Appreciate Everthing

"'They're not sorry they still have their dam, or their good lives on the Frontier; they're sorry they've been made to feel gulity about how they got these wonderful things. Maybe that's not fair. Maybe some of them really do feel bad. Oh well, as far as I'm concerned they can be sorry as much as they like. I tell 'em, "Next time you eat cherries, remember who picked 'em. Next time you swig water, stop and wonder where it came from.'" (435.Adlington)

This quote made me wonder a lot about what we're not thankful for. The littlest things can always be appreciated. According to Luka, even the water we drink we should appreciate where it came from. With Luka the one screwing on bottles of water and suffering everyday by her boss at the factory, of course she would be grateful for everything she has now, because what she had before was nothing. All these factories making everything we have, we never consider thinking about the people who incorporated their times and hard working hands into it. But sometimes the government purposely hides certain information from the public, because it doesn't seem right with the conditions of the work place. In the book, the factory place was a place hidden from the public because of how bad the conditions were. Noticing now that the working place aren't exposed and told about, make us wonder what really goes on in those factories that the public doesn't know about? Why do we know so little about factory conditions? Especially clothing brand or shoe brand companies. They don't seem to show the public what their factories are like. This can also wonder how much corrupted work conditions are out there, hidden from public. As us, the consumers who purchase these items, should always consider what the effort was put into everything. 

Factory Workers

"Then came the pictures,all drawn with Harpo's scientific precision. The crowd began to murmur. What did it mean? Who were these skeleton people lugging stone in a quarry? Who were those beasts with twisted faces beating workers emerging from the slit of the dam foundations? Was this the the way their dam had been built? These ghosts in white, were they the ones filling bottles of bubble Blue Mountain? Those bodies on the factory floor, were they actually dead?" (395.Adlington)

With the corruption of unfair factory labor exposed to the whole community, they were all flabbergasted. While the society was drinking their delicious Blue Mountain beverage, they had no idea that the people working in the factory was being abused. Luckily, an escaped factory worker and some friends exposed the horrible conditions of the factory to everyone. Q Essnid, the governor was aware of what was going on in the factory, but tries to hide this secret from everyone that admired him. Q Essnid tries to deny the fact that he knew anything about the conditions of the factory, but he definitely was aware. Factory labors has been around for a fairly long time. Till this day there are still factory labors with people working crazy hours and getting extremely low pay, like in China. But not as bad as the one described in the book. I predicted that in the future, working conditions would improve, just like how they improved from the past. But, it got worse, and the factory only brought in a certain race to do all the labor work. That is a combination of both inequality and corrupted work labor. Apparently in the future, racism and horrible work conditions will get worse, not better. If workers are starving to the point that they look like skeletons, and dead bodies are on the ground, than factories have really reached their limits of providing any rights to the people. Are there factories somewhere in the world that is like this? And we as the people, are not aware? People in prisons now, even have a better condition than the workers in the book. Might as well be in prison and get fed then working for hours without any pay or chance to leave. 

The amazing Q Essind

"During the drought the had triggered the war, the O-HA was created, sending life-saving shipments of pure water. United behind Q Essind, the Frontier was proud to say they'd never succumbed to the racism of the cities. Unsurprisingly, Q Essnid was elected Frontier governor every year without fail. His face smiled out from poster along the length of the town hall, advertising the O-HA's upcoming rally."(114-115.Adlington) 

Immediately reading the book, it became obvious that Q Essind was the figurehead in the New Frontier. Described in the book, Q Essind is an attractive looking man, who doesn't only govern the New Frontier, but also models for every poster and signs in the community. Anyone as the figurehead in a utopian book is usually the bad guy. He puts on a fake appearance for everyone to assume that  he is this amazing guy doing everything perfectly and helpfully for his people. But in reality he is over powering them and deceiving. Although Q Essind helped create everything that is in the New Frontier, he used wrong tactics to achieve it. Killing a certain race just to satisfy racist governments is corrupt. But the people living in the New Frontiers weren't aware of his actions, because of all the other great things he has done for the society. With such great actions, of course they wouldn't have expected him to do anything wrong. It's just ironic how not only was he the most "perfect" governor, but he also had the looks to advertise everything. This may say something about present day. Many large corporations like to use beautiful women or handsome men to represent their company. This may be a trick of propaganda. Using good looking people can influence others to want to be like them or look like them, persuading them to buy and use whatever they're using. I think with Q Essind's looks captured many people to believe that if they follow his advise and instructions, they can be like him. Propaganda is all around us. We just never notice it. Based on the novel, how far can propaganda influence us to do?

