Social network sites and Brains

Nowadays, internet is used for business, education, entertainment, and so on. It is very useful for human. Many people in the world use internet to connect with their friends. This way is very popular in society because it's easy and cheaper than phone and it has many functions, for example, sharing photo, face time, and so on. We know many benefit of internet, but we don't know what internet could be affect with our brains.

According to " Internet 'may be changing brains' " on BBC News, researchers told us social network sites might be changing human's brains, but they couldn't tell us it's good or bad. They have found that the number of Facebook friends linked to some interesting brain regions. In previous research show it linked to amygdala which is associated with memory and emotional response. In this research, Dr Heidi Johansen-Berg, reader in Clinical Neurology at the University of Oxford's Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain, said this study found only a weak relationship. At least, he thought the number of Facebook friends may be depend on how much time to use Facebook or what mobile phone you have.

In my opinion, I agree with this research because I believe that internet could be affect to my brain and I also think it's a bad effect. When I used internet such as Facebook, I really spend many time to see it. I usually look at my Facebook, although it don't have anything. I know it's a bad habit and I want to get it out. I feel like my mind want to look on my Facebook. The big problem for me is when I want to my homework in my notebook, I often enter to my Facebook first for long times. That make me assure that Facebook has a bad effect to my brain, except some websites that have actually benefit, because I believe that it make my brain no active. This is just my opinion and what do you think with this? You agree or disagree with me and this research.

References

Helen Briggs., (2011, October 19). Internet 'may be changing brains'. BBC News.Retrieved October 24 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15353397

Is Stephen Law right? Is it (normally) morally wrong to eat meat?

Now that you have had a chance to see his arguments, you might like to vote in the new poll, and add a comment below to support your answer, especially if you still think that Law is wrong. In the poll, I've added the word normally because Law's short essay is addressing the normal situation for most people, for people such as us (2003), not extreme or unusual situations, in some of which he would certainly allow that eating meat was not only morally acceptable, but that it was morally required to kill animals to be eaten.

If he is wrong, why? What argument has be missed? Where does he make a mistake in his persuasive essay?

If you agree with Law, you might like to come to his defence, since I am sure that at least some people in our class will continue to disagree with Law.

I like the essay because it demonstrates very neatly a couple of points in academic writing that are very relevant to the persuasive essay from Quest which you are also working on at the moment. However, I'm not trying to convert anyone to vegetarianism - I am not vegetarian, and I disagree with Law, but that is not a good reason for you to disagree with him; after all, I might be completely wrong. And it's a well written little essay.

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References

Law, S. (2003). Carving the roast beast. In The Xmas Files (p.124 – 140). London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Pylon design competition

How do you think about pylons? Is it beautiful or ugly? If you have an image about pylons as huge strange lattice structures damaging scenery around them, you will change your mind when you read this news.

According to Pylon design competition revealed in the BBC online news, Department of Energy and Climate Change and energy firm National Grid in the UK organized the pylon competition encouraged by increasing need of a number of pylon to connect new renewable energy plants such as wind, nuclear and hydroelectric power, resulting from trying to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. The winner is T-pylon designed by Bystrup, Danish engineering firm, and get a 5,000 pounds prize. T-pylon is much shorter and smaller than existing pylons. Most existing pylons are about 50m in height and 30 tones in weight whereas T-pylon is about 32m in height and 20 tones in weight. This means new designed T-pylon is less intrusive. Another five runners-up receive a 1,000 pounds prize each.

Actually, I do not like the winner's design, T-pylon. I think it seems very simple but it may be more practical than the others. There are also many interesting pylon designs in this competition and you can see all of them from this link http://www.ribapylondesign.com/gallery. In my view, it is a good idea to redesign something that blight scenery such as pylon to blend with its environment. It makes more value in addition to its functionality. For example, dams which function to irrigate land or crops can be tourist attractions if they have a beautiful design. In Thailand, I think there are many things are messy and blight scenery such as the disorder of wires on electric post. What do you think there are anything in Thailand that should be redesign most?

