World Peace

I believe in world peace, but I do not think it is possible at the moment. It is a worthy cause because peace and amity among all the peoples of the world would be healing for a strife-ridden world, and would save the thousands who die as a result every year. I do not think it possible because conflicts have and will always arise between nations of people who consider themselves different from "others". Though we are all one human race, the majority of the people in the world identify as a part of one group that is separate from all others. These identities can cause conflict when groups see themselves as above others or see others as intruding on their claimed land. Until the world claims one global identity, which is not possible, world peace will not happen.
For the goal of world peace, I could work as an ambassador in other countries or connect with teenagers all over the world to form international bonds that span over nationalities. These bonds would strengthen the connection between countries because if the majority of the population were to feel connected to another country's people, violence against that country or actions detrimental to that country would not be received favorably by the population. I would be willing to attempt to meet and connect with teens from other countries to try to foster relationships around the world. Even though we all claim different identities, we are all fundamentally the same, and the state of the world should reflect that.

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After discussion, I found out that all of my classmates agreed with me on the fact that world peace was not possible. However, after talking about how world peace might not mean the end of conflict all over the world, but instead the end of the violence used to resolve those conflicts, I started thinking that maybe world peace would be possible. Though we are all an insignificant part of the world if we act alone, if we collaborate to understand and respect each other's beliefs, we have a much greater chance at creating world peace.

Watch a moving talk about the goal of creating world peace here

Caine's Arcade

The Internet changed 9-year old Caine's life by spreading the word from his previously ignored arcade to an unprecedented amount of people. Through Facebook and Reddit, hundreds of people traveled to Caine's arcade and played his games. Without the Internet, no one would have heard of his arcade and it would still be unknown, with one lone customer.

"Being connected" has both advantages and disadvantages. It can be extremely positive because spreading the word of events is much easier and it is possible to reach a much higher amount of people than by word of mouth or snail mail alone. There are negatives, however. Sometimes publicity can be unwanted, leading to large amounts of people knowing something intended to be private. Also, the wrong information can be published or information can be skewed to create a negative perception of an originally positive thing.

Internet connection can be extremely useful in helping me to promote my brand. As an artist, the best way to allow people to see my artwork is to give them access to all of my work at one time. With a website, all of my art could be hosted in one place. In addition, circulating word about events that I am taking place in as an artist could entice more people to attend my events and increase my popularity.

Watch Caine's Arcade here

All Your Devices Can Be Hacked

Avi Rubin gave a Ted talk recently about how interconnectness because of wi-fi and other high-tech devices has allowed breaches in security and privacy, which serious repercussions for our safety, health, and personal information. Watch his speech below.

Avi Rubin on "How All Your Devices Can Be Hacked"

This video shocked me. I was aware of the increasing complexity and efficiency of technological gadgets, but I had not previously known that hackers or other people with dishonorable intentions had the power to fatally injure me, steal my information, and ruin my property, all without ever coming into direct contact with me.

The most alarming part of the video to me was the part showing how various medical devices could be corrupted with technology outside of the person's body. Fatal heart rhythms can be established or a heart's pace can be changed with the aid of simple tools readily available to anyone in a store. The knowledge that someone has the power to seriously injure me or end my life without ever laying a hand on me.

There are many potential dangers that accompany this technology. Car crashes and speeding tickets can result from wirelessly disabled brakes or a malfunctioning speedometer. Lives can be lost through ruined medical devices. Government and security agency communications can be intercepted and used against us.