Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Please Introduce Your New Maps, Paths, and Vistas!

It has been proven thousands of times: one person can, indeed, make a difference: one single person can change the world!

In this conference we will highlight some of the changes that have happened because someone had a new idea, saw things slightly differently, or acted in a way that was somewhat unusual.

Topics from a variety of disciplines are welcome, including (but not limited) to:
* World Literature,
* Film,
* Visual Arts,
* Music,
* Dance,
* Movement Arts,
* Martial Arts,
* Yoga,
* Spirituality,
* World Religion,
* Philosophy,
* Alternative Medicine,
* Mainstream Medicine,
* Biology,
* Chemistry,
* Math,
* Physics,
* Environmental Studies,
* Political Science,
* Anthropology,
* Sociology,
* History,
* etc.

If you would like to present at the conference, please submit your name, the title of your talk, and a brief abstract by February 27th to this blog! Oral presentations should be short (5 minutes max) but can be accompanied by more in-depth submissions to this blog either before or after the conference.

Thank you,

Gudrun

39 comments:

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Riza Kazemi said...

“Music as a global way of communication : Can music improve our lives and society?”


There are many ways of communicating: words, pictures, sounds. But it is really hard to use one to speak to all- all the people no matter what their cultural backgrounds are. But researches have shown that such kind of language is possible and they call it music. No matter what our ages, colors, education levels or sexes are, we feel almost exactly the same way after listening to the same melody.

We often listen to music to boost our moods walking to class or riding a bus to school. It is rather simple action that improves our lives. But now we can reach every single person out there with this magical tool, would it be possible to use music to improve societies?

This research project examines different researches done on impacts of music on people, and then uses the fact that music is a universal language to propose a way to improve not only individuals' lives but also societies by using this language.

Ramnik Pandher said...

"Nuclear Weapons:What are the advantages and disadvantages?"

Nukes are usually frowned upon, obviously, but I wanted to know if there was any benefit from the introduction of nukes to the world. Many lives had been lost due to nukes, but there are other questions worth asking regarding this issue, like did the introduction of nukes stop world war 3 from occurring? Did it act as a deterrent?

My paper will give a history of how nuclear weapons came to be, how they have impacted our world, and how they play a role in the world today.I will examine history and search for examples where nukes were beneficial, as they were in 1946, helping stop a Soviet invasion of Iran. My paper will also cover how nukes gave a new meaning to the consequences of war and how they introduced a new type of politics.

Anonymous said...

Global Mapping: The Inside and Outside of the Earth


In the last twenty five years, human kind had developed technology that has allowed us to see the earth from a totally different and new perspective. Today, viewing the world from a three dimensional perspective has become increasingly popular as compared to using an old paper and road map. The most common three-dimensional mapping technology available comes in the form of GPS (Global Positioning System) software. For example, Google Earth uses GPS technology to map particular locations and they’re three-dimensional properties. So far, we have used this technology, most commonly, to map out the surface of the earth so we can see how humans are clearly interacting with the world today. So, what happened if we could map the inside of our earth and maybe even our atmosphere?

At the rate technology is improving currently, the activity of geological mapping of the earth has definitely increased. Unlike in the early 1900’s, we can now explore and record all sorts of different data that we would need to know about the earth around us including mineral locations, how deep inside the earth the mineral cavities or mineral veins are located, tectonic plate movement, magma and crust interactions, and much more. So, could we collaborate all of this information to create one big three-dimensional map so we can see virtually what is inside the earth? Plus, could we also do this for the atmosphere, while including the non-stop action of changing weather patterns?

In this essay, I will focus my attention on the idea of the possibility creating a three-dimensional map for both the inside and outside of the earth. There will be many questions and topics that will have to be covered, as well as many parameters taken into account, such as political interactions across the world, the constantly changing earth and the bare human interaction with the earth. By taken these thoughts into mind, I believe we can determine how possible it would be to create a three dimensional map of the world inside and out without using the math of statistics.

Natasha Tripp said...

