What type of people would be good Shih Tzu owners?

I grew up owning Shih Tzu's. They were always a friendly dog that my mother took every where. For her, this was her perfect breed; however, I was curious as to who else this would connect well to this breed. In case your not sure of what the Shih Tzu looks like, Animal Planet's show "Dogs 101" describes them a a small dog, toy breed to be exact, that was bred to be a lap dog in China. These dogs reach a maximum weight of about 16 lbs and a lifespan of about 11-14 years. They have a medium energy level, need little exercise, quite a bit of grooming, and have few health problems. It appears that this dog would be good for apartment or a home lifestyle, but could never live as an outdoor pooch. The dogs friendliness allows it to be compatible with families, friends, and other animals. All in all, this breed would thrive in single or family environments that are not extremely active that want an indoor dog that does not mind regular grooming. This dog has become increasingly popular due to its flexibility to fit in with almost any environment.

What does the future hold?

It's hard to think about what could possible occur within the world when it comes to technology. Technology has been growing at an increasingly fast rate. Who knows at this rate maybe we will have a hover board by 2015 like in Back to the Future Part II? A large part of this mystery contains what will happen with the Internet. Right now there is a Global North and Global South. The Global North is predominately where the most Internet usage is derived. The Global South is less developed and would be almost impossible to lay down all the connections necessary to connect everyone directly to the Internet. In these areas, wi-fi for cell phones is becoming the principal access. With the Internet, if the government provides it, they can more easily censor. This has already been demonstrated in other countries and has been mentioned that the United States may switch to government run service. I would fear this switch. I am by now means a conspiracy theorist, but I do believe that being able to control what is spread on the Internet would be too tempting for the government. Elections, controversial issues, and any other topics and web pages could be easily blocked or changed to suit their needs and wants. The future could lead in any direction, but I am hoping that it will not be there.

Do freshman and sophomores in college understand plagiarism?

When I first started out in college, I had to take two general education English courses. I hated these classes. Writing papers over topics that I sometimes did not fully understand. These assignments were also based on specific reading material that we did not have to research too much. This is where I really began having problems understanding citations to keep from plagiarizing. A study conducted by Lori G. Power called "University Student's Perceptions of Plagiarism" found that many freshman and sophomores at a university in southern Maine. Students all around seem to be told the consequences of plagiarism, but are never told the reason for these harsh punishments. There needs to be an agreement between the high schools and colleges as to teaching what is considered plagiarism. At the moment, it is up to the discretion of the teachers. Until this is resolved, each individual teacher that will have an assignment that requires research needs to describe what they will consider plagiarism. This will cut down on the confusion and prevent many unknowing students from committing this act.

What to do during your last free summer?

I am currently thinking ahead for summer plans. This will be my last summer with no school and just a part time job to worry about. So what should I do? Currently, my boy friend's family is looking at a vacation to Orange Beach. I had never heard of this vacation spot. After some research, I discovered that the beach is close to Gulf Shores in Alabama. According to "Visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach" website, there is fishing, golfing, shopping, clubbing, dining, and the beach entertainment. Pictures of this location look pretty spectacular. The group that will be going ranges from a five year old to 50 years old. From the information on this site, it appears that we will all have age appropriate activities. I know that I will be interested in the clubs and beach, while the kids will  have fun hunting for crabs and visiting the nearby zoo. My boy friend and his father will be spending the majority of there time at the golf courses while spending time with the family in the evenings when we all go to dinner. I believe that this will be one exciting trip and hope that there may be more to create a grand finale to the end of college lifestyle.

Do you give credit?

What is the big deal about citations? Citations give an author the credit of their work when another author uses it. This can be done whether using APA, MLA, Chicago, or any of the other citation forms. Citing is important for a couple of reasons: 1. It is illegal not to do so. 2. Morally, it is the same as stealing. 3. If you are a student it can quickly result in expulsion if plagiarize. The copyright laws are what protect authors and make it illegal to use work without citations. Even though they are just words, it is the ideas that are conveyed that are protected. I feel that this is particularly important. I have mentioned before that I have difficulties writing, therefore, when I occasionally spout off something I am proud of, I do not want someone to take it and say they were the author. Stealing, in any form, is still illegal, immoral, and hurtful to the victim. Citing is extremely simple with the access to information that we now have and takes only an extra minute. Plus, it also covers your butt legally and scholarly.

