iOS 11 by Karthik Sankar

iOS 11

by Karthik Sankar

Almost every teen these days has a smart phone and the majority of them use a iPhone. It’s a tool that we use almost every day so it’s important to know what changes will be coming this September. Unless you are an Apple Developer, you’re likely on iOS 10. Developers can access an early beta of the new OS. The final version will be available when the iPhone 8 launches (with the public beta releasing at sometime between now and then). So here is everything you can expect to change with the new update:

• New dock. Apple has been pushing the iPad Pro as a computer replacement extremely hard recently. Now you can swipe up, similar to the way you access control center, and get access to a mac-like dock. This dock will also let you create new floating multitasking windows. Obviously you can also launch apps using it.

• File Browser. No one thought this day would come. Android as allowed users access to its file system since the very beginning and now Apple is starting realise they should too. In fairness, I lied. The day didn’t come. Apple’s file browser isn’t REALLY a file browser. Instead it lets you access documents from certain apps and access cloud storage (things like Google Drive, Onedrive and Dropbox). At least it’s a step in the right direction.

• AirPlay 2. This will let you tell your iPhone which room you are in and use the appropriate speakers.

• Revamped Control Center. Remember the good old days? Back in ios 9 when we had a one page control center? Everything was way simpler back then. Well, iOS 11 is bringing that back! Control center is now one page, and now has 3D touch (simple to force touch) integration for newer devices. (iPhone 6s and above) As if taking cues from the iPhone users who jailbreak, Apple is now letting you customize the buttons on the control center. Once again, a step in the right direction.

• QR codes. Someone of us love them and the rest have never used them. Now the native iOS camera can read QR codes! This means you can delete that annoying third party app and now can scan QR codes directly from your phone. This is a feature that should have been introduced years back but, as seems to be the theme of the new OS, at least it's a step in the right direction.

I Am Not Just A Label Yoshiyuki Mitsukuni

I Am Not Just A Label

Yoshiyuki Mitsukuni

*All names in the story have been changed except mine(and quotes).

Have you ever wondered why everyone sticks with their own “kind?” Peer labeling is happening all over the world. Not just your peers, but everyone around you “labels” you on how you look and act. That’s not really fair, is it? If you don’t do something about it, it might raffect others as well.

            Looking back, I realize how many times that happened to me and I didn’t do anything about it. Back in third grade, I was considered a “nerd” because I usually got everything right.  But,that’s not true! Normally, during recess I would stay inside reading or helping the teacher out in class. But, I had to give someone else a turn. So, I went outside much to my dislike. I decided to go play on the playground. As I walked up the stairs to get on the slide, a kid known in the school as “The Chewer”* pushed me off and said, “What’ya doin’ here nerd? Go’an play chess with them other losers!”(I personally love chess, I would never call someone who plays chess a loser.) Not knowing what to do or say that’s what I did. I remember going home in tears that day. This had been one to many times that this has happened. That’s  when I realized that was the last time I was ever going to take something like that. EVER.

            The problem is that labeling happens so often, that people don’t recognize that they are hurting somebody.

But, Jason P. Stadtlander from the Huffington Post says,  “No, I am not a sum of my labels. I am someone  unique, with my own views, perspectives and opinions. But to say that I am a word or that a word really describes me wouldn’t be accurate.” This shows that he will not become what those labels say he is.He will be his own person.  Unjudged.

            Even after my promise not to take those labels, I have gotten labeled countless times. But this one time it happened to my friend Anjali*. She had missed maybe six months of school because she went to India with her parents to take care of her sick grandparents. Seeing as she missed more than half of the entire school year, she had to redo fourth grade. The kids in her class called her “dumb”, “an insult to all Indians around the world” , “idiot”. She gave up her social life, risked being ridiculed by her classmates, and went to take care of her grandparents.

One way, that we could stop or at least lower the amount of times that this happens, is by educating kids, and adults about the dangers of peer labeling .Educating adults will show them what’s happening to their children, and the fact that this is happening in the adult world as well.

