Thanks for all the hard work this semester. I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable summer holiday. Remember to spend a moment now and then thinking about what topic you're going to work on next semester for your individual research project. Think of something you're interested in, something you'll enjoy researching, writing on and learning more about.
Here's something for some of you to ponder over the break. See if you agree!
"Human beings do not live in the objective world alone, nor alone in the world of social activity as ordinarily understood, but are very much at the mercy of the particular language which has become the medium of expression for their society. It is quite an illusion to imagine that one adjusts to reality essentially without the use of language and that language is merely an incidental means of solving specific problems of communication or reflection. The fact of the matter is that the 'real world' is to a large extent unconsciously built upon the language habits of the group. No two languages are ever sufficiently similar to be considered as representing the same social reality. The worlds in which different societies live are distinct worlds, not merely the same world with different labels attached... We see and hear and otherwise experience very largely as we do because the language habits of our community predispose certain choices of interpretation." Sapir (1929)
Take care, enjoy the surf, sun and sleeping-in late, and I'll see you all in September.
cheers,
Michael
2007年7月26日木曜日
Issei Shioya: Recent Student Paragraph
Hard Water and Soft Water
There are two basic kinds of water: hard water and soft water. The hardness of water is decided by how much magnesium and calcium the water contains. To give some examples, soft water products available in convenience stores include “Volvic,” “Crystal Geyser,” and "Rokko no Oishi Mizu” while hard water products are “Evian,” “Vittel,” “Contrex.” The main kind of water which is drunk in Japan is soft water, and I strongly prefer soft water to hard water. First of all, there is the widely known fact that hard water contains more minerals such as calcium and magnesium, and it is good as a mineral supplement after sport or as a calcium supplement for pregnant women; however, hard water has a unique smell which most people find it bad, and the more calcium and magnesium water contains, the worse the smells. Secondly, soft water is more suitable for most Japanese cuisine such as miso-soup, cooking rice, green tea and so on. For example, in cooking rice, using hard water makes the rice lose its moisture easily and ruins the natural good smell, whereas using soft water makes the moisture remain in rice and also brings out the nice smell of it. For these reasons, soft water is better than hard water.
Issei Shioya
There are two basic kinds of water: hard water and soft water. The hardness of water is decided by how much magnesium and calcium the water contains. To give some examples, soft water products available in convenience stores include “Volvic,” “Crystal Geyser,” and "Rokko no Oishi Mizu” while hard water products are “Evian,” “Vittel,” “Contrex.” The main kind of water which is drunk in Japan is soft water, and I strongly prefer soft water to hard water. First of all, there is the widely known fact that hard water contains more minerals such as calcium and magnesium, and it is good as a mineral supplement after sport or as a calcium supplement for pregnant women; however, hard water has a unique smell which most people find it bad, and the more calcium and magnesium water contains, the worse the smells. Secondly, soft water is more suitable for most Japanese cuisine such as miso-soup, cooking rice, green tea and so on. For example, in cooking rice, using hard water makes the rice lose its moisture easily and ruins the natural good smell, whereas using soft water makes the moisture remain in rice and also brings out the nice smell of it. For these reasons, soft water is better than hard water.
Issei Shioya
2007年7月13日金曜日
Miyuki Muto: Recent Student Paragraph
Problems of Oil and Ethanol
Compared to fossil fuel, it is said bio-ethanol is a positive innovation; however, both fossil fuel and bio-ethanol contribute to economic, environmental, and physical problems. First, coal, oil, and natural gas are the most commonly used fossil fuels. Today, in the world the price of oil is increasing. For example, in Japan the price of oil is about 130 yen today. Not only oil, but also the price of airplane tickets has increased because of the cost of oil. Bio-ethanol is ethanol is made from fermented and distilled corn and sugar corn. Since President Bush stated that consumption of oil will decrease 20% by 2017, and bio-ethanol would be used as an alternative fuel, farmers in Middle and South America have switched from orange and grape crops to corn and sugar corn crops. Because of this change, the price of oranges in Japan, pears in Europe, and potatoes in Mexico has jumped. In Mexico, people demonstrated against the jump in prices. Second, both oil and bio-ethanol contribute to environmental problems. As you know, oil emits carbon dioxide in the consumption process. A lot of carbon dioxide harms the ozone layer, which leads to global warming. Also, oil is a finite resource. It is said that there is only enough oil remaining for forty-two years. Unlike oil, bio-ethanol lowers the discharge of carbon dioxide as well as other greenhouse gases. However, in the process of production, bio-ethanol needs to burn much fuel. The materials of bio-ethanol, such as corn and sugar corn, might need fertilizer and insecticide which cause soil contamination and air pollution. It may also be necessary to cut down tropical forests for the expansion of farmland. Third, both oil and bio-ethanol have a bad influence on our bodies. An excess of carbon dioxide causes dizziness and headaches, which means a decline of thinking power. Bio-ethanol decreases carbon dioxide. That is a good point; however, it increases carcinogenic substances compared to oil. Also, it is said that photochemical smog will becomes worse, and deaths caused by asthma will increase. Therefore, both oil and bio-ethanol have economic, environmental, and physical problems. We cannot say which is good, which is bad. I think it is important to take the best measures to supply food, sustain the environment, and keep our condition.
Compared to fossil fuel, it is said bio-ethanol is a positive innovation; however, both fossil fuel and bio-ethanol contribute to economic, environmental, and physical problems. First, coal, oil, and natural gas are the most commonly used fossil fuels. Today, in the world the price of oil is increasing. For example, in Japan the price of oil is about 130 yen today. Not only oil, but also the price of airplane tickets has increased because of the cost of oil. Bio-ethanol is ethanol is made from fermented and distilled corn and sugar corn. Since President Bush stated that consumption of oil will decrease 20% by 2017, and bio-ethanol would be used as an alternative fuel, farmers in Middle and South America have switched from orange and grape crops to corn and sugar corn crops. Because of this change, the price of oranges in Japan, pears in Europe, and potatoes in Mexico has jumped. In Mexico, people demonstrated against the jump in prices. Second, both oil and bio-ethanol contribute to environmental problems. As you know, oil emits carbon dioxide in the consumption process. A lot of carbon dioxide harms the ozone layer, which leads to global warming. Also, oil is a finite resource. It is said that there is only enough oil remaining for forty-two years. Unlike oil, bio-ethanol lowers the discharge of carbon dioxide as well as other greenhouse gases. However, in the process of production, bio-ethanol needs to burn much fuel. The materials of bio-ethanol, such as corn and sugar corn, might need fertilizer and insecticide which cause soil contamination and air pollution. It may also be necessary to cut down tropical forests for the expansion of farmland. Third, both oil and bio-ethanol have a bad influence on our bodies. An excess of carbon dioxide causes dizziness and headaches, which means a decline of thinking power. Bio-ethanol decreases carbon dioxide. That is a good point; however, it increases carcinogenic substances compared to oil. Also, it is said that photochemical smog will becomes worse, and deaths caused by asthma will increase. Therefore, both oil and bio-ethanol have economic, environmental, and physical problems. We cannot say which is good, which is bad. I think it is important to take the best measures to supply food, sustain the environment, and keep our condition.
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