I found this on universetoday.com in the comments section and thought I'd share it with you...
"I think you are missing the point. I agree that the creation story is a metaphor, and therefore, trying to constrain it with current knowledge is meaningless because we don't know the details of the similarities between the stories.
When you were a child and asked what the twinkling things in the night sky were, I'm sure your parents didn't go into the complexities of nuclear fusion, the p-p chain and CNO cycle, opacities all the way through the photosphere and then a discussion on E&M to explain the propagation of light. You were told in simple, easy to understand terms that sufficed for that time and place in your life.
Similarly, in Genesis we are told that the heavens and earth were created by God. To a person writing this inspired word down thousands of years ago, would any of it had made any sense if God began relating thermodynamic principles, GR, and particle physics to explain entropy, galaxy formation and CP violation which is required to have the asymmetry needed to have matter in the first place? These people were more concerned about basic necessities and therefore required a simplified view of the creation of their universe. Anything more would not have made sense or been passed down for us to know about today.
And how do you know if when God said 'Let there be light' He didn't express Maxwell's equations in some form? To me, learning the physical principles of our universe and the way everything works and interacts is seeing the beauty and complexity that God used in creating everything around us. It is getting closer to the actual meaning of the metaphor expressed in those books written centuries ago. It truly is like a child playing with some unknown object until they figure out every little detail about it - and if you are a parent you know the feeling you get when you see your child figure something out on their own and the sense of accomplishment they exude. How much more proud God must be when He sees His children learning about the universe He created for them. Acknowledged or not, the parent is still proud of the child. -- Kenneth Carrell"
Alexandria.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
The Role of Media in Society Today
We live in a society that is completely dependent on the flow of information to gather and create opinions, handle business and function properly. The only way any information can be vastly disseminated is through media. Whether that be through the television, radio, billboards, intrapersonal connection etc. that is how we do it.
Seeing as how most people are connected to at least one medium at all times during the day, we have to examine the impact it is truly having in our society. Especially in America, where we are constantly soaking up messages with and without our consent, the question has to be asked. What is the role of media in society today? Its role is something of a super power in our culture. The media controls how we think, act, and make decisions. The force at which it is driven into our minds can be alarming and is evident.
We can trace media back to China in the 1400’s, where the first printing press was created and spread to Europe. Newspapers were the first form of mass communication and from its infantile stage, it has been used to influence others with the happenings of the community and mold the public opinion. Since then, media has developed. Through photography, television, the internet and other sources, we can communicate across the world without putting much effort into it. Over time, people saw the impact that the media could have and used it for good and bad reasons. Today, we can see that the power it has over our everyday actions is enormous.
From the toothbrushes and toothpastes we buy, to the shoes we wear, the media has influenced our decisions. Especially with the younger generation we see that our minds are still impressionable and our choices are not firm. That is why we have ‘trends’ and ‘fads’. Information is easily given and easily forgotten. But we can’t limit the media to ruling the smaller aspects of our lives; it can control our larger and less concrete decisions as well.
Subliminal influence, as I believe it is so, is the main role that the media has on society today. For example, in the 2008 presidential race, the media was supportive of Barack Obama in an underlying fashion. They spoke highly of him and when others came to attack him, most media outlets went against those people. If the media decided to go against or make a mockery of Obama, the outcome of that election surely would not have been the same.
Due to the desire of people to change, evolve and learn we are constantly seeing affirmation from the media regarding our choices in life. Even when we think we are being different, that decision is often times based off of something we have seen or heard and seeped into our subconscious making us desire that product or lifestyle. We are naturally consumed by the media and are subjected to its influence over our lives daily.
The media superpower cannot be avoided but can be controlled. It is up to the individual to create a barrier against things that they do not want to be exposed to or to allow it in their lives. Simple things like turning off the TV or limiting the amount of time you spend on the internet can help lessen the role that the media plays in our lives. If the people of our society decided to go against the media’s constraints on our personal integrity, we could create a self superpower instead of one that is controlled by outside sources. If we did more that make a splash in the ocean for change, we could in fact re-define the media in its entirety. But that can only come once everyone is on one accord.
