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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Third Draft of Wiki paper

Duane Robbins

Mr. Roberts

AP Literature

12/14/2011

Over the years there have been many debates over the issue on whether Wikipedia can be considered a creditable source for true research. Many think that wikis’ function to allow any individual to write information on any topic even if it is not accurate destroys the reliability of the online encyclopedia. However, individuals base their decisions on whether they believe that Wikipedia is a creditable source on popular gossip, ability to change information, and their assumption that Wikipedia is the only site that allows unreliable information. A high school class did a study and the truth is that Wikipedia does an outstanding job making sure any incorrect information is fixed within a minimal time period. Also there have been several other studies that prove, many other online encyclopedias have had more mistakes within their sites then Wikipedia has overall. Basically most individuals create these false assumptions about Wikipedia, because it is the world’s most popular online encyclopedia, so most don’t know about the problems other informational sites have.

In the article, Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica, there is a study conducted that compares Wikipedia to another online encyclopedia called Britannica. The results show that the Britannica had just as many mistakes as Wikipedia had on average. The article then states, “That averages out to 2.92 mistakes per article for Britannica and 3.86 for Wikipedia“ (Terdiman Daniel). On first glance one might make the assumption that Britannica is the better encyclopedia because it has less mistakes, but one gets a different view when they read further into Terdiman’s report. Individuals have to realize that it is natural that Wikipedia will have a few more mistakes, because it has more articles then Britannica and is more heavily viewed. These results shows society that Wiki is not the only informational site out there that has inaccurate information. To expect that a resource, which has been open to an entire world of people, to not have any imperfections, is not possible. It is important to look at how the website chooses to handle these inaccurate facts. Also remember that it is the responsibility of the individual retrieving the data to compare his findings to another resource to assure its accuracy.

In 2011, the Carroll County High School AP English class conducted a study to determine how quickly Wikipedia finds and fixes inaccurate data. In this experiment each individual in the class changed a piece of information on Wikipedia and timed how long it took the website to locate a problem and fix it. The data showed that 54% of the class changes had been fixed within a 4-hour time frame and 89% of the classes’ changes had been fix within a 24-hour time frame. Within a 2-day time frame all the changes that the students had made, had been fixed. This data shows that any information that is changed to inaccurate facts are located and changed back to normal within a short time period. Also, the class had several students that put outrages facts, which didn’t even have anything to do with the topic or could be seen as offensive. These individuals were sent a message telling them that there changes had been undone and if they continued this behavior then their membership would be revoked and they would be denied access to change information. This part of the study shows that individuals that changed information to outrages facts in the intention to be humorous are sent a warning informing them that if they continue doing this, then that individual will be denied access to the ability of changing information. (AP Literature)

Wikipedia originated as an encyclopedia available to anyone with an Internet connection. Internet entrepreneurs Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger wanted to create a “community, as well as an encyclopedia” that could be used by everyone so people would have a place to share information, (SD Tribune). Wikipedia has also evolved a precaution to lock all popular search topics so that no individual can change the data located on those pages. This precaution helps eliminate many delinquents that create Wikipedia accounts as a way to change popular facts as a joke for their amusement. These locks prevent said delinquent from changing anything therefor their motive for being on wiki is taken away and thus also saves the less popular sites from being changed.

Wikipedia has made many advances since Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger started the idea. Many of which don’t deal with the way researchers get their information, but refer to the security so that Wiki can give individuals a more reliable site to receive information off of. The studies that I have mentioned above are evidence that Wikipedia has heard the complaints from its viewers and has made strides to fix the problem and deliver an overall better online encyclopedia.

Overall Wikipedia is as trustworthy as other reference source, and should be considered as credible as standard encyclopedias. Instead of arguing over the credibility of Wikipedia, students should avoid using this encyclopedia as a direct source and instead use it for more of a personal informational site. Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales himself said in a 2005 interview with BusinessWeek that Wikipedia and other encyclopedias should be used as background information sources only. On the bottom of the pages, there are links available that can show you websites with more in depth information on the searched topic. Overall it is important to remember that no source is 100% accurate and it is the searchers duty to do enough research to get a strong answer.