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References

Pylon design competition winner revealed (2011, October 14). BBC News. Retrieved October 19, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15293918

People on Shame

Allan was left for dead after a vicious attact

I have a friend who cares about children very much so when an issue about children comes in a newspaper, he explodes his rage to the assaulter. Even when accidents including children victims happened, he did same thing to the absolute being in the heaven. The very friend called me yesterday to check internet news about children's terrible scene in Africa. While reading the news, suddenly, Peter's comment on our blog came up to my mind " The most violent societies are almost always traditional, primitive cultures." 


According to BBC News "Where child sacrifice is a business", there are posters warning of the danger of abduction by witch doctors for the purpose of child sacrifice in Uganda's capital, Kampala. It is reported that from the 3 years ago, with a boom in the country's economy, the ritual that sacrifices children for the wealth and health has re-emerged. According to the police, they investigated 25 alleged ritual murders in 2008, and 29  children in 2009. However,Jubilee Campaign UK-based charity says in a report " The true number of cases is in the hundreds, and claims more than 900 cases have not been investigated by the police." Many people believe members of the country's elite including police are corrupted by the witch doctors, and police excuses that there is a lack of resources and there is no evidence to take the suspects to the court.


This is the Awali's words who boasted he had sacrificed children many times "We can bury the child alive on your construction site, or we cut them in different places and put their blood in a bottle of spiritual medicine." This was recorded by undercover reporter who approached to him disguising as a businessman who was looking for a child sacrifice to bring prosperity. After meeting him, the team handed out information to the police. However, It is said that he is still a free man.


There should be hope in children's eyes in any continents; the eyes of Afghan children who are smoking marijuana after hard working and the eyes of the girls who were raped by their school teachers and the eyes of Ugandan children who are gripped by fear. In Korea, there is a movie playing now titled "Dogani" which is dragging a whole nations attention. This was filmed based on the true story  which happened a few years ago. Some school staff including the principal raped teenagers who are deaf in a disabled school, but the offenders just sentenced probation and got free and went back their same routine and the filthy incident seemed to disappear. However, a brave female author wrote a novel about the case and they shot the movie. Now, this movie is giving all nations huge shame. I think that the elites in Uganda and those in Korea are same, no difference; live in  primitive cultures.

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References

Rogers, C. (2011, October 11). Where child sacrifice is a business. BBC News. Retrieved October 18 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15255357

How we know that we need supplements or not?

Although it is the place for us to seek doctors and get medicine and treatment, in the hospital you still can find supplements store and you can buy. Sometime it's difficult to distinguish supplements or medicine from doctors when a person eats it after meal in front of you. When I read "Vitamins linked with higher death risk in older women" on the BBC News website,  How we know that we need supplements or not? Not all doctors agreed with supplements.

The BBC reports that experts believe supplements is needed when a person is deficient in a nutrient and they can harm if a person takes more than enough. According to Drs Christian Gluud and Goran Bjelakovic, who review research for the Cochrane Database of System Reviews to evaluate best evidence said that supplements use from preventing deficiency now become promoting wellness and prevent diseases. They said:" We believe that for all micro nutrients, risks are associated with insufficient and too- large intake." According Helen of British Dietetic Association, people should get all the vitamins and minerals from balance diet. She said that too much vitamins and minerals can create toxic in the body.

I believe that supplements that we take can promote wellness and prevent diseases. If our diet is poor this can compromise our immune system and we become easy to get sick like cold and flu.  We need all the vitamins and minerals to keep our immune system to work properly and protect us from infection and diseases. Supplements is needed when we don't eat balance diet every day. Now days, it is very difficult to get the balance foods unless you prepare it at home. People who are working have limited time too and sometime they just grab the frozen food from 711 near the house on the way home from work and put in microwave. How to cook the food is very important too. When you cook to long can destroy the nutrition in it.

When my family were sick and went to doctor in the hospital, they gave us medicine all the time. They almost never gave  vitamins like vitamin C. They don't agree that vitamin c can help the body to be strong and it make the body get well faster. What do you think?

Too much supplements can create toxin in the body and harm in the body but I am not sure what they are because I don't study it. Please give your input or opinion about this.

References

Vitamins linked with higher death risk in older women. (2011, October 11). BBC News. Retrieved October 17, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15238610

Did Van Gogh not kill himself ?

