risk of overheating and feet injuries from the exposed bramble [Pilon]. 

Taken from: www.articles.ktuu.com

The most disturbing fact, however, is the change of the environment due to a massive lack of snow in sled dogs areas, such as the Great Lakes and Alaska.  Southern Alaska has been hit the worst as Mary Pilon records,

“During last year’s snow season, defined as July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, Anchorage had 134.5 inches of snow, according to Jake Crouch, a climate scientist with the National Climatic Data Center. This season’s tally in Anchorage was 39.2 inches, through Wednesday. North of Fairbanks, another area where mushers train, snowpack is 21 percent of average.”

This is not a drastic or singly-occurring change, though, as places like Alaska have been warming up steadily the past century.  Indeed, the climate change has been so prevalent that some of the dog breeders have even started to breed dogs with thinner coats [Pilon].

Taken from: www.topnews.in

                Overall, global climate change affects many aspects in life, from the amount of snow in Alaska to events like the Iditarod.  Though Alaska and other areas of extreme temperature may be the only initial places affected by climate change, the earth’s warming really is a threat to human and animal life.  Perhaps a prime example of this is the warm winter the Midwest has experienced the past two years, or the imbalanced weather patterns and disasters (like Hurricane Sandy) that has recently occurred   Who knows what is next to come?  As one of the mushers, Blake Freking, summarizes, “With global warming, it’s hard to deny that there are some big changes going on right now … We’re in it. It isn’t looking good” [Pilon].

Works Cited

Pilon, Mary. "Warm Weather Forces Changes Ahead of Iditarod Race." The New York Times. The New York Times, 06 Feb. 2013. Web. 06 Feb. 2013.