The Songbird Sings of Associations

Songbirds sing a pleasant tune, but to who's ear do they appeal to most? Those most like themselves.

The song of the bird serves a primal purpose, "to attract mates and [to] warn other males away from their territories." But how does this extend to our livelihood as humans? The congruencies are quite astounding.

Mark Twain states in his essay "Corn-Pone Opinions" that we know why people are affiliated with the people that surround them (democrats, republicans, thieves, monarchs, all of the religions):

"We know it is a matter of association and sympathy, not reasoning and examination; that hardly a man in the world has an opinion upon morals, politics, or religion which he got otherwise than through his associations and sympathies."

For birds, they express their feeling through song (which have been passed down to them by their parents; similar to Twain's analysis of humans). The birds sing their songs in hope of finding more like themselves (quite possibly a pretty lady bird) and repel those who do not share their values.

//I have been trying to imagine an analogy for this reflection and what I am getting at is that every social clique is a species of bird. 

Does this sound familiar to your life?, because it really is starting to remind me of mine. Do you seek relations with people who agree with you the most? This is something I want to coin as "low-entropy" relationships.  We seek to create a world around ourselves, just as nature does, with low conflict (or chaos), an idea engrained in the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Naturally, harping your political, religious and moral opinions (whether they be your own or ones you inherited) will inherently repel or create conflict with those opposed (which is not sustainable), and attract those who are in support.

This is dangerous, and through history has shown to foster extremes. ie. congregating radicals and inevitably make them more radical...

Twain comments on the power of these principles

"They swarm with their party, they feel with their party, they are happy in their party's approval; and where the party leads they will follow, whether for right and honor, or through blood and dirt and a mush of mutilated morals."

Be scared America, and be aware. There are dangers with accepting your animal ways. Is the song you're singing your own? Can you support your opinions, and do you know their origins? A bird may be locked into it's song (unless they are the Northern Mockingbird), but you are not. Pursue higher reason among your peers and evaluate yourself.

"Competing is Living" "Like Animals"

**to be played while reading this post

In response to Eugene and his post "Competing is Living" with reference to Brian's post "Like Animals"

I suppose I cannot disagree with their arguments (partially because they agree with each other so I'm out numbered) on the current psychological state of the US, but I would like to address my concerns with it.  

Eugene states 

"Life is all about competing against others. The people who you joke around with and play with are your friends on the surface, but they too are your competition." 

Well, I guess it depends who your friends are. But seriously, I have never felt much threat in competition, which I suppose may be a resultant of my upbringing (the constant reminder that you can not always be a winner, and that is fine), we are all just human beings, and it is our nature. However, in interview situations we are taught to as Brian states

"...sell ourselves, whether at work, in a classroom at a major university, or on an interview. The latter is the most extreme form of selling yourself. You literally tell a potential employer why they should hire you." 

Do not be a loser, how far will you go to sell yourself? Is it safe to, in a work environment, put on a second face and express the attributes they want to see if it is not really who you are? Let's use a simple example:

Tomorrow you have an interview for a position you really don't want, BUT the money is great, and may allow you to move out of your shabby apartment and into a neighborhood close to your favorite pub. The position is prestigious, and in a public relations office. The job requires you to be constantly in communication with the media. But, let's be honest, you're not really a people person, in fact you really don't like people at all., and quite frankly would prefer a desk job. You'd rather wait for another elevator than take one with a group, and feel very awkward when publicly speaking. But, you can sell yourself well, you've been trained (thanks college). Your whole life, you've thrown a mask over the person you are, stretched your lips into a smile, and done what had to be done. You can will get the job, no doubt (let's be honest you're over qualified), but you're not going to be happy and will most likely be very uncomfortable on a daily basis. How long can you sell yourself before you lose your soul, your passion and your sanity?

Between friends, and during interviews, competition is authentic, but if you are lying to yourself, how can you enjoy it?

Is it healthy to plan your future on the stigmas of success in society? What is more important to you, your mental health or your socioeconomic status? 

I suppose it depends on your personality. It breaks my heart to see people drag themselves through life by the laces of their boots. If you enjoy what you do, you're getting paid to play. 