            According to Carol N. Trueman, author of “The Labeling Theory,”    “Labeling can also mold the way someone behaves in their lives especially if they cannot shake off that label.” This means that people will behave the way that they are labeled, if they cannot get rid of their label. For example, if one kid gets called a nerd and he can’t shake it off, he will become a nerd just to fit with that label.   Adam Alter, author of “The Dangers of Peer  Labeling”,  says, “But it's important to recognize that the people we label as "Stupid," "slow," "rich," poor," smart," and "simple," seem stupider, slower, richer, poorer, smarter, and simpler merely because we've labeled them so.” This means that even though we label people to be a certain way it does not make them how we think they should be.  Many people have had this problem, but some bullies take it way too far. The victims take actions that would be regrettable.                                      

Many students notice the labeling, but are afraid of what is called “Social Death.” Telling the teacher, principal,   paraprofessional, etc, would cause all of the other students to laugh, call them a crybaby, snitch, or altogether stop talking to them, you know, “shunning.”

            Another way this can be stopped is by making an anonymous “tip” box, so that students can report what they see is happening from their point of view anonymously. So that they can feel good about reporting something bad that happened, but will not get teased by their friends. But even so, everything we try to stop peer labeling, it will not stop.

Research by Kate Dailey of Newsweek shows this, “Kids are the ones who are most damaged by Middle-school labeling. Those kids are also at a disadvantage because the label that sticks the most isn’t one given by peers, but by the Middle-school system itself, and one that disproportionately affects kids. Tracking—the process of putting kids in remedial, gifted, or average-level classes—has a lasting impact well beyond graduation. “They get messages all along the way about how good and bad they are. The kids who are on the low tracks know that they are. They know what their status is,” she says, and the label of “smart” or “dumb” carries long beyond “band geek” or “nerd.” This means that people aren't labeling each other, the school system itself is labeling them. By putting kids in certain classes the school system itself is the one starting all of this bullying and such.

            One other  way to stop peer labeling is not to make students feel bad about class that they are in.  Putting kids in remedial, gifted, or average-level classes, is not right, and they should be treated the same. Just because a kid is in a remedial class, it doesn’t make them stupider than everyone else. If a kid is in a gifted class it doesn’t make them smarter than everyone else. Everyone is equal.  

            Thinking about the future, I realize  that if we don’t take action on something like this then, we will be in a horrific shape!!! It reminds me of my favorite book, Divergent. The main character had to “Stick with her own clan” and not make friends outside of it. We will soon become like that if we don’t take action about this issue.

            Has my question from the beginning been answered? Peer labeling is happening all over the world, and we have to do something about it.  There are many different ways to  solve this worldwide problem. With these solutions I hope, that many people will take action and stop this problem from expanding.

Citations

Alter, Adam. “Why It's Dangerous to Label People.” Psychology Today, Sessex Publishers, 17 May 2010, www.psychologytoday.com/blog/alternative-truths/201005/why-its-dangerous-label-people. Accessed 21 Feb. 2017.

Trueman, Carol N. “The Labelling Theory.” History Learning Site, History Learning Site, 16 Aug. 2016, www.historylearningsite.co.uk/sociology/crime-and-deviance/the-labelling-theory/. Accessed 21 Feb. 2017.

Kulhanek, Sadie. “Middle School - Labels & Stereotypes.” Prezi.com, 18 Oct. 2016, prezi.com/yad_wdriiunj/middle-school-labels-stereotypes/?webgl=0. Accessed 21 Feb. 2017.

Stadtlander, Jason P. “Casting Off Stereotypes: I Am More Than a Label.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 20 June 2014, www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-p-stadtlander/right-and-wrong-good-and-_b_5504133.html. Accessed 21 Feb. 2017.

"Indiana University Bloomington." IIDC - The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2017.

Dailey, Kate. "Can You Ever Escape Those High-School Labels?" Newsweek. N.p., 16 Dec. 2010. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.

“Book Review of I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios” by Vanditha Krishnan

“Book Review of I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios”

by Vanditha Krishnan

I just finished writing a review of Something Real, also by Heather Demetrios, and I found it so fascinating that I checked out another one of her contemporaries, I’ll Meet You There. Now this one actually has a cheesy title with an even cheesier cover, but I read it regardless. It was definitely a great decision, and it was MUCH better than its predecessor.