Works Cited

AP Literature Class. “Excel Data Representations”. N.P. Web. 1 Nov. 2011 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ari4TF8SssJKdGFXeFBhbEh5YkdWU0NVdzViMnE1N3c&hl=en_US&pli=1

Helm, Burt. “A Vote of Confidence in Wikipedia.” Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Bloomberg L.P., 14 Dec. 2005. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/dec2005/tc20051214_035216.htm

Keats, Jonathon. “Why Wikipedia Is as Important as the Pyramids.” Wired. Conde Nast, 1 Nov. 2011. Web. 6 Nov. 2011. http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/11/st_essay_wikipediawonders/

Seelye, Katharine Q. “Snared in the Web of a Wikipedia Liar.” New York Times. New York Times, 4 Dec. 2005. Web. Oct. 25. 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/weekinreview/04seelye.html

Terdiman, Daniel. “Study: Wikipedia as Accurate as Britannica.” Cnet. CBS Interactive, 15 Dec. 2005. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. http://news.cnet.com/Study-Wikipedia-as-accurate-as-Britannica/2100-1038_3-5997332.html

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Frankenstein Web Quest

Task 1: A creature with horrific features that is different then the majority of others in nature.
Task 2: These two pictures differ, because they show two different creatures even though it is supposed to be one. The earlier picture shows the monster how Shelly described the monster in her novel, a human, but with monstrous features hat made him seem gigantic. The later picture shows the more Hollywood version of Frankenstein, a enormous creature that looks nothing like a human and has a messed up walk.
Task 3: Frankenstein is similar the Einstein, because he believed his creature could help humanity just as Einstein believed that the atomic bomb would protect the USA and help us learn more about atomic science. However, neither scientist quiet understood the gravity of their creation and then was horrified when they understood exactly what their creations were capable of. Einstein had to know that the bomb he helped create would destroy huge masses, because that was the purpose of creating it, but once he seen the devastation the that it left in japan he truly felt sick for ever pushing the creation of it. Just like Frankeinstein felt, when he discovered that his creation was capable of murder. They both realized that their creations could not be used for good, but for nothing short of evil.
Task 4:

The true monster in this novel is the creator, Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein’s creation was made out of glory, so perfection was sought. When the creature was alive his creator did not fully understand him and therefor cursed him to damnation. Thus Frankenstein turned a harmless monstrosity into a destructive monster.

In the earliest parts of the novel, Victor describes one of the happiest childhoods a boy could have, the only pain coming with the death of his mother. But this was not enough for him. He needed glory and the only way to achieve that was to push the limits of science like they have never been taken before. In doing this he created, as I described before, a miss understood creature with untold abilities. This act of selfishness is the start of Frankenstein’s cruelty.

Then the creature disappears, thus Frankenstein should have tracked his creation trying to fix the mess that had been created. Instead Victor goes into a state of shock letting his monster run amuck and do as he wishes. Within the years of his absence the creature learns to speak, read, and of human emotion. This shows the more peaceful side of the creature, what he could have become, instead of what he was turned into.

Towards the end of the story the monster agrees to leave humanity alone in return for a mate so he doesn’t have to live alone. At first Victor agrees, but then convinces himself that only bad can come out of this and denies the creature’s request. This sends he monster into a rage and in turn kills Victor’s wife, becoming a true monster.

