Atom-sized Androids* Taking Over!

Toxic fumes, unbearable heat, total blindness, entire cities crashing down onto the melting pavement, and gritty particles getting stuck inside creatures’ mutated noses, throats, and lungs… and yet, it is not what it seems to be. It is our future. It is things adapted to an environment in which the known world no longer exists, in which Earth’s surface scenery has succumbed to the artificial change and, against every forecast, human kind has survived.

Although some may argue that Global Warming effects are pure science-fiction imagery, some of them are already easily perceived (Gore). Stepping aside definition, causes and future probable facts, analyzing the social impact of Global Warming and establishing the most reasonable solutions are the most important subjects these days. Furthermore, this is not a scientific, data-deliverer report, but an awakening announcement that will snap its fingers loudly in whoever-is-reading ears: Global Warming is a serious problem that is deteriorating Earth in which humans are to take all the responsibility, so measures against it should be taken quickly (Gore).

Now, a prelude is mandatory. Global Warming is the rising of temperatures in a relatively short period of time (Strickland and Grabianowsky). It is the consequence of several factors, but it is caused mainly by human activity, that covers technology manufacturing and usage (The 11^th Hour); the accumulating greenhouse gases, such as CO₂, that trap more sun rays than necessary; and a non-stoppable vicious cycle of Earth damage, due to that all this depletion keeps adding and adding as time passes by. Global Warming has been proved to provoke stronger natural disasters, more and new diseases, soil degradation plus more starvation and poverty, disruption of the food chain, animal plagues, and animals’ extinction, among others.

Truly, economic development and technology have played a decisive role in the Global Warming issue. International enterprises, countries’ governments and the consumer societies are destroying the Earth. Several weeks ago, I had a very interesting conversation with my uncle, Guillermo, who studied engineering on agronomy at the Tec University. One thing he said was that if we saw everything from a thermodynamic (physics, related to energy) perspective we could notice that none production process is worth it. He also said that people’s living standards are so high that they’re impossible to satisfy in a sustainable way. Stephen Hawking said that “human demands and expectations are ever-increasing. We cannot continue to pollute the atmosphere, poison the ocean and exhaust the land. There isn’t any more available” (The 11^th Hour).  

On one hand, according to Johan Rockstrom, the exponential growth of population, the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, natural resources’ non-sustainable exploitation, etc., all by-products of  the liberalist economy, have shown the same rate of change throughout the last six decades. Also, since the Industrial Revolution, the world has been converted into no more than a mean for people to meet their expectations, and the rich minority has contributed to it in the largest scale. On the other hand, Dr. Peter Tsigari, economist at the Thompson Rivers University, gives a hope to the economy by concluding that investing in clean energies would help the economy of the U.S. by diminishing the GDP percentage needed to cover the price of fossil fuels (Strickland and Grabianowsky).

There are a lot of things we can do in order to help the environment and slowly vanish our footprint in the atmosphere. I would like to divide those solutions into two groups: the easily available and the not-so-easily available, but still possible. The first type are actions that we can take right now, at this precise moment: turn off the lights, turn off things you aren’t using and disconnect them, recycle, drink out off of glass bottles, or stop using plastic bags. The second type covers things like getting a hybrid car, re-vegetate a nearby area or start using clean energy sources. So after all, you can stop Global Warming… will you?

*Android: according to the Oxford Dictionary definition, a robot (machine controlled by computer) which is made to look like a human.

Do you know how to cook nopales?

Last Wednesday, as part of a contribution for a Chicago's newspaper, Ms. Liz Nino -my english teacher- asked us to answer some questions about our lives as Mexican students. Today, the article was posted online and it asked the readers to put their comments and questions. Some of them talked about how Mexican and Latin American culture has had an important influence to some people and others criticized Latinos' lack of identity and sense of legalality.

So, as a very proud Mexican, I want to make clear our point of view.

We aren't as different as the rest of the world: we have families, we go to school, we work at companies, we build things, we make art, we watch the news, we have access to internet, and if you didn't know, we even have our own cars. But we also have a historical background that I think, is where the things that make us different relay on.

I'm 17 years old, and I am a scholarship student at the Prepa Tec, one of the most prestigious private high schools, not only of the country but of the world. I have Spanish and French, as well as native-Mexican, close heritage. I speak english and I'm thinking about which my next language is going to be. My biggest dream is to get to travel the world and move over constantly: not to have a certain place, incognity. But I have also aquired a deep love for my country and a very particular Mexican identity. Some people say that Latin American identity is very complex because everyone has different roots, experiences, and a way to see the world, but what I think is that that is exactely what our identity is. Sadly, the world isn't aware of that.