If we talk about a painting, nobody don't know the Starry Night or Cafe Terrace. It's a famous painting in the world. It was created in the impressionism period by Vincent van Gogh. He was well known as a Dutch post-Impressionist. In his biography, it indicated that he was sick in which a painful anxiety was a serious mental illness, and it also indicated that he was killed by himself, shoot into his chest. Recently, I saw the news told me that he wasn't suicidal.

According to "Van Gogh did not kill himself, authors claim" on BBC News, Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith told the BBC that it was shot accidentally by two boys he knew who had a malfunctioning gun. They believed that he did not go into the wheat fields with the intention of shooting himself, but the assertion that the bullet passed his upper abdomen from an oblique angle, not straight, different from a suicide. They claimed he decide to protect two boys because that boy was his brother. They want to admire him as his achievement.

This is a surprising news when I saw it on BBC news. The most people thought him mad and suicidal because he was very hard core. He could cut his ear when he quarreled with his girlfriend. It's a abnormal behavior. If you have a normal mind, you can not decide to cut your ear. Even so when I saw this news, I have change my mind because he was actually a good man. He helped his brother from society's indictment. Finally, I'm very appreciate him and I also admire his paintings because it's very nice and beautiful. Although he was died, but his paintings were still admired from people around the world.

______

References:
Van Gogh did not kill himself, authors claim. (2011, October 17) BBC News. Retrieved October 17, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15328583

Who should pay for medical treatment of anorexia nervosa?

The "Room for Debate" section of the New York Times invites several experts to share their ideas on a topical issue, and a few days ago it was on a topic closely related to one we have been looking at the past few weeks: the nature and treatment of psychological disorders.

In "Should Insurers Pay for Eating Disorders?", there is a brief introduction to the issue, giving relevant background, and then the discussion questions, on which the four debaters share their ideas.

• What do you think? 
• Whose arguments do you agree with? Why? 
• Whose arguments do you disagree with? Why? 
• And what is your answer to these sorts of questions? 

__________

References

Should Insurers Pay for Eating Disorders? (2011, October 15). The New York Times. Retrieved October 17, 2011 from http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/10/14/should-insurers-pay-for-eating-disorders

Something you thought you knew but is Wrong.

There were a lot of things that I thought I clearly knew, but actually my understanding was wrong. For example, I thought the red color made bulls angry, but they are in fact colorblind and charge a cape because a matador is waving it. Besides, the Caesar Salad was not named after Julius Caesar but it was named after a chef named Caesar Cardini who invented such a menu at his restaurant in Tijuana. Today, I found another misunderstanding after reading a piece of news on BBC website. Interestingly, piranhas seem to bark more often than bite.

According to “Piranhas communicate with sound, say researcher”, Scientists have discovered that instead of attacking, piranhas use sounds to communicate and to threaten their rivals. Dr. Eric Parmentier, lead researcher from the University of Liege, Belgium, said that "For animals, it's less expensive to make a lot of noise and impress the other guys, rather than fight”. His team has also indicated that there were piranhas’ three different noises. To display themselves, piranhas make a distinct bark while confronting one another but not fighting. Moreover, piranhas produce a drum-like beat when they chase one another, and a softer croak is made while biting each other because of snatching food. Although he got a lot of useful information, Dr. Parmentier and his team hope to go on to study the fish in their Amazon River home to find out more about their acoustic repertoire.

Thankfully, this piece of news gets rid of my misconception about piranhas, which was given by Hollywood films that has always presented the Amazon fish as the nasty predator. This news also reminds me of common misunderstandings about Thailand. Many foreign people think that my developing country still uses elephants as public transportation. Additionally, some tourists regard Thailand as the land of smile because they think we are so happy all the time. In fact for Thai people, smiling is used for expressing various emotions, such as embarrassment, confusion, or even worry. However, I like these misunderstandings because they lead to the raise of income from travel business. Unfortunately, there is one wrong belief about Thai women which has often concerned us. It is said that the majority of Thai women are taking part in prostitution. Although it really exists in my country, prostitution is not the most popular occupation in Thailand. It is not fair for a number of women who are good mothers, competent teachers, or even the prime minister. Even if I do not clearly know how to change it, I hope someday we can correct this undesirable misunderstanding.


