PLN Presentation

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PLN#7

"US currency reimagined to celebrate ideas, not the dead." by Cassandra Khaw illustrates Travis Purrington's new idea for United States paper money through images and facts. Travis Purrington has redesigned the 5, 10, 20, 50,and 100 dollar notes of the US treasury. As Cassandra explains Travis "draws inspiration from the Swiss Franc, and was conceptualized to showcase banknotes that placed greater emphasis on the accomplishments of the living, rather than 'codifying myth or legend.'"(Khaw para2) The images in the article are intriguing with both the obverse (front) and the reverse (back) of each of the aforementioned notes shown in detail.

"US currency reimagined to celebrate ideas, not the dead." by Cassand Khaw fails to see the importance of the image that U.S. notes carry today, because of the lack of comparison between Purrington's money and U.S. currency today. Travis Purrington's new image of the US's money is stunning indeed, however, he and the author fail to see the issue with completely making over United States monetary notes. The first things that come to mind with new money are small changes on coins such as state parks quarters that are being minted today or the shield on the penny instead of the Lincoln memorial. Those changes were minute and the general image of the quarters and pennies were unchanged. Travis's reimagined notes are completely different from the current notes in not only image, but color and size as well according to the photos presented. The next issue with these new bills is that the image of the country's founding fathers is one of the best ways to remember them. It honors them because they are the men who made this country what it is today. This goes back to ancient Rome where they put the emperor's face on their money. In Khaws article "Purrington says he removed the Founding Fathers from his design as this was a practice Congress had wanted to abolish following the American revolution."(Khaw para2) however if the people did want to change their style of currency they would have asked for congress to. As it goes "if it ain't broke don't fix it," something many believe in. America's monetary system is fine as it is, especially the honoring of it's national founders.

PLN#6 TSWL

"To Siri, With Love" by Judith Newman articulates how an autistic boy becomes friends with Apple's Siri,  through the story of her son and the statistics proving Siri's worth.. Gus is the authors son and he is Autistic. On many occasions Judith claims, " I watched my 13-year-old son deep in conversation with Siri,"(Newman, para 1) asking about all kids of things. Gus often goes into deep conversation with Siri about everything from " the difference between isolated and scattered thunderstorms"(Newman para 1) to turtles, and airplanes. The author says that Siri helps her because Siri has the patience to talk to Gus for hours on end, something most people could not do. Siri also can tell Gus anything he wants to know. Judith doesn't worry about the human to computer relationship going out of line however. Newman states, "It’s not that Gus doesn’t understand Siri’s not human. He does — intellectually. But like many autistic people I know, Gus feels that inanimate objects, while maybe not possessing souls, are worthy of our consideration"(Newman para 7). The article ends in a bit of a question for the readers, of are computers helping or hurting social abilities for autistic people and people who aren't.

"To Siri, With Love" by Judith Newman fails to  show the downsides of the human to computer relationship her son has with Apple's Siri, because of the lack in criticism the article has of the Siri interface. The author claims that her son knows that Siri isn't a real person, but Gus speaks to her like a real person. He says things like, “You are always asking if you can help me. Is there anything you want?” (Newman para1) which sounds funny to you and me. our logic is, of course not, it is a computer it doesn't need, feel, or want anything, it can't. There is a definite social barrier between a human and a computer. For example Judith says, "That Siri. She doesn’t let my communications-impaired son get away with anything,"(Newman para 2) where as this might not be the case with some humans. Speaking with autistic people is hard and often you will let things slide. While these conversations with Siri might teach him good things like "to look you in the eye when talking"(Newman para20), or proper language these talks will not prepare Gus to speak with real people. The article spoke about kindness and patience of machines. Real people are not kind or patient all of the time. That fact alone is on of the biggest downsides of using computers to prepare disabled kids for interaction which is what Judith seems to be doing. It seems that Judith was right in stating, however, that normal people think "Siri is merely a momentary diversion."(Newman para17). In a wider view it is safe to say that Siri can be beneficial in special cases like Gus's, but that parents should use caution if faced with similar circumstances.

