Blog Post - Should we all celebrate the same festivals?

Recently, in a thought-provoking blog post, James Smith claimed that all sectors of the population should celebrate the same festivals. While this may help bring all sectors of the community closer together by fostering an awareness of each other’s commonalities and differences, in my opinion, the main role of festivals should be to cater for specific groups in a country. There are a number of reasons why I believe this.

First of all, we live in a society which is homogenous. Schools and workplaces consist of people from completely different backgrounds but the underlying culture of these places is to have everyone behave in a similar way. Therefore, people’s everyday lives are very similar, perhaps even monotonous. One way to put a bit of spontaneity and heterogeneity into a country is by promoting festivals that cater for specific sectors of the community. Wouldn’t you agree? I come from an ethnic minority and once a year we have a festival to express and celebrate our differences. While it’s fantastic that other members of the community visit and participate in our festival, we don’t expect everyone in the country to celebrate with us.

Secondly, having common festivals, like St.Patrick’s Day in Ireland or Independence Day in America, that we are expected to participate in, increases nationalistic feelings in countries. Increased nationalism has the effect of marginalising minorities and causing more rifts between the various ethnic communities in countries.

Finally, forcing people to celebrate the same festivals can result in people rebelling against what the festival is trying to promote. Ireland has many festivals aiming to celebrate our artistic and literary culture. This is pushed in the mainstream media to the extent that we all feel that we must participate. But some people are just not interested in these topics or things that have happened in the past. Why should they be forced to participate in something in which they have no interest? It will just alienate them.

In conclusion, while it’s wonderful that we all have the opportunity to celebrate our commonalities, from my point of view it’s important that we have as many diverse types of festivals as possible. This will allow all sectors of the community to have something to look forward to outside study and work, ultimately resulting in happier people at a micro-level and a happier country at a macro-level. What do you think? Please feel free to add comments below.

Personal Response - Freedom

“I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise, what is there to defend?” 

Robert Redford

Our natural environment provides us with everything that we ever need such as oxygen, water, food and resources. Many of the earth's resources are now vulnerable because they are influenced by human impact across the world. Therefore, I think concern for environment should be put in the category of our national security.

Environmental concerns are growing due to many reasons such as overpopulation, new technology and the high demand for natural resources. Humans are cutting forests to build infrastructure. However, they do not think of the consequences they might face in the future as deforestation disturbs the natural cycle between the environment and life on the earth. It can also cause global warming because there will be less trees to absorb carbon dioxide. Since, natural resources are limited, they should not be overused. Otherwise they will be gone forever. Instead, we could use renewable energy. This would also help save the environment from global warming. The use of environmentally unfriendly materials such as plastic should be discouraged. Safer environmentally friendly vehicles should be used. For short distances, people should be encouraged to use bicycles instead of motor-based vehicles. Domestic and industrial disposal should not be allowed to be dumped into the sea or ocean and the domestic and industrial garbage should be segregated as recyclable and non-recyclable before being dumped.

Throughout the evolution of Homo Sapiens, we have fulfilled our needs by destroying the natural environment without realising that it can have an impact on the future generations. Therefore, defending our resources is very important. Otherwise, what is there to defend?

(Nanki, IB2)

Out with the old, in with the new! - IB Comp Pg 387

It has always been the case that technological devices get improved or become outdated. The horse and carriage changing to an automobile is one classic example. However, experts are now predicting that the rate of technological devices becoming obsolete is increasing exponentially. This article aims to reinforce this view by outlining some technologies that the author believes are bound for the scrapheap.

Will we still be using desktop PCS? While there will probably always be a need for larger workstations in industry, futurologists believe that the large personal computers will be replaced by more powerful mobile phones and handheld devices. These portable devices will not only allow us to communicate but also take an increasingly important role in organising our lives.

What about the television? Modern televisions have undergone a lot of changes recently. For example, they have become lighter and thinner, have enormous screens and internet connectivity. However, they still tend to be stuck in the corner of the room. These static monoliths are soon to be replaced by the mobile devices mentioned previously. Projection capabilities on mobile devices will allow any space on a wall to be utilised as a screen, thereby allowing “TV” to be anytime and anywhere.