Myths and Folklore in Pop Culture: An Analysis of the Creatures in the CW Show “Supernatural”

Stories of vampires, werewolves, and other creature of the night have been around for centuries. Each tale is slightly different and may depict the creature in an altered way, give them a new ability, or a previously unknown weakness. The monsters in the CW Show “Supernatural” have also been changed from the traditional horror stories; these changes cause the evil to become relatable characters. In doing this the creatures become a metaphor for the human condition. Some make a choice to embrace the dark part of them that exists in every person and become evil, others are born human and then lose themselves in the transition to another form or persona, and others are completely unaware of the damage they cause and the people they hurt. These characters become a caution to the audience and a reminder of the consequences of a person’s actions.

Tanjot Gill said...

"What motivates altruism among human beings?"

Altruism and Compassion exists among the human race, whether is based upon religious beliefs or implanted into DNA. What causes humanity to bring about this compassion towards others has caused discussion. Some feel the answer is our genetics, compassion is something that has been engraved in our genetic make-up, and it is a part of our bodies. There are others who feel that it is an act brought about in situations that require or need to help of those in need. It’s a part of every being, and we are all capable to delving into this greatness. Altruism is brought about from what is implanted within the brain, or beliefs and morals mankind has held strong to. Everyone is capable of acting on the compassion they feel towards certain situations. However, compassion and altruism is not seen within all of humanity. There are those who are put in situations and lifestyles that hinder these capabilities. It is something innate, an autonomic function within the body; it can be brought about when the body is simple placed in a “fright of flight” state. It can be something motived through nurture, religion and morals brought up within families and communities. Altruism is what allows people to go beyond their comfort zones and realize what greatness human beings are capable of. It teaches those who are in need to move forward in the toughest situations.

Puneet Brar said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Puneet Brar said...

"Unveiling true beauty: the change of ideals in North America"

What is it that defines beauty in present day North America? The 21st century came, and brought with it, advancements in technology, science, medicine, and even beauty. It can be argued both ways, but we feel as if the advancements in beauty brought about a change in the very definition of beauty and its ideals. The media influenced images which we have all become accustomed to have slowly lowered the self esteem of women both young and old alike, giving beauty a new and distorted “face”. Beauty has played an influential role in the lives of humans since the start of mankind, but it’s the changes that have been made and the ideals created and accepted that we will discuss in this paper

Jasmine Bassi said...

"Unveiling true beauty : The Change of Ideals in North American"
What is it that defines beauty in present day North America? The 21st century came, and brought with it, advancements in technology, science, medicine, and even beauty. It can be argued both ways, but we feel as if the advancements in beauty brought about a change in the very definition of beauty and its ideals. The media influenced images which we have all become accustomed to have slowly lowered the self esteem of women both young and old alike, giving beauty a new and distorted “face”. Beauty has played an influential role in the lives of humans since the start of mankind, but it’s the changes that have been made and the ideals created and accepted that we will discuss in this paper.

Joey Chan said...

“Technology, useful, harmful, or both?”
Tablets, cellphones, and laptops are everywhere and anywhere. The society in North America today is filled with people who are constantly using their new gadgets and cannot wait to buy the next big thing. From IPhones, IPads, to blackberries and tablets, people desire to have the latest and fastest technology in their hands. Many people cannot even sit down without checking their facebook, twitter, or email at the click of a button. Technology is good, but is it affecting the way we are communicating with close ones? When you sit down with a friend, you want them to listen to you talk instead of seeing them check their cellphones every two minutes or hearing their phones vibrate on the table. Are these gadgets really necessary for us to communicate with people across the world or are they just distracting us from the people in front of us? Technology, its advancements, and how technology influences us will be investigated and discussed.

rebeccarogerson said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jane Chow said...

Who is the Father of Confederation: John A. MacDonald or George Brown?

John A. MacDonald (1815-1891), he was a witty lawyer and a suave politician. Also, he was the leader of the Conservative Party and became the first prime minister of Canada. George Brown (1818-1880), he was a man who served the country with no personal ambition as a politician. And he was a man who defended his values as a journalist and the owner of a newspaper company, “The Globe” (1844). He was leader of the opposition party, Clear Grit (known today as the Liberals). In my research paper, I will determine “[t]he man who made union feasible” (Marquis 1998) by focusing in only two main people, John A. MacDonald and George Brown. In addition, which man truly made Canadian Confederation (1867) happened and peace, order and good government (Constitution Act 1867) possible.


