The World's Youngest Nuclear Scientist

The White House

Taylor Wilson is the world's youngest nuclear scientist.  He constructed a working nuclear fusion reactor in his home at the age of 14.  Since then he built radiation detectors at the age of 17 for Homeland Security which cost 100s of dollars.  The reason that this is so significant is that the previous detectors that they had cost 100s of thousands of dollars.  He later presented these detectors and the research that he did with Homeland Security to President Barack Obama.  Upon first hearing all of this, I was amazed.  I found it hard to believe that a kid could not only build, but successfully build a nuclear fusion reactor at age 14.  Just the fact that it is a fusion reactor is simply amazing in that fusion reactors have not been perfected for use as an energy source.  All of the nuclear power plants in use are fission reactors.  I know that personally, I would have no idea where to begin to build a fusion reactor.

But what does this have to do with rhetoric or civic engagement?  I think a kid like this can and will persuade other kids to take the initiative to follow their dreams just like Wilson.  He is an example for kids throughout the world that you do not have to be above a certain age in order to do something amazing and make a difference in the world.  I think in this sense, Wilson is able to promote civic engagement in our youth.

I don't know about you, but hearing stories of success of kids is always very inspiring in my opinion.  It makes me personally want to strive to do more with my life.  There is always more that you can do to better your chances of doing something great with your life and kids like Taylor are the reason that I have come to realize that.  Do you feel that stories like this have a strong effect on you as well?

The Filter Bubble

Brain Pickings

I came across this idea while researching for topics for a media project that I had to do for the very class I have to write this blog for.  I was browsing on TED and found a video about "The Filter Bubble."  This is an idea that was developed by Eli Pariser that I found to be very interesting. It is basically the idea that the internet can essentially cater to our interests.  Things like Google use information like previous pages that we have clicked on or our past search history in order to show us results that it thinks we want to see.  It creates a filter bubble of information effectively eliminating opposing or different views on a similar subject from our lives.  The first ten results that I see when I type in "Michael Vick" on Google could be completely different from the first ten results that you see.

The reason that I found this idea to be so interesting is that it is basically serving to discourage civic engagement.  By withholding new and different ideas from us, we only get to see one side of things.  This would prevent people from ever questioning their opinions or even realizing that there are other opinions out there.  Unless we are exposed to every side of any subject matter, we can not effectively speak and raise our voice on that matter.  In order to be good citizens, it is our job to speak our opinion.  However, the filter bubble idea makes you think whether or not you are actually speaking your own opinions.  You may just be speaking what Google thinks is your opinion.   The filter bubble has also been discussed with regard to Facebook in that Facebook has been criticized for allegedly filtering or personalizing what you see on your news feed.

All in all, I think this idea that Pariser has developed is something that you should keep in the back of your mind.  I don't think anybody wants the internet to create our opinions and views for us and therefore, we have to make sure that this does not happen.  What do you think about the filter bubble?

The Effect of Nice Weather

Fuel Your Writing

While this may be a silly topic to discuss, the weather has a way of persuading us to do certain things and to become engaged as citizens.  This past week the weather has been amazing, especially for this time of the year, and everyone seems to be loving it.  There are more people outside relaxing, playing sports, and just walking around.

However, the weather does more than just get people outside.  It convinces them to do things like go to class.  I don't know about you, but lately it has been clear that more people have been going to class.  In all of the lecture hall classes that I have, it is very noticeable that more people are going.  This is just an assumption, but I'm sure the weather has something to do with that.  I just find it interesting that weather can have such a persuasive effect on us.  When it is rainy and cold, some students do not go which suggests that the benefit or value they get from going to class does not outweigh the annoyance of walking through the rain in the cold.  However, on a nice sunny day, the value of class does outweigh anything else they could be doing with their time.

In this respect, "weather" can be considered to be a talented rhetorician.  Obviously, that is a bit of stretch, but the effect weather has on people cannot be overlooked.  All in all, it is just amazing that people make decisions like going to classes that cost a ton of money based on the weather.

On another note, enjoy the weather while it lasts (which is hopefully forever).  Personally, I just feel happier when it is nice out and I love being outside.  Are you the same way?  Do you find that weather affects any of the decisions you make?

The Price of Fa$ebook

iTechVision

If you were to ask pretty much anyone if Facebook costs anything, they would say no.  The conventional person knows that it is technically free to use for everyone.  However, this is not necessarily true.  While, it is free in terms of money, that is not the case in another sense.  Each and every person that signs up for Facebook is selling their personal information.  Therefore, the true price of Facebook is your value of personal information.  The exigence present regarding this idea is a very interesting topic.

Most people consider Facebook to be amazing tool and I would have to agree.  However, many people do not fully understand or know how to use the privacy settings in Facebook.  This causes there personal information to be available to anyone.  Anybody that knows their name can access their page and view their information.

Also, the advertisements on Facebook take advantage of your personal information.  I do not know about you, but I have seen advertisements regarding information I have on Facebook on numerous occasions.  I have seen ads that pertain to the school I attend as well as other things.  

All in all, while the information you put on Facebook can be secure if you choose to make it that way, you are still giving all of that information to a company.  This company has immense amounts of information about people from all over the world which is pretty amazing.  Considering the fact that knowledge is power, Facebook is a pretty damn powerful organization and they show no signs in slowing down.  It is just interesting to think about the idea that Facebook may not be completely free.  Now that Facebook is starting to transition to using Timeline, you basically sell your entire life story to them in return for the use of their service.