Don’t get me wrong. The media is necessary and if used correctly can influence others to positively affect their world. We have to work within the beast in order to effectively change it. Our start to that change must come from personal thought and a change of mindset. After we have mastered ourselves, then we can go out and create a new ‘role of media in society’, TODAY.
AC
Seeing as how most people are connected to at least one medium at all times during the day, we have to examine the impact it is truly having in our society. Especially in America, where we are constantly soaking up messages with and without our consent, the question has to be asked. What is the role of media in society today? Its role is something of a super power in our culture. The media controls how we think, act, and make decisions. The force at which it is driven into our minds can be alarming and is evident.
We can trace media back to China in the 1400’s, where the first printing press was created and spread to Europe. Newspapers were the first form of mass communication and from its infantile stage, it has been used to influence others with the happenings of the community and mold the public opinion. Since then, media has developed. Through photography, television, the internet and other sources, we can communicate across the world without putting much effort into it. Over time, people saw the impact that the media could have and used it for good and bad reasons. Today, we can see that the power it has over our everyday actions is enormous.
From the toothbrushes and toothpastes we buy, to the shoes we wear, the media has influenced our decisions. Especially with the younger generation we see that our minds are still impressionable and our choices are not firm. That is why we have ‘trends’ and ‘fads’. Information is easily given and easily forgotten. But we can’t limit the media to ruling the smaller aspects of our lives; it can control our larger and less concrete decisions as well.
Subliminal influence, as I believe it is so, is the main role that the media has on society today. For example, in the 2008 presidential race, the media was supportive of Barack Obama in an underlying fashion. They spoke highly of him and when others came to attack him, most media outlets went against those people. If the media decided to go against or make a mockery of Obama, the outcome of that election surely would not have been the same.
Due to the desire of people to change, evolve and learn we are constantly seeing affirmation from the media regarding our choices in life. Even when we think we are being different, that decision is often times based off of something we have seen or heard and seeped into our subconscious making us desire that product or lifestyle. We are naturally consumed by the media and are subjected to its influence over our lives daily.
The media superpower cannot be avoided but can be controlled. It is up to the individual to create a barrier against things that they do not want to be exposed to or to allow it in their lives. Simple things like turning off the TV or limiting the amount of time you spend on the internet can help lessen the role that the media plays in our lives. If the people of our society decided to go against the media’s constraints on our personal integrity, we could create a self superpower instead of one that is controlled by outside sources. If we did more that make a splash in the ocean for change, we could in fact re-define the media in its entirety. But that can only come once everyone is on one accord.
Don’t get me wrong. The media is necessary and if used correctly can influence others to positively affect their world. We have to work within the beast in order to effectively change it. Our start to that change must come from personal thought and a change of mindset. After we have mastered ourselves, then we can go out and create a new ‘role of media in society’, TODAY.
AC
Monday, May 2, 2011
My Theme for this Summer: Creativity.
A new season is upon us! Woo hoo! Loads of sun, breeze, lively greenery and smiles from all. It only seems right for me to take full advantage of this joyous spirit! Therefore, I’ve decided that every day I’m going to try my hardest to be full of passion, strength, determination and CREATIVITY.
I’m the kind of person that can sit around for a full day and just think. Some may call it lazy, but who are they?? Lol But forreal, I can. That doesn’t really get you too many places though. There is a time for self-evaluation and contemplation but if we don’t put action to our thoughts, they are pretty meaningless. I have so many creative designs and ideas that never come to fruition. I’m pretty sure most creative spirits would say the same thing. It’s hard for us to comprehend all the thoughts that cross us let alone act on them! But that’s not going to be my excuse this summer.
