Friday, January 31, 2020
Scholarship Essay Essay Example for Free
Scholarship Essay Essay I graduated from the University of Kansas exactly five years ago this month and thoughts of going back to school to get my MBA have filled my head every day since. It has been a dream of mine to follow in my mothers footsteps and get an MBA with a focus on entrepreneurship. Now that I have been accepted into the MBA program at Loyola Marymount University my dreams are coming true, I am pursuing my MBA with a focus not only on entrepreneurship but also on marketing, I couldnt ask for anything more. Well that is I almost couldnt ask for anything more. See more: how to write a scholarship essay for study abroad I am applying for the selected scholarships and grants in hopes of getting some help in paying for this expensive venture. I am not currently employed, not because I do not want to work, but because the family that owns the event marketing company where I had been working for over two and a half years did not think it was a good idea for me to go back to school and get my MBA. Basically they saw no benefit to their company and therefore rather than work around my class schedule, they instead let me go. I plan to get a part time job, hopefully as a Graduate Assistant on campus to help foot some of the tuition bill. My husband is a Beverly Hills police officer in-training, which means that he puts in many hours, both in classes and on the street, with high hopes of someday making a good living, the emphasis here on the someday. All in all we make enough to pay our expenses, but with both of us facing costly tuition bills this fall, loans are going to have to cover what scholarships and grants do not. I work hard at what I do and I have been rewarded for my efforts along the way. While in high school, through DECA, a non-profit educational marketing foundation, I wrote an extensive business plan for the ground floor construction and successful operation of a community-based teen center. My efforts were rewarded with an academic college scholarship for entrepreneurship from the American Womens Business Association. Professionally I am proud to say that I have advanced quickly through the ranks at both a nationally recognized advertising agency and an established event marketing company. I was promoted from Controller to Account Manager to Regional Supervisor within a year while at the advertising agency. When I worked at the event company I was hired as an Assistant Event Manager, withà no prior event experience, and I was promoted within two months to Event Manager, with management tasks including leading a new business initiative and planning and producing large-scale corporate events. I am excited to be going back to school and I plan on working as hard at this venture as I have at all of the rest along the way. Every little bit helps and I hope that I am awarded a scholarship not only based on financial need but also based on merit. I look forward to a year of challenging classes, international study (through the CMS course offered through the MBA program) and academic achievement. Please help me be able to take full advantage of everything that this university has to offer by financially making it feasible. Thank you, I truly appreciate your time and effort.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Hidden Horrors in Shirley Jacksons The Lottery Essay -- Shirley Jacks
Hidden Horrors in Shirley Jackson's The Lottery Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery" presents conflict on more than one level. The most important conflict in the story is between the subject matter and the way the story is told. From the beginning Jackson takes great pains to present her short story as a folksy piece of Americana. Slowly it dawns on us, the terrible outcome of what she describes. From the first sentence of the story, The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green. We are given the feeling of being in an idyllic, rural world. She enhances this feeling with little vignettes that are almost cliched in their banality: the little boys guarding their pile of stones in the town square; the towns-people gathering and interacting with each other as if they were at a country fair; Mrs. Hutchinson arriving late because she hadn't finished the dishes; even the good-natured complaining of Old Man Warner. All of these scenes and vignettes are used effectively to put us at our ease and to distract us from the horror that is to come. In depicting this home-spun American scene with its horrible underlying secret Shirley Jackson is commenting on the hidden horrors of our every day life. It is no coincidence that the victim of the stoning is a woman. Jackson uses this character, Tessie Hutchinson, to comment on the sacrificial role that women play in American society. We first meet Tessie Hutchinson when she arrives late for the lottery. It is significant that she has just come from washing her dishes. This is one of the most basic jobs of housework. Wiping her hands on her apron and apologizin... ...iety that Shirley Jackson belonged to, and commented on in her writing, was one that depended on women for their work. It also demanded that a woman sacrifice herself and her ambitions, if they included anything besides raising a family, to the god of domesticity. Jackson starkly portrays the sacrifice that has been a part of the lives of all women. Tessie Hutchinson screams, "It isn't fair. It isn't right," just before she is killed. This could be said, and has been said, about the lot of women in post-world war II America. In 1948, when Jackson wrote this story, Americans were listening about as much as the townspeople listened to Tessie Hutchinson before stoning her to death. Works Cited Jackson, Shirley. "The Lottery." Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense. 5th ed. Ed. Laurence Perrine. San Diego: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, Publishers 1998. 180-186
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Emotion of the circumstance Essay
ââ¬Ëâ⬠¦ Often did my human nature turn with loathing from my occupation, whilst, still urged on by an eagerness which perpetually increased, I brought my work near to a conclusion. ââ¬Ë The opening of chapter 5, the climax of the story where the monster is brought to life, is a clear example of the use of the literary device of pathetic fallacy, where, in this case, the weather matches the emotion of the circumstance. There are also several more examples of this throughout the chapter. ââ¬ËIt was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils.. ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËMorning, miserable and wet, at length dawned,ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Ëâ⬠¦ although drenched by the rain which poured from a black and comfortless sky.. ââ¬Ë The ââ¬Ëmoment of creationââ¬â¢ is the most detailed of all, and excites the reader with the rich descriptive content. It also gives the reader a chance to compare their idea of what the monster looks like (having been influenced by film versions, comic versions or other forms of media) to how the monster is set out in the book. The description given by the book is as follows: ââ¬ËHis yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips. ââ¬Ë In comparison to modern literature, there is a lot of description within this novel, the above quote is an example of this. To a modern audience, the fact that there is lots of detail makes the story seem slow moving, yet it provides a good build up right up until the end. Also, at Mary Shelleyââ¬â¢s time, when the book was published, reading was an engaging form of entertainment, so the vast array of detail would have been enjoyed and appreciated a lot more and would have enhanced the experience for readers of the