All posts by krh5351

Top Ten Shark Countdown #7

Passion, ,

Who is the Shark of the Week?!?!?!

The Bull Shark!!!!

bull-shark-pic-getty-images-232275602-185174

The Facts:

Bull sharks are of medium size. They grow between 7 to 11 feet and can weigh up to 500 pounds. They live for an average of 16 years. They are grey on their back and sides and have a white underbelly. They get their name from their rounded snout and the fact that they “head-butt” their prey when attacking. Also, they are named Bull sharks because they have the temperament of bulls. This shark species is one of the most aggressive of the various shark species. This makes them particularly dangerous to humans. The diet of a bull sharks consists of fish (bony fish and rays), dolphins, and even other sharks.

These sharks are swift and agile. They are commonly seen in warm, shallow waters and can be found in all of the world’s oceans. They tend to habitat in regions of high-population rates.

One of the most interesting facts about the Bull shark is that they don’t stick to salt water. Bull sharks have been found in freshwater! Some of these sharks have been found thousands of miles up the Amazon river and in Nicaragua, it was witnessed that they were leaping up river rapids like salmon (Crazy!!!).

Why did the Bull shark make the Top Ten countdown?

The Bull shark is number 7 on the list because of how dangerous they really are. These sharks not only love to be in shallow, highly-populated waters, but the waters don’t even need to be saturated with salt. I think it’s amazing how these sharks are able to go from salt water to fresh water without thinking anything of it.

Also, it has been confirmed that Bull sharks contain the highest amount of testosterone in their body than any other shark species. This is why they are the most aggressive shark species. It’s common knowledge that when you’re around a shark you should be careful, but in the Bull shark’s case…be EXTREMELY careful! Especially since most sharks attacks occur in only a couple feet of water (and did I mention bull sharks love shallow water??).

Grouped with its cousins, the Great White shark and Tiger shark, the Bull shark is one of the sharks responsible for the most shark attacks. Some scientists have even stated that the Bull shark is the most dangerous shark in the world because of it’s habitat versatility and high levels of testosterone.

I was watching Shark Week last summer and they were running an episode of their own shark countdown, only theirs was based on how dangerous they were. As they were listing the Top Three I was positive of the order and was bragging to my parents about how much I know about sharks. I thought it was going to be number three- the Tiger shark, then two- the Bull shark, and number one- the Great White shark. I was wrong. They listed number one as being the Bull shark. I was really surprised until they said it was because they could swim in both salt and fresh water and they were the most aggressive. So, there you have it. The most dangerous shark in the world.  You…go…Bull Shark…? Yay..?

 

Difference in Deliberation Matters

RCL, , ,

For our RCL post this week we have to find two examples of online deliberation, one being the best we can find and the other being the worst, and then make an explanation as to why the outcomes are different.

The best online deliberation I found was a discussion on Facebook involving my flight (Air Force ROTC). Each week AFROTC has events planned to boost up morale. Last week, however, nothing was planned because of THON. My flight didn’t want to go a week without having some sort of morale event together. As a result, a deliberation was set up online to discuss what everyone wanted to do, i.e. go to THON, have dinner together, go to the gym together, etc. We all reached a conclusion pretty quickly. Everyone wanted to go to THON together. This deliberation was highly successful in a short amount of time.

The worst example of an online deliberation I found also involved my flight on Facebook (surprisingly, you can find numerous examples of deliberations on Facebook). One of the upperclassman of our flight needed someone to step up to become a Recruiting Officer. Three people all volunteered, but the upperclassman only needed one officer. The three cadets had a hard time figuring out who should be the Recruiting Officer because they were all willing to do it. After some indecisive arguments amongst the lower cadets, the upperclassman yelled (or wrote in all caps) at them to make a decision. Finally, one person was chosen. Although the deliberation reached a conclusion, it wasn’t as successful as the previous example of online deliberation.

Why?