 

PLN#5 your choice

"3D-printed gun maker in Japan sentenced to two years in prison" an article by The Verge informs viewers about how a Japanese man was arrested and convicted for 3-D printed firearms through the articles keen use of straight facts and a head on approach. Yoshitomo Imura was arrested for violating new weapons laws in Japan. "Yoshitomo Imura is said to have created at least two plastic guns at his home in Kawaski, Japan, that were capable of firing bullets, according to the report."(The Verge para1). The former university employee was 28 years old when he got this sentence. Some say that " Japan has notoriously strict gun regulations, but Imura's case is not the first time in the world that authorities have tried to crack down on the burgeoning 3D-printed gun movement."( The Verge para3) Some other countries look at this first case of conviction for 3-D printed guns as the catalyst to something bigger.

"3D-printed gun maker in Japan sentenced to two years in prison" by the verge demonstrates the real danger that 3-D printers pose, because of the information presented in the article. As almost anything can be printed on the printers and bigger objects can be printed in pieces, virtually anything existing or imagined can be rendered. Most of us have heard of or imagined that weapons especially firearms could be created on these machines. This case, however, is the first trial and conviction of someone who printed useable firearms. Imura uploaded videos on a website of "The creation and firing of a 3D-printed "Zig Zag" revolver capable of firing six .38 caliber bullets."(The Verge para2) Some other authorities such as in the UK have started to monitor these type of cases, "Police in the UK seized suspected 3D-printed gun components almost exactly a year ago, only to find out that they were likely just spare parts for the printer. "( The Verge para3) When you think about all of the capabilities of 3-D printers it hits you hard. With an average price of about $1000 according to a google search this puts 3-D printers in the price range of most people. Imura was taken under custody "after posting videos and blueprints of his 3D-printed weapons online,"( The Verge para2) which means that the blueprints are available to anyone online. This means theoretically anyone can make their own useable firearms, a scary thought considering recent shootings in the nation.

BLog #6 PLN 4

"What's Wrong with the Teenage Mind?" by Alison Glopnik of The Wall Street Journal explains how society effects the teenagers brain. As Alison explains in the article teenagers today are hitting puberty at an earlier age than in the past. In the article Alison states that " A leading theory points to changes in energy balance as children eat more and move less. This basically means that teenagers are hitting puberty earlier and they are reaching "Adulthood" later, which equals more time spent in awkwardness and sometimes alone or depressed.

"What's Wrong with the Teenage Mind?" by Alison Glopnik thoroughly breaks down the phsycology of the teenagers mind. Nowhere in the article did the author interview any teenagers or anyone  for that matter. In order for other people to understand how any other group, faction, age, gender, or individual thinks they need to speak with them or become a part of said group. The article consisted of many theories. There was not much credible data given. Many things were estimated or projected for example " Recent studies in the neouroscientist B. J. Casey's lab at Cornel University suggests that...," or " What teenagers want most of all are social rewards especially respect from their peers." this statement was followed up by test results that had almost nothing to do with what teenagers want or how they think. The article was inconclusive and jumped around from theory to theory and test to test, however in the end Alison stated "The good news, in short, is that we don't have to just accept the developmental patterns of adolescent brains. We can actually shape and change them." This really seems insulting to teenagers because Alison is saying that adults control how society is and in turn how teenagers think. This is not true at all. Teenagers have always thought in similar ways and with the same interests now and in the past. Many teenagers think in rebellious ways and will always be directly affected by what is happening in the world; however, teenagers will never be controlled by society.
Thanks for reading.
-Michael-

Blog #5 summaryresponsePLN

"Samsung's best-looking phone ever is coming to AT&T this Friday" by The Verge informs readers about what's coming soon through facts about Samsung's new phone, the Galaxy Alpha. The author explains that the new phone will cost only $ 199.99 if you buy it through AT&T's two year plan. Other options with the phone plan are available through AT&T. As The verge stated "One of the companies best looking smartphones to date," the companies full attention was diverted to this new device to compete with Apple. Both Apple's iphone 6 and the Galaxy Alpha have a 4.7 inch display screen, however with a "2.5GHz quad-core processor, 32GB of storage, and a 12-megapixel camera," some may give Samsung the edge up.

