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Talk:Comparison between Roman and Han Empires/Wikipedia discussion

This is a copy pasted version of the discussion from Wikipedia archived on a separate page to avoid confusions --Gbaor 17:12, 18 January 2010 (UTC)

Original Research
I like to be honest so here it goes. This article should IMHO be deleted asap. It seems to be largely original research. The well-intended author wanted to compare the two empires, took a couple of points and tries to explain how one empire fell and the other one vanished. While I personally think that the subject by itself is quite interesting Wikipedia is not the proper place to publish one's personal theories and views. Flamarande (talk) 22:31, 25 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Before deleting please consider to transwiki it to Wikiversity (which allows original research). So the user may not be lost for the wikiverse and can continue there: see the added template. In case it gets deleted, admins can also restore it again, nothing gets lost in the database. Erkan Yilmaz 23:21, 25 December 2008 (UTC)

Though this article may not completely conform to standards, i think that this subject matter should be covered on wikipedia or as Erkan Yilmaz said, transferred to another part of the wiki universe. I would appreciate any effort to change the article so that it conforms with wiki guidelines. After all, there are many comparison articles on wikipedia; see Comparison of 2000s fighter aircraft Teeninvestor (talk) 00:38, 26 December 2008 (UTC)
 * This article is a comparison between the Roman civilization and the chinese civilization in general. Although the main comparison is between the Roman Empire and Han dynasty, later and earlier entities such as the Roman Republic and Jin dynasty may be included as well. The Byzantine Empire should not be included as by its end it had significantly differed from the classical roman civilization(Grecized, islamic attacks, medieval feudalism, etc...) Teeninvestor (talk) 22:33, 26 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Thank you for adding the external links. Now that they show it is not original research, can we remove the templates? thank you. Teeninvestor (talk) 22:39, 26 December 2008 (UTC)

 * I wouldn't remove any of them as the comparisons are faulty. For example: you compare the ability of fielding armies and loudly proclaim that the Han China was more able than ancient Rome, right? Citing: "Also, due to the superior economy of China the Han army was larger despite the fact China had a smaller population; evidence of this is seen in two campaigns. For the battle of Carrhae (53 BC), the Romans fielded some 50,000 men, while in the battle of Mobei (119 BC), China could field up to 300,000 troops".

 * To be honest these campaigns show your own personal conclusion and convictions. You simply picked two single campaigns and then argued that they demonstrate larger trends. However the earlier Roman republic managed to field 86'000 soldiers at the Battle of Cannae and at the Great Illyrian Revolt and at Trajan's Dacian Wars the Roman Empire fielded substantially more. If a serious historian had reached such a conclusion and had provided with proper examples and hard evidence I would take it with a grain of salt. However the conclusion and the "evidence for it" comes only from you and therefore it is original research and synthesis.

 * Then we have the part of: "In contrast, the Roman emperor did not have such power; he was by law forced to consult the senate, and he was frequently usurped or assassinated". I'm not going to dispute that the Roman emperors were frequently assassinated, and that that the Senate still had some prestige. However I don't know of any law that forced the emperor to consult with the senate. You wrote that there was such a law and that the emperor was forced to obey it but then failed to provide proper sources for this statement. Flamarande (talk) 00:37, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

Remember, this article was only created days again; I've added citations to several sources demonstrating my point. I did remove the section about the senate, as i couldn't find a source for it. But the point of the section was that the Chinese emperor was more powerful(whether for good or bad),which you wont disagree with. Also, as to troop numbers, ive provided several sources already, and i'm going to find some other sources demonstrating troop numbers. But if you want to challenge my point, check any article on wikipedia and you can see Han Empire has a lot more troops. see battle of Zama, battle of Mobei,battle of Mayi, Battle of the Catalaunian Plains, and thier sources. From these numbers alone it can be seen that China was able to field an army much larger than Rome. A plethora of sources have been made available for you to consult. Thank you for your assistance. Teeninvestor (talk) 00:52, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

 * Exactly this is Original Research and unpublished synthesis. You studied the history to some extent and now you are presenting your own conclusions about the matter inside this article. Wikipedia is about hard facts, proper evidence, and professional and widely accepted scholarship and not about the search for a 'new truth'. The Battle of the Catalaunian Plains was waged by a weakened Western Roman Empire near its end (basicly a half of the old empire)! Read for example the Battle of Philippi. I certainly agree that the Chinese dynasties were more stable than Roman ones and that this fact had an stabilizing effect upon Ancient China. Flamarande (talk) 01:07, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

 * I disagree with that contention. I did not "present" my synthesis, though some of the language may seem a bit deceptive. I have modified the page so that it shows comparisons of troop numbers. As you said, "WIkipedia is about hard facts". Therefore I have presented a number of facts about them. You are welcome to challenge them; after all, thats what improves the article. I certainly agree with you that earlier the article might have had some OR, but now they have been removed and sourced. Also, if the battle of chalon could be said to have been smaller, what about the battle of Zama? or Carrae? they were waged at a strong point in Roman history. Also, remember, the Roman army was fighting in a fertile and settled land, while the Han army was fighting in what was basically a desert, thus making it much harder on the supplies. Teeninvestor (talk) 01:14, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

 * He's referring to synthesis as described here WP:SYNTH. --Patar knight - chat/contributions 01:41, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

 * You present some facts (and I don't dispute the facts by themselves); however you pick them selectively and use them as evidence to support your own conclusions. That's OR and Unpublished Synthesis. And to answer your two points: The battle of Carrae was waged by Marcus Licinius Crassus. He was part of the Triumvirate and the Roman Republic was waging at the same time a full-fledged campaign against the Gauls. So I could easily answer that he probably had only a third of the available forces (but that would be OR :). He wasn't a warlike emperor, or someone sent by a emperor, with the cream of the army and the support of the whole empire behind him. The battle of Zama was waged by a hardened veteran army led by one of the best military and most arrogant generals ever (Caesar, who simply delighted in attacking with inferior numbers) against mostly inexperienced recruits. He probably believed that he wouldn't need more troops (again OR :). Flamarande (talk) 01:55, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

 * First of all, battle of zama was not waged by caesar and there is no evidence whatsoever to back up your claims. Also, even if the Roman army was committing only about a third of his forces in the battle of carrae, it would only bring it up to 150,000. I could state that the Han army was also campaigning agianst other enemies. In terms of numbers, check all the battles of the time period, and you will consistently find that the Roman army was only able to field up to 50,000-100,000 troops. For battles of similar importance, CHina could field 300,000 troops or more. Also, because the chinese army campaigned in hostile terrain(Mongolian desert) up to 500,000 porters, food carriers, etc.. would be needed, while the Roman army could live off the land. I challenge you to find a single battle in which the Roman army was able to field 300,000 troops in a desert-like environment. Also, i invite you to go through the article. there is no section where i "conclude" something, so it is not OR. that was your original complaint. If you feel my facts are inadequate, you can add your own (But you must source them, as i have). Teeninvestor (talk) 02:29, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

 * Also, you forgot my contention that Han army had much worse supply conditions than Romans(Mongolian desert). May I suggest to you since you are so interested in the military section, please expand it. Also, can someone expand the religion section as well as adding a culture section; I added a law and society section, but it was insufficient.Teeninvestor (talk) 02:42, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

 * First of all you're right, I mixed the battle of Zama with another one battle. The Battle of Zama was between Hannibal and Scipio. I also wish to add that Scipio only had limited support of the Senate.

 * On the other hand one shouldn't compare different armies which face different difficulties (climate and terrain) and are fighting against different enemies and then conclude that one army was more able than the other. The two armies didn't fight each other. They didn't fight in the same terrain under the same conditions and they didn't fight against the same enemies. Their enemies had different armies, societies, and different strengths and weaknesses.

