Daily Question," Why do you think so many conspiracy theories surround the pyramids and the megaliths? Give examples of a few and explain where you think they come from."

           I think there are so many conspiracy theories surround the pyramids and the megaliths because nobody really knows what happened, so they try to get as many theories as possible. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the World and is believed to be used for the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu.  I believed his servants and slaves did build this pyramid as a tomb for the Pharaoh Khufu. As for megaliths, nobody really knows what they were used for and how they got there. There are four main types of megaliths: barrows, stone circles, standing stones, and dolmens. Barrows, I think were used for storage and rituals and were made by normal people. I think stone circles were mainly used for rituals and worship and made by some religious people, like the druids. Standing stones, I think, were used as a marker, like for burial sites or traveling, instead of maps. Dolmens were probably made for no reason, or for just plain art. There are many theories to all the mysteries of the pyramids and megaliths, but nobody real knows what happened, and that’s why there are so many theories. As we discover more and more about the pyramids and megaliths, we can reveal the past and discover how history has progressed and learn what theory is correct to this troubling mystery. Overall, I think there are so many conspiracy theories, mainly because we have no clue what really happened.

Daily Question,"What is the oldest human-created artifact that has mattered to you? Why/how does it matter?"

The cave paintings of Lascaux, France are from about 32,000 years old and very beautiful, and the paintings shouldn’t only matter to me; they should matter to everyone.  The cave paintings in France were painted by people who lived a very long time ago, and the paintings show what the people focused on. The paintings were of mainly of animals and hunts they had. This means to me that they probably spent most of their time hunting or there whole culture was based on hunting. Hunting was the main source of food for the people back then, until the Neolithic Agricultural Revolution. The Agricultural revolution shows how we progressed from hunting to more on agriculture and growing crops. There were no paintings of crops or any plants, so the people were still probably hunting also.

            The paintings of the animals and hunts matter to me because it shows a lot about peoples’ cultures in the past and how much we have progressed and been civilized. I not only like the paintings because I love looking at art, but these paintings and art tell history that was made 32,000 years ago. This history revealed to us the past and how our culture has progressed to a very civilized time. The time is so civilized that people often take for granted all they have. The paintings probably took time, and people only spend time on things that are important. This proves that these people who painted in these caves wanted people to know what was important to them. The cave paintings from France, 32,000 years ago, not only fascinate me, but show me how history has progressed. 

Daily Question

Question: Which do you think is a better roadmap of history artifacts of the humanities (art, music, dance, theatre, literature, philosophy, architecture, etc) or political/military conflicts? Why?

There was a time in history when there was no official record-keeping system; therefore, what is known about those time periods has been learned through various artifacts. Studying artifacts is a reliable and tangible way of learning about the mysterious history. I believe much more can be learned by studying artifacts of the humanities than can be learned studying political and military conflicts today. Studying political and military conflicts provides historical information from a very specific time. It can also offer information regarding technological advances such as in machinery, artillery and transportation and it may even give you an understanding of a culture’s value systems. However, it doesn’t give you an appreciation or understanding of how the people and societies lived or how they interacted with one another, which is a lot more efficient.

On the other hand, I believe learning about the artifacts of art, dance, theatre, literature, architecture, and philosophy provide an insight into that culture’s experiences, values, creativity and thoughts. For example, through artifacts of humanities you would be able to get a better understanding of people’s fears, joys, and evening their misunderstandings during a specific time period.  It puts a historical period in context and provides a better understanding of why the people did what they did and why it was so important.  It gives us a better roadmap of the human existence and the concepts and principles that shaped history and culture today.

Weekly Assignment: Is Change a 'Good' or 'Bad' Thing?

Change can either be a completely good thing or a completely bad thing. What makes a good or bad thing is the way you view the subject. You can have a pessimist view or an optimist view. Pessimists take the negative out of everything, but optimists take out the entire positive. Say you experience a change where you lost your job. An optimist would find the positive like getting their dream job.  The pessimist would find the negative like saying I’ll never get another job again; no one will ever want to hire me. I try to make myself in the middle. Whether change is a good thing or a bad thing is the way you take it.

            The origins of art are the basis of our culture and religions. The origins of art change do to the influence of people. As we begin to discover more, the origins of art change. The origins of art are where art all began like the 'Venus of Willendorf'. The origins of art tell us about what are culture was in the past and we past our cultures on past cultures. Art influences our culture enormously, so when we get new origins of art are cultures are influenced, which leads to change. In my view this could actually be a good or bad change. The origins of art could have a good or bad influence on our culture, which could lead to good or bad change. The origins of art the only things that change, there is also agricultural change.  

The agricultural revolution occurred during 8000- 5000 B.C, which was a major change where people started to get involved with agriculture instead of hunting. The agricultural revolution also refers to the Neolithic revolution. The Neolithic revolution is known as the first change into agriculture, which actually change a lot in culture too. Agriculture was very new to most people at this time and people had to adapt to this new way of living. As the people began to adapt many other things began to change also like their culture. The agriculture revolution change the culture into a more civilizer and settle way.The whole agriculture revolution started because the people started to discover and learn more about agriculture. This change of agricultural revolution only occurred basically because people began to learn and discover more about agriculture. In my opinion, this change was very good. the change from hunting to agriculture, made us into what we are today. Without that change, we would still be hunting all day and wouldn't really have a settlement.  

            Most people would look at agriculture back then, and probably say it was a waste of time. Other people looked at the positive like being settle, and worked on with that idea. This made their culture much more peaceful and civilized which was a lot more beneficial. As you see change can be either good or bad; it just depends on the way you look upon that change. Also from this you can take that change occurs from other changes which is a cause and effect nature. The cause and effect nature then directs back to the linear theory of history. This then suggests that change acts as history progresses.

