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Welcome!
In this few lines, I am going to introduce myself. First, I am a Biologist and a Science Teacher. In addition to that, I am an undergraduated student of Letters and Literature. |
Ufology: is it a real Science?
Since the beginning of the human history, people look at the sky and wonder if we are alone in the universe or not. Indeed, it is a big question and one of the most controversial topic in the world. According to the astronomers, there are approximately 100 billion to 200 billion galaxies in the universe. Considering all the necessary elements for life to happen, a complex life may be possible in only 10% of all these numbers. However, there is another kind of « science », called Ufology, that studies many strange phenomenons on Earth, but the majority of these studies do not have a proper scientifical base. Although ufologists spend time and energy trying to prove the existence of extraterrestrial life, their methods are not recognized by conventional science. For example, conventional science follows some steps . In Biology, we need to create a hypothesis, demonstrate it with experiments, develop a research and present the results, and the most important thing, the researchers are biologists. Meanwhile, many of these ufologists take their studies as a religion or hobby, without an elementary knowledge about Physics, and probably their observations are made with very limited equipments. As a matter of fact, if the scientists from N.A.S.A., with sophisticated technology, did not claim that they have seen aliens, it makes impossible to give credit for amateurs observers that present extraordinary documents and obscure evidences in photos.
Curitiba Bus System
It is widely believed that Curitiba has one of the best public transportation systems in the world.
Indeed, the public transportation is well organized, being divided by colors in order to identify the destination of each bus, and people are able to check on the internet the schedule of every line.
There are many ecological buses; this kind of green transport uses a biofuel, which contributes to reducing pollution. Moreover / In addition / Plus, their schedule works very well, and are comfortable and inexpensive.
However, the Curitiba public transportation system is actually far from perfect.
For example, depending on the bus one to, it is possible to spend at least thirty minutes waiting for an empty bus to get in.
Meanwhile, these ecological buses are not the conventional lines. Generally, these conventional lines are crowded in the peak traffic periods. In addition, they are old, without good maintenance, and therefore break down a lot.
All these factors are examples that the transportation systems in Curitiba have to improve in many aspects, before being amongst the best public transportation system in the world.
Hence, if you are planning to visit Curitiba and use the public transportation system, be aware that sometimes it will not be the best experience.
Indeed, the public transportation is well organized, being divided by colors in order to identify the destination of each bus, and people are able to check on the internet the schedule of every line.
There are many ecological buses; this kind of green transport uses a biofuel, which contributes to reducing pollution. Moreover / In addition / Plus, their schedule works very well, and are comfortable and inexpensive.
However, the Curitiba public transportation system is actually far from perfect.
For example, depending on the bus one to, it is possible to spend at least thirty minutes waiting for an empty bus to get in.
Meanwhile, these ecological buses are not the conventional lines. Generally, these conventional lines are crowded in the peak traffic periods. In addition, they are old, without good maintenance, and therefore break down a lot.
All these factors are examples that the transportation systems in Curitiba have to improve in many aspects, before being amongst the best public transportation system in the world.
Hence, if you are planning to visit Curitiba and use the public transportation system, be aware that sometimes it will not be the best experience.
There is no life before a cup of coffee
Lots of people are unable to function before their morning cup of coffee, and here I include myself. You may have singled out caffeine as the source of its power, but how much do you really know about coffee? Here are five tidbits of trivia to ponder as you percolate
5. To bean, or not to bean? This is the question.
First things first—although widely called “coffee beans,” the part of the plant that is roasted and ground to make your morning (or afternoon, or evening, or snacktime, or everytime) cup is actually a seed. It is the pit of a red fruit called a coffee cherry. (Technically the word “bean” only refers to the seeds of plants in the family Fabaceae.)
First things first—although widely called “coffee beans,” the part of the plant that is roasted and ground to make your morning (or afternoon, or evening, or snacktime, or everytime) cup is actually a seed. It is the pit of a red fruit called a coffee cherry. (Technically the word “bean” only refers to the seeds of plants in the family Fabaceae.)
4. Snack that packs a punch
Legend has it that a goatherd first discovered coffee when his goats ate some coffee cherries and went a bit wild with the caffeine high. Whether or not that story has roots in fact, coffee was originally consumed by humans as a food rather than a drink. Early African tribes would mix the coffee fruit and seeds with animal fat to make a sort of energy snack.