Brian writes 

"Even though we long for others’ approval, the most important acceptance is innate."

A concluding position in Eugene's post is

"In the end, you will either be a winner or loser based on your salary, position in life, and social economic situation."

I suppose this is a result embedding success as fast cars and large houses in the minds of our youth (thanks hollywood). Not every passion is accompanied by riches, but who says they need to be?

We need to move away from this "competition" and our "animal" ways.
Brian says

"We are just like animals. We react and conform more than create our own ideas and opinions."

How do we depart from our faunal ways and facilitate independence of thought and pursuit of passion?

Hippie moment: Why can't we all just be friends and admire/respect the paths our peers have chosen? That is what's great about life; options and diversity. Not everyone wants to be a doctor, lawyer, CEO, and nobody should be demeaned for their interests.
  

Avian Morbid Recluse: Rebirth

When I last visited the topic of birth death more specifically, "the natural expiration of our avian friends", in my post "Avian Morbid Recluse", I suppose I overlooked the most important part of the matter; the birds life. Simple mistake I suppose. Birds embody an existence that is ever present in our natural environment, much like the oak tree we surround for it's shade, the blades of grass that cushion our steps, and the field mouse that for very logical reasons stays out of our lives. We become blind to their existence, we take a deep breath of the fresh, crisp air and continue our lives as if we live on the same earth but in separate realms. I imagine back to a time when I marveled at their attributes, their grace, their freedom, but like all wonders with age, I suppose I have begun (subconsciously) to accept their actuality and submit to the monotonous life I once denied I would ever settle into. This is my rebirth. As I have continually been reminded in Digital Commons, I too often look, but do not observe. I glance at the bird, the oddly dark haired squirrel, the deer starring deep into the headlights of my speeding car, but I do not once think, or observe what they could possibly be doing or dare I say, feeling. "They're just animals", but I laugh, because I know we can never really describe what that means. "They do not think, they just do", but what do they see? How do they feel? What do they know? The majesty of our feathered, furry and scaly friends is an ode to human limitation. We strive to be like them, and study their virtues, but we still demean their existence.

Here are a few POV videos of truly amazing creatures. Step into their reality, embrace their abilities. Would you trade the eagles flight, for your cognitive abilities?

The Eagle:


Here is a link to more animal videos.

I would also like to suggest a book that exploits human inquiry in nature and explores our place here on earth. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Kimmerer is a plant ecologist, writer, and professor at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Here are some reviews if you are skeptical in exploring this book on my word alone.

To be further explored...

Conspiracy Theory or Fan Fiction? How to Create a Conspiracy Theory (Step-by-Step)

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Conspiracy theorists, as we discussed in Mr. Kelly's lecture, can sometimes have very questionable motives when developing their theories. And when we look at what they can gain, what exactly do they have to lose? Their sanity for one, maybe even some of their morals, but where does that stand in the face of incentives such as the limelight and more importantly the green light (money). 

Conspiracy has become less of a hobby and more of an industry. During Mr. Kelly's lecture we briefly spoke about Gerald Posner. Posner wrote a NYTimes best selling book, Case Closed, that presented information against the leading JFK conspiracies, supporting the inclination that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone (which is most likely the truth). Not only did the book sell over 9000 copies in the first week, it crowned him a finalist for the 1994 Pulitzer Prize in History. See, there's a market for these things. 

WARNING: THESE INSTRUCTIONS ASSUME THAT YOU ARE FALSELY CREATING A CONSPIRACY THEORY. I AM NOT DENOTING THAT ALL CONSPIRACIES ARE FALSE, IN FACT SOME ACTUALLY TURN OUT TO BE TRUE.

HOW TO CREATE A CONSPIRACY THEORY
An article in Slate, provides that a research team found that "the strongest predictor of general belief in conspiracies, the authors found, was “lack of trust.” So,

STEP 1. FIND A TRAGIC EVENT IN WHICH THE EVIDENCE IS "TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE"
Frequently stated in Mr. Kelly's lecture, truth is indeed often more bizarre than fiction. 
This is where the next step comes in,

STEP 2. CREATE A THEORY THAT IS LESS BIZARRE THAN THE TRUTH
As seen in many of the JFK conspiracies that we discussed, the most common approach to supporting their theory was heavily exploiting "questionable" discrepancies (such as video evidence). Focus on the small things, forget the larger picture...

