Summer is a time to relax a little, have some adventures, earn a little money, and, in the case of the characters in many of these titles, have a life-changing moment.
Setauket, New York
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
New York Times Topic-----James Joyce
By Robert Sullivan
June 15, 2010
The New York Times
James Joyce
Times Topics
June 13, 2011
"The status of James Joyce as a writer never could be determined in his lifetime. In the opinion of some critics, notably Edmund Wilson, he deserved to rank with the great innovators of literature as one whose influence upon other writers of his time was incalculable. On the other hand, there were critics like Max Eastman who gave him a place with Gertrude Stein and T.S. Eliot among the "Unintelligibles" and there was Professor Irving Babbitt of Harvard who dismissed his most widely read novel, "Ulysses," as one which only could have been written "in an advanced stage of psychic disintegration."
Originally published in 1922, "Ulysses" was not legally available in the United States until eleven years later, when United States Judge John Monro Woolsey handed down his famous decision to the effect that the book was not obscene. Hitherto the book had been smuggled in and sold at high prices by "bookleggers" and a violent critical battle had raged around it.
"'Ulysses' is not an easy book to read or understand," Judge Woolsey wrote. "But there has been much written about it, and in order properly to approach the consideration of it it is advisable to read a number of other books which have now become its satellites. The study of "Ulysses" is therefore a heavy task.
"The reputation of 'Ulysses' in the literary world, however, warranted my taking such time as was necessary to enable me to satisfy myself as to the intent with which the book was written, for, of course, in any case where a book is claimed to be obscene it must first be determined whether the intent with which it was written was what is called, according to the usual phrase, pornographic, that is, written for the purpose of exploiting obscenity. -- From the New York Times obituary, January 13, 1941
Related: Full obituary text"
"'Ulysses' is not an easy book to read or understand," Judge Woolsey wrote. "But there has been much written about it, and in order properly to approach the consideration of it it is advisable to read a number of other books which have now become its satellites. The study of "Ulysses" is therefore a heavy task.
"The reputation of 'Ulysses' in the literary world, however, warranted my taking such time as was necessary to enable me to satisfy myself as to the intent with which the book was written, for, of course, in any case where a book is claimed to be obscene it must first be determined whether the intent with which it was written was what is called, according to the usual phrase, pornographic, that is, written for the purpose of exploiting obscenity. -- From the New York Times obituary, January 13, 1941
Related: Full obituary text"
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Periodic Table Expands Once Again
The Periodic Table Expands Once Again
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 8, 2011
"They exist for only seconds at most in real life, but they have gained immortality in chemistry: two new elements have been added to the periodic table.
The elements were recognized by an international committee of chemists and physicists. For now, they are called Elements 114 and 116 — permanent names and symbols will be chosen later.
People are not likely to run into either of them. Scientists make them in labs by smashing atoms of other elements together to create the new ones.
“Our experiments last for many weeks, and typically, we make an atom every week or so,” said Ken Moody, a chemist with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory who was part of the discovery team.
In contrast to more familiar elements like carbon, gold and tin, the new ones are short-lived. Atoms of 114 disintegrate within a few seconds, while 116 disappears in a fraction of a second, Dr. Moody said.
Both elements were discovered by a collaboration of scientists from Livermore and Russia. They made them by smashing calcium ions into atoms of plutonium or another element, curium. The official recognition, announced last week, cites experiments done in 2004 and 2006.
In the periodic table, the number of an element refers to the number of protons in the nucleus of an individual atom. Leading the list is hydrogen (H) with one. Sodium (Na) has 11, Iron (Fe) has 26, and silver (Ag) has 47.
In the past 250 years, new elements have been added to the table about once every two and a half years on average, said Paul Karol of Carnegie Mellon University. He chaired the committee that recognized the new elements.
Despite the number 116, the new additions bring the total number of recognized elements to 114 — Elements 113 and 115 have not been officially accepted.
Dr. Moody said he had not talked to his colleagues about what element names to propose to an international group of scientists for approval, although they will have to end in “ium.”
For now, the elements have temporary names derived from their numbers. In recent decades, new elements have generally been named for famous scientists, producing such monikers as nobelium and einsteinium, said Peter F. Rusch, a consultant in Mountain View, Calif., who leads the American Chemical Society committee on nomenclature, terminology and symbols.
Before the two newcomers, the most recent addition to the periodic table came two years ago. Element 112 was named copernicium in honor of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.