__________

References

Gill, V.(2011, October 13). Piranhas communicate with sound, say researchers. BBC News. Retrieved October 14, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/15274875

A Party or a Funeral

Have you ever wondered why often hear gunshots in the new year day? I have heard gunshots occurs in various celebrations. However, this incident is still not to find the reasons why it happen. Moreover, in Thailand, no one can find a way to solve this problem.

According to "Who, What, Why: How dangerous is firing a gun into the air?" on the BBC News website, there are many people who died from a gunshot which was fired into the air in celebration. For example, in Philippines, there are three people who died from a gunshot which fired into the air on New Year's Day. In addition, the most sad events is happen in Turkey, the bridegroom killed three relatives by gunfire celebrating in his wedding. Some countries have said that firing a gun into the air is forbidden, especially in Yugoslavia, the government has run a campaign poster with the slogan "Bullets Are Not Greeting Cards - Celebrate Without Weapons".(¶11)

I have heard the news about this accident. For instance, in Thailand, a child who swim in the indoor swimming pool had been shot by the bullet which through the ceiling. I think this action is wrong, even if they are fired into the air to celebrate or to anything because it can cause people to die from bullets, and even if no injuries or deaths from this event, but it was able to make others feel unwelcome. For example, I went to the mountains with my family on New Year's Day, while I was selpt, I heard the sound from a gun, everyone was shocked and felt angry. However, the staffs could not do anything about it, for they thought this action was to celebrate the New Year. Now I have wonder that the government cannot solve this problem or they can but do not do it.

What do you think? Is this action right or wrong?

__________

References

Who, What, Why: How dangerous is firing a gun into the air? (2011, August 22). BBC News. Retrieved October 13, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14616491

Flooding

Are you prepare to protect your area from the flood?

No one want to face flooding. It is a normally caused by natural that can happened all the time and anywhere. Maybe from heavy rainfall, high tides, storm or thunder from another country, or dam broken. No matter what cause is, it damages in many areas. This year, Thailand has worst affected from flooding not only in countrysides, but also Bangkok Metropolis.

According to Thailand races to defend Bangkok from floods on BBC News website, At least 270 Thai people have died in floods since July. More than 700,000 homes have been destroyed and many people are homeless. In Ayutthaya province has worst affected areas. North of Thailand where are faraway from flooding are also floods. Moreover, high tides arrived in many areas of Bangkok now. Thai workers are hurry up to build flood walls of sandbags in Bangkok but it has a problem that sandbags are not enough for floods. However, the government is trying to fix a shortage of sandbags. Also, basic foods such as rice, noodle, water and food cans on supermarket shelves are empty now.

I can't remember flooding in 1995. Many people said flooding in 1995 had been worst affected but I heard prediction on news that flooding in this year will have worst affect more than in 1995. One of my friend has traditional house at Ayutthaya province has been damaged now. My father's office at Laoprao is also flood but it is just in front of the door. Although, my house is not risk areas, we prepare for flood by saving food and moving stuffs.

I heard announcement that who have a car can park at Don Muang Airport and they have helping zone at domestic terminal. Who have blackberry, iPhone, facebook, or anything that you can broadcast, please tell this announcement to your friends or people you know. We have to help each other.

"Thais do not leave Thais."

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References

Thailand races to defend Bangkok from floods. (2011, October 11). BBC News. Retrieved october 11, 2011. from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15255038

Dream of an African Fashion Designer

How does a fashion designer get inspiration for his cloth collections? Several designed clothes are exhibited on fashion catwalk which new design. Some of those, people cannot put them on in daily life because they are very vivid color, conspicuous design ,and strange clothing. However, it plays a significant role in a fashion industry nowadays. Likely, Alexander McQueen, a British fashion designer, got the idea of comparing strength with fragility and adapted it for his collections.

According to "African Dream: Nigeria's Lisa Folawiyo" in the BBC news, Folawiyo L., the founder and creative director of Jewel by Lisa, has designed not only glamour clothes but also fully qualified clothes. She improved the fabric that originated from traditional Indonesian batik which are not bright enough, so "she decided to embellish them with beads, sequins and crystals, all sewn by hand, and the chic combination became an instant success." Now, she is a successful entrepreneur in the fashion industry that well know from Logos to Cape Town, London, Paris, New York and Hollywood, and she believe that "there is still room in the industry for new entrepreneurs."

