Thursday, January 30, 2020
Seasons of the Year Essay Example for Free
Seasons of the Year Essay It was the summer break and we were hanging out at Nadias back porch. The day was the epitome of summer: warm day, light breeze, white cotton dresses swaying among green grass. We were enjoying tall glasses of iced tea and freshly-baked oatmeal cookies, while trading stories. It was just like when we were kids, barely into puberty and boys. That was a time of daily neighborhood bike trips, of flowers nicked from unsuspecting neighbors, of promises that we will never be separated from each other, which we swore to by having identical ballpoint tattoos, of ending our daily adventures with tall, cold glasses of iced tea and freshly-baked cookies supplied by Nadias accommodating father, while listening to Lizs never ending (but never boring) tall tales. Those were the best months of my life, and I only realize that now, when they have become a distant past. Like the tire tracks we left with our bikes, the flowers we innocently uprooted, the washable tattoos, the ice cubes in the long-since consumed iced tea and oatmeal cookies, the words Liz used to narrate her imaginative stories, we took these for granted, reassured that we can do them again and again. The foolishness of youth. Who would have thought that Nadias father would be involved in a car accident, and become semi-paralyzed while we were in high school? Who would have thought that vibrant Liz would drop out of college in our second year to join an organization that deals with human rights violations overseas? And who would have thought Diana would become separated from Nadia, Carrie, and me as she leaves for Florida in a few days before flying to Japan? Our last summer of being together, before high school graduation, I realized that autumn does come early. And so does the desolation of winter.            We were looking up at the blue sky when Liz suggested we go somewhere. We were all for it, as it was our first summer together since we started college, but we had no idea where to go. All of a sudden, Diana suggested we go to Hollywood now. We knew it was crazy, but we immediately got up, piled into Carries car, and drove away with all five of us in the car. All we had were the bills and coins in our pockets and knapsacks, the clothes on our backs, Carries car, Nadias camera, and each other.            At the first stop, we bought beer and junk food. Everyone except for Carrie drank; Nadia also drank, albeit she only had a bottle. She kept taking pictures of everyone, from Lizs crazy tongue stunts, to Dianas impersonations, to my dazed reaction to everything (â€Å"What? Where are we? Whats that?†), to the view of outside from Carries seat. We were being crazy and immature, and it was like being back again to our childhood summers.            It was a long car ride, but I do not remember much of what transpired then. Only, I was looking outside for sometime, and I was amazed at how one feels a certain attachment towards clouds; we were in a moving vehicle, yet I kept on looking at a certain cloud, pulling it towards me as we drove to Hollywood. The sky behind it kept on changing hues: blue, red, purple. I knew that no two clouds looked alike, especially in different seasons; yet, they are still clouds, made of the same material.            We soon reached Hollywood, and being inebriated, transformed into giddy kids in a playground. The rest of the Hollywood tour I can only remember in a drunken blur: taking pictures with nadias camera hand prints of stars taking pictures of the stars themselves of crazy food in crowded diners of break dancing kids of shimmering lights of gangs approaching people and bashing pounding shouting running around hollywood looking for the car walking to the same places over and over and over again losing the car carrie panicking shivering shouting crying taking the bus home drowsy because of the rocking bus like waves of the sea looking up at night-time clouds still same clouds though different diana running frantic to airport plane bound for florida is boarding when we arrive hugging goodbye waving tears laughter friends            Looking back, I have always seen summer as the best time of the year. It was the most familiar to me, the most comforting; I get to be with my friends again, and just hang out. Cotton dresses are always softer, and green grass is greener during summer. I get to watch the blue sky as familiar, white fluffy clouds drift. Yet, I have forgotten that they are the same water vapor forming shapes, whatever the season, just as my friends are still my friends, wherever we may be, how old we may be. I have also forgotten that though autumn may come early, it also brings with it the promise of a new summer. And if summer does end early, I can always pull out all those summer memories and remember.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
The Slums Of West County :: essays papers
The Slums Of West County It was our first day of freedom. On April 10, 1998, my best friend Laren and I were anxiously ready to move out on our own. We had been planning this for months, while sitting at Denny's for a few hours at a time. We were trying to figure out how much we would each pay in rent, bills, and food. Where we might live and what kind of rules we might have to keep us from killing each other (as roommates are prone to do) were other issues we resolved. So, now the two sheltered West County girls were going to have a taste of life on their own†¦ but not too far away from Mom and Dad, just in case something went awry. The big, beautiful homes we lived in no longer felt big enough for us, or rather, maybe they felt too big for us. We had picked an apartment complex that was only about five or ten minutes away from our parents and our jobs. Now we had the task of moving 20 years of accumulated boxes to an empty, different room. A room that was half the size of our own bedrooms we lived in now. We had been spoiled little girls and we were just starting to realize it. Two bedrooms and two baths seemed like it would eliminate many problems that roommates often have over sharing a bathroom or bedroom. We had a small kitchen, a decent sized family room with a cable hookup, and a living room connecting the other two. Upon seeing the model apartment the management had decorated, we thought our place would be well worth the money. Neither of us thought we could make such a heinous mistake. After all, we were still located in West County†¦ or were we? At 7:30 on that moving day morning, I felt anxious to get started. My stomach was screaming complaints at me for being so inconsiderate as to only feed it a breakfast of coffee and nicotine. I knew I had three hours until my friends would be here with the U-Haul, but my nerves were jumping already. I put down my coffee mug in the sink, made a sprint for the stairs, and ended up in my bedroom doorway to find my stepfather already unscrewing the bed frame.