Making new elements is a byproduct of an effort to discover things about the atomic nucleus, Dr. Moody said. “It’s just basic science,” he said. “And kind of fun.”
Dr. Moody, 56, recalled that the periodic table had 104 elements when he was in high school. At the time, chemists thought the list was about finished, he said.
He added that he recently spoke about his work to some high school students and found them fascinated.
To them the periodic table “is an icon,” he said. “The fact that it can change and it can be added to, I think, is a novel idea for younger people.”
Not so for most older people.
Dr. Moody said he does not talk about his work at parties “because people don’t generally invite you back.”
A version of this article appeared in print on June 9, 2011, on page A18 of the New York edition with the headline: The Periodic Table Expands Once Again."
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 8, 2011
"They exist for only seconds at most in real life, but they have gained immortality in chemistry: two new elements have been added to the periodic table.
The elements were recognized by an international committee of chemists and physicists. For now, they are called Elements 114 and 116 — permanent names and symbols will be chosen later.
People are not likely to run into either of them. Scientists make them in labs by smashing atoms of other elements together to create the new ones.
“Our experiments last for many weeks, and typically, we make an atom every week or so,” said Ken Moody, a chemist with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory who was part of the discovery team.
In contrast to more familiar elements like carbon, gold and tin, the new ones are short-lived. Atoms of 114 disintegrate within a few seconds, while 116 disappears in a fraction of a second, Dr. Moody said.
Both elements were discovered by a collaboration of scientists from Livermore and Russia. They made them by smashing calcium ions into atoms of plutonium or another element, curium. The official recognition, announced last week, cites experiments done in 2004 and 2006.
In the periodic table, the number of an element refers to the number of protons in the nucleus of an individual atom. Leading the list is hydrogen (H) with one. Sodium (Na) has 11, Iron (Fe) has 26, and silver (Ag) has 47.
In the past 250 years, new elements have been added to the table about once every two and a half years on average, said Paul Karol of Carnegie Mellon University. He chaired the committee that recognized the new elements.
Despite the number 116, the new additions bring the total number of recognized elements to 114 — Elements 113 and 115 have not been officially accepted.
Dr. Moody said he had not talked to his colleagues about what element names to propose to an international group of scientists for approval, although they will have to end in “ium.”
For now, the elements have temporary names derived from their numbers. In recent decades, new elements have generally been named for famous scientists, producing such monikers as nobelium and einsteinium, said Peter F. Rusch, a consultant in Mountain View, Calif., who leads the American Chemical Society committee on nomenclature, terminology and symbols.
Before the two newcomers, the most recent addition to the periodic table came two years ago. Element 112 was named copernicium in honor of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.
Making new elements is a byproduct of an effort to discover things about the atomic nucleus, Dr. Moody said. “It’s just basic science,” he said. “And kind of fun.”
Dr. Moody, 56, recalled that the periodic table had 104 elements when he was in high school. At the time, chemists thought the list was about finished, he said.
He added that he recently spoke about his work to some high school students and found them fascinated.
To them the periodic table “is an icon,” he said. “The fact that it can change and it can be added to, I think, is a novel idea for younger people.”
Not so for most older people.
Dr. Moody said he does not talk about his work at parties “because people don’t generally invite you back.”
A version of this article appeared in print on June 9, 2011, on page A18 of the New York edition with the headline: The Periodic Table Expands Once Again."
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Times Topics-----New York Public Library
"News about New York Public Library, including commentary
and archival articles published in The New York Times."*
"The New York Public Library Navigator
and archival articles published in The New York Times."*
"The New York Public Library Navigator
A list of resources from around the Web about New York Public Library as selected by researchers and editors of The New York Times."
