Higgs Particle

Another article that I found very interesting was an article in the National Geographic called "The God Particle." This article was talking about smashing pieces of matter together in order to create some energies and temperatures "not seen since the universe's earliest moments." The particle was called the Higgs boson (or particle), also known as the God particle Scientist believed that this could help to reveal the particles and forces that "wrote the rules for everything that followed." But at the same time, the scientist didn't really know what would actually happen if they could pull it off.

This article was very enjoyable to read. There were a few parts that kind of confused me, but the subject is a very complicated subject to discuss so I expected that to happen. The points the writer brought up were very good point. For example, he said most people are afraid that this project could create something like a black hole, something you might see on a sci-fi movie. The writer said that these wasn't something the scientist actually feared. I also really liked the scientific history that he gave. The writer also had a wonderful sense of humor to his article. An example is, "the Higgs particle would be the carrier of the field and would interact with other particles, sort of the way a Jedi knight in Star Wars is the carrier of the 'force.'"


Some quotes that I liked were: "...and its purpose is simple but ambitious: to crack the code of the physical world; to figure out what the universe is made of; in other words, to get to the very bottom of things.", "That's the essence of experimental particle physics: You smash stuff together and see what other stuff comes out.", "'Bigger is better if you're searching for smaller' could be the motto at the European Organization for Nuclear Research...", "This is because a century of particle physics has given us a fundamental truth: Reality doesn't reveal its secrets easily.", "Put it this way: The universe is a tough nut to crack.", "...the Higgs particle would be the carrier of the field and would interact with other particles, sort of the way a Jedi knight in Star Wars is the carrier of the 'force.'", "Building a contraption like the LHC to find the Higgs is a bit like embarking on a career as a stand-up comic with the hope that at some point in your career you'll happen to blurt out a joke that's not only side-splittingly funny but also a palindrome."
"Naturally the moniker took root among journalists, who know a good name for a particle when they hear one (it beats the heck out of the muon or the Z-boson)."

Web site: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/03/god-particle/achenbach-text/4

Dealing With Cancer Patients

The article, "Clumsy remarks come along with breast cancer" by By Coeli Carr talks about how people respond to the news of breast cancer can have a big affect on the patience's life. The writer starts off tell how not everyone is thoughtful when speaking to people with life-threatening illnesses. She talks about how many people don't mean to sound as hurtful as they do, they just don't know how to react.

I thought the article did a wonderful job of expressing how cancer patience might feel from the reactions of their love ones, friend, and co workers. The writer used many great examples and was very descriptive of the emotions that might be caused. One quote she used was, "When Diane DeMeerleer, a breast cancer survivor from Kent, Wash., shared the news of her diagnosis, she received an e-mail response from her boss: 'Sorry to hear it’s the big C.'" The reader can see some of the awkwardness the boss feels about the subject of cancer. He even refers to it as "the big C."

Some other lines I enjoyed was: "'Give the other person the specifics and then let them say yes or no, and always allow them to have that control, says Wynn.' Making a specific offer shows that someone has thought about it and is sincere.", "Even if you’re not extending an offer of physical help, words that carry a bright outlook matter. Laurie Puhn, a mediator and communications expert, points to studies that show optimists enjoy better health than pessimists. 'Your job is to motivate your breast cancer friend to be optimistic,' says Puhn, who wrote 'Instant Persuasion: How to Change Your Words to Change Your Life.'", "Puhn suggests, for example, telling your friend that you admire the way she does a particular thing in the midst of her illness, and that she’s strong."


Web site: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21352634/

Article on Breast Cancer

When I was browsing the internet, I came across an article called "Is my breast cancer upsetting you?" by Diane Mapes. The article talked about how sometimes women who are diagnosed with breast cancer end up being the ones who have to do the comforting. People are so overwhelmed by them having breast cancer they do not know how to react; therefore, they may react very negatively. The article then goes on to tell some ways women with breast cancer can approach telling others their bad news. 

I think the article touches on a very important issue that most people do not even think about. I can't even imagine what the women who have breast cancer have to go through with just having it much less the emotional ride other people take them one. 

I feel the article was well written. As a reader I could feel connected to the women who were mentioned in the article and understood the point the writer was trying to make. Through the article I got a glimpse at dread or stress the women who have breast cancer are having experience when it comes to telling their families and friends about it.

I know from a first hand experience women who have it have a very hard time telling people. This past summer my mother found out she had breast cancer. When she first found out that she had a lump in her breast that might be cancer she didn't tell anyone about it (not even my father who she never keeps anything from). She didn't let us know anything till she knew for a fact she had it. Even then she had a hard time telling people.  I think the article captures this stress and anxiety very well. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26959103/