I always appreciate many people that have creative thinking to develop useful things in order to become better ways. These new ideas has continually changed our world for a long time. Not only has fashion industry developed, but it also causes human life getting more convenient. Once, people had to contact via a PAPER letter, but now we can communicate via an Electronic Mail.

References

"African Dream: Nigeria's Lisa Folawiyo". (2011, October10), BBC News, Retrieved October 11, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15241865

"Alexander McQueen-Fashion Designer (1969-2010)"., Design Museum, Retrieved October 11, 2011 from http://designmuseum.org/design/alexander-mcqueen

Brain 'rejects negative thoughts'

Do you know how to reduce a risk to be diseases? Anyone want to be a healthiness, without diseases. They tried to take care of ourselves and search for cause of a disease to avoid it. The most people think a food is a important factor and I think so. As this epigram "you are what you eat". However, exercise is also important. For this news, it make me recall to another factor that is important to increase a risk to be diseases.

According to " Brain 'rejects negative thoughts' " on BBC News, it's a study, published in Nature Neuroscience which suggests that the brain can work well when it processes good news about the future. From experiment, the scientists at University College London rated 14 people for level of optimism and tested them in a brain scanner. Its result found that the brain had more activity in the brain's frontal lobes when they received good news. Nevertheless, when they received bad news, the brain had least activity. For this reason, because the brain will reject negative thoughts, so it will work least. It shows that the brain choose and pick information to receive. however, the optimism seem to be good for our health.

For this news, I think it's useful to everybody because it help us to know how to be healthy. In my opinion, I think mood is important because I believe that if my mood is good, I feel happy and endophins was run. I think endophins can help me healthy. I have ever heard about research of mental that relate to health extremely. I think we should concentrate or practice our mind, avoid strains because it cause to be diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and so on. However, I agree with this news and I will give precedence to my mind more and more because I want to be healthy and don't want to see a doctor.

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References

James Gallagher. Brain 'rejects negative thoughts'. (2011, October 9) BBC News, Retrieved October 10,2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15214080

Tali Sharot, Christoph W Korn & Raymond J Dolan. How unrealistic optimism is maintained in the face of reality. (2011 October, 9) BBC News, Retrieved October 10,2011 from http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nn.2949.html

What is happening in Tibet?

 

In August, I read an article about a Tibetan monk who set himself alight and died, shouting slogans " We Tibetan people want freedom" of protesting against Chinese rule, which was already the second self-immolation in this year. At that time, I was surprised, so I wrote the article on my journal. However, this story did not end. The same protests happened twice in early this month; 3rd and 7th, resulting in one person dead.


The BBC News reported that "Tibetan youths self-immolate in protest at China rule". According to the UK-based lobby group Free Tibet,  two Tibetan teenagers who had been expelled from a monastery had set themselves on fire in the street in Aba, Sichuan province, China, where  is a large ethnic Tibetan Community, on Friday October 7th, and one of them had died. The Kirti monastery has been the center of repeated protests against Chinese government's rule which requires the Tibetan monks to attend re-education programs. Three monks have been sentenced  to  prison for helping the previous self-immolation which occurred in August. China said that the monks have been engaged in acts aimed at disturbing social order whereas many Tibetans have complained about growing domination of ethnic Han Chinese in Tibet, and accuse the government of trying to dilute their culture. Free Tibet says dozens more monks appear to be ready to kill themselves soon.



When people are going to protest against the powerful authorities by sacrificing themselves, they may think that this is the last choice they can do. This practice that people commit suicides with the strong will has been conducted since ancient times. While I was reading this article, I wondered that why this extreme and tragic action should still exist in the modern world where people try to make people's life better. It seems that one of the possible answers is that even though human beings have achieved many physical benefits, we still have a long way to go when it comes to freedom. I don't know much about the history between China and Tibet. However, I believe that everyone in this world should be cared of equally regardless of the races or religions. Definitely, this Tibetan situation is not the problem between only two peoples concerned, but this is an impending homework for world to solve together.

__________

References

Tibetan monk burns himself to death in China. (2011, August 15). BBC News. Retrieved October 9, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uknews/world-asia-pacific-14531538


Tibetan youths self-immolate in protest at China rule. (2011, October 7). BBC News. Retrieved October 9, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15219298

What do you think about Apple after Steve Jobs?

