News Year's Eve is a time of year dedicated to reflection. You spend the day thinking back on all that has happened over the last 12 months, and decide what needs to be changed. You wish for better days and success, and then you make a plan as to how to achieve that goal. The new year is a time to look forward to because it is a time that will soon be full of new experiences and new friends. Happy New Year's to everyone!
-Brianna Boahn The 94th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting took place on Dec. 4. Dating back to 1923, the National Christmas Tree Lighting always brings family-friendly entertainment to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. The Obama's gathered on stage to count down to the lighting, which was broadcasted live.It was hosted by Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, and featured musical performances by artists such as NE-YO and Fifth Harmony. The first lady "The Night Before Christmas" to a group of children with Little League pitcher Mo'ne Davis. At the end, President Obama took the stage to dance with the presenters and his family.
-Juanita Guzman Unrest spread through the robotics and programming community when Steven Hawking told BBC "The Development of full artificial itelligence could spell the end of the human race." Claiming the AI would "take off on it's own and re-design itself at an ever-increasing rate."
That's a scary thought, but we luckily have a major tool at our disposal; Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics. Asimov's popular Robot series had the fictional robotic AI following three central laws, which we could use to keep a possible real-life AI in check. The first law states that "A robot my not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being come to harm." Clearly, this law keeps autonomous robots off the battlefield, which might just be a good thing. Next, the second law states; "A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the first law." Once again, very helpful, making AI subservient, but also prevents them from becoming robotic hit-men. The last law is just a bit stranger: "A robot must protect it's own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the first or second law." Essentially, this prevents millions of dollars worth of tech destroying itself, and keeps them from destroying people who are trying to shut them down. So, by following these laws, the robotic AI of the future will most likely not go on the murderous rampage. Let's just hope that Hawking's chilling prophecy doesn't come true. -Brom Eccles David Richards, a lawyer from Australia, broke the world record for Christmas lights. Richards, with the help of several volunteers, strung up 1.2 million lights across 75 miles of the center of Canberra, the national capital of Australia. The year before, Richards set the record for lights on a residential property when he strung up 502165 bulbs around his house. It caused traffic for weeks with 75000 sightseers coming to his neighborhood. He couldn't do that to his family and neighbors again. Those lights raised money for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome counseling and support services. Richards expects the lights from this year to earn even more donations for SIDS and Kids ACT.
-Korrinne Bethel On Thanksgiving morning, "Real World: New Orleans" cast member, Ryan Knight, died at the very young age of 28. Knight was a former hockey player from Kenosha, Wisconsin. Friends stated he was very upbeat on Wednesday, however he complained about "stomach issues" and had taken some pills. The amount and type of pills were not stated. Knight died by choking on his own vomit. May he rest in peace.
-Christina Rose The season of Halloween has already passed. People are coming together to celebrate the holidays. Well, why not have a little scare in the long while? Five Nights at Freddy's is an indie horror game made by Scott Cawthon. The goal of the game is to survive (like the title states) five nights at Freddy's. Freddy the bear is the mascot with three others. Their names are Bonnie the bunny, Chica the chicken and Foxy. The player sits in a small room with two doors on both sides of them. The man in the recording talks to you at the beginning of each night explaining what might and has happened at Freddy's. The light is badly lit so it sets the suspenseful atmosphere. You can not fight back and you only look at security cameras, close doors and switch on lights. The game struck many in fear and in love. Five Nights at Freddy's 2 is the same concept but a lot more challenging. There is one open door with two air vents. The game series did so well that fans made contributes to the game. A famous one is Five Nights at Freddy's by a YouTuber named TheLivingTombstone.
-Ebony MecPherson In the first week of January there has been big movies hitting the big screen. The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 1 made 56 million dollars at the number one slot. In second, Penguins of Madagascar made 25.8 million dollars. Big Hero 6 was in third which made 18.7 million dollars. The highly appraised Interstellar made 15.8 million dollars at the fourth slot. These movies are a good watch if your into action. Catch all these movies near a theater by you.
-Andrew Gil In Bangok Thailand, a group of university students have been held in holding for being an activist against the politics of the country. How you may ask? Mostly based off the hit sci-fi movie, the "Hunger Games". The sign which is three fingers have caused many to be held in the police house. The students want the government to be more of a democracy in Thailand. Such acts are not that new in Thailand, a protester named Sombat Boonngamanong uses pop culture references from Hollywood to help spread the movement message. The "Hunger Games" fan club is the name of the group of university students who want democracy in Thailand. Some students signed an agreement that stated that they would not participate in any political activities again. Others did not and were let free. Those that were let free were in fear of their lives.
-Ebony McPherson Gallium is a metal element with some unusual properties. At room temperature, the blue-gray metal is solid, but soft enough to cut with a knife. It has a very low melting point of 85.6 degrees Fahrenheit. If held in the palm of a person’s hand for long enough, it will melt. Because of this, it is often mixed with other elements to help them melt more quickly.
-Korrinne Bethel |