So in the end the kind miss understood creature became a monster. Through years of torture and neglect by his creature, the kind soul that yearned to learn and to be accepted turned into a black hole of hatred. This act brought on by the choice of the brilliant Creator, who grew up happy but was never satisfied. Thus the true monster is Frankenstein who could never see the consequences of his actions.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Second Draft Wiki Paper

Duane Robbins

Mr. Roberts

AP Literature

12/1/2011

Over the years there have been many debates over the issue on whether Wikipedia can be considered a creditable source for true research. Many think that wiki’s function to allow any individual to write information on any topic even if it is not accurate destroys the reliability of the online encyclopedia. However, individuals base their decisions on whether they believe that Wikipedia is a creditable source on popular gossip, ability to change information, and their assumption that Wikipedia is the only site that allows unreliable information. A high school class did a study and the truth is that Wikipedia does an outstanding job making sure any incorrect information is fixed within a minimal time period. Also there have been several other studies that prove, many other online encyclopedias have had more mistakes within their sites then Wikipedia has overall. Basically most individuals create these false assumptions about Wikipedia, because it is the world’s most popular online encyclopedia, so most don’t know about the problems other informational sites have.

In the article, Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica, there is a study conducted that compares Wikipedia to another online encyclopedia called Britannica. The results show that the Britannica had just as many mistakes as Wikipedia had on average. The article then states, “That averages out to 2.92 mistakes per article for Britannica and 3.86 for Wikipedia. “ (Terdiman Daniel). On first glance one might make the assumption that Britannica is the better encyclopedia because it has less mistakes, but one gets a different view when they read further into Terdiman’s report. Individuals have to realize that it is natural that Wikipedia will have a few more mistakes, because it has more articles then Britannica and is more heavily viewed. These results shows society that Wiki is not the only informational site out there that has inaccurate information. To expect that a resource, which has been open to an entire world of people, to not have any imperfections, is not possible. It is important to look at how the website chooses to handle these inaccurate facts. Also remember that it is the responsibility of the individual retrieving the data to compare his findings to another resource to assure its accuracy.

Works Cited

AP Literature Class. “Excel Data Representations”. N.P. Web. 1 Nov. 2011 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ari4TF8SssJKdGFXeFBhbEh5YkdWU0NVdzViMnE1N3c&hl=en_US&pli=1

Keats, Jonathon. “Why Wikipedia Is as Important as the Pyramids.” Wired. Conde Nast, 1 Nov. 2011. Web. 6 Nov. 2011. http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/11/st_essay_wikipediawonders/

Seelye, Katharine Q. “Snared in the Web of a Wikipedia Liar.” New York Times. New York Times, 4 Dec. 2005. Web. Oct. 25. 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/weekinreview/04seelye.html

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Genetic Engineering and Frankenstein

1. Genetic Engineering is the process of trying to manipulate cells and DNA so that humans can use them to our advantage. http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/science/what-is-genetic-engineering.html

2. The hope to create replacement organs for people suffering from heart, liver, spinal cord damage, and other health problems.

http://memebox.com/futureblogger/show/741-genetic-engineering-promises-designer-body-future

A way for humans to produce the crucial nutrient in our own body that is found in salmon.

http://memebox.com/futureblogger/show/741-genetic-engineering-promises-designer-body-futurea

goats that produce the milk of spiders. http://popsci.com/node/49778

3. Genetic Engineering has not been able to solve cancer, make chickens resistant to disease, or create a living person. http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/glenn.html, http://www.upc-online.org/genetic.html, http://jetpress.org/v18/gunderson2.htm

4. Ethical risks include, the actual safety of experiments, what, if any limits should be placed on the science, and is it right for humans to “play God”? http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/glenn.html,

5. Victor made a promise that he would create glorious life and instead he created a monster. Then another promise is made between monster and creator. The promise is broken on Frankenstein’s part, but the monster keeps on his promise and kills Victor's loved ones. Both also talk about a science that isn’t fully understood but can have enormous results.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Christmas Time

