A couple weeks ago, my cousin and I were discussing our love for Carl Sagan. After awhile, he told me about a website called symphonyofscience.com. This awesome site features various music videos that have to do with science and philosophy. Not only do these videos have catchy beats, they are super educational and interesting. They feature people like Sagan (obviously), Stephen Hawking, Jill Bolte Taylor, Richard Feynman, and various other intellectuals.
In my opinion, these videos are excellent. They can serve as alternative learning methods in school settings when lectures get too boring (and they most often do). From past experience, I've seen that Powerpoint lectures aren't always effective. Stuff like this, though, has the ability to make people want to learn. These videos have so much to offer. Also, they combine different intellectuals into the same video, which I believe is a great idea, because we can better see connections and variations in their thought processes.
These videos are a lot like humanities... I think it's amazing that someone decided to combine their knowledge of both science and music and proceed to create a bunch of science and philosophy music videos. I think this "alternative" idea is a great one.Viewing these videos makes me think about other ways to make sometimes boring subjects more interesting and entertaining. Upon that, there are so many ways to improve our learning and thinking, and this is only one of them. So, it seems only appropriate to end with an inspiring quote from Carl...
"A still more glorious dawn awaits" (Sagan).
Friday, May 13, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
An Inconvenient Truth: people are easily distraught
It doesn't take much to tear someone's life apart: the death of someone loved, an addiction, a failure, a disaster...
Things happen all the time in this hectic and unfair life. Very often, these things are negative and somewhat destructive. However, they are too common for the intense effects they tend to have on most people. Not that I'm saying death and hurricanes aren't bad, they obviously are, I'm just saying we should be prepared for this kind of crap and not let it destroy our lives completely. Afterall, throughout the years, I think humans should be accustomed to the fact that, yes, all humans die and yes, disasters and other hardships occur.
Even small occurrences, like verbal beatings or bad grades, have the ability to gnaw at someone. As humans, we are capable of twisting the truth of events in our minds. We're able to make things seem so much worse than they truly are; and I wish that weren't the case.
Often, when something bad happens it's nearly impossible for people to look forward and see the brighter side of things. We dwell on stuff, let it fester in our minds. If only we had the ability to see things objectively and not let them destroy us.
I think the best remedy for this ridiculous hardship bestowed upon us is this: Don't take anything too seriously. I've heard this numerous times, but I tend to not abide by it. Like most other humans, I am easily troubled. However, considering this in times of hardship might help. People just have to remember to live and breathe and take things one step at a time.
Things happen all the time in this hectic and unfair life. Very often, these things are negative and somewhat destructive. However, they are too common for the intense effects they tend to have on most people. Not that I'm saying death and hurricanes aren't bad, they obviously are, I'm just saying we should be prepared for this kind of crap and not let it destroy our lives completely. Afterall, throughout the years, I think humans should be accustomed to the fact that, yes, all humans die and yes, disasters and other hardships occur.
Even small occurrences, like verbal beatings or bad grades, have the ability to gnaw at someone. As humans, we are capable of twisting the truth of events in our minds. We're able to make things seem so much worse than they truly are; and I wish that weren't the case.
Often, when something bad happens it's nearly impossible for people to look forward and see the brighter side of things. We dwell on stuff, let it fester in our minds. If only we had the ability to see things objectively and not let them destroy us.
I think the best remedy for this ridiculous hardship bestowed upon us is this: Don't take anything too seriously. I've heard this numerous times, but I tend to not abide by it. Like most other humans, I am easily troubled. However, considering this in times of hardship might help. People just have to remember to live and breathe and take things one step at a time.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Blogging Around
This is a response to Doug's blog post on the chill environment in Humanities this time of year:
What's up? I just had some fun reading your blog post... I totally agree with you. Some seniors last year made it sound like the whole year would be a breeze, but that was definitely not the case. However, I think we learned some pretty meaningful and insightful stuff this year. It wasn't just busy work, which is cool.
Humanities is really chill this time of year, it would seem. I also am a big fan of the Do You Mind? questions and watching people's TED presentations. I think we're learning a lot about ourselves and the world.
This is a response to Sammy's blog post on fear:
Your blog post is super interesting! I didn't know you were a singer, that's awesome. and ps I like that song "let me love you." I'm sure you sung it beautifully.
I also share your fear of performing in front of others... I sincerely suck at it. and I agree that it's because I fear what others will think... haha my family, my older sisters more so, are the exact same way. Sometimes their criticism actually makes me sick to my stomach.
I'm proud of you for digging into your fears, that's probably one of the biggest challenges any person can face... and I'm sooo happy you're on De La Cru and performing for the school, it wouldn't be half as good without you!
What's up? I just had some fun reading your blog post... I totally agree with you. Some seniors last year made it sound like the whole year would be a breeze, but that was definitely not the case. However, I think we learned some pretty meaningful and insightful stuff this year. It wasn't just busy work, which is cool.
Humanities is really chill this time of year, it would seem. I also am a big fan of the Do You Mind? questions and watching people's TED presentations. I think we're learning a lot about ourselves and the world.
This is a response to Sammy's blog post on fear:
Your blog post is super interesting! I didn't know you were a singer, that's awesome. and ps I like that song "let me love you." I'm sure you sung it beautifully.
I also share your fear of performing in front of others... I sincerely suck at it. and I agree that it's because I fear what others will think... haha my family, my older sisters more so, are the exact same way. Sometimes their criticism actually makes me sick to my stomach.
I'm proud of you for digging into your fears, that's probably one of the biggest challenges any person can face... and I'm sooo happy you're on De La Cru and performing for the school, it wouldn't be half as good without you!
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