At the Rose Scholars Fall Plenary Meeting, all Rose Scholar participants got to meet and reflect on the semester. For me, it was really meaningful to hear about other experiences in the program and get to talk with others who I had seen at events. The ‘9 Whys’ exercise that we did was unique, and forced us to really examine what we like about the Rose community! I love the Rose Scholars program because we get to learn about interesting events outside of our major, meet others in the Rose community, and learn from each other. After talking to others, I realized they feel the same way! This reflection event helped us to share our experiences with the program and learn from each other even more. I can’t wait to continue with the Rose Scholars program next semester!
Author Archives: atg55
Looking into the Future
Do we have the power to change our genes? Can we fix mutations and cure disease? Can we change someone’s eye color?
Yes!
Should we?
That answer is more complicated.
On Wednesday night, Professor Yapici led an interesting discussion about the future of gene editing. We discussed the history and process of CRISPR, and how it is being used today. I had learned about CRISPR in previous biology classes, but never before did I realize how accessible the technology is to everyday citizens. The technology has been revolutionary, and scientists use it as a basic technique to design and run other experiments. However, now CRISPR is becoming accessible to non-scientists as well. It amazes me, how the technology, younger than I am, has truly transformed science!
I never before considered all of the effects of a new technology. How will we regulate it? Who will have access to it? These are difficult questions, and its hard to come up with answers as fast as the technology is developed. Its important to consider, however, since powerful technology can come with powerful consequences. During our discussion, I realized that technology really is ever-changing and evolves so quickly. After all, before we finish deciding how to regulate CRISPR, there might be an even newer technology on the way. Who knows what will be next?
Flora Rose!
While attending Rose Café on Wednesday, I had the opportunity to learn about Flora Rose, whom our house is named after. Nel de Muelenaere shared Flora Rose’s story with us. Flora Rose was an inspiring woman, and I never before knew of all the impact she had. She was a pioneer in her field and really worked to support women and had a vision for the future. Flora Rose greatly influenced the home economics program here at Cornell, and also had wide influence on the world. During World War I, she did nutritional studies and later traveled to Belgium to continue her work.
I think it is inspiring to see a woman such as Flora Rose have such a passion in her work, and not be afraid to carry it out. She was not deterred by obstacles, and was determined to achieve her goals and be a pioneer in her field. It is important to have role models like this in our community, to remind everyone to not be afraid to try. As her example shows, it is important to continue persevering even when faced with challenges. We are lucky to learn from such role models here at Cornell. As part of the community that is Flora Rose’s namesake, I am proud to remember her as a passionate and determined women!
Free Will, Choice, and Children
Sit in silence…and wait. What do you notice?
That is how house fellow Tamar Kushnir started her discussion on Wednesday night at the Rose Café. This task showcased our voluntary actions, and prompted a thought-provoking discussion about free will and its consequences. I had never before thought about how to define the concept of free will. Is it that we have a choice? Is it that we feel we can do something? What about social pressures or individual constraints? These questions floated around the room as we discussed what free will is, and how to tell if we have it.
I found it fascinating that Professor Kushnir studies free will in children, where she will set up a situation and then ask a child if they have to do something, or whether they can choose not to. Her research suggests that children undergo huge changes in the perception of free will between the ages of 4 and 7. I hadn’t thought about the development of our conscious before! As we grow physically, we also grow mentally in the ability to distinguish between situations, have choice, and control ourselves. I wonder if age has impact beyond development as well, and now want to learn more about free will and its impact!
Securing the Vote
I attended the Securing the Vote presentation in Call Auditorium on Wednesday 11/6. It was a very fascinating presentation where scholars Charles Stewart III and Stephen Ansolabehere presented on the voting process in American democracy. It was fascinating to hear Dr. Stewart speak first, where he analyzed the political environment of our country qualitatively and presented graphs and numbers corresponding to the voting methods used throughout the country. It was interesting to hear him phrase the 2000 election as a turning point where political scientists realized the voting methods across America needed reform. In contrast, Dr. Ansolabehere focused on voter right issues and described his experiences in court cases. He used a qualitative approach, rather than a quantitative approach and spoke of the cases he had worked on over the past several years.
Both professors presented on the same general topic – yet they did so in completely different ways. It was especially fascinating to see how their approaches were juxtaposed when they presented one after the other. I find it inspiring how you can study the same issue in many different ways. This was especially exemplified in the question-and-answer session where the professors would both respond to a question with different opinions, citing different evidence and looking at the issue from a different point of view. Their responses to a question about mandatory voting is a perfect example. In all, I enjoyed their presentations about the democracy of America and securing the vote. I loved how their different perspectives by which they tackled the same issue were on display – a true sign of democracy!
Overcoming Polarization
What is polarization? It is the splitting of ideas and ways of thinking.
