rjchase3's blog

by Robert J. Chase

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Hooplah or the Future?
    The Detriot Autoshow has shown many concept vehicles boasting newer "greener" technology. My question is whether or not this actually is the future of the automotive industry. For instnace General Motors brought to the show one of the most technilogically advanced concept hybrids; more advanced even than Toyotas Hybrid. This definately gives GM the edge on the market if they can actually proceed with thte development of this platform. Right now the technology is not advanced enough for the car to be good enough for mass production. The car has a very sleek design and a naming that is fitting to an electric hybrid, Volt. The car is said to have a range of 40 miles on the batteries at normal speeds around 30-40 mph. After the batteries get drained a unique system kicks in. There is a gasoline engine, which does not drive the wheels at all. The gas is only used to generate energy to put into the batteries. Currently the batteries used get very hot with extended use and are't as effecient as needed for an economically viable alternative to the internal combustion engine. This car shows a lot of promise for the future.  Read More »

America is being DUPED

Robert J. Chase

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Happiness: What does it take?
    It's an ellusive thing that most people never truly attain, but what is it? Today for me was an uneventful day for the most part, until the last couple hours that I got to spend with a friend helping them understand a textbook for my Environment and Society class. The language barrier seemed to be her biggest problem with the book. Her English is pretty good, but the excessive use of advanced terms kept her from grasping the concepts herself. But after three hours of explaining the book I felt accomplished. I had a smile on my face. I mean, yea I helped her understand the concepts that are hindering our society, but really all we did was talk for three hours, yet I had one of those smiles that you get when you're really happy. Maybe I'm thinking too much into this, but what makes a person happy? Is it teaching someone things that everyone should be learning? Is it merely talking to a human being and seeing that they comprehend what you are saying instead of sitting slave to a computer thats reading zero's and ones? Helping people understand concepts has always given me a sense of pride, that just maybe I can make a difference in the world, one person at a time, but is that enough? Happiness has always seemed to allude definition for me. I know many people in this world equate happiness with material wealth, but that is what shall bring the downfall of humanity. We seem to think that by getting more things we will be happier. The mere fact that I'm able to become happy by teaching someone nullifies that. I'm able to create happiness without any material possesions. If this could simply spread throughout humanity, we would all be saved!! In the mean time, I'm curious what others define happiness, and how they achieve their happiness.  Read More »

The Treadmill of Consumption: We've lost too much already
    America and the world today is a material opsessed capitalist society; I don't think thats a general concensus.We (The Western World) has lost much of ourselves. The treadmill of consumption has taken over. Not only is our country obsessed with getting money, but spending as much as possible to create as much "stuff" as possible. This shall be the downfall of mankind. We are creating waste far faster than any society in history. I myself have taken many steps to reduce the impact of the treadmill on myself. I spend as little money as possible on frivolous items that will inevitably be forgotten about in a few months. But even being environmentally conscious and being a conscious consumer according to www.myfootprint.org it would take 3.4 planets if everyone consumed as much as I did. This is ALARMING, is it not?  Read More »

The War In Iraq: Constitutionality?   

    Ever since Bush attacked Iraq, I've seen millions of articles talking about the war in Iraq. What I haven't seen  enough of is the core of the issue; was attacking Iraq constutional? In Article I section 8 of the US Constitution states:
    Congress has the right to:  Read More »