Jane Chow

Jessica Kwok said...

Becca Tsai, Tessa Lawson, Jessica Kwok

“Bettering health one laugh at a time”

Everyone has heard the saying “laughter is the best medicine” and there is now research to support this overused cliche. Dr. Madan Katari, founder of laughter yoga, states that “When you start laughing, your chemistry changes, your physiology changes, and your chances to experience happiness are much greater" (Samuels 53). Parallel to Dr. Kataria’s statement, studies show that laughter yoga is able to help reduce depression (Mahvash et al. 322-327), lower blood pressure and blood glucose levels (Suraj-Narayan et al.) as well as reduce the severity of symptoms which arise from serious mental illnesses (Mesidor). Although the first Laughter Club was initiated in 1995, laughter yoga is still a relatively new concept to the world and has opened everyone’s eyes to the benefits of laughter (Laughter Yoga International). Given that it is a cheap alternative to other forms of exercise, since no equipment or resources are used, laughter yoga will likely expand to be just as popular as hot yoga or hatha yoga.

Tyler MacDonald said...

“Scouts Canada : The foundation of a successful life or a babysitting group”



When you heard about Scouts you think about tents, campfires, knots, canoes and all those good things that have to do with the wilderness. While Scouting is mainly focused on supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, they also make sure that they are ready to play constructive roles in society. Although, despite this, there are still some people who take advantage of such a great organization. Children are encouraged to join from a very young age to any older. There are very old scouters as well, but the main concern is the parents who basically ‘drop’ there kids off just to get rid of them. While some may think of this as I problem, I say, it is better this that to do nothing. Scouting is and was the best days of my life, and has proven to be a fantastic organization in helping young men and women realize their potential and grow up to be fantastic humans.

- Tyler MacDonald

Kevin E Xu said...

" Governmental Efficiency "

Democracies and Republics are by far the most commonly seen form of government on Earth, however as history has shown they are not the most efficient form of government out there. From the first mention of passing a bill to actual implementation there is copious amounts time spent deliberating, formalities used. As Winston Churchill put it, "Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those others that have been tried." Although like many other forms of government, Democracy can work, and does in most scenarios, however it has clearly not been optimized, nor is not corruption free.

In this research article I will be covering the inadequacies of our current world governments and politics and analyzing ways in which it could be improved in an idealized scenario.

Maia said...

"Skill beyond counting: Changing the way we teach math"

Education influences all people in some way, ranging from increased stress caused by the difficulty of higher education to the lowered standard of living caused by the lack of formal education. It is an important goal in the field of education to better facilitate education in students, and it is one that is constantly taking new direction. The teaching of sciences, math in particular, has developed new innovations and ideas to accomplish this goal. Some of these new methods have been put into place already, with varying results, while others will be implemented in the future. Effectiveness of new methods and philosophies will be discussed, as well as differences among regions, cultures, and age groups.

Unknown said...

The Future of Medicine: Mobile Technologies in Healthcare

The purpose of this research is to identify and evaluate the most promising opportunities for integrating mobile technologies with the delivery or monitoring of healthcare services. Mobile technologies, such as Short Message Service (also known as SMS, or simply ‘text messaging’), are already transforming how healthcare is being delivered in all parts of the world. As powerful mobile devices and technology become more prevalent, especially in under-developed nations, there is enormous potential to improve the health outcomes of patients. This research will look at a variety of medical and technological resources to formulate a collection of actionable opportunities that have so far been overlooked or underutilized.

Emily Storey said...

Transportation and environmentalism, by Emily Storey

In this essay I will explore one of the biggest challenges to the environmental movement: solving the transportation issue. We live during an era that is internationally connected like no time we have ever encountered. It is more common to possess goods that have been manufactured on the other side of the planet than it is to have something that was made in your hometown. People and products are constantly in transit throughout the globe and the toll of powering these journeys is becoming apparent on our environment.