Plot: Skylar Evans has had one main goal throughout her life, and it’s not that easy to accomplish. She wants to get out of her tiny, isolated town of Creek View, California, and begin a new life. Of course, that’s where she runs into problems; some are much worse than others. For one, she reunites with her high school classmate, Josh, who’s had some problems of his own. He returns from the military with one leg but has a much better, disciplined personality. And when high school graduation comes up, her mother suddenly loses her job and begins drinking heavily -- again. Skylar slowly realizes that staying in Creek View is not necessarily a choice. She connects with Josh through struggles and belonging in this heartwarming novel, and both of them begin to build an everlasting friendship.

Characters: Skylar’s pain was tangible in every way; her arduous journey through poverty proved to be relatable to many teens. After her mother's raging alcoholism worsens, we feel nothing but regret and sorrow, and as readers, we want to help her. That’s where Josh comes in. He’s like that second puzzle piece that slides right into the other one. He desperately wants to get out of Creek View as well, but he’s dragged into his family’s tedious business and has too many traumatic memories from the military to count. Dylan and Chris were nice friends, and they truly cared for Skylar and helped her through difficult times.

Thoughts: The book illustrated many distressing conflicts, especially about Skylar’s life growing up poor. I loved the addition of Josh’s terrible experience in the military, and it added insight to how scarring life in the military could be. I’d say that this novel ranks much more superior in the world of great books compared to Demetrios’ other novel, Something Real, mainly because of the characters’ opposite personalities, yet the synchronization of their goals and aspirations. It’s a quick read, but definitely a good one!

My Rating: 9/10

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21469068-i-ll-meet-you-there

How to write a blog by Karthik Sankar

How to write a blog by Karthik Sankar

            If you are like me, you love the internet and maybe you’re wondering how you could start a blog. You could be an aspiring writer. You might have great stories to tell. Whatever the reason, here is how:

1. First, you need to choose a service. While it is possible to make a website from scratch, it’s very hard and the work won’t be worth the reward. (The following are services I have used before and have a free version)

1. Blogger is a great service that was bought by Google in 2003. It’s been a while and Google seems to be neglecting it now. It’s a bit out of date but has great core features.
2. Wordpress is another good service. They will give a modern look with many of the same features as Google.
3. If the blog posts you will be writing make the old posts relevant then you should look into Google Sites. This is less neglected than blogger so it can have a modern look (if you design it right)

2.                  Now that you have chosen one, it’s time to choose a name. Assuming you want a free blog, you will have to use a subdomain (BlogName.example.com) or something like example.com/BlogName. Choose something relatively short so it is easy to type and something memorable so people remember what to type. Try to avoid adding numbers to your name.

3.                  Write a blog post! Make sure all your posts are well written because you never know when a potential reader will find your blog.

4.                  Get the word out. Tell people you know about your new blog. If you did everything correctly, they will tell their friends and your blog will grow.  If you are extremely committed you may want to advertise your blog. This would only make sense if you are planning on making money off the blog. If you want to advertise your blog I would highly recommend using something like Google Adwords. Finally, make use you add some way for users to subscribe to new posts. Most people don’t like constantly checking a website for new content. A way for people to follow your blog will help you retain an audience.

5.                  Pat yourself on the back for all your hard work

Anyone can write a blog. What are you waiting for?

Dracula by Bram Stoker Review by Nina Claudia Soukhanovskii

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Review by Nina Claudia Soukhanovskii

“If ever a look meant death— if looks could kill— we saw it at that moment.” –Bram Stoker, Chapter 16 of Dracula

Introduction of the Genre

This is a book that is considered classical literature. Now. Do NOT get all whiney and automatically reject this book, because let me tell you right away: not all classic books are boring! Personally, I enjoy classical literature and read a lot of books that others would never even try, but that is just what I was exposed to as a little kid and what I have loved for most of my life. This was book was something entirely different. It was a combination of classical literature and horror, which is why I think many teens will enjoy this book. And don’t worry! It’s not super creepy. It’s a mix of about 40% horror and 60% mystery, for those who cannot sleep at night. 