When I saw the news from TV last Wednesday  morning, Steve Jobs has passed away after suffering from cancer. He was a man who has changed the world in my life time. I was wondering how the company will be without him. I am very sure that everybody will think the same after reading, "Apple Can stay ahead without Jobs at its core?" on the BBC News.



The BBC report that Steve Jobs has passed away after the company unveiled the iPhone 4S. It was presented by Tim Cook, the new CEO who replaced him last month, and the team. The style was completely different than Steve. "He's irreplaceable," said Tim Charlton, of Charlton Media Group. "There's nobody with his vision."(P10) The investors and fans of Apple have fear that the rivals will move faster than Apple. However, in his resignation letter, Mr Jobs said he believed "Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it".(P16) Many people aren't sure about this statement. "Product development is not just about getting the technological bit right - it's also also about the art of getting the look and feel and the timing of its launch right," Mr Bhat said.(P18) It is clear that Tim Cook has to come up with something soon to convince both costomers and investors that Apple can do well and Job's legacy continue live in Apple.

I am convinced that Apple will do well without him. Tim Cook can't replaced Steve Jobs. They are completely different from each other.We missed Steve, because he was special and very talented. He knew what he want and never give up, that why he has came this far. As I read, he has prepared an Apple University which is the place for Apple bosses to be more like Steve. It provides an executive training program with a team of experts. The idea is passing the DNA to future generations. So I believe he has planned before he passed away. People need time to adjust with Tim and if they love Apple, they will give a chance to Tim to prove it.

Apple have done well before without him, so this time they can do it too. His personality is in Apple.
Investors who are not sure maybe will leave them. However, for those who are in love Apple will stay.
I believe from his death, there will be people like me, new fan of Apple will come to join. What do you think? Do you have other reasons that Apple will stay or do you think Apple will be fail?

Please feel free to give your idea.



References

Can Apple stay ahead without Jobs at its core?( 2011, October 6). BBC News. Retrieved October 8, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15194356

Three Reasons Why Apple Will Survive Without Steve Jobs ( 2008, December 23). Cult of mac. Retrieved October 8, 2011 from http://www.cultofmac.com/6345/three-reasons-why-apple-will-survive-without-steve-jobs/

Steve Jobs Believes apple Will Be OK Without Him. (2011, May 8).Cult of mac.Retrieved October 8, 2011 from http://www.cultofmac.com/93945/steve-jobs-believes-apple-will-ok-without-him/

Steve Jobs Legacy Will live On In The Apple University.(2011, October 7). Cult of mac Retrieved October 8, 2011 from  http://www.cultofmac.com/121798/steve-jobs-legacy-will-live-on-in-the-apple-university/

The Expense of Radical Development

The deadly crash of two a high-speed trains left 40 people dead in China Wenzhou July 23. Two months later, two subway trains collided in Shanghai on Tuesday injuring more than 270 passengers, 20 critically. The two accidents quickly become the most talked in China. The alarm bells are ringing again, telling us that in economic development we cannot ignore safety.

According to "Shanghai subway crash 'was human error'" on BBC News, today chinese government announced the findings of Shanghai subway crash. "Three officials have been fired and nine penalised over the crash, which happened on 27 September". A subway rear-ended the other subway with 35km/h (22mph) speed. "Investigators said the accident was caused by a series of errors, starting with a signal failure". "The signal system failed after power was lost on a line undergoing repairs. Dispatchers then issued faulty instructions that caused the crash".

Tow similar accidents prompt public anger and renew concerns about China's aggressive rail building plans. they say that increasing speed should not come at a cost to public safety. Now China's cosmopolitan business hub is in the midst of an ambitious subway expansion plan. The Chinese government keen on if their rail speed is number one in the world, they care only that data. Their rapid development of railway traffic, but it misses the point that to people's lives at the expense of development is ridiculous. I have read some comments from forum, people say "what happened in Shanghai tells us that the government has not served its people whole-heartedly and can't even learn from mistakes"; "the Shanghai metro has rear-ended, look at how the lives of the ordinary people are a joke".

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References

(2011, October 7). Shanghai subway crash 'was human error'. BBC News. Retrieved October 7, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15211362

Lose weight by changing your mindset, is it enough?