Monday, January 13, 2020
Population Problems: A Worldwide Dilemma Essay
Population, specifically in terms of size, is considerably more of an issue today than it has ever been. In fact, some of the most significant problems worldwide are being attributed to the continuous rise of the human global population as mainly contributed by less economically established nations (Sociology Online). However, there is significantly more to these problems regarding population than commonly perceived. In fact, there are already several population problems that have brought about significant detrimental effects to several nations throughout the world, hence evidently causing alarm at a global scale. On of the most identifiable population problem is of course international migration (Sociology Online). From the standpoint of the common individual, migration might seem harmless as it only pertains to the transfer of people from country to country in terms of those who seek a different environment in which to live in. However, considering an immense growth in population, especially from impoverished countries, the migration of individuals from such countries towards countries which are more economically stable may result in various detrimental effects including diminished resources, social barriers, and further increase in population growth (Sociology Online). Given this, there have been methods in which migration may be controlled. In the United States for example, not everyone is allowed to migrate as there are set criteria in choosing the individuals to be allowed to stay in the country (Sociology Online). Another significant population problem is actually very much related to the first one, the continuous reduction of available resources. This problem is rather expected as the more individuals are born, the more people are in need of food. Since, food production cannot always be on par with the demand, problems will obviously arise. In fact, in extreme cases, famine may even break out as a result of the prolonged lack of available food in numerous locations, which evidently causes not only simple cases of malnutrition but in fact can cause numerous deaths for a particular locality (Sociology Online). The methods in which this is addressed is understandably not only through better rate of production of goods but also through a better consideration in terms of how much is consumed. Unlike the other two issues discussed, the third one to be mentioned is more on politics and international relations rather than simply the direct physical effects of the overgrowth of populations. The advanced countries have often showed concern regarding the increasing populations of the less developed countries, and have often expressed their eagerness in coercing the governments of these countries to promote or impose methods of population control (Sociology Online). Even though such suggestions are frowned upon in certain countries, some have in fact initiated population control methods regardless of the suggestions. In fact, the government imposed policies on having children in China have had various positive effects especially in terms of economic status (Sociology Online). As discussed, population problems today are generally associated with immense population growth, and it is evident that most global impacts are from this source. However, it must also be considered that the opposite of overpopulation is also potentially a source of negative implications (Sociology Online). Therefore, in order to truly limit or eliminate population problems, from apparent ones to more specific cases, a focus must be placed upon determining and maintaining an optimal population for each and every country worldwide. Work Cited Sociology Online. â€Å"Population Patterns and Trends. †Sociology Online Chapters and Texts. n. d. 20 May 2009
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Can a Computer Have a Mind - 1158 Words
Can a computer have a mind? This question has been debated for decades by philosophers, mathematicians, physicists etc. Alan Turing, a mathematician, he first addressed the issue of artificial intelligence in his 1950 paper, Computing machinery and intelligence, and proposed an experiment known as the â€Å"Turing Test†â€â€an effort to create an intelligence design standard for the tech industry. He also said, â€Å"if we cannot distinguish between the answers a computer gives to questions and the answers a human gives, then the computer has a mind†,but I stand at a different view. I believe that computers are not conscious in the same way a human mind is conscious. To come to such a conclusion, as to whether or not computers are conscious the same way as a human mind, what we need to understand first is what exactly it means to be conscious†. To be conscious means that one is aware of their existence, possesses feelings and has thoughts of their own. Compute rs were invented by human beings, humans who are not perfect and not all knowing. Computers are programmed by humans, and thus they dont have the awareness of their own existence, they dont have feelings and they are programmed to think the way their programmer has designed them to think. Computers lack the free will to think and make decisions by themselves, they do what they are programmed to do. Processing speed is irrelevant to whats most important in human cognition. Computers have fabulous calculation power,Show MoreRelatedComputers Can Not Have Minds1490 Words  | 6 PagesAlan Turing, â€Å"father†of modern computers, created the Turing Machine in order to prove, through the use of an imitation game, that computers can think. John Searle argued that the Turing Test is simply just imitating, rather than thinking. Based on Searle’s argument against the Turing Test, I think that computers cannot have minds. Although Turing argues that computers can think, ther e are many arguments, such as Searle’s Chinese room argument, and defenses that I will present that support SearleRead MoreThe Human Mind and The Computer1131 Words  | 5 PagesComputers, like humans, in some essence have â€Å"minds.