Subway life

Subway life by anonymous

Third Culture Kids: Where is Home?

So after studying TCKs for the last few classes, here is a song that, in my opinion, can be related to the language confusion these kids have: The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?) by Ylvis.

Lyrics:

Dog goes woof

Cat goes meow

Bird goes tweet

and mouse goes squeek

Cow goes moo

Frog goes croak

and the elephant goes toot

Ducks say quack

and fish go blub

and the seal goes ow ow ow ow ow

But theres one sound

That no one knows

What does the fox say?

Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!

Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!

Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!

What the fox say?

Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!

Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!

Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!

What the fox say?

Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!

Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!

Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!

What the fox say?

Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!

Tchoff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!

Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!

What the fox say?

Big blue eyes

Pointy nose

Chasing mice

and digging holes

Tiny paws

Up the hill

Suddenly youre standing still

Your fur is red

So beautiful

Like an angel in disguise

But if you meet

a friendly horse

Will you communicate by

mo-o-o-o-orse?

mo-o-o-o-orse?

mo-o-o-o-orse?

How will you speak to that

ho-o-o-o-orse?

ho-o-o-o-orse?

ho-o-o-o-orse?

What does the fox say?

Jacha-chacha-chacha-chow!

Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!

Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!

What the fox say?

Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!

Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!

Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!

What the fox say?

A-hee-ahee ha-hee!

A-hee-ahee ha-hee!

A-hee-ahee ha-hee!

What the fox say?

A-oo-oo-oo-ooo!

Woo-oo-oo-ooo!

What does the fox say?

The secret of the fox

Ancient mystery

Somewhere deep in the woods

I know youre hiding

What is your sound?

Will we ever know?

Will always be a mystery

What do you say?

Youre my guardian angel

Hiding in the woods

What is your sound?

(Fox Sings)

Wa-wa-way-do Wub-wid-bid-dum-way-do Wa-wa-way-do

Will we ever know?

(Fox Sings)

Bay-budabud-dum-bam

I want to

(Fox sings)

Mama-dum-day-do

I want to

I want to know!

(Fox sings)

Abay-ba-da bum-bum bay-do

Punk for a month

After reading the text we had to answer some questions:

1. Is Julie fair to her old friends in the change she makes? How might she have handled the change differently so as not to alienate her friends?

I think she takes a personal decision that doesn't really affect her friends, so she didn't have to ask for permission. Actually, her friends are the ones who don't accept her and alienate her.

Although, Julie should have tried to convince her friends about accepting her.

2. Julie makes new friends once she changes her appearance. What problems can you predict with these new friends?

These new friends might only like her because she is punk, but once she becomes "normal" again they might betray her and leave her alone.

3. Does Julie change internally as a result of changing externally? Can simply dressing differently influence a person's character? Why, or why not?
She changed, of course, and became a much happier person who's accepted and taken into consideration. By changing externally, she also started accepting herself and took another perspective about life. By changing the way you dress, you are able to change your personality, but only if you want to.

4. What does appearance indicate about a person? In what ways may appearances be misleading? When is it appropriate to judge people based on appearances? When is it inappropriate?
Appearance might lead to prejudices which, in most cases, is misleading. In my opinion, it is never good to judge people based on appearances because, according to my experience, appearance never shows what a person is really inside.

We also had to relate the story of this girl Julie to a movie, so I chose "Legally Blonde" as in both stories the main character transforms from being "no one" to a recognizable or popular person. Here is the trailer of the movie: 

Personal Response

“The Akanksha clinic is at the forefront of India’s booming trade in so-called reproductive tourism — foreigners coming to the country for infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization. The clinic’s main draw, however, is its success using local women to have foreigners’ babies. Surrogacy costs about $12,000 in India, including all medical expenses and the surrogate’s fee. In the U.S., the same procedure can cost up to $70,000.”

There are many congenital diseases known to affect fertility and make women unable to get pregnant. Throughout the years, developments in medicine and genetics have helped these women to have a child. Nowadays, it is possible for people to “rent” a uterus so that the surrogate mother gets an in vitro fertilization and carries the baby for another woman during gestation. Once the time has passed, the surrogate mother gives the baby to the “real mother”. These techniques are also used for women who are too busy to have a child, so that they can have one without being pregnant.

