(no subject)
Before you read too much, I am a hypocrite. I don't live or act perfectly as I would like, but I do want to improve my actions and life.
As some of you might know I no longer play ultimate at the University, which was a difficult decision but ultimately I have no regrets. The extra time as helped me learn a lot about myself and focus more of my time on other things. Most recently I've became involved in MSTAR (Michigan STudents Advocating Recycling). The club is a good cause, but it doesn't seem to be too ambitious or productive. Yet, I can be overly optimistic in my views of how things should be done and don't intend hurt the image of the group by saying that.
Anyway, though MStAR I was fortunate enough to watch "Who Killed the Electric Car?" this evening. No, I'm not here to rant about environmental issues. I do not believe that is the essential point to take from this film. The point of this film is that logical scientific and technological breakthroughs are squelched by influence of big corporations, government inaction, and consumer apathy or ignorance. (This goes for humanitarian and environmental issues as well.) This has been a repeated epiphanic experience for me in my recent studies in computer science and information (I'm applying to the School of Information for graduate school, and currently taking an intro to info course. Ask me about it.) Here two quotes that stuck in my head from this film:
"Goliath beat David this time, but given enough Davids, Goliath will not always come out on top"
-couldn't find exact quote, or person from film. You'll have to watch it yourself!
"Anybody who wants to make a revolution, shouldn't grab a gun. Just go and start working to change the world...using science and technology."
- Stan Ovshinky, inventor
A few questions remained in my mind after the film, one being: Electric cars don't create emissions but the electricity has to come from somewhere, how does the total consumption of energy compare in gas and electric cars?
It also inspired further investigation of an idea in an article I read recently. The basis being that improving cars is continually the focus of improving environmental problems, but imagine a different approach such that we live in sustainable communities relying on public transportation and only use cars for infrequent long distance travel. It is a great alternative to waiting forever cheap and efficient eco-friendly cars.
Lately, my mind has been opened greatly by pursuing learning more about these and other issues. I've re-realized many of my passions and ignited new ambitions. I never had the foresight in my education to see how I could use it exactly, and even now I don't know. However, I enjoy more learning and investigating the facts beyond my courses and I want to talk about these things.
Which brings me to my next point: I have perceived the average dialog of my peers as usually centered around: television, movies, getting through classes, last weekend, next weekend, feats and defeats of alcoholic consumption, and the weather. The things we learn die if we never use them, so talk about the things you learn in class! You'll remember better and gain a better understanding by knowing how to explain your knowledge. Also, listen to other people! I've been amazed lately by how much I've gotten just by inquiring about something. This has been a revelation for me because I fell into quite a dismal fortress of silence somewhere around my sophomore/junior year because of my self-imposed intimidation of my peers in computers science engineering. So, I've been feeling more like I did my senior year of high school: confident, curious and ambitious. And I want to share that.
Also, I plan to start another blog/website soon to share my current musings on technology, environment and college life. This livejournal will be used only for my connection to close friends who may or may not read it. So, look for that.
As some of you might know I no longer play ultimate at the University, which was a difficult decision but ultimately I have no regrets. The extra time as helped me learn a lot about myself and focus more of my time on other things. Most recently I've became involved in MSTAR (Michigan STudents Advocating Recycling). The club is a good cause, but it doesn't seem to be too ambitious or productive. Yet, I can be overly optimistic in my views of how things should be done and don't intend hurt the image of the group by saying that.
Anyway, though MStAR I was fortunate enough to watch "Who Killed the Electric Car?" this evening. No, I'm not here to rant about environmental issues. I do not believe that is the essential point to take from this film. The point of this film is that logical scientific and technological breakthroughs are squelched by influence of big corporations, government inaction, and consumer apathy or ignorance. (This goes for humanitarian and environmental issues as well.) This has been a repeated epiphanic experience for me in my recent studies in computer science and information (I'm applying to the School of Information for graduate school, and currently taking an intro to info course. Ask me about it.) Here two quotes that stuck in my head from this film:
"Goliath beat David this time, but given enough Davids, Goliath will not always come out on top"
-couldn't find exact quote, or person from film. You'll have to watch it yourself!
"Anybody who wants to make a revolution, shouldn't grab a gun. Just go and start working to change the world...using science and technology."
- Stan Ovshinky, inventor
A few questions remained in my mind after the film, one being: Electric cars don't create emissions but the electricity has to come from somewhere, how does the total consumption of energy compare in gas and electric cars?
It also inspired further investigation of an idea in an article I read recently. The basis being that improving cars is continually the focus of improving environmental problems, but imagine a different approach such that we live in sustainable communities relying on public transportation and only use cars for infrequent long distance travel. It is a great alternative to waiting forever cheap and efficient eco-friendly cars.
Lately, my mind has been opened greatly by pursuing learning more about these and other issues. I've re-realized many of my passions and ignited new ambitions. I never had the foresight in my education to see how I could use it exactly, and even now I don't know. However, I enjoy more learning and investigating the facts beyond my courses and I want to talk about these things.
Which brings me to my next point: I have perceived the average dialog of my peers as usually centered around: television, movies, getting through classes, last weekend, next weekend, feats and defeats of alcoholic consumption, and the weather. The things we learn die if we never use them, so talk about the things you learn in class! You'll remember better and gain a better understanding by knowing how to explain your knowledge. Also, listen to other people! I've been amazed lately by how much I've gotten just by inquiring about something. This has been a revelation for me because I fell into quite a dismal fortress of silence somewhere around my sophomore/junior year because of my self-imposed intimidation of my peers in computers science engineering. So, I've been feeling more like I did my senior year of high school: confident, curious and ambitious. And I want to share that.
Also, I plan to start another blog/website soon to share my current musings on technology, environment and college life. This livejournal will be used only for my connection to close friends who may or may not read it. So, look for that.