Sacrifices

"' He's done it all-all of this. Look at it! Celebrate if you still feel like cheering! He gave us what we wanted-our peace, our prosperity, this giant monument to all things great and glorious! All it cost was a few Galrezi lives. He said it was all for the best, that good would come of it. Yeah, like the ends justified the means, Daddy.'" (410-411.Adlington)

This all relates to the government needing to live in a Utopian world. Every Utopian world must sacrifice something to "perfect" a society. Unfortunately, whatever the government chooses to give up for the dystopian world is usually something really important. like their life or freedom. Based on all the Utopian stories I have read, there are always dystopian protagonist fighting their way from the government to expose the reality of the "perfect" world. In this quote, the figurehead's son is revealing his dad's horrific actions to have "peace" in the New Frontier. The action to get rid of a certain race to form a greater and more peaceful world reminds me of the Holocaust, with Hitler's attempt to kill all the Jews in order for a "stronger" Germany. This concept was always the wrong approach and unacceptable to think that killing will lead to some kind of peace. Most of the time, the people living in the society aren't aware of what the government are doing to maintain peace. Killing innocent people for someone's wanting is self-centered and morally wrong. Luckily, there are many people who see this philosophy as improper. This makes us question, what has the government done behind or backs to maintain a good society? Have they ever killed innocents for the sake of their people? Or is it okay for us to sacrifice a few for the thousands of people that want a better life? Personally, the concept of even kill one innocent for a Utopian world is unacceptable and useless, because in Utopian societies there are people that are always miserable. It is impossible to have everyone satisfied with what the world. So there is no point in killing anyone if not every single person will be happy with how the world is functioning.   

The Atsumisi, Mazzini, and Galrezi

"Back in the bad old days there'd been fierce competition between the three different gene clans- the Atsumisi, Mazzini, and Galrezi. Rivalry hadn't been helped by a severe drought that had everyone gasping for more water. Sly propaganda set the gene clans against one another, with citizens soon starting to judge one another on the color of their hand IDs." (23-24.Adlington)

Based on the novel Cherry Heaven by L.J Adlington, discrimination of race will return. Even though the character in the book described the racism in present tense, there was obviously still tension between the clans if the reader continues to read the story. This relates to the topic of inequality, because of the separation of different race. The fact that history can repeat itself from 1900s, when racism and discrimination was at its highest. Fortunately, during that time, Martin Luther King Jr spoke up against the situation. But in the future, if this does happen again, who will be the one speaking up? In the year 2011, we predict that inequality will eventually disappear, however this story disagrees. Comparing how bad inequality was in the past to now, it has definitely improved. I would assume that there are people who are against inequality than for it. With so many people expecting a Utopian society for the world, inequality shouldn't be part of the plan. This makes me question whether or not things will improve or worsen for the future. It also makes me wonder what the author of the book is trying to say about people now. Even though racism and discrimination has lessen, till this day there are people who inhabit these characteristics. There are still KKKs out in Texas opposing to African American events. Hopefully the government will not allow this to happen. If the government agrees to bring back the injustice of inequality, that would be extremely shameful. In order to prevent this to happen, the government should ban anything that encourages such acts. Instead of dividing the world, we should bring it together and attempt for peace so that everyone will get along with one another.