In this text, something that might be considered as a problem for many people is presented. Women in need of money "rent their wombs" so that other women, who are unable to get pregnant because of the problems mentioned before, can have a child. The main focus of the fragment is that these procedures are six times cheaper in India than in the United States, which makes people do the "reproductive tourism". According to many people, this might be a problem because of unregulated procedures, possible exploitation of surrogates or surrogates not really taking care of their selves during pregnancy.

I think this is a good alternative for women to have a child, because of the price and in the end it is a mutual benefit both for the mother and for the surrogate, and it depends on each one of us to consider this possibility as a good one or not. I think if someone is able to pay and wants to take this option, then she's able to do so with complete freedom.

Surrogate Mothers: Womb for Rent

After reading this interesting article, answer the following questions:


1. What does “reproductive tourism” mean?
It refers to people who travel to another country in order to get infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization.
2. What issues might cause an American woman to seek an Indian surrogate?
It seems that in India it is much cheaper and they speak English too.
3. What risks and benefits exist for the surrogate mothers in India?
Some risks are that surrogates may be exploited due to the lack of regulation or may become attached and don't give the baby. Some benefits are that people get money and may have a chance to get a better life and support their family.
4. What risks and benefits exist for the women who hire a surrogate?
People don't know if the surrogate actually takes care during her pregnancy or the living conditions she has. On the other hand, women get a baby without actually having one.(being pregnant)
5. Do you agree with the people who believe that the Indian women are being exploited? Why or why not?

I don't think they are being exploited because women choose to do it or not. 

Image Analysis

Robots are becoming increasingly sophisticated and lifelike.

Description
Caption
Possible Functions: NASA
Robots in society: Limitations and benefits
Relate to class

Presentation Audio

The Vaccinator 3000

This week's task is to plan a robot, that would help to solve a problem. My group is also formed by Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Barriga.

Here are some questions that will help to guide our planning:

What materials will it be made out of? Why?

It will be made of metal and the corresponding circuits to assure its functioning, because it's the easiest way to create and program a robot.

How will the robot sense its surroundings? 

It will have thermal sensors, to perceive if it's in front of a person or of an object. It will also be able to communicate, and "understand" (through a variety of computational programs). 

How will it move and respond to the environment?
It will have wheels, to guarantee an easy movement through the room, where it will go from bed to bed, and from patient to patient, also helped by its thermal sensors. 

How or why is a robot better equipped to handle this challenge than a human? 

A robot would be faster than a human, and also it would make doctors only occupate on other issues in which they might be more required.

What will the robot look like? Will it look human-like? Why or why not?

It will be the cheapest possible. Probably a "box" (cube) with an arm.

How will the robot’s appearance influence how people interact with it?

At first people may be scared, but then they'll get used to it and it will be the same as being vaccinated by a person or a human-like robot.

Stem Cells Breakthrough & Seeds of Hope

Stem Cells: Seed of hope?
Stem Cells Breakthrough

After watching these videos, we had to answer some questions:


Why are stem cells considered so valuable for medical research?
Because stem cells are pluripotent (they can transform into many different specialized cells) and can fix many diseases.

Why did the researchers have to narrow the spectrum of genes within stem cells?
Because, by doing that, they could reproduce them from skin cells, having a much wider spectrum afterwards. As in the beginning, 20000 genes is too much, the possible combinations had to be narrowed.

What are the sources of stem cells and the advantages and disadvantages associated with using each?
Stem cells used for this kind of investigations are the one that embryos have. The advantages could be that you could eventually regenerate any kind of cell, and potentially heal an organ. Disadvantages could include that, apparently to produce one of those cells and organs, you have to create life, use what you and then need and destroy it. It is also possible to obtain stem cells from organs that still ave some residual stem cells, mainly the spinal cord. Another possibility is to create them with the gene combination obtained.

What are the three cases presented at the beginning of the second video?
A hockey player whose spinal cord was damaged. Diabetes in a young man. Two girls who were cousins had a genetic disorder (Tay- Sachs disease)

How might a stem cell be used to treat spinal cord injuries?
They have to insert the stem cell in the damaged spinal cord, and then wait for it to make the "bridge" and communicate both sides of the cord.