Introduction of the Style

In addition to being a more modern-taste classical book, this book is also written a style that is a bit different than what you are used to. In other words, there is no main narrator of this book. It is a collection of diary entries from various characters, as well as clips from newspapers to relate the events that happened. Therefore, the style varies from character to character (as each character has their own way of writing events in their diaries). If this does not suit you and you do not think that you will like this book, don’t leave yet! Get the book from the library and read the first several chapters before judging a book by its cover, as trite as that may sound.

Summary

Count Dracula is said to live in the Carpathian Mountains. Obviously, he is a vampire and there are rumors about how he hunts little children at night and feasts on their blood. 

However, Jonathan Harker does not believe any of these “stories” and visits the Count in his castle for some business. Although the journey to the castle was a little strange, the Count seems nice enough. He gives Jonathan a hearty dinner and a comfortable room to sleep in. He is also very pleasant to talk to, and he only tells Jonathan that he cannot go into a certain area of the castle as the “single rule” of his visit.

At first, Jonathan thinks that the stories people tell about the Count are false and that when he leaves he will prove everyone wrong. But soon enough, Jonathan begins to notice strange things about the Count.

First of all, he never sees the Count during the day. The castle always seems empty and lonely. Second, the Count never dines with Jonathan. Certainly, he sits and talks to Jonathan as he eats, but he never eats any of the food himself. 

But when Jonathan is shaving with a piece of razor in the bathroom one early morning, something extremely strange happens. In the mirror, Jonathan sees the door open and close by itself. He turns around and sees the Count standing behind him. He is so startled that he jumps, and cuts himself with the razor. The Count does not have a reflection! But what is even more strange is the look on the Count’s face when he sees the blood streaming down Jonathan’s neck. Just for a second his eyes sparkle greedily and he looks as if he is ready to pounce. But then his eyes clear up and he helps Jonathan stop the bleeding.

After this incident, Jonathan is more wary. He observes the Count closely and tries to figure out what he does and who he really is. One night, he sees the Count crawling down the wall of his castle (outside) like a lizard. He gets to the ground and runs off somewhere like a wild animal that has been let loose. And, most importantly, the Count is wearing Jonathan’s clothes! 

That same night, Jonathan hears a baby crying in the room next to his. He hears footsteps, and then a slurping sound. The baby whimpers painfully, and then all is still. Jonathan shudders. Then, he hears a woman screaming for her baby. When he glances out of the door of his window, the woman glares at him and yells, “Monster, give me back my baby!” And then it hits Jonathan that the Count was in his clothes, meaning everyone will think that he took the baby.

A prisoner in the castle (for Jonathan realizes that there is no way out and that he is locked inside), he goes quite crazy and begins to ramble mentally.

Simultaneously, Jonathan’s beautiful wife, Mina Harker, keeps a diary at home. She writes about how much she misses her husband and how she spends her quite ordinary life. But when he does not return as promised, she begins to worry.

In addition, her friend, Lucy, has been acting strangely. She has a dazed look and a red mark on her neck that seems to never heal. One night, Mina swears she sees Lucy sitting on a rock near the shore with a dark figure hunched over her. 

When Jonathan and Mina finally reunite, they tell each other what happened and together decide to fight this monster until he stops plaguing the village and its people. It’s something only brave souls would choose to do, and Jonathan and Mina use the power of love and teamwork to try and achieve something that they never thought they would have to do…. 

My Thoughts + Rating

I would give this book a 8/10 (so 4/5 stars on Goodreads) for several reasons. Let’s start with the positives. I really enjoyed the style of the book and I thought it was interesting how Stoker would switch around the narrators to connect all the events and add to them (based on what characters experienced the events and how it happened). I also enjoyed the “mystery” factor of this book because I found myself trying to guess and who the Count was myself and trying to figure out his next move in terms of what Jonathan and Mina were planning. However, the reason why my rating is missing 2 stars is because I thought there could be a little more history on how Count Dracula was treated throughout different cultures and religions. The book started right when Jonathan is traveling to the castle, so I did not understand why he kept mentioning the Count as a mystery that nobody really understood until after I met the Count. That was a little confusing, but there is plenty of supplements online that I found after researching so if you find yourself confused you can search up “Count Dracula” on Google. Otherwise, this book was a thrilling read and I recommend it to everyone.

