College Acceptances (or the contrary)

You kinda need to have ice water in your veins.

The college application process, for lack of a better metaphor, truly seems to resemble a battlefield, and a bloody one at that. All around me, people charge forward, only to be barraged with rejection letters from their top schools. All around me, the greatest aspirations of my friends are dashed by mere print on paper. I feel odd, watching calmly as the hopes of my classmates drop like flies.

I know exactly what they are feeling: the pain, the hopelessness, the absolute, irrational but nonetheless present feeling that the end of the world has truly come. The only difference is that I experienced it four years ago. The lines of mixed sorrow, embarrassment and self pity mar the faces of the fallen. The same defeated expression is worn by all who experience it, a subtle mark of shame and exile, a banishment from one's own future.

Even those far beyond qualified for the best schools in the country are brought to their knees, seemingly on a whim, with neither explanation nor consolation. Those far smarter, more athletic and more talented than I find themselves with nowhere to go but a dreaded safety school, yet I find myself looking upon the battlefield with immunity. I am shielded by the folder perched meticulously on my desk, marked only by a picture of a golden dome and the words WELCOME HOME.

It is odd, then, to look around, feeling sympathy but not empathy for my fallen friends. As the death toll rises, I find myself feeling more and more detached from the matter. Perhaps I try to distance myself from the pain of rejection that I know only too well. Regardless of the cause, my dismissive demeanor increases as I am approached by more people injured by college acceptances. My once-significant well of compassion seems to have all but run dry. As those closest to me express their senses of loss, I give nothing but good wishes and mild consolations. Perhaps I am not able to give anything more. Perhaps I don't care enough to try. It brings to mind a statement which I have heard on numerous occasions, regarding the only way one can move themselves forward in whatever field they choose to pursue. It is a disquieting statement, but one that seems to grow more valid every day.

You kinda need to have ice water in your veins.

Reader, have you the slightest notion as to the quantities of semi-frozen precipitation that have been experienced over the past month? The preceding interrogative was, as I am sure you guessed, rhetorical. The seriousness of this occurrence, however, is by no means diminished. Why so serious an outlook on some more-than-mild weather patterns and a few days off from school you ask? I think the answer is quite obvious. Regions in the United States whose temperatures have never fallen below 40^oF received snow this season. These dramatic shifts in weather patterns and climate changes can have only one possible cause, and it is more sinister than any other on the face of the planet today. I am, of course, referring to the evils of affirmative action.

Affirmative action, for those who are unfamiliar with it, is the practice of changing standards of acceptance or admission for certain ethnic or minority groups. In essence, it gives jobs, promotions, and, most importantly, college acceptances, to applicants who simply do not deserve them. This despicable practice does not further equality or civil rights, as some may argue. It succeeds only in stifling the progression of truly hardworking and deserving people. Why does one deserve to be punished simply because he is not a minority? Another rhetorical question, to which there is no good answer. It is not a white male’s fault that he is so much smarter and generally better qualified than his minority competitors.

One may still ask how affirmative action relates to the odd weather patterns of late. This answer, again, is rather obvious. God has made it clear that he in no way supports our nation’s affirmatively acting ways. I submit that these weather storms will continue until some remedy is made. There is only one solution. Affirmative action practices must be halted with all possible haste, lest America encounter a swift and relentless destruction at the hands of an angry God.

A Dedication

Quite an overwhelming scent, that of burning machine oil. Indeed, pleasure of any one particular sensory organ is rarely found in the basement of the Pope John rectory during the first two months of the New Year. Dust, shavings, discarded motors, and other odd findings can be seen lying about on tables and chairs. A cacophony of grinding, shearing, screeching and whining can be heard from behind the two-inch-thick triple bolted door with the fogged window. To touch any conceivable object in sight invariably results in a heavy coating of oil, muck, and other unlabeled lubricants, pastes and fluxes. It is the smell, however, that truly pervades one’s mind. Burnt sulfur and phosphorus flood the room. Thick enough to taste, the pungency is often met with swiftly wrought retribution onto the poor, unsuspecting freshman inexperienced enough to overuse cutting oil on a heated mill bit.
The repulsiveness of the basement during the months of January and February is unmatched by any place on Pope John grounds, yet there is no place in the world I would prefer to find myself during this period. Somehow, amid the sensory discomfort, I find wonder and excitement. The aforementioned door is black not by nature but by the quantity of oil coatings it has encountered over the past seven years. Initially something to be avoided, gingerly touched only when something inside is absolutely required, much more can be seen on this door. If one takes the time to look, it is not difficult to make out the letters on the door that read “Coco.” They are written in a combination of axel grease and the blood, sweat and tears of a devoted team member. The machine shop has come under the control of many, but none who treated so reverently as one Edward Yu. Looking closer, one can see other names on the door: Mike, Chris, Tom and Adam, to list a few. Names unforgotten in Team Lionheart history. In these names, one begins to see the passion and dedication inherent to the team.
Of course, the words Team Lionheart would often fall on deaf ears and blank stares nowadays. The legendary days of Sabrina Varanelli and dreaded scissor lifts have passed to allow a new generation. Revolution Robotics, we call ourselves now.
The bonds of work and accomplishment will exist on any team, however. Robotics involves taking the mundane and creating the extraordinary. Nowhere else can a simple conveyor system combined with a pneumatic controlled drop-gate emblazoned with the motto “We’re Fine ‘09” bring the sixth-ranked team in the nation to its knees. Nowhere else can a high powered torque system built to elevate 240 lbs be constructed from some metal and the ideas of ten high school kids.
The real prize, of course, lies in Atlanta, Georgia and the FIRST Championships. Early mornings walking to the football dome and late nights of poker on the balcony of the Marriot Marquis’s 57th floor define time spent there. Fireworks shows designed by the most knowledgeable engineers on the planet and trips to the Coca-Cola Factory make Atlanta the holy grail of the robotics season.
Not even this, however, truly embodies the robotics program. Waves of nostalgia wash over me as I open an old document: the room arrangements drawn up that we insisted were randomized, in order to avoid confrontation. A simple list of names draws back the epic adventures we shared as a team: Mike’s squeaks of terror at the clanging of a fallen piece of metal, the wonder of Josh’s precise ball handling (until he throws it at you), and the shouts of another Mike, “There’s so much poultry!” These moments are why we do what we do, and this is why I am proud to be a part of it.