What will happen to ‘compact’ discs? Well, these used to be compact, but not any more by today’s standards. Rather than putting a CD on your favourite band in your CD player, people will connect to YouTube or download from a streaming server. Even in cars, the CD player is disappearing. In its place, USB socket allow for a wide variety of mobile devices to be plugged in and listened to. But they will always make nice shiny decorations in the garden to scare off the birds.

And finally, what will become of our wired technology? It will become wireless of course, similar to the television remote control in the 1950s. No longer will we have to worry about those meddlesome wires getting in the way or stopping us from having a truly mobile lifestyle. One good example will be the humble ear phones. Just plug two indiscrete buds in your ear, activate the bluetooth capability, and, bingo, musical freedom.

As much as change can be painful, it is inevitable that the technology that supports our lifestyle will look much different in the future. Let’s embrace this. Viva la change!

Sean Dowling

Healthy, balanced diet - guidelines

Eating a healthy and balanced diet plays an essential role in maintaining a healthy body and preventing diseases. You are advised to eat a balanced diet. This includes the five main factors of foods which are proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. The guidelines below cover the basics of healthy eating and can help you make healthier choices.

1. Eat the right amount of calories. It is recommended that men should have around 2,500 calories a day and women should have around 2,000 calories. If you eat too much, you will gain weight which can lead to obesity.

2. Fish is a good source of protein. It contains many vitamins and minerals. Aim to eat at least two portions of fish a week, including one portion of oily fish. Oily fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which may help with preventing heart diseases.

3. You need some fats in your diet. However, it is important to pay attention to the amount and type of fats you are eating. There are two types of fats: saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fats are found in foods, such as cake, biscuits and butter. Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which increases the risk of developing heart diseases. Instead, choose food that contains unsaturated fat, such as vegetable oils, oily fish and avocados.

4. Regularly consuming foods and drinks high in sugar increases the risk of obesity and tooth decay. Many packaged foods and drinks contain high amounts of sugars. Therefore, you should be cutting down on these types of sugar, replacing them with sugars found in fruits.

5. Eating too much salt can raise your blood pressure. Even though you do not add salt to your food, you may still be eating too much since about three quarters of salt is already in the food we buy.

6. You need to drink plenty of water to avoid getting dehydrated. You are recommends to drink 6-8 glasses every day. This will flush all the toxic out of your body.

7. You should not be skipping breakfast as it has positive effects on mental performance and increase concentration throughout the morning.

8. You should try to eat at least five portions of various fruits and vegetables every day because they are good sources of fibre which will help with your metabolism. Meat does not have any fibre so; try to avoid it.

There is no better time than now for starting a healthy diet. Once you do, you will wonder why you did not start earlier.

(Nanki, IB2)

Action speaks louder than words!

(You are participating in a class debate on how non-verbal communication can be louder than verbal communication. IB Companion - pg 387)

Good morning students, I agree with the motion that non-verbal communication can be louder than verbal communication. I will demonstrate this to you in number of ways.

First of all, one of the most important parts of any conversation is the silence. Silence can serve many functions in a conversation. It is always nice to be able to speak your heart out, but there is a powerful essence to silence. For instance, during an argument, by staying silent and listening you can gather your thoughts so you are able to handle the situation more adequately. Silence can also indicate that the other person is having negative emotions. Therefore, silent speaks when words cannot.

Secondly, body language is a nonverbal communication, where thoughts, intentions or feelings are expressed by physical behaviour, such as facial expressions, eye contact, hand gestures, body posture and body movement. Without these actions, we might not be able to understand the emotion of the person who is talking to us; whether they are happy, sad or mad. Moreover, sometimes body language may even help us to detect whether the person is telling us the truth or not.