Explain the outcome of the experiment with injured rats presented in the second video?
Rats whose spinal cord was damaged, were treated and then they could almost walk normally.

What issues surround the debate over of stem cell research?
Ethic issues. The importance of preserving life.

What issue do you think needs to be debated as we make decisions about stem cell research?
The importance of having the power to create life carries a huge responsibility, and how can we be sure than this knowledge will be used only for the good of the people. and not create weapons or something that could damage humanity in the future.

Genetic Tool Kit

What do homeobox genes code for in animals?

They produce basic body parts, such as wings, legs and heads, in all animals.

Why are homeobox (also called homeotic) genes called the master control genes, or master switches?

Because the research indicates that animals descended from a single common ancestor that passed along to them a set of homeobox genes, used to build a wide variety of forms from just a few basic body plans.

What other organisms besides fruit flies have homeobox genes?

Every animal has homeobox genes.

What did the experiment with fruit flies and mice show?

That every animal may have evolved from a common ancestor, which means that evolution is a simpler process than it was thought.

What does the presence packages of information suggest about evolution?

That genes are the same, but external factors determine different evolution conditions, which makes organs differentiate among animals. This means that evolution is triggered by external factors such as food, weather, etc.

How has evolution tinkered with genes of animals?

Evolution can be considered to be the process in which new combinations of genes are created, commonly triggered by external changes.
What role has embryos played in the study of evolution?

They have been the main study object because during this stage genes start to be expressed and scientist can study the similes between different species.

VIDEO

Gene Control

Why did the German scientist decide to study the fruit flies at the larval stage?

Because it is a fast-breeding insect and sometimes, a mutation occurs and legs come out of the fly's head. These mutations occurs during the larval stage of the fly, so that's why the scientist need to study the fly from the larval stage, and see the complete development of the fly.

How does the mother fly activate the control genes?

When the mother lies the eggs, she leaves different chemical messages at either end of the egg. One indicates that this will be the head and the other one the tail. Inside the egg, the chemicals will activate a specific gene, called the control gene.

What is the role of control genes?

The control gene controls the activity of other genes in time and space, so they control at which point or in which region another gene is expressed.

Which of the two species are closer to humans?

The zebrafish is closer to us in terms of control genes and body plans.

VIDEO

The Embryo Takes Shape video

What directs the sequence of events that turn a blob of cells into an embryo with specialized tissues and organs?

The process of Gastrolation, in which the cells form three layers: The lower layer becomes the lungs, liver and digestive tract, the middle layer turns into the heart, muscles, bones and blood, while the top layers develops into the nervous system, skin and hair.

The narrator says that “cells talk to each other.” What does that mean?

It means that cell communicate with each other by chemical messages with the "intention" of organizing themselves.

How do cells in different parts of the embryo become different kinds of cells and organs?

It depends on the genes. There are specific parts of the genes that activate. This parts make a cell differ from another. The process of differentiation is also related to Gastrolations, which was explained previously.

What kinds of proteins are found in different cells and organs?

It depends on the the function of each protein and organ/cell. For example, Hemoglobin is found in blood forming part of erythrocytes with the function of carrying oxygen to different organs and parts of the body. Collagen is found in different kinds of tissues and in some organs such as skin, tendons, bones and the cornea. Actin and myosin are found in muscles. Crystalline is found in the lens of the eyes.

What tells the cells which kinds of proteins to make?

The groups of genes activated in each cell have a specific DNA, which is replicated, transcripted and finally traduced into a specific amino acid sequence. This sequence forms a large chain of aminoacids which form part of a protein. Each sequence determines a different protein.

What is the relationship between DNA, genes, and the proteins that are produced in cells?

The DNA is our genetic code. Some parts of the DNA (genes) are activated in different cells of our organism and after the process explained in the previous question, the genes determine specific proteins. Proteins are the most abundant organic macro molecule in our body.

Video

Impact of biofuels on economy presentation

Last Friday we had to present about some topics related to biofuels. First, Ugarte and Nuñez presented about the process of extraction and production. It was a really interesting presentation but some concepts were difficult to understand without previous knowledge.