            In my perspective, I think change is an amazing thing. Without change we wouldn’t be able to learn and advance in anything. If people didn’t want change then history wouldn’t progress and we would be stuck in time. Having no change would also go against our belief in linear history. Change is wonderful, and without I’m not sure what I would do. Jesus once said, “"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3. Even in the eyes of God, change is even a good thing. 

Daily Question,"You accidentally discover an invention that can immediately help millions of people; but only if you act immediately. On the other hand, if you just wait three months, you can secure a patent and get rich. Which do you choose and why?" "

It is the Christian way of life to help others.  Our God given gifts are not only ours to enjoy but to share with others. The gospel of Luke 12:48 states “Yet he who did not know, and who acted in a way that deserves a beating, will be beaten fewer times. So then, of all to whom much has been given, much will be required. And of those to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be asked.”  I truly believe this. Yet, I don’t believe that I have an obligation to share everything that I own or acquire with others. (That’s “wealth redistribution” which I do not support). Having said this, a decision to act immediately would depend on the nature of help it would provide to these millions of people. 

If my invention would simply provide convenience rather than fulfill a critical life or death need, I would definitely wait the three months. This plan of action would to not only secure a patent but also secure my wealth. Before the reader of this blog screams “hypocrite”, let me explain. My new acquired wealth, coupled with my talents, would potentially allow me to help many people who are truly in need. My thought is that my financial help could eventually extend well beyond the millions of people that my invention would have initially helped.

On the other hand, if my invention would save people’s lives immediately then I would ignore the whispers of the greed demon sitting on shoulder and share my invention immediately. I would have to believe that my discovery was no accident but rather information that God has entrusted me with to help His people. Without a doubt I would feel a deep sense of obligation and privilege to help.   

Daily Question," Describe the importance of water in the ancient world?"

In the ancient world, water provided conditions necessary for civilization to begin and flourish. In fact, because of all the benefits from the use of water, many ancient cultures worshiped water. Water helps the plant’s growth, “replenishes” the life of mammals, and gives us most of the necessities we need to live; therefore, people began settling in fertile river valleys. There was heavy rainfall in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia which caused many floods. This caused a lot silt, or fine residue to show up in this area making the land fertile. Unlike ocean water, fresh water found in rivers provided a resource to allowed plants to grow properly.

Initially, ancient cultures used the fresh water mostly for drinking, cooking, and washing (sanitization) but soon learned to irrigate the land with the fresh water. The development of an irrigation system provided an ability to control their food supply. With an ample supply of food and water, the populations in these communities began to grow.  In addition to agriculture, water was also used as a form of transportation along many rivers. As a result of the ability to travel to surrounding communities, trade activity began to occur forming an economy. 

Without a doubt, water was the key factor in developing organized communities.  The ability to control the food supply through farming changed lives in the ancient world greatly.  With a reliable food source and means of transportation, populations increased leading to the formations of cities. As time pasted, more sophisticated water systems were developed, cities’ grew, an economic system developed and more innovations were discovered. In fact, our modern world’s technologies were built on ancient world’s irrigation innovations. Although today we take the availability of water for granted, it is still an essential resource for civilization which needs to be protected.

Own Language (Daily)

Josh Mannion, Andrew Beard

February 2, 2011

Western Civ.

Nouns:

Sun- Raus

Water- Wak

Tree- Arb

Wood- Yad

Plant- Gajil

River- Riogy

Sea- Maswe

Rain- Luoy

Fire- Ulv

Wind- Vre

Dead- Yui

Blood- Gyioip

House- Hty

Sky- Weq

Storm- Poz

Deer- Fal

Bear- Gry

Moose- Zran

Bird- Cyl

Wolf- Aak

Person- fatyri

Female- sadriw

Male- wirdas

Boy- frequ

Girl- friqu

Baby- Cyev

Spear- Trigef

Verbs:

Play- Jyge

Speak- Hilir

Hunt- Huyr

Sleep- Tef

Eat- Feg

Drink- Keli

Kill- Truk

Swim- Nazb

Run- Coziy

Shine- Raxd

Give- Tufrej

Take- Zexdra

Steal- Kilop

Adjectives:

Small- Zaf

Big- Faz

Short-Qio

Tall- Oiq

Pretty- Hwd

Ugly- Dwh

Bright- Syh

Dark- Hys

Smart- Zyx

Foolish-Xyz

Young- Tox

Old-Xot

Good- Byk

Evil- Kyb

Hard-Jie

Soft-Eij

Fat- taj

Sharp- Sahaxv

Dull- Vxahas

Skinny- jati

Brown- ah

Yellow- aha

Green- ahal

Blue-ahala

Red-ahalaj

Orange- ahalaja

Black- Oog

White-Oig

Adverbs:

Tomorrow- Kyiou

Yesterday- Uoiyk

Quickly- Tygir

Slowly- Rigyt

Greeting Words:

Hi- Deka

Bye- Aked

Good Morning- Byk mor

See ya- Fyz fa

Good night- Byk nor

Hey- Lek

Good afternoon- Byk lor

Howdy- Deba

Welcome- Clum

What’s up- Kwa ru

Yo- Oy

 Rules:

1.)    There is no real order to the placement of the words. Except adjectives come after the noun.

2.)    To make a noun plural add an “x” to the beginning of the word.

3.)    To make a question just add the word “kyu” at the beginning of the sentence.

4.)    No real punctuation

5.)    No articles, prepositions, or pronouns.

6.)    Give your name for the pronoun.
ee   To make past tense add a "q" to  the end of the word.
       To make future add "hiop" before verb. Hiop- will