~The Flaming Lips (Do you realize?)
In a very fitting follow-up to my previous post about the joys and priviledges of learning, my mini-vacation with my parents this weekend produced some interesting questions. I met them at the Oregon Coast (same place we go every year, but I'm not complaining) and spent two days eating good food, hanging out and experiencing the absolute best weather I've ever seen on the coast (75 and no rain!). It was nice to see the parents, and Alan came to visit me this month, too, so that's been nice.
I've always been a big asker of questions, which my dad loves, so I guess I've been into learning since I was a little girl. However, when I was younger, it was probably more to the tune of, "why can't I go to my friend's house???" or "why can't I have a car?!?!"
This weekend produced many topics of discussion of varying importance:
1) What's the difference between sloe gin and gin?
2) What's up with body hair (specifically why do dudes bald and have facial hair, and why does gray hair change texture as well as color) and how can evolution explain it?
3) Why do we see red/orange at sunset? (I thought I knew the answer, but my dad shut me down while I was trying to explain it to mom)
4) Why do I eat about 4-times as much with my family than I do normally?
We're going to let #4 slide because I feel fat enough, and #1 is an easy answer:
1) gin: a neutral spirit from grain, flavored with juniper berries, 120 proof.
sloe gin: a wild cherry flavored neutral spirit base, 42-60 proof.
2) My research isn't through, but check out these links to learn more.
http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=2281888
http://www.creationresearch.org/crsq/articles/40/40_4/Bergman.htm
Basically, it seems that if you believe we evolved from apes, the little hair we have in comparison is just "leftovers" and doesn't really have much of a purpose since most humans live in average to warm climates. However, most of us know that eyelashes, eyebrows, nose and ear hair are there to protect openings. I also found that some biologists believe that the shedding of hair was due to parasites. The less hair you have, the less opportunity for fleas and ticks to nest. Along with this, since men and women would then look for mates that were hairless (but men care more about looks), women have less hair because their mates were more picky. I'm not so sure I buy that, but it's an interesting thought.
As for grey hair, in the follicle, there are melanin cells, which give our hair its color. As we age, these melanin cells gradually die out, causing a transition to white, silver or grey hair. The texture I couldn't find anything specific on, however, I speculate that something in the lack of melanin might affect the texture as well.
3) The sunset. So beautiful. Ever notice that it's more pretty in polluted places like LA? This is because there is more "stuff" in the air (dirt, pollutants, etc). The reason the colors change towards nightfall is because there is more atmosphere (dirt, water, etc) between you and the sun, so the different wavelengths of light (the colors of the rainbow) are scattered, especially the blues and greens, allowing a higher relative amount of reds and oranges to reach your eye.
http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/sky_blue.html
Interesting, huh? I think this kind of post should happen more often. See why I want to be a teacher? I love practical science.
9.28.2006
9.20.2006
I don't know where the sunbeams end and the starlight begins - it's all a mystery
~The Flaming Lips ("fight test")
It has officially come to pass. The ninth planet of so many elementary and middle school lessons has officially been demoted to mere "rock status." It's actually called a "dwarf planet" now, along with two others, for completeness. Now, I'll admit, I've never been really attached to Pluto...my favorite has always been Saturn, which I can't really give any coherent reason for. But, it seems to me an abomination that you can just rescind planetdom!! Sure, I understand that scientists figured they needed to tighten up the criteria as more of the solar system is discovered and explored, but I mean THINK people....now the acronym MVEMJSUNP doesn't even work! What's this world coming to? It's almost like making a class harder because too many kids are getting A's!
I actually don't care as much as it sounds. Still, it is kind of weird and surreal that something I learned in school will now not be learned any longer by modern students. a) it makes me feel old, b) it makes me consider what else I have learned in the past 17 years that might be changed or omitted from curriculum in the future.
That, my friends, is the value of learning and research. This is why I'm a scientist! How exciting it is to be on the cutting edge of the ever-changing and growing body of knowledge! Sure, business classes help you deal with the economics of life, and someone's got to do your taxes, but, science is so much better. I don't think I fully realized how amazing it is to know, learn and discover how little I know until Junior year of college. I had always "liked" school, but I think that was more due to the fact that I was good at it, versus really enjoying having knowledge transferred to me.