time. The story is structured well throughout, and the narrative structure, in particular from the different characters (Captain Walton, Frankenstein, the monster), is unexpected and adds to the tension, as well as allowing the reader to see the story from all points of view, and to enable the reader to empathise with the monster in his situation where he would otherwise be treated as the villain. Merely the fact that Frankenstein has been adapted many times into films, long detailed descriptive books, plays, radio, comic books, cartoons and the like is evidence that we, today, are still interested in it. All of the things I have mentioned beforehand all work together to continue to draw people to the book. Interfering with nature One of the main ââ¬Ëlessonsââ¬â¢ within the story itself is undoubtedly to respect God as the supreme creator- there are lots of examples in the text that warn against interfering with nature; Victor himself warns Captain Walton, a young ambitious explorer who has set foot into the unknown (an area of the north pole, which, at that time had remained undiscovered) ââ¬ËYou may easily perceive, Captain Walton that I have suffered great and unparalleled misfortunesâ⬠¦. You seek knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has beenâ⬠¦ when I reflect that you are pursuing the same course, exposing yourself to the same dangers which have rendered me what I amâ⬠¦ ââ¬Ë Also when telling his story to Capt. Walton he constantly reflects on what has happened, thinking about the consequences of his actions, and the consequences and implications that have resulted from his taking science too far. ââ¬ËLearn from meâ⬠¦. at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow. ââ¬Ë Whilst telling his story to Capt. Walton, Victor talks of how his excitement and exhilaration at the prospect of reanimating the dead took over, and how he viewed himself as almost God-like: ââ¬ËA new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. ââ¬Ë Shelley plays around with the idea that Victor is ââ¬Ëplaying Godââ¬â¢ in the title; ââ¬ËFrankenstein- A modern Prometheus,ââ¬â¢ referring to the mythological Greek tale of Prometheus, son of Zeus, whose job it was to create life. Prometheus felt sorry for the primitive mortals on the earth, so he stole fire from Zeus to give to them. As a consequence he was punished by Zeus, who had him shackled to the side of a mountain. Each day, Prometheus would be tormented by Zeusââ¬â¢ eagle as it tore at his immortal flesh and tried to devour his liver. Each night the torn flesh would mend so the eagle could begin anew at the first touch of dawn. This myth relates to Frankenstein, although loosely, it carries the same warning that Frankenstein also carries: if you interfere with the path of nature, bad things will happen to you. Whilst he is telling his story, Victor tells us that he had his doubts beforehand, however his ambition and thirst for knowledge quickly took over. ââ¬Ë.. I doubted at first whether I should attempt the creation of a being like myselfâ⬠¦ but my imagination was too much exaltedâ⬠¦ to permit me to doubt of my ability to give life to an animal as complex and as wonderful as man. ââ¬Ë In Chapter 4, Victor toys with the idea that he is a ââ¬Ëcreatorââ¬â¢ and ponders the idea that the monster should view him as his father, and he his son; ââ¬ËNo father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs. ââ¬Ë Victor becomes excited at the prospect of this and it drives him on, yet he does not pause to think about the possibility that things will go horribly wrong, as we know they do later on in the story. Nevertheless, Victor prepares himself to ââ¬Ëreanimateââ¬â¢ his creation, but he panics when he has brought it to life, and, realising how repulsive it is, flees in terror, abandoning his creation, along with the idea that he could have had a meaningful father-son relationship with it. One could argue that the monster, despite having carried out the murders of Justine, William and Elizabeth later on in the story, is not at fault. Had Frankenstein accepted his creation from the very beginning, events might have been different, therefore, Frankenstein, although indirectly, is to blame for the evil deeds the monster has carried out. The monster does not come into the world as an evil being- it is full of love and kindness for mankind, yet is eventually turned against humans, who judge him by his appearance rather than his character. They taunt him, hurt him and reject him in the same way that Victor had. Therefore it is not surprising that, having been left alone, he acts on his instincts and reacts in the way he does. The main idea within the context of Frankenstein relates to modern day science in many ways: Science and technology are progressing at an astonishing rate. Many ethical and moral issues are frequently being brought up concerning these developments. The current controversy surrounding the cloning debate is one such example, as is the first successful ââ¬Ëface transplantââ¬â¢ that has recently taken place -this scientific reality is very similar to Dr. Frankensteinââ¬â¢s frightening discovery that Mary Shelly imagined 200 years ago.
Monday, January 6, 2020
Why Do Athletes Get Paid - 715 Words
Ever dreamed of being rich and famous? A google result will tell you something quite obvious, athletes make boatloads of cash.They are doing what they love and are earning lots of money at the same time.Sure they make a lot money , but is it true? Not entirely. In fact, some athletes are paid less than what a regular job would pay you. A beginner professional soccer player makes only $35,000 a year, while established players make less than $50,000 a year.This statistic is for the MLS(Major League Soccer) in america, where as european soccer clubs pay much higher because of the club you are at and endorsements with companies like addidas, Nike, etc. Letââ¬â¢s take into account some other sports, and look at players specifically.In the MLB(Majorâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦It is the same as in a business, if you perform well or are doing better than whats expected, then you get a raise. If you do not meet the expectations, you might get fired,or released from your team. We can also take an account that athletes are getting paid a lot of money because the professional sports industry is a huge business with millions of fans going to games each year. As it was said earlier, players get most of their money from endorsements and from the fans buying merchandise and buying tickets to see games. Professional athletes only make about 1% of an organizations total earnings. This means that the income the athletes are getting from organizationââ¬â¢s is barely anything.People also argue that playing a sport isnt a real job so they shouldnt get paid.The only problem with that argument is how many people go to games or have something memorable,like a hat,from their favorite team.So, their argument means nothing as they are the ones feeding cash to the players, buy buying tickets, buying food at the games, buying merchandise, etc. The people who complain do notShow MoreRelatedWhy College Athletes Should Get Paid1309 Words à |à 6 PagesEnglish 115 Why College Athletes Should Get Paid And Why They Shouldnââ¬â¢t November 18, 2014 Ebeling 2 Intro: How much harder would athletes work if they were paid for their performance on the field, track, or court? College athletes are put to the test each and everyday, they risk their health to entertain millions day in and day out. College athletes deserve part of the money due to the revenue they bring in for their schools and for the NCAA, they deserve the money because they do not have timeRead MoreShould College Athletes Be Paid?873 Words à |à 4 PagesAmateurism vs. Professionalism Many individuals are for