Legend has it that a goatherd first discovered coffee when his goats ate some coffee cherries and went a bit wild with the caffeine high. Whether or not that story has roots in fact, coffee was originally consumed by humans as a food rather than a drink. Early African tribes would mix the coffee fruit and seeds with animal fat to make a sort of energy snack.
3. Simultaneously the most and least desirable
The world’s most expensive coffee is a type called kopi luwak. Originally from Indonesia, this unique type of coffee is harvested after being digested and excreted by the Asian palm civet, a small catlike mammal. Put more bluntly, it’s poop coffee. Apparently the digestion process gives the coffee a complex, rounded taste, and consumers are willing to pay $50 or more per cup.
The world’s most expensive coffee is a type called kopi luwak. Originally from Indonesia, this unique type of coffee is harvested after being digested and excreted by the Asian palm civet, a small catlike mammal. Put more bluntly, it’s poop coffee. Apparently the digestion process gives the coffee a complex, rounded taste, and consumers are willing to pay $50 or more per cup.
2. The watched pot
The world’s first webcam was created to keep tabs on a pot of coffee. Namely, the pot of coffee in the “Trojan room” computer lab at the University of Cambridge. People working at the lab could access real-time images of the pot to know whether or not they could get their caffeine on. A few years after its internal debut, the pot achieved international celebrity when its images were made accessible via the internet. The Trojan room coffee webcam was online for ten years, from 1991-2001, and was viewed by millions from all around the world.
The world’s first webcam was created to keep tabs on a pot of coffee. Namely, the pot of coffee in the “Trojan room” computer lab at the University of Cambridge. People working at the lab could access real-time images of the pot to know whether or not they could get their caffeine on. A few years after its internal debut, the pot achieved international celebrity when its images were made accessible via the internet. The Trojan room coffee webcam was online for ten years, from 1991-2001, and was viewed by millions from all around the world.
1. Coffee, coffee, everywhere
A good cup of coffee really brings the world together. Coffee is the second most traded commodity on Earth. So what’s the first? Oil. Luckily coffee doesn’t cause as much commotion as its fellow go-juice. If only we could get it to power our cars! (That’s been attempted, with some success. But who would waste all that delicious coffee? I wouldn´t.)
A good cup of coffee really brings the world together. Coffee is the second most traded commodity on Earth. So what’s the first? Oil. Luckily coffee doesn’t cause as much commotion as its fellow go-juice. If only we could get it to power our cars! (That’s been attempted, with some success. But who would waste all that delicious coffee? I wouldn´t.)
Reflections of a coffee lover
or
Couple things that will change nothing the way you drink coffee
When you are surfing over the internet, surely, at a certain moment popped out websites with the title « Five things that... », and you can complete the space with everything that you can imagine. Normally, these types of articles have an attention-getting features (colorful visual design), a common sense short text, with a funny and appealing writing.
Maybe people who like to spend (or waist) time reading these kind of material deserve a scientifical study – Do they believe in each line ? or Are the time-space working different to them ? Is waisting time searching useless and nonsense information normal nowadays ? Anyway, you are wondering what that digression is related to the title of this article. Well, firstly, you can find a blog entry above, and on it, an interesting article from Brittanica (a respectable website) about coffee, with this five things style.
However, even a text from a well-known website can bring incomplete and worthless information. Showing only a part of the story, in this case, the warm and innocent side of a cup of coffee. Following this idea, this article adds some scientifical facts that should appears on that list. Here we go :
Maybe people who like to spend (or waist) time reading these kind of material deserve a scientifical study – Do they believe in each line ? or Are the time-space working different to them ? Is waisting time searching useless and nonsense information normal nowadays ? Anyway, you are wondering what that digression is related to the title of this article. Well, firstly, you can find a blog entry above, and on it, an interesting article from Brittanica (a respectable website) about coffee, with this five things style.