Do you know The Secret, which is a best-selling 2006 self-help book written by Rhonda Byrne?

I read this book 2 years ago. In The Secret, Rhonda Byrne tells us that this universe can be controlled by a natural law called the law of attraction, which teachs that you are what you believe. This law is worked by attracting people's life experiences, thought and feeling. Thus, positive thinking and feeling can create new positive changed results in your life such as better health, more happiness and increased wealth. Have you ever tried to loss your weight? I'm on diet to loss my weight now so I am interested in news about health.

According to Helen Briggs in Weight loss plan 'lacks evidence', a new behavioural approach to loss weight is changing mind set. This method is used to encourage people to improve health behaviour, it is successful in alcohol and drug addiction and smoking. Prof. Azeem Majeed and Dr.Nik Tuah of Imperial College London led this research about lossing weight by this technique in 1,834 overweight patients and 2,076 people with normal weight in the UK, US,Netherlands, Canada, and Australia. They found no convincing evidenceof significant weight loss. Prof Majeed told that "Chaging people's dietary patterns is very difficult - that's why we've got such a problem with obesity". In addition, a spokesperson for the charity, the British Nautritional Foundation, said "Chaging one's mindset is not enough. People need to eat less and excercise more to lose weight."

I was surprised about this news because I have my own direct experience about lossing weught by chaging my mindset. In 2009, I wanted to loss my weight 15 kg. After that, I told my friend and she suggested me that " First,you should change your mindset that you have a slender body already. Then you will act like a slender person such as eat less" I accepted to try this technique. In the beginning, I want my mindset know what I want to be clearly so I find a picture of slender woman with two piece swimsuits that show her a little abdominal muscle. Then, I did meditation to connect my thought and my mind and tell to my mind what I want to be peacefully. That might sound like I was crazy, but in fact, it was steps of chaging mindset. I looked at this picture I made and told what I want every morning. Finally, my dream didn't come true, I can't loss my weight. And I've learnt that the effective weight loss appoarch are diet and excercise with regularity.

What do you think about losing weight by changing your mindset?

_________

References

Helen Briggs. Weight loss plan 'lacks evidence'. ( 2011, October 6) BBC News. Retrieved October 9, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15173639

Rhomda Byrne.(2006) The Secret. (2nd ed.). Atria Books Beyond Words Publishing.

Never Give up.

When do you think that you are already successful? What is your milestone which you set to measure your achievement? For lazy childhood, they might felt successful when skipping class without getting caught. For a mother, success might be that her kid begins speaking only a few words. So, what is success that world-class scholars aim to gain? I think some scholars may regard the Nobel Prize as a good benchmark of achievement.

According to “Nobel win for crystal discovery” on BBC News, Daniel Shechtman, from Technion - Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, will gain the Noble Prize in chemistry for his discovery of the structure of quasicrystals. By quickly cooling molten metals, such as such as aluminum and manganese, Shectman could create quasicrystals. While observing through a microscopic, he found the structure of quasicrystals, sharps of which looked like irregular forms of the medieval Islamic mosaics of the Alhambra Palace in Spain. His first discovery had occurred in 1982; however, no scientist believed the results, and some said that Shectman was talking nonsense. So, Shectman had to spend a lot of time proving his theory. After working hard to verify the results, he could convince such scientists to accept his thought and was declared to win the 2011 Nobel Prize for chemistry.

I feel impressed with the Shectman’s achievement because not only did he find a structure which no one had ever seen, but also he did not give up to prove it. This is not a recent discovery because he has found the structure for about 29 years ago. That means it is a long time which he spend to fright for acceptance of those who rather looked down on him. "The head of my lab came to me smiling sheepishly, and put a book on my desk and said: 'Danny, why don't you read this and see that it is impossible what you are saying’”, said Shectman (¶13). Besides, his colleagues accused him of bringing a disgrace to the group and asked him to leave. Yet, he has never stopped proving his discovery until he reached the success at the end. For me, this is a good inspiring story. Intelligence helps you understand something, but perseverance helps other people understand you. I still cannot answer the question that what does success means? However, Shectman already tells us that if we want to be successful, we must not give in. The most successful people may not be the most intelligent, but he may be the one who tries to do something again and again.            