During Rose Café in Professor Avery’s apartment, I had the chance to engage in a discussion and presentation about the state of democracy in America. We learned about the way that America’s democracy is becoming more and more divisive. In fact, I was surprised to learn that Americans tend to have stronger negative opinions about the opposing political party than positive feelings towards their own. This polarization has increased over time, and there are many factors contributing to it, such as news outlets and social media.
However, what I found most fascinating was that we had an engaging discussion together about what is tearing citizens apart politically. Together, we discussed causes of the problem and contributing factors. Together, we discussed examples prevalent in our world today. Together, we discussed possible solutions and suggestions for the future. Together certainly is greater than separate and through learning about our differences, I most importantly learned about the power of coming together.
Creative Pumpkins!
Attending the pumpkin painting/carving event was the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit! It was a relaxing evening filled with paint and pumpkins. I learned there are lots of different ways to go about decorating a pumpkin – paint stripes, paint a design, carve a face, carve a picture – the list goes on and on. What was even more special, however, was how everyone started with the same round, orange pumpkin, yet ended with a novel creation. It truly showed the power of creativity and how everyone thinks differently. This type of creative thinking is essential to solve problems, invent new solutions, and work out conflicts. In short, creativity is needed in every type of task, and it was certainly on perfect display here!
Seeing Silicon Valley In A New Light
It was wonderful to have dinner with Tasnuva Tabassum! She is an alumni of Cornell and is working in Silicon Valley. She described Silicon Valley in a way I had never thought of before – like a college campus. As she described, there are so many young people who move out to Silicon Valley for their first job, much like the way students move away to college. As a result, the atmosphere is fun and vibrant, and everyone is looking to meet someone new.
The valley, known for its technology, has the perfect way to handle this atmosphere – an app! Apps advertise networking events so people can get to know each other and make connections. They list the time and place of different events and encourage people to come. Apps also help people meet up in more one-on-one scenarios and match people with similar interests. This is a perfect solution, since the average time in a job is not that long – everyone is looking to keep their network up-to-date in case they want to switch companies.
This showcases another aspect of Silicon Valley – everything is right there! There are so many tech companies in one area that it makes it really easy to move between jobs and companies. This is just like a college campus, with so many ideas, departments, and schools all in one spot. Close proximity encourages the sharing of ideas, and the pursit of learning. It was so great to learn from Tasnuva and hear her relate her new “campus” to students at Cornell!
The Telescope
Friday night’s Rose Scholar’s event was more than just a trip to the observatory….it was a trip to another planet! Seeing Saturn and its rings was spectacular.
I find it truly amazing how the telescope, 100 years old, is able to magnify light from a planet so far away that it takes over an hour to reach Earth. The moving parts of the telescope keep it functioning, and it has to be wound up every hour. Like a microscope for the sky, the telescope allows us to see space objects with incredible detail, and magnification is only limited by resolution.
The telescope is one of the few instruments that allows us to look back in time. In fact, the entire sky is like a look back in time, since it takes so long for light from planets and stars to reach Earth. In a sense, the night sky allows us to see the past. However, the sky also represents the possibilities that lie ahead. Looking at the sky, I always feel inspired by how we are on just one of many planets, in one solar system out of the many of the universe.
The telescope is a special instrument – one that allows us to look backwards while imagining the future.
“A picture is worth a thousand words…”
“A picture is worth a thousand words…”
The headshot session on Thursday night is a perfect example. As we lined up to get our headshots taken, everyone made sure they were dressed their very best. After all, our headshot were to be used for our LinkedIn profile! Before attending, I had never thought much about the significance of a headshot. I learned however, that adding a picture to your profile makes you seem much more personable. Recruiters and employers alike prefer the addition of a picture – it adds an extra dimension to your past experiences, awards, and education. Pictures are increasingly prevalent in the digital age and the role they play in our everyday lives has grown significantly. We now use pictures to communicate, sometimes even in place of words. It made me stop and realize that a simple picture can convey a strong message, and as the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words”.
Exploring Ithaca!
Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to go to the Ithaca Farmer’s Market for the first time! It was a beautiful day, and a beautiful setting for such a plentiful array of fruits, vegetables, and homemade goods. While taking a nice walk down to the market, I learned that Ithaca’s farmer’s market is ranked the second best in New York State! When I arrived, I immediately knew why. A huge pavilion was set out before me, complete with lights hanging from the top to add atmosphere. Countless booths were filled to the brim with handmade goods, and behind each one was a smiling face. As I strolled along the inside of the market, I met the friendly, kind, and hardworking people of Ithaca. Everyone was gathering to share not only their goods, but their experiences too. At the center of the pavilion, a musician played his guitar and everyone around me was smiling. This is the epicenter of the Ithaca community! We ended the afternoon with a lunch sitting on the dock of Lake Cayuga – a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning.