Daniel Zidell's Blog

Blogging, Jawgging; A synopsis for the future

dzidell — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:37:37 +0000

In the near future, this blog will cease to continue. I shall explain its termination in detail soon to come, however, first, I must relay to you the utmost importance of this task and how it has both enabled me to become both a better writer and it has also enabled me to better understand what my views truly are. Although the topic I chose to discuss throughout this blogging process is a fairly minute one, the task itself has shown me that I can truly write about anything in great detail. That writing, regardless if the words being spoken are regurgitations of what has previously been stated; the words being placed on the page are affirmations of my beliefs. Seeing consistency between my posts have affirmed that I truly believe these things, and that my viewpoints have not deviated or deterred from my initial posts.

Although I plan on ending this blog, there is a possibility that I will continue to blog about other more pertinent issues, or even startup a blog with a more humorous focus. I have considered doing this due to my strange enjoyment in developing extremely esoteric, yet humorous blog posts about completely irrelevant things that somehow find a connection between not so related things. I hope you all as readers have enjoyed what I have had to say, although I feel I ultimately have not said much, I have found the trick to writing a good blog, a good anything, is to write about things that you are passionate about. For instance, although I know very little about sharks, I find their species absolutely fascinating, and for that reason alone I have been able to survive this semester rambling about Jaws and things of that nature. This is the point I seek to make; write about what you love, and what you ramble about may soon become interesting.

Reflecting through the Waves

dzidell — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:22:00 +0000

Throughout this semester I have escaped to the vast depths of the ocean and examined the misconceptions and misappropriations often associated with sharks. Often times we imagine sharks to be cold-hearted beasts…wait a minute, they are! But not in the sense we often imagine, sharks do not seek to annihilate the human race, it is merely the human who seeks to annihilate himself by taking the risk of life or death in a great predator’s domain. The ocean is shark territory, just as the land and sea is ours; the ocean is our final frontier, the final garrison controlled by a species beyond our own. As we begin to pinch and prod our way into the ocean and explore its vast reaches, it is inevitable that we will cause the same sort of calamities that we have caused to our own, to the sea. This, I must implore you, is why we need to allow sharks the freedom of their own domain as we have caused this world enough pain already. We are the only species on the planet that inherently destroys its own environment! If not for our sakes, let us preserve the planet for those who will follow us, as it is my sincere hope that my children will enjoy the world for all of the beauty it possesses, and not for the plagues we cancerous creatures create.

Shark Attack!!! Not really….

dzidell — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:36:16 +0000

Throughout this blog I have often expressed how shark attacks are not as prevalent as one would imagine. After seeing Jaws in my younger years, I envisioned a shark to be a monstrosity of a being, a ruthless killer adamant on achieving the singular goal of destruction. But as I have aged, I have begun to look at the facts and figures and have discovered that the numbers themselves are inaccurate representations for what the common beliefs of sharks truly are. For example, in the 2008, there were only 59 unprovoked shark attacks worldwide. That is an extremely low figure when considered at the global scale, and in comparison to the number of aviation fatalities in 2008 it appears to be an even slimmer figure, as there were 502 world-wide aviation-related fatalities in 2008 (that figure dropped nearly 200 from the year prior). Considering the fact that aviation-related deaths are so slim in comparison to the overall world population (over 6 billion inhabitants), the fact that only 59 unprovoked shark attacks worldwide truly showcases that the chances of a person getting attacked by a shark is astronomically slim. So when planning a vacation, plan on swimming—the ocean is safer than the air, and we Americans sure could use some exercise.

I found the above information at:

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/statistics/2008attacksummary.htm

http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/2009-02-19-01.htm

Do Megaladons still exist?

dzidell — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:18:20 +0000

Although as of now Megaladon’s are considered to be extinct, there is no such evidence that proves this. Although many people would be pleased by the definite fact that a 52 foot version of Jaws no longer exists, the possiblity still remains. As it happens, less than 5% of the deep sea has been explored, and even less than that has been sampled. With that said, how can we truly know if this creature is actually extinct? Many large animals make the bottom of the ocean their permanent dwelling, or atleast feed there like the Sperm Whales do (they have been known to dive 10,000 feet in search of giant squid). Also, a Megaladon tooth scientists found may actually be dated to 11,000 years ago, opposed to the initial 1.6 million year ago assessment, and as stated in the article, “In geological terms, that’s yesterday.” Personally, I think it would be interesting if they still existed, and I am confident Hollywood would feel the same as they could perhaps create an amplified version of “Jaws” for this newly discovered massive species of shark. But if there truly are Megaladons out there, I sure as heck would not be the person to discover them.

