FINAL: Tim Diversifies His Pursuits

Tim could have chosen to conclude his IP work in April.  Why? After facilitating writing assignments for himself, he discovered a love for the craft and realized that his writing could effect advocacy and change.  He then went about assembling his fellow IPians and developing a comprehensive Keynote for a presentation to Kildonan's Board of Trustees.  This address allowed him to celebrate IP, educate the Kildonan community on the approach, and begin to push for an independent fund for the program.  More importantly, the ensuing conversation offered him a natural scenario in which to practice his public speaking, a skill that he attributes to IP and its varied forums.  To repeat, Tim might have chosen to conclude his year's work with this event.  In so doing, he would have left the year with a strong arc/​portfolio.

But he chose not to do this.  Therefore, he - and his pursuits - proved even stronger at year's end.

Per our article announcing "Edge," Tim chose to spend the remainder of his year expanding upon his learning "process."  This final push saw him begin many smaller projects that will undoubtedly inform his Edge work next year as well as his upcoming college application process.  During the final month and a half or so, Tim explored:

(1) Blogging.  Not long before designing his presentation to the Board of Trustees, Tim worked with his tutor to create a blog "Exploring Current Events" via Blogger.com (@Blogger).  This profile serves a dual purpose.  It allows him, on one hand, to continue to develop his writing skills and to practice strategies such as audience awareness, digital literacy, research, and proofreading.  On the other hand, this blog also encourages him to extend his IP work to the Internet and share his thoughts with a larger community.  Tim has reflected upon topics ranging from the limitations of dyslexia empowerment, Steve Jobs and his approach to business, Greece's request for $300 billion of Germany, and Elon Musk (@elonmusk)'s challenge to utility companies with his "Powerwall."  Please be sure to check out Tim's blog, as he is likely to continue this profile when school resumes in September.

(2) Hard Drive Deconstruction.  During the final month of school, Tim began to dissect a hard drive in order to understand its mechanics.  He felt particularly interested in how an actuator reads the disk in addition to how a hard drive's retrieval system compares to that of a floppy disk.  Tim and the IP faculty enjoyed various conversations on the defragging process and viruses.  Ultimately, Tim proved relentless in analyzing the machine.  He even used his accidents as learning experiences, such as when - after cracking one of the magnets in the hard drive - he began to study neodymium.

(3) Networking.  Early in May, IP received a visitor in the person of Evan Donovan, a Kildonan alumnus ('13) who created a personal IP-esque structure before the program even existed.  While visiting, he and the IP faculty happened to begin speaking about 3D printers.  His college possesses two of the devices, he explained, and he uses them in order to print out the body and parts for drones.  He went on to to say more, and before he made much headway, we called in Tim to participate.  The two students lost track of the IP faculty and held a heady conversation concerning rotor databases and drone designs.  Ultimately, Evan recommended that Tim purchase a $75-$120 practice drone of the hobby variety; such a device, he assured the latter, could help him learn the basics of flight without the cost of a top-notch machine.  He also offered that he and Tim get together over the summer in order to troubleshoot the latter's drone work.  Tim readily agreed.  This evolving partnership bodes well for Tim's work next year (drone specific or otherwise).

(4) Quantum Physics and Fusion.  Tim gave the IP faculty a pleasant surprise when he approached them one day with the request to explore quantum physics.  He assured us that this branch of his studies would constitute only one week's worth of study, but fortunately, he has immersed himself in this discipline to a depth much greater than he originally expected.  During Founders' Day, for instance, he replicated the "Double-Slit Experiment" (not unlike Khaled) and went on to speak towards theories he was researching.  He felt particularly inspired by quantum computing and quantum entanglement theory for their ability to revolutionize computer effectiveness.  This interest aligned nicely with the in-roads that he forged into Lockheed Martin Skunk Works (@LockheedMartin), a company that is attempting to build a prototype that harnesses the power of fusion for commercial and defense ventures (see the video below).

Thank you, Tim, for continuing to diversify your work as a true polymath! We are proud of your progress and maturation this year, and we encourage our readers to celebrate with us by posting in the comments section below.

Descriptions of images:  A screenshot of Tim's blog, top-right (located at exploringcurrentevents.blogspot.com).  Middle left finds an graphic of a hard drive (located at www.datarecoverydublin.ie).  A hobbyist's drone, pictured at middle right (located at www.hcn.org).  Bottom left sees a graphic rendering of quantum computing (located at www.slate.com).  Kildonan and its Edge / IP program claim no ownership over the media above.