A Reflection on the Christmas Break of the Year Two Thousand and Nine

As another year draws to a close, I cannot help but look back and examine my time spent over the course of this extended winter holiday vacation. It seems two words can almost entirely sum up the nature of my endeavors: college essays. Yes, I’m afraid my twelve days of Christmas have been spent creating a steady flow of written words for the greedy admissions readers over at… well, in case they find this, let’s just say over “there.” Nearly two weeks have been devoted to the writing and perfecting of a seemingly infinite collection of essays. Two weeks pass as I put to paper my innermost thoughts and feelings and, of course, a completely accurate and non-exaggerated list of my accomplishments. And what is the final destination of these words? A one to two minute review by a nameless admissions officer.
Of course, I mean only to vent my pent up frustrations. Should my work be graced by a rhetorical stamp of acceptance, all will be worthwhile. Such rings the speech of countless applicants across the nation. Yet, I question this assertion. Is it not the journey we must take enjoyment in, rather than the destination? Just as we view the Christmas season, let us look not upon the writing of the essays but upon who we write our essays with. How often it is that we take for granted the company of others. Surely, Chris, you must mean your family, those closest to you. No, I’m afraid my family did little to ease my college application process aside from running noisily through the house and complaining about egregious application fees. Who could stand a seventy dollar application fee, a charge which represents a staggering 0.14% of the overall cost of a college education? But I digress and must place my cynicisms aside, as my family truly is a wonder and a blessing (albeit not an easily sufferable one).
I speak, instead, of my amazing friends, who have supported me continuously throughout the trials and tribulations of the past year. I speak also of one whom I have met more recently, and who truly made a gift of each of the last twelve days. It is true that we often strayed from our work, wagering on who could first complete their applications (a bet which I won) and discussing topics from recent movies to the thermodynamics of various liquids. However, in the end, we each met success, along with some excellent adventures. It is for them that I choose to write this post, and not for my English teacher, who likely will not read this until March. I am grateful for their support, as my life would be but a shadow of itself without it. I, therefore, look toward the coming year with patient anticipation and, in an effort to avoid giving this post closure, cease writing.

Wave Hello to Google Wave

A relatively few number of people have heard of Google’s newest brainchild, Google Wave. Google Wave is the novel and innovative attempt to revolutionize internet communication. It is designed, specifically, to provide a basis for the merging of email, instant messaging, wikis, and collaborative networking.
Announced in May earlier this year, Google has kept advertising for this product to simple word of mouth, much as it did during the months preceding the release of the corporations widely popular email service, Gmail. On November 29, Google granted most of the Google Wave requests it received by September of 2009. I was included in this latest of invitations, and was allowed a firsthand look into what Google had to offer.
Google Wave’s interface greatly resembles that of Gmail, although its uses are slightly different. The program is designed to manage real time communications methods between users. It differs from other instant messaging systems in that text can be altered by any participant in the conversation at any time. Theory states that it is possible to use a history scroll bar to replay the progression of the conversation at a chosen speed, though this feature has apparently yet to be worked into the system. The inability to know if any past changes have been made seems to be a major drawback at this point in time. Furthermore, the real time typing aspects of communication tend to cause latency spikes, making conversation awkward and stressed at times.
Many question the usefulness of the Google Wave program, and rightly so. At first glance, it seems to provide little that is not already established in countless instant messaging. The real use in Google’s attempt at innovation appears to lie in its group planning and project management capabilities. However, although integrated maps and document editors have high potential, these seem to be the most underdeveloped aspects of the system. This raises yet another question of whether the Wave program could not simply be added as a feature to Gmail, as simple group planning seems to be little cause for a standalone release.
Google certainly has a significant amount of work to do if it is to gain popular support for its newest product. However, it is still reasonably early in the development stage. If Google is able to stick to its tremendous reputation, we should be seeing an excellent program ready for public release in 2010.