I found the above information at:

http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/evolution/megalodon_lives.htm

The Shark Alliance

dzidell — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:41:10 +0000

The above image can be considered a proposal argument due to a variety of factors. Firstly, the image itself is direct as it explicity implores the reader to save sharks, using dire languguage like, “we must save sharks.” Using the word “must” instead of a word like “should” conveys to the reader that it is an absolute necessity to save sharks, not that we should simply due to morality reasons.

The organization itself , The Shark Alliance, is attempting to reach out to potential supporters by expressing to them that shark species are depleting despite our inability to directly see the change, primarily due to our inability to live or constantly vacation in the ocean to see the direct effect on shark population. The Shark Alliance is not just trying to appeal to readers on the pure moral basis to save sharks, but they attempt to convince the reader by employing logical means, and showcase statistical evidence to support their claims. The image itself shows a shark that appears friendly enough (they definitely did not want to make the Great White Shark their spokesperson/shark). The shark itself almost blends with the background, but as conveyed in the image, the shark in the center is the only shark in the image whatsoever. The Shark Alliance did this purposely in order to convey to the reader the diminishing shark populations, and to perhaps invoke some form of sympathy for sharks (the shark itself looks sad).

So overall, I must say, the Shark Alliance did a nice job at creating a proposal argument by being assertive with their proposal, as well as implementing a variety of persuasive tools in their visual argument to help relate the reader to the argument at hand. Their effective implementation of the above strategies both enabled them to successfuly relay their message as well as keep the reader engaged in the topic at hand.

I found the above image at:

http://www.sharkalliance.org/sharkalliance2_images/users/Banners/about-us.jpg

Lights, Camera, Oh God a Shark just ate me

dzidell — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:46:58 +0000

Sharks truly are a fascinating species, and in this blog entry I have decided to include some of the more interesting facts that I have stumbled across and have deemed worthy of entry upon this magnificent web page.

The first fact I would like to present is that out of the 360+ species of sharks, only four of them present an innate danger to human beings, the four of them are as follows: Great White Sharks, Bull Sharks, Tiger Sharks, and White Tip Sharks. That means that if you were by chance to encounter a shark in the ocean the percent chance that you are in danger would be 1.11% (assuming that each species has the same amount in the ocean). With that percentage in mind, I feel a lot safer in the ocean. Although, if you do happen to cross one of these four species of shark, it would be good to know that most sharks swim 20-40 miles per hour….so the time-frame one has to identify the shark in question is quite limited, so in most cases…just relax, because if the shark wants to eat you, it most certainly will catch you. Another thing to know in case you feel like you are in danger, don’t bleed. If felt like danger prior to bleeding, I’d start praying at this point as sharks can smell one drop of blood in a million drops of water. So if you are in close proximity to a shark and are unsure if it is one of the four listed above, just wait to see if it starts jetting at you at 40 miles per hour…and if it opens up its mouth to expose its jaws, it is most likely not smiling at you, but you are welcome to wave if you feel impolite—I doubt it will return the gesture, but if it does be sure to get it on camera….before you die.

The information presented on this blog as well as the image above can be found at:

http://www.ultimate-animals.com/articles/interesting-shark-facts.htm

http://www.sciencefacts.us/interesting-facts-about-sharks/

http://www.lionsledbysheep.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/jaws-attack-02-opt.jpg

Great White Sharks eat….food

dzidell — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:31:02 +0000

Great White sharks have always been the poster-child for all sharks. Ever since the creation of the movie Jaws, the Great White shark has thus emerged as the direct image associated with the entire species of sharks. Amity Island, the real Great White Shark is an entirely different species, transfixed on an entirely separate issue; eating a hell of a lot of fish. Although some may be unaware, but sharks do not prey upon humans as their premier food source, it is quite the contrary. When and if a shark attacks a human there is always some justification of the matter. Whether it was due to the fact that human was surfing (and subsequently appeared to the shark to be a seal), or the shark was simply being curious and the only way they can investigate something on its merit of taste and nutritional value is by biting it (and as the title Jaws emphasizes, Great White sharks have rather large teeth to bite with). So here is some advice: if you go swimming in the ocean, don’t bleed. If you are going to go surfing, be careful and look out for twenty foot long animals jetting at you at twenty or so miles per hour, and lastly, if a shark attacks you….you are probably going to die so don’t sweat it.