What do you really own?

When it comes to software, what you can and cannot do with the program after purchase can be complicated. There has been some legal gray area on whether you are buying the program or just renting a license to use it. "The end of software ownership- and why to smile" by Larry Downes mentions a story of an eBay seller auctioning off old software program copies. The company then pressed charges for reselling the programs when he had no rights to do so; a ruling in favor of the company resulted. Even though he had fairly bought the software, his purchase only gave him the license to use the program not true ownership. Now there is discussion of why this would be the case for software, when CDs and books can be resold freely. There will continue to be quite a bit of controversy on the subject. I believe that any orignial copy should be allowed to be resold within secondary markets; however, copies of the original should be restricted by copyright law.

What are my reasons for writing all these posts?

As I said in my previous post, I have never been much of a writer. I have created this blog strictly for a Library Orientation class this semester. This course has been educational. Currently, I am a senior and have begun to wish I took the course as a freshman. Learning about how to find resources and using the facilities and staff on campus has been a revelation. The work load for the class has been about average. We are required to post so many blogs within the semester (working out to be three a week) with two topics to write about given to us each week. For a gifted writer, the blog posts would probably take a maximum of 15 minutes; on the other hand, for an accounting major, it usually takes me about an hour. Along with the posts, an article is assigned each week to read. These are always less than ten pages. Overall, the maximum amount of homework I have for this class is usually less than two hours a week. The class is not stressful or overwhelming. Everyone should take it!

How did I used to find information?

I have never been much of a researcher or writer, but there have been courses that I was required to write papers for and do research. For the most part, I was told what materials to obtain information from. The few papers that I had freedom to research a topic of my choice, I usually just googled the topic to find information. I am sure that quite a few of my sources were less the reputable; however, Wikipedia never made it to my works cited. Teachers would often say that we had to use at least one book and only one internet source. My freshman year, I did learn to take advantage of the databases that the school library provided. It was similar to using the internet when it came to ease and access with the exception that the material was actually credible. Since these earlier days, I have had specific instruction on how to find information worth reporting on the internet, through the databases, and within the campus library.

Is there any gold in Kentucky?

While watching TV, I came across a show about gold mining across the United States as a hobby. They showed a list of states, pretty much all 50, that you could look for gold. I became curious as to where in Kentucky gold has been found. After doing some research, I found that according to the Kentucky Geological Survey website on their "Gold and Silver" page only noncommercial amounts of gold have been found near the Ohio River on the Eastern side of Kentucky. They suspect that it was washed down from the Northeast in extremely small amounts. Apparently the type ground surface in the state is sedimentary and has had no events that would cause gold to be formed. If you are willing to search for gold in Kentucky even though the odds are against you, be careful not to find fool's gold and believe it is the real deal. The landscape is capable of making this material.

What does Evansville, IN have to offer?

Evansville, Indiana is a city that you may not think about when considering Indiana. It is a fairly large city of about 100,000 residents on the Ohio River. This city has much to offer in terms of entertainment, living, education, and employment. The city contains one mall of medium-large size that offers a variety of stores for middle to upper class individuals, on the river is the Casino Aztar, the Mesker Park Zoo, the Native American Angel Mounds, museums, Burdette Park & Aquatic Center, Roberts Municipal Stadium, and a booming downtown environment. For all of these amenities, the cost of living in this area is a low 83.7. This lowers the cost of houses, groceries, gas, and the amount of money to access that different entertainment centers listed before. Two universities and one college also call this city home. The University of Southern Indiana, University of Evansville, and Harrison College-Evansville have campuses within the city providing a higher level of education for the coming generations. Finally, Evansville provides many businesses and industries that have kept unemployment to a low of 6.6%. Compared to the rest of the United States, this city is providing work for its residents and new comers to the area. It would seem that this could be a great location for individuals looking for a city that provides activities and events to attend, but without as much of a crowd and traffic.