“Opinions on Something Real by Heather Demetrios” by Vanditha Krishnan

“Opinions on Something Real by Heather Demetrios”

by Vanditha Krishnan

They say ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ and as much as we hate to admit it, most of us teens pick up a juicy book and begin reading just because of that gorgeous sunset on the cover. It’s something real (excuse the pun) and I’m pretty sure that everyone has done that at least once in their lives… am I right? Anyway, Something Real is a YA contemporary novel by the fantastic author Heather Demetrios. It’s my first time reading one of her works, and my impressions on this novel were, to say the least, interesting.

Plot: Bonnie™ Baker seems like your average 17-year-old. Living with her twelve other siblings, -- that’s right, twelve -- Bonnie™ is the main star of her family’s hit reality show, Baker’s Dozen. Her life seems to revolve around being in the spotlight, something her siblings love but she detests. Lucky for Bonnie™, the show is suddenly canceled and the Baker family finally gets to live life normally. That is, until Baker’s Dozen is coming back on air, this time with a bang! With such a large family to support, Bonnie™’s stepfather Kurt has no other option but to allow his growing household to be in the spotlight. And Bonnie™’s mom is definitely not letting her daughter quit. The normal life at school Bonnie™ has worked so hard to build is disappearing quickly, and she must find a way to protect it.

Characters: Bonnie™ was a sweet, intelligent character, but sometimes she was annoying. Part of the story involved her fussing over everything and arguing with everyone. Yet, you would expect this coming from someone with such a terrible home life. Her pain was extremely relatable, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for everything she had to go through. Patrick was a loyal friend, and he definitely helped her in many ways throughout the novel, but he seemed too perfect if you know what I mean. Most characters are flawed in one way or aspect, but Patrick had it all. I mean, compared to Bonnie™, he had great, supportive parents who loved him no matter what. His character made the book so much better, though. Benny™ and Lex™, Bonnie™’s twin cousins, really looked for her; Demetrios built a strong family bond that changed a lot throughout the novel. You can’t forget about Beth, the thirteen children’s callous, narcissistic mother. I felt like screaming at her multiple times; what parent forces their child to be exploited on national television against their will? And who would ever trademark their children’s names? I was constantly appalled by Beth’s selfish behavior, perfect on television but aloof off air.

Thoughts: Not a bad book, but it was predictable -- another one of those stories (a girl from a rich family has a harpy for a mother and must find a way to overcome her struggles). However, Beth’s unmotherly character made the story much more intriguing than it usually should be. She added tremendous depth and broke the tight bond of love and friendship that was going on throughout the novel. So if you’re a fan of sappy contemporaries, or looking for a quick read like me, this is the way to go.

My Rating: 7/10

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15789443-something-real

Blockchain By: Vaenthan Gnanarajah

Blockchain

By: Vaenthan Gnanarajah

How many of you have heard about blockchain? Blockchain is a database that stores transactions from cryptocurrencies and are recorded publically and chronologically. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are digital currencies that are heavily secured. Cryptocurrencies can use blockchain as proof for all transactions. The way it works is that a block is created to record recent transactions. Once the block is completed another block will be made in a never ending cycle. These blocks are linked in chronological order and can not be modified or deleted. All users of a blockchain system will be able to monitor their transactions simultaneously. This new tool will most likely transform the finance industry due to its simplicity, security and effectiveness. Recently, CNBC published an article on large banks’ interest in blockchain. HSBC, KBC, Natixis, Rabobank, Societe Generale, Deutsche Bank, and Unicredit are working with IBM  in developing blockchain technology to use in their business. The blockchain is expected to be ready by the end of 2017. This is one of the first times blockchain will be used by big banks. With this innovative technology, these banks will have the luxury to expedite their domestic and international transactions more effectively. If you are in  the finance or information technology world keep your eyes open!

The article can be found here:

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/26/ibm-building-blockchain-for-seven-major-banks-trade-finance.html