STEP 3. MARKETING MARKETING MARKETING
It is one thing to think of a conspiracy theory, it is another thing to sell it. Take your dinner conversations to the pub, the corner diner, and the coffee shop on main street. Get the people going. There is no comfort in the unknown, give them something to keep warm with at night. 

STEP 4. TELL YOUR STORY SO MUCH THAT YOU YOURSELF BELIEVE IT IS TRUE
Any good cars salesman will tell you, they would never sell you a car they wouldn't drive themselves. To avoid getting tricked by car salesmen check here.

STEP 5. RINSE AND REPEAT

After note: Put away your tin foil hats conspirers, your tricks are getting old. The next time you sit down to plot your next paycheck do some research. 

An Open Letter to California, the FDA and Those on the Bandwagon of GE Salmon Opposition

Background: I am currently taking a class that addresses native american culture. In this class a lot of discussion has been circling the idea of genetically modified food (most prevalently modified crops). I find it highly concerning that today, in a world that has unthinkable intellectual capabilities due in part to the invention of the internet, we take the NEWS as a primary source and in most cases the only source for our information before jumping to conclusions (as opposed to reading first hand information and making decisions for ourselves). 

This post will address the overwhelming and unjustified opposition to the California bill that addresses genetically modified salmon.

To California, the FDA and GE Salmon Bandwagoners,

I suppose I can understand your concern, BUT AquaBounty (a company that has submitted an application and who has been awaiting approval from the FDA for over two decades) has gone great lengths to ensure that concerns (which are not localized to California) namely interbreeding and competition, are addressed and controlled properly. 

AquaBounty has stipulated that they would only produce sterile female GE Atlantic salmon by a process which manipulates salmonid reproductive biology. The production of monosex salmon is considered to be 100% effective. In addition, pressure treatment of the eggs induces triploidy (an extra set of chromosomes) which results in sterility. When done on a commercial scale, batches of eggs are on average 99.8% triploid and rates greater than 98% are expected for most inductions. All-female lines of triploid fish are considered to be one of the best current methods to insure nonbreeding populations of GE fish. Therefore, the risk of an independent breeding population of
GE salmon is considered to be extremely low. “ Link

Not only this, but their proposed plan doesn’t even include the state of California:

The AquAdvantage salmon would be produced and imported into the United States under specified conditions proposed by AquaBounty. AquaBounty would produce eyed eggs at a specific facility on Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada. Eggs would be shipped to Panama and reared to market size in land-based facilities. The grow-out facility would be based in the Panamanian highlands to reduce the risk of salmon escapes and interactions with wild salmon populations. Salmon would be processed in Panama before being shipped to the United States for retail sale and no live fish would be imported into the United States.” Link

I just think California is being a little overzealous in their opposition.

AB 504 extends a prohibition on spawning, incubation or cultivation of transgenic salmon in the Pacific Ocean to all waters of the state. It bans hatchery production and research for commercial production and puts safeguards on such research activities in general, requiring that they be conducted in a “closed system” without access to the state’s waters.

Where is their justification? The first of two papers I have found that openly express concern oddly has nothing negative to say regarding AquaBounty's proposal for "genetic containment". The second paper adequately addresses concerns of hybridization, but is unable to support California's concerns because a key component in the reproduction equation is missing; a fertile parent. AquaBounty set's a prime example of what a "responsible" GMO is by addressing environmental concerns preemptively, why are we shutting down their efforts?

In a country that has continually impressed me with their growing concern for environmentalism, facts such as "Population declines [of natural atlantic salmon] have been caused by overfishing, dams, and degraded environmental quality of rivers. The remaining Atlantic salmon runs in Maine are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. §§1531-1543) (Link) ", really break my heart. 

It’s questionable that supporters and the government are so heavily concerned with research pertaining to commercial applications, but turn their head when it comes to environmental regulations.

Here’s an interesting article even though it’s an opinion piece, Zohar brings up a point of view I’ve never thought about. 

