What is your (intended) major/career? I am currently an undergrad Mechanical Engineering student, but I plan on pursuing my Masters of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or some twisted version of Applied Physics. I want to focus my thesis and future career on nuclear space propulsion; so whichever intended major at my chosen University fits in best is the one I'll choose.
What issues are you most interested in (women's rights, education, racism, advancement of science, the environment, etc)? I have a pretty broad base of interests; but I'd say one of the most amusing things about my blog is it doesn't accurately reflect my passions. Those include: agriculture, science, technology, energy, and, of course, nuclear space propulsion.
What advice do you have for other bloggers? Write about what you are passionate about. Don't pander to the opinions of others; just lay it all out there and hope for the best.
Are you in school, and if so, what year are you? I am a (seemingly perpetual) senior at Clarkson University. I will graduate in December 2008. However, currently I am on Co-Op and I reside at home, spending some quality time with my family.
If you had to describe yourself (or your blog) in one word what would it be? Versatile.
Out of all your blogs, which is your favorite? The Weight of Our Words. I like this blog, my first blog here on ProgressiveU, because I wrote it before I became bitter.
What's your favorite News Source? I have several... two of those being the Wall Street Journal and www.Space.com. I love the WSJ because I'm very interested in economics and business. I've been an avid reader for about four years now; I basically read the online copy "cover-to-cover" every morning. Space.com is a good overall source for space and science news; I definitely recommend checking it out.
What is one thing you've learned at Progressive U that has benefited you outside of this site? I've learned about the many people whose opinions differ from my own, and the true differences between liberals and conservatives. ProgressiveU has helped me to solidify my opinions; make them more real and concrete within my own mind. I'm not sure I would have ever developed an interest in politics if I hadn't landed here by chance one day. Blogging gives me an intellectual outlet that otherwise wouldn't be there, and prevents me from driving the people I love completely insane with ramblings about Harry Reed's idiocy, health care reform, the Iraq war, my eternal hatred for Hillary Clinton, and many other important issues which people in my life outside ProgressiveU don't care to discuss on a daily basis.
What book/movie has most influenced yout thinking on an important issue? "The Orion Project" by George Dyson. This book fused together my life-long interest in space and technology with my more recent interests in nuclear energy and forever created the seemingly insane desire to reach outside the solar system using the very first (manned) nuclear propelled spaceship. Don't be afraid of the "n" word. It's the only propulsion method that will get us out of this solar system and back alive. Being able to think about things "outside the box" is an essential part of my life. I once heard at a conference (don't quote me on this) that as many as 60% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 don't believe we actually landed on the moon. That's insane! Being able to work with other countries in an international cooperation for a greater cause (e.g. scientific and engineering advancement) is one of the most important issues out there. Yet it is often ignored in lieu of stories about drunken astronauts and love triangles. Seriously people.
What motivates you to keep blogging? The number of people I irritate everyday. Just kidding; it's a plus sometimes when I need the stress relief, but it's not my real motivation. In reality, I sometimes dread logging on because I'm afraid of what asinine comments/blogs I will find, and my own overreactions to said ridiculous blogs or statements. I'm motivated by the desire to show people an alternative perspective to "progressive"; one that doesn't have to be liberal but is still focused on helping people. I'm not a hard-core conservative (although I may seem to be sometimes). I'm more of a conservative-leaning Independent. I believe in giving people a hand up, and not a hand out. Helping others regain their self-respect, independence and dignity when times are tough is much more rewarding and long-term solution for both parties. If you give a man a fish, he'll need another one in an hour. But if you offer him a pole instead and teach him the art of fishing... well, you know the rest.
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