Cherry Heaven: The O-HA

"Brilliant above the welcome sign was a screen showing scenes of life on the New Frontier, where people smiled as they work, wallowed in hot spa pools, or even hiking on the new heartland. Everywhere there were adverts for Blue Mountain water, as well as the silver insignia of the O-HA--the Overseas Humanitarian Agency. The O-HA was responsible for hugely generous donations of water and aid to the five cities during the war. Without the support of peace-keepers form the O-HA, the cities would have suffered much higher death tolls. The O-HA had no interests in gene-clan distinctions. They had kept faithful to the original ideals of the planet's colony: peace, peace, and above all, peace." (26-27.Adlington)

Right when Tanka and Kat first arrived at the New Frontier to Cherry Heaven, they were immediately overwhelmed by propaganda of the O-HA and their goals for "world peace" They were flabbergasted by how much promotion was around them, because they came from the cities that was ruined by a horrific warfare before arriving to the New Frontier. It was obvious that the O-HA was a big part of where they were soon moving to, assuming by how much the name is mentioned on large poster boards near the welcome sign. It's interesting how the O-HA advertisement is right next to the welcome sign, makes the O-HA look really important to this new society. Also, the Blue Mountain water reminds me of Poland Spring that we have here, because Poland Spring water has a large propaganda in the East Coast, almost seems like Poland Spring is the only spring water that is available for us, because of how dominant the brand is around. Of course there are other brands of spring water available for us, but we don't take really care about them. The government is obviously responsible for all this propaganda. With the O-HA being so popular in the New Frontier, the government believes there is not other philosophy other then the one they have now. But it doesn't appear realistic for a whole community to have nothing but peace. As much as the New Frontier wants to create to Utopian society for their people, it just isn't possible. The government is so caught up to perfecting the community, that they don't notice that damage they could be causing for the people who are physically and mentally damaged along the way. To have an Utopian society, there must sacrifices. This shows that in our present day society, that propaganda can start to control our everyday lives, and we won't even notice how much they have taken over.

Check out my ride!

Technology has hooked up us many times before on everything you can think off. I think technology is one of the most important elements to creating a new future. The purpose is usually improvement, but sometimes technology can result very badly. Like I said, technology has touched upon almost everything. A good example would be cars. Cars have been around since 1700s. So obviously there must’ve some kind of change through out the many centuries. Compared to how minimum the type of cars were being sold, because based on pictures all the cars looked the same back then. But look at cars now; they are created in all sorts of colors, sizes, and types that everyone can have different cars. Cars are the most used transportation now, so of course we had to update that. What the future holds for improving cars, I don’t know, but I’m going assume that they would look more slick and spaceship like. Maybe even fly, which is what everyone thinks will happen in the future. Flying cars would definitely help decrease traffic, so that’s one a pro. But if anything goes wrong the technology used on the car, the driver and the passengers are in great risk of danger. Maybe the cars in the future will become 10X faster then they are now. I mean the possibility is endless. I think that’s the best part about the future, because it gives us the chance to fantasize what it can offer us.

Afraid to be part of the Idiocracy

A comedy movie called "Idiocracy" that highlights the point that everyone will become idiots in the future. I never saw this movie before, but based on the trailer its pretty hilarious. Even though this movie was based on comedy it frightened me a bit, because it really makes me wonder if its even possible for our academic skills to drop so dramatically. And the movie is even funnier, assuming that the guy nominated as the smartest guy on earth, didn't even seem that smart in the year he came from. Watching the trailer, the message is clear to the audience. It seems that through out the years, people are becoming more and more ignorant and dumb. I don't know the history of how well people were educated, but we're definitely loosing more interest in our education then people from the past. I'd infer this because people in the past weren't always given the opportunity to go to school and get education, so they would envy the children who had that chance. But now when everyone goes to school, we wish it didn't exist. so in other words, we don't appreciate what is given to us. Also, based on what I've noticed now, there are more kids caring about other things in their life then school and as generation goes by, the less smarter people are. This movie may be true, because if this problem continues it can be possible that everyone will just become idiots.        