I will post this very briefly, because I am in fact in a rush and have very little time to be spending on homework (although I must say this will likely be my most interesting piece of homework for this weekend). Oddly enough, the recent surplus of places to be and shortage of time in my life is the very topic I choose to comment on. As I find myself progressing further and further into senior year, the actuality of my time management has become the exact opposite of my expectations for it. I fully predicted the responsibilities to slow after junior year, or at least show signs of letting up by November of senior year. Clearly this is not the case, as in this weekend alone I have traveled upwards of 150 miles to numerous locations, and face another 400 next weekend.
Considering my journeys from Lafayette College to R.S. Phillips Steel in Vernon, and between Green Township and Sparta, New Jersey more times than I can possibly count, I do not believe I have ever been more short of time than I am currently. I am also sure that nearly every other person in the world experiences the same feelings, and likely is even more burdened than myself. It is interesting, therefore, to assess how both the individual and the society view such lifestyles. Why choose to do this? Scientific studies have shown us that too much work and stress can lead to severe health disorders, both mentally and physically. Still, society places large amounts of emphasis on one’s level of occupation. Perhaps it is the perception of strength and endurance. Perhaps whoever can sustain the most stress proves his or herself best able to weather the harsh causticity of succeeding in a modern world.
Even so, what of the many people who hold no concern for the approval of those around them? In this a certain inherent drive to succeed can be seen at the very core of human nature. A similar phenomenon can be seen in the training of an athlete, a performer, or an artist. Perhaps we choose to endure as much as possible, and then some, not necessarily in the name of success but out of necessity for purpose. Certainly a goal oriented mindset would provide a sense of meaning to the life of one who searched for more than contentment, which I believe to be the majority of people. And so it seems it is this very stress and pressure that gives both meaning and variation to our lives.

The Trouble with Tariffs

For those who are unaware, the United States has recently levied a 35% tariff on Chinese made tires. An administration which has actively avowed its support of free international trade has surprised all and infuriated many with this ill-advised movement toward protectionism. Such a simplistic mistake at so critical a time for our nation’s stability could have dire costs, with few long run benefits. To say that Americans will soon feel the pressure and consequences of this political ploy would be a gross understatement.

It is first important to understand why this outwardly simple notion of a tariff can have such terrible outcomes for all involved. In this case, the concepts of comparative advantage and specialization and trade must be cited. In most basic form, these theories state that when comparing the productive possibilities of two nations, one nation will always be able to produce a certain good at a lower opportunity cost than the other nation. If this is true, which logically it must be, then the nation producing this good (tires) at a higher cost in fact would be better off not producing tires at all. The nation in question should instead produce a good which its resources allow it to produce more efficiently, then trade this good for foreign tires. This process will actually, through simple mathematics, allow two nations to produce a combined amount of goods greater than what would have been without specialization.

How, though, to go about ensuring this efficiency gain? If left to their own devices, international market forces will rather quickly force high-cost, inefficient producers of a certain good out of the market. The simple workings of competition, when unregulated, will necessarily result in efficiency. In this, one can see the heart of the problem at hand: efficiency loss due to international trade regulation (a tariff). Chinese manufacturers can produce tires using less costly labor and manufacturing equipment than those of the United States, so why not let them?

What does this mean for the average American, however? As American tire producers become isolated from market forces, the prices of tires, automobiles, and all related goods will rise. Contrary to the beliefs of some, protective tariffs such as these often do little to allow the improvement of domestic firms, which will simply become more inefficient in the long run. In essence, end results will hold higher prices with no benefits to show for it.

Of further concern is the Chinese and world response to this American attack on industry. The Chinese government has already filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization for American protectionist movements, and threatens further countermeasures which have the potential to escalate into a customs war. This will mean even higher costs of imports from one of America’s most active trading partners, something American’s who purchase Chinese goods can ill afford. It is also likely that this movement by the United States will not bode well at the upcoming G20 summit, where further consequences can be expected.

The worst part in the matter is that those responsible for the tariff are fully aware of the dangers it incurs. However, many underestimate the potential and near-certainty of dire consequences when taking unsound economic action for political motives. The WTO and G20, for instance, care little for the influences of organizations such as the United Steelworkers and Autoworkers Unions, which are most likely (though not surprisingly) at the head of this tariff movement. Retaliation can be expected, and it seems as though American’s will soon learn of the problems incurred when politicians forget the Smoot-Hawley chapter of basic economics.