Final

I appreciated the categorical breakdown (competition, technology, community/social structure, and globalization/expansion) of each of the different eras (Paleolithic, Neolithic, Ancient, Classical, and Modern) and the consistent follow through. This flow made it easier to connect the dots and find relevance with each passing era and how it positively or negatively influenced the next. Also to take notes. Progression from simple minded nomadic Paleolithic beings to what we are today is extraordinary. In reflection, the evolution of people reminds me of a child growing up. Learning and adapting to the surroundings around us. It makes me wonder what could have happened if somewhere along the line one piece of the multifaceted puzzle was taken out. How would have civilization reacted and what would it be like today? I guess this is a good question for a philosophy class!

I noticed a theme that developed though history. Almost like a blood-thirst for knowledge, technology, and dominance. At no point it seemed that civilization was content with that it had. In the beginning it was simple. Paleolithic person’s used the resources around them to craft housing and catch food. Small groups of peoples made it easy for them to communicate and migrate out of Africa. Neolithic people developed agriculture and reaped healthy benefits in the form of longevity.  This caused the population to grow and create governments, hierarchies, and a form of currency. Having now stabilized their surroundings and are able to eat where they sleep, more intellectual creations began to materialize. With intellect came the Ancient era. Competition developed among each other and neighboring city states. Writing was developed by the Mesopotamian s in the form of 2 documents, Code of Hammarabi and the Epic of Gilgamesh. Pushing forward, the Classical Era brought with it dominance and many battles between civilizations. More cosmopolitan like city's were developed and empires were created and the great rise and fall of the Roman Empire. I did not know though that the fall of Rome was actually in 2 parts. A Western Roman Empire and an Eastern. With great power came the rise of the Roman Catholic Church in the eastern empire. During this time, the church now controlled knowledge. With the development of the Silk Road and Sea Roads, commerce and migration was able to take place among different continents, countries, and peoples. These roads helped to spread culture, knowledge, and resources into the Modern Era. Two important dates mark the Modern Era, 1348 year of the Plague and 1492, the discovery of America by Columbus. Attached to these dates also came death. The Plague killed nearly 60 million people and slavery killed nearly just as many. Although there is light that is enlightenment. With the Modern Era came the industrial revolution, women’s rights, freedom of religion, and the constitution. 

As for classroom instruction, I REALLY appreciated the many different types of break out sessions. The debate over China's Enlightenment was really fun. I also like the reenactment of the Epic of Gilgamesh.  This helped me to taken in the information and to stay awake in class. I also enjoyed the research paper on Putin. Incorporating the NDNU mission in with classroom curriculum really helped me to understand why I am here at NDNU. This honestly was a first for outside of my religion classes. The reading was intensive and the extra handouts were a bit much. I personally would have kept papers more inline with the book reading. All-in-all, I feel that I received my money's worth in this class! Thank you Ms. Anderson for all your hard work and excellent insight. 

Cherise

Week 5

The section called The Great Dying hit home for me. Though it discussed the plauge and the 60-80million people who died from it, I couldn't help but look back at other tragic desise riddled great dyings. What comes to mind first is the Native Americans and how we brought syphilis, smallpox, measles, mumps, and bubonic plague. The Native Americans had no immunities which resulted in mass quantities of people dying. I can only relate this to the Swine Flue pandemic that broke out not to long ago. I remember I was riding public transportation during these months and you could tell that everyone was scared. If someone sneezed or coughed on the train everyone would look up to see who did it. Immediately people pulled out hand sanitizer, covered their faces, or tried to get to an open area. People everywhere began wearing face masks and golves. I was highly scared of contracting the virus but Ididn't go as far as gloves and face masks. I did  however, try to stay out of public places, away from people with colds, and washed my hands a lot. I had never felt so varnulable before. I was scared that If i caught the virus that I could die or be harmed. I  was terrified that my kids would catch it. I was worried that their immune systems would not be able to take the stress the same as an adult. I was so glad when the vaccine came out. I rushed out and got me and the kids shots. I hope that I never have to feel like that again!

Week 3Early Classical Era

I though the section on Changes in Civilization was interesting. There was an explostion after the Paleolithc era. Empires rose due to waves human expantion and migration. The movement of people helped to unify civilization,cities, states,and empires. I reflect back on how this is still true today in the 21st century. Many states have insentives in place to try to bring back people back. The city of Niagra Falls, NY is one of them. They are offering you to move to the area and work for 2 years. They will then pay you $3,500 per year for the next two years. Kansas City is going further and paying up to $15,000 instudent loans to aquire new citizens. By keeping cities populated you help reduce crime, build communities, addes jobs, and brings money into the economy. Now I know this dosn't quite measure up to Ancient Rome or Asia but you can't deny the simularity.

