Friday, May 20, 2011
OUTLIERS
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
DEBATES: ROUND 1
Well, our first round of debates have concluded in class and now it is time to reflect...
Overall I think that our debate went very well. Both sides seemed interested and displayed a sense of purpose in the debate that made you feel like we wanted to convince the audience of our argument. I feel that performed to the best of my ability during the debate, however it was not perfect, not in my eyes or the eyes of the audience. I think that I performed strongest in my choice of the cross examination questions and refute. However, my rebutting and research information and inclusion of cold hard facts in my argument need some improving. If I could change anything, I would speak slower and provide more examples in my arguments. During the next round, I will mainly focus on my presence at the podium and including evidence in my argument that drives my opponent's into the ground. I am content with the rubric as it stands right now.
Suggestions for future debates:
1. Resolved: Public High school students in the United States ought not be required to pass standardized exit exams to graduate.
2. Resolved: That the United States government has a moral obligation to afford the same constitutional rights to all people on United States soil.
Overall I think that our debate went very well. Both sides seemed interested and displayed a sense of purpose in the debate that made you feel like we wanted to convince the audience of our argument. I feel that performed to the best of my ability during the debate, however it was not perfect, not in my eyes or the eyes of the audience. I think that I performed strongest in my choice of the cross examination questions and refute. However, my rebutting and research information and inclusion of cold hard facts in my argument need some improving. If I could change anything, I would speak slower and provide more examples in my arguments. During the next round, I will mainly focus on my presence at the podium and including evidence in my argument that drives my opponent's into the ground. I am content with the rubric as it stands right now.
Suggestions for future debates:
1. Resolved: Public High school students in the United States ought not be required to pass standardized exit exams to graduate.
2. Resolved: That the United States government has a moral obligation to afford the same constitutional rights to all people on United States soil.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
MILES DAVIS
I have been listening quite a bit to the classic Miles Davis album Kind of Blue lately along with How the West was Won which is an absolutely epic Led Zeppelin live album. Here's one of my favorites off Kind of Blue; "Freddie Freeloader".
Monday, February 7, 2011
IBM
Here's a video the folks at IBM did to celebrate their company's 100th anniversary. It's basically just a 13 minute advertisement for the company however it's really well done and I think it is quite extraordinary to see a history of how these massive multi-national corporations develop over time; especially how a small communications business can grow into one of the largest and most innovative computer businesses in the world.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
CHASE HAWK
Chase Hawk is probably my favorite bike rider to watch. His riding is very simple and traditional, however his style is unmatched by anyone else on a bike today. He can blast airs higher than anyone else and doesn't do too many tricks, but instead naturally moves in the most interesting of ways. I like Chase because he doesn't trick or stunt; he rides.
ERIK ELSTRAN DRAGON SHREDIT
Erik Elstran does not ride his BMX bike like a normal human. He is by far the most creative bike rider to be exposed to the masses and this is his best work yet. This edit is fun to watch even if you've never seen a BMX bike before.
VALUES
After completing the values survey, I wasn't too surprised my results. However, this is probably because I have done numerous surveys similar to this in both school and own my time. Another big contribution to this survey being more of a reminder than a surprise was all of the self discovery work we did in class during the first part of the year. My results did agree with my perception of myself. My values were fulfillment in intellectual and vocational achievement, personal freedom and independence, family, love, emotional security, as well honesty, sincerity, and integrity. They reaffirmed my assumption that I am a determined, independent, and emotional person, and I try to be as sincere as possible. This was explained by the values represented by the numbers that I chose as the 5 most important to me.
**Looking back I actually feel that for me, this survey was a better representation of my true values as opposed to the values auction although they are similar. This may be due to the fact that my brain was hurting from the names of all these values by midway through the auction and my initial and more impulsive survey findings are a better representation of myself.