In the best example, the flight commander worked with the rest of the flight to make a decision. This gave everyone some direction in regards to what were the possible choices of activities because, obviously, going to the bars or to a  party would not be appropriate or possible at all. Whereas in the worst example, the upperclassman who was looking for a Recruiting Officer didn’t help out with the decision making process. He didn’t make any suggestions such as “if you have an easy work load this semester than this job would be favorable”. The three cadets had to make a decision without any direction or any information on what the job entailed. While both deliberations had an outcome, the second example took much longer to produce a result than the first one and in the second example the cadets felt uncomfortable getting yelled at over Facebook.

 

Top Ten Shark Countdown- #8

Passion, , ,

Who is the Shark of the Week?!?!?!

The Ragged-Tooth Shark!!!!

sandtigershark2_Big

The Facts:

These sharks are also called Sand Tiger sharks, Sand sharks, Grey Nurse shark, and Ragged-Tooth shark. They can grow to be about 13 feet in length, weigh up to 250 pounds, and live to be 25 years old. These sharks can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. While they mostly live in shallow, coastal areas they also have been known to dive to depths of 200 feet. Instead of having serrated teeth, like many other shark species, the Ragged-Tooth shark has needle-like teeth which allows for it to grab their prey and swallow them whole.

What do they like to eat? Their preferred prey include bony fish, squid, rays, other sharks, and crustaceans.

Ragged-Tooth sharks are considered one of the most docile of shark species and this is why you will typically see them in an aquarium. But, even though they are more passive than other species, they have been known to attack humans (a very small percentage of the attacks are fatal, however), so you still need to be on your guard around them.

Interesting Fact: Ragged-Tooth Sharks are nocturnal hunters. They rest during the day, usually in caves or overhangs, so by the time nightfall comes they are ready to go on the prowl.

Also, every year, these sharks migrate over 900 miles up the South African coast in order to find a mate. At this time, you will be able to see hundreds of Ragged-Tooth sharks together.

Why did they make the Top Ten?

Probably one of the most fascinating and unusual facts about the Ragged-Tooth shark is how it keeps its’ buoyancy. Most sharks are able to be buoyant because they have oil in their liver that’s denser than the surrounding water. But, the Ragged-Tooth goes to the surface, takes a few gulps of air, and stores that air in their stomachs. This gives them the ability to remain motionless on the sea floor. There was a documentary on National Geographic about the Ragged-Tooth migration up the South African coast. In one of the segments of the episode, the diver carefully swum into a cave that was filled with numerous motionless Ragged-Tooth sharks. Can you imagine what the diver must have been feeling? I think it’s completely amazing how they sharks can stay motionless because in order for sharks to breathe they have to pass water over their gills which is only possible if they keep swimming.

Another reason why they made the list is because of their initial impression on me. The first time I went to an aquarium, that I actually remember, I saw lonely Ragged-Tooth shark swimming effortlessly in a tank. I was captivated as soon as I recognized that it was a shark. The dolphins couldn’t divert my attention from them, nor the starfish or beautifully colored tropical fish. This shark was scary looking to say the least. At that age, I wondered how such a fearsome looking creature could be contained. Then I learned how it was actually a very passive shark species. This knowledge increased my love for them because it shows you how sharks aren’t as scary as you think they are. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover, right?

Here’s to you Ragged-Tooth sharks for being #8!!!

 

 

Deliberation Reflections

RCL, , ,

The Five Days of Deliberation are finally over. The various arguments about how to change higher education are slowly starting to dwindle down in my mind and other matters are taking their place. But, before these arguments completely settle down, there are a few things I have to say.

Overall, I believe my group did a fantastic job talking about numerous arguments at all different angles. We talked about how maybe we should try to fix the primary education before higher education because fixing the primary education system could cause a rippling effect. This point was most talked about when discussing Option 2 (which was working together to repair an ailing society). During this part of the deliberation we said it might be easier to teach people to work together at a younger age because they are more accepting.