How has Disney affected copyright?

Disney has been a huge contributor to how copyright laws have been developed. The popularity of Disney movies, shows, music, and characters has made the company a prime candidate for illegal use of their works. I understand why the company has been a powerful lobbier for these laws. They are a business wanting to earn all the profits they deserve; however, the extent to what copyright laws has become is confusing, complex, and hardly stable. Copyright infringement cases are constantly being taken to court with the outcome unknowable. One court may rule in favor of the company while another will favor the individual. The usage of works is difficult to keep track of and this too adds to why copyright laws vary. It could very well be beneficial for a reconsideration and possible revamp of copyright laws to find more simple guidelines for usage, protection, renewal, and release of works that the copyright has expired.

Do YOU understand copyright law?

Copyright law has developed into a very complex set of rules and limitations that are often changed through court decisions. Copyright laws protect authors, software, music, dance, art, and videos. In Lawrence Lessig's The Future Ideas, he discusses how he believes that copyright laws have become too strict and lack on releasing information to the public domain after the copyright expires. No longer can individuals build on top of another’s work. A perfect example is seen with software. Companies have copyrighted software codes that have not amounted to anything. They have then gone out of business and this code is lost. Another computer software writer could have been able to take this code, build on it, and develop software that enhances what users can do with computers. I personally think that copyright has stifled creativity and innovation. If there were some type of database that keeps copies of every piece of copyrighted information then even with paying licenses to use the information or finding information that the copyright has expired can easily be found to be built on.

How do you evaluate information on the Internet?

When researching information, the Internet can be both useful and dangerous. You must evaluate the articles and sites that you come across. First, you must look at the authority. This is the background and knowledge of the author. The author of the information must have a relevant history. A good resource will tell you who the author is and their occupation. With this information you can determine an estimate of their level of knowledge. Second, you determine the reliability. The reliability is the references provided that the author gathered their information. You should be able to find the sources that the author uses from their citation. Finally, you check the relevance. Usually at the bottom of the page or at the beginning of the article, there will be a date of when the article was written. The earlier is always better; however, depending on the topic an older article can still be relevant.

What does it mean when you cocoon knowledge?

Opinions and strategies vary from person to person. Pages 9 through 19 of Infotopia describes this phenomenon. When there is a large group, differing voices can be muffled. Out of fear of meeting opposition, many people with a good idea will keep quiet. This quietness can lead to a cocooning of information. Every person in the group goes along with the same idea; however, the same idea is not always the best idea. This has happened in many organizations and even politics. Individuals, including myself, need to realize that speaking their idea, even if it is dismissed, can be helpful. By stating other opinions, this can promote reconsideration, revision, or complete change in ideas for the better.

How to make chili?

There are so many ways to make chili. If your lazy, you can buy chili pre-made in a can. You can buy a packet of chili seasoning (just like the gravy packets) that will tell you how to make it on the back. Last, you can make chili from scratch. I personally enjoy chili from scratch, particularly how my mother made it. My family's version is slightly different than how most individuals make chili. Most like their chili thick, whereas we make ours more soupy. My family's recipe: 1lb ground beef; two 12oz cans of tomato sauce; two cans of chili beans; garlic powder; garlic salt; minced onions; chili powder (optional); and jalapenos (optional).

1. Brown the ground beef at med-high heat with minced onion, garlic salt, and garlic powder to your desired amount.
2. Once the meat is fully cooked, add both cans of tomato sauce, both cans of chili beans and a cans worth of water.
3. Add chili powder to your desired amount. (You can add more garlic and onions if desired)
4. Let the chili come to a slow boil then reduce to simmer.
5. For best results, let the chili simmer for about 2 hours.
6. When serving add the jalapenos to each individual serving if desired.

 This recipe is simple, easy, cheap, and great to eat on a cold night. My family is also notorious for cooking spaghetti noodles and making chili mac with it also. The great thing about chili is that it is easy to alter to your own preference. I believe this is why most people have a specific person or place that makes their favorite chili.