 * The Roman army never needed to field such a huge number of troops (300'000) against the Huns, Mongols, and Tartars in northern China and Mongolia. The Romans needed smaller armies to fight against the Parthian Empire in modern Iraq (the arch-enemy of Rome besides the ever-present danger of the Germanic tribes). It's a different enemy and a different climate. It's a different way of waging war. The Romans were masters in siege warfare, but AFAIK the northern tribes in northern China didn't concentrate in cities. Therefore the Han army was probably not used to sieges (at least as the Romans were used to). The Parthians usually lost against the Romans. The Chinese army needed more soldiers to fight against a different enemy (who was probably more numerous) in a different terrain and in a different climate. And by the way: ancient writers give only sparse information about the supporting elements of the Roman army.

 * The section ends with: "A direct comparison of the two armies' prowess was their treatment of the Huns. While the Han army defeated the Huns and annexed their lands, the Roman army was crushed by the Huns, despite better natural defences; this lead to the collapse of the western Roman empire." (and this sentence shows that it is your own conclusion - no source)

 * If you care to read the article Huns you will see that their precise identity is disputed and unclear. Some historians believe that they are the Xiongnu, but the evidence is often indirect or ambiguous.

 * So we have a nomadic people (who may be or may not be descendants of the Xiongnu) who united under a mighty and able warlord (Attila the Hun) attack two Roman empires (but never at the same time). The Western Roman Empire who is weakened and decadent and the more powerful Eastern Roman empire. Two empires with different armies, emperors, goals, foreign policies and whose cooperation was often deficient. Two empires already terribly weakened by prior invasions of other tribes. Two empires who often tried to bribe the "barbarians" and often sent these barbarians against each other (better the tribes bother the other Roman empire than mine). It wasn't even the old Roman army anymore; at that stage it was largely composed by foederati and mercenaries. The Battle of the Catalaunian Plains was fought between an alliance of Visigoths and Western Romans against several tribes under the command of Atilla. Western Roman troops whose pay, equipment, training, and composition of forces was simply different and probably inferior from the earlier unified Roman empire. You can't call that a direct comparison between the Roman army and the Han army. Flamarande (talk) 03:28, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

You're right about the direct comparison. I should change that to indirect comparison or something. However, it is the only comparison we had. However, remember two points: The Roman army had much better defences(numerous rivers that didnt freeze in winter, while china only had great wall.), and Attila was much weaker than his khan predecessors. Xiongnu could field about 300,000 cavalry; Attila could field only about 50,000 cavalry. Maybe a better comparison is between Roman and Parthian forces, where there was a stalemate. However, you're forgetting your original contention. Nowhere did I state that the Han army was superior. I only said that this is a good comparison between the two armies(Faced exactly the same enemies, etc..). Regarding the Han army's ability for siege warfare, it would have been equal if not superior to the Romans. Siege warfare were very frequent from the time of Sun Tzu (300-400BC ish). Teeninvestor (talk) 14:38, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

I added the objections of Flamarande because they would provide an alternate viewpoint on the article.Teeninvestor (talk) 14:49, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

Flamarande, since you seem to have some knowledge on the Roman Empire, can you expand the section about culture, society and law, and religion? help would be appreciated. Teeninvestor (talk) 14:51, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

Possible errors
Also, further objections. Firstly, the military section. The Roman Empire lasted, as this article says, 500 years, while the Han dynasty lasted 400 years. Surely, over the course of so many years, their military tactics would have become completely different? The Roman legionary from the 5th century AD, would have been less disciplined, less professional, and relatively lighter arms compared to a legionary who fought with Augustus Caesar. Furthermore, it wasn't because the Romans had a "penchant for falling into ambushes" that they lost the battle of Teutoburg Forest. It was mainly because Arminius was Varus's trusted aide. In the Economics section, it states that China was more liberal then the Romans, because the latter relied on slaves. A significant number of China's population were de facto slaves. Also, many slaves would be freed, and become freemen, whose children would be granted Roman citizenship. --Patar knight - chat/contributions 01:31, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

 * The line about falling into ambushes doesnt come from me it comes from the source. But several battles were lost by the Romans because they did fall into ambushes. This is mainly due to their method of fighting. Romans like heavy fighting; legionnaires wore armor, carried swords, etc.... The Han army was more mobile. It had large amounts of cavalry and missile troops, so it could move a lot faster than the Roman army. Also, I dispute the part abotu china's population being slaves. There is one crucial difference between a chinese peasant and a Roman slave: The chinese peasant could move about, change his location, etc... The labor market is free. The Roman slave on the other hand, could not move; if he tried to escape from his master, he would be captured. In terms of Rome's economy, almost 30% of Rome's population were slaves; they manned all of Rome's workshops, farms, etc.. China's workshops, farms, etc... were manned by free laborers. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Teeninvestor (talk • contribs) 20:40, 26 December 2008

 * The source ( page 3) only says

"'Despite the strength of the Roman military, conquest was not accomplished without resistance. The Romans did not have a large force in the Balkans, for example, and when the Pannonians rebelled against Roman rule in ad 6, Tiberius, another stepson of Augustus, needed three years and 100,000 men to put it down. But the greatest disaster took place in Germany. In ad 9, the Roman general Publius Quintilius Varus led three legions into an ambush, and they were annihilated by a Germanic tribe called the Cherusci in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. This catastrophe, the worst Roman defeat in two centuries, forced the aging Augustus to adopt a policy of caution and restraint. '" It says nothing about Romans constantly falling into ambushes. This is synthesis. Also, see my comment about Arminius above. --Patar knight - chat/contributions 01:45, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

 * In terms of Roman military training, although discipline would have declined, Roman military technology would have advanced. For example, a legionary at Augustus' time would have weaker arms than legionary in 5th century as there is advance in iron works. Personally, i doubt the Roman legions at any time would have been able to defeat the Huns because 1. they lack missile troops to coutner cavalry(Crossbow) and 2. Roman cities did not have walls in antiquity, so cavalry could capture them easily. Also, Rome's economy would have been unable to withstand the strain of pursuing huns in their own terroritory.Teeninvestor (talk) 02:38, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

 * There was perhaps a better military technology but the two Roman empires were much poorer (besides divided) and couldn't afford it in relevant quantities. The whole army was different, just read Structural history of the Roman military.

 * Then you write: "Personally, 'I' doubt the Roman legions at any time would have been able to defeat the Huns because 1. 'T'hey lack(ed) missile troops to 'counter' cavalry (Crossbow) and 2. Roman cities did not have walls in antiquity, so cavalry could capture them easily. Also, Rome's economy would have been unable to withstand the strain of pursuing 'Huns' in their own 'territory'."

 * That shows yet again the big problem. You studied some points of the Roman empire and the Han empire. Then you made your own reasonable conclusions and wrote a paragraph based upon them. However you and me (and almost all contributors of Wikipedia) are amateurs (we truly don't know all that much - You don't seem to know all that much about the Roman empire, I will certainly admit that I know nearly nothing about the Han empire - I certainly do know that comparing different states is a dangerous enterprise). There is an enormous lot of evidence and information we know nothing about. You seem to ignore that the major cities of Late Antiquity were smaller and much more fortified than during Classical Antiquity. Therefore your reasonable conclusions are simply flawed (your information was limited and you used it to make your conclusions producing honest but flawed results).