However, we also discussed that since the deliberation was on higher education, then we should focus on higher education and not primary education. My wish is that we could have spent more time talking about primary education. Advancing the primary education will allow for an advancement of higher education. In relevance to Option 3 (ensure everybody has a fair chance), I believe primary education allows for this option to be more possible than higher education. You don’t need to write essays, submit SAT’s/ACT’s, submit an application, etc. Primary education, I feel, has less obstacles than higher education and, therefore, can give more students a fair chance. I believe that by looking at primary education you are actually going “outside of the box” in terms of deliberation of fixing the higher education system. This idea goes along with the saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”.

Primary education could push options 1, 2, and 3 simultaneously, possibly better than higher education. I mean, we are who we are today because of our past. So, if we focus on primary education, maybe higher education will reap the benefits as well.

Top Ten Shark Countdown- #9

Passion, , ,

Who is the Shark of the Week!!?!?

The Megalodon Shark!!

Cretoxyrhina

Quick Facts:

This shark species became extinct approximately 35 million years ago. They could grow up to be around 50 feet long, three times bigger than an average Great White shark, and weigh 100 tons. All that remains of the Megalodon sharks are their teeth and their jaws. Their teeth were over half a foot long, serrated, and heart shape. To put things in perspective…the teeth of a Great White are only about 3 inches in length. The name “Megaladon” means “Big Tooth”. This shark  was the largest prehistoric shark ever in existence.

Unlike some other prehistoric shark species, Megalodon fossils were found all over the world, leading scientists to believe that the Megalodon had a world-wide distribution. Scientists and paleontologists also believe that the main prey of Megalodons were prehistoric whales of the Pliocene and Miocene eras; other prey being dolphins, squids, and giant sea turtles.

Why did the Megalodon make the Top Ten countdown?

This shark species has to be the most fascinating sharks known in history. The sheer size alone of this shark is astounding. A whale shark only grows to be around 23-25 feet long. What’s more, a whole family of 6-8 people could stand inside the jaw of a Megalodon. This shark redefines the definition of a apex predator. As much as this shark amazes me, I am relieved that it became extinct millions of years ago. Can you imagine what it could do today? I definitely can’t.

Scientists actually don’t know what the Megalodon shark looks like. Most, if not all, of the information known on the Megalodon sharks comes from their teeth and jaws, and scientists are constantly learning new things from newly-discovered Megalodon fossils. It has been assumed that Megalodons resembled Great White sharks the most. But, what scientists can’t figure out is why the sharks went extinct. From all the information that is known on them you would think that this species was unstoppable. One of the theories as to why they went extinct is the depletion of their main food source; whales. Like the Thresher sharks from last week, this species is one of the most mysterious as well. Unlike the Thresher shark, however, scientists can’t study Megalodon sharks in the wild. If a scientist wanted to know more of the behavior of a Thresher they could go out and study the shark for a few weeks. But, the Megalodon is extinct. The amount of fossils scientists can study from the Megalodon are also limited. Basically, there’s not much to work with.

The Megalodon shark will always be one of the shark species the scientific community and the public will constantly talk about. This shark is legendary. Who wouldn’t want to know more about a 60 ft. Great White shark? The thought of this shark and what it could do sends shivers up my back. If they were still alive today, we would all be in trouble. This is why the Megalodon is number 9 on the countdown, other sharks just can’t compare. Go Megalodons!!!

 

 

 

Top Ten Shark Countdown- #10

Passion, , ,

Who is the Shark of the Week???

The Thresher Shark!!

threshersharkcons

The Nitty Gritty Facts:

There are three species of Thresher sharks known today; Pelagic, Bigeye, and Common. The biggest these sharks can grow up to is more than 20 ft and they can weigh around 216 pounds. Note that the Bigeye is the largest species and the Pelagic is the smallest. These sharks are classified as “slow-growing” because they reach maturity between ages 8 and 13 and, typically, have a life span of 22 years. These sharks love open and deep waters, but they can be found in shallow waters. However, they are not a threat to humans. The only thing humans have to worry about with Thresher sharks is being hit by their scythe-like tails.