Smart House takes over

 

I remember watching this movie on Disney Channel a long time ago. Its about a teenage boy winning a contest and receiving a smart house. Unfortunately, the smart house got out of control and thought itself as a actual woman and being capable to become a mother figure to the kids living in the house. The smart house reminded me of the show "Eureka" because the officer Carter was living in a smart house. The idea of technology creating such a thing is amazing. The house not only looks extravagant, but it also functions to your every need without hesitation. Whats more awesome then that? But are smart houses actually real? Are there people who live in one? And how much would it cost to buy one? The even greater question is, will there be smart houses in every neighborhood in the near future? Based on present day now, I don't know if they really exist, so I don't think smart houses will be sold anytime soon? But I'd definitely not mind living in one, as long as it doesn't go horribly wrong like in the movie. That's the thing about smart houses, are they safe enough to live in? They're not called smart houses without a reason. I think it is highly possible for a smart house to take over and have a mind of it's own. From my point of view a smart house is a luxury that isn't necessary, because everyone now functions without a smart house, so its not something we need to survive with. However, based on how much people (including myself) believes that a smart house is the best out of the best thing you can get with money. This could mean that a lot of people don't appreciate what they have, and demand more/ better then what they passes now.              

Kinect and the Wii

This cool and new technology for gaming came out recently, but has already became a huge sensation not to only gamers but also families. KINECT is very similar to the Wii in my perspective, because in both systems you have to physically move for the game to work. But KINECT upgraded from the Wii and now you won't even need a control, "Your body is the control". I thought this was a brilliant idea, because I don't see any flaws into this technology. Technology has always been a part of gaming, over the past few years new games has been coming out every other month. Assuming, to attract more gamers gaming companies create something different for their users, and the Wii was the first game that was totally different, compared to a simple controller havering over the television. Both the Wii and the KINECT help gamers become more active because they're not just being lazy and starring at the tv all day, but they're also get up on their feet and physically working out their bodies. Wii even provided a fitness game called Wii Fit that specifically helps people become healthier. I personally never played KINECT but I have tried the Wii and it really breaks a sweat. Also, KINECT and Wii are always coming up with new games for the whole family to participate in, so it can improve family "Kinection" which is cool. This technology is one the only one where I don't see can go wrong. Maybe the fact that people lock themselves inside the house all day playing Wii/Kinect and not actually participating in real sports, but we also have to considered how much of an improvement it is in the gaming world, where people wouldn't even step off their couches.      

Let's Talk Fashion

I found this video very entertaining! I never thought about fashion and style of the future until I saw this clip. I thought this was funny because all of the fashion designers were way off. Some of the outfits they mentioned most likely will never make it into the fashion industry. The topic of fashion totally slipped my mind because I was focusing so much on the other topics of issues, that made fashion seem less important. It's funny though because I think people in our generation care more about fashion then environmental, government, technology, etc. But fashion is something fun and expressive to really think about for the future. Sometimes I do wonder how much style can change in the next 50 years or so. I mean, eventually everything we're wearing now will be out of style one day. That's the way fashion works. One day something can be totally in, and the next day it would be out.

Maybe fashion one day can become like the video above, where clothes are moving and changing into a whole different outfit. I wonder how much those dresses cost? Hopefully if something like that was "In" and sold to the public, it can save us some money so we wont have to buy so many outfits/dresses. Fashion is all around us, I think that's why we don't pay much attention to it, unless we were fashion designers. Comparing the two videos, something that looked good changed a lot. Wherever fashion will become in the future, I hope nothing outrageous will be created for everyone to wear, because I do think fashion can easily get out of hand.      

Global Warming is melting my ice cream!!!

Global warming, one of the biggest problem that we have on planet Earth. I was aware of global warming back in middle school in science class. But before middle school I had no idea what it was and what it meant. When I found out the effects of global warming I was immediately shocked and slightly worried that we were all going to die soon. Till this day I don't really understand much about global warming and how much it would change Earth besides the change of weather, negatively effecting nature, and that it's going to get worse if things don't change. Based on what I've noticed the government doesn't pay much attention to global warming, and some people don't even believe it exists. So if people choose to continue ignoring the facts, then the situation is going to get worse, no doubt about it. And I don't think people are aware that we are one of the main reasons that is causing global warming.Global Warning can cause water levels to increase, capital of 
sinking and decreasing the amount of lands on Earth. So global warming is effecting everybody that lives on Earth. But global warming doesn't only effect humans but also animals and the food chain. For example, polar bears are drowning because there aren't enough ice glaciers for them to use. If polar bears become extinct cause of that, I would assume the food chain would be corrupted. I just hope people can be more aware of this issue and find ways to slow down global warming.