Like any other animal or plant crop, fish and seafood must be produced through farming -- or aquaculture -- and the wild stocks should be protected so they can recover. 

This brings a new/interesting spin/perspective on the idea of “protecting the environment”. Can we allow the “natural” environment to “recover” by decreasing our dependency on it? 

I also want to add that I love how they call the GE salmon “frankenfish”. It gives it a monster like connotation. But to my understanding the native and GE salmon are not much different besides their growth rate and digestion efficiency "Although AquAdvantage salmon grow more quickly, they do not reach an overall larger size than non-GE Atlantic salmon" Link. 

I’m sure there’s more behind this mess.. probably even articles/papers with more righteous justification for their opposition. But the thing is, these were not readily available to me so i find it safe to assume the average consumer would be unaware of these as well. 

I am worried that the bandwagon will destroy an admirable opportunity for change. For example, it’s unfortunate that "Kroger, Whole Foods, Safeway, Target and Trader Joe’s, committed not to sell genetically modified seafood if it is allowed on the market.” This could be the future of nutrition for our (and other countries) growing populations, you never know. And by flat out telling the companies you will not sell their products, you are limiting expansion of an animal population and market that is dwindling due to human intervention. 

Let's have the future in mind and become more informed before we send "the Food and Drug Administration... two million comments" in opposition. 

And FDA; give us a supported statement on these practices (YOU ARE THE EXPERTS).

Furthermore, get off your high horse America, if you're opposed to this then quit being a hypocrite and oppose the rest of the GMO's (plants) because currently it is "estimated that upwards of 75% of processed foods on supermarket shelves – from soda to soup, crackers to condiments – contain genetically engineered ingredients". 

Sincerely,
A concerned American
ETM

If you're having doubts about the future, let Steve Jurvetson show you the light

I am not into dropping blog posts with low content, but this is a must watch for 2014. During a talk presented at SPARK 2014, hosted by Apartment List in San Francisco, Steve Jurvetson breaks down economic growth  and gives the low down on who's at bat and who's on deck in the tech industry.



SPOILER ALERT:
Flux
Enlighted
Plant Labs Disposable Satellites 
And many more....

Passion by Association

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Maud Newton's article, "A Doubter in the Holy Land" confesses an idea that embodies a concept much greater than her stories religious values. In Newton's article, she narrates her visit to Jerusalem, an ancient city considered holy by the three major abrahamic religions- Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is no wonder the city has been fought over for thousands of years...

Newton notes frequently that the historical value the lands she was on created an aura like energy that intensified even the most diminutive experiences (ie. food and sight seeing), and brought new meaning and passion to religious and reflective encounters.

Jerusalem is without a doubt a major epicenter for religion, but can we extend this experience into other facets of life?

I envision her encounter to be much like the first time I stepped into a hospital operating room. How different could it be from the videos I had seen on Youtube?

As I change from my street clothes and into the pale green garb, I step out of my life as a citizen and into the world of medical professional. Stripped of my individuality, I now become a member of a team, a team with capabilities to have profound affects on patients. Stepping out of the locker room and into the surgical wing, I am blinded by the well lit hallway. Taking my first breath, this new environment fills my mouth with a peculiar taste. Crisp, sterile, cold air rushes through my lungs sending shivers down my spine. Combatting the hairs on my arms that are now standing straight up, I step timidly onto the bar beneath the sink to release a warm stream of water onto my hands and forearms of which I begin to scrub vigorously with soap. The now heated blood rushes up my veins and into my chest radiating warm comforting pulses throughout my body with each beat of my heart. As I finish scrubbing up, I pull down my surgical mask hiding my smile, leaving only my eyes to identify my excitement. Opening the operating room door, I step inside, an experience I assume much like Neil Armstrong's experience first walking on the moon. I am surrounded by many peculiar things, and as Newton states, "even the mundane became extraordinary". For me, being in the "surgical land" deeply intensified my passion for medicine.

These experiences are absolutely life changing and depending on your interests could impact the rest of your life.

