Biology: A quick lesson on cells (Cartoon)

The Plastic Bag Problem

We begin this blog with a heroic tale...

Earlier this week my mother and I voyaged to the grocery store in search of house-hold provisions. Bringing reusable bags into the store had not occurred to me until the checkout counter was upon us, and alas! Twas too late.

Fortunately, my mother had brought within her purse a single reusable bag, though this was surely not sufficient for our desired foodstuffs. The lady at the checkout counter proceeded to bag the remainder of our goods with non other than plastic bags!

Overcome with a surge of environmental righteousness, I intervened. Rejecting the bags, we instead placed each item individually into the cart, whereupon they were transported to our automobile, and eventually to our home.

Don’t worry folks, crises averted. Though the environmental impact of not taking those three plastic bags was relatively small, so was the additional effort required, and I’m willing to do it again every time. Bringing reusable bags is certainly the way to go, but when forgotten, the individual transportation of items is usually not too difficult, (since we have shopping carts and cars to cover the distance.) Plastic bags are not intolerable in every situation, but most of the time they are unnecessary, wasteful, and can be easily avoided.

The manner in which we use plastic bags is infuriating. Do you realize what goes into making a plastic bag? We drill deep into the earth and extract the nonrenewable resources; petroleum (thick, black oil) and natural gas. These materials get shipped to refineries, where they are melted down, broken apart, combined with other materials, and then recombined into small pellets. The pellets go through the process of extrusion, where they are heated to 340 degrees Celsius, and pushed through a template. Then they’re flattened, cooled, cut to specifications, and printed on, before being shipped all over the world.

And what do we use them for? Getting groceries from the cash register to the car, and the car into the house. At times not even that! People will buy a candy bar and a soda, which they eat on the way out of the store, yet they insist on taking a bag, so that they can throw it directly into the trash. Once plastic bags reach the trash, they are shipped to landfills where they are destined to rot for... 500 years? 1000 years? There are different estimates.

Plastic bags are ridiculously wasteful, and most people don’t even realize it. Why would you take a bag for your soda and candy bar, which you eat on the way out? Because the bag is there, and its free, and before you can even consider where it’s come from and what you’re going to use it for, it’s already been filled by the cashier worker.

The accepted, established, norm is that plastic bags are a necessary part of daily life. The cheapness and availability of plastic bags allows them to be used without discretion, without hesitation, prompting unprecedented production, and unbelievable waste.

The plastic bag is not the enemy. It has its value, it has its time and place. But the way we use plastic bags is intolerable, irresponsible, and needs to change. Bring your own bags, and if you don’t have them, carry your own products! Be creative, be resourceful. Set an example for others. Put some effort into crafting a sustainable lifestyle, rather than submissively accepting what is convenient. We’re talking about tiny efforts too make a significant change. Plastic’s a problem, we can do better.

Carnival-Style Urination Games: What America Needs to Get Back on Track

Among the most pressing issues facing America today is our tremendous debt, currently looming around $14 trillion. Another issue? America seems to be quite depressed. A new study, sponsored by the World Health Organization interviewed nearly 90,000 people in 18 countries, and concluded that the US and France are the worlds most depressed nations.

So, we are deep in debt and thoroughly depressed... What can be done to address these issues? I think I may have a solution: Carnival-style urination games, (CSUG’s.) It is a bold and innovative idea, if I may say so myself, and it may be exactly what our nation needs to get back on track.

You know that carnival game you might find at an amusement park, the one where you race horses or cars by shooting water guns at a target? The more precisely you fire, the faster your racer moves...

Or maybe the game where you shoot water at a plastic ball, pushing it upwards, attempting to navigate the ball through some kind of maze? I feel these competitive and entertaining carnival games should be brought to the restroom, (specifically the male restroom. I’m not yet sure how to incorporate women into this revolutionary plan, but I’m working on it.)

I propose that carnival-style urination game stations (CSUGS’s) be established nationwide. Perhaps the federal government would oversee the operation, or perhaps the private sector. Once in a place, a man needing to urinate can simply enter into the nearest CSUGS, where he can pay a small fee to compete in a carnival-style urination game. If he is victorious, he will be awarded a prize!

Now, what will this accomplish? First of all, jobs. Think of all the jobs required to design, manufacture, install, and maintain the CSUG’s. And to clean the stations... oh man to clean the stations...

Surely, there will be tremendous revenue from all the people paying money to test their skill. Undoubtedly, America’s tourism industry will flourish, as people from around the world will want to experience this for themselves. Perhaps even the beverage industry will see some improvement, as people will be eager for another turn, and will want to equip themselves with more formidable water pressure.

Furthermore, these CSUGS’s will boost happiness and moral nationwide. How can America remain among the most depressed nations when we are constantly engaging in such an activity? An activity that promotes friendly competition among one another, and allows us to take a silly break amidst a busy day... who couldn’t help but smile and feel joyous at the proposition of playing games with wee-wee?