FINAL: Marcus Engages Unity's "Roll-a-Ball" Project

After encountering significant technical difficulty with his laptop and the Oculus Rift, Marcus decided to postpone his biometric research and pursue another project.  Frustrated with virtual reality (VR) for the moment, he began to delve - once again - into game design.

This time, he found a new support in the form of Unity (@unity3d).  According to the company website, Unity is "a flexible and powerful development platform for creating multi-platform 3D and 2D games and interactive experiences."  In order to begin to learn the software, Marcus chose to pursue one of the linear "Projects" offered by the site:  Roll-a-Ball.

Per its original imagining, Roll-a-Ball allows a user to control a ball while collecting cube tokens on a flat plane.  Although a simple game, it invites its creator to learn and manipulate fundamentals of game design such as game objects, coding, etc.  The Project essentially teaches itself, for it guides the author through the design process using a sequence of videos.  Even so, the act of construction is not a simple one.  The creator must scan several screens at once, and he must navigate a multitude of textual menus to create the final product.

After having worked with GameSalad, Marcus progressed quickly through the videos until he had created a mark-up of the Project.  He could have ended his work there, congratulating himself for following the program's directions to the letter.  But, admirably, he did not do this.  Instead, he proceeded to take the game well beyond its original dimensions.  He began to experiment with stages and scenes outside of the game's flat landscape, inserting new platforms and thereby activating vertical planes.  He placed ramps too, and he experimented with appropriate shadow distribution by randomizing the arrangement of his cube tokens.

Fortunately, these updates are just the beginning.  Marcus is currently programming a vertical elevator, speed boosts, and character deaths.  He has also begun to research Autodesk (@autodesk), which is a company that provides "3D design, engineering, and entertainment software" (quoted content located on the About section of the company website).  Autodesk's programs will allow Marcus to engage in advanced 3D modeling and layering for his Project.  By the time he has finished his Unity game, it may prove virtually unrecognizable to its original imagining.

We wish Marcus well as he continues this work over the summer.  We invite you to salute his efforts by posting in the comments section below.

Description of 1st image:  The final product of "Roll-a-Ball," as envisioned by Unity.  Photo located at https://code.msdn.microsoft.com.  Kildonan and its IP program claim no ownership over the image above.

Description of 2nd image:  A draft of Marcus's rendering of "Roll-a-Ball."  Photo taken by IP faculty.

Bull Explores IP through Film

Enthralled by the process of learning, Bull eventually distilled his thoughts into a central question:  "What is IP?" True to character, he found this inquiry too delicious to resist.  To begin to answer it, he met with the IP faculty and discussed a video that we had watched together at the beginning of the year.  Launched by the pioneers of the Independent Project, or the students at Monument Mountain High School in Great Barrington, MA, this film began to define the program according its original imagining.  Bull had expressed interest in creating a video response earlier in the year, so we revisited the issue with him now.  Might he still be interested in such an endeavor? Might such a film answer his own question?

His answer was a resounding "yes."  Since our meeting, Bull has used a GoPro (@GoPro) camera to create a draft of his own film.  Wishing to preserve the element of surprise, he has kept the work from the eyes of the IP faculty.  He has shown no one in the program, not even a fellow student, the full piece.

On May 8th, however, Bull graced the team with a brief preview of his work.  Speaking toward the product, he remarked that he was striving for something akin to "realism."  He wished to keep the film unpolished and natural so as to capture the informal feeling of the program.  True to his intent, the scenes in his video flitted between light joviality and quiet moments of revelation.  More profound still, Bull admitted that he is perceiving an answer at long last.  After designing an octopus that continues to sprawl into infinity, he stressed that he is forming a sort of endpoint in the film, in the program, or in the cycle of the two. (As a side note, this circle conjures Vladimir Nabokov's short story "The Circle."  Bull found Nabokov's work a primary influence on his own writing earlier this year).

Ultimately, after a lengthy discussion and critique with the IP team, Bull continues production on his film.  What will it look like once he has finished it?

Description of image:  A student using a GoPro camera.  Photo located at thelantern.com.  Kildonan and its IP program claim no ownership over the picture above.

Marcus Engages Unity: "Roll-a-Ball" Project

After encountering significant technical difficulty with his laptop and the Oculus Rift, Marcus decided to postpone his biometric research and pursue another project.  Frustrated with virtual reality (VR) for the moment, he began to delve - once again - into game design.

