Animal abuse.

Uncover secrets behind girl killing rabbit video
(Warning: graphic images in article)

About a week before or so there was this video, of a Chinese girl sitting on a little rabbit and crushing it to death, that was a topic among people. Responses towards the video were all negative, mostly saying that she's incredibly inhumane, and must be crazy, or mentally ill (judging from her actions and facial expressions she makes). Through investigation, the identity of the girl was found, and the truth behind the videos were revealed.

The girl is not mentally ill. Among with two other girls, she is under a group named "Crush Fetish", which is obviously, a circle that promotes abusing and crushing small animals as a kind of fetish. The group records such kind of videos and sell them to foreign countries. I guess you could say it's some kind of pornography without any nudity, but with deformation, blood and plasma here and there. The infamous video that was all over the internet was merely a mild one among their videos. Others were even sick. The girls even burn animals with lighters, crush them by stepping on them, and rip them apart with their devil heels (which is a reason why they wear provocative high heels and boots).

The article quotes a commentary of someone who is supportive of crush fetish, that crush fetish is just an extended version of sadomasochism, and that people who are against these doings are probably vegetarians. The author of the article disapproves, and I whole heartedly agree. I am not a vegetarian, I enjoy eating eat meat, but I still cannot stand this kind of "fetish". Eating animal meat may be the same as killing animals, which makes meat eating and crush fetish similar things, but not necessarily so. Before we dine animal meat, we try to eliminate the pain of dying as much as possible by killing them instantly. However, crush fetish is more about torture, not necessarily "murder". It is much more inhuman than instant slaughters--the animal dies slowly, feeling every moment of the pain until it dies. What makes it even more sick is that the torturer enjoys tormenting the animal.
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Because you're different.

Anti-Bullying Starts in First Grade

This article is about a little girl in first grade, who gets teased because she likes Star Wars and brings a boyish Star Wars water bottle to school.

Lately I'm hearing a lot of news about bullying and I cannot believe that this is happening to little children who just entered elementary. These kids won't probably push someone to commit suicide like some young adults have done, but it would definitely decrease someone's self-esteem, which I think it'll be an issue, since self-esteem during childhood does affect a lifetime self-esteem. How and in what environment one is raised does affect how one would be when he/she becomes an adult.

What I realized from these news and related articles, is that bullying is not only caused by intolerance, but it is also happening just because the victim is being different. Or bluntly speaking, simply being who they are. LGBT teens getting bullied because they are not straight, because they just happen to be sexually attracted to the same sex, because they are not "normal". A little girl other kids make fun of because she is different, likes Star Wars more than what many girls usually like. Same thing goes to racism: certain people are mistreated because they look different, speak differently, and act differently.

I do understand that the definition of "normal" is defined by what the majority is like, and these standards are fixed for a long, long time that they are all planted in people's minds, but it doesn't mean that being "abnormal" is wrong. What is wrong in being who you are, and liking what you like? Do we even have any right to force them to deject their identity and interests? Also, what is so repulsive about being different? Being different is also being unique, and I think it is a good thing. You get meet new "faces" learn from them, see from their point of view, and eventually your soul gets enriched and your vision is broadened.
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Hey let's skip college!

Skip college, make money fast: 10 high-paying jobs that don't require a degree

I don't remember how I got my self reading this article...anyway, it is quite interesting.

This article basically introduces some jobs that not only has high salary, but also, does not require a degree. Sounds brilliant. The jobs listed are: nuclear power reactor operator, landscape architect, director of security, air traffic controller, elevator mechanic, private detective/investigator, freelance photographer, fishing supervisor, and bus driver. Among these some sound very extreme, such as a nuclear power reactor operator...WOW! Sounds very challenging and risky.

My opinion about this list is that, although it does not require a degree, there must be at least some qualifications or some proof that shows one can handle the job. For instance, a bus driver, obviously needs a driver's licence. And most of these jobs do require some fundamental knowledge or ability. A landscape architect needs some basic knowledge about architecture. An elevator mechanic needs to be able to handle wire connections and electricity connections, a photographer needs to know how to handle his/her camera to take better photos, etc. There are certain people who can do a great job with these occupations, and there are people who are unsuitable. Some people may actually skip college and earn big with these occupations, but not everyone can skip college and get jobs that are listed in the article.

The article is somewhat misleading. It has a sense to encourage every teenager to skip college. What I would do, is recommend these opportunities to those that really have no chance to go to college, either because of severe financial problems or something else. This list might actually pull out of despair of those who are not being able to sense an idea of his/her own future. For those who are capable to go to college and probably have their goals set already, they should definitely take the opportunity to go to college. I believe that colleges are where you get prepared for careers. A degree is not just for showing off. It is a proof that you have the skills and knowledge, and you are capable for your job.
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Wrong Snowflakes.

What's Wrong With This Snowflake?

Christmas is coming up, and I am sure many countries, especially western countries, are already getting prepared to celebrate. We may see decorations and Christmas cards everywhere, and maybe full of snowflakes too. However, it is said that the snowflakes are incorrect. Chemist Thomas Koop points out that scientifically, pentagonal and octagonal snowflakes are impossible. Normally a snowflake would be hexagonal, or rarely dodecagonal, due to the molecular structures of water molecules--they can fit together only in a certain way.

Calling the incorrect snowflakes as corruption of the beauty of ice crystals or scientific abominations is too much, though. In those holiday decorations and greeting cards, it is all about the holiday spirit, not the science. People celebrate the holiday because it has been their long-time tradition when families gather and enjoy their time together. Christmas isn't meant to celebrate science. However I cannot pick on Mr. Koop too much since he has been modest gentleman and stayed tolerant about this.

Also, as in what the article mentions, a website of a science magazine had advertisements which had incorrect snowflakes. In this situation I would let Koop pick on them as much as he would like to, since it is a SCIENCETIFIC magazine, and the editors or admins should know the correct scientific knowledge. Or even basic molecular science.
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