Sustainable initiatives have been explored to resolve the impact that our societies are having on the environment but many of them have issues of their own. To reduce the affect due to transportation, eco-friendly vehicles have been introduced. With parts manufactured and shipped to different corners of the earth for processing these vehicles have an environmental impact comparable, if not worse, to those that guzzle gasoline. The research in this paper will attempt to provide true comparisons of the environmental impact and investigate solutions.

Chris Tong said...

Electronic Music: What is "real" music?

Merriam-Webster defines music as: " the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity". Science defines music as collection of mechanical waves through a medium. What do you define music as?

Music plays a big role in my life. I enjoy all genres of music and listen to music every day. One of my favourite genres is the electronic music genre. Electronic music consists of mostly beats and tones from computer devices, and occasionally with vocals. Today's music such as pop and rap, although not of the electronic genre, already contain a significant amount of electronic music components. As technology is progressing, it is also changing the way music is produced. With "classic" instruments such as guitars and drums being replaced with digital alternatives, what do we define music as? As subjective as musical entertainment is, can music produced on a computer be considered as an art? Can these electronic counter parts entirely replace physical instruments in the future?

My research paper will explore these changes and questions, as well as the birth of these musical blips and blops.


Chris Tong

Laurie said...

Food Revolution- Because You Are What You Eat

Recently I watched and was inspired by Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution and Ministry of Food which documents his crusade in changing the British and American public schools meal plan. Although the Canadian school system does not include a government school lunch system, parents and students alike can still make poor decisions through misconceptions of what are healthy verses unhealthy food items. Through this research report, I want to firstly explain through researched studies why eating a wide range of foods can be so important in leading a fulfilling life. In addition, I will explain how making wholesome home cooked meals can be easy and affordable on a college student budget. Lastly, I wish to present some ideas from psychology explaining why food has us in its grasps and how to help people who are struggling make healthier choices. This should be the generation of students who can become educated on the issues of nutrition and food security to enjoy food to fullest.

Cole Whittleton said...

THE IMPACT OF THE INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA ON GLOBAL CULTURE

ABSTRACT

With the dawn of the 21st century, the rate of globalization has reached a break-neck speed. Alongside of economic integration on the global scale, cultural globalization is a new trend on the world stage. This exciting exchange of cultural ideas from between nations and individuals is being proliferated largely through the internet and social media. In and of itself, the internet has set up its own cultural ideas, values and norms which can be considered distinct from any previous culture in history. Furthermore, the internet acts as a meeting place for individuals where they can discuss a plethora of issues from religion to fine arts. In certain circumstances, this exchange of ideas can set up a counter-culture in relation to the culture that an internet user may find his or herself living in.

A question of internet regulation has arisen in global politics and is a point of contention with many organizations having a stake in the debate. Governments often want to prosecute individuals who upload pornography, pirated materials or hateful speech into cyberspace. But in doing so, they may overstep their bounds and establish an Orwellian censorship of global consciousness. As a proposed solution, the idea of global ‘cyber-rights’ has come into play in global conversation. Ultimately, the internet and social media are forging an integral influence in the globalization of culture and liberal ideas and while governments have a duty to discourage illegal activity through digital channels they also have a duty to protect the freedom of speech and ideas.

- Cole Whittleton
(Full availability on March 16)

Kevin Yang said...

Internet Censorship

Abstract

Whether if it be Facebook, research or even just to procrastinate aimlessly, the internet has become something vital to almost every one of us. The contents of the internet have become endless, ranging from simple Tweets to FBI databases of the darknet. It could be a sanctuary of peace for some and an abode of sin for others.
Today most people of the Western world that frequents the internet view it as a freedom (the UN has even officially claimed Internet Freedom as a basic Human Right). However acts of censorship are present in many nations. Most famously the Great Firewall of China has prevented Chinese citizens from accessing many websites including YouTube, Wikipedia and Facebook. This kind of information suppression is becoming more and more relevant to the people of the West as bills such as SOPA, ACTA and the C-11 bill of Canada suggests. These bills aim to “protect entertainment industries” by monitoring and censoring the Web. The integrity of freedom is at risk when the government attempts to muffle one of the basic human rights.