However, even a text from a well-known website can bring incomplete and worthless information. Showing only a part of the story, in this case, the warm and innocent side of a cup of coffee. Following this idea, this article adds some scientifical facts that should appears on that list. Here we go :
1. It is a drug (period).
According to the definition from the FDA site makes this clear: “… intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease” and “articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals.” It is well-known the main characteristic founded in coffee can act in our nervous system as a stimulate, however, we do not have a complete knowledge of all the others properties of this susbtance.
We can find caffeine in many sources like cacao, guaraná, teas, matés. Most of them are plants, but don´t forget that even a plant can kill you. In supermarkets you can easily buy energetic drinks with an incredible amount of this substance. or at the gym as an allied to lose weight ( and to provoke a heart attack). Conforming studies, the daily intake among adult caffeine consumers is 280 milligrams. Studies show that 30 milligrams or less of caffeine can alter self-reports of mood and affect behavior and 100 mg per day can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms upon abstinence.
According to the definition from the FDA site makes this clear: “… intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease” and “articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals.” It is well-known the main characteristic founded in coffee can act in our nervous system as a stimulate, however, we do not have a complete knowledge of all the others properties of this susbtance.
We can find caffeine in many sources like cacao, guaraná, teas, matés. Most of them are plants, but don´t forget that even a plant can kill you. In supermarkets you can easily buy energetic drinks with an incredible amount of this substance. or at the gym as an allied to lose weight ( and to provoke a heart attack). Conforming studies, the daily intake among adult caffeine consumers is 280 milligrams. Studies show that 30 milligrams or less of caffeine can alter self-reports of mood and affect behavior and 100 mg per day can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms upon abstinence.
2. Diseases
Recently, researches show positives benefits of coffee against degenerative diseases in our brain. In other hand, a list of diseases appears caused by caffeine like: higher stomach acidity, acid reflux, gastritis, problems in the gut with inflammation in general.
3. Most cruel and expensive cup of coffee in the world
Generally, the civet cat is ignored when articles treat about a type of expensive coffee. The curiosity about the civet cat occurs only because there is a "funny" preparation process. However, people take a wild animal from theirs natural habitat and put it inside a cage, giving to them a unique source of aliment. Living in chains, cement floor, small space,all their needs are completly ignored for the pleasure to drink a exotic beverage.
Recently, researches show positives benefits of coffee against degenerative diseases in our brain. In other hand, a list of diseases appears caused by caffeine like: higher stomach acidity, acid reflux, gastritis, problems in the gut with inflammation in general.
3. Most cruel and expensive cup of coffee in the world
Generally, the civet cat is ignored when articles treat about a type of expensive coffee. The curiosity about the civet cat occurs only because there is a "funny" preparation process. However, people take a wild animal from theirs natural habitat and put it inside a cage, giving to them a unique source of aliment. Living in chains, cement floor, small space,all their needs are completly ignored for the pleasure to drink a exotic beverage.
The Flanelinhas
In Brazil, you probably can find in every street a guy who will offer some help « to watch » your car in the exactly moment you park it . They are called « Flanelinhas ». These individuals are social excluded and their activitities are criminalized. Normally, this informal work is the unique option for them to survive.
But, there is some interesting facts about the « car-watchers ». Firstly, observing streets you can notice that absolute majority of flanelinhas are men. The origin of the nickname flanelinhas. In the past, the flanelinhas used to clean your car windows, with a bucket, a squeegee, and sometimes, for finishing the washing service, they used a soft fabric called flanela. As a part of the service, they used to help people to find parking spots in congestioned places. At this point we had a service without a fix price.
Nowadays, flanelinhas will appears when you stop your car in « their side » of the street, in a specific spot, that you problably found by yourself. And nothing else. Only with a gesture, they pass a message that your car will be watched. But, the owners think it is more like an advise, if they do not pay, the car will be damaged. This situation characterize extortion. In fact, there are some reported cases where that situation happened. In Curitiba city, a famous district called Batel, a flanelinha was arrested for charging a tip of R$ 20,00 reais for the motorists, However, its nothing comparing with what the newspapers show in many cities. Most of them are chemically dependents and have involviment in crimes. All these points do not bring a positive perspective about the flanelinhas. Only to remove the flanelinhas from the streets will not solve the social problem. Putting there parking meters and paying a private company for the « service » is wrong either. Which company will be responsible for that ? And Why they will be the choosen ? We have a similar situation in our highways and it does not work very well.