Junior year was the age of modern physics and my enlightenment as the result of a required philosophy class. I struggled through specific relativity and the next quarter came to the harsh, challenging and exciting realization that I could indeed believe in evolution and STILL call myself a Christian. Those were some difficult months for me academically, spiritually and mentally. Kudos to school, my patient professors, and the opportunity to make one's head hurt from conflicting viewpoints and seemingly impossibly scientific theories. I have a very few friends with whom I share this love of science and learning. My friend Jason checked out several books on fractals (math stuff I don't get) last summer for, as he called it, "pleasure reading." My other friend Katie is a research psychologist, but respects, understands and is intrigued by the synergy of all science. I have had countless conversations with these two close friends about the beauty of science, the extreme privilege of all schooling, and the travesty of complaining and taking university for granted. Ever heard the following phrase? Professor, I just need to know what I need to know for the test. Pure sacrilege. What's worse is when you hear a prof tell you "you won't need to know this on a test, so you don't care." YES, I DO!
As I prepare to begin my last two graduate chemistry classes on Monday, I look back on the last four-plus years of education at SPU and can say the following: 1) I have learned a lot more than I thought I ever could, 2) I'm only at the tip of the iceberg, 3) I have broadened my horizons past chemistry and physics to psychology, biochemistry, biology, and interests in many other subjects as well, 4) I think I've had the best professors anyone could ask for, 5) I forget relativity.
I wish I didn't, especially because I was so intrigued by it. But, truth is, Schrodinger and statistical mechanics overpowered my grey matter that year, and I badly want to relearn it. I hope that, as I transition from hard-core academia to industry and someday teaching, that I will always take the time to review what I have learned and find new things to read and ask questions about in all areas. To me, that is what this life is about: learning the beauty and intricacies of this world, realizing how little we still know after hundreds of years of research, understanding explanations for everyday processes we take for granted, and most of all sharing this knowledge with others. The more I learn, the more in awe I am of God and his awesome creation. What a blessing it is to learn, know and discuss. May we never cease.
It has officially come to pass. The ninth planet of so many elementary and middle school lessons has officially been demoted to mere "rock status." It's actually called a "dwarf planet" now, along with two others, for completeness. Now, I'll admit, I've never been really attached to Pluto...my favorite has always been Saturn, which I can't really give any coherent reason for. But, it seems to me an abomination that you can just rescind planetdom!! Sure, I understand that scientists figured they needed to tighten up the criteria as more of the solar system is discovered and explored, but I mean THINK people....now the acronym MVEMJSUNP doesn't even work! What's this world coming to? It's almost like making a class harder because too many kids are getting A's!
I actually don't care as much as it sounds. Still, it is kind of weird and surreal that something I learned in school will now not be learned any longer by modern students. a) it makes me feel old, b) it makes me consider what else I have learned in the past 17 years that might be changed or omitted from curriculum in the future.
That, my friends, is the value of learning and research. This is why I'm a scientist! How exciting it is to be on the cutting edge of the ever-changing and growing body of knowledge! Sure, business classes help you deal with the economics of life, and someone's got to do your taxes, but, science is so much better. I don't think I fully realized how amazing it is to know, learn and discover how little I know until Junior year of college. I had always "liked" school, but I think that was more due to the fact that I was good at it, versus really enjoying having knowledge transferred to me.
Junior year was the age of modern physics and my enlightenment as the result of a required philosophy class. I struggled through specific relativity and the next quarter came to the harsh, challenging and exciting realization that I could indeed believe in evolution and STILL call myself a Christian. Those were some difficult months for me academically, spiritually and mentally. Kudos to school, my patient professors, and the opportunity to make one's head hurt from conflicting viewpoints and seemingly impossibly scientific theories. I have a very few friends with whom I share this love of science and learning. My friend Jason checked out several books on fractals (math stuff I don't get) last summer for, as he called it, "pleasure reading." My other friend Katie is a research psychologist, but respects, understands and is intrigued by the synergy of all science. I have had countless conversations with these two close friends about the beauty of science, the extreme privilege of all schooling, and the travesty of complaining and taking university for granted. Ever heard the following phrase? Professor, I just need to know what I need to know for the test. Pure sacrilege. What's worse is when you hear a prof tell you "you won't need to know this on a test, so you don't care." YES, I DO!
As I prepare to begin my last two graduate chemistry classes on Monday, I look back on the last four-plus years of education at SPU and can say the following: 1) I have learned a lot more than I thought I ever could, 2) I'm only at the tip of the iceberg, 3) I have broadened my horizons past chemistry and physics to psychology, biochemistry, biology, and interests in many other subjects as well, 4) I think I've had the best professors anyone could ask for, 5) I forget relativity.