The installation of carnival-style urination game stations nationwide, would surely create jobs, produce revenue, and brighten up peoples lives. As of now, I feel with confidence that there is no better way to deal with the issues facing America. Only by reinventing the urination experience, can this great nation reach it’s fullest potential in the realm of prosperity and joy. (Well, at least half its fullest potential. The female version is still under development.)

Responding to the Terrorist Attacks in Norway

On July 22, 2011, Anders Behring Breivik carried out two back-to-back terrorist attacks in Norway. He killed 8 people in the bombing of government buildings, then proceeded to a camp on the island of Utøya, where he shot and killed 69 people, mostly teenagers.

His mission? To save his country and Western Europe from Marxism and Muslim domination. His actions can never be justified or tolerated, and they can be explained only as the result of xenophobic and narrow-minded hatred and fear, towards multiculturalism and change.

The way Norwegians have responded to Breivik is beautiful and inspiring. Their tolerance to other cultures has not been shaken, but reinforced, and their hearts have been filled not with vengeance but with love. More than 150,000 Norwegians gathered in Oslo to mourn those that were killed. “Tonight, the streets are filled with love,” said the crown prince. “We have chosen to meet hatred with unity.” Mayor Fabian Stang delivered the message, “We will come together to punish the killer...Our punishment will be more generosity, more tolerance, and more democracy.”

This is the greatest response I could imagine. It is the purest and noblest way to defeat Breivik, and honor those that were killed. Unfortunately, the surge of unity and righteousness quickly faded around the world, replaced by the kind of blame and polarization that influenced the Norwegian terrorist.

Breivik had been identified as a far-right christian extremist. Therefore, some have tried to place blame on these associated groups. Breivik had mentioned conservative bloggers in his writings, and therefore far-right philosophy is aligned with Breivik’s mass murder, right? Well, Breivik also quoted Gandhi and Mark Twain.

As for blaming Christianity, Bill O’Riley has voiced his declaration that “Breivik is not a Christian. That's impossible. No one believing in Jesus commits mass murder. The man might have called himself a Christian on the net, but he is certainly not of that faith.” Of course Christianity does not instruct people to commit heartless acts of terrorism, and anyone who thinks so has misinterpreted something in the religion. But the same applies to Islam, and it frustrates me that O’Riley’s argument never seemed to surface around Muslim terrorism. If it had, maybe Breivik wouldn't have been so opposed to Muslims in Norway.

We cannot blame this terrorist act on the far-right or Christianity. We can only blame the insanity and misconstrued extremism of an individual. To do otherwise would only promote more prejudice, hatred, and fear. The only effective way to address terrorism, is the way Norway has. To prosecute the individual, and then sing out for enhanced love, unity, and acceptance.

When you fight fire with fire, everyone gets burned. As fire can only be doused by water, hatred can only be doused by love. Patriotism toward your country, and sustaining your traditions, are certainly important things. But in a future of unprecedented connectivity, we cannot afford to simply fortify our own beliefs and condemn any others. Welcome what is different, discuss what is wrong. Terrorism is ineffective... Give peace a chance.

The Importance of Travel

I am currently residing in what may or may not be a distant and foreign land, (depending on the location of the reader.) The territory in question is named Gotland, and it is the largest island in Sweden. This place is not new to me; I’ve traveled here many times before.

Famous Gotland Raukar (funky rock formations)

My mother is from Sweden, and from this fact you might correctly infer that I have many relatives here. It has become customary for my family and my Aunt’s family to gather here on Gotland, at my Grandparents’ charming abode. This has occurred nearly every summer of my lifetime, but what separates this summer from the rest is my outlook on the expedition.

Previously, this has merely been a time to see the family, hang out, and play. This year, I’ve been trying to also utilize the opportunity to really learn about Swedish culture. You see, my game plan for life consists primarily of three things:

1. To understand as much as I can about what already exists
2. Apply that knowledge to somehow contributing to humanity
3. Have fun doing it

In the quest of understanding, a broad perspective is essential. And among the greatest ways to gain that perspective is through travel. I don’t mean traveling simply as a tourist set on sightseeing, but rather to immerse yourself in a foreign culture, and try to deeply understand the lifestyle of the people.

My cousin Corinna is excellent at this. She has spent the past year with her boyfriend Cameron traveling all across South America. Check out her blog, Ruta Surreal. I got to meet up with her for a couple weeks in Peru, and it was a fantastic experience. It’s fascinating, exciting, and important to see the way other people live, and in the past I’ve hardly paid any attention to all the cultural differences here in Sweden.

But this year, I’ve been trying much harder to do so, as I have found a new appreciation for the importance of travel. There are so many different people on this world, living so many different ways. The more we understand one another, the more capable we become of peace and of progress. It is surely human nature to fear the unknown, and common for violence to be driven by fear. And as each culture possesses their unique set of strengths and flaws, much can be gained by understanding others.