Unknown said...

"The Eye Writer: The past, the present and the future"

The eye writer project is a story of how the passion of a small group of people has come to create a revolutionary wave of change in medical technology. Constructed by a small international team inside on a dining room table in only two weeks time using scavenged materials from the beach and a PS3, the eye writer became the first eye-tracking based digital painting tool designed for used by paralyzed individuals who can move almost nothing except their eyes. How could such a break through have come about under such incredulous conditions?

Well, as Mick Ebeling, one of the founding members, puts it: "We had no idea if this was going to work." What is important, is that they tried. They were doing this project at the expense of Mick and his company for the sake of a friend, a street artist who had lost the ability to draw in2003 when the onset of ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease, completely paralyzed him save for the movement of his eyes. The eye writer was a promise from Mick and others to the friend to help him draw again.

What I wish to take from this story, is the type of spirit that causes a person to make such a commitment not knowing the outcome in the hope that positive change can be brought into the world. as well, I wish to examine the kinds of change it has led to in the two short years since its creation. Finally, I wish to point out why this project, which is still ongoing, is a model of development by collaboration that many of us can learn from.

John Chen (available all Friday)

Unknown said...

Grades: An effective incentive?

It is impossible to ignore that grades has a major influence on us and to most academic students. It determines if we pass a course, if we're eligible for scholarships, and not to mention if we need to hide them from our parents. Although it is intrinsic to our education system as our teachers, I simply must ask that do grades actually work as an incentive and are they even effective? What I mean by effective is to determine if grades mostly achieve the intended goals of those who proposed it and achieve the expectations of those who use it. The focus of my paper will attempt to ask those questions mentioned above, and look for the thinking process of how grades were proposed as an incentive scheme in the first place.

-Eddy Cheong

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Misinforming Their Way to your Wallet: Invisible Children
KONY 2012: Cover the City, news about this event is everywhere. You have heard about it, your neighbor has heard about it, the stray dog that runs past your backyard has even heard about it. Why is this so? Invisible Children produced a high budget documentary to make the world aware about the plight of children kidnapped and forced to join the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda. It was passionate, it was informative, it strung a chord in your heart and was instantly reposted and retweeted on social websites by young adults across North America.

The goal of my report, is to question the information provided to us by Invisible Children, to make a few allegations, defend a few of my opinions. My report aims to do this, while attempting to be unbiased about this sensitive topic.

Arnold Palha

Chris Tong said...

(My abstract is posted above) I have class from 4-7 on friday.

Chris Tong

Anonymous said...

(My abstract is posted above) I have class from 4-5 on Friday, March 16th.

rebeccarogerson said...

Healing Colours

Choromotherapy, more commonly known as colour therapy, is an ancient technique that is now beginning to play a prominent role in modern medicine. It originated in Eastern-Asia and Eygpt and has been practiced for thousands of years. Colour therapy in a non-invasive treatment that works by balancing the body’s energies in order to combat ailments. It has been proven that different diseases have different frequencies. When the correct colour is matched to the disease, a treatment can be found. I will be doing research on what specific colours correspond to specific ailments, the scientific research behind colour therapy, and the origin and history behind it.

Gudrun said...

Hi everybody,

Thousand thanks for posting. You actually confused me: I changed the title of the blog slightly when I added a few more posts two weeks ago, and this old site doesn't show any more on my screen.

The new site - where you can also post material - is at the following location:
http://new-maps-new-paths-new-vistas-ubc.blogspot.com/2012/03/abstract-archive.html

Please check this new link for updates and to post additional material. You don't need to repost what you have posted already.

Thanks for posting. Many of the abstracts look really interesting! I'll make a draft program tomorrow.

gudru

Kevan La Guardia said...