college athletes being paid, but there is plenty of information leading as to why college athletes should not get paid. College football is not about the players, but about the game. Many will say it is redundant that education is the prize, but is it really? Can universities pay college athletes and still be sure that they are not messing with the intellectual purpose of the athletes? This debate is one that has been going on for as long as anyoneRead MoreShould College Athletes Get Paid?1742 Words à |à 7 PagesShould College Athletes Get Paid? Should college athletes be paid? This has been a controversial topic ever since college sports started. Many people argue that they should. Many people argue that they should not. College athletes should get paid because they work extremely hard playing their sport. The people that say they should be paid argue that the amount of time athletes dedicate is equivalent to a full-time job, and maybe even more. The people that say they should not get paid argue that collegeRead MoreWhy College Athletes Should Be Paid807 Words à |à 4 PagesJoshua Davis Ms. Hammons Junior English 5th Hour 30 march 2017 Why College Athletes Should Be Paid College athletes have much more responsibilities to worry about than pros, and scholarships don t help athletes that much and they often donââ¬â¢t even finish college. The problem is college athletes don t get paid when they have twice the responsibilities of pro athletes. college athletes have to juggle their sport practices and games, being on the road a lot of the time, going to classes everydayRead MoreShould College Athletes Be Paid?1511 Words à |à 7 Pages For years now there have been the argument if college athletes should be paid to play or not. It is an ongoing debate between many people including the National Collegiate Athletic Association(NCAA), athletes, coach, and other various people. The has debate has gone far enough that a lawsuit has started over it. There are many arguments for college athletes being paid such as; the athletes do not have time to work, their images are being used without any type of pay, and how the NCAA and coachesRead MoreCollege Athlete s Should Be Paid Essay1356 Words à |à 6 PagesCollege Athletes Should Be Paid Kids grow up loving to play sports in their free time. They never get paid to play when they are at a young age. They do it for the love of the game and for the need for competition. This is the way that it is in college right now. College athletes compete with all their hearts to be the best they can for their schools. They donââ¬â¢t get paid a cent. It has been a common debate if that is the right way to do it. Should it be that college athletes do not deserve to get paidRead MoreThe Best Athletes Money, Clothes, Cars1082 Words à |à 5 PagesAnother argument is that these ââ¬Å"full-rideâ⬠scholarships that are given to the best athletes do not actually cover all of their expenses. When this happens, schools have boosters. Boosters give the college athletes money, clothes, cars etc. Example of that is Reggie Bush, running back for the University of Southern California from 2003-2005. Bush was paid by boosters to attend USC, which violated NCAA rules. Bush was talked ab out bad when the violations were revealed and had to return his HeismanRead MorePayment Of College Athletes Should Be Paid1625 Words à |à 7 Pages Payment of College Athletes Yes! The team you were going for has won their game and those pricey tickets you bought were worth it. A ticket for a win was your reward, but what was their reward? From the NCAA thinking these athletes should not be getting paid for something thatââ¬â¢s considered fun, to the different aspect when you see them playing on the court. Somewhere between these lines the controversy of whether or not a college athlete should get paid comes about. On average, an AmericanRead MoreShould College Athletes Get Paid?1196 Words à |à 5 Pageshuge debate on whether or not college athletes should be paid. For years now college athletes have gone out and performed on national television, working hard to make it to the next level. They have given it there all, and not only that, the athletes bring in about $11 billion in annual revenue from college sports. Now days, sports is a business, and college sports are the same. Division 1 college sports provide a lot of income for the universities. Many athletes receive scholarships and a little moreRead MoreShould Students Get Paid?. To Foundationally Break The1524 Words à |à 7 PagesShould Students Get Paid? To foundationally break the question on whether student athletes should get paid or not, we need to ask ourselves if students should get paid in the first place. Students are the reason why many young adults go to college. Students are people attending a lesson willingly to learn a lesson. College and Universities are a place for students to learn and excel with the enormous resources that are available for students to utilize. Several of our brightest citizens of the world
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Teaching Strategies For The Jump Math Curriculum - 1958 Words
Post-assessments Instructional Insights Related to WTS and Targeted Student Learning Objective(s) Prior to researching teaching strategies that are effective with EBD students, I taught equivalent ratios using formulas and mathematical processes. Students frequently confused steps or demonstrated confusion in conceptual ideas while working with ratios and needed frequent correction. My research guided me to choosing the JUMP Math curriculum. JUMP Math utilizes teacher -directed instruction and graduated instructional sequence to break lessons down into incremental steps. I realize I was not introducing material in a way that accounted for the wide variety of learning gaps my students can have when I compare the lessons I gave last year to the lessons in the JUMP Math teacherââ¬â¢s guide. It was difficult for students to connect what they knew with what I was introducing. I anticipate utilizing specific teacher-directed instruction lessons in the JUMP Math curriculum will help my students understan d foundational concepts which were difficult to comprehend. While the curriculum has built in extensions and challenges, I will still need to monitor students for engagement and be conscious of students who are working at grade level or who grasp mathematical concepts easily. Students who feel the lesson is too easy will be prone to disengaging or refusing to participate in the lesson. Pre-assessment of skills will be essential in this area. A large amount of instructional time wasShow MoreRelatedQuestions On Context For Learning Information899 Words à |à 4 Pagesmaximum will not be scored. About the School Where You Are Teaching 1. In what type of school do you teach? (Type an X next to the appropriate description.) Urban: _____ Suburban: __X___ Rural: _____ 2. What grade levels are at your school site (e.g., Kââ¬â6)? [Kimberly Heights Elementary teaches students from pre-k to kindergarten at their school.] 