[BC] Ohai UC's

I've spent my entire life using electronics and other technology on a regular basis. My peers and I were always quick at adapting to new toys or tools that would be placed in front of us. As I grew older, better and faster electronics were being pushed out into the market. Noticing this steep incline of advancing technology I began to realize that I had no idea how the things I used worked.

To suddenly be self-aware, to mentally realize that I've been living the "ignorance is bliss" lifestyle truly upset me. My hunger for knowledge of the how and why grew insatiable. At an early stage of my life the world of Science was revealing itself to me, and I graciously allowed it to become a part of my life. To understand, not just use, became my drive for performing well in school, especially in the sciences.

As I continued to age and mature I became aware of how my family was actually quite involved in the science community. My grandfather Alfred Redfield, who used to work with horseshoe crabs, but now with some sort of magnets, has really inspired me to pursue this dream of mine. To discover amazing secrets that our Universe, and our minds, hold. Ever since I was a child I found it hard to talk to my grandfather, but whenever I am in his presence I am continuously awed by his intelligence and demeanor. See my grandfather's prowess makes me yearn to be as apt in my own field.

Humans are a species that fascinate me like no other. For quite awhile in my life I wanted to study the human brain along with human behavior. We are very complicated animals that act in a manner unlike those of other animals in nature. To understand why that was possible eluded my young mind. However, since entering high school my aspirations have changed from understanding human brains to understanding what we actually make. Things that we have made, and are capable of making, simply leave me dumbfounded. What truly interests me is the amazing electronics we make, specifically computers.

Computers seem so much more powerful and faster than humans who have created it. From "simple" calculators to the blazingly high speed computers that our military uses, each one was designed then programmed by humans. I'm astounded by the incredible things we can accomplish using computers, so much so that I am doing everything within my power to obtain more knowledge on the subject. I want to know how this thing, that people rely on everyday, operates and functions. I feel my human obligation to advance our technology and improve a device that's already evolving to new levels monthly. I feel the drive to create a computer or program so mind boggling that it will, in itself, inspire a whole new generation to ask the questions, how and why.

Windmill

Seeing Williams (forgot his last name) windmill was really amazing. From just study diagrams he not only able to produce a close model to the picture, but that actually performed tasks. The books he studied didn't even touch on the advanced ways hes used the windmills. With one he designed a pump to get his own water using wind power. With the other he scavenged a conductor and made the windmill produce electricity. Instead of enrolling back into school i think he should become a new teacher for his town. His town could be renown for being a windmill based society and set a huge example to other countries and towns.
My uncle would love meeting this guy. Currently my uncle just got back from a different part of Africa after creating a merry-go-round to create energy for a village. Using PVC materials the object was virtually very cheap. After coming back to America he was thinking about how poor their water was. So right now he is designing his own PVC (very low cost and common materials) Windmill that would pump water for irrigation. So far he created the outer shell and made it so that he changed the spinning from the blades to a pumping action on the inside. All he needs is a piston and an outlet for the water. I think it's really interesting on how the whole structure works. I'm not too sure that all the poor countries or villages will have sufficient wind to keep a steady amount of water coming forth.
Williams reaction to coming to America seemed like a good thing. He was humorous and kept on topic. I believe it is people like William that inspire people from throughout the whole world to try harder and contribute to low cost technological advances. Japan makes a bunch of nifty gadgets that cost so much in price, but I think it will be more wise to keep an eye out for African inventions. They will have more purpose and usefulness then countries that have little to worry about for survival.
I'm not claiming that this is for sure just that this is my thoughts on what is happening right now.

interesting subject on dolphins and discussion on intelligent "animals"
http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread531611/pg1

The body, a hinderance?

So today we all saw the amazing TED video on replacing limbs with a more decorative theme. She uses her legs more or less to show off her unique-ness. Very stunning and i think it is an amazing way to have a fashion sense.
I would replace so much of my own body. Being human i love instant gratification and having limbs that are more able to get me what i want NOW!!! or make daily life a ton easier is something to look extremely forward to. I'm pretty sure most people could think of several body parts they would want to replace but for me i would love to change or upgrade my eyes. The eyes, something most people would not notice if i altered them. I would love for my new eyes to be able to zoom in and out focus on the smallest atom to focusing onto the vast stars in space. These eyes would also be able to take pictures and record videos for later viewing, WHICH IS AMAZING. The eyes would be able to see infrared and other lights our eyes cannot see. X-ray obviously for the more mischievous reasons that dwells on the inside of us all. An internet browser installed in my eyes would be pretty nifty as well!!
All this talk of replacing limbs or yet your whole body reminds me of an anime called Ghost in the Shell. An amazing and though provoking anime well worth looking deeper into. In a world where the norm is to be in a full body prosthetic crime has changed so much. It gets a lot harder to take down a body that only has one or two organs cleverly hidden. Bullets become useless to a body with no nerves or can simply turn off nerve sensors and restrict blood flow to wounds. Warfare is drastically changed. Your body could be hacked and taken over by outside forces a whole different way of living for the better or for the good it would still be interesting.