I have to make the most of this time and you should resolve to do the same. If anything, this time should be the most creative and active for us because we don’t have the distraction of school to hold us back. (Yes, sometimes I think school is simply a distraction from the true lessons we should be learning). I have this mannequin head that I’m working on right now…it’s going to be pretty bomb once I’ve completed it. I also have a few other film projects and things with NHB and everything else to accomplish. So, I’m putting myself on a timeline and I’m going to let my mind SOAR!
There are no limits for a person that is determined to make something happen. If you follow your heart and set yourself in motion, you can take over the world. I’ll help.
GodLight
I’m the kind of person that can sit around for a full day and just think. Some may call it lazy, but who are they?? Lol But forreal, I can. That doesn’t really get you too many places though. There is a time for self-evaluation and contemplation but if we don’t put action to our thoughts, they are pretty meaningless. I have so many creative designs and ideas that never come to fruition. I’m pretty sure most creative spirits would say the same thing. It’s hard for us to comprehend all the thoughts that cross us let alone act on them! But that’s not going to be my excuse this summer.
I have to make the most of this time and you should resolve to do the same. If anything, this time should be the most creative and active for us because we don’t have the distraction of school to hold us back. (Yes, sometimes I think school is simply a distraction from the true lessons we should be learning). I have this mannequin head that I’m working on right now…it’s going to be pretty bomb once I’ve completed it. I also have a few other film projects and things with NHB and everything else to accomplish. So, I’m putting myself on a timeline and I’m going to let my mind SOAR!
There are no limits for a person that is determined to make something happen. If you follow your heart and set yourself in motion, you can take over the world. I’ll help.
GodLight
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
I can never predict...and that’s fine.
2011 has been a year of subsequent wins and losses thus far. It’s kind of crazy because none of the losses have made me sad and none of the wins have made me boast. I’m taking it all in stride. Partly because I don’t know what’s going to happen next and because the things or positions I gain do not determine my success in life.
What I’ve learned through these four months is that 1) everything is temporary 2) face-value means nothing 3) give your all and you cannot be disappointed 4) realize that you’re worth more than others’ notion of your value. I’ve embarked on several endeavors that I would have never in my wildest dreams thought I would. But, everything happens for a reason.
It’s odd. I feel like I’m conditioning myself to be okay with things not happening the way I’d like them to. I guess I am, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Everything that has happened so far has led to something great occurring in my life! Whether the good or bad comes first, the end result is peace, understanding, growth and determination to become better. Instead of settling for what is given to me or waiting for the next opportunity, I’m going out and doing it myself. No one is going to hand you your life. No one is going to listen to your pity party about the things you’ve been through. What they will listen to is your decision to come out of it and change things.
That’s exactly what I’m doing: taking it all in, absorbing it, learning from it and moving forward into a brighter future. That’s the only way to ensure your greatness. Otherwise, we’ll be sitting back resting on our laurels or feeling sorry for ourselves.
Alex C.
What I’ve learned through these four months is that 1) everything is temporary 2) face-value means nothing 3) give your all and you cannot be disappointed 4) realize that you’re worth more than others’ notion of your value. I’ve embarked on several endeavors that I would have never in my wildest dreams thought I would. But, everything happens for a reason.
It’s odd. I feel like I’m conditioning myself to be okay with things not happening the way I’d like them to. I guess I am, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Everything that has happened so far has led to something great occurring in my life! Whether the good or bad comes first, the end result is peace, understanding, growth and determination to become better. Instead of settling for what is given to me or waiting for the next opportunity, I’m going out and doing it myself. No one is going to hand you your life. No one is going to listen to your pity party about the things you’ve been through. What they will listen to is your decision to come out of it and change things.
That’s exactly what I’m doing: taking it all in, absorbing it, learning from it and moving forward into a brighter future. That’s the only way to ensure your greatness. Otherwise, we’ll be sitting back resting on our laurels or feeling sorry for ourselves.
Alex C.