Then, Gastó and I presented about the impact of biofuels on economy. We divided the impact into two great areas: a negative and a positive impact. Gastó talked first about the positive impact, mainly related to the jobs and income generated by biofuels. After him, I presented about the negative impact which is based on the raise of prices and the impossibility of poor families to afford food used for biofuels. Sugar cane, corn, soybean and agave are just some examples of crops that have raised in price. What really called our attention was the raise in the price of tortillas in mexico which has incremented as much as 400%.

Finally, Barriga and Reynolds presented about the effect of producing biofuels on land used for food or cattle.

The impact of producing biofuels on economy

According to http://biofuel.org.uk/, a biofuel is defined as any fuel whose energy is obtained through a process of biological carbon fixation. Biofuels can be produced through different kinds of crops and may differ in their chemical structure, but they all have similar methods of obtention. some of the most used crops are sugar cane, agave, grass and corn. By producing biofuels, we have two great impacts on economy: a positive and a negative one.

Positively, biofuels have expanded processing of agricultural products in rural areas, generating a widely pursued strategy for rural economic development. By adding value to farm products before they leave the area, new processing plants can create new employment opportunities and generate economic spinoffs in rural areas. In addition, farmer-owned processing facilities provide a way for producers to integrate forward and capture potential profits from processing and marketing their products. Consequently, the expansion of agricultural processing in rural areas usually receives broad-based support from commodity groups, rural development interests, and state political leaders. In recent years, the most prevalent type of new agricultural processing ventures in the Midwest and Great Plains states has been corn ethanol plants.  Like other types of agricultural processing, these biofuel ventures have generally received widespread support, and numerous studies have addressed their contributions to local or regional economies.  The rapid growth of the corn-based ethanol industry shows the potential for biofuels.  However for biofuels to make a substantial contribution to the domestic liquid fuel supply, the industry must expand beyond corn-based ethanol. As the results of a study done by the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the main benefit of biofuels is the direct job creation (Approximately 400,000 jobs), which greatly helps poor people in developing countries.

On the other side we have the negative impact of biofuels on economy. Expanding biofuel affects poor people in some developing countries by making it harder to find and afford an adequate diet, according to recent World Bank research. The expansion would push up prices for many food staples. Global prices for corn and other major grains could rise by as much as 3% and the price of sugar by 8%, issue that has already happened in countries such as Brazil and the United States with an increase in corn, soybean and sugar prices by 27, 21 and 12 percentage points respectively.

So what do you prefer, fuel or food?

References: Hodur, Nancy M., F. Larry Leistritz, and Tarrand Hertsgaard.  2006.  “Contribution of the North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission Programs to the State Economy.”  Dept. of Agribusiness & Applied Economics AAE 06006, North Dakota State University.

http://www.agmrc.org/renewable_energy/biofuelsbiorefining_general/economic-impacts-of-biofuel-development

http://www.bio.org/articles/us-economic-impact-advanced-biofuels-production-1

http://biofuel.org.uk/

http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/0,,contentMDK:22946809~pagePK:64165401~piPK:64165026~theSitePK:469372,00.html

http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/ifdp/2009/967/

The Kite Runner page 94 Graphic Novel Analysis

Here is my presentation of The Kite Runner Analysis

The Kite Runner Study Questions

Chapters One-Four

1)       Compare and contrast Amir and Hassan, noting their backgrounds, how each boy interacts with his father, and the circumstances surrounding their birth.

Amir and Hassan were very close friends as children and had many life relations such as their mother's lack of presence, because Amir's died and Hassan's escaped. Bot h have a good relation with their fathers and both fathers grew together as brothers.

2)       Discuss the origins of the ongoing conflict between Pashtuns and Hazaras. What effect might this have on Amir and Hassan’s relationship?

The Pashtuns "govern" Afghanistan nad treat Hazaras as servants because of religious problems. Amir and Hassan's friendship is not seen as a real friendship by others because Hassan is seen as the servant.

3)       How does Amir feel about Baba? Examine information about Baba, and discuss how Amir and Baba’s differences affect their relationship.

Amir loves Baba as a father but they have some problems and that problems make them not very close to each other. Baba feels that Amir is weak, unlike himself, and that is affecting Amir because when he grows up, he won't be able to be a powerful person if he continues like this.