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
BBC Podcasts-----A History of the World in 100 Objects
Welcome to A History of the World. .. you can find all 100 episodes in the series. Although the series has ended, you can continue to listen to the episodes on this page or download them to keep on your computer or mp3 player by following the links on the right."BBC
Monday, May 23, 2011
3M Announces Cloud Library e-book Lending Service for 21st Century Libraries
The New York Public Library
By Amar Toor posted May 20th 2011 12:34PM
Both Amazon and Sony have already hopped aboard the e-book library lending train and now, it looks like they'll have to make room for 3M, as well. Yesterday, the company announced a new Cloud Library e-book lending service that will allow users to browse and borrow digital books directly from their iPads, Nooks and Android-based tablets. Under the program, 3M will outfit local libraries with its own software, hardware and e-book collection, which bibliophiles will be able to access via special apps, or 3M's new eReaders, which will be synced with available digital content. The company is also planning to install so-called Discovery Terminal download stations in libraries, allowing visitors to leaf through the collection from a touch-based interface. Thus far, both Random House and IPG have signed on to the initiative, though licensing details remain murky. There's also no word on when or where the service will launch, but 3M's Discovery Terminal and iPad app will be on display next month in New Orleans, at the American Library Association's Annual Conference. Full presser after the break. "Engadget.com
Friday, May 20, 2011
Ms. Clarice Riggio-----Social Studies-----AP World History News Research Project
4th Quarter Project
Comparing Events
Introduction
Every day various news organizations report on events and trends that relate to this AP World History course. Careful analysis of such events will give you a better understanding history's recurring themes and the changes over time that have made the world what it is. This project is designed to help you attain such an understanding.
The Assignment
Select a modern theme or event of global significance (Suggested themes below). Research the theme/event on the VRC and news outlets. Discuss and cite the background and facts. Compare and contrast the theme/event to a historical event you have studied in AP World History.
Possible Themes
Migration/movement of people, refugees. Examples: immigration from Asia to Europe/U.S., immigrants trying to cross the Channel Tunnel, Mexicans heading to the U.S., Africans heading for Europe.
Ethnic/religious conflict. Examples: Northern Ireland/Irish Republican Army, Middle ---East/Palestine.
Environmental issues. Examples: global warming, pollution, ozone layer depletion,
El Niño, Green Revolution, Flooding, Earthquakes, BP Oil Spill
Medical and health issues. Examples: AIDS, cancer, Ebola, stem cell research, Swine Flu
Human rights. Examples: the Balkans/Kosovo/Serbia, Chechnya (Russia), Falun Gong (China), Tibet -- OR -- gender issues/women's rights.
Communications technology. Examples: communication satellites, cell phones, Palm pilots, satellite phones, Internet communication and business.
Recommended Sources: You are NOT limited to these suggestions!
Library
Library
The Virtual Reference Collection (VRC)
ABC CLIO World History/Modern Era
eLibrary
SIRS
Proquest k12 (includes New York Times and other newspapaper and periodcals)
Facts.com Issues and Controversies
Facts.com World News Digest
Gale Cengage Student Resources in Context
Web Collection Plus Online Catalog
Academic Integrity
NoodleTools
Citation Machine
Websites
ABC CLIO World History/Modern Era
eLibrary
SIRS
Proquest k12 (includes New York Times and other newspapaper and periodcals)
Facts.com Issues and Controversies
Facts.com World News Digest
Gale Cengage Student Resources in Context
Web Collection Plus Online Catalog
Academic Integrity
NoodleTools
Citation Machine
Websites
Some historical examples you may wish to consider when comparing your modern trend with the past:
Migration: Irish potato famine, Columbian exchange, Europeans and African slaves in the Western Hemisphere.
Conflict: the Crusades fought between European Christians and Arab Muslims.
Environmental issues: impact of the Industrial Revolution, European crops coming to the New World, New World crops in Africa and Asia, the potato, Volcanoes.
Health: the Plague in Athens, Black Plague in Europe and Asia, smallpox in the New World, influenza pandemic after WWI.
Slavery: Arab slavery, Atlantic slave trade, caste system in India, Serfdom in Russia
Communication: Egyptian hieroglyphs and scribes, Battle of Marathon, Great Wall of China, block printing in China, moveable type printer (Gutenberg), telegraph and telephone.
Paper
Papers will be 5-7 pages plus your bibliography. You MUST use 3-5 resources from the Library (Mr. Miller will introduce you to these resources).
You MUST properly cite your resources both within your essay (parenthetical) and in an alphabetical order Bibliography/Works Cited
10-12pt font Arial or Times New Roman
We will have 4 class days in the Information Center to work on your research and learn proper research and paper writing skills(Monday, May 23-Thursday, May 26)
This paper can be compared to a Change Over Time essay, in that you will explain the issue, then write about it in the modern world and then research and report on its historical trend. Make sure you include changes and continuities AND you discuss how the issues compare and contrast!
Papers will be due NO later than Friday, June 3!!!! (Late Papers will lose 10 points for each day they are late!)
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