Current Event #9- Lumosity

Lumosity is a site that you visit to play games. Lots of people didn't know that you have to pay for this type of thing. It surprised me that it cost up to $15 a month, or $80 a year for full access. Some of these games really do help, but from some research done by Lauren Friedman, there was some disappointing news.

When you go to Lumosity and sign up, they give you some type of quiz to get a grip on what training you should be doing. You tell them what you want to work on, such as memory, and they provide games that enhance your memory.

Even though this sounds splendid, this actually has some downsides. Studies show that "adults that did use Lumosity found only mild improvement in visual attention," as stated by Lauren Friedman. I think you should get what you pay for. If people aren't getting the desired results, it's not worth it.

What is the author’s point of view, and how does it impact the overall effect of the text? Use evidence from the selection to support your answer.

I think the author believes that Lumosity is not the best choice to enhance brain performance. The author Lauren Friedman gives other ways to enhance brain performance by giving examples such as "exercise, reading, math, language learning, and crossword puzzles," which is very helpful considering that I can apply these to my daily life with no problem.

I think that I would never use Lumosity. It seems like a waste of time and money. Instead of waiting time and money, I could be doing the examples used in place of Lumosity mentioned by the author. This affects me because as a young person, I can look into this and think it is a good idea, but get cheated. 

Link to article

Citations:

Friedman, Lauren F. "Here's What You Really Get When You Pay To Play Brain Training Games."  

       Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 04 Feb. 2014. Web. 07 May 2014.

Fallesgon, Gritchelle. "Design & Illustration for Lumosity." Behance. Behance, n.d. Web. 07 May 2014.

Current EVent #7: Samsung Galaxy S5 Goes On Sale

Samsung has come out with the new Samsung Galaxy S5. The new phone take more that 200 dollars to build. Some say that the new HTC One is way better, and beautifully constructed compared to the new Samsung that is just loaded with new flashy features.

Even though the HTC One may be better, it does not compare in the "water resistance" category. The new Galaxy S5 can resist dust and being submerged under a meter of water for about thirty minutes.

The new Samsung Galaxy is also great on battery life. The battery is now two times bigger and can sustain about twenty-one hours of use without having to charge it. Also, if you're phone is near "death" or low battery but you are nowhere near a charger, this new phone has something called ultra power saving mode. Ultra power saving mode will make the life of your battery a bit longer until you can get to a charger.

There are many more things that make the S5 a way better phone than most. I think this phone will be bought out pretty quickly. It is light in weight, water resistant, and has a longer battery life.

What is the author’s point of view, and how does it impact the overall effect of the text? Use evidence from the selection to support your answer.

The author at first feels as though the HTC One is better, but then goes into detail about how many upgrades the new S5 has compared to the upgrades from the new HTC One by stating, "The Galaxy S5 is water- and dust-resistant and can last up to 30 minutes submerged in a meter of water." The author obviously likes the S5 a whole lot better. This impacts the overall effect of the text because if the author did not like the S5 there wouldn't be as many plus sides mentioned in this article about the S5. 

Article: http://money.cnn.com/2014/04/11/technology/mobile/samsung-galaxy-s5-review/index.html

                                       

                                   

Citations: 

Kelly, Heather. "Samsung Galaxy S5: Just A Slight Upgrade." CNN. Time Warner Company, 11 Apr.   

     2014. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. <http://money.cnn.com/2014/04/11/technology/mobile/samsung-galaxy-s5-

     review/index.html>.

Kimani, Kevin. Samsung Galaxy S5. N.d. Tech Trends Diary. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. 

     <http://www.techtrendsdiary.com/official-samsung-galaxy-s5-hands-video-price-kenya/>.

Colon Cancer Rates Are Decreasing. Current Event #6

Colon cancer rates are decreasing. In the year of 1985, there were 66.3 cases for every 100,000 adults. At first it was decreasing sluggishly but then started to decrease rapidly starting in the year 2010. Colon cancer began to decrease rapidly because more and more people each year were getting cancer screenings. Cancer screenings could catch most cases in their early stages, therefore, the doctors were able to treat the cancer with very limited issues. Doctor Otis Brawley states, "We find these precancerous lesions, remove them and 'voilà!' the patient doesn't get cancer", which clarifies that the cancer was ten times more easy to get rid of after screenings.

It is very crucial to regularly get cancer screenings just in case you do have cancer, they may have a chance of catching it early. Yes, this article tells us that adults fifty and older are more at risk for getting colon cancer which is based on studies. This really doesn't pertain to us teens that much, but you can still inform your parents and grandparents of this new finding.

What is the purpose for using quotations?
Quotations are essential because this kind of post is a health post that millions will see. Without real proof or evidence, no one will take something like this seriously. The best evidence you can give concerning this type of information, is quotes. This article provides quotes from a doctor...how much  better can that be. Doctor Otis Brawley states plenty of things in this interview, one of which makes this information plausible. Explaining how important the screenings are, Brawley states, "We actually have data that suggests this could save 15,000 to 20,000 lives a year." 15,000 to 20,000 lives are a lot of lives.

