No, I would say that not all vibrations are good... Some people and their vibrations are not good for me at least! I guess that would be a relative thing. There are some vibrations I wish would not be a part of my life. Like stress or truth lying under the surface that you can feel... haha, I guess I am not in the best head space to answer this question right now. I hope no one is affected by my 'meh' vibes.
I feel resonance with certain people and places. I don't have to adjust or change my patterns to become comfortable. That is what I think of as resonance, being in sync with something... it feels familiar or comfortable, or fits and is easy to be with.
Energy and Chi
I guess I think about them both as underlying forces that connect everything. I don't know enough about chi yet to really say too much, but especially as far as people go, their energy and chi is palpable. Some people make my stomach feel uneasy, make me nervous... Some people I worry about because the reading I get from them is so subdued or light I wonder if they are ok. Some people have very strong force coming from them. Some people make me feel good to be around, some are calming and bright. Energy and Chi, maybe different ways of looking at a similar phenomenon.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Chemistry week 6 Assignment
My alkali earth metal is calcium. Calcium has an atomic number of 20, so it has 20 protons and 20 electrons. Its atomic mass is 20, so it has 20 neutrons. The Chemical symbol is Ca. Calcium is the most abundant metal in animals, forming teeth, bones and shells.
Calcium is in seawater and in the earth's crust.
Calcium has many practical uses including the extraction and production of other metals, the formation of cheese and in making cements and mortars.
Got all three questions right... interesting to read.
Very interesting and witty article. "So, it turns out that an amount of any chemical compound that is equal to the combined atomic weights or the molecular weight, expressed in grams, contains 602,213,670,000,000,000,000,000 molecules" - A mole.
Calcium is in seawater and in the earth's crust.
Calcium has many practical uses including the extraction and production of other metals, the formation of cheese and in making cements and mortars.
Got all three questions right... interesting to read.
Very interesting and witty article. "So, it turns out that an amount of any chemical compound that is equal to the combined atomic weights or the molecular weight, expressed in grams, contains 602,213,670,000,000,000,000,000 molecules" - A mole.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Biology Week 5 Assignment - Complexity of Life
New Species Emerge...
Well, the examples that we saw about chimpanzee and human interbreeding, and about neanderthal and human interbreeding gives me a kind of idea about how new species emerge... at some point similar creatures that may have begun from a common ancestor no longer have as much in common and are no longer able to produce offspring together. I think it is a matter of adaptation and time. But as far as the actual mechanism for adaptation/change within a creature's offspring, I don't understand that process. In physiology we studied DNA/RNA replication, and it is a very complex process with many points at which things can go "wrong" or create a different outcome than the planned one... But as far as how optimal adaptations occur, it seems pretty miraculous. When I think about it, I start thinking about "God", or the original source of energy and life... the first push toward life, and how myriad forms of life emerged from single celled organisms, reminiscent of the fractals that we studied last week... order emerging from the chaos and vice versa. As a feeling this conceptual space is so full and awesome. Putting it into words reduces this incredible process, making it flatter. Short answer, I don't know how new species emerge.
I vote for the egg, definitely. It makes sense that the offspring should be the first chicken... Too bad we don't know what came before the egg, eh?
Well, the examples that we saw about chimpanzee and human interbreeding, and about neanderthal and human interbreeding gives me a kind of idea about how new species emerge... at some point similar creatures that may have begun from a common ancestor no longer have as much in common and are no longer able to produce offspring together. I think it is a matter of adaptation and time. But as far as the actual mechanism for adaptation/change within a creature's offspring, I don't understand that process. In physiology we studied DNA/RNA replication, and it is a very complex process with many points at which things can go "wrong" or create a different outcome than the planned one... But as far as how optimal adaptations occur, it seems pretty miraculous. When I think about it, I start thinking about "God", or the original source of energy and life... the first push toward life, and how myriad forms of life emerged from single celled organisms, reminiscent of the fractals that we studied last week... order emerging from the chaos and vice versa. As a feeling this conceptual space is so full and awesome. Putting it into words reduces this incredible process, making it flatter. Short answer, I don't know how new species emerge.
I vote for the egg, definitely. It makes sense that the offspring should be the first chicken... Too bad we don't know what came before the egg, eh?