Their tails are a unique characteristic of these species. They are unique because their tails are their main hunting tools. When they find a school of fish, they whip their tails around to trap and stun the fish. Their tails can grow to half of their body length and they also can make up a third of their weight. Thresher sharks have acquired their name from these powerful tails.

Not only do these sharks use their tail to hunt, but they are also masters of breaching, which is jumping out of the water. Thresher sharks are considered to be one of the most athletic  of all the sharks species. You can most likely seem them hunting large schools of fish out in the open ocean. Their main prey is tuna and mackerel, but they will also go after certain types of sea birds.

Like a large number of other shark species, Thresher sharks are largely independent, rouge hunters, but it has been documented that near the Indian Ocean there has been a group of Threshers joined together.

Another unique feature of the Thresher shark species is they have an extraordinary heat exchange system. Basically, this means that they can produce heat in their bodies by enhancing their metabolism and muscle shivering.

Why did the Thresher make the list of Top Ten Sharks?

These shark species are mysterious. There actually isn’t a lot known about them. Scientists can guess how big they can get, but there isn’t definitive proof. Same goes with their social behavior, reproduction, different species of Threshers, and habitat. Thresher sharks are on the list because of how mysterious they are. I think it’s amazing how scientists believe there may be a fourth Thresher shark species. If I was a marine biologist, my goal would be to discover more about the Thresher shark because, in reality, there is little information on this particular species and any new information would seem like a milestone in shark discoveries.

Also, their tails are a highly distinctive feature. No other shark has a tail that even compares to the Thresher shark’s. In my opinion, their long tails make them look graceful and powerful. Unlike seeing a Grey Reef shark or a Caribbean Reef shark, the Thresher shark can easily be identified. Looking at the pictures of them breaching always gets me amazed. These sharks can fly! Kudos to you Thresher sharks! You are number 10!

National Issues Forums

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When I first started reading this issue guide on Higher Education I expected the information to be boring and far from anything I could personally relate to. However, by the second page it was clear to me that this guide was dealing with issues completely relevant to my life. There have been so many rants in the past few years on the cost of college. I never understood why society places so much importance on higher education and yet the costs are astronomical.

I was glad to find out how the National Issues Forums Issue Guide addressed the problems dealing with higher education. The Issue Guide suggested three  different options on how the higher educational system could change.

The first option: Focus on Staying Competitive in the Global Economy

This option is based around the idea that math and science fields are “better”. I particularly did not like this option because it implied how some subjects are better than others, which I believe is false. I will agree that math and science are important, but so are fields such as languages and art. Not everyone is geared towards math and science. Some people are naturally talented in the arts and humanities. We need all the fields working together.

The second option: Work Together and Repair an Ailing Society

This option put emphasis on strengthening ethical values. The Issue Guide states how, as a society, we are losing trust with one another. I agree with this statement completely. The exclamation “Oh, I have no more faith in humanity” is becoming more and more frequently used, which is alarming.

The third option: Ensure that Everyone Gets a Fair Chance

This option basically states that everyone should get an equal opportunity. While it’s a great sentiment, I simply don’t think it’s realistic. There’s always going to be someone who gets the short end of the stick.

Overall, I found the Issue Guide to be highly beneficial. These issues are important to us because the decisions made, if there are any made, affect us directly. The title of the Issue Guide is “Shaping Our Future” and, as clique as this sounds, we are our future.

 

College and Changed Views

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It’s safe to say that everyone changes once they get to college. For me, I definitely knew I was going to change. I knew my ideas, beliefs, and values would change. I just didn’t know in what way. Now, after experiencing my first semester at college I know how I changed in those first few months.