 * This just shows exactly why we are supposed to read and use books (preferably a lot of them) written by professionals who read and study each other's work (for comparison) and also study ancient sources. These professional academics earn their living by writing such books, and while many of them have been revealed to be frauds the majority aren't (if someone proves that the professional produced flawed work his reputation will be in shambles). We are not supposed to use a couple of points to then write an article were we show our own conclusions. Flamarande (talk) 13:52, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

 * PS: "Rome's economy would have been unable to withstand the strain of pursuing 'Huns' in their own 'territory'". Who knows? It seems to me that ancient China only had to deal with a single big enemy (the northern nomadic tribes). Therefore it probably could concentrate nearly all its resources and efforts on a single northern front against a single enemy. On the other side Ancient Rome had several different enemies and several fronts (the northern barbarians and the Parthian empire). Therefore it had to divide its resources and efforts along several fronts and against several enemies. Ancient Rome was more than able, but Ancient China had simply an easier situation. Easier situations are easier to deal with. Neither was better than the other. They simply were different societies and states in different situations. Again: this is my own OR. :) Flamarande (talk) 13:52, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

 * My comments above were my personal opinion. I did not add them to the article if you didnt notice. Also, regarding my knowledge of Roman empire, i have read their history and edited several Roman-related articles. My main point in my comments above(which I DID NOT ADD to the article) was that Romans would have had a hard time fighting the Huns and cavalry in general, because their armies were primarily heavy infantry, and they lacked the CROSSBOW. The crossbow is a major difference because it was two things: 1. it made heavily armored infantry obsolete.

2. it was a MAJOR coutner against cavalry. Also, the Romans did not have a very good cavalry force to counter the Huns on their equal times, so they would have had a hard time. This is not to suggest the Romans were inferior. They were simply lacking several technologies, as well as experience in fighting nomadic Cavalry(Though i suppose parthia would count, but Huns were better thant Parthians). Also, because of heavy armor/equipment of legionnaires, their mobility is also affected. Teeninvestor (talk) 14:22, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

Transwiki?
Is there any particular reason this shouldn't be transwikied to Wikiversity? It's excellent material, but better suited to Wikiversity's scope than Wikipedia's. This would of course work better if most or all of the people discussing it here would be interested in continuing the discussion there :-). I'll gladly import both the article and the talk page, but please make sure your accounts are unified first (I'm a 'crat on wv, so can help with that as well). --SB_Johnny | talk 14:49, 27 December 2008 (UTC)

Will it be removed from wikipedia if it is transferred? because i prefer it stay on wikipedia if that is the case. However, if they can be on both wikis, I have no objections. Teeninvestor (talk) —Preceding undated comment was added at 14:55, 27 December 2008 (UTC).


text:
User talk:Pakie.muic.student

Homwork 4
1.	 ans Massively Multiplayer Online Games or MMOGs are the games that have an ability to support thousands of players at the same time. Mostly these games are played on the Internet by using a personal computer, but it is also possible to play via other game consoles like Wii or Xbox. Players from anywhere in the world can contact, cooperate, or compete with each others through the large scale.

Some of the differences between MMOGs and regular video games: -	In MMOGs, players are allowed to continue playing eternal virtual world. -	The sizes of game world are larger for hosting thousands of players. -	Most of the MMOGs just provide free trial first, and then, after the players are attracted, they have to pay or subscribe for real one.

2.	 ans In my opinion, I think there must be some stresses in living in the virtual world in some cases. If the players get into the state of being addicted, they may feel stressful with themselves in the game. They may be concerned with everything they do in the game. Moreover, for them, I think it seems like all decisions they have to make in the game will have some effect on them in the real world.

3.	 ans I found that there are some items that are being sold in e-bay, for example, a sexy outfit of second life female avatar (US $6.59), the 5000 second life lindens (US $24.88), and second life land 4096 Sq Met (US $1.15). I also found that there is currency exchange in the game too, from US Dollar to Linden Dollars of second life game. The rate is about 250 Linden Dollars to the US Dollar. So, I think some of the economy from these games is real.

Pakie.muic.student 06:42, 23 January 2010 (UTC)

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: User talk:Pakie.muic.student


text:
User:Kyellebrodie

=English Composition=

Statement of Intent
Statement of Intent

Overview I would like to experiment with different writing styles over the quarter. I want to focus on persuasive essays and various forms of creative writing. For the persuasive essays, I plan to cover a variety of topics that I feel passionate about. These topics would likely include changing the drinking age, testing of products on animals, legalization of marijuana, and weapon rights. These are all very controversial topics that would be beneficial for me to research and use to practice my skills in persuasive writing. I would also like to work on a couple types of more creative writing styles. I plan on writing one short, fictional story and one poem.

Rationale

I have always enjoyed persuasive writing but have not always been the best at conveying my passion on to the paper. There are a lot of opportunities where the art of persuasion will come in handy later in life and I would like to master it, both through the ability to find qualitative research and to effectively send my message. Creative writing is not an area of writing I have looked into or practiced very much. I am hoping that writing a short story and a poem for this class will open my eyes to new variations of expression.

Publication/Presentation

I would like to have a public recording of one of my persuasive essays posted to the internet. This is something that would be posted on websites such as youtube. I would like to have my essay recorded and played during a dramatic video of events corresponding with the topic. I would like to have this posted by the end of the quarter, however due to my lack of knowledge in technology may take longer.

Schedule

week 2- outlines of persuasive essays, gather research week 3- 3-4 page drinking testing essay, edit/revise week 4- 3-4 page animal testing essay, edit/revise week 5- start short story (5 (+ -) pages) week 6- finish and edit/revise story week 7- write and edit poem week 8- 3-4 page marijuana essay week 9- Edit and revise/ review all work week 10- make changes and perfect work

Anticipated Problems

Some anticipated problems with my project could be the research used for my persuasive essays. If I am unable to find sufficient and credible information on my topics it would be very difficult to write them.

Week 6 Project Review

So far, I believe my project is coming along pretty well. I do think that it is a possibility that I may have incorrectly judged the amount of work I assigned for myself. I plan, however, to continue with the same goals that I set during the beginning of the quarter. The persuasive essays have been taking longer to develop than I expected. I plan to continue working on and developing these throughout the quarter. It is taking me longer to finalize the individual essays and stories but I will complete them all by the end of the project. Since certain parts of the project are requiring more time than I had calculated, it has been difficult to write quality essays in the allotted time frame. I hope to be able to finalize, perfect, and revise these documents before the end of the quarter. While my schedule for my project has been off, I still plan on completing all parts of the given project. I have learned a lot while researching my various topics for my persuasive essays through research of actual topics, as well as other previously written persuasive documents. I look forward to expanding my writing horizon by writing my short story and poem in the coming weeks.

Reader's Report
I read the twilight saga, all four books. I was peer pressured into reading them at first. They did not seem like my kind of books. After reading the first book, against my will, I became hooked. I read all four books in about two weeks. I could not stop reading them. I ended up really enjoying these books. I had a lot of fun reading them and hope to find another book series that I love as much as loved these four books. The books were important to me because I found a joy in reading that I had not experienced before. THere have been other books that I enjoyed but not so much that I could never put them down. Reading something like this has also left me more open to try new types of books. These were books I didn't expect to like and it leaves me wondering what else I could be missing. I really think Twilight has made me curious about what else is other there and created a new love for reading.

