Technologies

What is technology?
Technology is the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science. (from dictionary.com)
What are the 5 most and 5 least important technologies used today?
The 5 most important technologies used today are computers, calculators, phones, elevators and escalators, and security systems. The 5 least important technologies used today are gameboys, electric shaver, CD players , light up shoes, and an electric toothbrush.
How do you feel about that amount of and use of technology at AES?
I feel that we have a good amount of technology at AES and I think that we use it a bit too much. For example, we usually have lights on, that is unnecessary and we use computers for almost everything.

Kurt Vonnegut

“Do you know what a Luddite is? That’s a person who doesn't like newfangled contraptions. Contraptions like nuclear submarines armed with Poseidon missiles that have H-bombs in their warheads, and like computers that cheat you out of becoming. Bill Gates says, “Wait till you can see what your computer can become.” But it’s you who should be doing the becoming. What you can become is the miracle you were born to work—not the damn fool computer.”

- Kurt Vonnegut

I partially agree and partially disagree with Kurt Vonnegut's statement. I agree that we need to develop and become. I also agree that computers do a lot of our work and that they are the ones that develop and become. Another thing I agree with is that you should not create bombs and other things that destroy. You should only create technology that's for every one's advantage and not only for one country or person. One thing I with, is that computers do help us develop and learn. It speeds work up and makes life easier. Without computers we would be working on an two page essay for years just because we don't have Microsoft Word or other tools that help us. In addition, scientists help keep us healthy and up to date because they have technology and technology helps them develop medicines and other things. As you can see, I agree with Vonnegut's statement in many ways, but i also disagree with it.

Picture of Kurt Vonnegut from:http://bkmarcus.com/cache/Vonnegut/images/kurt-vonnegut.jpg

3Q reflection+ 4Q goals

My third quarter goals were to improve my writing skills, improve my geography skills, and to improve my vocabulary (vivid verbs, etc.). I did not meet all of those goals. First of all, I i didn't improve my writing skills because we didn't do any major writing assignments this quarter. Second of all, I did improve my geography skills a bit due to the weekly geography two minute warm up. Lastly, I do think that I improved my vocabulary.

4th Quarter Goals

1. Get a B- or C+ on my UBD research paper.
2. Improve my writing skills (including poetry).
3. Improve my researching skills.
   
4. And lastly improve my geography skills even more.

I will do my best to meet those four goals in the last quarter of 8th grade!

Why is the phrase “Holy War” an oxymoron?

Why is the phrase “Holy War” an oxymoron?

The phrase "holy War" is and oxymoron because of two reasons. First, there is not good or "holy" war. War is something that you should avoid and not start because you think that god will praise you for killing someone of another religion. Just because someone doesn't believe in your religion, doesn't mean that their religion is wrong and that god would want you to kill them. Also, most of the religions forbid killing, but still people fight holy wars and kill people who don't practice all of the holidays or people who believe in different religions. In addition, holy describes something honored and war describes something horrible, which are opposites, which makes it and oxymoron. In summary, because there is no good war, killing is always bad, and because most religions forbid killing, the phrase "holy war" is and oxymoron.