The Limits of Science- Response

The central argument in Anthony Gottlieb’s article is that science has limits to explain certain principles. I agree with Gottlieb as there is so much out there that we do not know about and cannot explain as this reaches to our limits. One example is that in Switzerland physicians are working on an experiment to determine unknown particles, still they are experimenting having no results. In addition to that theory’s such of Einstein cannot be really proven as they “go beyond the data that they seek to explain.”

In Switzerland the world largest physic’s experiment is going on. Due to some problems that occured just after two days, the ring tube that accerlates high energy particles to almost the speed of light, had to be refixed but eventually it started working again. The high energy particles are shot 27 kilometers through the tube, being shot from both ends. The interesting part for the physicians is when these particles collied, it is possible that tiny black holes will be created. If this would happen there is an indication higher dimensional spaces which would contribute to help of understanding the string theory. The string theory is the physical explanation for the origin of the universe. So far nothing has been discovered and for the tube to work at is full power, it will take another two years. This shows that somethings just cannot be explained to humans, even tho we are trying our best at it, spending billions of dollars and how everything evolved.

Another example is biology and physic’s class. The teachers often conduct experiments, already knowing the result (thinking to know what the outcome will be). Most of the time the outcome differs from what the teacher expects and that shows another serious indication why science has limits. Humans cannot be perfect. Even Stephen Hawking claimed that “we may now be near the end of the search for the ultimate laws of nature.” But have we? No we have not. The picture always changes “from the picture we might have painted just a decade or two ago.”

Science cannot prove everything. Even great minds like Hawking can be wrong at times. Everyone does make mistakes, called human error and it is found in every little experiment. Humans are not the super “allien” that can read everything with their eyes, compute in their brain and figure it out. Principles and theory’s are very tough to explain and when people who have an IQ of infinity.

What does it mean to be cool?- Response

The central argument of Thorsten-Botz Bornstein’s article, on “What does it mean to be cool?” is that being cool means to display an attitude of being relaxed and calm in every situation.

Thorsten-Botz Bornstein refers back to the term that was established by slavery in the United States of America. Borstein claims that a “cool attitude helped slaves and former slaves to cope with exploitation or simply made it possible to walk the streets at night.” The author also explains what is the modern coolness by mentioning that “cool does not only refer to a respected aspect of masculine display, it’s also a symptom ofanomie, confusion, anxiety, self-gratification and escapism. To define this even more explains what really “is cool?” Borstein answers with the following that “it seems rather that the master of cool handles the give and take of life as if it were a game.”

I agree with Borsntein that being cool is showing an attitude of relaxed, calm style in every situation in our daily life. I agree with him as I see it in every day. At school, in dorms, on the streets.

At school the guards are there to keep the monkeys away. The monkeys can be compared to little terrorists who, where ever they go, anyplace, leave the place in a disorder, unorganized way. These little terrorists can also become quite mean at times and tend to harm others. For such issues we have the school guards. They remain calm when the monkeys come, throw stones at them and run after them with sticks. They always display a cool attitude in these situations.

Another example is at Woodstock dorms. Many students, not I, tend to stay calm when a teacher assigns an english essay for AP english language & composition. While I start working on the first day, planning and writing my essay down many other students tend to display a very cool attitude until the last night. The day before the english essay is due everyone is calm, except for me. Late at night these students still have their cool attitude.

In addition to that, here in India, many people tend to drive cars and bikes like little maniacs. The streets are often dangerous as anyone cannot drive in an orderly fashioned way. Speeding up, just honking the horn, is better than to push the brakes anyways. Many of these drives and local people on the street tend to be cool, everyone except for me who is paranoid of walking in the streets. As if these people were masters of cool just playing the “game” risking life.

To be cool involves a lot of calmness in the mind. The examples show people being cool, at every situation, even at life risking situations they place them self’s in. Whether it are monkeys that practice the art of terrorism in any finest way, english essays that mean 30% to our grade or just life-threatening situations. Some people just play a very cool attitude, being calm and relaxed.