This is going to be my last blog entry. I'm excited that summer's almost here but stressed out at the same time. I'm glad that my English class doesn't have anything going on exam week. I do however have 3 cumulative exams. Studying is a bit of a pain as one of my classes has 5 books associated with it and the exam is this upcoming Monday. Trying to cram all that information in1 weekend should be pretty enjoyable....
On the bright side, I only have to put up with this for an other few days, I'm done everything next Wednesday. This is the mentality that keeps me going.
All in all this has been a pretty good semester. I've been able to take some interesting courses and learn some valuable things. Still, I'm glad to see it end and am looking forward to 4 months of relaxation.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Finishing Up Paper on Chernobyl.
As I've probably mentioned before, I have been working on a research paper detailing the events that occurred in Chernobyl in 1986. This has led me to learn quite a few things about the disaster. Details learned include not only the physical and environmental impacts of the disaster itself, but also the social and political ramifications. Researching the various quarantines, evacuations, medical problems, etc proved to be quite interesting and eye opening. The cause of the disaster, being attributed mainly to human error, is especially terrifying. It goes to show the chilling reality of today's world where the search for energy can ultimately destroy populations.
Hopefully I will be able to mold this information into an informative and interesting narrative.
Hopefully I will be able to mold this information into an informative and interesting narrative.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Chernobyl: Important Events and Facts to Consider
Today in English class I started on my research assignment. I made a note of several facts which will need to be included in my paper. My paper is dealing with the nuclear disaster which ocurred in Chernobyl in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1986. My paper deals with the experiences of someone outside of the immediate "disaster" zone. As such I will have to include some facts providing context.
My paper will most likely be in the form of a diary or log as it is dealing more with the effects of prolonged exposure as opposed to a single, immediately visible devastating impact (i.e. the effects of the Chernobyl Disaster on residents of Chernobyl as well as areas located next to it.)
Researching the Chernobyl Disaster has proven to be quite interesting. Hopefully the paper generated will be interesting as well.
My paper will most likely be in the form of a diary or log as it is dealing more with the effects of prolonged exposure as opposed to a single, immediately visible devastating impact (i.e. the effects of the Chernobyl Disaster on residents of Chernobyl as well as areas located next to it.)
Researching the Chernobyl Disaster has proven to be quite interesting. Hopefully the paper generated will be interesting as well.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Annotated Bibliography
Marshall, Eliot. "Reactor explodes amid Soviet silence." Science 232 (1986): 814+.
Academic OneFile. Web. 5 Apr. 2011
The article explains the Soviet media silence surrounding the Chernobyl disaster. The Soviets failed to inform neighboring nations, some of which were part of or satelite states of the Soviet Union, of the impending distater. This not only caused damage to the reputation but also resulted in people exposed to increased amounts of radiation due to ignorance of its presence. Though much of the extra exposure exhibited by those outside of the immediate disaster vicinity(as a result of the Soviet media blackout) proved to be non fatal, it still proved to have detrimental effects. This article was written shortly following the disaster, as such it provides perspective of how the event was viewed during its time of occurence.
Nicholas Daniloff. "Chernobyl and Its Political Fallout: A Reassessment."
Demokratizatsiya 12.1 (2004): 117-132. Print.
This article focuses on the politics surrounding the Chernobyl disaster. The piece discusses the severity of the disaster and the way in which the event was treated by the Soviet Union, aswell as foreign governments. It contrasts reports released shortly following the event with the knowledge gathered following the declassification of Soviet documents in 1993. The piece explains the shortcomings of (then General Secretary) Mikhail Gorbachev and the Kremlin in general in regards to the disaster. It provides a great deal of insight into the political policies and actions relating to the tragedy.
Smith, Jim T., and Nicholas A Beresford. Chernobyl: Catastrophe And Consequences.
Berlin: Springer , 2005. Print.
This book discusses the wide range of implications the Chernobyl disaster had on the former Soviet states. It describes how the radiation resulting from the Chernobyl disaster halted agriculture in the USSR, which was primarly done on mass communal farms, aswell as how it affected the health of both people and wildlife within the area. The book provides background information, such as the natural amount of background isotopes encountered in the environment in normal scenarios and contrasts the numbers with the amount of radioactive material present in surrounding areas immediately following the disaster. This book focuses mainly on the scientific implications of the disaster.