A good solution would be to forbid cars on the streets. Because, parked cars on the street only brings benefits to the owners, and the space is PUBLIC, but it becomes private when someone do that.
But, there is some interesting facts about the « car-watchers ». Firstly, observing streets you can notice that absolute majority of flanelinhas are men. The origin of the nickname flanelinhas. In the past, the flanelinhas used to clean your car windows, with a bucket, a squeegee, and sometimes, for finishing the washing service, they used a soft fabric called flanela. As a part of the service, they used to help people to find parking spots in congestioned places. At this point we had a service without a fix price.
Nowadays, flanelinhas will appears when you stop your car in « their side » of the street, in a specific spot, that you problably found by yourself. And nothing else. Only with a gesture, they pass a message that your car will be watched. But, the owners think it is more like an advise, if they do not pay, the car will be damaged. This situation characterize extortion. In fact, there are some reported cases where that situation happened. In Curitiba city, a famous district called Batel, a flanelinha was arrested for charging a tip of R$ 20,00 reais for the motorists, However, its nothing comparing with what the newspapers show in many cities. Most of them are chemically dependents and have involviment in crimes. All these points do not bring a positive perspective about the flanelinhas. Only to remove the flanelinhas from the streets will not solve the social problem. Putting there parking meters and paying a private company for the « service » is wrong either. Which company will be responsible for that ? And Why they will be the choosen ? We have a similar situation in our highways and it does not work very well.
A good solution would be to forbid cars on the streets. Because, parked cars on the street only brings benefits to the owners, and the space is PUBLIC, but it becomes private when someone do that.
"Brazil is not all about soccer, samba, and beaches."
In the past, Brazil was very famous around the world, mainly for three reasons. First, the Brazilian soccer dream team, every boy and man knew who Pelé was in the 70s and 80s in many different countries and cultures. All the best players were found here; it was considered an art and led thousands of people to stadiums as Maracanã, shouting and vibrating during all the match. However, we do not love soccer in the exactly way as twenty decades before. This is especially true after all the scandals involving FIFA and its Brazilian executives, that participated in a enormous scheme of corruption, uncovering a dark side of the championships and accords between some countries. Moreover, we had the worst and most shameful performance in the World Cup with a historical defeat of Brazil. The second reason for Brazil to be well-known abroad is because in February one of biggest popular festivals in the world occurs, Carnival. Indeed, it is a beautiful party, but not all Brazilians are interested in five days of dancing samba and drinking. In fact, there are a lot of different cultural expressions in this period, for example the Maracatu or the giants of Olinda. Unfortunately, these rich and colorful rhythms with incredible dances are not so known as the mulatas in the avenue. The last reason why Brazil was considered a place that must be visited once before to die, because of the image of the paradisiac beaches. Indeed, some places are so beautiful that seems to be the Eden. But, it is only a part of the exuberant nature, the Brazil has the extension of a continent, with deserts, the rainforest, we have the most diversity in the world. Although, nowadays the world keep one eye on Brazil not for the mentioned reasons, but they are following our political and economic crisis. Indeed, never a government was so exposed with all the kinds of fiscal crimes, corruption, problems and lawsuits, with people going to the streets and clamoring for changes.
The advantages of internet shopping
The technology revolutionazed our lives, including the way we do our shopping. For a long time, we spent time going to a physical store, but nowadays this reality has changed, and the number of online stores are increase. Apparently, people have preferred the online shopping instead conventional stores for many reasons. First, the convenience of a place able for 24 hours a day, with any type of products. Also, it has a good side, because people that could not going to a traditional shop, for example, elderly people or moms with newborns can shop from their comfortable home. Second, it is incredible cheaper as the seller does not have the costs of an usual shop. In addition, the cyberspace gives an opportunity to compare as many prices and products that you can, and check the reviews of previous shoppers.
Why is Game of Thrones one of my favorite TV series from present day
Nowadays, there are arguably many impressive tv series which discuss politics, power and history. However, one of my favorite series from present day is Game of Thrones created by George R.R. Martin. The Martin´s work has been described by the critics as having a complex story line This is because of the historical style with a plot that continually manipulates us. By the way, If you love History, the series Game of Thrones is the most effective way I have found to Learn History Through Literature, for example, the historical conflicts known as the Wars of the Roses served as the basis for much of the drama in Game of Thrones.