**Looking back I actually feel that for me, this survey was a better representation of my true values as opposed to the values auction although they are similar. This may be due to the fact that my brain was hurting from the names of all these values by midway through the auction and my initial and more impulsive survey findings are a better representation of myself.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
GT Homework
I am genuinely sorry that this is so late. I've been over my head in midterm projects lately and the only homework I've been able to complete on time is work that I could finish in homeroom. However, my normal study habits are coming back now that most of my midterm projects are finally complete.
Outliers 1-18-11 Homework:
Chapter 7 in Outliers was all about Gladwell's theory on how and why plane crashes occur more often in planes coming from certain countries compared to others. He talks about how communication was key to preventing plane crashes and how in countries such as South Korea, because of the great distance in power from a captain to his co-pilots, the captain never truly receives an accurate second opinion from his co-pilots because they are afraid of challenging them. Gladwell states that one mechanical error followed by six human errors usually cause a plane crash. He main emphasis during this chapter was that communication is key to success.
What I took away from chapter 7 was that you need to be able to communicate to be successful. Pilots need to be able to communicate so that they can safely complete a flight and I for example, need to have good communication and practical intelligence to be able to get my points across.
Outliers 1-18-11 Homework:
Chapter 7 in Outliers was all about Gladwell's theory on how and why plane crashes occur more often in planes coming from certain countries compared to others. He talks about how communication was key to preventing plane crashes and how in countries such as South Korea, because of the great distance in power from a captain to his co-pilots, the captain never truly receives an accurate second opinion from his co-pilots because they are afraid of challenging them. Gladwell states that one mechanical error followed by six human errors usually cause a plane crash. He main emphasis during this chapter was that communication is key to success.
What I took away from chapter 7 was that you need to be able to communicate to be successful. Pilots need to be able to communicate so that they can safely complete a flight and I for example, need to have good communication and practical intelligence to be able to get my points across.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
GT HOMEWORK 1-12-11
This is a day late but better late than never-
This post is about a chapter in a book we are reading in class. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell is probably the most interesting book I have ever read. The book dives deep into successful people and ideas through out history and the factors and fate that helped these people arrive at their current and admirable positions in life.
During chapter 6 of Outliers, Gladwell begins giving us a violent and detailed history of the rival families the Howards and the Tuckers who settled their own slice of land out in the mountains of Kentucky during the 1800s. He talks about the violent history these two families have had and explains why people from the south are notorious for being extra confrontational when confronted.. Gladwell also talks about an experiment conducted at the University of Michigan that proved the southerners' more extreme confrontational spirit as opposed to people from the north.
A cultural legacy is the spirit and traditions that run through out your family, and are values that are passed on and expressed from generation to generation.
1-20-11 Update New Content is Underlined: My cultural legacy is to uphold strong values that are useful in life and ones that I will be proud to hand down to my children. I have some Irish blood in my veins as my mother is 100% Irish and my Dad is partly Irish. I can also relate to the "don't tread on me" spirit expressed by these Scottish/Irish families in the south, but I feel this can mainly be attributed to my environment growing up rather than the fact that I'm Irish. Although I love discussing things with people and debating controversial topics. I don't put up with me being taken advantage of or being blatantly insulted as I don't think any one should. Hopefully the cultural legacy I can pass on for my family is one that values free but respectful expression, humility even in the best of times, and a devotion to things that they care about that is unrivaled and not outperformed by those around them. I would like to teach my children to always be aware of what others think of them and realize their current standing amongst their peers but to never let one person or group change who they are at heart or change their natural opinion of right from wrong. I also hope that I can pass on the values of service, sharing, respect, hard-work and honesty to my children and help keep my name and family's reputation in good standing in the eyes of others. Communication and appearing as a strong and confident father figure for my children will be important to trying to preserve my cultural legacy. Also I would like to make sure my family and I always have open lines of trust and communication because explaining your heritage and teaching good values can only be done through good communication.
This post is about a chapter in a book we are reading in class. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell is probably the most interesting book I have ever read. The book dives deep into successful people and ideas through out history and the factors and fate that helped these people arrive at their current and admirable positions in life.
