Newslog #27

Experts say cellphones are possibly carcinogenic

http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/ap/eu_med_cellphones_and_cancer

The International Agency for Research on Cancert in France found that cell phones might be linked with cancer. Some experts say that this is only a possibility and that people should continue to use their phones as just like usual, including Donald Berry, who is a professor of biostatistics at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas. "This is not something I worry about and it will not in any way change how I use my cellphone," he explains. The World Health Organization had a week-long meeting to discuss the risks and found minimal evidence that cell phones were linked to two types of brain tumors. This study arose over a decade ago when cancer patients were asked how often they used their cellphones. Additionally, many cancerous tumors take decades to form, yet this study has only been going on for a little over one decade.

Obviously hearing that cell phones can cause cancer makes me nervous, but not enough to make me stop using my phone in general. There have been so many scares and rumors that things like drinking coffee and from plastic water bottles left in hot cars can cause cancer, but sometimes I feel like that is just all talk. This study, along with the other two I mentioned, need to be studied more in depth before scientists reveal how these things can risk my life.

Newslog #26

 Speaking Up in Class, Silently, Using Social Media

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/education/13social.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1&hp

 
Many classes, including an English class in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, are now using technology as a way to have class discussions. They use social networking websites, like Twitter, to communicate with one another in the classroom during many lessons. Many students like this style of learning because they feel like they have a voice; if the class was having a verbal discussion, they would not feel comfortable talking and therefore would not have their voices heard. Teachers like this approach too because their students are doing their work and are participating more. Many classes claim that because they are allowed to use social networking websites for assignments, they are not distracted. Whereas, if these websites were not allowed, then they feel as if students would not pay attention to lessons.

I like how our school uses Blogger and Wikispaces to communicate during lessons once in a while, but I don't think that using these websites for the majority of discussions and assignments would be a positive thing. More students might participate more if they type their answers, but they're also losing their social skills. Students won't become any more confident speaking up in front of others if all they do is hide behind a computer screen.

Newslog #25

Live the High Life in a Converted Airplane

http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/live-the-high-life-in-a-converted-airplane.html 

Airplane and designing companies have hooked up to create the ultimate places to "chill". The new idea entails turning old/no longer working airplanes into hotels, hostels, and houses. Both the outside and the interior of the plane are used, but re-organized and refurbished so it can be lived in. One hostel in Stockholm, Sweden has a "first-class" option, which allows guests to stay in the upper cabin, get served by waiters who are dressed in flight attendant apparel, and get high-class airplane style food. There are also airplane homes in Costa Rica.

I really like this idea. I personally would not want to permanently live in this type of environment, but would love to stay there for a few nights. These hostels/hotels have such a unique charm to them, which I feel would make my entire trip alone. I also feel that this is very environmentally friendly because they are re-using parts of planes instead of relying on new materials.