Monday, June 16, 2014
Physics Week 5 Assignment - Sacred Geometry and Symmetry
My Asymmetrical World
Yes my world certainly is asymmetrical! Certainly my body is not perfectly symmetrical, my right arm is stronger than my left, one of my eyes in a different shape than the other, I could go on and on :) I live in an asymmetrical apartment. I ride my bike with a bag full of books over one shoulder. I cross my leg over the other. etc.
In some ways it does matter, I try to maintain balance within my body and within my life. But ultimately it is just an ideal I reach for, it is pretty unattainable. As long as I am healthy and capable of moving through the world I will not be too concerned with symmetry.
CP violation
Well, an experiment was done which reversed the charge and parity of an electron, and it decayed very differently than the original electron. But the CPT theorem includes Time, not just Charge and Parity, like the experiment worked with. Since we cannot run time backwards for an experiment, it is a good question, what does this CP violation really mean? "either the CPT theorem is incorrect, or the kaon decays in a different way in a universe where time runs backward" I don't know what it means. i don't think I ever will.
Sacred Geometry and Physics
Yes there are connections between sacred geometry and physics. Sacred geometrical images were made in exploration of abstract concepts that physics also works to explain, like time and other dimensions and consciousness. Also it turns out that these images reflect higher dimensional math. The Golden Mean or Ratio is also a great example of sacred geometry and physics/mathematics coming together. The spirals that we find throughout nature and human history relate to the Fibonacci sequence, and we have discovered that this sequence also applies to the structure of galaxies, event horizons of black wholes and molecular components :)
Yes my world certainly is asymmetrical! Certainly my body is not perfectly symmetrical, my right arm is stronger than my left, one of my eyes in a different shape than the other, I could go on and on :) I live in an asymmetrical apartment. I ride my bike with a bag full of books over one shoulder. I cross my leg over the other. etc.
In some ways it does matter, I try to maintain balance within my body and within my life. But ultimately it is just an ideal I reach for, it is pretty unattainable. As long as I am healthy and capable of moving through the world I will not be too concerned with symmetry.
CP violation
Well, an experiment was done which reversed the charge and parity of an electron, and it decayed very differently than the original electron. But the CPT theorem includes Time, not just Charge and Parity, like the experiment worked with. Since we cannot run time backwards for an experiment, it is a good question, what does this CP violation really mean? "either the CPT theorem is incorrect, or the kaon decays in a different way in a universe where time runs backward" I don't know what it means. i don't think I ever will.
Sacred Geometry and Physics
Yes there are connections between sacred geometry and physics. Sacred geometrical images were made in exploration of abstract concepts that physics also works to explain, like time and other dimensions and consciousness. Also it turns out that these images reflect higher dimensional math. The Golden Mean or Ratio is also a great example of sacred geometry and physics/mathematics coming together. The spirals that we find throughout nature and human history relate to the Fibonacci sequence, and we have discovered that this sequence also applies to the structure of galaxies, event horizons of black wholes and molecular components :)
Chemistry Week 5 Assignment - color and nutrition
Inert gas of the WEEEEEK
Argon - Atomic number 18, 18 protons and 18 electrons, chemical symbol Ar, atomic mass of 40, so it has 32 neutrons. Argon is the 3rd most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, so we are breathing it right now :) Argon undergoes almost no chemical reactions, which is why it is named after the Greek word for 'lazy' or 'inactive'. As far as I can tell, Argon with 18 electrons fills completely up to the 4p electron orbital. This is why is doesn't really react with other elements, its electrons are happy the way they are and so it doesn't share, lose or gain with/from others. Argon is used in welding and other industrial processes, where other normally nonreactive substances sometimes become reactive. It also makes a blue-green gas laser. It is colorless, odorless, nontoxic and nonflammable as a solid, liquid and gas. It is super super inert.
My Kitchen Colors
I have a pretty good assortment of colors in my fridge and cupboard. Dried mango slices, yellow-pink cherries, blueberries, green beans, carrots, red onions, wheat grass powder, brown rice, eggs. But alongside that I do have quite a few beige foods... its all about balance, right? this exercise definitely makes me shop differently!