What's the filter on the internet?

The internet currently has five different ways to end a web address: .com, .net, .org, .gov, and .edu. These endings give browsers a quick idea of what the link contains and is sponsored by. The commercial industry uses both .com and .net, the non-profit groups use .org, the government .gov, and finally educational institutions use .edu. A new web address ending is supposed to be integrated into the internet: .xxx (you can figure out what this ending indicates). The internet has zero filters at the moment. This ending may allow it to be easier for parents to monitor the use of the internet for children; other than that, each individual is their own filter. The freedom of information on the internet and the available access to it is refreshing. A person can find any information they desire or hate. One warning to offer: always remember that a website can be made by any person! The information can easily be biased, altered, or even false.

Has the internet brought on a whole new future?

The article "A world wide web of change" by Adam Ma'anit discusses how the level of computer capabilities since the 80's has improved 100 times over and effects almost everyone's lives. The creation of the internet has been the most influential aspect created recently. Mr. Ma'anit reminds us of Twitter fuelling the "'Revolution 2.0' in Moldova" and e-campaigning sky rocketed Obama's election. Some tycoons have also emerged from the computer industry, including Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. At the moment for most of the world, the abilities of getting information on the internet is virtually limitless; however, for China, the entire country has censors on which websites they can view. Therefore, in a VERY small nutshell, computers have changed countries, created near monopolistic corporations (some with more money than the government), and have become an important factor within politics. Without the invention of computers or even the internet, the face of the earth could be largely different.

What are the different sobriety tests?

According to the NHTSA's Appendix A, the best sobriety tests consist of the breathalyzer, horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN), walk-and-turn (WAT), and the one-leg stand (OLS). The only test that can be safely used alone is the breathalyzer. According to a study conducted in 1998, the HGN accurately identified 88% of individuals with a blood alcohol level of .08, the WAT identified 79% of the individuals, and the OLS had an 83% accuracy rate. Using all three techniques together, provided a combined accuracy rate of 91%. Therefore, if you are sober and you have been pulled over by a police officer, ask for a breathalyzer. You do not want to fall into the 9% that fail the sobriety test when your blood alcohol level is below .08.

Are digital libraries copyrighting?

Many organizations have begun creating digital libraries. This is where the books have been scanned to allow a greater amount of access. A lawsuit has now begun towards these institutions and according to the article "In Authors' Suit Against Libraries an Attempt to Wrest Back Some Control Over Digitized Works" from The Chronicle of Higher Education the plaintiffs claim "the defendants have engaged in 'the systematic, concerted, widespread, and unauthorized reproduction and distribution' of some seven million copyrighted works" (1). I understand that the author's feel their work has been reproduced and can be taken from these organizations by individuals due to vulnerable security. Personally, I feel the works are safe and allow the authors works to get more publicity. I do not mind scimming information on the internet, but to sit and read something of length I want it to be in print; therefore, I would find a work of interest on the internet and then seek out a print copy either to buy or borrow. The security of a hacker breaking into the system and stealing the works as of right now has not occured. Honestly, I do not believe that the works being scanned have enough value for a hacker to spend much time working on these digital libraries.

How do you use a database efficiently?

When using an electronic database, they can sometime be confusing and intimidating. When first accessing a database, you are actually working with the interface. The interface is the screen at the beginning when you construct the keywords, boolean operators, and rules regarding full text, peer reviewed, language, etc. The user is able to access the database after using the interface to narrow down the search. Databases can be either efficient or inefficient if you know how to use the interface. When deciding on kewords, do not use natural language. Formal words for the information that is being searched is often the most helpful. Using the boolean operators can either narrow or broaden the search. AND will narrow the search as you will only find information with both words. OR allows the search to look for information with either word, but both do not have to be in it; therefore, expanding the search. Narrowing the the age of the information can also be helpful and necessary. The interface ultimately is what makes the database search efficient and useful.

Why are the time zones laid out the way they are?