4)       What does Baba say is the only sin? Explain his theory and whether Amir is able to understand it.

According to Baba, the only sin is stealings. Every other sin is a variation of stealing. When you kill someone, you are stealing his life. You are stealing his son the right to a father and his wife the right to a husband. By lying, you are stealing someone else's right to know the truth. Amir understands it very well and tries to remember to not be a liar.

5)       Examine Baba and Ali’s relationship. How is Amir’s relationship similar to theirs? What impact do their ethnic backgrounds have on these relationships?

Baba and Ali grew up together as brothers but Baba never considered Ali as such. The same happens to Amir and Hassan. The ethnic background also influence their relationship because Ali is a Hazara, thus, making him a "servant" to Baba, who is a Pashtun.

6)       Discuss the significance of Hassan’s favourite book, the Shahnamah?

The book is the only real connection between Amir and Hassan. 

7)       Assess the role Rahim Khan plays in Amir’s early life.

Rahim Khan is the one who really supported Amir as a father. He beleived in Amir and Rahim was the one who motivated Amir to continue writing stories.

Chapters Five-Seven

1)       Explain why winter is Amir’s favourite season.

Because he is on holidays and the Kite-flying competition is very soon.

2)       Analyze the metaphor comparing Amir and Hassan’s interaction to the game of  “insect torture.” What is the “other face” Amir sees when he asks Hassan if he would eat dirt for him?

Amir realizes that Hassan would do everything of him, although Hassan knows that Amir wouldn't do that to him. They know it's a true friendship.

3)      What emotions does Amir experience before the kite tournament? What is Hassan’s response? Refer to the simile “I felt like a soldier trying to sleep in the trenches the night before a major battle” (50)

Amir feels nervous and excited. Nervous because he wants to win and excited because he really enjoys kite-flying. Hassan tries to calm Amir by saying he is already good and the best kite-flyer of Kabul.

4)       Discuss the aftermath of the kite-fighting tournament, and assess Amir’s initial reaction to Assef’s attack on Hassan. Why does Amir decide not to help Hassan?

After the competition, Hassan runs and tries to catch the last kite they cut, the blue kite. Amir tells Hassan to get it and don`t come back without it. Hassan is attacked by Assef and his friends and Amir sees how Hassan is raped. He doesn't defend him because he is afraid and listens to what Assef said about their relation (boy-servant).

5)       Do you think Hassan knows that Amir witnessed the rape? Explain. What does Amir’s behaviour in the aftermath of the rape indicate about him?

I think Hassan knows because after the incident they both started acting different, although Hassan was the only who suffered.

Chapters Eight to Ten

1)       Discuss the symbolism of the scene in which Amir throws pomegranates at Hassan. Why does Amir want Hassan to hit him, and why do you think Hassan refuses?

Amir wants Hassan to hit him so that he learns how to defend himself against other Pashtuns, like he didn't do against Assef. Obviously Hassan isn't hitting Amir back because he respects him.

2)       Examine the implications of Rahim Khan’s conversation with Amir at his birthday party? Why is Rahim’s gift important to him?

Rahim gives Amir a notebook so that he continues writing stories. This motivates him to follow his passion.

3)       How does Baba react to Ali and Hassan’s decision to leave? What do you think Baba thinks is their reason for leaving? Why do you think Amir is not moved enough to tell the truth or try to stop them from leaving?

Baba was sad and surprised. He didn't want them to go. Maybe Baba thinks that they are leaving because of the shame they felt after "stealing" the watch, or because of the distance Hassan and Amir have been having.

4)       Describe the incident at the first checkpoint. What does it reveal about Baba and Amir?

When the truck reached the frontier with Pakistan, Baba defends with his life the poor woman and her husband. Amir feels really worried about Baba being killed. Baba demonstrates his real attitude and bravery, while Amir shows he's really sensible and weak.

Chapters eleven to twenty-five

1) Chapter 11 has a new setting. What is it?

America

2) What does Baba give Amir as a graduation present? What is Amir feeling at this moment? What is Baba feeling?

As graduation present, Baba gives Amir a car, which made Amir's happiness indescribable. Baba was proud too.

3) What does Amir tell his father he wants to study in college? What is Baba’s reaction?