Class Discussion
It was interesting to consider the inappropriate or inefficient use of green power. We seem to have an infrastructure problem, which is symbolic of a lot of issues that arise with change... how do we incorporate new changes into an existing system?
I really enjoyed the section/articles on nutrition and color, and the chakras! I think that it is much better in so many ways to teach young humans about health and healthy food/lifestyle choices while they are young as opposed to waiting until there is a serious problem to foster balance. And I really like the chakra system. I find that studying the chakras is a good way to remind myself about all the various aspects of my life that need consideration and care. I agree with what Larry said in class about women not feeling empowered more often than not in the throat chakra. I was talking to my older sister on friday and she said the same thing. Men also can feel disempowered to speak their truth. I think we would all feel better if we could feel free to express ourselves.
Argon - Atomic number 18, 18 protons and 18 electrons, chemical symbol Ar, atomic mass of 40, so it has 32 neutrons. Argon is the 3rd most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, so we are breathing it right now :) Argon undergoes almost no chemical reactions, which is why it is named after the Greek word for 'lazy' or 'inactive'. As far as I can tell, Argon with 18 electrons fills completely up to the 4p electron orbital. This is why is doesn't really react with other elements, its electrons are happy the way they are and so it doesn't share, lose or gain with/from others. Argon is used in welding and other industrial processes, where other normally nonreactive substances sometimes become reactive. It also makes a blue-green gas laser. It is colorless, odorless, nontoxic and nonflammable as a solid, liquid and gas. It is super super inert.
My Kitchen Colors
I have a pretty good assortment of colors in my fridge and cupboard. Dried mango slices, yellow-pink cherries, blueberries, green beans, carrots, red onions, wheat grass powder, brown rice, eggs. But alongside that I do have quite a few beige foods... its all about balance, right? this exercise definitely makes me shop differently!
Class Discussion
It was interesting to consider the inappropriate or inefficient use of green power. We seem to have an infrastructure problem, which is symbolic of a lot of issues that arise with change... how do we incorporate new changes into an existing system?
I really enjoyed the section/articles on nutrition and color, and the chakras! I think that it is much better in so many ways to teach young humans about health and healthy food/lifestyle choices while they are young as opposed to waiting until there is a serious problem to foster balance. And I really like the chakra system. I find that studying the chakras is a good way to remind myself about all the various aspects of my life that need consideration and care. I agree with what Larry said in class about women not feeling empowered more often than not in the throat chakra. I was talking to my older sister on friday and she said the same thing. Men also can feel disempowered to speak their truth. I think we would all feel better if we could feel free to express ourselves.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Biology Week 4 Assignment - Animal Intelligence revisited
It seems pretty obvious that in general we do not understand animal intelligence and because their cognition and behavior is not exactly like ours we assume that they are not 'smart'. It also seems like there is a growing understanding that animals are intelligent creatures, with feelings, memories and attachments to family and community. The article on elephants was very interesting, what I took away from it was a greater appreciation for the necessity of elders in community, to create a foundation for offspring. Elephants recognize the sound patterns of different languages and have an emotional experience based on past interactions with those different language cultures. They are clearly highly aware beings, but because they do not speak our language we assume we are the superior... it is sad to me that animals are not accorded more respect and dignity, but things seem to be changing for the better.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Physics Week 4 Assignment - Energy Matter and the Four Forces
E=m*(c*c)
I read something online today about Einstein's personal life. The article said that he was not a genius in personal relationships like he was with physics... and I suppose what we talked about in class regarding his use of younger more mathematically oriented minds in order to produce his discoveries also points to Einsteins fallibility and human nature. Regardless, this equation boggles my mind. I don't really know what to think about it, or how it relates to my life on a day to day basis. I try to think, 'Matter is Energy divided by the speed of light squared.' A person divides energy by the speed of light (squared) to get matter, and to get energy, a person multiplies Matter (mass) by the speed of light squared. So they are on the same continuum, but what does any of this mean? Are we light? Are we Energy? What is mass? Does putting these three things into an equation together define them any better? I guess so...
The Four Forces
Gravity - Gravity has unlimited range (like electromagnetism). Gravity depends on mass of the two bodies and the distance between them. Gravity's messenger particle has not been discovered, but string theory is closest to being able to incorporate it. Gravity acts in only one direction, which is unique. Also, now not really considered a force, but rather through space-time mechanics (as being composed of gravitational time dilation and the curvature of space).
