Is Technology Really Improving Our Lives?

Posted on October 14, 2013 by natalie.izquierdo

Living in a society filled with endless technology and new technology regularly coming out, how do we know what is actually useful to us? We are lead to believe we need all these new products and that they will enhance our lives making us more efficient and content. With a new phone coming out every few months and people waiting hours to get them the day of, I have to wonder is this actually helping us?

The ridiculous amount of money we spend on these products is absurd. People struggling to get by on their bills some how still manage to get these phones and tablets yet, can barely afford to pay rent each month. These products are more likely causing more stress then they supposedly relieve. In reality none of these products are that different from each other, yet each brand has a different price for the same thing. Even more so ten years ago there were no smart phones or tablets or apps, just a phone that if you were lucky had text and email. So why do people NEED these items so badly now, rather then save the money  for something else?

Although for some its tough to say no and not upgrade to the newest phone all the time, are these people better off not being addicted to their technological toys? When you walk around a public place its hard not to see everyone playing on their phones and tablet. What ever happened to using the phones if you needed to talk to someone then going about your daily lives?

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Wildlife Discovered: Side By Side or Caged Till Needed?

Posted on October 14, 2013 by iweezy

The video game Pokémon has bought joy to many children all over the world and has swept the nation in terms of handheld game system sold in today’s market. But one has to wonder whether or not there’s a hidden motive in the game to get children attention. Just two days ago video game developer Game Freak has release the newest iteration of the series dubbed Pokémon X & Pokémon Y. While the basic plot of these games hasn’t changed much over the years game freak still manages to include new types of animals in the game that carry a vast amount of abilities and powers.

Now the main question should be is it right for children to play a game that directly teaches them to physically harm animals, then imprison them and make them fight each other from time to time? Normally, most people would say it’s just a kid’s game an there’s nothing really to worry about. I beg to differ when one considers the games use the theory of evolution as the main explanation for these animals’ miraculous transformations into these even larger creatures. Although depending on the family beliefs/values some parents might be okay with the fact that the theory of evolution is constantly taught in a video game solely made for children. On the other hand, just think about how mad some people were when football player Michael Vick got charged with hosting dog fights in his house. Where do you suppose an idea like that comes from? One might consider the Pokémon video games as the possible trigger for why some children grow up becoming incredibly cruel to their animals or the wildlife in general. However, this doesn’t mean that Michael Vick got the idea for his “canine brawls” from Pokémon itself. But it does mean that this particular video game could be indirectly responsible for a quarter of the animal cruelty we see here in America almost every day.

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Smart Watches: The Future or Soon to be Distant Memory?

Posted on October 14, 2013 by gabriellemotto

In a world where technology is in a constant state of change, we are now being introduced to the concept of smart watches. Smart watches could change the way we think of watches, in the same way that smart phones have changed the way we view phones in general. In fifteen years, we have managed to go from huge, rugged, and slow phones to phones that are intricate and perform many different functions. With the emergence of smart watches, we can only imagine what these devices will be able to do in a few years. The only question now is whether or not these smart watches will become popular and accepted as something useful in our daily lives.

There are many cool features in these smart watches that I would love to experience for myself. The watches notify you when you receive emails, text, or calls. You can view the contact info and preview the message right on the watch. The watch also vibrates for alerts or alarms. The smart watches also have music controls to control your music on your phone right from your watch. The watch faces are customizable, so you can download faces that have been premade, or make your own. The battery lasts five to seven days even though the display always stays on. The watches are also waterproof. These are great features. The only problem that might prove critical to the survival of this product is the fact that not everyone uses a watch. Will this product entice people to wear a watch? I feel that many people will buy the product because it is new and everyone will want to see what these watches are all about. Will the product be successful? Only time will tell.

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Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins Preview

Posted on October 13, 2013 by jmoore524

With the bye week in the rear-view mirror having gone almost perfectly for the Dolphins (with the exception of a miraculous New England win against New Orleans), Miami looks forward to a home matchup against the Bills team who, while 2-4 on the season, has exceeded most pundits’ expectations. Buffalo has been competitive all season, losing by less than one score in all but one of their four losses, with a schedule that includes under the .500 mark.

The Dolphins look to bound back after a difficult loss against the reigning super bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. If the Miami are to get their fourth win and right their season, the offensive line needs to take full advantage of this bye week and come back a more cohesive unit. Buffalo boasts the third most sacks in the league with a pass rush that includes pro bowlers Mario Williams and Marcell Dareus. Meanwhile Miami’s offensive line is on pace to give up the most sacks of any unit in NFL history.