†However, when the â€Å"mind†of a computer is contrasted to that of a human’s, we see a big difference. A computers function is to take in information (input), store data (storage), manipulate data (processing), and provide us with information (output). Just like a computer, a human’s mind also has those four distinct functions, but a human’s mind also has three completely different functions. The human mind is capable of thinking, feeling, and wantingRead MoreThe Human Brain And The Functioning Of Artificial Intelligence1587 Words  | 7 PagesFor centuries, philosophers have struggled to explain the nature of knowledge. Traditionally, we have considered our ability to think as the defining distinctio n between humanity and all other beings. However, the rise of the computer has created a great philosophical dilemma as we now struggle to reconcile the difference between the functioning of the human brain and the functioning of artificial intelligence. The purpose of my essay is to do exactly that – reconcile the difference by defendingRead MoreEssay on Human and Inventions: The Computer Evolution687 Words  | 3 Pagesof time, humans have thought and made many inventions. Repeatedly the newer one is better than the older. Our minds have created many remarkable things, however the best invention we ever created is the computer. computers are constantly growing and becoming better every day. Every day computers are capable of doing new things. Even though computers have helped us a lot in our daily lives, many jobs have been lost because of it, now the computer can do all of the things a man can do in seconds! EverythingRead MoreMinds, Brains, and Science by John R. Sea rle1815 Words  | 7 Pagesthis day, one of the most influential theories of the mind. While many facets of functionalism has been tested throughout the century, one of the more interesting questions came in the form of computers. Similarly to a human brain, could computers also think? This idea was explored by John R. Searle, in his book titled, Minds, Brains, and Science. The author is a renowned American philosopher, particularly in the philosophy of language and mind, and is currently teaching at the University of CaliforniaRead More Fodors Functionalism Essay1314 Words  | 6 PagesFodor begins his article on the mind-body problem with a review of the current theories of dualism and materialism. According to dualism, the mind and body are two separate entities with the body being physical and the mind being nonphysical. If this is the case, though, then there can be no interaction between the two. The mind could not influence anything physical without violating the laws o f physics. The materialist theory, on the other hand, states that the mind is not distinct from the physicalRead MoreArguments Against Physical Machines Jenna Beran1280 Words  | 6 Pagesthe problem of mind and body. He uses the terms intentionality and subjectivity to argue that humans are not physical machines. Subjectivity is the opinions and feelings from experience that is unique to the individual. Intentionality describes how thought can be directed on a particular object. This is consciousness. These terms are what make human beings distinct from physical machines. Moreland argues that human beings are different from a physical machine because humans have a mind that uses intentionalityRead MoreAn Analysis Of Edgar Allen Poes Maelzels Chess Player 1609 Words  | 7 Pagescalculations but that there is an unbridgeable gap between playing chess and performing calculations. Computers follow a fixed mathematical or algebraic series. Even though there are typically 30 move s that could be made during any given turn, a computer necessarily follows one. A human doesn t proceed by logical necessity; a human chooses their moves. On May 11, 1977, Deep Blue, an IBM computer, defeated Garry Kasparov, the world champion, in a six game match. Speaking of one of the moves made byRead MoreCan Artificial Consciousness be Possible?868 Words  | 4 PagesCan artificial consciousness be possible? In other words, can a machine be conscious and have the same behavior as a human. Artificial consciousness or also can be referred as machine consciousness are machines created by humans that are programmed to have artificial intelligence in the machine’s system. This means that machines are programmed to have the intelligence as a human. However, would it be possible for humans to create a machine that is programmed to have the ability to think, feel, andRead MoreThe Chinese Room Argument1272 Words  | 6 Pageslogical stance on the question is accepting that machines are able to behave as though it has a conscious mind physically, but also arguing that machines will never be able to possess this consciousness as though a human would. This second type of viewpoint is considered Weak Artificial Intelligence, otherwise known as narrow artificial intelligence. Weak AI is acknowledging that machines can simulate consciousness computationally, but that is different from actually obtaining consciousness. One of
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