Finally, even though texting is verbal communication, those little smiley, sad and angry face icons used to show various emotions, also known as emoji’s or emoticons are non-verbal communication. They have become a way to convey the tone and non-verbal context behind our texts. They also reduce the negative effect in the email messages, by making the same message sound less negative when paired with a positive emoticon.

In conclusion, the ability to understand using non-verbal communication is powerful tools that can help you connect with others, express what you really mean and build better relationships. Therefore, action speaks louder than words.

(Nanki, IB2)

Happiness - internal or external?

Happiness, or lack of it, is perhaps the most crucial factor in determining our quality of life. Some of us feel happy when we are accepted by those around us. Others believe we can only really achieve happiness when we learn to accept ourselves. Personally, I believe that it is a ‘chicken and egg’ scenario. So which comes first?

There is no doubt that most people, even those with the toughest skins, are concerned about how others view them. Being viewed in a negative light can lead to feelings of depression. It can cause people to react in one of two ways; either they retreat from society or they change themselves so as to be accepted. This change can be good, particularly if a person improves; however, if a person changes just to be accepted by others, it may actually increase unhappiness levels. Therefore, to be truly happy, it is important that we also learn how to accept who we are. We must realise that nobody is perfect, but that we should also strive for improvement. This goal of self-improvement will lead to more self-happiness. Ultimately, improved self-happiness will lead to us being accepted by others, increasing the happiness and sense of wellness in both the individual and the group.

To summarise, no man is an island; our sense of happiness depends on how we treat each other. Learning to accept ourselves is the first stage in being accepted by others. Once we can can do this, the path to happiness is made smoother for everyone.

Non-verbal communication - IB Companion Pg 387

Good morning, classmates and teachers. While it may seem odd to say that non-verbal communication is louder than verbal communication, today I will argue that this is in fact the case in a great number of instances.

It is quite often said that ‘actions speak louder than words’. For example, ignoring someone, or giving them the cold shoulder, sends out a powerful message that you do not want to talk to them. In addition, when you have done something wrong, rather than just apologising to them, show them that you are really sorry by doing something that proves this such as buying some flowers or fixing the problem. Sometimes indicating displeasure by the way you act, like stomping your feet or tutting your tongue, gets the message across much more effectively than words.

Body language, such as facial expressions, hand gestures and body posture, can also send out stronger messages than words. For example, even though your words may be neutral, your facial expressions may give away how you’re really feeling. You may be trying to sound angry, but the little smile on your face reveals all. In addition, the animation of your hands during conversation demonstrates how emotional you are feeling about a topic. Furthermore, body posture can also give strong indications as to your mood. Turning you back on a person leaves no doubt that you’re not too inclined to talk to them. On the other hand, facing someone and opening your arms towards them indicates a strong welcome. Consider my speech today. If it wasn’t to use hand gestures, eye contact and certain body postures, I’m sure that you wouldn’t find my argument quite as convincing.

Technology can also demonstrate how the power of non-verbal communication. Nowadays, most of us use text messages to communicate with a friends. In the early days, text message were just text, or verbal communication. They lacked the non-verbal cues to ensure full communication. This led to the invention of emojis, which allow us make text messages more communicative. In fact, many text messages now contain no verbal, or textual, communication; the careful use of emojis can speak louder!

In conclusion, even though well-constructed words can be powerful, I believe that the use of non-verbal cues such as actions, body language and emojis can make communication more effective. Thank you for listening.

(390 words)

Think before you ink

There is talk that some of your classmates are going to get tattoos to commemorate their last year at school. To help them make an informed decision about this issue, write a letter to the editor of the school newspaper about why young people should not get tattoos. Write your letter here.

Dear Editor,

Getting inked is the latest fashion these days and there are a lot of people who are getting inked all over their bodies just to keep up to this trend. However, in my opinion there are a lot of disadvantages to getting inked permanently. Therefore, I am writing to perhaps help young people make an informed decision about getting a tattoo or not.