Some people think that children who spend a lot of time reading children´s story books are
wasting their time which could be better used doing other more useful activities . To what
Extent do you agree?
Learning in childhood is the key for a successful adult life, according to many studies. In fact, around the world there are a lot of theories and research discussing child development and early education. Generally, these studies are mentioning many activities, such as reading, playing, dancing as parts of this important process of acquiring cognitive abilities. As a result, it is common that during this phase of life children are learning all sort of new skills. However, some individuals imagine that youngsters who invest a considerable measure of energy and time with children’s literature are squandering their time, which could be better employed doing other more relevant activities. Indeed, it is necessary predominantly at this age, which teachers and parents should introduce the child to several sources of stimulation. In this essay, I intend to discuss this balance amongst various children´s activities and hope to show the importance of early childhood reading education as well.
In the past, children used to spend a considerable time engaged in outdoor activities (Matthews, et. al., 2000), which is automatically associated with extra physical motion and implies in a healthy development, and in a participative family teaching new hobbies to their kids, for example, fishing, camping or handmade activities. Frequently, this image evokes green spaces, and interaction with animals and the community (Jones, 1997, 2007a, 2007b). However, modern days bring convenience and technology, changing our perception of the world, bringing virtual worlds, altering our interpersonal relationships and leading us to new options of entertainment, such as television and videogames.
As well as the past, modern parents are worried about the education of their children, considering that they will grow in a competitive and globalized world. Taking into account the context, nowadays these parents try to offer their kids access to all kinds of devices when it is possible, for in their opinion it will be more useful for the child the dominance of different technologies to survive in our society (Berson & Berson, 2010). In addition, due to the growth of criminality, parents prefer to keep the children’s activities restricted to few spaces, for example, the shopping malls, school or inside the residences. Societal fears have also affected this vision of childhood with concern over crime and children’s safety in public space linked with a decreasing amount of time spent by children in the outdoors (Sutton, 2008). Nevertheless, without any restriction or an appropriate supervision of the parents the cyberspace can put kids in risk as well.
Therefore, we have seen a migration of outdoor uses to indoor, which suggest more time in front of a screen backed by the increase of children’s obesity, indicating a lack of balance in their routine; again, the overuse becomes an unhealthy habit.
Some researchers have seen an incredible opportunity to use technology as an educational tool, but, it need to be developmentally appropriate to this specific purpose and suitable for young children. Other authors are discussing the development of emotional abilities in younger children that are participating in immersive worlds with social networking elements (Berson & Berson, 2010), and there is a very controversial educational and psychological debate about communication and interpersonal interaction in virtual environment. Some studies have classified those connections as superficial and showed a negative impact in the human behavior. Indeed, increase a perception that children have become completely addicts to digital environment; they are isolated in their virtual tools without affective human interaction. As a critical consequence, developmental delay, obesity, mental illness, attention deficit, and illiteracy are now becoming the norm. Attachment to technology is “detaching” children from humanity, with consequent increased incidence of childhood psychological and behavior disorders, often accompanied by prescription of psychotropic medication (Shields & Behrman, 2000).
In the Digital Era, all these modern activities are challenging the role of the traditional paper books, instead to work together as a complement. In contrast with the books, inside the video games, children´s favorite activities, the virtual world is completely ready, without space to their imagination; they can only navigate or drown in information through the cyberspace.
In many cases, the game presents a competitive and violent scenario; this design has been develop to play for hours, which purpose to reach a goal through repetitive commands without a reflection about that world or actions. In other hand, reading will provide them more autonomy, creating they own world and space. Moreover, children’s literature provides positive messages about acceptance of the cultural differences between peoples; it helps to develop emotional intelligence, creativity, personality, social skills and moral. Stories encourages deeper thoughts about their feelings, and it transmits important themes, knowledge and information from one generation to the next. In conclusion, the contemporary overburden child needs an interval without pressure and responsibilities. Playing should offer an opportunity to use their imagination and refresh their mind. Since the modern urban reality that leads to indoor activities, most of them linked with the technology, the habit of reading appears as an excellent alternative associate to various benefits, with the possibility to be a playful activity that also involves parents.
wasting their time which could be better used doing other more useful activities . To what
Extent do you agree?