3. List any special features of your school or classroom setting (e.g., charter, co-teaching, themed magnet, classroom aide, bilingual, team taught withRead MoreStudents Misconceptions, Learning Style Preference, Prior Knowledge And Skill Levels1374 Words à |à 6 PagesAn example of math journals used in the classroom is adapted for a Stage 1 classroom (Year 2) on the topic of solving two digits addition and subtraction problems MA1-5NA (Appendix A) (NESA, 2017). The math journals will be used before the start of the topic and then again in the middle of the lesson sequence (Appendix B). Using journals before the topic will allow the teacher to identify the students misconceptions, learning style preference, prior knowledge and skill levels (McTighe O ConnorRead MoreAsians and the Causes for Genius1212 Words à |à 5 Pagesespecially math, can be a great challenge that they struggle with. However, Asian schools have a much more rigorous system, yet their students breeze through lessons and consistently overachieve. Many people have attempted to explain this discrepancy, and this may come from the unique Asian culture. The cultures of the East and West are very different from each other. The Asian background causes students to surpass their peers around the world through a combination of an effective curriculum, outsideRead MoreLearning in a Culture of Change Essay1010 Words à |à 5 PagesThe school curriculum models should have essential components, which must be in place to guide instruction. With accountability looming and additional demands, such as concurrent curriculum development and curricular innovation, the design can create great teaching and learning. The one room schoolhouse was easier to decide what to teach. According to Thorndike (1910), educational aims are clearer using psychology ideas such as culture or discipline, knowledge or skills which contributes a betterRead MoreBenefits of Physical Education Essay1424 Words à |à 6 Pages makers, and school administrators to provide the maximum physical education needed for students to strive and nurture in. The opposition to having quality physical education base their arguments on budget constraints, family and home environment, teaching methods, and assessments, and so on. I plan to address each issue and provide data and evidence as to why we should promote and acknowledge the importance of having physical education in elementary schools, along with an action plan to provide physicalRead MoreAnecdotal Evidence On The Classroom Engagement1679 Words à |à 7 Pages advocates of the strategy make numerous benefits known, for example - increasing classroom engagement. Milman (2012) notes there are both advantages (it seems to be a good fit to teach procedural knowledge) and disadvantages (students may not watch the videos and or it may not be the best way to learn the concept). Additionally Milman (2012) notes, ââ¬Å"no empirical research exists to substantiate i ts useâ⬠(p. 2); however, many instructors support its use as a teaching strategy. According to HamdanRead MoreThe Common Core State Standards1733 Words à |à 7 Pagesstudent centered teaching and can level the playing field for many students (Strauss). Tracy Scott, South Dakota High School English and Spanish teacher in a personal interview declared that Anytime there is a focus on curriculum, it is important to have a focus, CC is a good focus. Yeah. On November 29th, 2010, the SD Board of Education moved to adopt the Common Core State Standards (Common Core State Standards). The Common Core entitles standards to the subjects of English, Math, History, SocialRead MoreNo Child Left Behind Act1282 Words à |à 6 Pagesbased reading research, to ensure that every student can read at grade level or above no later than the end of grade 3. (20 U.S.C.à § 6361) (page 73, Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind). An evidence-based special education professional practice is a strategy or intervention designed for use by special educators and intended to support the education of individuals with exceptional learning needs. Evidence-based instruction is reliable, trustworthy, and valid record that indicates when that program orRead MoreQuality Of Teaching : The United States1409 Words à |à 6 Pages111 2 November 2014 Quality of teaching in the United States When I came to the United States one year ago, I thought that I would study in one of the best educational system in the world because there are many famous universities such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Stanford University. However, Malcolm Gladwell, a Canadian journalist, showed me that the United States has low quality education because of low quality of teaching. I believe that the United StatesRead MoreExplain the Differences Between Communicating with Adults and Comminicating with Children and Young People2058 Words à |à 9 PagesSummerise and confirm key points to ensure that you clear on whats happening - Resolve areas of poor comminication by disscusing them. - Comply with polices for confidentiality, sharing inrormation and data protection References: Teaching Assistant Handbook level 2and 3 by Teena Kamen Unit TDA 307 1. Compare the roles of the teacher and the learning support practitioner in assessment of learners achievements. The main responslibity for a class teacher is to minitor, record
Saturday, December 21, 2019
How Technology Can Help Us Remember Things - 1137 Words
A few weeks ago, I logged into my computer and received a notification from Cortana, my ââ¬Å"personal assistantâ⬠, she is similar to Siri on an iPhone. The message said ââ¬Å"Reminders only help if they happen when you need them. I can remind you when get to the right place, or before you leave.â⬠Technology wants to help us remember things. We program it to remind us to do something, like call our parents, when our next doctorââ¬â¢s appointment is, when our family memberââ¬â¢s birthday is and even navigate where we want to go if we are driving. But now it is as if technology is telling us to relax and let the computers do our work of memorizing. Undoubtedly, technology is beneficial to our memories as, but there is a side that can be detrimental as well. Recently, in class we talked about whether or not pictures, videos or anything else technology-wise can truly capture the essence of our memories. They physically cannot. For example, in Joshua Foerââ¬â¢s book, Moonwalking with Einstein, in the chapter titled, ââ¬Å"The End of Remembering,â⬠Foer introduces us to a man named Gordon Bell, who was a computer scientist at Microsoft. As a part of research, he wears a digital camera and recorder that captures everything that he witnesses and experiences throughout his life. After interviewing Bell, Foer noted, ââ¬Å"And because heââ¬â¢s got a photographic record of everywhere heââ¬â¢s ever been and everything heââ¬â¢s ever seen, he has no excuse for ever losing anything. His digital memory never forgetsâ⬠(173). It isShow MoreRelatedThe End Of Remembering By Joshua Foer1444 Words à |à 6 PagesHaley Hendrickson English 110 Mary Monette September 6th 2017 Technology is Taking Over In Joshua Foerââ¬â¢s essay, ââ¬Å"The End of Rememberingâ⬠(found in Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything, published 2011) he explores the history and current state of remembering and how technology affects it. Moonwalking with Einstein describes Joshua Foer s yearlong quest to improve his memory to become one of the top mental athletes. He discusses cutting-edge research, and veryRead MoreRobert Rodriguez s Marketing New Inventions756 Words à |à 4 PagesWSIII-023-27 Professor Coyle 17 September 2014 Illustration Essay Great Inventions Robert Rodriguez s Marketing new inventions is an essay about how to market inventions smartly and safely. Rodriguez shows examples of inventions that made it in the market and how they came about. Robert Rodriguez mentions facts about Tim Walsh, who gave examples of how some products are knocked off the market. Walsh states, ââ¬Å"The problem is that success often prompts others to want in on what you are doingâ⬠(pg.549)Read MoreNegatives And Negatives Of Technology Essay1651 Words à |à 7 PagesPositive/Negatives Effects of Technology In todayââ¬â¢s society technology, has taken over by having a cell phone, IPad, video games, computers, the internet, and television, etc. Technology can have a positive impact on us because we can communicate with each other and have some fun time for ourselves. Technology can also have a negative impact because we would rather communicate by texting and not actually talking