Amir wants to study literature and write stories. Baba was surprised because he wanted his son to be a doctor. Baba also felt sad and tried to convice his son to do "something good" for the world.

4) Chapter 14 brings us back to the opening of the book: the telephone call from Rahim Khan. What is Rahim asking Amir to do?

Rahim wants Amir to visit him because he was dying and wanted to tell something to Amir.

5) In Chapter 16, Rahim tells us what happened to Hassan. What has happened? Where is he living?

Hassan DIED.

6)  In Chapter 17, Rahim gives Amir a letter from Hassan, who wrote it six months before. What is the tone of this letter? How does Amir react?

Sadness. Amir feels sad.

7)  In Chapter 19, Farid is engaged to drive Amir from Peshawar to Afghanistan. Describe his first impression of Amir. When Farid said, “You’ve always been a tourist here, you just didn’t know it,” (p. 232), what did he mean? What is Farid’s impression of emigrant Afghans who return to visit Afghanistan?

By saying that, Farid meant that Amir never really knew the reality of his country because he always lived in a good house with a good father who protected him. Amir was alienated from the real afghan society. For Farid, emigrants who come back are a bad example because they should've never left the country.

8)  In Chapter 20, the director of the orphanage, Zaman, tells Amir that Sohrab was taken by a Taliban official, who takes children, usually girls, about once a month, for his “sexual pleasure.” The official gives Zaman a great deal of cash. How does Zaman defend his actions?

Zaman says that he prefers to lose one boy instead of losing them all. If Zaman doesn't give that one boy (girl), then the official would take them all. He also says that with the money he receives, he's able to pay for the needs of the other boys.

9)  What happens as Amir runs the kite for Sohrab?

He repeats the words Hassan said at the beginning of the story:  " For you a thousand times".

10)  How is this another full circle?

We know that the relation between Amir and Sohrab would be as good as the relation between Hassan and Amir.

11) “America was different. America was a river roaring along, unmindful of the past. I could wade into this river, let my sins drown to the bottom, let the waters carry me someplace far.” This quote from Chapter 11 is said by whom? What does it reveal? What does this metaphor mean?

It is said by Amir and represents his feelings towards the city and his past. He is now able to forget what he has done and start all over.

12) In 1989, what is going on in Afghanistan? Who are the Mujahedin? Who is in charge?

In 1989 the soviets left Afghanistan so the Afghan Muslims (Mujahedin) get to the government.

13)  Who is Farzana? Sohrab?

Farzana is Hassan's wife and Sohrab his son.

14) Chapter 25 resolves the action with Sohrab and Amir returning to San Francisco. Describe Sohrab for the first seven months he is in San Francisco.

He didn't act normally, maybe he was sad. Very quiet and submissive.

15)  What is your reaction to Rahim Khan’s letter to Amir? Should the letter have been presented to him earlier? Do you feel that Baba was a good man?

Baba was a good man and if the letter would have been presented earlier, the story would have been the same.

Video games as an escape mechanism Glogster

Video games as an escape mechanism

Monday April 15^th:

Dear diary,

I’m stressed; I don’t know what to do. I need to relax and the only thing that is helping me is playing video games. They are so relaxing, I really feel accomplished when playing. Today I had so much work and as my friends say, the world of video games is a perfect break from a reality filled with deadlines, stress and responsibilities. I really enjoy playing. A friendly game of online chess or a bit of World of Warcraft doesn't hurt anyone. All of my online friends seem so relaxed. As a sports fan I also enjoy playing football and soccer games and imagine myself as a real player. I, of course, always know when to stop playing. I know real life is important, but god, it is so stressful!

Friday April 20^th:

Dear diary,

I am starting to feel depressed; video games are the only thing that keeps me from committing suicide. Today I tried a new game called “Runescape”, you can level up different types of skills, just like in World of Warcraft but more relaxed. Some may say that video games, especially online multiplayer games, are addictive and completely non-beneficial, but this is just not my case. Video games are fun and a great way to relax after work.