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Extremities of this World
Why does everything have to be so black and white? Especially being in college, most people are trying to find their moral ground or decide what they want to believe and how to act. It just seems that at this age, we are the most fragile in terms of what is fed to us. We are so eager to learn and grow that we often accept what is given and try to compile every different belief to create our own.
Only after this stage of life can we truly look back and understand the lessons learned. Only then can we pick and choose what we want to believe without it being tainted by more beliefs and restrictions on those beliefs! It’s an interesting game. Extreme liberals saying that all religion is bad and all Christians are hypocrites. Extreme conservatives saying that everyone’s going to hell and there is no middle ground. It seems to rule our lives at this stage. This defiance, anger and desire to be heard. But what are we truly saying? Are we creating a better environment for those following behind or are we pushing beliefs that leave people confused?
I am a Christian. I am pro-life in every situation. I am an Independent. I love poetry, art, philosophy and music. I have gay friends. My last car was a seven passenger Dodge Durango. I love nature. The list goes on and on. I do not claim to be perfect. I am not one-sided. How can someone be so blind as to choose one side in life and not enjoy the many facets that it holds? It saddens me when I see people follow those that are the loudest in their beliefs. At one point, I fell in that same boat. Just because a person was vocal and strong in their opinion I believed them right. But the time has come to stop following others extremities and find your own balance.
We have to start at the fundamental knowledge of our sensitive state. We are sensitive spirits at any age! Please realize that the messages you give to those around you penetrate them deep. We are not just speaking from our hearts; we are speaking into the hearts, lives and futures of others. So, what makes you think that your opinion should be more valued than another? What makes you think your opinion is the final say… I just want people to wake up and stop listening to these individuals that harp on matters without action. They stand like towers creating fear and awe in weak-minded individuals. There are so many of them from both sides of the spectrum. It is okay to have varying views. It is acceptable to not take a side or create a persona without having full knowledge of where that path will take you.
Be slow to take action and quick to think and decipher. Everything that is shown or said to you is not for your benefit. Everything that looks or feels right is not so.
Alexandria Collins
Only after this stage of life can we truly look back and understand the lessons learned. Only then can we pick and choose what we want to believe without it being tainted by more beliefs and restrictions on those beliefs! It’s an interesting game. Extreme liberals saying that all religion is bad and all Christians are hypocrites. Extreme conservatives saying that everyone’s going to hell and there is no middle ground. It seems to rule our lives at this stage. This defiance, anger and desire to be heard. But what are we truly saying? Are we creating a better environment for those following behind or are we pushing beliefs that leave people confused?
I am a Christian. I am pro-life in every situation. I am an Independent. I love poetry, art, philosophy and music. I have gay friends. My last car was a seven passenger Dodge Durango. I love nature. The list goes on and on. I do not claim to be perfect. I am not one-sided. How can someone be so blind as to choose one side in life and not enjoy the many facets that it holds? It saddens me when I see people follow those that are the loudest in their beliefs. At one point, I fell in that same boat. Just because a person was vocal and strong in their opinion I believed them right. But the time has come to stop following others extremities and find your own balance.
We have to start at the fundamental knowledge of our sensitive state. We are sensitive spirits at any age! Please realize that the messages you give to those around you penetrate them deep. We are not just speaking from our hearts; we are speaking into the hearts, lives and futures of others. So, what makes you think that your opinion should be more valued than another? What makes you think your opinion is the final say… I just want people to wake up and stop listening to these individuals that harp on matters without action. They stand like towers creating fear and awe in weak-minded individuals. There are so many of them from both sides of the spectrum. It is okay to have varying views. It is acceptable to not take a side or create a persona without having full knowledge of where that path will take you.
Be slow to take action and quick to think and decipher. Everything that is shown or said to you is not for your benefit. Everything that looks or feels right is not so.
Alexandria Collins
Monday, March 28, 2011
Paradise
Man in the state of nature was simple. Simple needs that could be accomplished easily. We did not need companionship and only until society was created did we need each other.