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References

Carpenter, J. (2011, October 5). Nobel win for crystal discovery. BBC News. Retrieved October 6, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15181187

The Danger of Women

There are many dangers that occur within our society, such as crime or theft. Women are often victims of these criminals, maybe it is because women are the weaker gender, so it makes them easy victims. Therefore, they should find a way to protect themselves.

According to "Woman raped in Plant Hill Park in Manchester" on the BBC News website, a woman aged 32 years was raped by being dragged into the bush while she walks through the Manchester park. The man who rape is higher than 6 feet, slim, unshaven and wearing a grey hooded top. From this incident, the police came out to announce to all women in this area walk home in groups and avoid walking in isolated places.

I think this problem is happens a lot in society today because each day I have heard the news of many women being raped, and most of them are teenagers. I agree that all women should be careful, but if they careful of themselves already why it still happens. For example, Thai teenager has been raped by being dragged to beneath the bridge when she was walking along the street during morning, and there are many cars on the road as well as she was dressed neatly, but why she still was raped. That is my doubt that this incidence happened because of women do not careful for yourself or criminals do not have ethics. In this reason, I think women should careful of themselves; moreover, the government should help to find a solution to this problem as well. Otherwise, the woman was a victim of society continual.

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References

Woman raped in Plant Hill Park in Manchester. (2011,October 6). BBC News. Retrieved October 6, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-15195192

Students' mental health 'at risk', psychiatrists warn

In the past, we all have heard several depressing news about student's violence. For example, students commit a crime by killing their classmates or commit suicide. These problems may be originated from suppressing of anxiety and depression in the mind of the students continuously. There are many reasons causing of anxiety and depression such as stress from learning, friend relationship and pressure from the family. In this news, talks about student's mental health in university life.

According to "Students' mental health 'at risk', psychiatrists warn" in BBC News, today, the student has a greater risk of anxiety and depression than the student in the past. The Royal College of Psychiatrists says there are now many more students from less privileged backgrounds who are less prepared for university life. They are faced with rising debt and uncertain job prospects. Dr. John Callender said "Many are having to work long hours in paid work on top of full-time academic studies. Many are less well-supported by their families than was the case in years gone by". In addition, he adds that the reasons for this are results of increased rate of marital breakdown.

I agree with the statement that the current generation of students has a greater risk of anxiety and depression than previous ones. Today, children have to study a lot in tutorial schools at the low age instead of playing in the way of children in order to enter a good school. Parents who play an important role to discipline children should realize that only learning may make children lack of social skills and increase children's stress unnecessarily. Moreover, some families also use physical punishment to children. This makes the children have low self-esteem and have aggressive behaviors in the future.

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References

Students' mental health 'at risk', psychiatrists warn (2011, September 29). the BBC News, Retrieved October4, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15112980

Organ Donation

Have you ever known about organ donation? I have known about it for a while and I used to ask myself if it is good for me to donate my organs for patients who really need them in order to keep their life. I think it is very useful because if I died, the organ I decided to donate would help someone’s life ,or, my body would become useless ash. However, my mother does not allow me to donate my organs because of her traditional and religious belief that if you donate your organ, the next life, you will be born with incompletely developed vital organs, less than thirty-two organs. Not only does my mom (Thai people) think about the belief, but also others people in Western countries.

As the news from the BBC news online, “Presumed consent plan: Wales supplies more organ donors,” it states about raising awareness of the issue in Wales can help increase organ donation rate. The research found that Wales consistently supplies more donors and donations than other UK nations. However, the Welsh government informed that family members should be firstly consulted to make the agreement.

Unexpectedly, the word “Body donation,” pops up in my head. Consequently, I am curious that between body donation and organ donation, which one is more useful.

In my view, I think it is the same importance depending on necessary need at that moment. If there was patient who needs a heart in order to implant in a rush to keep his life, so heart (organ) would be more useful. On the other hand, if there was not need organ, the body would be more useful because medical students can study anatomy from bodied called a professor. Those students will apply what they learned from the teacher to help other patients.

What do you think which one is more useful?

Anyway, my mom let me to donate my blood instead of donate organs and body.

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References

Presumed consent plan: Wales supplies more organ donors. (2011, October 4). the BBC News, Retrieved October4, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15154159