This shark may eat you…you’ve been forewarned.

I found this image at: http://imagecache5.art.com/p/LRG/11/1156/TPRM000Z/brandon-cole-great-white-shark.jpg

Reap, Sow, What do ya know?

dzidell — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:32:43 +0000

Sharks, like Jews have been ostracized, hypocrisized, over-analyzed, deemed dangerous, walk like strangers amongst us, despite the respite in negative opinion, the insurgence, the recurrence will resume and consume, the ashes will billow and blanket us in a pillow full of bees, the nectar they will seize, no more honey just debris, but when the dust has settled, the sun will show that everything we are, everything we know, are inconsequential to everything we sow.

Paranormal Activity: Species destroys Habitat?

dzidell — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:55:09 +0000

In the United States we often look at organic life from a utilitarian standpoint, and within that specific viewpoint, we often misunderstand and inaccurately evaluate the reasons or rather, the importance in maintaining individual species on the planet. Although it is a viable reason to consider conservation for the sake of preservation of resources, our ultimate goal should be to maintain the delicate balance in our ecosystem. We as a species often forget that we are co-inhabitants in a variety of ecosystems, and although we are better equipped to migrate to other environments, once the majority of the natural resources in that particular environment are depleted, eventually we will run out of resources to replenish our extravagant use of scarce and vital goods. With that said, we need to preserve sharks due to the fact that they have existed as long as they have. Since they have been able to exist this long, they obviously play an important role in their ecosystem, if they did not, they would most certainly be extinct by now.

People often look at sharks as a pure detriment to their well-being (i.e. when they go swimming in the ocean and so forth). After reading this blog, hopefully people will look at the big picture and realize that our survival is co-dependent on maintaining balance in our ecosystem. Although some of us may feel like we are beyond animals and no longer need to worry about finding food and water and things of that nature, we are ultimately wrong. Our survival is dependent on the consistency and bounty of food and water, and so on. Although it may be easier for us to acquire these things, it should not negate the fact that food and water are resources and are not unlimited. Maintaining balance in our ecosystems is the key to ensuring that we will have enough food and water to survive as a species and we should never forget that every animal has a role in its ecosystem, and with the extinction of that animal that ecosystem could drastically change.

My examples are arguments of evaluation due to their ability to present an argument in a logical (logos) way. Each of the examples I provide showcases issues that concern us as a species, something we often forget due to our separation from other species on the planet. I also talk about how everything that currently exists in each ecosystem exists because it obviously has a role in that ecosystem. That ecosystem supports its role by nurturing and promoting growth of that individual species in that particular ecosystem. I do not think people often think about their role in their ecosystem, and by pointing out the facts that we do exist in an ecosystem, and do have a role in it, perhaps we will have a paradigm shift and decide to preserve our environment not just for the sake of its use, but for the survival of our species.

The Fabrications and Sensations of Sailors

dzidell — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:02:11 +0000

Sharks, like dreams, swim through their various streams of hate
Despair childhood flair, in their life in their dreams in their
Conscious in their screams they gnaw, they claw, they ache, they
Teem with questions, given no suggestions, and all they achieve
And receive is a mask of horror, but we should abhor the image, and be
Tired of the scrimmage of murder, the gurgle the gasp for breath
Too tired and inept to breathe the air, the freedom, never given their Eden
But is it our right to choose, who lives and who chews, the end of the stick
The end of the whip, who suffers and who screams, who grumbles and who sings?
One dream to the next, reading the book by the text, ignoring the notes in the margin,
The supposed worthless jargon, but in the notes we can see,
In the bold with the emphasee, that we have created a demon,
Perpetuated by the seamen, who exploit and are adroit at telling wondrous tales
As they hoist up their sails, and vilify the beast,
But if any damage is done it is our fault at the least,
Because our greed, our hunger, has perpetuated itself to the younger,
The children of hate, who continue to deny and berate,
The older, the wiser who see our mistakes, but we are a generation of snakes
Who bite to kill, but tremble like krill,
In the wake of a shark-like justice, who decrees like Augustus;
That we were wrong all along, and the pendulum continues to swing.