Electromagnetism - Has unlimited range (like Gravity), but unlike gravity, it works in two directions, attraction and repulsion (positive and negative) which can cancel each other out. Electromagnetism keeps atoms together (positively charged nucleus vs. negatively charged electrons) and defines their atomic size (more particles to keep the charge neutral means bigger atoms). The messenger particle in the photon which travels at the speed of light.
Weak Nuclear Force - Very limited range, inside the atomic nucleus. Responsible for radioactive decay (turns neutrons into protons and protons into neutrons). Stronger than electromagnetism but because messenger particles (W and Z bosons) are so big and slow they do not transmit its intrinsic strength.
Strong Nuclear Force - Strongest force, responsible for keeping quarks inside protons and neutrons and keeping protons and neutrons inside the atomic nucleus. Limited range, like Weak Force, to subatomic particles. Messenger particle is the gluon (massless) which glues elementary particles together.
Function of Gravity
Einstein said that the presence of matter warps time-space. So what is the role or purpose of gravity? To show that things are inter-related and not separate? To demonstrate interconnectedness? I know that gravity is important for human life processes and enables us to be the musculoskeletal beings that we are, but I don't know what the purpose of gravity in the universe may be. Yikes.
Electromagnetism - Has unlimited range (like Gravity), but unlike gravity, it works in two directions, attraction and repulsion (positive and negative) which can cancel each other out. Electromagnetism keeps atoms together (positively charged nucleus vs. negatively charged electrons) and defines their atomic size (more particles to keep the charge neutral means bigger atoms). The messenger particle in the photon which travels at the speed of light.
Weak Nuclear Force - Very limited range, inside the atomic nucleus. Responsible for radioactive decay (turns neutrons into protons and protons into neutrons). Stronger than electromagnetism but because messenger particles (W and Z bosons) are so big and slow they do not transmit its intrinsic strength.
Strong Nuclear Force - Strongest force, responsible for keeping quarks inside protons and neutrons and keeping protons and neutrons inside the atomic nucleus. Limited range, like Weak Force, to subatomic particles. Messenger particle is the gluon (massless) which glues elementary particles together.
Function of Gravity
Einstein said that the presence of matter warps time-space. So what is the role or purpose of gravity? To show that things are inter-related and not separate? To demonstrate interconnectedness? I know that gravity is important for human life processes and enables us to be the musculoskeletal beings that we are, but I don't know what the purpose of gravity in the universe may be. Yikes.
Chemistry Week 4 Assignment - Catalysts
My catalyst of the week is Glucose oxidase. Glucose oxidase works in cells to break down sugar into smaller molecules.
Glucose Oxidase is a oxidoreductase, a class of enzymes which catalyze the transfer of electrons from one molecule (the reductant or electron donor) to another molecule (the oxidant or electron acceptor). Specifically, glucose oxidase catalyses the oxidation of glucose to hydrogen peroxide and D-glucono-o-lactone.
Glucose Oxidase requires the coenzyme FAD in order to perform its function.
Glucose Oxidase is now used in baking, in testing blood glucose level, as an antibiotic, and as a preservative.
Reflections on class discussion;
Well, I am surprised that I got so heated about the article 'Chemical Exposure a Bigger Threat than Climate Change', written by the author of the book, 'Poisoned Planet. I wish I had been able to express my difference of opinion with the author in a manner that did not come across so aggressive. I agree that shifting consumer habits is necessary in order to shift production... but like I said in class, I believe there needs to be legislation that makes it in the interest of any company, regardless of size, to decrease production of toxic substances for market or use pre-market.
It is amazing to me how far reaching our local practices are. I think many people, myself sometimes included, forget how closely linked everything on the planet is from moment to moment. In this age, it seems to me that isolation and alienation are just as important to consider and overcome as are toxic production and toxicity proliferation. If humans felt more intimately linked to one another and the planet, would it be easier to make sustainable decisions?