Drinking Coffee: Beneficial or Detrimental

Black, with sugar, with milk, double double, espresso. However you take it, coffee is everywhere. Cappuccinos, lattes, mochas; coffee is in there. Do you drink it every day? Or do you just drink it once in a while when you need an energy boost? And what does all this coffee add up to? Whether you are an avid coffee drinker or a one-cup every week person coffee will have its benefits and its disadvantages. Everywhere you go, there is a chance that a coffee shop is just around the corner, be it Starbucks, Tim Horton’s or Blenz.
Studies have shown that coffee or caffeine has its health benefits as well as being detrimental to your health. From breast cancer, heart disease and weight lost, coffee can be a surprising factor in how these come along. The purpose of this research essay is to recognize and assess the upsides and downsides.

- Kevan La Guardia

Gudrun said...

Hi Kevan,

You only posted your abstract when I had arranged people into groups already. I'll try to squeeze you into the first section - since two other people are planning to talk about food/nutrition. However, your topic sounds more like a high-school topic than a research topic. So I wonder if you don't want to look for something else. After all, you need to say something original. If you want to stick to your topic (coffee), maybe you can focus on the health benefits of coffee, since they are not quite as obvious.

Connor Wilson said...

Justin Colussi & Connor Wilson

" Cassius Clay: Fighting For Equality "

Muhammad Ali changed the game. Most people hear the name Ali and envision a conceited African American boxer standing over a victim in the ring wearing scarlet shorts and proclaiming himself as ‘the Champ’. In reality, the man originally name Cassius Clay was much more than that. He was an icon for black equality and social upheaval in a white man’s world.

From the respect he earned as boxing’s heavyweight champion of the world, Ali was placed in a position of influential power. He was one of the most controversial characters in social media, politics and sports. Many would argue that his arrogance and pride acted as a hindrance on the progression of black and white equality, and others regard his impact as positively influential as Gandhi’s. Our research report will examine how the personality, actions and ideas introduced by Muhammad Ali ignited a struggling black nation in the 1960’s. We will demonstrate the impact that he had on African Americans battling prejudice and mediocrity in not only the United States, but in all corners of the world. In many ways, Ali was the eccentric figure that finally pushed black people from the beaten path of injustice to a newly-paved path of pride and righteousness.

Anytime before 430

Chris Tong said...

Reply to: Riza Kazemi

I thought your research presentation on the effects of music as communicative tool was very intriguing. Words and speech are the most popular ways of communicating, but we often forget that we can also communicate through music. As your experiment proved to us, even though music can be very subjective we can all still receive the same “message” of certain sounds and music. Music can be very enjoyable to listen to on a daily basis and your research topic reveals a different view of how music can be enjoyed and interpreted. I think the direction you are going with your research paper is great.

Chris Tong

Jessica Kwok said...

Reply to: Riza Kazemi

Your presentation was very impressive, I was surprised that I was interested from the start to the end of the presentation. The demonstration you did was also well executed and illustrated your topic very well. After hearing your presentation, I really look forward to how your research paper will go.

Jessica Kwok

Jessica Kwok said...

Reply to: Puneet Brar and Jasmine Bassi

The topic you chose really allowed me to reflect on society today. The pictures you included in your presentation was very helpful in illustrating your arguement. Both of you seemed well prepared and showed that your research was well done.

Jessica Kwok

Jessica Kwok said...

Reply to: Chris Tong

Overall your presentation was well done. The only thing was that I couldn't hear much of the stuff you said because you weren't loud enough. But your powerpoint showed that you researched a lot and you provided lots of information. The topic you chose was also very unique and I enjoyed your new perspective of music.

Jessica Kwok

Kevin E Xu said...

Reply to Eddy Cheong

Your speech was quite good however, I was not able to hear you very clearly during your presentation. The points that you made were made sequentially and had clear logical conclusions. I think that you need to focus more on a particular age group in your presentation however, from teens to elementary or even University.

Kevin E Xu said...

Reply to Tyler MacDonald

Being a former cadet myself, I found your speech quite interesting. One point I noticed however is that you seem to be presenting on mondern Cadets and modern scouts rather than past Cadets and past scouts. The history of Cadets was quite brutal, involving beatings and other punishments. Other than that I believe that your presentation was excellent