to each other face to face. As for children, they would rather entertain themselves byRead MoreThe Pros and Cons of Technology Essay687 Words à |à 3 Pagesvery often debate whether technology is good or bad. Many people believe that technology can only cause harm to their lives and society, while many others strongly defend the technologies which have made their lives much more leisurely and enriching than it could have been several hundred years ago. In my opinion, both of these views are correct to an extent, but I also believe that what should be examined is not whether technology in its self is good or bad, but rather how we as humans use it.ForRead MoreFahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury1681 Words à |à 7 PagesIn the book Fahrenheit 451, the author expresses his fears about how technology can affect one s humanity. Members of the society in this book are unable to have relationships with themselves and others because of the technology surrounding their lives. Media is leaving a negative effect on peopleââ¬â¢s ability to memorize and remember events in their lives. But once people leave behind all the technology being used every day, they can find their humanity. The author of Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury,Read MoreEssay about Technology: A Rise or a Downfall?611 Words à |à 3 PagesTechnology: A Rise or a Downfall? Today, we are surrounded by all forms of modern technology. From the T.V. up to the phone, from our very own computers to the appliances we usually used. All these technologies contributed a lot in our daily necessities. These helps work even faster, and who donââ¬â¢t want things to be done fast and easy, right? Technologies nowadays also helps develop human capabilities and explore boundless opportunities. But the question is how long these technologies can help usRead MoreTechnology s Impact On Society1507 Words à |à 7 Pagesalia Monsanto ENC1101-Swirsky Argumentative/Persuasive Essay Technologyââ¬â¢s Impact on Society 21ST century technology has indubitably made life more convenient for us. This can be looked at in a positive or in a negative way. Technology has essentially taken over the world. Replacing almost everything in our homes, schools and communities. Modern Technology has brought tons of negative effects on society including depression, lack of social skills, obesity, poor sleep habits, stress, constant distractionsRead MoreAnalysis Of Daniel Kahneman s Thinking Fast And Slow Essay1648 Words à |à 7 Pagesbandwagon effect, negativity bias, amidst a whole list of cognitive biases, best illustrated in Daniel Kahnemanââ¬â¢s Thinking Fast Slow. If we could design a machine that can make decisions without the fallibility of human rationality, would it then be a better idea to let the machines make decisions on our behalf, and save us from the mistakes of our minds? My answer is that we should not allow machines to make moral decisions on our behalf. Humansââ¬â¢ rationality might not be perfect, but we areRead MoreTechnology Has On Our Knowledge And Skills1464 Words à |à 6 Pagesanti-hero within its lore and mythology. However, in todayââ¬â¢s society that anti-hero is something that looks each of us in the face every morning when we wake up. It has penetrated almost every aspect of our lives. That anti-hero is technology. Iââ¬â¢m calling technology an anti-hero because of the effects that it has on society and the methods it uses are sometime unorthodox. Technology has increased human knowledge and skills throughout the years, however, over that same time it took away older knowledgeRead MoreDoes Writing Down Notes On Paper More Effective Than Typing It?1612 Words à |à 7 PagesDoes writing down notes on paper more effective than typing it? Cerebrum: The cerebrum is the main part of the brain, which has two halves, or hemispheres. The right hemisphere controls the left side of the body and deals with things such as creativity, music, and art. While the left hemisphere of the cerebrum controls the right side of the body and is in charge of language, problem solving, and math. The cerebrumââ¬â¢s many tasks are carried out by its outer layer, or its cortex. This has distinct
Friday, December 13, 2019
Fluke, or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings Chapter 12~13 Free Essays
CHAPTER TWELVE Hereââ¬â¢s My Coupon, He Said, Singing the Redemption Song Normally, if the whale cops found an unauthorized person on a research vessel, they would simply record the violation, write a ticket, then remove the person from the boat and take him back to Lahaina Harbor. A fine was paid and violations were considered the following year when the permit came up for renewal. By contrast, Kona was delivered to the Maui county jail with both his wrists and ankles shackled and a swath of duct tape over his mouth. We will write a custom essay sample on Fluke, or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings Chapter 12~13 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Nate and Amy were waiting in the lobby of the Maui county jail in Wailuku, sitting in metal chairs designed to promote discomfort and waffled butt skin. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s really okay if he has to stay in overnight,â⬠said Nate. ââ¬Å"Or for a week or so if it would be easier.â⬠Amy punched Nate in the shoulder. ââ¬Å"You creep! I thought it was Kona that got them to let you come to us.â⬠ââ¬Å"Still, jail builds character. Iââ¬â¢ve heard that. It might do him good to be off his herb for a few days.â⬠Kona had slipped his fanny pack full of pot and paraphernalia to Nate before heââ¬â¢d been taken away. ââ¬Å"Character? If he starts with his native-sovereignty speech stuff in there the real Hawaiians will pound him.â⬠ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢ll be okay. Iââ¬â¢m worried about you. Donââ¬â¢t you want to go get checked?â⬠Clair had taken Clay to the hospital to get a CAT scan and have his scalp stitched up. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m fine, Nate. I was only shaken up because I was worried about Clay.â⬠ââ¬Å"You were down a long time.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes, and I went by Clayââ¬â¢s dive computer. We decompressed completely. The worst part was I froze my ass off.â⬠ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t believe you had the presence of mind to decompress with Clay unconscious. I donââ¬â¢t know if I would have. Hell, I couldnââ¬â¢t have. Iââ¬â¢d have run out of air in ten minutes. How did you manage ââ¬â ; ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m small, Nate. I donââ¬â¢t use air like you. And I could tell that Clay was breathing okay. I could tell that the cut on his head wasnââ¬â¢t that bad either. The biggest danger to both of us was decompression sickness, so I followed the computer, breathed off of Clayââ¬â¢s rescue supply when I ran out, and nobody got hurt.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m really impressed,â⬠said Nate. ââ¬Å"I just did what I was supposed to do. No big deal.â⬠ââ¬Å"I was really scared ââ¬â I thought you ââ¬â You had me worried.â⬠He patted her knee in a grandmotherly fashion, and she looked at his hand. ââ¬Å"Careful, Iââ¬â¢ll get all sniffly over here,â⬠Amy said. They led the surfer into the holding tank, where everyone was wearing the same orange jumpsuit that he was. ââ¬Å"Irie, bruddahs,â⬠Kona said, ââ¬Å"we all shoutinââ¬â¢ down Sheriff John Brown in these Great Pumpkin suits, Jah.