Origin of Language

Have you ever thought where did we ever come up with language? Did you ever think about the thoughts of the inventors of language were thinking? And what did people think in before language? In my blog I am not going to provide answers to these questions because just like you, I don't know. But I am going to give you information, facts and opinions all to achieve my main goal, to blow your minds. The first ever written document was a Sumerian clay tablet with supposedly the ingredients to cook beer. This was probably written in some sort of picture format since those people had no idea what words were. We have came from that scribbling pictures to me using all different types of words and putting them on a document not even on paper! Like woah. Anyways how did that happen. How did someone look at a picture grunt a few noises and create the word for an object. What even is language? The combination of words of labels to create a picture in someone else's mind just to understand you? I have no idea. Want to here something extra weird? The human brain labeled itself "brain". Back to the point, grunting = words. Humans making sounds is how we came up with all of these labels that will eventually lead to the languages we have today. But before the first written document, how did our race speak to each other? Were we driven by natural instincts to help our culture? This brings me to another interesting topic, is language the reason we have violence? As a species we had to constantly help each other. But as we developed into humans, violence became more erratic and coincidentaly, we became smarter and were using language for communication. But what were the thoughts of our primal ancestors? Did they even think? I personally think that prior to language we were guided by an animalistic instinct to prolong our species and we did not require language but it was caused as a side effect of our knowledge. These are all questions that are impossible to answer but you can form your own unique opinion. I'm interested in what the readers of this have to say on the origins of language and what has happened over time. Weird answers are encouraged!! But I do hope I made you think and hope I blew your mind a little bit.

A photo of a Roman writing tablet

dated to the early first century

By Luke Romano

Are Cell Phones all that good? By Rachel Raffino

         Since April 3rd, 1973, the day the first cell phone was made, the world was changed forever. The cell phone brought many positive changes with it, like being able to contact people across the world in a matter of seconds. Or searching anything on the web, instead of in searching in books. It made it easier to contact people, yet it is still somehow pulling us apart.

Along with the cell phone’s benefits, came a negative side. It can promote cyber bullying, procrastination, sleep loss, and other harmful health risks. Ehtrust.org explains how some cell phone manuals suggest holding your mobile device x amount of inches away to prevent taking in too much radiation. They state that “When you use a device closer than the manufacturer’s distance instructions, you risk exposing yourself to radiation levels that our federal government understands can cause sterility, brain damage and tissue damage.” But not only are phones negatively affecting us, they are hurting the world around us. Cleanup.org.au tells cellphone users that “poisonous substances may leach from decomposing waste in landfills, seep into groundwater and contaminate the soil. Metals build up in the soil, can then enter the food chain and in sufficient concentrations may cause health problems.” When we get rid of our old phones they are harming the land around us, as well as the animals that live in it.

I work at a sushi restaurant as a hostess. And what angers me the most is not the picky customers, or the obnoxiously loud group in the back, it’s when people don’t talk. What I mean by this is that sometimes two people will come in and ask for a table, presumably on a date. And when I glance over at them, they are sitting silently mindlessly on their phones. Texting, checking social media, or just holding their phone in silence. They eat their sushi without saying more than five words to each other, get up and leave. I think to myself that they should have just come alone. Phones have created a wall between us, and we no longer enjoy the natural life as people used to.

Teendriversource.org calculated that “In 2013, there were 3,154 people killed and an estimated additional 424,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers,” and “Crash risk is four times higher when a driver uses a cell phone, whether or not it’s hands-free.” A fact that is seriously concerning. Mikayla Bivona explains how “she thinks it’s ridiculous how people text and drive,” and it scares her. Claire Riley says “we need to limit phone usage, it’s okay because we have grown up with technology in our generation, but we can’t let it control us.” Julia Young says that “you should still have face to face contact, we should use technology to help us because that’s what it was developed for, it shouldn't over power us.” So the next time you go out consider leaving your phone at home.

Cynthia Loh

Does Fate Actually Exist?

By Cynthia Loh

Among the greatest works of literature to the small time authors, fate is a popular topic to incorporate into one's writing. For example, Shakespeare's Macbeth, Oedipus the King by Sophocles, The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy, The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs, and so much more. Not to mention, many people to this day believe in destiny and that god has a plan for everyone. However, although fate is so frequently discussed and known worldwide, that does not necessarily mean its true. While religion preaches that fate does exist and it is determined by god, science disputes the existence of a god and rejects the notion that fate or destiny is real.

Many people will quote the Bible to prove that destiny and fate is real. Jeremiah 29:11 states that God knows the plans for our lives. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." It is not only Christianity that believes in destiny and that everything happens for a reason. Islam believes in the divine destiny which means that God already knows all occurances regardless of time. Buddhism hints toward fate with their belief in karma. Karma, basically, is a cause and effect sort of destiny. If one does a good deed, something good will happen later on. If someone does a bad deed, then something bad will happen to them. Although this isn't a pre-determined future like the others, it still incorporates the use of an outside force influencing the occurrences in people's lives.

On the other hand, science argues the opposite of religion and supports free will over fate argument. The whole concept of god being the creator and lord of the human race is highly improbable and illogical. There is no real evidence of a god truly existing in the world. To support this claim, evidence can be found in the religions themselves. The inconsistency between religions worldwide on their view of god lead people to believe that god is just what we perceive and want it to be. Also, the weakness of religious arguments and explanations of the natural world is another piece of evidence to not believe in god, By not believing in god or religion, scientists can not believe in the existence of fate either or that a god created human beings and that he is the reason everything is the way it is.

However, this question can not be proved to be either true or false. Although, there is no real evidence fate does exist, there is no way to disprove that fate doesn't exist. So really the answer to whether fate exists or not is your own opinion.