This time, he found a new support in the form of Unity (@unity3d).  According to the company website, Unity is "a flexible and powerful development platform for creating multi-platform 3D and 2D games and interactive experiences."  In order to begin to learn the software, Marcus chose to pursue one of the linear "Projects" offered by the site:  Roll-a-Ball.

Per its original imagining, Roll-a-Ball allows a user to control a ball while collecting cube tokens on a flat plane.  Although a simple game, it invites its creator to learn and manipulate fundamentals of game design such as game objects, coding, etc.  The Project essentially teaches itself, for it guides the author through the design process using a sequence of videos.  Even so, the act of construction is not a simple one.  The creator must scan several screens at once, and he must navigate a multitude of textual menus to create the final product.

After having worked with GameSalad, Marcus progressed quickly through the videos until he had created a mark-up of the Project.  He could have ended his work there, congratulating himself for following the program's directions to the letter.  But, admirably, he did not do this.  Instead, he proceeded to take the game well beyond its original dimensions.  He began to experiment with stages and scenes outside of the game's flat landscape, inserting new platforms and thereby activating vertical planes.  He placed ramps too, and he experimented with appropriate shadow distribution by randomizing the arrangement of his cube tokens.

Fortunately, these updates are just the beginning.  Marcus is currently programming a vertical elevator, speed boosts, and character deaths.  He has also begun to research Autodesk (@autodesk), which is a company that provides "3D design, engineering, and entertainment software" (quoted content located on the About section of the company website).  Autodesk's programs will allow Marcus to engage in advanced 3D modeling and layering for his Project.  By the time he has finished his Unity game, it may prove virtually unrecognizable to its original imagining.

What do you think of Marcus's project? Are you a fan of video games or gamification? Please post in the comments section below.

Description of 1st image:  The final product of "Roll-a-Ball," as envisioned by Unity.  Photo located at https://code.msdn.microsoft.com.  Kildonan and its IP program claim no ownership over the image above.

Description of 2nd image:  A draft of Marcus's rendering of "Roll-a-Ball."  Photo taken by IP faculty.

Geoff Mulgan: "A short intro to the Studio School"

 
Director of the Young Foundation (@the_young_fdn) and UK government employee, Geoff Mulgan (@geoffmulgan) delivers a TED Talk on a powerful re-imagining of education:  Studio Schools.  Designed to "address the growing gap between the skills and knowledge that young people require to succeed, and those that the current education system provides," Studio Schools prepare young adults for the global economy and encourage them to take inquiry- and project-based learning to the next level (quoted content taken from the Studio Schools website).  Mulgan shares more details on these institutions below:

First of all, we wanted small schools -- about 300, 400 pupils -- 14- to 19-year-olds, and critically, about 80 percent of the curriculum done not through sitting in classrooms, but through real-life, practical projects, working on commission to businesses, NGO's and others. That every pupil would have a coach, as well as teachers, who would have timetables much more like a work environment in a business. And all of this will be done within the public system, funded by public money, but independently run. And all at no extra cost, no selection, and allowing the pupils the route into university, even if many of them would want to become entrepreneurs and have manual jobs as well. Underlying it was some very simple ideas that large numbers of teenagers learn best by doing things, they learn best in teams and they learn best by doing things for real -- all the opposite of what mainstream schooling actually does.

What do you think of the idea of Studio Schools? Do you think that they are needed? (Research exists to justify them.) Please post in the comments section below.

Description of image:  A mock-up of a Studio School.  Photo located at www.studioschooltrust.org.  Kildonan and its IP program claim no ownership over the image above.

Max D. Travels to NEMCON

We in IP pride ourselves on our efforts to break down the physical walls of the classroom, to encourage one another to seek our passions well beyond the boundaries of the IP building (and Kildonan, more generally).  In keeping with this philosophy, Max D. approached the IP team one day with an exciting request.  Inspired by Trey's visit to NAMM, he explained that he wanted to attend a convention himself.  He was not sure when or to where he would depart, but he knew that he wished to connect with individuals who were just as passionate about magic and illusion as he is.

The IP team worked closely with Max on the research process.  Together, we discussed a myriad of possible conventions, travel plans, ticket prices, and the professional magicians in attendance.  After weeks of careful consideration, Max decided that he wished to attend the New England Magicians Conference, Inc. (NEMCON), held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell, CT from March 6th-7th.  These dates happened to coincide with the beginning of Kildonan's spring break, so after a quick performance with his chapter of the Society of Young Magicians (SYM), Max was off.