â⬠They all looked up: a giant Samoan who had beaten an Oldsmobile to death with a softball bat when it stalled in the middle of the Kuihelani Freeway, an alcoholic white guy who had fallen asleep on the Four Seasonsââ¬â¢ private beach in Wailea and made the mistake of dropping his morning business in one of the cabanas, a bass player from Lahaina who had been brought in because at any given time a bass player is probably up to no good, an angry bruddah who had been caught doing a smash-and-grab from a rental car at La Perouse Bay, and two up-country pig hunters who had tried to back their four-wheeler full of pit bulls down a volcano after huffing two cans of spray paint. Kona could tell they were huffers by the glazed look in their eyes and the large red rings that covered their mouths and noses from the bag. ââ¬Å"Hey, brah, Krylon?â⬠One of the pig hunters nodded and briefly lost control of the motion of his head. ââ¬Å"Nothinââ¬â¢ like a quality red.â⬠ââ¬Å"I hear dat,â⬠said the pig hunter. ââ¬Å"I hear dat.â⬠Then Kona made his way to the corner of the cell, the guard locked the door, and everyone resumed looking at his shoes, except for the Samoan guy, who was waiting for Kona to make eye contact so he could kill him. ââ¬Å"Ye know, brah,â⬠Kona said to him in a friendly, if seriously flawed fake Jamaican accent, ââ¬Å"I be learning from my science dreadies to look at tings with the critical eye, donââ¬â¢t ya know. And I think I know what the problem with taking a stand against da man on Maui.â⬠ââ¬Å"Whad dat?â⬠ask the Samoan. ââ¬Å"Well, itââ¬â¢s an island, ainââ¬â¢t it, mon? You got to be stone stupid going outlaw here wid nowhere to escape.â⬠ââ¬Å"You callinââ¬â¢ me stupid, haole?â⬠ââ¬Å"No, mon, just speaking the truth.â⬠ââ¬Å"Anââ¬â¢ what you in for, haole girl?â⬠ââ¬Å"Failing to give a humpback whale the proper scientific handjob, I tink.â⬠ââ¬Å"Goinââ¬â¢ ta fuck ya and kill ya now.â⬠ââ¬Å"Could ya kill me first?â⬠ââ¬Å"Whadeva,â⬠said the Samoan, climbing to his feet and expanding to his full Godzilla proportions. ââ¬Å"Thanks, brah. Peace in Jahââ¬â¢s mercy,â⬠said the doomed surfer. Forty-five minutes later, after Nate had filled out the requisite papers, the jailer, a compact Hawaiian with weightlifter shoulders, led Kona through the double steel doors into the waiting room. The surfer shuffled in, head down, looking ashamed and a little lopsided. Amy put her arm around his shoulders and patted his head. ââ¬Å"Oh, Sistah Amy, ââ¬â¢twas heinous.â⬠He put his arm around Amy, then let his hand slip to the curve of her bottom. ââ¬Å"Heinous most true.â⬠The jailer grinned. ââ¬Å"Had a disagreement with a big Samoan guy. We stopped it before it got too far. The holding cells are monitored on closed-circuit video.â⬠ââ¬Å"Snatched half me dreads out.â⬠Kona pulled a handful of orphaned dreadlocks from the pocket of his surf shorts. ââ¬Å"Going to cost some deep monies to hook these boys back up. I can feel my strength waning without them.â⬠The jailer waived a finger under Konaââ¬â¢s nose. ââ¬Å"Just so you know, kid, if it had gone the other way ââ¬â if the Samoan had decided to kill you second ââ¬â I wouldnââ¬â¢t have stepped in so early. You understand?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yah, Sheriff.â⬠ââ¬Å"You stay out of my jail, or next time I tell him which end to start on, okay?â⬠The jailer turned to Quinn. ââ¬Å"They arenââ¬â¢t filing any charges that merit incarceration. They just wanted to make a point.â⬠Then he leaned close to Nate and whispered, their height difference making it appear as if he were talking to the scientistââ¬â¢s shirt pocket, ââ¬Å"You need to get this kid some help. He thinks heââ¬â¢s Hawaiian. I see these suburban Rasta boys all the time ââ¬â hell, Paiaââ¬â¢s crawling with them ââ¬â but this one, heââ¬â¢s troubled. One of my boys goes that way, Iââ¬â¢d pay for a shrink.â⬠ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s not my kid.â⬠ââ¬Å"I know how you feel. His girlfriend is cute, though. Makes you wonder how they pick ââ¬â¢em, doesnââ¬â¢t it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Thanks, Officer,â⬠Nate said. Having shared all the paternal camaraderie he could handle, he turned and walked out into the blinding Maui sun. To Kona, Amy said, ââ¬Å"You better now, baby?â⬠Kona nodded into her shoulder, where heââ¬â¢d been pretending to seek comfort in a nuzzle. ââ¬Å"Good. Then move your hand.â⬠The surfer played his fingers over her bottom like anemones in a tidal wash, anchored yet flowing. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s it,â⬠Amy said. She snatched a handful of his remaining dreads and quickstepped through the double glass doors, dragging the bent-over surfer behind her. ââ¬Å"Ouch, ouch, ouch,â⬠Kona chanted in perfect four/four reggae rhythm. CHAPTER THIRTEEN Spirits in the Night Nate spent the whole afternoon and most of the evening trying to analyze spectrograms of whale-song recordings, correlate behavior patterns, and then chart the corresponding patterns of interaction. The problem was figuring out what actually defined interaction for an eighty-thousand-pound animal? Were animals interacting when they were five hundred yards away? A thousand? A mile, ten miles? The song was certainly audible for miles; the low, subsonic frequencies could travel literally thousands of miles in deep ocean basins. Nate tried to put himself in their world ââ¬â no boundaries, no obstacles. They lived, for the most part, in a world of sound, yet they had acute eyesight, both in and out of the water, and special muscles in the eye that allowed them to change focus for either medium. You interacted with animals you could both see and not see. When Nate and Clay used satellite tags, of which they could afford only a few, or rented a helicopter, from which they could observe animals from a wide perspective, it appeared that the whales were indeed responding to each other from miles apart. How do you study an animal that is socializing over a distance of miles? The key had to be in the song, in the signal somewhere. If for no other reason than that was the only way to approach the problem. Midnight found him sitting alone in the office, lit only by the glow of his computer monitor, having forgotten to eat, drink, or relieve himself for four hours, when Kona came in. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s that?â⬠asked the surfer, pointing to the spectrograph that was scrolling across the screen. Nate nearly jumped out of the chair, then caught himself and pulled the headphones down. ââ¬Å"The part thatââ¬â¢s scrolling is the spectrograph of the humpback song. The different colors are frequency, or pitch. The wiggly line in this box is an oscilloscope. It shows frequency, too, but I can use it to isolate each range by clicking on it.â⬠Kona was eating a banana. He handed another one to Nate without taking his eyes off the screen. ââ¬Å"So this is what it looks like? The song?â⬠Kona had forgotten to affect any of his accents, so Nate forgot to be sarcastic in reply. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s a way of looking at it. Humans are visual animals. Our brains are better suited to process visual information rather than acoustic information, so itââ¬â¢s easier for us to think about sound by looking at it. A whale or a dolphinââ¬â¢s brain is structured to process acoustics more than visuals.â⬠ââ¬Å"What are you looking for?â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not sure. Iââ¬â¢m looking for a signal. For some pattern of information in the structure of the song.â⬠ââ¬Å"Like a message?â⬠ââ¬Å"Maybe a message.â⬠ââ¬Å"And itââ¬â¢s not in the musical parts?â⬠Kona asked. ââ¬Å"The difference in notes? Like a song? You know the prophet Bob Marley gave us the wisdom of HIM in song.â⬠Quinn swiveled in his chair and paused in midbite of his banana. ââ¬Å"HIM? Whatââ¬â¢s that?â⬠ââ¬Å"His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie, emperor of Ethiopia, Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ on earth, son of God. His blessings upon us. Jah, mon.â⬠ââ¬Å"You mean Haile Selassie, the Ethiopian king who died in the 1970s? That Haile Selassie?