First of all, getting a tattoo can lead to negative impressions. Society still believes that most people who get tattoos are either outlaws or rebellious people. Those bound by tradition and culture do not want their kids to get inked. In professions where the physical appearance of a person is very important, tattoos are not considered decent. Getting a tattoo can ruin your career chances in many industries such as hospitality industry, marketing, media etc. This is because people working in these fields are considered to be those who are presentable, good looking and do not have any tattoos on their body.

Secondly, getting inked permanently has health risks unless you are getting it done by a skilled person. Some people are allergic to the ink, while others can get an infection like hepatitis because of infected needles or equipment being used at low-cost parlours. You also cannot donate your blood after getting a tattoo on your body.

Since tattoos adhere permanently to your body, are you sure that ten years later you will still like whatever you are getting inked on your body right now? For example, if you are getting your boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s name inked on your body, are you sure that person will still remain in your life years later. If not will you regret your decision? Even though, you can still remove tattoos by getting a laser, it is extremely expensive and not that effective.

Getting inked is in fashion these days. Therefore, more and more people are getting tattoos on their bodies. Getting a tattoo may appear attractive or cool but there are many drawbacks to getting inked permanently that should be considered carefully.

Yours sincerely,
Nanki Chularatnaphol

Guidelines - Healthy Diet - IB Comp Pg 297

Do you have a healthy diet? Research has shown that a great number of 15 and 16-year olds have a less than healthy diet. There are eating too much junk food and snacks and not enough fruit and vegetables, drinking too many fizzy drinks and not enough water and generally spending too much time on their computing devices and not enough time on not getting enough exercise. This unhealthy, inactive lifestyle can have some serious consequences; in the short-term, it can lead to problems concentrating on school work and, in the long-term, it can lead to obesity and problems with your heart. Therefore, it’s very important that you look after you diet when you are still young. The guidelines below will help you to do this.

1. Cut down on junk food and fizzy drinks

While they may taste better and give you a quick rush of energy, junk food and fizzy drinks don’t have much nutritional value. Instead, it is better to have a balanced diet, making sure you have enough of all the food groups: carbohydrates, protein, milk and dairy products, fruit and vegetables, and fats and sugars. And try to replace those fizzy drinks with fruit juice and water.

2. Eat regularly and try not to snack

Having regularly meals is also very important. It’s a good idea to start off the day with a good, healthy breakfast. Too many teenagers prefer to get a bit more sleeping time than to eat breakfast, with the result that their energy levels are very low in the morning. Have lunch and dinner at regular times as well. By doing this, you will be less inclined to snack on less healthy food such as chocolate, crisps and bottles of Coke. If you do feel like a snack, munch on something like fruit, vegetables or whole-grain biscuits, and don’t forget to drink water regularly. Finally, it’s not a good idea to have a big meal just before you go to bed. This will interrupt you sleeps patterns which will affect how you study the following day. If you must have something, try milk and a banana.

3. Get away from the computer and do more exercise

Using your computer and mobile devices too much can also lead to an unhealthy diet as you may snack more and not get enough exercise. Try to restrict the time you spend online or watching TV. Instead, get outside and do some exercise. Even if you are not a sporty type, you could still go for walks or bicycle rides.

4. Talk to people if you are feeling stressed

Finally, stress or depression can lead to negative eating patterns. If you’re feeling like this, don’t bottle up your feelings up. Try to talk to supportive people such as good friends, your parents, teachers or the school counsellor.

Having an unhealthy diet is not something that is synonymous with being a teenager. Instead, be proactive, think about the short and long-term effects of bad eating patterns and lack of exercise before it is too late. Hopefully, the guidelines above will help you to do this.

Are leisure activities a waste of time?

3 Feb, 2017

Dear sir/ms,

I am writing in regard to a recent article in your magazine in which it was written that leisure activities are a waste of both time and money. While it can be argued that too much leisure may be detrimental to society, I strongly believe that it’s important to achieve a balance between work and pleasure. This balance can only be achieved by spending time, but not necessarily money, on a range of leisure activities. Doing this will not only ensure more satisfied and healthier individuals but also ensure that our communities as a whole are stronger.