During his time at NEMCON, Max was able to explode his understanding of magic and illusion.  He noted fondly that Tom Mullica was a skilled emcee for his deft handling of humor and his ability to play up to diverse audiences.  He also explored the wares of a variety of vendors, and all told, he brought back many interesting "magic" samples to begin integrating into his routine.  Perhaps the central highlight of his experience, however, was his ability to interview the professional magicians in attendance:  Mullica, Jon Armstrong, and 17-year-old Ryan Lally.  In conducting these conversations, Max was not only able to practice his verbal conversations but also learn tips and seek inspiration from the greats in his field.  * For an example of his budding interview skills, please click here. *

Back in the IP building after spring break, Max described the experience as "mind-boggling."  When asked why, he had this to say:  "I feel like everything is coming together.  I know what I want to do now."

Any thoughts on NEMCON? Have you ever attended yourself, or would you recommend another magic convention to Max? Please post in the comments section below.

Description of 1st image:  Max at NEMCON with Roger Dreyer of NYC magic retailer Fantasma Magic (@FantasmaNYC).  Photo taken by Max's father.

Description of 2nd image:  The performers of NEMCON.  From left:  Stephen Bargatze, Rick Merrill, Ryan Lally, Jon Armstrong, and Tom Mullica.  Photo taken by Max's father.

Paige Builds a Phonics Notebook

Having conducted extensive research into the history of the Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach, programs that are off-shoots of OG (e.g., Lindamood-Bell, Wilson Reading), sample OG lessons, and myths concerning dyslexia, Paige has reached a stage at which she feels ready to apply her extensive understanding.  She has debated between options for a few months now.  This careful consideration, however, has allowed her to settle upon a project:  a phonics notebook not unlike one that a tutor would craft with an elementary student at Kildonan.  Paige hopes to compile a chapter concerning open and closed syllables; this section would contain games, lesson plans, cards, and manipulatives.

To craft this piece, Paige is currently conducting a three-fold process.  First, she is communicating with both elementary school teachers on-staff, Mrs. Elliott and Ms. Hollander.  She hopes to observe both of their classes in order to determine how younger students respond to challenges in language acquisition, and she also plans to interview both teachers about their approaches to coaching students through these tasks.  Second, she continues to add content to a process portfolio that she maintains through iBook Author.  She manages this document in order to compile her notes, track resources, and hypothesize situations that she will face as a future elementary school teacher.  To date she has produced sixty-five pages.  Third and finally, she took time out during her break to draft sound-symbol cards.  Soon she will engage in a critique with Ms. Charlap during which the two can evaluate the layout and design of her slip.  They will also explore alternative designs for such manipulatives.

What do you think of Paige's work? Do you have a question or recommendation? Please post in the comments section below.

Description of 1st image:  A page from an interactive, kindergarten phonics notebook.  Picture located at www.pinterest.com.  Kildonan and its IP program do not claim ownership over the above photo.

Clancy: Nanotechnology &​ Nanomedicine

Due to last week's unconventional structure, the IP team was privileged to meet with new (albeit temporary) iPeople from grades 8 to 12.  One of the students who graced our building was sophomore Clancy.  Currently engaged in the Personal Project, Clancy approached the IP team with an interest in the ethics of technology and nanotechnology (@Nanotechnology, #nanotechnology).  Throughout the week, he proved himself an expert on the subjects and an ideal candidate for IP.

Nanotechnology, Clancy explained, is essentially the ability to engineer matter at the atomic scale.  The instruments of nanotechnology are "nano," or tiny, devices that are programmed to solve many of the world's most pressing, most flummoxing problems.  Such equipment could remedy the ozone by simply following pre-programmed directions to "seal" up its hole.  According to Clancy, however, nanotechnology is particularly promising for its medicinal applications. This fledgling field is known as "nanomedicine," and its primary focus is upon "nanoparticles":  bio machines designed to target disease and deliver cargo consisting of medicine.