Glucose Oxidase is a oxidoreductase, a class of enzymes which catalyze the transfer of electrons from one molecule (the reductant or electron donor) to another molecule (the oxidant or electron acceptor). Specifically, glucose oxidase catalyses the oxidation of glucose to hydrogen peroxide and D-glucono-o-lactone.
Glucose Oxidase requires the coenzyme FAD in order to perform its function.
Glucose Oxidase is now used in baking, in testing blood glucose level, as an antibiotic, and as a preservative.
Reflections on class discussion;
Well, I am surprised that I got so heated about the article 'Chemical Exposure a Bigger Threat than Climate Change', written by the author of the book, 'Poisoned Planet. I wish I had been able to express my difference of opinion with the author in a manner that did not come across so aggressive. I agree that shifting consumer habits is necessary in order to shift production... but like I said in class, I believe there needs to be legislation that makes it in the interest of any company, regardless of size, to decrease production of toxic substances for market or use pre-market.
It is amazing to me how far reaching our local practices are. I think many people, myself sometimes included, forget how closely linked everything on the planet is from moment to moment. In this age, it seems to me that isolation and alienation are just as important to consider and overcome as are toxic production and toxicity proliferation. If humans felt more intimately linked to one another and the planet, would it be easier to make sustainable decisions?
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Biology Week Three Assignment
“99.4% of the most critical DNA sites are identical in human and chimp genes”
It is amazing that so little genetic differentiation can lead to such, apparently, different creatures. We (at least some of us...) certainly are overgrown monkeys with too much cognitive power for our own good. It makes sense that we are so similar to Chimps, we have the same basic body structure, we live in groups. We obviously are related, whether we came from them or they came from us is irrelevant. We are both here now and need the same things to live, warmth, food, water and connection.
1. Correct. Viruses are not alive... but this is such a weird thought. What are they doing...
2. Correct. I only knew this because of physiology, thank you dr. philips
3. Correct. same as question 2
4. Correct
5. Correct. we have a cell membrane? not a cell wall
6. Incorrect, I didn't realize that mitochondria were in plants... also because they are bacteria, they have their own DNA.
In our class discussion what was most interesting to me is a pretty obvious thing, that money is fueling our scientific research into stem cells. Whether it is for beauty applications, or cures for (perhaps preventable) diseases, the flow of money and the desire to harness a part of that flow is shaping the course of our scientific discourse. How unfortunate and telling it is of our species. We can do better than this!
It is amazing that so little genetic differentiation can lead to such, apparently, different creatures. We (at least some of us...) certainly are overgrown monkeys with too much cognitive power for our own good. It makes sense that we are so similar to Chimps, we have the same basic body structure, we live in groups. We obviously are related, whether we came from them or they came from us is irrelevant. We are both here now and need the same things to live, warmth, food, water and connection.
1. Correct. Viruses are not alive... but this is such a weird thought. What are they doing...
2. Correct. I only knew this because of physiology, thank you dr. philips
3. Correct. same as question 2
4. Correct
5. Correct. we have a cell membrane? not a cell wall
6. Incorrect, I didn't realize that mitochondria were in plants... also because they are bacteria, they have their own DNA.
In our class discussion what was most interesting to me is a pretty obvious thing, that money is fueling our scientific research into stem cells. Whether it is for beauty applications, or cures for (perhaps preventable) diseases, the flow of money and the desire to harness a part of that flow is shaping the course of our scientific discourse. How unfortunate and telling it is of our species. We can do better than this!
Physics Week Three Assignment
I have had many synchronous moments in my life. Thinking about someone right before you see them or receive a phone call from them. Ive had a dream come true, and Im not talking about one element of the dream showing up in reality, I mean the whole thing. That was an especially interesting one because I was so struck by the dream had I told my roommate the day I had it, and then when it happened about two weeks later I had someone who believed me. That experience was very meaningful to me, I had been contemplating a personal decision and the Synchronicity happened around around a woman who had made the decision I had been thinking of making. To me it was the universe giving me a warning as to what the outcome could be. Weird awesome stuff happens in life, and it is nice to have a term for it, and to believe that it is meaningful and important. I do believe that things are meaningful when we make them meaningful, not before. Before we make them meaningful, they just are things.
I believe in connectivity, in the words of Lauryn Hill (only slightly kidding here), Everything is Everything :) Nothing is isolated, nothing stands alone.