Friday October 4^th:

Dear diary,

I’m a complete master of Runescape, I maxed fishing, woodcutting and lots of other skills. My life is starting to normalize; I am relaxed and now enjoy working and playing video games. Video games are a real escape mechanism for stressed or oppressed people. A friend of mine, Gail Nichols has suffered from depression for years. She is unable to sleep and as a relaxing method she plays video games. Everything started when she discovered Bejeweled and started playing non-stop for hours. Soon, her mental pain and depression seemed to have vanished.

Tuesday October 8^th

Dear diary,

Today I read an article which basically says that researchers found that volunteers who played video games displayed improved mood and heart rhythms compared with volunteers who weren't playing. I have finally come to an answer to my obsession towards video games. They help me improve my mood when I’m stressed or sad. This is the reason I always want to play, it is not a bad obsession, but rather a good one.
If anyone asks me if video games are bad or not, I would just tell them that it depends on the perspective and the person itself. In my case, video games have been of great help and if anyone feels stressed like I do, then I would tell them to try some relaxing methods, including video games as the first option.

Video Games Presentation

This week we'll have to create a text and a presentation based on the movie "Play". Based on the movie, I've had a difficult time trying to decide which subtopic to choose but i finally decided to go for the good side of video games:
Subtopic: Video games as an escape mechanism.
Text-type: Diary Entry
Glogster Nickname: joporto
Other sources of information:

• 6 Ways Games Can Encourage Happiness
• How Might Video Games Be Good for Us?
• Video Games: An Escape From Reality?
• Video games help many escape depression and other mental disorders

Here is the video of the movie "Play":

Advertising

“Advertising is everywhere you look, whether it is in the newspaper you pick up daily or on that billboard you see while driving down the highway. Some people may say that they are not in fact influenced by the advertising that is thrown at them each day, and that they do not fall into it, but everyone does.”

So, according to the text above, advertising is everywhere and everyone is influenced by ads. This is true: everywhere you go, in every country, in every city, there are ads which, for most people, seem invisible. We are used to ads and after some time they do not call our attention anymore, but sometimes, or always I would say, we are subliminally influenced by them. Reading a newspaper, watching TV, listening to the radio, browsing the internet, walking on the street, everywhere you see ads and even if you do not pay attention to them, you are being influenced as some parts of you brain activate while you are unaware.

So, what is the real function of ads? Just stay there and make the landscape look better (or worse, depends on how you see it) or provoke a response in the reader. I would say that the function is to provoke a response and for that objective there are certain techniques which I'll mention briefly describe:

Emotional Appeal

This technique of advertising is done with help of two factors - needs of consumers and fear factor.

Promotional Advertising

This technique involves giving away samples of the product for free to the consumers. The items are offered in the trade fairs, promotional events, and ad campaigns in order to gain the attention of the customers.

Bandwagon Advertising

We can now say that this image is completely false.

This type of technique involves convincing the customers to join the group of people who have bought this product and be on the winning side

Facts and Statistics

Here, advertisers use numbers, proofs, and real examples to show how good their product works. 

There are many other techniques, but in general, all of them help ads to provoke a response in the reader. So now we can say that everyone is influenced by ads, whether they want or not as there are always subliminal messages that make us react unconsciously towards something. 

Iphone Mini Ad

Commercial Analysis

I found a Gatorade advertisement which, in my opinion, seems very interesting as it shows the evolution of the beverage from the beginning in the 1960`s to the present day. It all started in the 1960’s, era in which players were struggling and needed something to calm their thirst. This is why a scientist creates a beverage called “Gatorade” to help them. The commercial then continues showing different sports and players winning or doing amazing movements and drinking Gatorade.

The ad encourages sportsmen or people in general who like to train different sports to buy Gatorade as it going to help them get better and “continue the legend”.

The ad is set in different places and years, from a 1960’s super bowl final to a 1990’s basketball court or contemporary tennis court and baseball stadium. In the ad, lots of people appear according to the setting: football players for the super bowl, basketball players for the basketball court and a tennis player for the tennis court. There is no celebrity endorsement.

Some of the visual techniques used are the long shot, which is very effective to show a whole stadium or a complete football team and the close up, which is used to show specific faces when drinking Gatorade and how they feel about it.

The Enforcement Policy Statement on Food Advertising of the United States is fully respected as the beverage clearly shows its nutrient content as stated in the policy.