I have had a wide variety of experiences with people from other countries and it is very surprising that half of them really get to know Mexico, and when they realize where Mexico's richness is there's no turning back. And the other half just don't really care. Most of the times when foreigners think about Mexico they see a guy sleeping below a nopal, with a gun, wearing"huaraches" and a big sombrero. The truth is, and for Mexicans too, that stereotypes and prejudices play a very important role when talking about a nationality.But all Mexicans, including me, have this strong romantic idea about our country that fills our heart and makes us cry in a such complicated way that I wouldn't finish if describing it. We love with all our soul our background: the European influences in art and religion, the natives who are the kindest people, our food and the huge impact that it has culturally, etc.

But not everything is flowers and honey. Mexico has lots of social problems that -let's face it- can't be fixed with a simple law. Poverty and iliteracy are big factors regarding to those problems. Although the US may not be guilty of Mexico's problems, most mexicans aren't guilty either. When a Mexican crosses the border illegaly to get a descent job is not because he wants to, is because it is the only way out (Thomas More). I'm not justifying the fact, I'm only exposing a point of view. Criminals are all over the world and they aren't all Mexicans. Yes: there is a lot of insecurity and criminality in our country and a lot of injustice and lack of government ability too.

So it is up to each one of us to build a point of view regarding to these matters: take a little time and think about it from the human point of view, analyze the laws and history and what would you do when standing in someone's shoes. The reason is the answer to the truth's question, some philosophers say, but it is a long equation to isolate.



Ruins in Mexico City



Mexico City at night



                                                     

Gaining Weight: Kilos of Responsability

In 2003, the parents of two teenage girls sued McDonald’s claiming that the food chain was responsible of their kids’ obesity. The suit was dismissed by the federal judge that was in charge of that case because of the lack of arguments. According to CNN news, judge Robert Sweet said during the trial that “the complaint failed to allege the McDonald's products consumed by the plaintiffs were dangerous in any way other than that which was open and obvious to a reasonable consumer”. The concern here is if people are supposed to know the basic things about nutrition, health, and food, or if fast-food franchises -and the different institutions and places children assist, like schools for example -should change their products into healthier ones or have the obligation of giving specific data to their customers about the food they’re selling. ¿Who’s responsible for an individual’s obesity? ¿Himself, or the places he eats at? ¿Is it the government, the society, or his own family?

Kids from 6 to 8 years old spend most of their time at school, so this is a very influent environment for them. Schools are aware of the problematic situation that kids’ health is passing through so they try to give them the very best. Since elementary school, children are taught about nutrition: it is common for teachers to give assignments about the nutritional pyramid, planning a healthy menu, bringing a healthy dish to the classroom for an outdoor learning picnic, etc. Earlier this year, members of the National Congress in Mexico approved a law against child obesity: no fast food or junk food can be sold at schools. Instead, schools can sell food with higher nutritional value and less fat and calories, all of this plus the exercise that is mandatory for gym class.

The family is another important surrounding for kids. It is known that eating habits are learnt and that’s why it is common to see thin families and fat families. Who eats properly will teach his kids to do the same, and vice versa. It is important that doctors offer or give counseling about this matter to soon-to-be parents in order to avoid obesity as strongly as other health problems are attacked and prevented. The government could also take part on this by organizing campaigns to give people that have fewer economic possibilities free counseling about eating habits, or approve laws to give specific diet instructions as part of the regular medic exam for every patient.

Fast-food chains are all around the globe, and in most countries at least one restaurant of that kind is standing at every corner. Executives could design strategies to mention nutrition facts, implement an alternative healthier menu, etc., that could work even as merchandising. What is true about restaurants like McDonald’s, Carl’s Jr., Burger King, and others, is that their advertising is very tricky showing appetizing images, toys, fun, and sometimes even sex is implicitly used in their commercials in order to drag kids to their food. Someone could say that “as cigarettes commercials were banned because smoking causes cancer, also fast-food commercials should be banned too because it causes obesity”, That might be a reasonable argument, but it is commonly known, and if it isn’t then it is a well-known urban myth, that fast food contains a very high percentage of fat, salt, carbohydrates and conservatives which, if consumed constantly, cause serious cardiovascular, liver, pancreas, renal and colon problems besides obesity, and I think that if a kid has access to fast-food advertising in a country like the US is because he also has some knowledge about it.

Whatever causes obesity has, I think that no one is responsible of a kid’s obesity. Every different factor is part of the sum that equals “if we do this, it is more likely that the kid will be…” Yes, I think kids must be taught about nutrition at school and at home, and that fast-food restaurants must take some of their social commitment and canalize it into warning the kids about nutrition facts, healthier alternatives, etc. because that way they would be saving money that goes as donations for organizations that fight diseases that sometimes are developed because obesity. People need to be more conscious and figure out for themselves which are the problems they’re facing and do something about it. But no matter who’s at fault, at the end all the responsibility will decay on the kid’s shoulders because he is the one who has the last decision. A kid could be taught how to eat one way or another, and be told all the pros and cons about fast-food, but he is the one that is going to decide if listening and take care of himself or not.