The Dolphins also look to get back one of the league’s best pass rushers in Cameron Wake and cornerback Dimitri Patterson who hasn’t seen game action since week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. The return of both players would be hugely valuable against a Bills team who is without first-round pick QB EJ Manuel. Practice squad call-up Thad Lewis performed admirably in his first NFL start against a vaunted Cincinnati Bengals defense but proved bothered in overtime, as he went three-and-out starting his only OT drive under the shade of his own goal post.

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Glee Says Goodbye to Cory Monteith

Posted on October 13, 2013 by laurenmioduchoski

One of the most shocking deaths this summer was of Cory Monteith, one of the stars of Glee, who was found dead in a hotel room back in July, fans of the show were devastated about the news of his untimely death and everybody, fan or not, wanted to know how the death will be dealt with on the show.

This past Thursday answered that question when Glee gave tribute to its fallen star. In the episode titled, “Quarterback”, Glee bid farewell to Monteith’s beloved character, Finn Hudson. While Glee usually features elements of humor, this episode featured very little humor and instead, many tearjerking and moments.

It was apparent that the actors on this show were in fact not acting but were saying goodbye to their friend and costar. The level of emotion, mainly sorrow, during this entire episode was truly at an all time high. There was not one moment throughout the episode where I didn’t have tears in my eyes.

Glee didn’t make the death of this character ‘soft’ and I’m glad that they didn’t just write his character off. By not giving this character a happy ending, the show demonstrated just how real and confusing death is. Glee could have easily falsified death but instead showed how death affects everyone differently, especially a sudden death.

Viewers may have not gotten the closure they wanted or hoped for, but there are times where closure doesn’t exist. We have to try our best to move and that’s exactly what Glee is hoping to do, move on. Cory Monteith/Finn Hudson may be gone, but they are definitely not forgotten.

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“Down” With the Stereotypical Homecoming King and Queen!

Posted on October 13, 2013 by stephaniemmuniz

Orlando broke the mold of the stereotypical homecoming court this year. Just outside of Orlando, West Orange High school crowned the very first Down Syndrome Homecoming King and Queen in the Orange county school district; the tenth largest school district in the nation according to The Orlando Sentinel. Semone Adkins and Travjuan “Bubba” Hunter were applauded Saturday October 12, 2013 by their classmates, teachers, and community members as well as police officers to congratulate the newly found homecoming king and queen.

Homecoming King, Bubba, is your typical high school student, he does well in school and has an amazing personality and is as polite as can be. From the support of fellow classmates, Bubba and his date Semone were crowned Homecoming Queen and King. Not only was Bubba well known and liked at West Orange High School, his date Semone put on a performance this past Monday at their schools talent show competition. Semone danced her heart out to Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” that would of made Beyoncé herself proud.

Semone and Bubba are role models for all special needs students in the nation. It’s a great thing to see students look past physical or mental disabilities and get to know one another  before they judge or label someone who might be different. West Orange proved that the typical blonde cheerleader or football quarterback don’t always take the crown. Students see Travjuan and Semone for their querky personality and not for their special needs. More students throughout the nation should have this mentality as well. Whether it be Down Syndrome or Autism, students should be valued for the contents of their heart rather than their superficial appearance.

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Toyota Working On Crash-Less Cars

Posted on October 13, 2013 by nlabosco

Throughout the years, the death toll is rising in pedestrians.  The goal is to try and lower the death toll, however, designing and testing cars that may help do that won’t hurt.  The car company, Toyota, is currently working on the possibility of car being able to sense where a pedestrian is and avoid it at all costs.  Ford has apparently begun the research as well.  This shows that this type of pedestrian-sensing technology will be available sometime in the future.  Although the new technology is still in the working phase, the system will be able to determine when someone is in front of the vehicle and try to avoid a collision or lessen the impact.  This is quite fascinating!  Most cars can be considered truly smart-cars nowadays with how much technology is available within them and to add on.  There are cars that can parallel park, sense objects that are close when in reverse, and even those that can send texts via bluetooth to your friends and family.

The Pre-Collision System uses sensors to scan the road in front of the vehicle.  If a threat is detected, an alert is issued.  The makers of the Pre-Collision System state, “If the likelihood of a collision increases, the system issues an audio and visual alarm to encourage the driver to take evasive action, and the increased pre-collision braking force and automatic braking functions are activated.”  The vehicle can also try and steer away from the pedestrian if the driver fails to react in time.  I’m curious to see how this unfolds because I do have a few questions about the technology.  How does the system take over if the driver fails to react in time and avoid other oncoming vehicles?  If this technology fails, it could be a burden on the death toll.