Captain America: The First Avenger

I think "Captain America" was an incredible fictional-action movie, focusing on the futuristic technologies and the disruption biotechnology/genetics. Chris Evans who plays Captain America was transformed into a buff "super soldier" by using this machine created by scientist that eventually led him to be Captain America. Even though that invention can benefit a lot of guys, it seems really sketchy and almost propaganda. If other men saw almost every guy around them look bigger and better, then obviously they would want to join in on the action. But this would only happen if the military decided to give out that technology for the public use. Either way an invention like, who wouldn't want to give it a try? The sketchy part about this whole thing is that it disturbs the genetic traits of a person. Changing someone's physical appearance so rapidly can be risky/dangerous, because he could've been used as a test rat for other military men. This movie can also represent how our society are judgmental. One of the reason I think Captain America agreed to this "change" was because he didn't fit in physically like everyone else that worked in the military force. So to fit in he changed himself. That is very similar to the present day. "You are not ugly, society is" is the perfect quote for what I'm tying to explain. People everywhere are changing themselves for the sake of what society thinks of them instead of being themselves. A lot of people enjoy this movie because well, who doesn't like a good action movie? But maybe there's a message in it that no one really notices.    
..

We are the Future

We are the future
with our spikes and chains,
our baggy pants,
And unused brains

We are the future
With our belly shirts,
Hooker boots,
In mini skirts

We are the future
with our torn up jeans,
our rude t-shirts,
Wearing diamond rings

We are the future
With our high dollar clothes,
our rap music,
Pink polished toes

We are the future
And our parents hope and pray
That we'll all grow out
Of this someday

By: Kansas Johnson 

-After reading several poems about the future, I connected with this the most, because I think poem is addressing teens. Teens in this generation don't realize that we are the future, because they are so busy caring about material things and their physical appearance that they can't seem to grow up and apprehend that we should stop focusing on how we look and notice what we have to do to change something in this world. Unfortunately, children/teenagers aren't the only whos doesn't notice this. There are so many people in this world who care too much about other things other then realizing the negative things around them. The way I look at it, as time goes by, generation after generation is becoming more and  more naive, because even when we're educated everyday to become something better then just looking good, we choose not to care. If the children don't consider changing, I doubt the future will improve from what we have now. 


 

In Time...Justin Timberlake will save the day

The new movie coming out called In Time, featuring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried is premiering in theaters on October 28th 2011. This movie is focused on the science fiction and futuristic technology. In Time has many similarities with the movie Gattaca, because in their preview it showed how futuristic technology is implanted into new born. Basically in this movie technology eliminated old age and made it possible for everyone to live till 25 years old. Everyone has a "timer" on their arm showing how much years/time they have left to live. However, the rich is able to live beyond 25 years old, but still look 25. So as long as a person as the money to add more time in their life, the longer they live. But if you are poor and can not afford to live forever, you'll die young.

This movie is interesting, not only because Justin looks amazing in it, but also it makes us wonder...is the technology in the future really able to do this? If so, that would be unfortunate for us, because there is more "poor" people then rich people in the society and I'm going to predict that it will stay like that in the future. So with rich people living forever, isn't the population of rich people be higher then poor people? With the age 25 years being the age everyone is, I think its all based on appearance. In our society, people care too much about how they look and how to stay young as long as possible, that this technology being created isn't a surprise. But it's pretty cool how Justin Timberlake is finding ways to work around the government system. He is considered the Dystopian protagonist. I just hope that in the future the rich people will not take over the world, that would be horrible because everything would be too expensive to buy. The economy would just die. 

iPhone 5 Hooking us up!