Major Assignment I

Claudia Lizeth Lozano Garza
A01138910
English Adv I 103
August 26th, 2010
Major Assignment I

Roots

It was a warm, sunny month of May of 1938, a year before the noisy World War II began, when my grandmother, Olga, was born. She is the second child out of the four her parents would eventually had, all of them girls. Her family was living in General Terán, Nuevo León, a very small town to the north of Monterrey. But despite of the thumping happiness of her sister and parents about her fussing arrival to the world, something went wrong: Her mother fell terribly ill shortly after giving her birth. His father was worried to the rust because he knew he couldn’t take care of his job, wife, 2-year-old, and new born.

When my grandma turned 9 years old her spruced birthday present was a blue, cottony dress and to tell her that the dress was for her to wear when returning with her parents in a few days from then. Because of her mother’s scorching illness, and the lack of possibilities of her dad, she was raced by an American woman –probably a religious missioner- that offered herself to look after her. Then, when my grandma was a little bit older and was going to start school, her grandparents took her and continued to take care of her.

My grandma’s parents had moved to Saltillo, Coahuila in 1940 so she was chirping anxious when she heard the news, besides, the most tickling thing was to know that finally she was going to be with her parents and sisters and stay with them indefinitely.

Some days after her birthday, she put on the blue dress and her grandfather took her to the Bus Station in order to go to Saltillo. She still remembers the smooth face and the blue, breezy smell of her grandfather. They bought the tickets, got on the bus, sat down and wait. Those road-hours have been the longest for her. My grandma says one of the most beautiful things back then were the landscapes, and traveling was the best way to enjoy them. Puce, dry mountains, the dusty desert, animals running by the sides... everything encapsulated into a yellow patina because of the spring sun.

The whining agony ended then. It was their bus stop: in front of that fragrant Restaurant in the middle of nowhere. It was the time to grip the cases and run. My grandma and her grandfather got off the bus and they saw the family standing on the woody porch. Mom was holding Diana, the new baby sister, and dad was holding the older sister’s -Ofelia - hand.

While she was standing, frozen because of her sudden fulfilled with happiness, my grandma started to notice things: It smelled like cabrito. Her mother had made cabrito for her! The smell was so strong that she could already taste it deep down her throat. The radio was on with her dad’s favorite music. The soft sun was pleasant and comfy, not too hot. The air was warm but fresh, and the desert’s dust that the wind was sweeping up was very nice to the skin too, because it was a very thin powder.

She ran the fastest she had ever ran and held her family as hard as she had never did. After that, my grandma says, it is hard to remember because everything suddenly turns into a bright flash. The rest she remembers  are the textures of her family’s clothes, a very soft cotton, and the wooden chairs, scratchy; also have eaten her mom’s cabrito and a little bit of its spiced flavor; and have played with her sisters from the afternoon to the night, under the most beautiful sunset, and starry sky she has ever seen.

My grandma told me she has thought about this day many times during her life because before that happened her life was, at certain level, empty. She needed her parents. She thinks that probably because they were separated many years, she grew a very strong love on them, so be together was the accomplishment of her sighing dream at that time making her feel satisfied. Also, she says that she wouldn’t be the person she is if she hadn’t had that uncommon childhood, she could realize at an early age which are the most important things in life: she grew up, she matured. My grandmother learnt to appreciate things more, because sometimes one takes things for granted and, although it wasn’t her situation, she never forgot that. She says you must always appreciate what you have because you never know how people’s lives can change.

Me is...

"Who are you? said the Caterpillar. [...] Alice replied, rather shyly, I.. I hardly know, sir, just at present... at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then." (Carroll, Lewis. Alice in Wonderland. Fragment)

I sometimes think I am a sinous square that builds (or destroys?) a shapeless pattern because of my passions, which are faced against each other, what leads us to my definetely and forever undecided mind, that hasn't found any thunderous favorite. I have a deep fasination with the human aspect of the being, but I also find "artificial" a very roaring concept. My worship for nature is as strong as my fear for it, for example, I love mountains but I have fobia for heights. I am matted but I am also quiet. I would have a neoclasic painting hanging on one's room wall and a shell just to show a lot of empty  Coke bottles on another room's wall. (Here ends the noisy, heavy, and paradox-like part of me)

But there's one thing I do know: I have a splintered heart with enough space to keep a sweet reminiscence of every country in the world, but even then and after all, my greatest melancholy will keep me loving my mildewed Mexico more than everything. I have a booming hunger of learning, about what? About everything: I am ambition itself, but that doesn't mean I'm not coward because I kind of am, though. There have been acrid incidents that have got stocked inside my mind's graveyard (or like some people like to call it: memory) but each of them, even rotten, covered with fungus, and encripted, is a taste bud of my heart's mouth.