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The Language Works ~ Journal Entries ~ TLW 10 |
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~ TLW ~ Short Essays ~ Group Ten |
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Contents ~ Journal 10:
1) A Brief History of Beer
2) Human Physiology: You Are Not Me
3) The Homeless and the Heartless
( Click purple underlined words for links
to vocabulary or websites for further information )
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~ Featured Content ~ Who Invented Beer |
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~ Featured Content ~ Inherited Genetic Disorders |
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~ Special Feature ~ Brandi Carlile = The Joke |
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S10~1: A Brief History of Beer
Evidence from the village of Jiahu in China suggests that a mead-like beverage made from rice, honey, and fruit, was brewed around 7000 BCE (Beer Studies). That’s about 9000 years ago, but who really knows. Developing from hunters and gatherers (roaming tribes) to collectives and communities beer and other similar beverages found their way into the culture as collaborated. We associate the fermented drink with socializing (parties and fun) but alcoholic beverage brewing has been intertwined with religious and cultural practices as well. Not only beer, but many and various other inventions sprung up using this collective communal knowledge. Perhaps a few bowls of mead catalyzed the creative spirit in some cases. I imagine barrel making and headache cures made heathy strides in these times. Perhaps also the advent of the watering hole.
1) Do you drink beer? If so, what kind (types of beer). Where, when, and who with? If not, why not?
2) Are there any benefits to drinking beer? Explain. Disadvantages? Explain.
3) Have you or someone you know had any experiences while drinking beer that were unusual?
4) Tell about the drinking culture in your country. Where do they drink it? What do they drink?
5) What food do you think goes best with beer? Is it expensive to drink beer in your country? Tell. |
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S10-2: Human Physiology: You Are Not Me
DNA, the essential element of our bodies, plays a crucial role in physiology and health impacting everything from basic cellular functions to the development of diseases. Genes are sections of DNA and are subject to change throughout our lives. Therefore, it’s not rocket science to suggest that we are not the same on a physical or emotional level at any given time or under any given circumstances. This is to say you change physically and mentally from your humble entrance into this world to the moment you finish this sentence though you may not feel it. Obviously, if this is the case for everyone, we are all truly unique.
There are countless things that can affect health. Putting all your prognostic eggs in one basket will result in tunnel vision and perhaps bad decisions. Lifestyle, work, diet, stress, love, sex, romance, laughter, pain, environment, toxins, and other factors may have more influence on your life than going to the gym every day. Health is multifaceted and unpredictable, yet many people swear by treadmills and weight machines and they may be in excellent heath because of it, but it cannot be the whole story. Balanced body chemistry (pH, hormones, minerals, and other elements) seems to be an equally important factor that can make wellness possible. All in all taking care of our health is not a piece of cake. Yet I don’t believe in diets.
1) Do you have a sleep routine? Do you have insomnia? What’s REM and Non-REM sleep? 2) What healthy food do you eat? How often do you have them? Do you have a meal routine? Tell. 3) What kind of activity do you recommend for overweight kids? How about overweight adults? 4) Do you think you are predisposed to an illness (genetically)? Explain. Is that disease common? 5) What are the factors that enable longevity? How much of this is genetic? (see this) 6) Do you do anything to maintain or improve your mental/emotional wellbeing? Explain. |
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S10~3: The Homeless and the Heartless
Let’s face it. Sometimes we have to raise, in discussion, difficult subjects alongside all the best events in our lives. Anyway. In 2024, an estimated 150 million people worldwide were homeless and as many as 1.6 billion people lived as squatters, refugees, or in temporary shelters (Wikipedia). When wild fires, earthquakes, or other natural disasters occur, countless people become homeless. War is worse. I suppose anyone could become homeless. Wildfires in California, for example, made even wealthy people homeless. Fires don’t give a damn about your status financial, political, or otherwise. Golf clubs and mansions will burn down. Nature is blind in this regard.
We can’t speak about democracy without talking about the extreme rich and the extreme poor or the "haves and the have-nots". Social media would have us "educated" about the pets of the rich and famous or the social outings of pop stars rather than unemployment, homelessness, minimum-wage jobs, and a failing heath care system. It’s OK… If you are wealthy, you may be yawning just now. In the inauguration of Trump, there were a number of billionaires socializing in the limelight: 1) Elon Musk (460 Billion) 2) Jeff Bezos (250 Billion) 3) Mark Zuckerberg ( 220 Billion) These figures are bound to be outdated on a regular basis. With the above estimates the three add up to nearly one trillion dollars. This is equivalent to the GNP of Saudi Arabia or Turkey. I’m sure Andrew Carnegie is resting with a clear conscience in his grave. But it’s a dog eat dog world… or is it?
1) Does expressing your challenging life experiences to others help you or not? (see this)
2) Are there any homeless people in your city or country? Where/Why/How/When/Who? Describe.
3) Do you have relatives or friends, past or present, who have had hardships (debt, disaster, loss)?
4) What is the worst "personal disaster" or "painful experience" you have experienced. Tell.
5) What makes you happy when you are blue? Who do you talk to when you need a friend?
6) Why don’t wealthy people spend their money funding the poor to improve themselves?
7) Is it true that the more money you make, the more money you want? Is that human nature?.
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