The notion of Entanglement is an interesting thought in relation to connectivity. Once particles have become entangled, their properties depend on each other no matter how far apart they are. This reminds me of creatures that are tightly bonded, how they have a feeling for each other's well being no matter how great a distance there is between them.
I do not know how to explain connectivity because I don't understand the nature of existence, which is connecting everything. I guess drops in a pond is a good metaphor, but things don't always work in such a straight forward fashion.
I believe in connectivity, in the words of Lauryn Hill (only slightly kidding here), Everything is Everything :) Nothing is isolated, nothing stands alone.
The notion of Entanglement is an interesting thought in relation to connectivity. Once particles have become entangled, their properties depend on each other no matter how far apart they are. This reminds me of creatures that are tightly bonded, how they have a feeling for each other's well being no matter how great a distance there is between them.
I do not know how to explain connectivity because I don't understand the nature of existence, which is connecting everything. I guess drops in a pond is a good metaphor, but things don't always work in such a straight forward fashion.
Chemistry Week Three Assignments
Transitional Metal, Copper (Cu)
Copper has an atomic number of 29, it has 29 Protons and 29 Electrons. It has 35 Neutrons, and an atomic mass of 63.546. Its Crystal Structure is Cubic.
Copper has one electron at the 4th energy level, meaning, it occupies 4 energy levels.
It conducts electricity and is used often in Jewelry, plumbing and coins (although the copper penny has now been replaced with a copper nickel alloy because the worth of the copper exceeded the worth of the penny.)
Copper is found in humans in the Liver, Bone and muscle. It is a necessary dietary nutrient.
Pure copper is soft, alloys are used to make copper use functional.
Copper oxidizes with air and turns a darker color, but normally it is red or orange.
The article Neptune's Medicine Chest makes me feel conflicted. On the one hand it is important to and so many people are depending on finding cures for cancer, etc. The ocean is a vast resource that is largely unexplored. On the other hand, the article makes plain that this is a capitalistic venture, that cures are patented. That it is only within large (quasi governmental) institutions like universities where research is being done. Once again, there seems to be no concern for environment... environment leading to disease, environment that may be destroyed through misuse, environment having its own integrity to respect. It made me sad to think of these well funded scientists drinking margaritas and not considering the angle their work assumes.
What an amazing link, Advancing Green Chemistry! I feel like I could, and will spend some serious time on this site. I read an article about Phalates and an article about stain protectors found in increasing amounts in the blood stream. There certainly are people doing good in the world, people who are interested in honestly looking at what we are doing and coming at the issues of today, lie cancer, from a different angle that could result in future preventative results.
http://advancinggreenchemistry.org/
Copper has an atomic number of 29, it has 29 Protons and 29 Electrons. It has 35 Neutrons, and an atomic mass of 63.546. Its Crystal Structure is Cubic.
Copper has one electron at the 4th energy level, meaning, it occupies 4 energy levels.
It conducts electricity and is used often in Jewelry, plumbing and coins (although the copper penny has now been replaced with a copper nickel alloy because the worth of the copper exceeded the worth of the penny.)
Copper is found in humans in the Liver, Bone and muscle. It is a necessary dietary nutrient.
Pure copper is soft, alloys are used to make copper use functional.
Copper oxidizes with air and turns a darker color, but normally it is red or orange.
The article Neptune's Medicine Chest makes me feel conflicted. On the one hand it is important to and so many people are depending on finding cures for cancer, etc. The ocean is a vast resource that is largely unexplored. On the other hand, the article makes plain that this is a capitalistic venture, that cures are patented. That it is only within large (quasi governmental) institutions like universities where research is being done. Once again, there seems to be no concern for environment... environment leading to disease, environment that may be destroyed through misuse, environment having its own integrity to respect. It made me sad to think of these well funded scientists drinking margaritas and not considering the angle their work assumes.
What an amazing link, Advancing Green Chemistry! I feel like I could, and will spend some serious time on this site. I read an article about Phalates and an article about stain protectors found in increasing amounts in the blood stream. There certainly are people doing good in the world, people who are interested in honestly looking at what we are doing and coming at the issues of today, lie cancer, from a different angle that could result in future preventative results.
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