Project
 Project as of week 3 ( Persuasive essay outlines and research)-

Persuasive Essay Outlines

Drinking Age

Research: http://www.indiana.edu/~engs/articles/cqoped.html http://www.indiana.edu/~engs/articles/fruit.html http://www.angelfire.com/on4/buckwild1585/main.html http://drinkingage.procon.org/ http://www.talkleft.com/story/2005/04/12/890/23979

Essay subtopics (bullet points): •	Age 18 you can marry, vote, considered adult •	Age 18 you can go to war- life of death •	Countries with lower drinking ages have fewer alcohol related problems •	Less taboo •	Sends message that drinking represents maturity causing a further want to consume alcohol •	Prohibition failed showing that regulation is counterproductive •	Drinking in moderation is good for health •	Enforcement of 21 law is expensive and “inefficient”- most minors can still acquire alcohol in often unsafe ways

Animal Testing

Research: http://www.liberalroad.com/2007/03/24/5-reasons-to-ban-animal-testing/ http://www.gan.ca/lifestyle/animal+testing/index.en.html http://www.drhadwentrust.org/non-animal-research/whats-wrong-with-animal-testing http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/236899/animal_testing_in_research_right_or.html?cat=47 http://animalrights.about.com/od/vivisection/a/VivisectionFAQ.htm http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/science-technology/animal-testing/

Essay subtopics: •	Animals have rights too/ protection laws •	Humans are animals •	Cruel- many of the animals are tortured and killed •	Test animals are so different from humans that tests are not even accurate •	96% of animal testing is for superficial products such as cosmetics •	Not required to test products on animals •	Many places have already phased out animal testing. Why cant we? •	They cant defend themselves-helpless

Legalizing Marijuana

Research: http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/60959/ http://economics.about.com/od/incometaxestaxcuts/a/marijuana.htm http://www.edubook.com/why-marijuana-should-be-legal/8254/ http://www.balancedpolitics.org/marijuana_legalization.htm

Essay subtopics: •	If used in moderation is less harmful than alcohol and tobacco products •	Related crimes would be greatly reduced •	Source of additional tax revenues- government would benefit •	People do it anyways, making it legal would make the selling, buying, and use much safer •	FDA would be able to regulate the drug •	Police and court resources would be available for more serious crimes

Project as of week Four- Drinking age Essay PERSUASIVE DRINKING AGE ESSAY The drinking age in the United States tends to be one of the more controversial topics we discuss. Should it be 18 years old, when children legally become adults? Or should drinking be allowed at age 21, when children are thought to have matured more fully? While there are some benefits to an older legal drinking age, I believe the reasons for lowering it to 18 outweigh them significantly.

There is one major reason the drinking age should be lowered, that stands out from the rest. The reason is that in the United States, at 18 years old, a person is considered an adult. To me it seems if the drinking age cannot be lowered to 18, then the age one becomes an adult should be raised to 21. It does not make sense, that an adult would not be allowed to make his or her own decisions when it comes to consuming alcoholic beverages.

On a person’s eighteenth birthday, they are awarded with an abundance of new privileges, as well as responsibilities. At age 18, a person is suddenly an adult in the eyes of the court and legal systems. While this does offer some new opportunities, it also comes with consequences. On the day a person turns 18 they are suddenly held accountable for what they do. If a crime is committed, the person will be tried and charged as an adult. This seems reason enough to allow 18 year olds to drink alcohol. If they do not behave responsibly, they can and should be held accountable. Another thing that comes with turning 18 is the chance of joining the military and armed forces, as a volunteer or a draftee. It does not seem right that at 18 years old, a person is mature enough to leave their family and their country for a dangerous warzone. In war, these young adults are sent far from home to kill and be killed. How is it possible that one is mature enough, at just 18, to give their life for their country but not mature enough to have a glass of wine or a beer?

When one turns 18 they are legally considered an adult and they can be drafted for war-purposes. They can also make other very important decisions such as vote and get married. These are very serious decisions that people make in their lives. I find it hard to believe that making the decision to drink a couple of beers with friends could be a more important decision than deciding who you are to spend the rest of your life with or who will be president.

For many young people, under the age of 18, alcohol is seen as the forbidden fruit. Many people tend to want what they can’t or are not supposed to have. The years between 18 and 21 are a very crucial time in people’s lives. This is a time when people are changing drastically and figuring out who they are and who they want to become. Often times, people in this age group are enrolled in college. College is a time to learn, grow, develop, and of course, socialize. Socializing in a college atmosphere, always has, and continues to frequently involve alcohol. For many, college is the first time when ages collide. Suddenly 18 year olds are hanging out and having classes with people much older than them. It is almost as if age tends to lose its meaning. During this time of change, 18, 19, and 20 year olds often feel just as mature as their older classmates. They are expected to act as adults and be mature, but they cannot legally enjoy a drink. Drinking is directly related to maturity. I believe this causes a strong desire to feel mature, and therefore another reason to want to drink. This topic leads directly into the next, getting the alcohol.

It is obvious that many underage teenagers continue to drink illegally. When teens drink, illegally, they are forced to hide it. This often involves lying to parents, teachers, police, and all authority put in place to keep them safe. This then separates these teenagers from their safety nets. Kids will often participate in risky and unsafe behaviors to receive alcohol. When kids and teens are forced to sneak around, they frequently put themselves in very dangerous situations that could easily be avoided if they were allowed to consume alcohol legally. Drinking related accidents and problems are much less frequent in countries with lower drinking ages.

Countries with lower drinking ages have far less drinking problems and children are taught at a young age how to drink responsibly. It is not uncommon in many places around the world for families, including young children, to have a glass of wine or beer with their meals. In these countries children do not look at alcohol as the forbidden fruit. They have always had access to it and always will. These countries also tend to have less people who suffer from alcoholism and binge drinking, especially at young ages. According to the WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol from 2004, 10.7 percent of the youth population in the United States was considered heavy episodic drinkers, or binge drinkers.

I believe the law limiting consumption of alcohol to those over the age of 21 has good intents, however I believe the statistics show otherwise. It is a waste of government time and money to be maintaining this law. I do not think that the law makes sense at all. Young people will find ways to get alcohol no matter what the age is. Eighteen to 21 year olds are being arrested and charged for ridiculous charges while the real criminals are running around. Underage drinkers and adult heavy drinkers combined consume 61 percent of the alcohol sold in the U.S. This law is “expensive and inefficient” since most minors have access to and will acquire alcohol in other often unsafe ways.

There are so many reasons why the drinking age in the United States of America should be lowered to 18. At age 18 it seems one can do almost everything else legally, except drink alcohol. At 18 a person is considered an adult. They can legally vote, get married, and be drafted into war. There is significant proof showing America has more problems with alcoholism, binge drinking, and alcohol-related accidents than many countries with lower drinking ages. The law does little but cause teens to want alcohol even more, but push them to acquire it in dangerous ways. There are so many reasons as to why the drinking age in the U.S should be lowered.

Project as of week 5 Animal Testing Persuasive Essay

Animal testing is a huge problem in the United States. Animals should not be experimented on, tortured, or killed for the testing of human products. It is unfair that humans should have the right to make decisions for the helpless animals. There are so many reasons as to why animal testing is not okay. Animal testing is wrong and should be banned completely in the United States of America and around the rest of the world.

Animals have rights too. More protection laws should be put in place to protect innocent animals. These laws should ban all testing on animals and enforce the law upon those who disobey. “Animals have rights as well and they shouldn’t be violated. Human beings are just another species of animals. Most of us wouldn’t accept that 100 million people would be submitted every year to non-voluntary tests (many leading to pain or death). Why do we allow it with animals? Animals are non-volunteers in tests when tests could be done with alternative methods.” In addition to this, the majority of animal testing is useless. Test animals, even our close relative the chimpanzee, are so different from humans that tests are not even accurate. We are sitting by while innocent animal lives are wasted to help people feel better about their purchases. By using animals to conduct experiments with inaccurate results we are doing nothing but help ignorant and selfish people feel more confident about their new wrinkle cream or hair growth treatment.

You may justify animal testing, thinking the tests are being done for serious experiments needed for something significant. You may think it’s okay because you believe the testing is done only to dirty rats. None of this is true. 96% of all experiments, which use animal testing, are for superficial products such as cosmetics. And while 80% of test animals are mice, rats, and birds, many other animals are tested on as well. Animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, and monkeys are also regularly used in test facilities. The only law providing an limit to this cruelty is an FDA regulation requiring that the number of animals used in testing be recorded and submitted. This law, however, makes an exception for the most commonly used animals: rats, mice, and birds. It should not be okay to test these animals. They are helpless and have no ways to defend themselves.

There is no law, rule, regulation, or guideline of any sort that requires or encourages animal testing so why do these superficial companies find it necessary to abuse these animals? Many countries do not even use animal testing anymore, as there is no reason to. If it is possible to clone human skin cells, it seems strange that companies and scientists would continue to test on animals. Why would a scientist test a new lotion on a mouse, when it can be tested on human skin without causing injury or stress to a mouse or a human? Many of the cosmetic products tested on animals could be tested using the human skin model tests are now in use, including the validated EpiDerm™ test, which has been accepted almost universally as a total replacement for skin corrosion studies usually done on rabbits. Skin removed during human surgical procedures can also be used for various chemical testing. There are so many questions that could be asked and so many answers left unknown.

In addition to the reasons why animal testing is wrong on an ethical level, there are also other reasons why animal testing should not be done. There are other alternatives that could be used to conduct the same experiments and receive the same or even better, more accurate results. There are many alternatives to animal testing including using human skin. Human skin seems to be a better testing item for products that will actually be used on human skin and not animal.

There is a never-ending list of reasons as to why animal testing should be banned. I have shared only a few of these reasons. Some factors supporting a world without animal testing include the fact that these animals are helpless and cannot defend themselves, animal tests are frequently inaccurate, most tests using animal subjects are strictly cosmetic, it is not required by laws of any sort, and there are plenty of other alternatives to animal testing. In general people do not support animal abuse in the home or on the street, so why would it be okay in a lab? These labs treat the animals with cruelty. The facts are here and the only question left is whether or not a new wrinkle cream or mascara really justification for the life of an animal.

Project as of Week 8 Cancer Story Part One

Part One

I could never be sure as to why this path was chosen for me but after months of feeling sorry myself I began to piece my life back together. Six months ago I had been made aware of my condition. I was not going to be okay. I had had my entire life planned out for me before this. I always knew the next step, what I was going to do next, and where it would take me. I was nineteen years old, halfway through my freshmen year of college when I found out. I had always done well in school but it wasn’t always my priority. I didn’t have many friends and school was my outlet. I always enjoyed my classes and wished they would never end. My professors became my friends; I could talk to them.

Things used to be different, though. Teachers didn’t used to be my only friends. I was popular when I was in high school, an athlete. I had been on the soccer team at Westwood High. Life was different then, it was fun. I found out shortly after starting my first year at college that I had cancer. I told no one. I didn’t need to be pitied. Life for me continued somewhat normally for a while, at least it appeared that way on the outside. I decided I would continue my first year of college, as to not cause immediate suspicion for my father. Even he was unaware of my secret battle. There was no need in worrying him yet.

My cancer was terminal and I knew I would die. I had suspected cancer for some time and I knew the symptoms. I had seen my mother slowly die of cancer years before. She died from lung cancer after years of smoking. For me, it was different. I had been aware of the possibilities of cancer and had spent my life avoiding various things believed to lead to cancer. I was even enrolled in medical school to study epidemiology- the branch of medical science dealing with the transmission and control of disease. I wanted to find a cure. Ironic.

They discovered the cancer in my lung, though it was not lung cancer. I had a tumor. It took several weeks for the doctors to figure out what, exactly, it was that I had. There had only been 67 people on in recorded history that had been diagnosed with what I had. All 67 had died as a result. I had been sick for a while. It hurt to breathe, but it wasn’t until I started coughing up blood that I saw medical help. They gave me an estimated three years to live.

Sometimes I wondered why I wasted the short time I had left in school, and then I remembered my father. Even though, I was attending school on the opposite side of the country, I was all he had left. Losing my mom had ruined him and I worried of his own health if I were to tell him about my suffering. He knew of my passion in school and would be worried if I were to suddenly withdraw. This is why I am determined to complete my first year of school, before telling my father I would to take some time off from school to experience the world and travel. This would not be a lie for I had always yearned for a life of excitement and wonder.

You may wonder my feelings about my disease, if I am scared, but the truth is I am content. I wasn’t always okay, knowing I would barely make it passed the age of 21. Most kids spend their lives waiting for their twenty-first birthday; I dreaded the thought. Time was my enemy. Six months ago, when the doctors informed me of the news, I went into a depression. I was selfish, wondering why this had to happen to me. I now realize how sick it was of me to feel that way, how I could wish my suffering upon another person. I had accepted my fate. Now I try to look at the positive side. I consider myself lucky to have been given three years. My mother had but two short months after she found out. I am thankful that I was given a timeline. At least I will have the opportunity to seek out my dreams, to travel, and say goodbye to my loving father, to let him know how much I care. Like I said, I told no one about this disease-and I mean literally not a person. The people at school don’t know and it will continue this way until I die. I am certain they think I am crazy after seeing me fly out of class on various occasions, not knowing why. They have seen the pain and agony on my face. They wonder why I don’t talk to anyone and why I am always alone. It’s entertaining, really, to see the way they look at me when I walk into the large lecture room.

I am not treating my cancer. It is terminal either way. Doctors tell me chemo could buy me some time, but even they don’t know. They also tell me, it could speed up time, make me sicker, but I knew this already. There was little they could tell me that I didn’t already know.

Project as of Week 9- Cancer Story part 2

Part Two

I made the decision to carry on with my life, or at least what I had left of my life. For no longer would I be this sad, sick boy. I mean, I guess, I’d still be sick-but no longer sad. I was going to continue my last semester at UP, or University of Pennsylvania. There were only a couple short months left and then I would be free to live out my other, short-term dreams.

For now, I was still relatively healthy, considering, but I knew it was only a matter of time before more of the symptoms really kicked in. Because there had only been 67 people diagnosed with what I had, it was impossible to be certain as to what would happen to me. Most of the 67 lived fairly normally up until about the last month or two, when the disease released its fury at full force. I knew almost all one could know about cancer. Most of it I learned on my own. After my mom had died, I found myself spending my free time at the library, studying the disease. Some of it, though, I also learned in school.

Try to think of a type of cancer. Any kind. I guarantee I could give you its medical name, the symptoms, treatment options, and an estimated timeline. I knew everything about cancer, but little about my specific type. The problem with what I have is that it is so new and so uncommon that it hasn’t even been given a name. I’m sure you could guess that for a cancer with no name, there is also no information. All the doctors know is that I had an estimated three years to live, about two and a half now, but even that can’t be known for sure. They only know what they have seen from the past 67.

title: User:Kyellebrodie


text:
User talk:Gun Powder Ma

 Hello Gun Powder Ma, and welcome to Wikiversity! If you need help, feel free to visit my talk page, or contact us and ask questions. After you leave a comment on a talk page, remember to sign and date; it helps everyone follow the threads of the discussion. The signature icon in the edit window makes it simple. To get started, you may

 * Take a guided tour and learn to edit.
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 * Read an introduction for teachers and find out how to write an educational resource for Wikiversity.
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And don't forget to explore Wikiversity with the links to your left. Be bold to contribute and to experiment with the sandbox or your userpage, and see you around Wikiversity! If you're a twitter user, please follow http://twitter.com/Wikiversity. --Gbaor 08:50, 19 January 2010 (UTC)

 Woof! My name is Jack Russell. I am a dog and a Wikiversity mascot. I am pretty new around Wikiversity. Perhaps we can learn together! Tail wag...

RfD
Please find a reason for deletion at your RfD nomination before it is removed for lacking one. Ottava Rima (talk) 19:32, 18 January 2010 (UTC)

Note
Off colored commentary like that is not appropriate for Wikiversity, especially as these are educational resources that are sometimes accessed by children. The comment is also inflammatory and not conducive to a learning environment. Please do not make such comments in the future. Ottava Rima (talk) 19:35, 18 January 2010 (UTC)
 * I won't as I am leaving anyhow, but please don't speak of "educational resources". I have seen none here, at least not in the jingoistic 'comparison' article some users worship as the second coming of writing. Regards Gun Powder Ma 01:43, 21 January 2010 (UTC)

title: User talk:Gun Powder Ma


text:
User:Egm6341.s10.Team4.nimaa&m

Welcome to Nima Afshar-Mohajer wiki page.

Please find my work on

 * Homework1 due by 27 January 2010.
 * Homework2 due by 10 February 2010.
 * Homework3 due by 17 February 2010.
 * Homework4 due by 03 March 2010.
 * Homework5 due by 24 March 2010.
 * Homework6 due by 07 April 2010.
 * Homework7 due by 21 April 2010.

The probable latest archived versions of our homework submissions can be found at:

 * Team4

Course EGM6341 Numerical method 1
 * [EGM6341] Numerical method 1

title: User:Egm6341.s10.Team4.nimaa&m


text:
User:The22

just starting here.

but for now I am... mainly intersted in history and cell biology, mayby i'll go to partical physics when I will have time (which sadly seldom happens)

- the22

title: User:The22


text:
User:Tessabudny

Humanities I/The Commons
=Humanities I/The Commons=

title: User:Tessabudny


text:
Byzantine Empire

The Byzantine Empire directly succeeded in the Ancient Roman Empire, and while it was originally the eastern half of the early Roman empire, at times it controlled most of the coastal regions of the Ancient Roman empire. The empire had endured the crusades and plagues, the Mongol invasion and the eternal war which raged in Europe during the medieval times.

Diocletian to the fall of the Western Empire
The Roman Empire had been divided by the emperor Diocletian, who created two empires—the Western and the Eastern. The Empire was rejoined and divided a few times through the 4th century, but the final division came in 395. The Western Empire was doomed to fall to the Barbarian hands, but the Eastern Empire sustained its freedom due to the strong battlements on the Danube and the fact that any Barbarians who crossed the Danube could be more easily defeated by the Byzantine armies or bribed by the immense treasury of the Eastern Roman Empire. In 476, the Barbarian warlord Odoacer became king of Italy and this was the end of the Western Roman Empire.

Justinian
In the 6th century, a Byzantine emperor called Justinian captured many of the key lands that had belonged to the Western Roman Empire. This resulted in the Byzantine Empire reaching the size shown in the map below:

7th century-1204

After Justinian's expanded empire, the Byzantine Empire shrank significantly due to various problems, including the Islamic conquests. These conquests brought formerly Byzantine holdings under Muslim control and ultimately led to many of the Muslim countries that exist today. However, in the form of what's now Greece, along with Asia Minor (now Turkey), the Byzantine Empire was able to survive, reaching the extent shown in the diagram in 1025, before Crusades and more Muslim advances would result in the first fall of the Byzantine Empire. A crusade at the end of the 11th century captured lands for Christianity as far south and east as Jerusalem, although Jerusalem did not become a part of the Byzantine Empire at this time.

1204-1453
In 1204, the Crusaders conquered Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, and therefore the Byzantine Empire no longer existed. However, in 1261, Byzantine was recaptured and the Byzantine Empire was revived. However, the Ottomans eventually captured Constantinople in 1453 AD, and the Byzantine Empire fell for its final time.

title: Byzantine Empire


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User:ScottS~enwikiversity

=Analytical Writing=

Statement of Intent
 I firmly believe that knowledge of the past can help us deal with the issues of today, even if only to give us the chance to learn from the mistakes of those that came before us and with that in mind I'd like to do some research on the history of the film industry and it's cultural importance throughout the 1900s to today. I've always been a little interested in video production and now that big camera companies such as Canon are making professional quality cameras that can be used for either still photography or video. I think it would be worth while to do some research not only into where video and filmmaking began but also where it is heading and the cultural impact it has had in the past and continues to today, especially as photography and video have become more and more intertwined with each other. I was kind of thinking about separating this paper into several smaller papers, similar to the chapters of a book so that each chapter covers an essential portion of the subject. That way I could do a few pages a week rather than one huge paper throughout the duration of the class. I feel more confident in my writing in this way and I think my writing will be the better for it.

left text

Overview
Through this class I hope to find out at least a little something about the video and film industry, where it is heading as it becomes more intertwined with still photography, and maybe even how it could affect my future as a still photographer either for the better or for the worse. I also hope to improve my writing abilities some more as well as my research capabilities.

Rationale
left text Through this class I hope to find out at least a little something about the video and film industry, where it is heading as it becomes more intertwined with still photography, and maybe even how it could affect my future as a still photographer either for the better or for the worse. I also hope to improve my writing abilities some more as well as my research capabilities.

Publication

Schedule

 * 1) week 2: Brainstorm for Ideas
 * 2) week 3: look up sources for history of film
 * 3) week 4:start writing history of film
 * 4) week 5: countinue writing history of film
 * 5) week 6: edit history of film
 * 6) week 7: Start Video V. Photo
 * 7) week 8: Countinue Video V. Photo
 * 8) week 9: Final Edits For both
 * 9) week 10: Final Copy of Both posted

Anticipated Problems

Week 6 Project Review

After Week 6

 * Film history - arising from photography
 * Current conflict/intersection between photography and video and Your own developing opinions