The apple company is such a popular brand and many people are buying it upping their propaganda. Personally, I am also a big fan of the Apple brand but sometimes I do wonder how they invent the craziest things. Even though I've heard that the iPhone 5 will no longer be coming out, that there was a built in hologram keyboard programmed in it. With Apple coming out with such invention is a living proof of how technology is constantly improving and upgrading through generations.

After witnessing how in our present day any hologram invented is amazing in my opinion. Once hologram keyboards are being sold in stores, maybe hologram television or computers will be next! That's the great thing about technology; it keeps people wondering, "What's next?” The cool thing about the hologram keyboard is that, it's something I predicted would be created way later then now. I was really hoping I could see a hologram object before I died. Sadly, I have never seen this keyboard, but I know that I would be extremely excited to try it out once it is out to the public. I am definitely one of the people who believe that Apple is come out with more insane things for their company and I can't wait to witness what they'll have in store for us later. Literally.       

Disney sending a message

The Walt Disney Pixar film,Wall-E left kids overjoyed with the adventure Wall-E experiences for his first and only love EVE. The film wasn't only the cutest thing I ever seen on the big screen, but it gave out a message to basically the generations that were watching this movie. Children who watched this movie seemed to enjoy the cartoon animated film, but for kids who are older and look deeper on the true meaning of Wall-E would agree that it was very realistically possible. When I first saw Wall-E i immediately feel in love with it. The characteristic of Wall-E was innocent yet ignorant of his purpose on earth. Wall-E's purpose in the film was to find a living organism on Earth after every human on earth evacuated because of the pollution. Wall-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter, Earth Class) is a little robot that cleans up all the trash remaining on Earth and the movie takes place in 2805, 794 years from now.

After I got the chance to watch Wall-E, I recognized how right and realistic the whole movie was. Based on how global warming and pollution is such a problem now in the present day, that if 794 years from now the earth would be too polluted to live in wouldn't be a surprise. From my point of view, it doesn't seem like the government is doing much to slow down or decrease the pollution problem, and with the condition we are now in with the situation I think an intoxicating earth will be dangerous. Pollution wasn't the only problem in the movie, but so were obesity and generally the people. With technology becoming more and more creative, people will find more and more reasons to not by physically fit because technology will do everything for everyone. A bunch of fat people floating on cool looking chairs and liquid food is exactly how I would imagine our future if things don't change for our eating habits. America will be the first place this would happen. But when it does happen, I hope people will build something like Wall-E that changed the world.

My Childhood reflecting to my Future?!

The image shown above is from the cartoon series "The Jetsons" that ended their last series ended in 1988. The futuristic family portrays on the environmental changes and technological changes. From what I remembered about this television series, everything was like their own little island, randomly floating in space, and there was no longer streets or road to cause traffic. Of course, during this time flying cars, robots, and futuristic fashion has kicked in. Robots will be part of our society and will be complex enough to service us in anyway possible. But as cool as everything may look in the future, there are still a lot of questions that I want answered. Based on what I see on the cartoon, everyone looks really fit and healthy. Looking at the what the present day is now, I would've predicted the future to be full of fat people floating on chairs and sipping out of liquidated food, seen in the movie "Wall-E". Obesity is a big problem in the United States in our generation, so did the future come up with a new technology to stop this problem? Where the world could prevent obesity to continue? 

Also, with the population of robots increasing, how did scientist or the government mange to keep the economy balanced/right with many of the robots taking over human jobs? Was more jobs created to help robots and people cope with the society? It's interesting thinking about it, because technology now compared to when I was a child has definitely upgraded. For example; the iPhone. A smartphone that can do almost everything a computer can do and more with a touch of a finger. From how fast our technology has upgraded, it makes me wonder how far technology can go when I'm in my 50s. Growing up, it's amazing to realize how much the world can change in such a little amount of time. Also, I wish this show could've continued airing, because not only could it help me now in English class, but it was really entertaining.