Emotion

September 14, 2008 at 6:01 pm (Uncategorized)
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In a state of panic or fear, people can be less aware of what is going on around them, their fear impacts their sensory perception. Sometimes they don’t pay attention to where they are running, or sometimes they end up getting hurt without realizing it. This has happened to me probably on more than one occasion. The one I can remember most was when I was walking home one day, and had to cut through somebody’s yard. About 3 quarters of the way through the yard I heard barking, and turned to see one of those vicious little ankle biter dogs running after me.

Naturally, I freaked out and ran, and threw myself over the neighbor’s fence before the little demon could take a chunk out of my leg, and ran into our yard and inside the house. I was oblivious to the fact that I had a scrape on my arm and a cut on my leg from going over the fence. This is an example of how sensory perception is reduced as a result of fear. I had been so scared of getting bitten, that when I cut myself on the fence I didn’t even feel it. I hadn’t even realized that I had gotten hurt until I saw a blood on my leg when I got home. People usually end up getting hurt as a result of trying to avoid getting hurt in the first place. But then again, I’d rather have my leg get cut than have a dog bite it.

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Natural Science

September 12, 2008 at 12:49 am (Uncategorized)
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Math and science generally go hand in hand, and it is very common to use the scientific method with math to prove a hypothesis. For example, you are using simple math when measuring distances, weight, etc. In science classes, usually the students is using an equation that they had just recently learned in order to successfully complete a lab.

Even though using math or numbers is quite common in the scientific method, it is not necessary. A person can make a hypothesis and use the scientific method subconsiously when using prior knowlage in order to make a prediction. Using the scientific method without numbers or math just requires some common sense. For example, when crossing the street, you usually (at least you should) look to see if there is any cars. There may be a car a far way off in the distance, and you observe the speed of the car and generally assume it is not going to hit you, and cross the street. Subconsiously, before you cross you ask yourself “Is that car going to hit me when I’m in the center of the road?” But, when you make it to the other side unharmed, and the car is still a good distance away (I’m not talking about playing ‘chicken’ here), you’ve accomplished using the scientific method without math. Your brain just automatically judges the car’s speed (without using numbers) versus your walking speed, the distance across the street and the distance between you and the car. It’s not necessary to use complex math, somehow our brains are able to figure things out for us without us being aware.

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Reason

September 10, 2008 at 9:48 pm (Uncategorized)
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A time where I have used reason without communication would have to be an embarassing one; but I was only ten years old at the time and didn’t know any better. One day, I came home from school really hungry. So, I took the out all of the ingrediants for a PB & J sandwich. The only problem was that the peanut butter jar had been stored in the fridge, making the peanut butter cold and difficult to smear on the bread. My parents were outside, and I didn’t feel like asking whether or not it was okay to microwave peanut butter jars. I simply assumed that all of the foil wrapping was off already. Being the impatient ten year old I was, I stuck it in the microwave, and not more than ten seconds later, it caught fire. Using what little reason I had that time, I opened the door so the microwave would turn off automaticaly and the fire went out in an instant. My parents walked in about 5 seconds later, anyway. Using communication with my parents beforehand would have probably resulted in a better outcome, since they ended up having to buy a new microwave.

There have been several times where I used reason with language. Being a painter, or another type of artist usually require reason through communication with someone who can help you. In my IB art class last year, I had to explain my project ideas or WIPs (Work in Progress) to a teacher or student teacher, since they could help me with my ideas and add their own. The teachers in the class were able to share their knowlage and reason and help the students who were willing to ask for help. The others that were too shy or just didn’t feel like asking usually didn’t have well planned-projects, or little knowlage on how to execute them. Overall, being open to another’s reasoning would be benificial in the long run, since people can’t always learn thing on their own.

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Sensory Perception

September 9, 2008 at 11:04 pm (Uncategorized)
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Out of all of the senses humans use, sight is used the most. We don’t need it the same ways animals do; like hunting or keeping a look out from the constant threat of predators. We use it to enjoy the lazier aspects of our lives: watching tv, surfing the internet, playing video games, and we also need it to drive, to read, to write, etc. It is also used for the less important but common things everyone does: to judge people. Think about it, people tend to assume things by how others look. Do they look like a nice person? Do they look mean? Would they seem like they could be your friend? Do they go out of their way to wear clothes that alienate themselves from others, or to be ‘independant’?  While sight is used for everyday normal things; travel, entertainment etc., we also unconsciously use it in ways that aren’t quite so important to our daily routine.

If I were to give up one sense, I would have to say I would give up smell. To be honest, I don’t think it would be much of a loss, overall, compared to the other senses. Yes, sometimes food smells good, but I don’t think it would impact the taste that much, if at all. I wouldn’t give up sight because a blind life a limited life. Without sound I could not hear music. Without taste I would not be able to enjoy food, and would probably be encouraged to eat fruit and vegetables since I “can’t taste them anyway”. Life without touch would be horrible, I would not be able to feel if I got hurt. Getting hurt might feel bad, but it is a necessary signal which prevents your body from hurting itself again. If you break your arm, the pain signals your body that your arm is injured, don’t use it. If I couldn’t feel that, I would go about my way with a broken arm, wondering why it doesn’t work and probably causing more harm. After comparing all of the senses, losing smell would not seem like such a loss.

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