Time zones are a young concept among civilization. According to the Absolute Astronomy website, the first time zone was created by Great Britain for their railroads in 1847. Following this creation, Canada suggested creating a worldwide time zone system in 1879. The times still vary somewhat as some countries use the Greenwich Mean Time, while most now use the Coordinated Universal Time.  The borders of the time zones have since been determined by each country, many will have the entire country within one time zone. Larger countries, such as the United States, will have multiple time zones within their nation. The country then decides were the borders of the time zones will fall. The United States used a combination of state borders and geographical layout to decide where the time changes would occur. Even though the world is now set on a more organized time system, the borders of the time zones can often be confusing, illogical and impossible to remember without a map.

Whats your favorite cereal?

I called my dad the other day to tell him I was going to visit in the next couple of weeks. He told me he needed to go grocery shopping and asked what my favorite cereal was. This made me consider my options. My first thought was Cinnamon Toast Crunch, however, I ultimately chose Honey Nut Cheerios. How healthy is this sweet, simple cereal? According to the official website of Honey Nut Cheerios, there are numerous reasons why this breakfast food is healthy. There are 13 vitamins and minerals! That’s like taking a daily vitamin in place of a bowl of cereal. They have been made to be low fat, whole grain, packed with iron, and, with milk, a good source of calcium. These components then help reduce cholesterol, reduce heart disease, and have been certified by the American Heart Association. With accreditation and nutrition facts such as these, I feel like Honey Nut Cheerios could successfully become a yummy staple food in my diet.

What would you say?

Searching for information can sometimes be frustrating. Often I use a few keywords to search the internet or a database for information. If I cannot find it, I often give up and either change my topic or use another resource. Recently, I’ve been told that numerous tags could be listed on the information I want, but might just be another version of the keyword I am using. For instance, if looking for an article about dinosaur bones, the tag prehistoric may exist, but if ancient is not a tag then you will not locate the article. Different people, especially different age groups, think differently and may not use the same words to describe information. Ultimately, from now on, when searching, use different variations of your keyword if the first does not provide results.

Do libraries just throw books on the shelf?

Libraries have two options with how to organize the mass collection of books they offer. They can use the Dewey Decimal System of classification or the Library of Congress Classification System. When the aisles and books are organized with a series of numbers, then this is the first indication that they use the Dewey Decimal System of classification. Few libraries use this system because of the limitations. This system has fewer categories and cannot provide as many subcategories, maximum 99, as the Library of Congress Classification System. The majority of libraries use the Library of Congress Classification System because of its expansion abilities, hundreds of subcategories, and it’s more detailed categories. This system does have some faults. It contains quite a few ethnocentric characteristics, such as 2 categories of history that can contain the United States history versus on category for the rest of the world. The organization by alphabetic letter often does not correspond with the title when it could have; this creates some confusion when assumptions are made.

What are the worst dog habits?

Dogs are no doubt man’s best friend; however, they are not perfect. Some bad habits can cause issues in the relationship. So what are the worst habits to watch out for? The article “Behavioral Problems” on the Animal Planet website states that an owner should look for signs of separation anxiety, aggression, destruction, digging, barking, indoor bathroom habits, jumping up, eating poop, getting into the garbage, begging for food, escaping, and chasing. This list would probably terrify any dog lover from becoming a dog owner, except the article also provides solutions on training against the chosen bad habits your lovable pooch may choose. Many of the problems have similar originating sources. Simply neutering or spaying, more exercise, training, and even medication are some of the answers. If your dog suffers from any of the listed issues, then research articles for the specific problem to find more detailed suggestions and speak with your veterinarian for any tricks of the trade.

How do resources differ?

When walking into a library, especially a university library, the options for resources seem endless. Starting with the books, the individual can choose to look at fictional, non-fictional, biographical, research, etc. that have been written 50 years ago or a couple years ago. On the other hand, if they are there to find information for a research paper, a scholarly periodical would be a better choice. Scholarly journals can be extremely reliable as they have been peer-reviewed and often have the most up-to-date information. If books or periodicals cannot help, then online databases that the library may subscribe to can contain hundreds of thousands of articles that can be accessed with a simple click of a button. Possibly, a person has wandered into the library to search for a map of the local area to go hunting without getting lost. Libraries seem to be the last place you can find a paper map if you ask some people. This one building can contain multiple types of information content that can be easily sorted through if you understand which type contains that greatest value for what you are looking for.  