Clancy taught the IP team about nanomedicine using a #TED Talk by Dr. Jamey Marth given at the American Riviera Bank in Santa Barbara, CA.  Marth, the Director of the Center for Nanomedicine, shares his groundbreaking research into the discipline:

Now, to be able to treat cancer requires the addition of nanoparticles to the patient.  And this is the future. ... These particles are emitting light, so they tell us back - in the surgical table and research - exactly where they are going.  They're not binding to anything because they only will bind to diseased tissue.  ... Again, because it's not radiation, it's not chemotherapy, there won't be any collateral damage.  We can target these particles precisely to where they are supposed to go in the body.

...So they travel through the vasculature, and now we're outside of the vasculature just watching an animation of nanoparticles.  As they come in contact with the tumors, they light up the tumors.  Scientists have now figured out how to not only attach the nanoparticles but to get the drugs to travel completely through the tumor (which is really important).  And once these nanoparticles attach to the tumor, they release their payload.  Their payload, again, which includes therapeutics.  It includes toxins that will kill the cancer, but they won't touch the other tissue.

What do you think? Do you have a comment for Clancy? If so, please post in the comments section below.

Description of 1st image:  A graphic of nanomedicine.  Image located at adigaskell.org.  Kildonan and its IP program claim no ownership over the picture above.

"The NAMM Show," by Trey

Three weeks ago, Trey traveled to Anaheim, CA for the 2015 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show (@NAMM, @NAMMShow, #NAMM, #NAMM2015).  He reflects upon his experiences below (using his own words):

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The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) held its annual convention in Anaheim, CA, from January 22-25. It is a huge trade show where companies that sell music equipment showcase their latest and greatest products. This was my second year attending. I couldn't wait to see what was in store for this year’s show.

This year provided me an opportunity to reconnect with Robb from Auralex (@Auralex). Robb is a friend of the Kildonan School.  His company donated the sound panels that I installed on campus last year.  It was great to see him again, and I was able to tell him about my plans to attend Full Sail University (@FullSail).  He was excited and encouraged me to stay in touch.
 
Walking through the aisles of the convention hall, you experience very talented musicians demonstrating wonderful pieces of equipment.

The drum sets, for instance, were breathtaking. My favorite was the Neil Peart up-coming Touring Drum Set that was displayed. (Here’s a shout-out to Emily’s dad who might be a bigger Rush (@rushtheband) fan than myself.)

Saturday morning was a dream come true for me. I was seated in Row 11 for the Steve Wozniak (@stevewoz) presentation. He was very entertaining when talking about his past experiences, and he offered very thought-provoking ideas about the future of technology. I found it interesting that he believes we are limited in the next step towards new technology.  However, I believe that he is from an older generation. After all, the room was full of young music enthusiasts, techno geeks who have many ideas for the future swirling in their heads and the determination to make them a reality.

One of the highlights of the show was catching up with David Rosenthal, the Keyboardist and Musical Director for Billy Joel (@billyjoel). He welcomed me with open arms.  He spoke with me for a while and invited me to stay for a minute because he was going to play some different genres of music. He laid down some classical music and a mix of Billy Joel tunes and The Root Beer Rag.  It was quite an experience.

I made many connections and I am sure I will meet many of my NAMM friends again at Full Sail University!

Description of images:  All photos were taken by Trey on-site at the 2015 NAMM Show.

Ned: Repurposing a Truck

After months of patient waiting and research, Ned finally located and purchased a suitable truck.  He has recently begun to apply his knowledge of automotive studies by repurposing the vehicle.  Here are the specs on the truck, affirmed by Ned himself:

The truck is a 1983 C10 Chevy Scottsdale Stepside with 5.0 L V8 engine (brown).  It was used as a scrap truck for a garage in South Norwalk, CT.  The vehicle "runs like a Swiss watch"; there are no significant problems affecting it, the frame is perfect, and everything - on the whole - is solid.

Toward what end is Ned repurposing this truck? He reports that he will restore it halfway and then customize it with a - 2.5 in. drop on the front and a - 4.0 in. drop on the back.  He also plans to increase the horsepower from 305 to 440.  He wishes to replace the rims with a straight black or gun metal set, and he will apply a new color (once he weeds through the myriad of choices that await him).  Overall, he states, he wants to transform the vehicle into a genuine muscle truck.

Ned conducts this work every school day.  After checking in with the IP team, he works throughout the morning with the Maintenance Crew to refurbish the bed, run stress and exhaust tests, etc.  When he is not actively working on the truck, Ned pours over automotive catalogs in search of parts and otherwise continues to explore automotive studies (by reading Stephen King's Christine, for instance).

               

What do you think? Do you have a recommendation for Ned or a question that you would like to ask? Please post in the comments section below.