Learning in childhood is the key for a successful adult life, according to many studies. In fact, around the world there are a lot of theories and research discussing child development and early education. Generally, these studies are mentioning many activities, such as reading, playing, dancing as parts of this important process of acquiring cognitive abilities. As a result, it is common that during this phase of life children are learning all sort of new skills. However, some individuals imagine that youngsters who invest a considerable measure of energy and time with children’s literature are squandering their time, which could be better employed doing other more relevant activities. Indeed, it is necessary predominantly at this age, which teachers and parents should introduce the child to several sources of stimulation. In this essay, I intend to discuss this balance amongst various children´s activities and hope to show the importance of early childhood reading education as well.
In the past, children used to spend a considerable time engaged in outdoor activities (Matthews, et. al., 2000), which is automatically associated with extra physical motion and implies in a healthy development, and in a participative family teaching new hobbies to their kids, for example, fishing, camping or handmade activities. Frequently, this image evokes green spaces, and interaction with animals and the community (Jones, 1997, 2007a, 2007b). However, modern days bring convenience and technology, changing our perception of the world, bringing virtual worlds, altering our interpersonal relationships and leading us to new options of entertainment, such as television and videogames.
As well as the past, modern parents are worried about the education of their children, considering that they will grow in a competitive and globalized world. Taking into account the context, nowadays these parents try to offer their kids access to all kinds of devices when it is possible, for in their opinion it will be more useful for the child the dominance of different technologies to survive in our society (Berson & Berson, 2010). In addition, due to the growth of criminality, parents prefer to keep the children’s activities restricted to few spaces, for example, the shopping malls, school or inside the residences. Societal fears have also affected this vision of childhood with concern over crime and children’s safety in public space linked with a decreasing amount of time spent by children in the outdoors (Sutton, 2008). Nevertheless, without any restriction or an appropriate supervision of the parents the cyberspace can put kids in risk as well.
Therefore, we have seen a migration of outdoor uses to indoor, which suggest more time in front of a screen backed by the increase of children’s obesity, indicating a lack of balance in their routine; again, the overuse becomes an unhealthy habit.
Some researchers have seen an incredible opportunity to use technology as an educational tool, but, it need to be developmentally appropriate to this specific purpose and suitable for young children. Other authors are discussing the development of emotional abilities in younger children that are participating in immersive worlds with social networking elements (Berson & Berson, 2010), and there is a very controversial educational and psychological debate about communication and interpersonal interaction in virtual environment. Some studies have classified those connections as superficial and showed a negative impact in the human behavior. Indeed, increase a perception that children have become completely addicts to digital environment; they are isolated in their virtual tools without affective human interaction. As a critical consequence, developmental delay, obesity, mental illness, attention deficit, and illiteracy are now becoming the norm. Attachment to technology is “detaching” children from humanity, with consequent increased incidence of childhood psychological and behavior disorders, often accompanied by prescription of psychotropic medication (Shields & Behrman, 2000).
In the Digital Era, all these modern activities are challenging the role of the traditional paper books, instead to work together as a complement. In contrast with the books, inside the video games, children´s favorite activities, the virtual world is completely ready, without space to their imagination; they can only navigate or drown in information through the cyberspace.
In many cases, the game presents a competitive and violent scenario; this design has been develop to play for hours, which purpose to reach a goal through repetitive commands without a reflection about that world or actions. In other hand, reading will provide them more autonomy, creating they own world and space. Moreover, children’s literature provides positive messages about acceptance of the cultural differences between peoples; it helps to develop emotional intelligence, creativity, personality, social skills and moral. Stories encourages deeper thoughts about their feelings, and it transmits important themes, knowledge and information from one generation to the next. In conclusion, the contemporary overburden child needs an interval without pressure and responsibilities. Playing should offer an opportunity to use their imagination and refresh their mind. Since the modern urban reality that leads to indoor activities, most of them linked with the technology, the habit of reading appears as an excellent alternative associate to various benefits, with the possibility to be a playful activity that also involves parents.
