If unicorns were real, we would have to protect them from poachers. And love them.
Hello Dumbledore my friend! If unicorns were real, Voldemort would drink their blood to lengthen his life unnaturally. And that would be tragic.
I've seen it. It's sick.
Those poor, innocent unicorns... I'm sorry you had to see it.
Are there unicorns in Lord of the Rings world?
There are no unicorns here. Just a lot of orcs. I wonder why we (meaning humans) like to imagine creatures like unicorns and orcs. And dragons.
An interesting question. I think we like to imagine things that are bigger than us. Why are some considered evil and some good?
I think you are right. I don't know why we consider some evil and some good. I like hearing stories of early sailors who thought they saw mermaids, or giant monsters in the ocean. It's fascinating. If you could be a mythical creature, what would you be?
I would probably be a hero like He-man. All those super powers from the 80s are pretty awesome! What would you be?
Haha! I love He-man! And the masters of the universe! I would probably be a hobbit haha
What's the coolest creature you've ever seen?
Or maybe I would choose to be a dragon. Dragons are pretty cool. The coolest creature I've ever seen? Hmmm.... Maybe a human. Humans are pretty cool creatures in my opinion. We walk and talk and sing and dance and do all sorts of cool things.
Dragons are way cool, but not very agile. It might be worth it though.
That's true. Agility is one of the most noble characteristics a being can have.
Humans are so fascinating! They are unlike any other creature and influence the earth in so many ways! Even in the wizarding world.
That is true! Without humans, we wouldn't have firefighters. Or wizards. Or lawyers. So many interesting things humans can be!
So, I always hear about how humans work so hard to protect keystone species and keep the environment from falling apart, but I wonder if that is just because we are trying to fix problems we create ourselves.
Good point. I know that a lot of species went extinct before humans existed, but a lot of people believe the rate of extinction has increased a lot since humans become so dominant. We definitely do create a lot of problems for ourselves. And for other species.
That's true. The other day I was thinking about all the waste we produce as a species, and wondering how we'll take care of it in the furture. Or if our planet will just be full of waste.
That's a great thing to think about! We produce SOOOO much waste. Sometimes I think about it when I take out the garbage at my apartment complex. There is so much garbage, and I live at just one complex in one smallish city in one state in one country! Although our country wastes more than most.
Yeah! Taking out the trash scares me too! I guess I can only hope that technology improves in the future, we'll find a way to dispose of it better. Or else we'll be in big trouble.
Do you have any ideas about what good solutions could be? Sometimes I think that we should pass legislation that makes companies responsible for recycling instead of individuals. For example, what if Coca-Cola was responsible for recycling Coke bottles instead of consumers? Maybe Coke would cost more, but I think Coca-Cola would do a better job at making it happen than individuals left to themselves.
That is a great idea! Since they produce the waste and make the profit, it would make sense if they were responsible. Or else there is no consequence for producing tons of waste.
Yeah! If we made it a question of business, I think we could learn to be way more efficient about it too. If Coca-Cola got tax breaks for doing the recycling, then the company would come up with an efficient way to recycle. So they could get more money in tax breaks. Make it an economic thing!
True! We produce a lot of waste from transportation too, but no one seems to want to go to cleaner energy because it's so expensive.
True. I think the US has a greater responsibility to work on cleaner energy than other countries. Because we are so much richer than developing countries! It would be really hard to use clean energy in a country like Ghana, since they are still developing. It would be more expensive if we used cleaner energy, but we can afford it more.
Yes! In one of my classes they talked about some guy's philosophy that countries should tax more during wealthy economic times and less during recessions. And how we do the tax less part, but never want to raise them. And now we have lots of debt.
That is a good point. I think that is a wise idea. But no one ever wants to pay more taxes.
Indeed. And it's hard to know what programs to cut funding on.
That is definitely true. No one wants their program to be cut. I am glad we have so many programs though. I am a big believer that government sponsored programs can make a big difference. When I was in high school, I worked with a program that helped provide therapy to individuals with disabilities. It was a great program, and I'm really glad it was funded through taxes! But I recognize that government programs can often be inefficient. It is hard to find the balance between efficiency and providing the resources people need. What do you think about government spending?
I think it's hard to figure out particular policies, but we shouldn't spend more as a nation than we are earning. Because that could end up as a bad situation.
I agree that is generally a good idea. It's a good principle. But government debt is also different from personal debt.
It would be nice if we could decide what we wanted to tax and fund on more of a local level, but I realize that might not be realistic.
It can be terrible sometimes, but in moderation it can be okay. Yeah, it would be more efficient if we could do more on a local level. It would be hard though. That's probably why we skip a lot of local power and enforce a lot of things nationally.
Yeah, it's cool learning about the formation of our current form of government and how so many of the founders were opposed to larger governments. A lot has changed since then though.
Did you take American Heritage? I thought it was a great class. It is interesting to learn about the founders of America. They had a lot of great ideas, but you are right, a lot has changed since then.
I did! I really liked the class, but did not do very well on the tests. That was a little disappointing, but I'm grateful for the knowledge even if it didn't show in the grade
What a great attitude! I'm impressed. I often base how I feel about a class on my grade in the class haha I think your attitude is a lot better.
I wish my attitude was more consistent in that way. It isn't always. :) In my writing 150 class, we all wrote papers on America's education system.
What was your paper about?
It was interesting to see people's different ideas for reform. Mine was on increasing the amount of STEM classes taught in middle and high schools.
That sounds like a fascinating topic!
Even though I don't particularly believe that is a good idea. I just like those subjects more.
So you wrote in favor of more STEM classes even though you don't think there should be more of them taught in middle and high schools?
I would just have to do more research if I were to come to an intelligent conclusion. I think I personally might have benefited from more of them, but I realize that some people excell in other areas. And something has to be cut if teach more STEM. But it could be fun,
That's a very reasonable opinion. You seem to be a very thoughtful person. I also love STEM, but I realize not everyone does. I think STEM fields are a little more practical (as in better paying) and so I think it is good to help kids do well in STEM. But you are right, it's not for everyone! And people don't want to cut things like music and art. I don't think they should be cut either, I loved doing music in high school.
Yeah, after doing research I see a lot of good things that can come to students from it like problem solving skills, and it is generally more practical in our current society. And a lot of kids are afraid of it because they think it is hard.
That's true. I know it is harder for some people than for others, but I also wonder how much of that is due to poor teaching? If we taught STEM better, would people think it is easier? I think so.
Agreed.
But it is hard to get great teachers for everyone.
True.
Well, I've got to go now. Great chatting with you!