                                    

Citations:

Hudson, William. "Colon Cancer Rates Down." CNN. Turner Broadcasting System, 17 Mar. 2014. Web.         18 Mar. 2014.

"Colon Cancer Screening." Web log post. Gratitude Healing. WordPress, 17 Mar. 2014. Web. 18 Mar.          2014.

"Microsoft's Next Big Headache: The Google Chromebook" Blog Post #5

Google has created a new "laptop" named Chromebook. The Chromebook is a very cheap, small, and easy to use laptop. Chromebooks are the worlds next and greatest way for on-the-go work, or even play. There are many upsides to Chromebooks, but just like with all things invented, there are a few downsides. On a Chromebook, you can't download any kind of programs or games. Some people like Microsoft, but on the other hand, Google Documents replaces that!

Chromebooks are the next new thing, "Microsoft is freaking out about them," and they should be freaking out. "The PC is becoming less important for our daily needs." Chromebooks are now becoming basic necessities for business people because they can do everything and more than a laptop can do, but also fit in your purse or backpack.

What is the central idea of the passage and how is it developed and refined throughout the selection? Use evidence from the selection to support your answer. 

The central idea is just about how Microsoft feels about the Google Chromebook. The whole passage uses evidence to support pro's and cons to the Chromebook to prove where Chromebook places as a competitor against a regular laptop. In paragraph number six, the author of this article states, "Since the PC industry's growth has gone flatter than a map drawn in the Dark Ages, any faint trace of momentum is promising -- or terrifying, if you're Microsoft." This quote exemplifies how the Chromebooks are striking fear into Microsoft. Chromebooks are putting, or are going to put any kind of laptop company at risk for failure.

Covert, Adrian. CNN Money. "Microsoft's Next Big Headache." A Time Warner Company, 2014. Web. 13 March 2014.

Covert, Adrian. "Microsoft's Next Big Headache." Photograph. Money CNN. A Time Warner Company, 2014. Web. 13 March 2014.

Article

Current Event #4 Dead Man 'Wakes Up'

Walter Williams was pronounced dead Wednesday night in Holmes County, Mississippi. Coroners had him in a body bag, ready to embalm him. Right when they brought him into the room they use to embalm the dead, he began moving and kicking. No one really knows what happened, or how he is alive. Howard, the worker who had driven to Williams home to collect his body, checked his pulse."There was no pulse. He was lifeless," (Howard). How can someone just die, and a few hours later, come back kicking?!

What is the impact of using quotations?
Quotations are salient for this type of story, because you need proof. You can not just affirm that someone died, then came back to life. "We got him into the embalming room and we noticed his legs beginning to move, like kicking...he also began to do a little breathing" (Howard). A quote from someone who discovered that this man was alive, aids in making this story believable to the public.

I think this is really weird, but  I also think this it is fascinating! Once his family had found him deceased, he obviously had no pulse, or was not breathing. Unless you did CPR, you can't just come back to life. They make have done CPR, but this man aroused a day or two after he was pronounced dead. I think this is a really interesting story.

Citations:
McLaughlin, Elliot. "Dead Mississippi Man." CNN. Turner Broadcasting System. Web. 3 March 2014.

Women During The Holocaust

Women were treated as bad as men were treated, or worse during the Holocaust. Women were forced into beatings and even rape at times. Women were treated like dogs, really. During the holocaust, Jews female Jews were not the only people targeted. Sometimes, even Romas(Gypsy) were targeted.

Lots of women were beaten, and most of the time even murdered, but so were fetuses in the stomachs of these women. If you were a pregnant Jewish or Roma woman during the holocaust, you were either one; sent to the gas chamber, or two; forced to have an abortion if you got pregnant from a rape of an officer.

Lots of times women were transported back to where they came from without food or medical supplies. This most likely means that they were going to die anyways. If you were kept in the camp, you were most likely forced to do sexual things for things like food.

                                        
Article: http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/media_ph.php?ModuleId=10005176&MediaId=746



Citations: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. n.p. June 10 2013. Web. 20 Feb. 2014

Current Event #3 Web Drinking Challenge

Have you ever heard of the game "Neknominate"? This is a game that was formed in Australia, but is spreading throughout the whole world. This game consists of downing large amounts of alcoholic beverages at once, then nominating a different person to outdo you.

This may sound fun to some, but it is very very dangerous. Five men around age thirty have already suffered deadly consequences participating in this game. Some, if not most people think that Facebook is to blame for such a deadly game that millions are playing. The blame comes from the intensity of the viral spread of the videos.

How does the structure of the text refine and support the author’s claim? Use evidence from the selection to support your answer.

The structure of this text helps prove the authors point and claim. The most important way the author gets his claim through, is by using many quotes from different people concerning the event. When the author addresses the issue concerning that social media may have a huge effect in the event, he interviews a parent of a child who had participated in this deadly game. "I was cross with him but more cross with the social media involved and the way this game has just spread." This quote makes it easy to believe that social media is really playing a huge part.