There are a number of ways in which leisure activities are beneficial. First of all, they can help us develop on a personal level. By participating in any of a wide range of activities offered by local sports clubs, schools, churches and government offices, we can grow in many different areas such as physically, mentally and spiritually. As part of this process of growth, we will be exposed to new ideas from teachers and people outside our families and work colleagues. This interaction with new people will be stimulating, adding more spice to our lives and ultimately making us more satisfied with our lives.

This increase in individuals doing more leisure activities will have a knock-on effect on the wider community. For example, having a population of healthier people will ensure less visits to doctors and hospitals and less time spent off work. The savings from this could be used to fund more worthwhile projects such as support of the elderly and poor and schools development. In addition, local communities would benefit from the extra income being generated by the companies and individuals that are supporting a vibrant and growing leisure industry.

In conclusion, encouraging individuals to engage in leisure activities can only be beneficial for everyone. In creates happier, healthier individuals as well as communities that will prosper financially from the expanding leisure business sector.

Yours faithfully,

Mary Smith

Teenage Cliques (May 2016) - Nanki

Jan 26, 2017

Dear sir/ms,

I am writing about the article in your newspaper in which the author claimed that teen cliques affect teenagers negatively. While there may be some negative effects from teenage cliques, such as teenagers always feeling isolated or cliques having an adverse effect on classroom learning, I believe the opposite - these cliques, in fact, affect teenagers positively. There are three main reasons why I believe this.

Firstly, teenagers can share their problems or secrets with their friends. This is important as some teenagers do not have siblings to share their happiness or sadness or they do not get along with their parents. You can also count on your clique friends because they are there for you no matter what. They help you through your toughest times and are there to share your best times.

Secondly, having a clique can make you feel like you belong to a group. Being part of a group can make teenager’s day easier to deal with as well as learning some great life skills like being a good listener, sharing experiences and respecting people. The people in these groups feel they have a place where they are welcome, supported and where they can be themselves.

Finally, friend groups are usually made up of people who “click” with each other because they have things in common. Some groups stick together for a long time. Others drift apart after a while as people develop new interests or make different friends. People can move in and out of different groups and can even be part of several at the same time. Even within a group, people often have one or two friends they feel closest to and enjoy the most.

In conclusion, being in a clique makes high school much easier to get through, even though, it can cause a lot of unnecessary drama. Cliques should be acceptable as long as it is not limiting teenagers from other opportunities in their daily life such as making new friends or trying new things.

Yours faithfully,

Nanki Chularatnaphol (IB 2)

The need for advertisements

Many people are critical as to the enormous sums of money being spent on advertising, particularly those advertisements aimed at younger people. While there is no doubt that some advertising budgets are way over the top –  for example, just look at some of the budgets of large companies like Coca Cola, MacDonalds and Nestle – I believe that it is still important for advertisers to make people aware of their products.

There are a number of reasons for this. First of all, how can an advertiser attract new customers. Word-of-mouth might work in some cases; however, advertisements, be they print, on television or radio, or on the internet, are needed to reach potential new customers over a wider area. In addition, advertisements are needed to inform current customers of any improvements or additional services to their existing range of products. Without this, products will not be used to their full capacity. Furthermore, advertisers are always worried about losing market share to rivals. Well-delivered advertising campaigns can ensure that advertisers not only gain new customers but also keep their existing ones. Finally, like it or not, the advertising industry is a very important source of employment. Many people are employed in the area of market research, advertisement design and sales; without advertisements, many people would be without relatively well-paid jobs.

In conclusion, advertisers need advertisements to ensure that they attract new customers, keep existing ones and to keep their current sales and marketing employees in work. However, advertisers also need to justify how they spend each of their advertising dollars.

Cycle 13 - 06/12/16 to 10/12/16

Time	Place	Content
D2-P4	ELS1	P86 - Writing
D3-P1	ELS2	Writing practice
D6-P5	ELS1	Exam practice - P297