#3: Topic Insight

So it has been about a week since I have conducted usable research towards my topic, thus this post will be slightly (or significantly) off topic, maybe even rant-like.  I will try to introduce possible examples of my topic.  

I say that I have not done any "usable" research towards my topic, however I find myself searching and reading various articles within the realm of my topic.  This may be in part due to the recent self-realization that I might have "information addiction."  This, I believe, could be a byproduct of the twenty first century "information age."  Access to any information that we want is literally at our finger tips due to the advancements of smartphones (at least in developed nations).  It is convenient that my personal interests and my topic are very closely related, so my information addiction could easily help me with my research.

I have read articles related to the first 3D printed gun, advancements in 3D printable filaments, 3D metal printing, internet freedoms (in the US and in less developed nations), anti-pornography protests, bit torrent along with the Pirate Bay and copyright violations, hackers violating privacy, internet based black markets, and many more.  The Liberator pistol, is the first 3D printed (plastic) gun by a company called Defense Distributed, forever free to download.   It is curious to know that the only part of an AR-15 that has a serial number on it (and thus the part to be registered) is a part known as the lower receiver which could be made completely made out of plastic, plastic that could be 3D printed at one's home.  So, one could legally buy a 3D printer, filament, ammo and download these files, but illegally print parts to make an unregistered weapon.  This is just one example of the disadvantages to digital freedom.  Another quick example can be seen on YouTube by watching people trying to "cook meth" but catastrophically failing and injuring themselves using a technique that can be easily found online.  This self-inflicted injury stems not from the legality of the target substance but the fact that a qualified chemist would know how to conduct the correct procedures while the average Joe would not have this knowledge and ultimately blows himself up.

#2: Refining the Topic

So after doing some in-class activities, I have recently realized that I need to refine my topic a little because it is too broad.  I initially wanted to incorporate something that has to do with renewable resources and fossil derived resources, however this will stretch my topic too wide and thin.  Instead, I must focus more on the digital age.  This will include, but certainly not be limited to, the ethical (and legal) issues about information sharing/freedom, copyright violations, privacy infractions, and the concept of creating real, 3D objects from digital schematics and its repercussions.

In a way, it is such a shame that I am not including the issues regarding resources.  Initially, I wanted to discuss all resources such as those for fuels and pharmaceuticals, however while writing this, I think it could be possible to incorporate some talk about resources, just not for those previously mentioned.  If I were to include issues about resources, it would focus on creating electronics using the depleting supply of silicon, the lack of recycling electronics, and the up in coming concept of making completely organic electronics.  In addition, 3D printers generally use renewable organic polymers instead of the non-renewable, fossil derived plastics that are used commercially for the same products available to the average consumer.  Perhaps all I have to do is concentrate the resources issues at the topic at hand.

#1: Pilot Post

Hello World, I'm Elliot.  I'm a male, upper-class undergraduate student at the University at Buffalo studying Medicinal Chemistry.  I am a strong science oriented person, and so I view everything in life with a scientific prospective.  As such, I have come to the conclusion that I am an apatheist, meaning that I do not care about the existence of god.  This lack of caring extends not only to religious views but also political views and even day to day actions.  Honestly I really don't mind what other people do around me as long as they are not hurting or otherwise disabling others.  This is a unique ideology because I believe some socially unacceptable practices are ethically fine while on the other hand some socially acceptable practices are not fine.  These practices are not limited to everyday actions but extend all the way to the management of countries.  It all depends on the advancement of society as a whole and the freedom of individuals.

Now, about this blog.  It is devoted to a research paper for "cultural imagination".  As I said, I am a strong science minded person.  Specifically I love to learn about the science of chemistry, energy. electronics, materials, computers, automotive and pharmaceuticals.  So I will have to combine my passion with the task at hand.  Combining my love for science and this theme of cultural imagination will be an interesting feat.  My future posts will be my adventures while completing this paper from idea brainstorming, to research, to reviews, and ultimately completion.

Be safe,
Cheers.

Research Ideas

So I haven't started really thinking what I'm going to research for my paper.  I know I want to do something with science, however trying to tie that in with culture is going need some extra thinking. In general, I love chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, electronics, and computer science related topics.  Recently, I stumbled upon an article about a group of scientist that created a 8-bit Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) made completely out of organic components.  This means it was created with potentially one hundred percent renewable (biological) resources instead of precious metals and silicon.  This could be a huge advancement for environmentally friendly computer components.

Alternatively, police brutality in the 21st century would be an interesting topic.  This stems from stories I've heard from Main Street's "Molly's Bar" which recently closed down.

Or is college worth it? In the past, high school graduates would make comparable saleries as their college counterparts, however in the 21st century high school graduates tend to make less.  On the other hand, the cost of college has ever been increasing.