Description of images:  All photos taken by Ned on site with the Maintenance Crew.

Trey @ The NAMM Show 2015

Building upon last year's experience, Trey is continuing his explorations into sound design off-campus.  He left Kildonan early this morning and boarded a flight to Los Angeles, CA.  Once he lands, he will travel to Anaheim for the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show 2015.  NAMM.org describes the show as:

...an action-packed global industry event where you can expand your share of the market in the coming year with face-to-face meetings, product demos, idea-filled sessions and networking opportunities. As a trade-only event, The NAMM Show is attended by companies that meet the association's membership criteria (generally those that manufacture, distribute and/​or retail musical instruments/​products), as well as trade and consumer-focused media outlets.

We encourage you to follow Trey on this adventure by consulting his Twitter handle (@treymansauers), the NAMM Twitter handles (@NAMM, @NAMMShow), or any one of the NAMM hashtags (#NAMM2015, #NAMM, #NAMMShow).

Description of image:  The NAMM Show.  Picture located at www.roli.com.  Kildonan and its IP program claim no ownership over the graphic above.

Jonathan: "I Can't Breathe" Protests in NYC (12/​13/​14)

America is suffering from a crisis of race.  The deaths of black men such as Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Akai Gurley, and Tamir Rice have inflamed this instability, of course.  Some argue that these men died for reasons other than their race, that they possessed criminal records, for instance, that necessitated forceful reactons by white police officers.  But even if these deaths did not arise from racial considerations, the fact that they have come to encapsulate U.S. race relations is indisputable.  They highlight triumphs and traumas of black inclusion in the U.S. that began, arguably, with the racialization of Native Americans during the 17th century.  They echo the voices of American authors - contemporary and traditional, black and white - who have long confronted and continue to highlight the topic with varying degrees of agonized cries and silence.

These riots, unavoidably, are "an issue"...but they are saddening particularly because they have BEEN an issue for centuries.

Tens of thousands of protesters have flocked to city streets across the country to protest the killing of black men by white police officers.  Activists have launched large demonstrations particularly in Washington, D.C. and New York City with signs reading "Black Lives Matter" (#BlackLivesMatter) and "I Can't Breathe" (#ICantBreathe), echoing Eric Garner's last words.  Many of these protests have proven peaceful, but increasingly participants are calling for, and actually attacking, police (such as in NYC and near UC Berkeley.

One of our IPians, Jonathan, happened to attend a protest in NYC last weekend.  Exploring #photojournalism as his topic in IP, this situation gave Jonathan the organic opportunity to continue his research.  All photos attacked to this post are his shots of the scenes and participants he witnessed.

What are your thoughts on these photos? Are these ongoing protests likely to effect change, especially as some of these devolve into violence? Please post in the comments section below.

For a brief video of the NYC protests (12/​13/​14), please click here.

Max D.: The Neuroscience of Humor

 

Recently returned from viewing The Illusionists (@Illusionists7) on Broadway, Max D. is inspired to hone his routine further by exploring one key trait of magic:  humor.  I (Jonathan Bisson) write that humor is key because this argument comes directly from Max himself.  Every single trick, he emphatically emphasizes, consists of comedy; there are merely tricks that overtly use humor and those that do not.  

I was a little confused about what he meant, so I decided to delve further into the neuroscience of humor; this search seemed prudent, for Max was already exploring this subject himself.  

For anyone interested in conducting a similar search, I would immediately recommend Peter McGraw (@PeterMcGraw)'s "What Makes Things Funny?" at TEDxBoulder (@TEDxBoulder) (shown below).  In his talk, McGraw emphasizes that humor primarily operates in a situation characterized as a "benign violation."  Such a situation, he goes on, consists of an idea or perspective that threatens the way that you believe the world should be ("violation") made less threatening by distance ("benign").  He goes on to discuss stairs as a way of demonstrating his theory:  

Walking down a flight of stairs =​ No Violation =​ Not Funny.  Falling down a flight of stairs, but being unhurt =​ Benign Violation =​ Funny.  Falling down that flight of stairs and being badly hurt =​ Malign Violation =​ Not Funny.

But perhaps the greatest crux of McGraw's talk (for myself, at least) was when, only a minute in, he states that "humor influences your choices," that it fundamentally impacts the way that we conceive of the world and those elements to which we pay attention.  This seems to relate EXACTLY to the sleight of hand with which magicians divert an audience's attention.  Perhaps, then, for some magicians - like Max - humor becomes the greatest "trick."