Do I really care?

Recently, it has been brought to my attention the true value of information. If I see online that the UK Wildcats dominated Mizzou Tigers on the basketball court, I really don’t care; however, if I see an articles stating that the CPA Exam has increased in cost, this will most certainly catch my attention. Now most people would not see any value in reading information about the CPA Exam. Every individual reacts to information differently. The type of value can differ also. The CPA Exam would be valuable for me because it is tied to my education and future career. I also value the information of reviews for the movie “Our Idiot Brother,” but this is will only be valuable this weekend when I’m deciding if I want to go to the movie theatre to watch it. Differing levels of value also vary among each individual. Information has always been essential and now we have it at our finger tips to examine it to a further extent.

How to decorate a galley kitchen?

While surfing the web, I decided to go to the HGTV website and wondered if they had any tips on how to decorate a galley kitchen. I found the article, “Converted Carriage House Kitchen,” which offers multiple tips based of the example the article is written about. First, making a galley kitchen feel open and large can seem impossible. One option, if you’re up for some renovation, is to open the entryways to be larger than normal. Place lighting under all of the cabinetry and use lighter colors of paint or wood. Having glass cabinet fronts for the upper cabinets can create interest and keep the eye up. Using an open bookcase can eliminate the need of a bulky china cabinet to keep nicer, frequently used items that will still be showcased. Stainless steel appliances work well in making the room feel finished, updated, and the reflective surface assists in creating an illusion of space. With these updates, if you can afford them or have the time, will cause you to feel like a chef as that narrow kitchen will seem to transform into larger and grander space.

How can I find information at Murray State University?

Murray State University’s library can offer virtually all the information one may need for entertainment, research, or curiosity. The campus has two libraries, Waterfield Library, consisting of circulating, periodicals, maps, computers, laptops, kindles, and iPads, and Pogue, consisting of law and special collections. The libraries also have a website connected to the university’s that allows students to access online databases. Not only are these databases offered on and off campus, but students can go to the libraries web pages for each major and determine which librarian specializes in their subject and which databases provide relevant information. Overall, Murray State University is a large hub of accessible information that students can rarely claim they were unable to find what they needed.

Has information evolved?

After reading a chapter in a book labeled, “Information as a resource,” I considered the evolution of information. Centuries ago, the majority of civilization could only comprehend information through oral means. Then literacy changed information being majority word-of-mouth to being written down. Presently, information can be presented in music, the internet, pictures, paintings, books, newspaper, etc. The availability and accuracy of information has improved considerably throughout history. The internet provides nearly instantaneous information; however, not always accurate. You can receive textbooks or journals that have written about the most precise types of information, often offered online for a fee. Information is an everyday resource that has evolved into being accessible 24 hours a day.

Is there national news about Murray, KY?

I went on CBS News website to determine if there has been any recent news on the city of Murray, KY. When reaching the website, the search bar is easily located in the upper right hand corner. Before I searched the key words “Murray, KY,” I scanned the home page to see the main stories of the day. A large variety of news spanned from entertainment to politics from the world to national. The page referenced many areas, but Murray, KY was not included. When I submitted the search, a list of relevant information was given. The first article provided was reporting the 2010 March Madness when Murray State University was ranked 13^th in the nation. The following articles were Kentucky based stories from other areas of the state. The CBS News website was easily navigable and the search engine produced relevant information. I would say this site was a good resource that was accessible and simple to find the information that is needed or just recent news from around the world.

When did sushi come to the United States?

Sushi has become an explosive trend in the United States since it made its first appearance shortly after World War II. According to author Ray Isle, writor for Food & Wine, some Americanized sushi rolls have become popular in Japan. Even in towns with roughly 10,000 residents you will often have choices of where to go for sushi. In larger cities, the options are never ending. The main consideration should be, how much do I want to spend? A roll of sushi at one restaurant may cost $5.00, while others may run up to $250. Just as most food options in America, the level of quality and affordability allow anyone interested to try and. Ontinue to enjoy this newer cuisine. 

Has search engines changed society?

In 2008, an article titled, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" was published in the Atlantic. The author explains how his way of thinking has changed. No longer being able to read lengthy books and articles, especially if it requires deep thinking. Has the world evolved to needing information quickly and to the point? I use Google multiple times a week to find information quickly. Personally, I have not used the search engine to kill some time and have fun. There has always been a point of purpose that was in need of this unknown information fast. This was the original purpose of Google and the use that society uses it for for the majority of the time. True, some browsers will use this site for recreational use to surf the web with no point of interest to be met. Some might say that this instantaneous information engine is the cause for the lack of patience for reading lenghty works that cause much thought. I do not believe that Google and other similar of sites have caused this. Sales of classic books have not gone extinct. People go through phases in life that will cause their interests to change and even revert back to previous preferences. The author of this 2008 article may find that in the present day he now has begun to, once again, hold more interest lenghty, deep literacy. 

How do you to extract a thesis statement from a topic?

When writing, a thesis statement is necessary to sum up the purpose of what the following paragraphs will be about. Usually when needing to write a thesis statement, I have difficulties constructing this lone sentence. Trying to fit the entire basis of a paper in one sentence can be frustrating and challenging. Over the summer, I had to write a 25 page paper for a management class. Summing up 25 pages was daunting. Luckily, the professor gave guidance on what the topic and specific research would be over. This made the statement much easier to jot down. Unfortunately, the information needed to start a paper is not always achieved with such ease. Discerning the topic is the first step; next deciding on a question to answer within this topic. Answering this question with a standard model can make the process much simpler. If difficulty arises when writing the statement, try using this standardization, “Although________________________ is_____________________, because_________________________________.” This can be a literal grade saver! Many times going through grade and high school, I have had teachers review and critique my thesis statements, rarely with pleasant comments. Having this standard form for writing a thesis statement could have prevented multiple headaches.

One of the big questions: What causes gravity?

Gravity has always been a large question among the human race. I thought this question had been fully answered; however, a complete explanation still eludes us. With information obtained online from Universe Today’s article, “What Causes Gravity,” Isaac Newton was the first to describe this phenomenon. The universal law of gravitation was the product of this description. This law explains that all mass exerts a gravitational pull. Newton dove deeper into the matter and later developed the theory of relativity. Einstein thought that a curvature in space and time created by mass is simply what consisted of gravity. Quantum physics was needed to provide the theory of the existence of the graviton. This particle would be smaller than the electron and neutron. If gravity’s mystery was fully solved, leaps and bounds would be made in the aeronautics industry and science. This explanation to me is mind boggling. I am no scientist, so the idea of a curve existing through time and space, which cannot be seen, as the possible explanation for what gravity is makes little sense of possibility to me. However, I trust in the minds of the scientists that have made this concept their main priority, as I do not have to knowledge to fully understand. Thankfully, finding the information needed was easily achieved online. I read several articles to compare the information’s consistency before choosing Universe Today’s article.

What is unique about the earth?

As this topic can become very detailed and in depth, I will consider this topic in a basic form as just the entirety of earth compared to the solar system. First of all, earth is the only planet that currently supports life, as far as we know. Th Institute for Creation Research website provides the tab "The Earth Itself" with information which I have consulted for the following information. Even within earth's most extreme environments organism and plants still thrive and grow. The atmosphere that surrounds the planet made the 584-million mile circle around the sun faster than 365 days then it would move farther from the sun; this extra distance would create a change in temperature on the earth killing most of the life, if not all. The earth's specific orbit is not the only aspect that maintains the atmosphere. The rotation of the axis and its speed are a large factor. If the rotation of the planet was less than 24 hours, the nights could provide freeing weather, while the daytime a scorching temperature. Currently, the earth has provided perfect conditions for the human race and other living organisms to survive; so far, no other planet in our solar system or others has provided any evidence of life.