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yah mon. HIM, the direct descendant of David as foretold in Isaiah, through the divine consort Solomon and Makeda, the queen of Sheba, and from their sons all the emperors of Ethiopia have come. So we Rastas believe that Haile Selassie is Jesus Christ alive on earth.â⬠ââ¬Å"But heââ¬â¢s dead, howââ¬â¢s that work?â⬠ââ¬Å"It helps to be stoned.â⬠ââ¬Å"I see,â⬠Nate said. Well, that did explain a lot. ââ¬Å"Anyway, to answer your question, yes, weââ¬â¢ve looked at the musical transmission, but despite Bob Marley I think the answer is here, in this low register, but only because it travels the farthest.â⬠ââ¬Å"Can you freeze this?â⬠said Kona, pointing to the oscilloscope, a green line dancing on a field of black. Nate clicked it and froze a jagged line on the screen. ââ¬Å"Why?â⬠ââ¬Å"Those teeth? See, there are tall ones and not so tall ones.â⬠ââ¬Å"Theyââ¬â¢re called microoscillations. You can only see them if you have the wave stopped like this.â⬠ââ¬Å"What if the tall one is a one and the short one is a zero? Whatââ¬â¢s that?â⬠ââ¬Å"Binary?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yah, mon, what if itââ¬â¢s computer talk, like that?â⬠Nate was stunned. Not because he thought Kona was right, but because the kid had actually had the cognitive powers to come up with the question. Nate wouldnââ¬â¢t have been more surprised if heââ¬â¢d walked in on a team of squirrels building a toaster oven. Maybe the kid had run out of pot, and this spike in intelligence was just a withdrawal symptom. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s not a bad guess, Kona, but the only way the whales would know about this would be if they had oscilloscopes.â⬠ââ¬Å"And they donââ¬â¢t?â⬠ââ¬Å"No, they donââ¬â¢t.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, and that acoustic brain? That couldnââ¬â¢t see this?â⬠ââ¬Å"No,â⬠said Nate, not entirely sure that he hadnââ¬â¢t just lied. Heââ¬â¢d never thought of it before. ââ¬Å"Okay. I go for to sleep now. You need more grinds?â⬠ââ¬Å"No. Thanks for the banana.â⬠ââ¬Å"Jahââ¬â¢s blessing, mon. Thanks for getting me out for jail this day. We going go out next morning?â⬠ââ¬Å"Maybe not everyone. Weââ¬â¢ll have to see how Clay feels tomorrow. He went right to his cabin when Clair brought him home from the hospital.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, Boss Clay got cool runnings, brah. He having sweet agonies with Sistah Clair. I hear them love jams as Iââ¬â¢m coming over.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, good,â⬠Nate said, thinking from Konaââ¬â¢s tone and his smile that whatever he said must have been good. ââ¬Å"Good night, Kona.â⬠ââ¬Å"Good night, boss.â⬠Before the surfer was out the door, Nate had turned to the monitor and started mapping out peaks in the wave pattern of the low end of the whale song. Heââ¬â¢d need to look up some articles on blue-whale calls ââ¬â the lowest, loudest, longest-traveling calls on the planet ââ¬â and heââ¬â¢d have to see if anyone had done any numerical analysis on dolphin sonar clicks, and that was all he could think of right at the moment. In the meantime he had to have enough of a sample to see if there was any meaning there. It was ridiculous, of course. It would never be so simple, nor could it be so complex. Of course you could assign values of one or zero to parts of the song ââ¬â that was easy. It didnââ¬â¢t mean there would be any meaning to it. It wouldnââ¬â¢t necessarily answer any of their questions, but it was a different way of looking at things. Whale-call binary, no. Two hours later he was still assigning ones and zeroes to different microoscillations in wave patterns of different songs and felt as if he might actually, strangely, amazingly, be learning something, when Clay came through the door wearing a knee-length pink kimono emblazoned with huge white chrysanthemums. There was a small bandage on his forehead and what appeared to be a lipstick smear that ran from his mouth to his right ear. ââ¬Å"Any beer in there?â⬠Clay nodded to the kitchen. The office cabin, like all the others at Papa Lani, had once been living quarters for a whole family, so it had a full kitchen in addition to the great room they used for a main office, two smaller rooms they used for storage, and a bathroom. Clay padded past and threw open the refrigerator. ââ¬Å"Nope. Water, I guess. Iââ¬â¢m really dehydrated.â⬠ââ¬Å"You okay,â⬠Nate said. ââ¬Å"How was the CAT scan?â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m cat free.â⬠Clay came back to the office and fell into the chair in front of his broken monitor. ââ¬Å"Thirteen stitches in my scalp, maybe a mild concussion. Iââ¬â¢ll be okay. Clair may kill me yet tonight, though ââ¬â heart attack, stroke, affection. Nothing like a near-death experience to bring out the passion in a woman. You canââ¬â¢t believe the stuff that woman is doing to me. And sheââ¬â¢s a schoolteacher. Itââ¬â¢s shameful.â⬠Clay grinned, and Nate noticed a little lipstick on his teeth. ââ¬Å"So thatââ¬â¢s shame?â⬠Nate gestured for Clay to wipe his mouth. The photographer took a swipe across his mug, came up with a handful of color, and examined it. ââ¬Å"No, I think thatââ¬â¢s strawberry lip gloss. A woman her age wearing flavored lip gloss. The shame is in my heart.â⬠ââ¬Å"You really had her worried, Clay. Me, too. If Amy hadnââ¬â¢t kept her headâ⬠¦ well ââ¬â ; ââ¬Å"I fucked up. I know it. I started living in the viewfinder and forgot where I was. It was an amateurish mistake. But you canââ¬â¢t believe the footage I was getting using the rebreather. Itââ¬â¢s going to be amazing for singers. Iââ¬â¢m finally going to be able to get underneath them, beside them, whatever you need. I just need to remember where I am.â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re unbelievably lucky.â⬠Nate knew that any lecture he might come up with, Clay had already put himself through a dozen times. Still, he had to say it. Regardless of the outcome, he had endured the loss of his friend, even if was for only forty minutes or so. ââ¬Å"Unconscious, that deep, for that long ââ¬â you used up a lot of lives on that one, Clay. The fact that your mouthpiece stayed in is a miracle.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, that part wasnââ¬â¢t an accident. I have the hoses tight because the rebreather is so temperamental about getting water in it. Over the years Iââ¬â¢ve had mouthpieces knocked out of my mouth a hundred times, kicked out by another diver, camera caught on it, hit by a dolphin. Since you have to keep your head back to film most of the time anyway, with the hoses short so the thing stays in your mouth, itââ¬â¢s just a matter of keeping the seal. Manââ¬â¢s only instinct is to suck.â⬠ââ¬Å"And you suck, is that what youââ¬â¢re saying?â⬠ââ¬Å"Look, Nate, I know youââ¬â¢re mad, but Iââ¬â¢m okay. Something was going on with that animal. It distracted me. It wonââ¬â¢t happen again. I owe it to the kid, though.â⬠ââ¬Å"We thought weââ¬â¢d lost her, too.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sheââ¬â¢s good, Nate. Really good. She kept her head, she did what needed to be done, and damned if I know how she did it, but she brought my ancient ass up alive and without the bends. Situation was reversed, I would have never done the decompression stops, but it turns out she did the right thing. You canââ¬â¢t teach that kind of judgment.â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re just trying to change the subject.â⬠Clay was indeed trying to change the subject. ââ¬Å"Howââ¬â¢d Toronto do against Edmonton tonight?â⬠Oh, sure, thought Nate, try to appeal to his inherent Canadian weakness for hockey. Like playing the hockey card would distract him from ââ¬â ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know. Letââ¬â¢s check the score.