For another TED Talk on neuroscience and humor, please click here.

Khaled: J.R.R. Tolkien and Children's Literature

In addition to producing content for his graphic novel and collaborating with Shane, Khaled has been exploring the theory behind fantasy, mythology and fairy tales.  This search has led him, inevitably, to English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor J. R. R. Tolkien.  K. did not jump into a re-reading of The Lord of the Rings, however.  Instead, he began researching an article by Maria Popova (@brainpicker) and a lesser-known work called Tales from the Perilous Realm, a collection of short pieces, fairy tales, and an essay called "On Fairy-Stories."

In this latter piece, Tolkien argues that there is no such thing as "children's literature" as we know it.  He writes:

Among those who still have enough wisdom not to think fairy-stories pernicious, the common opinion seems to be that there is a natural connexion between the minds of children and fairy-stories, of the same order as the connexion between children’s bodies and milk. I think this is an error; at best an error of false sentiment, and one that is therefore most often made by those who, for whatever private reason (such as childlessness), tend to think of children as a special kind of creature, almost a different race, rather than as normal, if immature, members of a particular family, and of the human family at large. (347)

Though he finds this sentiment stimulating, K. disagrees.  He presents his position by arguing that a certain dream logic is bastardized in children's literature.  According to him, other branches of literature honor this logic while that directed toward children distort it, introduce it haphazardly, and never explain its functioning.

What do you think? Do you side with Tolkien, with K., or with a position in-between? Please leave a comment below.  For your enjoyment, enjoy the following trailer to Tolkien's own fairy-story:  The Hobbit (The Battle of the Five Armies).

Paige: Colored Overlays and Dyslexia

Paige is becoming increasingly sensitive to the controversies swirling in the field of dyslexic studies and education.  Just recently, for example, she has begun to study the use of colored overlays by dyslexic students while reading.  As Rello and Baeza-Yates (2012) relate:

The role of colors in readability has been extensively discussed in relationship to dyslexia [#dyslexia] ....  Previous user studies showed that specific text and background colors could be beneficial for reading on the screen (Gregor and Newell 2000; Rello, Baeza-Yates and Kanvinde, 2012). Moreover, text customization suggestions broadly agree that people with dyslexia normally prefer lower brightness and color differences among text and background compared to the average reader (Bradford, 2011; Pedley 2006; British Dyslexia Association, 2012). (par. 2-3)

Please click here to access another study.  To take a test comparable to working with colored overlays, please click here.  What color worked best for you? Do you think that these make a difference for reading comprehension and reading fluency? Please post in the comments below.

Description of image: A young child using a yellow-colored overlay.  Photo located at momsmustardseeds.com.  Kildonan and its IP program claim no ownership over this image.

Bull: "Born Gay? Is it a Choice?"

An interdisciplinary researcher and thinker, Bull continues to expand the breadth and depth of his "abyss of knowledge."  Most recently, his studies have taken him in a number of exciting directions.  He continues to work his way through Vladimir Nabokov's Stories, for example, a comprehensive collection of the Russian-American author's short stories.  He is also exploring historical and cultural considerations of the notion that women are inferior to men (#genderpolitics).  Why does this view persist, he asks, and on what grounds do its proponents propagate it?

Bull is examining this larger question by consulting Aristophanes' Lysistrata and myths such as "Pandora's Box" and "Adam and Eve."  However, he is also considering this inquiry alongside contemporary considerations of sexuality and the emergence of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (#LGBT) community.  As he conceives it, sexual identity and #gender consist of three fundamental components:  (1) one's physical make-up (i.e., the biological reality of a male or female sex organ), (2) one's introspective view (i.e., one's view of oneself), and (3) the social view (i.e., the views and gender expectations projected onto a person by those outside of oneself).  Do sexuality and gender roles exist along this spectrum, he wonders? If so, what are the implications upon gendered power?

If you would like to weigh in, please post in the comments below.  For a fascinating and brief examination into the biological and genetic factors that influence sexual orientation, please consult the following video:

Marcus: GameSalad

As he continues to study computer programming, Marcus has begun to diversify his instruction by consulting sources other than Khan Academy.  His searches have taken him to GameSalad (@gamesalad), a site that he, another IP student, and Mr. Stark are working through together.