Only through the collaboration of different cultures can we create peace, end hunger, and finally conquer that pesky challenge of intergalactic travel. (Of course, at that point we’ll have to start the process all over again…) The greatest achievements of mankind will come with breaking down borders. We can start by at least traveling across them.

Poem: Failure

The realization of failure
Sickening, devastating
Feelings of sadness, remorse
Disappointment in self

Searching for the undo button
Doesn’t exist
No chance of reversal
No power over the past
Only the future
Push on into eerie darkness

Frustration now
Anger
Rebellion, Defiance
This system
Forcing you to fail

This isn’t right
Not honest, not fair
There’s criminals among us
Not guilty of legal misdoings
But criminals, just the same

Here, out there
My life, this world
Misplaced priorities
Purpose, cleverly eluded

Despite my best intentions
Despite my fullest efforts
Failure comes battling through
A crazy gunman, set on assassination

Hide, so as not to be a target
There’s safety in the crowd
Mindless idiocy, too
Frustration again

Scream? Cry?
Or keep turning the pedals
Open umbrella, and walk through the rain

Of course you continue
Of course this will pass
Gloomy, regardless
With good reason to be

For through ups and downs
This moment stays with you
A subtle reminder
Of the displeasing reality
And you’re changed

More skeptical, colder
Slower to laugh
The change is small, but existent
Sad, but imperative

For this world is so imperfect
And myself so greatly flawed
And while there’s beauty in imperfection
There’s pain and frustration, too

And I’m reminded of this
With each and every failure.

My new, old guitar

Just recently I purchased a new guitar off of Craigslist. I call it my new, old guitar because while it's new to me, the guitar is actually about 35 years old. It's a Yamaha g245 classical guitar, and it's way cool. I love it already. My guitar teacher is a big advocate of classical guitars, even if you don't play classical music. You can get a very decent classical guitar for super cheap if you buy it used, so I thought I'd give it a try.

Here's a quick jam I recorded.

The cool thing about classical guitars is they're comparatively small and really easy to play. They are equipped with nylon strings, rather than steel, making them easier on the fingers. I really like the tone of nylon strings as well. They don't make as big of a sound as steel, (they're not so great for shimmering open chords). But they do great with picking patterns, (which is a major purpose of classical guitars,) and I think you can get awesome sounds strumming or playing licks too, you just have to treat the guitar a little differently. Play a little softer.

The size of a classical guitar is really nice as well. It makes it easy to curl up on the couch or lay down in bed and strum on your guitar, which is something I was missing on my other acoustic. Also, the size makes it a little easier to travel with, which is one of the main reasons I got this guitar: to bring with me on my travels this summer.

One more thing I really love about this guitar is the wood. Guitars are apparently like cigars or wine in that they get better with time. When you get a new acoustic guitar you are required to humidify it to ensure the wood doesn't crack. Over time, the wood settles into a cured state, and you don't have to do this anymore. Also, older guitars are often made from better wood. There's wood that isn't available anymore, or only available in super expensive, high-end guitars, that is totally common in guitars from 30, 40 years ago. You can really tell the difference between quality, aged wood and brand new cheaper wood.

Buying used guitars is awesome as they're usually way cheaper, have better wood, and have had time for the wood to settle. And in the world of acoustic guitars, I think there's a lot to be said for a classical instrument.

Words to Live By #1

This post is the first in what I hope to be an enduring and insightful series: Words to Live by. Loose thoughts are constantly flowing through a person’s mind. The beauty and the importance of writing is that it forces someone to focus, and really determine what it is they want to say. Occasionally I have a thought which I’m able to craft into something a little more concise and catchy than the usual flow of scattered ideas. These thoughts stick with me, and become recurring themes in my life. I thought I’d start to share some of these ‘words to live by’ which have become important motto's to me. This is the first:

I have no regrets, only valuable, new experiences.

To explain this idea, I want to talk briefly about lucid dreaming. Dreaming fascinates me, especially lucid dreaming, which is the act of becoming conscious during your dreams. I’ve been reading through a very interesting book, Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming, which has a chapter about “the building of dreams.” The book describes two different scenarios for a hypothetical dream. They both place you in a dimly lit city street, where you see a nearby figure, but you can’t make out who it is.

In the first scenario, you think to yourself maybe it’s a criminal who wants to mug me. And sure enough, it is a criminal who wants to mug you!! You run screaming, it is very scary, and you wake up in a sweat. In the second scenario you think Maybe it’s my friend, who was going to meet me to watch a movie. And believe it or not, it is your friend! You have a great time at the movies.

The book explains that in your dreams, your thoughts become the reality. This made me think that it is beneficial to have a totally positive outlook on life, for at the very least, this will ensure you will have good dreams. If you make it your habit to always see the best in every situation, then if nothing else, at least your dreams will be enjoyable. And I’m fairly confident your life will be too.

So in the pursuit of a positive outlook I devised this motto: I have no regrets, only valuable, new experiences. Challenge yourself to apply it. Try to think of nothing as a waste of time, or a failed endeavor. We are constantly learning from everything we do, and there is something of value in every moment we live.