During chapter 6 of Outliers, Gladwell begins giving us a violent and detailed history of the rival families the Howards and the Tuckers who settled their own slice of land out in the mountains of Kentucky during the 1800s. He talks about the violent history these two families have had and explains why people from the south are notorious for being extra confrontational when confronted.. Gladwell also talks about an experiment conducted at the University of Michigan that proved the southerners' more extreme confrontational spirit as opposed to people from the north.
A cultural legacy is the spirit and traditions that run through out your family, and are values that are passed on and expressed from generation to generation.
1-20-11 Update New Content is Underlined: My cultural legacy is to uphold strong values that are useful in life and ones that I will be proud to hand down to my children. I have some Irish blood in my veins as my mother is 100% Irish and my Dad is partly Irish. I can also relate to the "don't tread on me" spirit expressed by these Scottish/Irish families in the south, but I feel this can mainly be attributed to my environment growing up rather than the fact that I'm Irish. Although I love discussing things with people and debating controversial topics. I don't put up with me being taken advantage of or being blatantly insulted as I don't think any one should. Hopefully the cultural legacy I can pass on for my family is one that values free but respectful expression, humility even in the best of times, and a devotion to things that they care about that is unrivaled and not outperformed by those around them. I would like to teach my children to always be aware of what others think of them and realize their current standing amongst their peers but to never let one person or group change who they are at heart or change their natural opinion of right from wrong. I also hope that I can pass on the values of service, sharing, respect, hard-work and honesty to my children and help keep my name and family's reputation in good standing in the eyes of others. Communication and appearing as a strong and confident father figure for my children will be important to trying to preserve my cultural legacy. Also I would like to make sure my family and I always have open lines of trust and communication because explaining your heritage and teaching good values can only be done through good communication.
DUNCE
I feel like a dunce for making a bunch of my own blog spots but then forgetting to do just one that was assigned for class...I think I'll get on that now.
GRIZZLY BEAR
I am normally not that in-to music videos however this one is one of my favorites. It was created by a fan, completely independently for Grizzly Bear's song Two Weeks. The animations and transitions are extremely entertaining and fun to watch.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Mumford and Sons
Mumford and Sons are without a doubt my favorite new band for 2010. Their folk rock is not toned down to the point where it's boring, but they certainly do not play stereotypical rock music. Best banjo stomps ever!
Let's Get Mystical
Mutiny Pa. Trails is my personal favorite section from Mutiny Bike's 2009 DVD release "Let's Get Mystical". LGM features riding from the entire team of riders that Mutiny sponsors to show what their company is all about when it comes to bike riding. (Skate, Ski/Snowboard, and Surfing companies also produce DVDs like this to showcase their respective talents) This section was filmed entirely in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania at the world famous Catty Woods and Posh trails. The location of these trails are largely unknown except for the people that ride there. This section was filmed entirely with film cameras which gives it a great aesthetic and was produced by Mutiny co-owner Joe Simon, who also owns a wedding production company. The rider is Thomas "Robbo" Robinson from the UK.
Nostalgia
Feeling nostalgic is not something that I personally like to do, however with all of these midterm projects going on and snow falling it's kind of hard not to. This is my favorite summer time song because it sounds like it is straight off of a 1970s 8-track and is meant to blasted out of windows. And to whom it may concern, no I don't get high I just like this song.
Monday, January 10, 2011
So Here's the Deal...
My name is Doug and I am a freshman in New Jersey. Music, photography, filming, sports, running, national and global issues, skateboarding and BMX are some of the things that interest me the most. These topics will probably take up most o the space on my blog. This blog is setup through a class that I am taking in school called Gifted and Talented One. This is a class that is meant to explore different types of learning and delve deep into topics that may not be discussed in your traditional classroom setting. I am excited to see where this blog goes from here and how it helps my teachers, classmates, and people abroad.
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