GameSalad is an Internet portal that allows for streamlined game design.  Whereas users traditionally need to acquire rudimentary programming skills before developing games, GameSalad allows novice and expert programmers to jump into the fray and promptly begin to design.  Consumers can immediately commence product tests, enjoy easy integration of images and videos, and publish to the App Store on Macs and iPads.

What fascinating and entertaining game(s) will Marcus design this year? Might we see a prototype in the near future? We encourage you to sample GameSalad products in anticipation.  For a video detailing the creation of a game of pong, please look below:

(GameSalad logo, pictured above.  Image located at gamestorming.com.br.  Kildonan and its IP program claim no ownership over the graphic above.)

Khaled: OCPD

As he progresses further and further into his graphic novel, Khaled (affectionately known as "K.") has begun to refine the characterization of his protagonist, Desmond.  Possessing both the spirits of Order and Chaos, this man is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and oscillates between stoicism and wildness.  He also happens to possess OCPD:  Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder.

OCPD is NOT to be confused with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).  Whereas OCD is specifically an anxiety disorder, OCPD is a personality disorder marked by an overwhelming desire to control one's own environment.  As defined on psychology.com, it is "characterized by a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency."

K. found OCPD through a humorous song produced by the YouTube channel Rhett and Link (@rhettandlink).  As they go on to explain in the following video, however, neither OCPD or OCD are a laughing matter.  And this pain is EXACTLY what K. intends to bring out in his graphic novel.  How he will do so remains to be seen...

Brad: Beginning a Business

A passionate fisherman with an interest in the Montauk area, Brad is not unaware of the startling decline in the striped bass population.  After much research into the history of the charter fishing industry, he has determined that overfishing and various illegal fishing procedures have contributed to this trend.  He believes that the public needs to awake to the danger posed to this fish.  He sees himself as a future charter fisherman, as a guide who can startle the layperson into demanding reform.

But such a vision, Brad wisely reasons, is bound to the future and, perhaps, does not utilize all of his talents.  To this end, he has decided to combine his interests in economics and art to begin an advocacy business for the striped bass.  His plan is represented by the graphic above.  Currently, he is producing paintings and drawings of the fish in the hopes of selling these and using the money both as donations and in order to finance his burgeoning ventures.  He is also constructing a public awareness flyer that he will send to tackle shops and conservation agencies.  From there, he will begin to prototype logos for various merchandise (e.g., stickers, T-shirts) and promote his work through a website and Kickstarter profile.

Any advice for - or resources to share with - Brad? Please post in the comments section below.

Descriptions of images:  Brad's business plan, top middle.  A striped bass, pictured middle right.  Second photo found on commons.wikimedia.org.  Kildonan and its IP program claim no ownership over this image.)

Tim: The Threat of ISIS

An astute and critical researcher, Tim is currently engaged with various projects.  In addition to learning game design through GameSalad.com and repurposing a car from which to launch a drone with a fellow IP student, he is currently examining drone operation alongside the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and Islamic State (otherwise known as ISIS or ISIL).  Tim recognizes that the nature of ISIS - along with virtually any other story addressed by mainstream media - depends (in part) upon the news agency (international or otherwise) that a person decides to consult.  Though he encourages the reader to evaluate any story by consulting a variety of sources (such as the links below), this post will primarily utilize information from CNN.com (@CNN).

ISIS, led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (a.k.a. Al-Khalifah Ibrahim), began as a splinter group within al Qaeda.  Its aim, simply stated, is to "create an Islamic state across Sunni areas of Iraq and Syria."  Tim argues that, in some ways, the organization is already operating as a "nation" by instituting independent police and food-distribution networks over its "constituents."  Over the past year, the group has garnered international attention and alarm by the United States for its gruesome executions (including crucifixions and beheadings) as well as its repeated threats to invade America and "raise [the] black flag over [the] White House."

Having examined the uproar concerning drones, Tim believes that Americans need to turn their attention away from these devices.  They need to cease diverting their attention and focus it, as he believes, upon the true threat:  ISIS.  He asks:  "Who are you scared of? The terrorist organization that crucifies, tortures and decapitates people? Or the drones that protect them from you?"

What do you think? Post a response in the comments section below.

For more information on ISIS, please consult this article from CNN, this article from Fox News (@FoxNews), any variety of articles from Al Jazeera (@AJEnglish), various resources provided by the BBC (@BBCWorld), other resources not mentioned here, or the following video interview provided by VICE News (@vicenews):