My first semester was riddled with challenges. I had to learn to balance ROTC, hard courses, and a social life. Unfortunately, I only was able to handle ROTC and my classes. Not having an exciting social life challenged one of my biggest beliefs.

Coming to college I believed I had to work hard all the time. When it came to studying, I was extremely anal. I would sit in the Stacks until midnight Friday, Saturday, and sometimes, Sunday. I didn’t have fun. I didn’t get to branch out to join new clubs and make new friends. I didn’t live. I kept thinking to myself “I’m attending one of the best universities in the world and yet I’m miserable”. By the end of the semester I, with the help of a meaningful conversation with my grandmother, realized that it’s okay to let loose sometimes. You can’t get A’s all the time. You only get the “college experience” once so you have to make the most of it. College isn’t all about being the best and sacrificing everything for good grades. College is about having that one period of your life where YOU make the decisions, YOU explore what you want, and YOU live the way you want to live.

All throughout high school I was that kid who had to get straight A’s. If I didn’t get an A on a paper or test I would obsess about it for the rest of the day. Of Course, coming to college I expected to get A’s all the time. But, instead, college handed me a reality check. No matter how hard I would work in a particular class I would get a B on everything. I eventually had to learn that getting B’s were okay too. I’m still going to strive for the A, but if I get a B instead then I’ll still be happy because I would know that I did my best.

College challenged me in a way I never expected.

 

My Favorite Passion Blog Post

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One of the things I love most about CAS 138T is the people in the class. Everyone is different from each other and so there is a lot of diversity. Even though we’re all different, our qualities and personalities complement each other. That’s why reading the passion blogs posts is always entertaining. It’s impossible to name someone who doesn’t write well or have an interesting topic. Picking my favorite passion blog post ended up being a challenge. I had many favorites. After a while of sifting through numerous posts I believe I finally found “the one”.

Tesia’s passion post entitled “Myth Busting…Or Not.”

http://sites.psu.edu/noboundariesonhealth/2013/12/09/myth-busting-or-not/

Tesia’s passion blog is all about health and body image. This passion interested me initially because I’m a tad obsessed about working out and eating right. I DO worry about my own body image. Tesia’s posts inspired me, especially her last passion post. In this post she talks about loving YOURSELF. You can be overweight or skinny and still be unhealthy. The trick is to accept yourself for who you are. She says at the end “love yourself, and stay healthy in whatever means best suit you”. I think this is a very powerful statement that often gets overlooked. In the hustle and bustle of life I believe we forget about pleasing ourselves. We get so absorbed in pleasing the world. If we all loved and accepted ourselves we would find ways to stay healthy for us and not for others.

Tesia’s blog post got me thinking about how society views people. Who cares if someone is heavier or thinner? Does looking like society’s ideals make one better than the other? In order for society to accept me I need to be a size 0 (which I’m not). Well, if that’s the  case, then I don’t want society to accept me. I know I’m healthy and I don’t need to go to the gym everyday to lose 20 pounds.

It’s hard talking about body image. I know for me, personally, I wish I could look like a Victoria’s Secret Angel. I know it’ll will never happen and, as a result, I feel down at times. This is why I always love to read Tesia’s blogs. It’s like she gets me. She says in her last blog post to “love yourself” and now I’m motivated to keep true to that. I think it’s also interesting to note, that loving yourself should be so simple and yet it’s one of the hardest things to do.

Another reason why this blog post is my favorite is that she  opens up and reveals her own feelings. In this particular post, “Myth Busting…Or Not.”, she relates some of her own experiences with weight issues. She talks about her ex-boyfriend and her mother and how they had a hard time dealing with body image. I really respect Tesia for sharing these painful experiences. I know I wouldn’t be able to open up like that, even to friends; let alone in a blog post. These issues are real. I don’t think I would believe anyone if they said they never had problems with their self-image. Everyone, read Tesia’s blog posts!!!