â⬠From outside the screen door came Clairââ¬â¢s voice. ââ¬Å"Clay Demodocus, are you wearing my robe?â⬠ââ¬Å"Why, yes, dear, I am,â⬠said Clay, shooting an embarrassed glance at Quinn, as if heââ¬â¢d only just noticed that he was wearing a womanââ¬â¢s kimono. ââ¬Å"Well, that would mean that Iââ¬â¢m wearing nothing, wouldnââ¬â¢t it?â⬠said Clair. She wasnââ¬â¢t close enough to the door for him to actually see her through the screen, but Quinn had no doubt she was naked, had her hip cocked, and was tapping a foot in the sand. ââ¬Å"I guess,â⬠said Clay. ââ¬Å"We were just going to check the hockey scores, sweetheart. Would you like to come in?â⬠ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s a skinny kid with a half order of dreadlocks and an erection out here staring at me, Clay, and itââ¬â¢s making me feel a little self-conscious.â⬠ââ¬Å"I woke up with it, Bwana Clay,â⬠Kona said. ââ¬Å"No disrespect.â⬠ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s an employee, darling.â⬠Clay said reassuringly. Then to Quinn he whispered, ââ¬Å"I had better go.â⬠ââ¬Å"You better had,â⬠said Quinn. ââ¬Å"See you in the morning.â⬠ââ¬Å"You should take the day off.â⬠ââ¬Å"Nah, Iââ¬â¢ll see you in the morning. What are you working on anyway?â⬠ââ¬Å"Putting the subsonic part of the song in binary.â⬠ââ¬Å"Ah, interesting.â⬠ââ¬Å"Feeling vulnerable out here,â⬠Clair said. ââ¬Å"Vulnerable and angry.â⬠ââ¬Å"I had better go,â⬠said Clay. ââ¬Å"Night, Clay.â⬠An hour later, just when Nate was getting to the point where he felt he had enough samples marked out in binary to start looking for some sort of pattern, the third spirit in the night came through the door: Amy, in a manââ¬â¢s T-shirt that hung to midthigh, yawning and rubbing her eyes. ââ¬Å"The hell you doing up at this hour? Itââ¬â¢s three in the morning.â⬠ââ¬Å"Working?â⬠Amy padded barefoot across the floor and looked at the monitor where Quinn was working, trying to blink the bleariness out of her eyes. ââ¬Å"That the low end of the song?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, that and some blue-whale calls I had, for comparison.â⬠Quinn could smell some kind of berry shampoo smell coming off of Amy, and he became hyperaware of the warmth of her pressing against his shoulder. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t understand. Youââ¬â¢re digitizing it manually? That seems a little primitive. The signal is already digitized by virtue of being on the disk, isnââ¬â¢t it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m looking at it a different way. It will probably wash out, but Iââ¬â¢m looking at the waveform of just the low end. Thereââ¬â¢s no behavior for context, so itââ¬â¢s probably a waste of time anyway.â⬠ââ¬Å"But still youââ¬â¢re up at three in the morning anyway, making ones and zeroes on a screen. Mind if I ask why?â⬠Quinn waited a second before answering, trying to figure out what to do. He wanted to turn to look at her, but she was so close that heââ¬â¢d be right in her face if he did. This wasnââ¬â¢t the time. Instead he dropped his hands into his lap and sighed heavily as if this were all too tedious. He looked at the monitor as he spoke. ââ¬Å"Okay, Amy, hereââ¬â¢s why. Here it is. The whole payoff, the whole jazz of what we do, okay?â⬠ââ¬Å"Okay.â⬠She sensed the unease in his voice and stepped back. Nate turned and looked her in the eye. ââ¬Å"It might be out on the boat, as youââ¬â¢re coming in for the day ââ¬â or it might be in the lab at four in the morning after working on the data for five years, but there comes a point where youââ¬â¢ll find something out, where youââ¬â¢ll see something, or where something will suddenly come together, and youââ¬â¢ll realize that you know something that no one else in the world knows yet. Just you. No one else. You realize that all the value you have is in that one thing, and youââ¬â¢re only going to have it for a short time until you tell someone else, but for that time you are more alive than youââ¬â¢ll ever be. Thatââ¬â¢s the jazz, Amy. Thatââ¬â¢s why people do this, put up with low pay and high risk and crap conditions and fucked-up relationships. They do it for that singular moment.â⬠Amy stood with her hands clenched in front of her, arms straight down, like a little girl trying to ignore a lecture. She looked at the floor. ââ¬Å"So youââ¬â¢re saying that youââ¬â¢re about to have one of these moments and Iââ¬â¢m bugging you?â⬠ââ¬Å"No, no, thatââ¬â¢s not what Iââ¬â¢m saying. I donââ¬â¢t know what Iââ¬â¢m doing. Iââ¬â¢m just telling you why Iââ¬â¢m doing it. And thatââ¬â¢s why youââ¬â¢re doing it, too. You just donââ¬â¢t know it yet.â⬠ââ¬Å"And what if someone told you that youââ¬â¢d never have one of those moments of knowing something again ââ¬â would you keep doing it?â⬠ââ¬Å"That wonââ¬â¢t happen.â⬠ââ¬Å"So youââ¬â¢re close to something here? With this binary thing?â⬠ââ¬Å"Maybe.â⬠ââ¬Å"Didnââ¬â¢t Ryder analyze the song as far as how much information it could carry and come up with something really anemic like point six bits per second? Thatââ¬â¢s not really enough to make it meaningful, is it?â⬠Growl Ryder had been Quinnââ¬â¢s doctoral adviser at UC Santa Cruz. One of the first generation of greats in the field, along with Ken Norris and Roger Payne, a true kahuna. His first name was actually Gerard, but anyone who had known him called him Growl, because of his perpetually surly nature. Ten years ago, off the Aleutians, heââ¬â¢d gone out alone in a Zodiac to record blue-whale calls and had never come back. Quinn smiled at his memory. ââ¬Å"True, but Ryder died before he finished that work, and he was looking at the musical notes and themes for information. Iââ¬â¢m actually looking at waveform. Just from what Iââ¬â¢ve done tonight, it looks like you can get up to fifty, sixty bits per second. Thatââ¬â¢s a lot of information.â⬠ââ¬Å"That canââ¬â¢t be right. That wonââ¬â¢t work,â⬠Amy said. She seemed to be taking this information a bit more emotionally than Nate would have expected. ââ¬Å"If you could move that much information subsonically, the navy would be using it for submarines. Besides, how could the whales use waveform? Theyââ¬â¢d need oscilloscopes.â⬠She was up on her toes now, almost shouting. ââ¬Å"Calm down, Iââ¬â¢m just looking into it. Dolphins and bats donââ¬â¢t need oscilloscopes to image sonically. Maybe thereââ¬â¢s something there. Just because Iââ¬â¢m using a computer to look at this data doesnââ¬â¢t mean I think whales are digital. Itââ¬â¢s only a model, for Christââ¬â¢s sake.â⬠He was going to pat her shoulder to comfort her, but then remembered her attitude toward that at the jail. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re not looking at data, Nate, youââ¬â¢re making it up. Youââ¬â¢re wasting your time, and Iââ¬â¢m not sure youââ¬â¢re not wasting my time. This whole job might have been a big mistake.â⬠ââ¬Å"Amy, I donââ¬â¢t understand why ââ¬â à » But she wouldnââ¬â¢t give him a chance to defend himself. ââ¬Å"Go to bed, Nate. Youââ¬â¢re delirious. We have real work to do tomorrow, and youââ¬â¢ll be worthless if you donââ¬â¢t get some sleep.â⬠She turned and stormed out into the night. Even as she moved across the courtyard to her cabin, Nate could hear her ranting to herself. The words ââ¬Å"doofus,â⬠ââ¬Å"deluded,â⬠and ââ¬Å"pathetic loserâ⬠rang out above the tirade to settle on Nateââ¬â¢s ego. Strangely enough, a feeling of relief washed over him as he realized that the delusions of romantic grandeur that heââ¬â¢d been indulging ââ¬â nay, fighting ââ¬â about his research assistant had been just that: delusions. She thought he was a complete joke. At peace with himself for the first time since Amy had come on board, he saved his work, powered down the machine, and went off to bed. How to cite Fluke, or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings Chapter 12~13, Essay examples
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)