I wish I didn't, especially because I was so intrigued by it. But, truth is, Schrodinger and statistical mechanics overpowered my grey matter that year, and I badly want to relearn it. I hope that, as I transition from hard-core academia to industry and someday teaching, that I will always take the time to review what I have learned and find new things to read and ask questions about in all areas. To me, that is what this life is about: learning the beauty and intricacies of this world, realizing how little we still know after hundreds of years of research, understanding explanations for everyday processes we take for granted, and most of all sharing this knowledge with others. The more I learn, the more in awe I am of God and his awesome creation. What a blessing it is to learn, know and discuss. May we never cease.
9.06.2006
Short people got no reason to live
~Randy Newman (Although Nickel Creek did it at their show...so good)
Usually, I feel that shorter people have a one-up on me. Sure, I can reach things on the top shelf of the grocery store (and often help others out), and I can reach my top cabinets in my kitchen. But, by and large, most tall people will tell you, it's no day at the beach. Buying clothes and size 12 shoes is a pain, but gradually getting better, car choices are severely diminished because of what the person fits in (I wanted an Accord...but my knees hit the wheel!), and in general, the "amazon woman" comments and incessant stares (especially in foreign countries) get REALLY old. If I had a penny for every time I'd heard the ol' "wow...you're SO tall" phrase...well, I'd be able to help myself to an evening movie, at least. Thanks so much, I think everytime, I hadn't realized this until you so eloquently pointed it out!
Point is, being tall can be a blessing and a curse, especially when you're a female and guys seem to be a little scared of your 6' 3" stature. Whatever. What the average world doesn't get is that I'm used to it, and don't notice height differences until pointed out to me! Anyhow, when I saw this article today, I thought it fitting and largely ironic. Ironic because I was informed this morning that I in fact did NOT get the Chemsitry internship I've been planning on for 5 weeks. They liked me, but some internal changes caused them to decide not to hire me...and apparently not tell me. So, now I begin the job hunt. There isn't much in Eugene that I'm interested in or qualified for. It makes me wish I'd spent more time in food service or retail rather than babysitting in high school and college.
I've got a couple options, one of them being a restaurant bartender, which I think would be rad. That call goes out tomorrow... Anyhow, if it's true that tall people are higher paid, maybe I'll make more than $7.50 and hour. Ouch, a B.S. in Chemistry and I'm hoping for a retail job. Oh, how the tides have changed in the last week. Surprisingly, I'm less anxious and stressed than I figured I'd be after my entire 2-year plan of getting two Masters degrees has all but exploded. There are options. Life is long. I do, however, need to make some friends in Eugene.
Usually, I feel that shorter people have a one-up on me. Sure, I can reach things on the top shelf of the grocery store (and often help others out), and I can reach my top cabinets in my kitchen. But, by and large, most tall people will tell you, it's no day at the beach. Buying clothes and size 12 shoes is a pain, but gradually getting better, car choices are severely diminished because of what the person fits in (I wanted an Accord...but my knees hit the wheel!), and in general, the "amazon woman" comments and incessant stares (especially in foreign countries) get REALLY old. If I had a penny for every time I'd heard the ol' "wow...you're SO tall" phrase...well, I'd be able to help myself to an evening movie, at least. Thanks so much, I think everytime, I hadn't realized this until you so eloquently pointed it out!
Point is, being tall can be a blessing and a curse, especially when you're a female and guys seem to be a little scared of your 6' 3" stature. Whatever. What the average world doesn't get is that I'm used to it, and don't notice height differences until pointed out to me! Anyhow, when I saw this article today, I thought it fitting and largely ironic. Ironic because I was informed this morning that I in fact did NOT get the Chemsitry internship I've been planning on for 5 weeks. They liked me, but some internal changes caused them to decide not to hire me...and apparently not tell me. So, now I begin the job hunt. There isn't much in Eugene that I'm interested in or qualified for. It makes me wish I'd spent more time in food service or retail rather than babysitting in high school and college.I've got a couple options, one of them being a restaurant bartender, which I think would be rad. That call goes out tomorrow... Anyhow, if it's true that tall people are higher paid, maybe I'll make more than $7.50 and hour. Ouch, a B.S. in Chemistry and I'm hoping for a retail job. Oh, how the tides have changed in the last week. Surprisingly, I'm less anxious and stressed than I figured I'd be after my entire 2-year plan of getting two Masters degrees has all but exploded. There are options. Life is long. I do, however, need to make some friends in Eugene.
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