This game should be a high concern for parents around the world. If this so called drinking game can put to rest a thirty year old, it can put to rest a teenager. Teens need to understand that drinking underage is against the law, and dangerous. It is even more dangerous when you drink excessive amounts in a short time!

                                  

Citations:

Delreal, Jose. "Drinking Game." Photograph. "Union Drinking Game."  Politico. Politico. 2014. Web. 2 Feb. 2014.

Wilkinson, Peter. "Neknominate." CNN. Turner Broadcasting System, 2014.  Web. 2 Feb. 2014. 

Current Event #2 No More Bieber Fever

As you may have heard, Justin Bieber, a huge teen sensational pop star, was arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana, alcohol, and Xanax. The police officer that pulled him over gave him a breathalyzer test. The legal BAL for those 21 and over is .o2. Justin blew a .11 and he isn't even 21 yet. In the police report, the fellow police officer stated, Bieber was "excited," "talkative," "insulting" and "cocky" and "used profanity," according to a intoxication evaluation. Bieber is getting very out of control by drag racing under the influence of alcohol and drugs, but that isn't the end of it.

After Justin's release from the Miami police department, he went home and in the same night he egged his friends home. The authorities were contacted, and Bieber was arrested. Bieber was then transported back to the police department and was given multiple drug tests which tested Xanax, marijuana, and alcohol. Of course, Justin tested positive for all. A Miami official stated, At the police station, Bieber failed a series of sobriety tests, including "horizontal gaze," "Romberg balance," "walk and turn," "finger to nose" and "one-leg stand" tests, the police report said. When Bieber was asked to estimate when 30 seconds passed, he failed by thinking a half-minute was over in 17 seconds, the report said. He had "great difficulty" completing the Breathalyzer test. He "continuously forgot basic instructions."  

Justin needs to be locked up for a long while so that American citizens are kept safe while on the roads. Just because he is famous gives him no right to break  the law. I don't think what people are saying about sending him back to Canada is the right decision. He should just be put in jail for his wrong actions, and maybe he will learn.





Duke, Allen. "Cocky, Justin Bieber..." CNN. Cable News Network, 30 Jan. 2014. 31 Jan. 2014.

Duke, Allen. "Cocky, Justin Bieber..." CNN. Cable News Network, 30 Jan. 2014. 31 Jan.
     2014. http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/29/showbiz/justin-bieber-toronto-arrest/index.html?hpt=hp_bn9

Current Events #1 Smokey Eye

For women doing a smokey eye can be difficult. The smokey eye is a very popular eye makeup style designed to look natural according to the color of your eyes. A smokey eye makeup design uses three different colors. To make a smoky eye look right though, you need to know how to do the perfect blending techniques using really light colors and really dark colors. I am going to take you step by step to making a perfect smokey eye!

The first thing to do before you put any kind of eye shadow on, is to put on you primer. Put the primer across your eye making sure it is thoroughly rubbed in. What primer does, is it keeps the eye shadow from melting into the crease of your eyelid.

Second, if you are going for a gray, black, or brown smokey eye you will want to apply eyeliner above your eyelashes in gray, black, or brown. Then smudge the liner in with you finger or with a brush as shown in the picture below. 

Next, take your lightest shimmery color and apply it over your lid to your brow bone.

Now, take your darker eye shadow, using an eye shadow brush, blend in the color starting at your lash line. When blending the eye shadow, make sure it blends so the eye liner disappears. Stop the darker color at the crease of your eye.

Finally, apply your mascara. Make sure you apply a few coats of mascara so your lashes are thick to make them noticeable. If you don't have long and naturally curled lashes, before applying your mascara, use and eye lash curler.

Now you can look amazing just by following a few easy steps. Enjoy!

Awele, Joyce. “Smokey Eye Makeup.” Photograph. Mystic Beauty. WordPress. 14 Sept.

2013. Web 20 Jan. 2014.

http://joyceawele55.wordpress.com/2013/09/14/smoky-eye-makeup-and-kissable-l

ips/

Derrick, Julyne.  “How To Get Smokey Eyes.”

About.com Beauty. About. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. “How To Get Smokey Eyes.”

Kent, Faye. “What’s Your Favorite Eye Shadow Base?” Photograph. Beautiful With

Brains. 24 Feb. 2011. Web. 20 Jan. 2014.

http://beautifulwithbrains.com/2011/02/24/qotw-whats-your-favourite-eyeshadow-b

ase/

Nidhi. “ How To Apply Mascara.” Photograph. Glam Check. GlamCheck. 2014. Web. 20

Jan. 2014. http://www.glamcheck.com/fashion/2011/05/26/how-to-apply-mascara/

“Step By Step How To Apply Liner.” Photograph. Covergirl. Proctor And Gamble. 2014.

Web. 20 Jan. 2014

http://www.covergirl.com/makeup-tips/eye-makeup-tips/eyeliner-tips/how-to-apply-

eyeliner

Val. “How To: Silver Smokey Eye.” Photograph. Val’s Closet. Blogger. 30 December

2010. Web. 20 Jan. 2014.

http://vals-closet.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.html