1. Before Jesus was born and Christians began the holiday of Christmas to celebrate his birth. Ancient Europeans and individuals from Scandinavia celebrate in December as a time to celebrate light and freedom in the years darkest time. they would celebrate the winter solstice, because it meant that the cold would reseed and the sun would return bringing warmer weather, longer days, and new life to their animal herds. Many other cultures throughout time would celebrate this time in their on way, but the over all idea was that their would be plenty of food and drink from the years work and everyone would be praising a good year to come. http://www.history.com/topics/christmas
2. Christmas has its roots in the Saturnalia Festival, it being nine months after Mary is believed to have become pregnant with Jesus, and old pagan celebrations. http://www.bib-arch.org/e-features/christmas.asp
3.Many old traditions did not consist of individuals running to the stores and get the greatest thing for their family, instead they would make/create these gifts. The name Black Friday emerged from the Philadelphia police wanting to discourage shoppers from rampaging over the first sales of the holiday season, because it was getting hard for them to control crowds and individuals were getting hurt. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2011/11/black-fridays-dark-origins/
4. anti-consumerism holiday caroling groups
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dawn-dc/message/4533
The Compact
http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/classic/A25871141
Freecycle Network
http://www.freecycle.org
5. To me the holidays are a time of chaos. Family comes into town and we try to jumble our calendars so we can all be together for the holidays. 4 or 5 mothers are in the kitchen preparing a feast for us all, while the dads are yelling at the older kids to stop playing tricks on the younger one's. it is a time were my mom and dad go to bed early on thanksgiving that way they can stand in line at bass pro for 3 hours just to get a t shirt and a fishing pole, and to send me a video of two guys fighting over a trial camera. Christmas day isn't all joy either, even though it is happy there is still a hustle to try and get everyone and their presents into one house so we can open them together. Then before you know it the 30 long days of hustle and bustle are over, all the holiday magic has disappeared, dads are still mad over all the toys they have to put together for their children and mothers/grandmothers have mountains and mountains of dishes that have to be done before new years.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Dove beach

1. Science is the new way of life and religion is becoming fiction. Basically the poem says that people began to question their world with the loss of faith. Individuals began to question their beliefs with the advancement in science, because this new knowledge gave them a better understanding of their environment. As Beach states “The Sea of Faith Was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled. But now I only hear its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar, Retreating, to the breath of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear and naked shingles of the world.”

2. "Dover Beach" speaks of loosing faith. In Frankenstein, Doctor Frankenstein losses his belief in science after his creature that he believed would set him free. Arnold states, "for the world, which seems to lie before us like a land of dreams, so various, so beautiful, so new, hath really neither joy, nor love." This quote shows that the world was once thought to be a safe and sacred place, but was actually defiled and unclean. This theme applies itself to Frankenstein very well. Victor Frankenstein believed in simple studies of alchemy, but learned that true science is sometimes hard to understand and even harder to control.

3. Arnold is saying that the role of religion is diminishing in our world. As our knowledge and comprehension of the forces around grows, many start to lose the other all belief in a so-called “God”. This new sense of knowledge answered many fundamental questions, but ironically destroyed many old answers and created numerous new questions.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Reflection on Frankenstein

In the novel Frankenstein, an ingenious doctor tries to fight the laws of nature and create life. No matter what the odds, he continuous to try until he creates life. Reading a story of this “triumph” can be a great influence on the thinking of today’s society and the way we strive towards a better tomorrow. It brings to my attention that part of the doctor’s success was due to the fact that he never gave up, because he was passionate about what he did, a lesson we can learn from in today’s society.

In the research of today’s modern world, we are driven by necessity. The needs for a cure, the need for a better weapon then our enemy. This leads to many new discoveries, but only allows research in certain fields. I have figured out that true discovery, the greatest discoveries come from passion, not necessity. Frankenstein was fueled by passion, which led him to his monster; Newton was fueled by passion when he created the scientific theorem and his 3 laws. My understanding of this novel leads me to believe that for today’s world to achieve another great invention, discovery, or understanding, then we have to change to what drives us. Emotion is the doorway to discovery: Passion, hatred, anger, love. These are the things that steer us to greatness.