Brain Hacked- Syera Plitt

Syera Plitt
   
  Recently, I got my phone taken away, and I've realized how addicted I am to it.  It's actually scientifically proven that social media apps are programmed to make us addicted to our phones, because the more we open our apps, the more money the big companies make.  There is a 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper talking in depth about our addictions to our phones, and I suggest everyone watch it.  We all are probably past the point of suppressing our addiction to the phones, (unless you live without social media, or rather without a phone altogether) but at least by watching it, we know what we are dealing with.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/brain-hacking-tech-insiders-60-minutes/

So heres a little poem on social media, and how I use to see it...

Brain Hacked

I love you.
You light up everyday and it excites me
You give me a prize, the prize of recognition,
The prize of praise
You boost my ego
You give me likes and you send me hearts and you tell me when my followers multiply
You make my dreams a reality, by letting the world see me as I want to be seen
Theres always something new to see, new to do
You never turn off, your always there, constant...

I need you.
You wake me up
You remind me that I have to check you
Send me more prizes
A friend texted you, check me
You have a new follower, open me
More, more, more
Take me away from the stress of real world
Fill me with hope and aspiration and desperation
Feed my mind with the love and praise I so desperately need
Because without you, do I still have it?
You never turn off, your always there, constant...

I hate you.
You give me no confidence
No prizes today? No Likes? No notifications? No praise?
Why do I need you?
You give me anxiety when you're not around
You're upstairs on my bed, and I know it, but I run to get you,
Why?
I'm stressed when your not in my hands
I'm pressed to see whats on your screen
I feel pressured to post, to comment
You make me desperate
You blind me to the real world, and make me mad when I can't have whats on you're screen
You get me in trouble
You beckon to me with you dings and bells, even when I'm not supposed to touch you
You never turn off, your always there, constant...

What are you?
You're a screen
A case, a hard electronic shell
With touchscreen keyboards and apps
With
You're glued to my hands, your surface is locked to my eyes, your data reprograms my every thought and action
You're my controller
You're my distraction
You're my excuse
You're my escape
You're my alter ego
You're my addiction

You never turn off, your always there, constant...

And I can't live without you.

A Day of My Spring Break By George Mysh

      This year my family and I went out to the large and majestic mountains of Breckenridge, Colorado. It was a two hour drive into the deep mountains from the great city of Denver. When we finally reached the beautiful village of Breckenridge, I knew that skiing was upon us. My brother and I woke up at eight o'clock sharp to get in those early morning laps. I threw on a light sweatshirt with a regular shirt underneath since it was cool spring weather. We finally got onto the lift and up we went 'till we reached the peak of the mountain. The view was absolutely breathtaking. I slowly began making my way down through the soft snow that was ready to melt as the day went by. I took a fast run while the morning wind was hitting me in the face. It was truly amazing to have such a view while speeding down one of the greatest mountains in the world. My brother and I skied all day until the clock reached four which sadly meant the mountain closes. We headed back to the hotel where we threw our damp clothes off and hopped In the steaming hot tubs in which are parents would join us. After a nice soak in the hot tubs we would get ready to head into the village. There we would eat all types of food and browse through the stores as kind people would greet us. Afterwards, we would go back to the hotel where we would fall into our nice beds and drift off to bed.

Who is Hecate? by Abraham LaBelle

In Shakespeare's Macbeth, a strange character named Hecate appears in a few scenes with the three witches. She appears to be the leader of the witches, as she was angry at them for including her in their meeting with Macbeth. Is it possible that Hecate is responsible for what happens to Macbeth?

Who even is Hecate?

In Greek mythology, Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft, necromancy, and sorcery. She is also known to be associated with crossroads, plants, poisons, and dogs. The witchcraft part made Hecate a well-known character in ancient witch hunts. This explains why Hecate was included in the play, Macbeth, as Shakespeare knew the goddess Hecate would be famous with the audience as a person of witchcraft.

Near the end of the play, Hecate basically states that Macbeth's downfall will be his overconfident belief that the prophecies will protect him. The witches later create the illusions which give Macbeth his remaining three prophecies, and ultimately lead to his death. From this, it seems as if Hecate is it overseer of the play, and decides the events and the outcome. But, Hecate is only given a small part in the play, and like sorcery, Hecate remains mysterious.

Shakespeare and Superstition- by Abraham LaBelle

We have examined William Shakespeare's many examples of the supernatural world. For example, the witches and ghosts that appear in the play, Macbeth. We have also learned that the reason for this was most likely to please King James I, who believed in the supernatural and witch hunts.

But, did you know that Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, is involved in one of the biggest theatrical superstitions?

Actors inside a theatre avoid mentioning anything about the play Macbeth, even its name. The reason for this is because the play is said to be cursed. Why is it cursed? According to legend, the actor who played Lady Macbeth died during the first performance, and Shakespeare himself had to continue the role.
Apart from just saying the name "Macbeth" inside a theatre production, it is also forbidden to say lines from the play. To get around this, actors usually use the euphemism "The Scottish Play" in place of the banned word. But, if an actor does speak about the play, he or she must leave the theatre, spin around three times, spit, then curse, and then knock on the door before going back inside.

Another example of popular theatre superstition is the phrase, "break a leg". It is believed that the reason behind this expression is because saying "good luck" to an actor will bring them bad luck.
So, other actors would instead wish their fellow performers "bad luck" in order to reverse the system and give them good luck in return. Throughout time, somehow, the expression came to be "break a leg", which when you think about it, actually is another way of saying "bad luck" as breaking a leg during the performance would not be a good thing.

There are also a couple lesser known superstitions. One saying is that an empty theatre must always have a light on. Whistling on stage is also said to bring bad luck. In addition, there are a multitude of ghosts stories and conspiracies in almost every old theatre.