Free Write 1.26.12

• power plants can cause asthma, obesity, pollution, and many other related health issues
• pollution has the power to destroy in the long run
• grew up in a poor family.  they were of the minority
• it is better to ask for forgiveness than for permission

Free Write 1.24.12.

I really enjoyed this video, because it helped to show other people's perspectives that we cannot see.  Everyday, we encounter people that may annoy us.  Sometimes we ridicule or criticize them.  However, this video helps to show that people often behave a certain way for a reason, and we cannot pass judgement because we do not know what that other person is going through.  it makes you think that if we were extra kind to a stranger, or even simply smiled at them in passing, it may make their day.

Free Write 12.8.11

What is going to be my greatest asset in preparing for the next 12 days?

My greatest asset in preparing for finals is keeping my stress level low.  When I stress, I tend to be much less productive. Also, I tend not to get the sleep and rest that I need in order to perform well.  In order to keep this stress level low, I am going to manage my time wisely, be organized in my studying, and have productive study time.

What is the greatest detriment that I have to avoid?

My greatest detriment that I must avoid are the minor distractions everyday that shield me from doing my work.  Somedays, I have a difficult time focusing on my work because I am distracted.  In order to prevent this, I am going to go to the library, and stay off of the internet.  This more focused study time will not only allow me to study better, but it will allow for more free time as well. 

Free Write 12.1.11

With the semester coming to a close, I have been feeling a lot of stress and anxiety with due dates an upcoming finals.  This past week I have had a lot of assignments due, along with early morning practices.  Sleep has been a priority, and my papers and assignments have been going smoothly.  I only have one more assignment due before my finals, and I look forward to having a few low key days before the studying kicks in.

Writing Partnership 11.29.11

My experience tonight at the Writing partnership was by far the best experience I have had at the Outreach Center.   Last week, Stephen and Pat started to tell me their stories that they were writing in their autobiographies.  However, this week, they read us their work and their stories of their lives were unbelievable.  Listening to both of them talk about their youth was so moving and heart-wrenching, knowing what i have today compared to what they went through at my age.  However, what was most moving about my experience tonight was listening to their optimism and their views of life, despite what they had gone through in their lives.  Pat, whose family life lead her down the wrong path as a child, had nothing bad to say about her family, and praised thm for doing all they could to improve her life.  Stephen, who struggled with alcohol, sex, and drugs, uses his experiences to teach others at AA meeting all around the country.  Both of them praised God and never hesitated to thank them, despite their misfortune and their life struggles.  It was almost as if they believed themselves to be fortunate for what they went through, because it taught them how to live life, and now they are able to share that with others so that they do not make the same mistakes.  Tonight was an eye-opening experience that really made me reflect on life in general, how fortunate we are, and how to look at our lives.

Free Write 11.29.11

Steve Jobs once said that the single most important class he ever took was a class in calligraphy. 

Steve Jobs might have said this because he knew that writing was the basis of all communication and understanding.  Without the ability to write, we would not be able to communicate with the people and the world around us.  By understanding calligraphy, and the different styles of writing, Steve Jobs was able to expand his horizon of understanding and knowledge.  Also, he was able to share his knowledge with the rest of the world.  Without the ability to read and write, we would not have a baseline for communication with others and our environment.  

Complex vs. Simple

• Simplicity - coffee cup, glasses, books
• simple in function? and not simple in construction?  - cell phone, birth control pill
• teapot problem - why is the water hot?
• complexity- highly developed
• simplicity - almost doesnt exist
• complexity - a system whee the components interact with eachother
• stacking - if you can make one or two things work you can build off of it
• stacking - taking simple structures and stacking them together vertically or horizontally.  can be literal physical stacking, or it could be figurative.  when stacked together, it becomes something complex.  this complexity turns into something simple
• ex.  the laptop is the final simple product
• binanary - the simplest way to show numbers

How Complexity Lead to Simplicity

• complex doesnt always mean complicated
• the more you step back to look a complexity, the better you will understand it simply
• simplicity often lies on the other side of complexity
• simple power of good visualization tools help you to 
• consider the entire system, then look at your focus (it will be more predictable)
• the more you can zoom out on complexity, the better you will be at zooming in on the details that matter the most
• fair transparent economic development and services.  took the complex system, recognized its complexity, and didnt make it complicated
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• inivative circuts allow for the production of cell phones
• simple idea lays on a serious of other simple levels that each have their own complexity
• simple is predictable - you know what it is going to do
• simple is cheap - is something is cheap enough people will find uses for them
• simple - high performance value or cost
• simple - high performance level - it is functional and reliable
• from a complex system emerges certain things