-Rousseau (roughly)
John Jacques Rousseau argued that man was perfect and content in this state. There was no arguing, need for power, hatred or preference. I sometimes wonder how life would be if we could go back to that time. A time without the rules of society and without the need to change ourselves to fit into an ever-evolving atmosphere. What would it be like if nature was just enough? It seems to me that life would be splendid. All I can imagine is lush green forests, waterfalls and bright colors from all of the plants and animals. I would be surrounded my creatures of all types, loving and giving. No temptation, hurt, pain or disturbance. If I wanted another human around we could meet and commune simply. We would speak on the joys of nature and the gift of life. Our conversations would be short as to not disturb the flow of movement in our lives. We would be satisfied with that and feel full by just the breath in our bodies.
Why did we change? Why did we decide that land needed to be owned? Who said that it was okay to rule nature and simultaneously destroy it? I wonder and I feel sad. At the same time if no one had been selfish enough to do that we wouldn't experience this life in the way we have now. The "conveniences" we have would not be here. But people were happy without this, right? Without technology, capitalism, suburbia...sometimes I wonder. I wonder as I walk on the grass and soil God has created. I wonder as I sit outside under a bright green tree providing me shade and cool air as the sun brightens the day. I wonder as I drink refreshing water to soothe my parched throat. The simple things.
Alexandria
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Alter-Egos
So, I just finished my Spring Break. Read the title and the first sentence again lol. You get what this post is gonna be about? Yup, that’s it!
I saw some crazy and amazing things over this break. My friends and I spent time together doing girly pampering, movie watching etc. We went to a wildlife park (loved it) and made our way to Panama City Beach. For those of you not familiar with college life, PCB is a destination that people from all across the nation travel to during their break for some sun and fun. Fun depending on your definition. Most people see fun in Panama as drinking at 10 in the morning, smoking everything you can and having…relations with people you’ve never met.
Not saying that everyone does that, but let’s be honest…most people do! I’m not going to act like I sat in a corner reading a book while all of the craziness went in around me. I had my share of a good time! But I remember sitting in someone’s condo at like, 4 in the morning and realizing that this was real. Not a dream, but real. I felt a shock go through my body and guilt overwhelm me. That lasted for a couple minutes, then I was back in the groove lol!
Although I may look back at those shenanigans and laugh, it really is sad. I saw girls passed out with their behinds out on the sidewalk, guys groping everything that passed, fights, belligerent behavior and so much more. It’s almost as if everyone’s alter-ego came out at one time. That’s just a recipe for disaster!
It was fun. It was crazy. It was a glimpse at something that I don’t know if I truly belong to. While I had a good time, being in that environment is not me at my best. No promises, but I’m going to try to ease myself out of that lifestyle. I’ve been convicted and put it off for a week so I could party! But, now it’s time to face my conscience. Thankfully, nothing happened to me or my girls. But that doesn’t mean we should repeat actions that we know aren’t good for us. Why am I so hard-headed!!
This is gonna be interesting…
Alexandria C.
I saw some crazy and amazing things over this break. My friends and I spent time together doing girly pampering, movie watching etc. We went to a wildlife park (loved it) and made our way to Panama City Beach. For those of you not familiar with college life, PCB is a destination that people from all across the nation travel to during their break for some sun and fun. Fun depending on your definition. Most people see fun in Panama as drinking at 10 in the morning, smoking everything you can and having…relations with people you’ve never met.
Not saying that everyone does that, but let’s be honest…most people do! I’m not going to act like I sat in a corner reading a book while all of the craziness went in around me. I had my share of a good time! But I remember sitting in someone’s condo at like, 4 in the morning and realizing that this was real. Not a dream, but real. I felt a shock go through my body and guilt overwhelm me. That lasted for a couple minutes, then I was back in the groove lol!
Although I may look back at those shenanigans and laugh, it really is sad. I saw girls passed out with their behinds out on the sidewalk, guys groping everything that passed, fights, belligerent behavior and so much more. It’s almost as if everyone’s alter-ego came out at one time. That’s just a recipe for disaster!