Here is a list of places I imagine different professions "holy lands" to be:

Aspiring Evolutionary Biologists: The Galapagos Islands
Aspiring Particle Physicists: CERN
Aspiring Actors: Broadway
Aspiring Astronauts: A Shuttle Launch
Aspiring Professional Athletes: Their First Sports Game

This list could go on forever, which is great, because it is these experiences that allow people to either develop and explore their beliefs in greater depth, or in other cases ignite the passion and inspire people to reach for their dreams (and maybe sometimes even both!).

Science and Superstition of [Bird] Ancestry

Following a skype lecture by Maud Newton, I thought it would be interesting to throw a little twist on her up and coming currently untitled ancestry book. So I present: 

"The Science and Superstition of Bird Ancestry: an Evolutionary Encounter".

**Our discussion will closely follow the graphic below; the family tree of our avian friends.

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One of the last remaining odes to prehistoric life (specifically the Jurassic period) is our feathery friends. When exploring a lineage and its relations, it is important to identifiy media through which you can accurately trace the past. Much hysteria has surrounded claims of bird lineage that are supported by the theory of evolution, but I assure you and your superstitions that the evidence has been literally ungrounded and remains in our knowledge of the fossil record.

For starters, what is the fossil record? The Fossil Record it is not a book, it is not a cabinet full of files and no it is not something you will find on your grandmothers coffee table. The fossil record is and will continue to grow as the collective knowledge and evidence scientists have uncovered and gained through studying fossils found in the earth. As the fossil record expands and enlightens, it is important to understand the process by which fossils have come to be. If you have any questions pertaining to fossil formation and scenarios, please refer to the flow chart below.

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Once these very specific circumstances have been met, a fossil can be formed. If you are having any question why the earth is not filled with fossils documenting the history of the world, a)it basically is, and b)cut the world some slack, this is a very chance event.

Referring to the family tree above, the evolution of the bird started many millennia before it's distinct characteristics arose. It was subtle changes occurring over many years (evolution) that created the distinct characteristics we have come to know and love.

In the beginning, there was one. Okay, not one, but one specific dinosaur, the ancestor linking ornithischians and theropods. Once this species diverged into two groups (namely because of the ornithischians pubis pointing backward versus the theropods pubis pointed forward) a cascade of events led to the "creation" of flight-capable animals.

For sake of my sanity and yours, I will not discuss many specifics on any of these diversions, however, I will provide links for more information below the list.

1. Four digit hands
2. Hollow bones, Wish bone (thank evolution for thanksgivings sake)
1. this separates what will eventually become birds from Megapnosaurus, a 6ft carnivorous lizard
3. Pubic boot, Three digits in hand
4. Hollow cylindrical feathers
1. this separates modern bird from the Allosaurus, a smaller (30 feet long, 3 ton) version of the T. Rex with more useful arms
5. Tufted Feathers
6. Semilunate carpal in hands, feathers closed with barbules and hooks, nest brooding
7. Feathers closed and asymmetrical 
1. now the dinosaurs are beginning to have familiar bird traits. dromaeosaurus has feathery wings and is more well known for its role as a raptor in the Jurassic Park movie.
8. Long arms
1. this is the beginning of the beginning for birds, archaeopteryx was thought to have been capable of short flights (maybe from tree to tree) 
9. Toothless beak

Details of feather evolution can be found here.

The evolutionary pathways between dinosaur and modern day bird is incredible. It is my hope that with a more complete fossil record critics of the facts based in fossils will eventually submit.


To be expanded.

6 Years Old, Forever.

A Pillow Angel

Recently, Bill Peace, writer of the blog Bad Cripple, visited my blogging class and brought many things to the table that I have not been able to settle in my mind. Among these things was the practice of growth attenuation, which will be the focus of this post. For more information regarding Bill Peace's personal views on this topic refer to his blog post.
DISCLAIMER: Unfortunately, I personally do not feel that I possess enough knowledge in ethics, or disability rights to present an academic opinion on this topic. However something in my stomach opposes it's practice, and yearns for it's denial in mainstream culture. Because of this, I feel that it is appropriate to present a plethora of information from a variety of sources (both in support and opposition) in hopes that the reader will come to the same bridge I have found and crossed on the topic. 