In "Samsung's best looking phone ever is coming to AT&T Friday" illustrates thoroughly the details of the newest Galaxy phone through straight forward facts and easy to comprehend details. As the author points out the Galaxy Alpha "stands apart from previous Samsung phones thanks to its metal frame and slim, light build." The new features such as he structure and camera make this phone one to get. The iPhone 6 is coming out soon with it's new 4.7 screen length and many new features. The two companies are going to war this fall. Which phone is going to win?, no one knows. Samsung has prepared their new phone for this lineup and it will be released this Friday.

blog #4 New Description

Year after year I am taken out of the bag and I portray your thoughts. My best friend is flat and I scratch him up. I have no control of what I say, that is up to you. I am what can make or break history and I define lines on a map. Every one owns one like me and I am not considered special. Still I am used and used till I run out of words, and lines, and places to say things because my friend can't hold all that you have to say and I am thrown away. Pen.
Thanks for reading
-Michael-

Blog #3 response disagree

There is an article by BBC, "Big cities should have more power, says report" that talks about how some cities in the United Kingdom want to have a bigger say in their economical future than at present. Some officials have said that this is a good idea and a possibility, but that there will be some cities, or metros, that are not ready for this. This is not good. The old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." applies perfectly in this situation. Major cities in the UK are financially sound and aren't in trouble in any way. The article stated that since at least a third of the nation's population live in cities that means that they should have a bigger say in the goings on around the metro. What about the suburbs and rural communities? They should deserve a larger say in their internal affairs as well. After all they produce food on the farms that help support Britain's economy. Some mention of this should have at least been made by the report or by government officials. To doubt this system that has worked for decades now is foolish and if any change is to be made it should be minor because if the new system doesn't work then the United Kingdom will have a big problem on their hands.
Thanks for reading.
-Michael-

Blog # 2 summary

In "Sony's about to strap an Alpha lens to your smartphone" an article by The Verge, the author talked about how Sony is making a high definition camera lens that can attach to smart phones to take better quality pictures. Although this may not seem like a very big achievement in terms of recent advancements in technology, it is acclaimed to be quite a leap for photographers. Now they can have a much more portable camera to take high quality pictures with. The article talked a lot about the price. People were not thrilled because a lens can run you up to 400-550 dollars, which is a lot for something like this. Sony also decided to split up the lenses and the sensors for the camera which means that they have to be bought separately, meaning more money.

This article is informative because it tells readers about Sony's new product line that plans to take an Alpha lens and enable it to attach to smartphones. These new lenses are sold separately from their sensors which is bad because this is a bad marketing tactic. Selling these products separately is not appealing to buyers. it would be better to sell them together with a higher price. This article relates to all other articles about new products. There are good facts in the article and good points to inform the reader on why or why not to buy.

Thanks For Reading.
-Michael-

Blog #1 Belief

One of my personal beliefs is that there is no situation that could not be worse. For example you are having a bad day at school and you forgot a lunch and are out of money for the week. you would think that you're having the worst day out of anyone you saw today. That's wrong. Of course I could pull the at least you aren't starving like children in Africa, but I wont. My point is that you make your day what it is. You and you alone can choose whether or not you take what Johnny Shmo said about you personally or if you decide that you aren't going to care about his stupid remarks. What I am basically saying is that you have the power to pick yourself up or add more weight onto your chain. Other people influence you based on your decision to be influenced by other people. It's a sick cycle of good and bad days... at least in your mind. I am going to be nerdy and quote Gandalf the Grey here "All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you." That's the end of my babel thanks for reading.
-Michael-