It was fun. It was crazy. It was a glimpse at something that I don’t know if I truly belong to. While I had a good time, being in that environment is not me at my best. No promises, but I’m going to try to ease myself out of that lifestyle. I’ve been convicted and put it off for a week so I could party! But, now it’s time to face my conscience. Thankfully, nothing happened to me or my girls. But that doesn’t mean we should repeat actions that we know aren’t good for us. Why am I so hard-headed!!
This is gonna be interesting…
Alexandria C.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
A lot. But I see the direction I'm being led in...
I wish I could sit down with you and have a really long conversation about everything I’ve learned over the past month and the truth I see coming to light! It’s crazy and wonderful. I’m honestly learning something new every day and sometimes it motivates me, sometimes it discourages me. I see myself being a source of light and strength for others but there’s so much darkness it’s almost as if I can’t make a dent! So I surround myself with people that want better for themselves, society, this world, this universe and try to create that change.
Hopefully you’re on that path too. Hopefully you’re starting to see the power you have and the ways in which you can help others with that power. That knowledge and removal of the ego is the only thing that can keep us a float in times like these. Especially during this month, this day, hour and minute of my life I’m seeing just how much people need someone to stand up for what is good and pure in the world. We have enough people being motivated by selfish intentions. It’s necessary for people who want better for others to take the wheel.
It’s time to re-evaluate the playing field we’re on. I’m realizing that it’s not all fun and games but that there is more under the surface and it’s going to take more to be that light than I expected. Does anyone else feel like they HAVE to be positive or else there won’t be ANY positivity? No desire for greatness? No hunger for service or peace? I’m sure you feel the same way. You have to! I really need you too! And if you do, please let me know. It’s a struggle everyday seeing what is really going on around here and having to find the proper way to react.
There’s so much more I want to say but it’s all flooding my head at one time and I know it’s going to come out as jumbled thoughts and rants!
My Prayer:
God, I see what you mean. I know what you want for us. I hear your call. As your child, I look to you and ask for help. You’ve sent me amazing people to guide me in this journey. I just ask that you continue to foster my desire to help, that you push all that I touch to want to become better. I ask that you lead others to live as you would desire them to. I ask that you forgive us for not being the lights that we should and that you give us a renewed purpose and motivation. I ask for conviction and redemption. I ask for mercy, love and prosperity. I love you and through you I love all others. Thank you for everything.
Alexandria
Hopefully you’re on that path too. Hopefully you’re starting to see the power you have and the ways in which you can help others with that power. That knowledge and removal of the ego is the only thing that can keep us a float in times like these. Especially during this month, this day, hour and minute of my life I’m seeing just how much people need someone to stand up for what is good and pure in the world. We have enough people being motivated by selfish intentions. It’s necessary for people who want better for others to take the wheel.
It’s time to re-evaluate the playing field we’re on. I’m realizing that it’s not all fun and games but that there is more under the surface and it’s going to take more to be that light than I expected. Does anyone else feel like they HAVE to be positive or else there won’t be ANY positivity? No desire for greatness? No hunger for service or peace? I’m sure you feel the same way. You have to! I really need you too! And if you do, please let me know. It’s a struggle everyday seeing what is really going on around here and having to find the proper way to react.
There’s so much more I want to say but it’s all flooding my head at one time and I know it’s going to come out as jumbled thoughts and rants!
My Prayer:
God, I see what you mean. I know what you want for us. I hear your call. As your child, I look to you and ask for help. You’ve sent me amazing people to guide me in this journey. I just ask that you continue to foster my desire to help, that you push all that I touch to want to become better. I ask that you lead others to live as you would desire them to. I ask that you forgive us for not being the lights that we should and that you give us a renewed purpose and motivation. I ask for conviction and redemption. I ask for mercy, love and prosperity. I love you and through you I love all others. Thank you for everything.
Alexandria
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)