Film History

As in photography, films throughout the years have chronicled the changes in America. Due to this as well as the recent changes in camera technology I became curious about film or video. In recent years the major photographic brands such as Canon and Nikon have begun to assimilate video or film and still photography. This assimilation of two such mighty tools of mass media aroused my curiosity as to how still photography and motion pictures have affected each other. Therefore, in order to get a better understanding of how photography and motion pictures are linked I decided to start out my search for information by investigating a little bit of the history behind motion pictures or video and then contrasting it to the history behind photography. The experimentation into motion pictures began with the motion photography experiments and invention of the Zoopraxiscope created by Eadweard Muybridge. Muybridge's motion photography experiments were an amazing state of the art creation. The idea behind them was to show the leg movements of a horse while running. This feat was accomplished through the development of an improved shutter speed developed by Muybridge and a series of cameras lined up along a race track, so that when a horse galloped down the track each camera would go off as the horse passed the camera. Through these experiments, Muybridge was able to freeze each movement of the horse as it galloped past the camera. The end effect is very much like what a flip book would look like if you were to take each page out and set them up side by side. In order to exhibit his motion photography Muybridge invented the Zoopraxiscope. Now I have no doubt that most people have seen and likely even played with a Zoopraxiscope in one form or another as a child. In its most basic design a Zoopraxiscope is a series of photos of a moving subject, where each picture depicts a different part of the subject's movement, which when put on a cylinder of paper and spun like a top while being viewed through a slit between two pieces of paper, ends up looking a bit like a spinning flip book. Having found out how motion pictures started off I decided the next step should be the birth of modern motion pictures, or perhaps not so modern in today's world. Modern motion pictures came about due to the progress made by such innovators as George Eastman, Hannibal Goodwin, Louis Lumiere, and none other than the great Thomas Edison himself. I guess you could say that the innovation toward modern motion pictures started with George Eastman, who together with W. H. Walker invented a holder for a roll of gelatin layer coated photographic paper. A great improvement in comparison to the single-shot coated glass plates previously used in still photography. Although this method was still far from ideal since each image recorded on the paper rolls could not be replicated in more prints like glass plate negatives. So what does this have to do with motion pictures? Nothing on its own, but when combined with the invention of nitrocellulose film, the first transparent and flexible film invented by Hannibal Goodman in 1887, you have the basis for the invention and use of none other than thirty-five millimeter film. The invention of the first portable motion picture camera by Lumiere and the invention of the kinetoscope as well as the Vinetophone, early motion picture exhibition devices, invented by Edison provided the need for thirty-five millimeter film. Most of Edison’s motion picture inventions only used thirty-five millimeter film. Thirty-five millimeter film is probably one of the most useful film sizes ever invented because not only was it used in motion picture cameras, but after Kodak adapted their cameras for the new thirty-five millimeter film, it became an industry standard for most types of still photography as well. This new state of the art film and the invention of the single-lens reflex camera, invented by Thomas Sutton, brought about the "golden" days of photography, especially photojournalism, and the creation of the film strip and motion picture shows, although motion picture shows, or the movies as we call them today, didn't really take off until a bit later on. While still photography took a while to reach its height in the days of film negatives, when compared with the growth of the film industry in the 1900s, its progress looks like the pace of a tortoise when compared to a hare. Despite the speed of this fast growth industry motion pictures didn’t really start cooking until the 1920s. This was when the big production companies began emerging, companies such as MGM, Warner Brothers, and RKO. This was the pre-sound era of motion pictures which existed between WWI and the Depression. Studios emerged and the studio actor came with them. As motion pictures became more popular studios started adding sound tracks via live music right there in the theater and later even added spoken scripts that synced up with the movies. While the film industry was a major development during this time still photography still held sway as an invaluable form of mass media communication, documentation, and advertisement. The growth of the country sparked a growth in ideas concerning business and morals. This growth of business ideas lead to more prolific use of both still photography and motion pictures in new ways. The mid 1930s-1940s saw the creation of color film. Although the first permanent color photograph had already been created in 1861 by James Clerk Maxwell, color film didn’t become an affordable or viable option for commercial use until the 1940s. At first the general public was indifferent to color imagery, but as color film processes improved and became more affordable, more and more films were filmed in color after World War II. This shift towards the preferred use of color film had the same impact on all types of photography as well. By the end of the 1960s color film was the preferred type of film for both motion pictures and still photography. Color film continued to be the preferred type of film throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and part of the 1990s. The next great innovation in still photography and motion pictures was the digital camera. The technology used in digital cameras evolved from the same technology used to record television images. The beginning of this technology can be traced all the way back to 1951 with the creation of the first video tape recorder (VTR), which captured live images from television cameras then converted the information into electrical impulses and saved it on a magnetic tape. During the 1960s NASA used digital signals with their space probes to map the surface of the moon. Computers were also innovated during this time allowing NASA to enhance the images coming back from their space probes. There you have a basis not only for kind of digital images but also computer enhancement of digital images that we use today. The government also began using digital image technology for their spy satellites. In the mid-1970s Kodak began inventing some solid-state image sensors that converted light into digital images both for professional and home consumers and in 1986 Kodak created the first megapixel sensor. This was capable of recording 1.4 million pixels and produced a 5x7-inch digital photo print. From this point on digital image technology would continue to grow as more and more companies continued to develop digital cameras both for still photography. Today most point and shoot fixed lens cameras have a video option in their menu and all cell phones have a small camera inside that can capture both video and still images. As far as professional commercial 35mm cameras are concerned, the two most used brands by professionals are Canon and Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon have recently begun developing and selling digital SLR cameras with high definition video built into the camera, allowing professional photographers to shoot video as well as still photography and videographers to do vice versa. Videographers also got the added benefit of the various lens options and focal lengths used in commercial photography for use in their videos. Wherever video or still photography is going, I believe they will continue to influence and affect one another. As evidenced in history I think that an innovation of some sort in one of these mighty industries of mass media will transfer over into the other. As the motion picture industry was born from experiments in still photography so will the two industries continue to influence each other thereby bring the two closer and closer together, continuing to expand each other not only in their respective fields but also expanding themselves into each others fields.

left text Bibliography Rosenblum, Naomi. A World History of Photography. Fourth Edition. 1. New York, NY: Abbeville Press, 2007. 249-250. Print. Rosenblum, Naomi. A World History of Photography. Fourth Edition. 1. New York, NY: Abbeville Press, 2007. 259-261. Print. Rosenblum, Naomi. A World History of Photography. Fourth Edition. 1. New York, NY: Abbeville Press, 2007. 280. Print. Bellis, Mary. "The Kinetoscope." About.com: Inventors. About.com Guide, 2010. Web. 23 Mar 2010. <http://inventors.about.com/od/kstartinventions/a/Kinetoscope Bellis, Mary. "Eadweard Muybridge." About.com: Inventors. About.com Guide, 2010. Web. 23 Mar 2010. .

Photography V. Video

On January 12, 2010 I started out my Winter Quarter at the Art Institute of Seattle with a feeling of excitement and dismay. Excited about my Business of Photography, Photography Critique, Contemporary Art and Design, and Analytical Writing classes, but dismayed because of my Fundamentals of Video class. I wasn't dismayed because of who the instructor was, Ben Kerns who is a great teacher and an all around good person, but because of the content of the class in question. I was, to say the least, a bit dubious about the usefulness of what I'd learn in this class and, at the time, was not at all interested in multimedia art or video. I remember thinking that photography and video were two different disciplines that had very little to do with each other.

The first day of class, Ben Kerns, the instructor, was sitting nonchalantly at the front of the classroom surrounded by various types of video and audio equipment. I felt my spirits drop as I took my seat and took a closer look at the bulky old video cameras on their equally bulky tripods. Then Ben stood up and, while facing the class, said "A video is nothing more than an entire series of photographs shown in sequence at 30 frames per second." I had never thought of a video as simply a series of photographs before. This statement started me to thinking that perhaps video and photography weren't that different after all. He then went on to describe how each of the video cameras worked and how we wouldn't be using any of those old cameras in this video class because the photo cage, where I work, got a few of the new Canon 5D Mark II digital SLR cameras, which have an HD video mode. The Canon 5D Mark II is Canon's newest 35 mm sized optical sensor digital SLR camera. This camera stands out as the first digital camera to shoot both photography and High Definition (HD) video. As Ben went through the motions of showing the class how to operate the 5D Mark II the class conversation shifted towards the subject of how video and photography are slowly combining and what this means for photography. However, my Fundamentals of Video class isn’t the only place where I’ve been discussing the assimilation of photography and video. The Photo Cage, where I work, has also been talking about a future combination with the video cage, optimistically being called the “Super Cage,” and there has even been talk of the photography and video programs themselves being combined as well.

As the weeks have gone by I’ve learned through my video class, work, and my own initiative that the assimilation of video and photography is a much bigger issue in the photography industry than I initially thought. There are mainly two sides to the subject that photographers tend to take. One is that they embrace the combination of audio, video, and photography as making photography as a whole better and the other is that the combination of the two powerful forms of mass media will be a train wreck because they are two completely different disciplines. An article on digitalphotopro.com called Will Video Kill the Still Photography Star? by Louis Lesko (freelance photographer, director, and writer) discusses the pros of video and photography combining. He believes that it's going to open up the photography industry to a new level of professional skill sets and help set professional photographers apart by making professional photography more about skill than about luck or access to digital equipment. A similar article called The Convergence of Still Photography & Video on luminous-landscape.com by photographer James Russell goes along the same lines as Louis Lesko's article about embracing digital imagery in all its forms and functions while also elaborating how the two might come to depend on one another. Then there's the opposite side of the spectrum which, in this case, will be exemplified in an article on blogs.creativecow.net called Video VS Still Images by Jaki Schklar (long-term professional photographer, director, and videographer) who favors still images as having a stronger impact than video. Jaki maintains that the motion of video allows videographers to get away with inferior imagery in their video clips. Whereas a photographer is more focused on the composition and lighting of their imagery because they only get one shot with nothing to distract the viewer from the content of the image.