Growth Attenuation: "is an elective medical treatment which involves administering estrogen to cause closure of the epiphyses of the bones, resulting in a reduced adult height". 

Growth attenuation, now also known as "The Ashley Treatment", was widely popularized and publicized by news coverage of Ashley X, a child born in Seattle in 1997 who underwent this procedure. Beginning just after Ashley's 6th birthday, her parents opted to begin the treatment, flooding her with estrogen over a period of three years, accompanied by a hysterectomy and breast bud removal. Here is a blog for Ashley prepared from here parents. Ashley is called their "Pillow Angel" "because she always remains where she is placed, which is usually on a pillow".
Talk of this procedure consequently led to many medical and ethical disputes, none of which have be completely resolved.

OPPOSITION:
What are Ashley's rights as a child, how about as a disabled child? Need they be different?
In 2009, Alicia R. Ouellette publish an article titles :

GROWTH ATTENUATION, PARENTAL CHOICE, AND THE RIGHTS OF DISABLED CHILDREN: LESSONS FROM THE ASHLEY X CASE

This outlines the legal underpinnings of this controversy. Ouellette provides strong support for children's rights and presents the thoughts of the Children's Hospital's ethics committee on their decision to allow it (page 213).

APPROVAL:
In 2006, Gunther and Diekema published a scholarly article titled:

Attenuating growth in children with profound developmental disability: a new approach to an old dilemma.

which argued that:

Caring for children with profound developmental disabilities can be difficult and demanding. For nonambulatory children with severe, combined neurologic and cognitive impairment, all the necessities of life must be provided by caregivers, usually parents, and these tasks become more difficult as the child grows to adolescence and adulthood. Many parents would like to continue caring for their child with special needs at home but find it difficult to do so as the child increases in size. If growth could be permanently arrested while the child was still small, both child and parent would likely benefit because this would facilitate the option of continued care in the home

OPPOSITION:
In a position statement from the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (aaidd), they labeled growth attenuation as "Unjustifiable Non-therapy", presenting their opposition on the terms that "We as a society should be supportive of innovative approaches to treatment, but we should also demand a thorough evaluation of potential benefits and balance these against carefully considered risks". In their statement, the aaidd announces  that they strongly disagree with the Gunther and Diekema publication. The aaidd presents their statement in a response to this publication, outlining their statement with three major bullets:

"We offer this updated policy statement with a brief review of their proposals, followed by three main arguments against adopting them as policy".

• The first argument deals with the lack of solid evidence to support their position 
• The second argument deals with the way in which they have inappropriately framed their ethical arguments within the current bioethical standards  
• The third argument addresses the larger issue of idea ethics and respect for autonomy related to individuals with IDD. 

APPROVAL:
Here is a similar case to Ashley X, a child from New Zealand named Charley.
Charley girl

A Short Introduction To The Mandarin Duck

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Aix galericulata. The Mandarin duck, indigenous to East Asia is a close relative to the Wood Duck which is commonly found here in the United States. Pictured above is a Mandarin drake (male duck) in full breeding plumage flashing his glorious copper-toned sail feathers (on the left) and a Mandarin duck (or hen, female duck) in her less eccentric coat. 

The Coat:

Before we explore the many features of this beautiful creature, we'll touch upon what is on everyones mind, his color. The drakes breeding plumage is exactly what you think it's for, getting the girls. However, once this colorful waterfowl seals (or does not seal) the deal with a lovely young duck he settles down and in late spring recedes to his eclipse plumage; a process during which he molts his glorious sail feathers and vibrant coat for a more humble, neutral attire. Important to this process, other than becoming less visually appealing, is the process by which his new feathers come in. 

Remigial moult is one of the crucial events in the annual life cycle of waterfowl as it is energetically costly, lasts several weeks, and is a period of high vulnerability due to flightlessness. In waterfowl, remigial moult can be considered as an energy-predation trade-off, meaning that heavier individuals would minimise the flightless period by increasing feather growth rate and energy expenditure. Alternatively, they could reduce body mass at the end of this period, thereby reducing wing-loading to increase flight capability (source).