Final Paper interview

changed topic to NASA's Kepler Mission


I don't know if anyone else is having a hard time...but most people who I know that have lived through a historical event have passed away. I was tempted while on my vacation last week in Tahoe to walk into one of those veteran centers and just randomly ask a stranger to help me out. I want to be more original so that Ms. Andrews doesn't get 20 papers on same sex, civil rights, Vietnam, immigration, ect. I work at NASA and there is PLENTY of history swirling around at my fingertips however, most of the people are on vacation!! I was able to get a hold of a research pilot who was involved with the XV-15(which evolved into the V-22 Osprey) tilt rotor craft research and development at NASA back in the day. The concept of tilt rotor aircraft is significant in history...though not as much as say Civil Rights. Tilt rotor aircraft is blazing through history as I type. Currently they are investigating the benefits of this vehicle in passenger transportation and as an alternative transportation solution for the environment, economy, and safety.

Here are some of my questions:

1. Tilt-rotor concept design dates back to 1920: history
2. What is the XV-15 research tilt-rotor aircraft
3. What was your involvement with the design of the XV-15 research tilt-rotor aircraft
4. Why was NASA involved with the development of the XV-15 research tilt-motor aircraft
5. What were the aircraft that were designed based on the XV-15 research tilt-rotor aircraft
6. What was the benefit for the military to have such an aircraft
7. Where there conflicts at the time that required the development of the XV-15 research tilt-rotor
8. Which branchs of the DoD uses the newly JVX, V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft
9. Types differences: JVX - Army, V-22 Ospray Marines Corps, CV-22, Air Force
10. What is the Ospray's significance/benefit for the Marine Corps
11. What was a personal achievement of yours while working on the XV-15 project at NASA
12. What was your experience as a test pilot for the XV-15 research tilt-rotor aircraft
13. What was the cost of the XV-15 tilt-rotor aircraft
14. What was congresses take on the program
15. What controversal moments took place during the development from the public, congress, military, etc.
16. What is the benefit of this aircraft for the military/wars/reflect on Vietnam War and the benefit tilt-rotor aircraft would of had on the outcome
17. Current history making uses for tilt-rotor aircraft in the public domain

Were Neaderthals Picasso's?

Scientists in Spain found cave paintings at  "The Panel of Hands" in Spain's El Castillo cave. Researchers used uranium-series dating to date the art back to 42,000 years ago (Neanderthal time), way before Homo came to Europe. If Neanderthals were the first cave artists, this could prove that they were smarter than previously thought. Many stereotypes will be shattered. There is one hiccup, the accuracy for dating using uranium-series dating is precise. Regular carbon dating methods allow for margins of error. So you be judge and jury. Were the Neanderthals the first Picasso?

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/14/12211397-new-dating-method-shows-cave-art-is-older-did-neanderthals-do-it?lite

Week 4

Reading about Islam and Christianity (religion in all) sometimes really baffles me. The vast network of Islam greatly benefited the inhabited countries of India, Arabia, Africa, Spain, etc. who used their faith to exchange goods, technologies, education and ideas. They were able to produce laws to regulate governing bodies, social law, and proper human conduct. High culture such as astronomy, medicine, education, and arts were both byproducts of the combined religious efforts of Christians, Muslim, and Jewish people. What baffles me, is where is the division between God, Allah, Yahweh and human  conciousness? Many profits have the same vision, they go into isolation and have an epiphany. Many people who have come across my life who have mental health issues such as Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia also have visions and and moments of clarity. I'm not saying that Muhammad, Abraham, or Jesus were mentally ill, just that it doesn't seem that uncommon for people to have such vision. What is interesting is how these particular people were able to convince vast numbers of people to believe and spread such a vision. Religious leaders sometimes remind me of political figure heads. They see a problem and then try to fix it through petitions, legislation policies, and sometimes war. Humm any similarities? Why is it that these people believe in the first place? Why do they need to believe in a supreme being...can't they just say, "Hey, I'm Jesus and I think we should all be good people and this is why."

An article in American Psychologist, vol 46(2), Feb 1991, 107-119 named "How mental systems believe," struck a cord with me. The author, Daniel Gilbert poses the question, "is there a difference between believing and merely understanding an idea?' He relates that mental and physical representations of objects are similar. "People believe in the ideas they comprehend, as quickly and automatically as they believe in the objects they see." Maybe this answers my question. In order to believe their vision, they must link it to a object. Even if that object is invisible or real. It transcends power. Yet, I'll never know exactly why "Man" interferes with these visions that start out mostly positive and turns them in to Holy Wars against their own people.

I guess I'm just a hippy in disguise :-)

Courtesy Yahoo! News "Huge Ancient Civilization’s Collapse Explained"

I know some people don't believe in the theory of global warming but here is an interesting article surrounding the demise of  Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia's based on just that. Even if you don't believe (I believe in global warming) it is proof that Ancient people moved based on climate changes or cyclical seasons.
http://news.yahoo.com/huge-ancient-civilization-collapse-explained-123449804.html