Whether or not photographers are actually better at composing and lighting than videographers seems debatable. Personally I've seen some nature documentaries where the imagery portrayed in the video clips beat out most still images taken by a nature photographer. My video instructor Ben Kerns is a professional photographer and videographer that started out as a photographer and then took an interest in video later on. He says that the best videographers have some training as a photographer. I tend to agree with this because photographers do generally have more training in lighting and composition, but it's not necessarily a universal truth. I believe that a skill in one of the two mediums transfers over to complement and enhance the other.

Whether or not the combination of video and photography ends up being a train wreck is anybody’s guess, only time will tell. I, however, prefer to believe that this mighty assimilation of art mediums and mass media tools will only open up more doors for myself and other photographers rather than closing them. Already this assimilation is just in its infancy and photographers of all types are making use of it to enhance their work. Whether it be photojournalism, fashion photography, or product advertising photography, they all have something to gain by this assimilation. Perhaps this view of mine is a bit optimistic, but I would rather be optimistic and have things turn out to be a train wreck rather than be skeptical and miss the chance to be an innovator in my field of study.

Bibligraphy

Schklar, Jaki. "Video VS Still Images." blogs.creativecow.net. blogs.creativecow.net, 4 July 2007. Web. 20 Mar 2010. .

Russel, James. "The convergence of Still Photography & video." luminous-landscape.com. luminous-landscape.com, 2010. Web. 21 Mar 2010. <http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/convergence.shtml>.

Lesko, Louis. "Will Video Kill The Still Photography Star?." digitalphotopro.com. Digital Photo Pro, 2010. Web. 22 Mar 2010. <http://www.digitalphotopro.com/business/will-video-kill-the-still-photography-star.html?start=2>.

title: User:ScottS~enwikiversity


text:
User:Egm6341.s10.Team4.roni/HW1

HW1

Prob 1 - [[media:RP_HW_1_1_1.png|Page1]] [[media:RP_HW_1_1_2.png|Page2]] [[media:RP_HW_1_1_3.png|Page3]] [[media:RP_HW_1_1_4.png|Page4]] [[media:RP_HW_1_1_5.png|Page5]]

Prob 2 - [[media:RP_HW_1_2_1.png|Page1]]

Prob 3 - [[media:RP_HW_1_3_1.png|Page1]] [[media:RP_HW_1_3_2.png|Page2]] [[media:RP_HW_1_3_3.png|Page3]] [[media:RP_HW_1_3_4.png|Page4]]

Prob 8 - [[media:HW_1_8.pdf|PDF file]] [[media:HW_1_8_1.png|Page1]] [[media:HW_1_8_2.png|Page2]] [[media:HW_1_8_3.png|Page3]] [[media:HW_1_8_4.png|Page4]] [[media:HW_1_8_5.png|Page5]]

Prob 10 - [[media:RP_HW_1_10_1.png|Page1]]

Prob 11 - [[media:RP_HW_1.11.1.png|Page1]] [[media:RP_HW_1.11.2.png|Page2]]

title: User:Egm6341.s10.Team4.roni/HW1


text:
User:JasmineJ

=Analytical Writing=

Statement of Intent
This quarter I intend to make my future obtainable, by finding a common balance between fashion and social work. When I started at the Art Institute a few years ago, I wanted a career in Fashion, so I took up Fashion Marketing. At the time I wanted to travel and be a buyer in New York, or Paris. Now that I have a one year old son, and graduation is upon me, I have a different perspective on life. In a year or so I plan on going to a University and majoring in Sociology. I hope in time I can combine both of my degree’s and start a program for youth, young mothers, or homeless women. I will use this quarter to research more in depth about sociology. Social work is something I find fascinating because you are giving back to your community. You can empower someone to make better decisions about their mental, emotional, or physical health. Without the help of a social worker I wouldn’t have found an affordable apartment, or resources for affordable childcare. A lot of youth, young mothers, and homeless women are struggling, without the available resources to get them back on their feet. I want to make resources available for women, by combining both my knowledge of fashion and social work, to teach women how to apply for jobs, dress work appropriate etc. One of my goals this quarter is to become more familiar with sociology and how I can use it to inspire myself and other women. I want to leave this class with a better outlook on my future goals, a plan, and hopefully a portfolio project in mind. I believe this class can be the compass that points me in the next direction.

Schedule

 * week 1-Brainstorm Topic work, on Statement of Intent.
 * week 2-Statement of intent due, brainstorm topic ideas.
 * week 3-Pick a topic, sign up for a workshop.
 * week 4-Begin research on topic.
 * week 5 compose outline.
 * week 6 begin writing paper, midterm project assessment due.
 * week 7-continue working on paper.
 * week 8- revise paper.
 * week 9- finish paper.
 * week 10-bring writing to the public, individual meetings.
 * week 11-final reading.

Anticipated Problems
I'am concerned about time I will have to work on my paper. Between working 40hrs a week, taking care of my 1 year old son, and my online class, I have a full load. I also worry about my topic, I have an idea about what I want to research, but iam having trouble narrowing my topic down. I have a few obstacles to overcome this quarter, but with patience and determination, no matter what happens,everything will work out fine.

Week 6 Project Review
Entering the sixth week I honestly haven't even began to start my paper. Honestly I was stumped. I wasn't quiet sure where I was going to go with this paper. I had endless possibilities.I knew one thing, and that was that I wanted to do something that would benefit my future. After talking with my professor, he gave me a few ideas that I believe will navigate my paper(s). I'm going to start with a 1500 word personal essay about my experience with social work. I grew up in subsidized housing with my mom, and brother so it shouldnt be difficult.The tough part will be triggering ill memories from my past. I will bring that forward with the birth of my son, how social work has helped me, and how I hope I can give back to my community. The second 1500 word piece, will be on social work/fashion, and non profit organizations helping homeless women become work ready.I'm excited to work on this paper, it is the field I want to go into and I believe it will be very inspiring. My goal at the end of the quarter is to combine the two papers.

Before Or During Week 6

 * Personal Essay: Social work and social workers (1500 words)
 * Combination of fashion / Social Work (1500 words)
 * Dress for Success
 * Looking into the future--possible life/career paths

Project
Growing up in a low income, broken home, I have had my share of humbling experiences. I grew up in a small Christian household, consisting of my mother, brother and I. My father never lived more than two blocks away, that of which I will always be thankful for. My personal story isn’t easy for me to remember because as a troubled youth I blacked a lot of it out, choosing to opt of my childhood memories, good or bad. As a child I dealt with a lot emotional abuse from my mother, due to alcoholism, and mental instability. My mother always had insecurities growing up in a home where she was adopted; she longed to meet her biological family. Her biological mother died giving birth to her, and her father didn’t believe the child was his. I believe my mother began a constant mental decline beginning the eve of New Years, 1989. I as a four year old, and my brother two, witnessed a domestic dispute between our two otherwise loving parents. Although I can’t quite remember the actual fight between my mother Teresa Jackson 29, and my father William Jackson 29, my mother has told me on occasion that I intervened with the words “Stop hitting my mom.” Eventually the police took my father to jail, and the very next day, my mother decided to leave my father. My mom was referred to the National Domestic Violence hotline, which in turn referred her to local counselors, shelters, and emergency assistance. My mom is a Social and Human Services graduate from Seattle University, so finding resources to get us back on our feet wasn’t the issue. Coping with loneliness and isolation was her main obstacle. At the time we were living with my mother’s adopted mother, Georgia Rickman in the central area of Seattle. My mother had been working with a social worker that had given her state resources to help find affordable, low income housing, because without my fathers income my mom couldn’t afford the house note. Something of which is common when families are going through divorce. Along with housing resources, we were also provided healthcare, food stamps, and childcare. Without the help of a family service social worker we wouldn’t have been able to start over.

title: User:JasmineJ


text:
User:JeremyCathey

=Humanities I/The Commons=

title: User:JeremyCathey