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A Ship Carrying Hundreds of Passengers Capsizes off of the Coast of Italy

Posted on October 12, 2013 by evannebersberger

A ship carrying hundreds of migrants capsized just off the coast of Lampedusa on Friday. The shipwreck occurred about 60 nautical miles south of the Italian island.

A military chase plane of The Armed Forces of Malta were the first to report the incident. They released a statement stating that around 4 p.m. local time, the ship “appeared unstable.” A few minutes later, the aircraft reported that the boat had capsized and many of its passengers were in the water.

The Maltese aircraft provided immediate assistance by dropping a life raft which authorities say rescued a significant amount of people. The Italian navy responded to the report by sending helicopters and boats to the scene. They were able to rescue at least 50 of the migrants.

Together, the Italian and Maltese forces were able to save about 200 of the estimated 250 passengers. CNN reports that survivors, many from Eritrea, used bodies to help keep them afloat. Unfortunately, at least 4 bodies have been found.

Authorities are still unsure of where exactly the ship came from. Lampedusa is the closest Italian island to Africa (only 70 miles away from Tunisia). This proximity has turned Lampedusa into a hub for hundreds of thousands of African refugees who want to enter Europe. Shipwrecks similar to this one happen frequently. However, the Italian coast guard says that, in recent years, they have been able to rescue more than 30,000 refugees around the island.

The United Nation’s human rights office is attempting to persuade the European Union to take actions to prevent future incidents such as this one, According to CNN, the human rights office has called upon authorities “to work to reduce migrant trafficking and address economic and security issues that have driven thousands of African residents to make the risky voyage to Europe in search of a better life.”

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Ten Ways To Know if You’re in The Friend Zone

Posted on October 10, 2013 by bosimpson

This is going to be written for guys that want to know if they are in a girls friend zone. Hope this can give you a clue on if the feelings are mutual or if she has friend zoned you. HINT ONE: If she replies “Awww thanks” to a compliment, she is politely asking you to return back to the friend zone you just tried to escape from. HINT TWO: If you invite her to come over your house several times and she always brings her friends. Don’t be a fool, she obviously doesn’t want alone time with you. HINT THREE: If you guys go out somewhere together and she just waves good bye at the end of the day when she’s leaving. Seriously, she just waved at you, it doesn’t get friendly then a good bye like that one.

HINT FOUR: If she calls you to vent about her crush/ex boyfriend. Warning! She is not into you, I repeat, she is not into you. HINT FIVE: If she introduces you to people by your name and then adds on “He’s like a brother”. No normal girl wants to date her brother, so chances are she doesn’t want to date you either, bro. HINT SIX: When she’s always playing around saying she loves you. No girl will play around and say she loves a guy if she’s into him, even as a joke; it would be too risky to ruin things in the girl’s eyes, however, with a friend zone guy, she won’t care.

HINT SEVEN: If she asks you to go to the mall with her to help her shop. This one is pretty bad, she’s practically saying she sees you like one of her girl friends. HINT EIGHT: If you get to her house and she’s in a robe with a green beauty mask on her face, run away, you never had a chance, EVER. HINT NINE: If she avoids being too close to you. Not only is she friend zoning you but she’s most likely just not attracted to you. HINT TEN: If she asks you for advice on how to get with your best friend. That’s it, red flag, don’t take one more step. You have just gone from the friend zone to the dead end.

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Flu Season is Here Again

Posted on October 10, 2013 by elizabeth hannigan

It’s that time of year again, flu season.  According to the CDC, flu season typically starts at the beginning of the calendar year and ends a few months later.  This year the flu season has visited us twice.  The 2014 flu season got an early start, being that it started in October of 2013 and will likely end in January of 2014.

People who are more likely to get the flu include young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with certain medical conditions.  There is a common misconception regarding the flu.  People tend to assume that the flu and common cold are synonymous, but there are noticeable differences that the population should be educated about.  The common cold mostly consists of sneezing and coughing, sometimes accompanied by fever, headaches, or body aches.  The flu is a bit more severe.  Signs of the flu include, but are not limited to, high fever, body aches, fatigue, extreme exhaustion, or chest discomfort.

The flu can last two to three weeks.  It is passed from person to person in the droplets following a cough or sneeze.  Schools, offices, and other places where people are in tight quarters are common breeding grounds for the flu.  There are no guaranteed cures for the flu or common cold, only medications for quick relief.  One sure-fired way to aid in the “feeling better” process is to load up on liquids.  When afflicted with the flu or common cold there is no better medicine than mom’s soup.

There are home remedies that people claim cures the flu.  The only thing those remedies do is mends the situation for a short amount of time.  So long as they make you feel better, if even for an hour, they are worth it.

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