Mandarin Drake in Eclipse Plumage source

The lengths to which animals (including humans) will stretch to reproduce is extremely interesting. Reproduction is so important to them that they will literally risk their lives once a year for an extended period of time (for several weeks during their remigial molt) just to an gain advantage in reproduction. I wonder what their thoughts are on this practice, it has apparently not drastically hindered their ability to exist.

The Courtship:

What you all came here to see, the magic happening (**THIS IS NOT PG).

Pay careful attention to the the drakes shaking, where it flaunts its tail feathers to impress the female. Also, notice his mock drinking at 0:39. As another male makes a move on the female, she hastily expresses that she has interests elsewhere. Entertaining his courtship, the female prepares herself for boarding (which you see when she lays flat like a plank). Following the public display of affection, the drake and hen express their overwhelming happiness in what seems to be a small dance number, followed by a quick bath to cleanse them of their dirty deeds. Bird mating, exhilarating.

The Home(s):

The Mandarin duck breeds in eastern Siberia, China, and Japan and winters in southern China and Japan. There is a small free-flying population in Britain stemming from the release captive bred ducksThe Food:

The History:

Bill Peace, Lemony Snicket, Digital Commons

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You might be asking what these things have in common, and the answer is Tuesday October 30th.

During our Digital Commons class, Bill Peace gifted us with his presence and during the opening 5 minutes Lemony Snicket was referenced, SO I thought it would be fun to run with that and express Bill's words in my words through Lemony Snicket's words.  

“Appearance matters a great deal because you can often tell a lot about people by looking at how they present themselves.” 
― Lemony Snicket, The Miserable Mill

As Bill entered the room I noticed something something peculiar, he was floating, much like Professor Charles Xavier. Ok.. well maybe not, but he was definitely hovering (most likely because of the quality of his wheelchair which I have come to learn is not by any means an affordable piece of equipment). As Mr. Peace settled in with his dog Kate, and began to talk, I had an epiphany. And as I had this epiphany, I flashed back to previous speakers who spoke on the behalf of the "disabled". One word comes to mind when I now recall these experiences:

Pietrisycamollaviadelrechiotemexity ― Lemony Snicket

The state or condition of not having the faintest idea what's going on.

It's unfortunate but it's true. When people speak of the disabled they leave out a lot of the things that need to be said (possibly to remain politically correct?). This is where Bill comes in, sometimes to get things done (i'm talking to you government), you need to take them into your own hands. 

As Bill often stated, presenting someone as being less abled should not devalue someones life. In fact need it even be mentioned? Also in fact, Bill is much more abled and well seasoned(mentally and probably physically) than 99% of the people I know...  Rights for the classifiably "disabled" should not be an argument, in fact they should not even be discussed. Let's put this in perspective; in 2002, an "estimated 1.6 million americans residing outside of institutions used wheelchairs". This is not including people that are temporary users (traumatic incident, surgery etc) is it okay to not properly allow these people access to public buildings, as Mr. Peace frequently documents in his blog? No? In fact it's just common sense to do so. 

“Troublesome things tend to remain troublesome no matter how many times you do them.” 
― Lemony Snicket

Maneuvering into a building should not be a hassle for anyone and as Bill stated, (not sure if it was his quote or someone else's and i'll paraphrase) "everyone is only temporarily abled, anyone can lose that privilege".

In the pile of Bill's stories, one hit home. Bill spoke fondly of his childhood and often praised his parents for not giving him the easy road. But what most he admired of his parents was their drive to raise contrarian children. Stating that often at dinner his dad would ask him and his siblings what one question they thought of was while learning at school, a similar question to what I was raised on.

“Uncle Monty smiled at the orphans. 'That's quite all right,' he said. 'Questions show an inquisitive mind.” 
― Lemony Snicket, The Reptile Room

It is incredible the lengths Mr. Peace has gone not for himself but for others. If you want to be like Bill Peace, try to be like everyone else. Because thats all he wants; to be a father, to be a middle aged white man, to not be harassed for being less mobile, and to not be looked at as an ax murderer when he questions your ability to follow ADA regulations.

It's truly a shame Bill even has to waste his time on issues like these, I can imagine the issues Bill would be tackling if he didn't have to worry about things that should be non-issues.

My Bill Peace encounter: 9.4/10.