Academic OneFile. Web. 5 Apr. 2011
The article explains the Soviet media silence surrounding the Chernobyl disaster. The Soviets failed to inform neighboring nations, some of which were part of or satelite states of the Soviet Union, of the impending distater. This not only caused damage to the reputation but also resulted in people exposed to increased amounts of radiation due to ignorance of its presence. Though much of the extra exposure exhibited by those outside of the immediate disaster vicinity(as a result of the Soviet media blackout) proved to be non fatal, it still proved to have detrimental effects. This article was written shortly following the disaster, as such it provides perspective of how the event was viewed during its time of occurence.
Nicholas Daniloff. "Chernobyl and Its Political Fallout: A Reassessment."
Demokratizatsiya 12.1 (2004): 117-132. Print.
This article focuses on the politics surrounding the Chernobyl disaster. The piece discusses the severity of the disaster and the way in which the event was treated by the Soviet Union, aswell as foreign governments. It contrasts reports released shortly following the event with the knowledge gathered following the declassification of Soviet documents in 1993. The piece explains the shortcomings of (then General Secretary) Mikhail Gorbachev and the Kremlin in general in regards to the disaster. It provides a great deal of insight into the political policies and actions relating to the tragedy.
Smith, Jim T., and Nicholas A Beresford. Chernobyl: Catastrophe And Consequences.
Berlin: Springer , 2005. Print.
This book discusses the wide range of implications the Chernobyl disaster had on the former Soviet states. It describes how the radiation resulting from the Chernobyl disaster halted agriculture in the USSR, which was primarly done on mass communal farms, aswell as how it affected the health of both people and wildlife within the area. The book provides background information, such as the natural amount of background isotopes encountered in the environment in normal scenarios and contrasts the numbers with the amount of radioactive material present in surrounding areas immediately following the disaster. This book focuses mainly on the scientific implications of the disaster.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Chernobyl Research
Today I had a chance to do some research on a subject I will soon be required to write a paper on: the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Finding credible information was easy as the catastrophic event was globally infamous. Because my point of view of the disaster deals with the point of view of someone living in the Eastern Bloc states, but outside the initial disaster zone, my research focused mainly on three major factors. The first was the internal politics surrounding the event. I discovered that Soviet officials were hesitant to admit that a disaster had taken place. The second was the state of international relations during the event. Foreign states played a role in exposing the event. Finally, I looked at the health impacts of the nuclear fallout towards those not in the initial zone of impact. Though the ailments were not as severe as those that befall the citizens of Chernobyl and its immediate surrounding cities (Pripyat for example), they were significant nonetheless.
Overall, this looks like it will be a very interesting subject to write a paper on.
Overall, this looks like it will be a very interesting subject to write a paper on.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Lewis' DIarry
For English class we had to read a journal detailing the suffering of Polish Jews in the Warsaw ghetto during the Nazi occupation of Poland. The fact that the piece was written by someone who experienced, and eventually died to the event, makes it a very engaging read. I felt an extra level of connection to the paper, coming from a Polish background. I could understand many of the Polish phrases included through out the piece.
Reading this piece reminded me greatly of the way my grandparents would describe the status of life during World War 2. My family is not Jewish, so there are some variations, but there is also some similarity; such as the frequent death occurring to innocent people. It sickens me to think that events such as this even occurred.
Reading this piece reminded me greatly of the way my grandparents would describe the status of life during World War 2. My family is not Jewish, so there are some variations, but there is also some similarity; such as the frequent death occurring to innocent people. It sickens me to think that events such as this even occurred.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Starting Research Paper
My topic of research involves the incident in Chernobyl in which an error caused one of the largest nuclear disasters to befall mankind. My point of view for the paper will be that of someone who wasn’t in the immediate disaster zone but was nonetheless affected by the nuclear fallout resulting from the disaster. The effects of the disaster were vast. Many people outside of Ukraine and even the USSR felt its impacts.
This seems like it’s going to be a rather interesting perspective. The fallout from the disaster traveled to many nearby areas and countries. Because of this, many people didn’t know they were being exposed to dangerous amounts of radiation until they started exhibiting side effects. These included things like birth defects and higher rates of cancer. The problems arising from this disaster, though not as severe as those exhibited by those in the initial disaster zone, were substantial.
This seems like it’s going to be a rather interesting perspective. The fallout from the disaster traveled to many nearby areas and countries. Because of this, many people didn’t know they were being exposed to dangerous amounts of radiation until they started exhibiting side effects. These included things like birth defects and higher rates of cancer. The problems arising from this disaster, though not as severe as those exhibited by those in the initial disaster zone, were substantial.
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