5,700 Square Feet

Earlier this week I went to the Cubs game. I am a big cubs fan. My family and I go to several games a year, probably double digits. This week was our last game of the 2013 season. I was sitting in the stands, looking around, and I realized that this was the last time I would see Wrigley Field the way it is. Wrigley Field is one of the oldest ball parks in America, and it has so much character. It is the only major league stadium with a non-electronic scoreboard, and is a big tourist attraction for people that visit Chicago.

Over the summer the owners of the Cubs proposed a $500 million renovation plan, and it was approved. They want to renovate the entire ballpark, including adding a 5,700 square foot electronic scoreboard over the bleachers.

I am okay with the idea for renovating, but why add a huge scoreboard? The non-electronic scoreboard is what makes Wrigley unique. I love that part of the stadium. But also what I don't understand, is why do we need all these renovations if nobody goes to the games to begin with? The Cubs are really bad. I mean, really bad. They struggle to bring in a lot of fans to each game. So why spend so much money on renovations to a field that nobody goes to to begin with? I don't understand it. I don't see how they could make enough money in the next few years because of these renovations to cover that kind of spending. I think they should spend more time and effort focusing on putting a decent team on the field. Maybe that will attract fans.

This is a photo of Wrigley Field as it is right now. The electronic scoreboard would be put just to the left of the green one already there.

Renovations proposals: http://espn.go.com/chicago/photos/gallery/_/id/8870086/image/1/wrigley-renderings-marquee-view-proposed-wrigley-field-renovations

A One-Way Ticket

The other day I overheard some people around school talking about some new Mars trip people were signing up for. I had no idea what they were talking about, but when I got home I googled it and was shocked to find out more.

Basically, there is a project called the Mars One project, which is proposing to send about 40 people on a shuttle to Mars in the year 2022. But, the trip is one way. No one who is sent will return. They are supposed to land in 2023, and start developing colonies on Mars - which is why they have no way of returning. Over 100,000 people have already applied. 

Personally I was shocked to hear about this. I have read many articles in the past that talk about how much our knowledge of Mars has been growing and how this could definitely be possible in the future, but I never imagined it happening this soon. I think it really shows how much technological advancements our society has made recently, as well as how fast we have been advancing. I was also shocked to see how many people signed on already, knowing that they will not return. What if it doesn't work out? What if we are wrong about Mars being able to sustain life? These people will most likely never see Earth again - which I think is kind of scary! I find the whole idea crazy but also fascinating.

Article: http://nypost.com/2013/08/10/more-than-100000-apply-for-mission-to-colonize-mars-in-2022-40-picked-will-never-return/

Gender Inequalities

Every day my gymnastics coach brings his son to practice. He just kind of hangs around, and we play with him. I was playing with him today because he had a bunch of fun new toys. He had a dump truck and a few race cars. He asked me what I wanted to "be", and I said I would be the truck. He looked at me and said, "No you can't be that one because only boys can play with the big trucks." He is four years old.

I was a little stunned by this. But, once I thought about what he said, I started to understand it. Children are enculturated to play with certain toys. Boys gravitate towards trucks and sports, whereas girls gravitate towards dolls and playing "house".  Although maybe not parents intentions, children seem to be raised to think certain things are appropriate and certain things aren't depending on their gender. Parents have started to attempt to make things equal for both genders, but a division is still visible.

The Issues of Social Class in America

Entering junior year, college starts to haunt everyone's mind. Especially at New Trier, where there is a lot of pressure and competition when it comes to colleges. Colleges themselves have recently surfaced a lot of conflict and controversy - a lot having to do with costs, student debt, etc. I found an article about something that may have not been discussed as much, but is still incredibly interesting.

The students of Harvard have somewhat of a reputation for being wealthy people who may be used to getting what they want. At least that's what I gather when I hear people talk about Harvard. I came across this article that says students at Harvard Business School who are on scholarship money, or may not have as much money as the other students are being outcast, and pushed aside based on their class.

Class is a major issue in American society. Kids raised in an middle/upper class are reminded of how well off they are, and they don't have to deal with problems that say, a lower class family has to deal with. Because of this, the division of class becomes evident to them. Although maybe not intentionally, kids are enculturated to see the division of class and to reflect on it. People are seen differently because they grew up in a one bedroom apartment. Right now, it is somewhat inevitable in America. That is what is going on at Harvard. Kids that didn't pay the extra $20,000 are being outcast because they don't have the same amount of money as the other students. The division of class needs to stop, because the judgement of people based on their class and financial situations is not fair and not right. Although it won't stop overnight, I think that we should push ourselves to head that direction.

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/10/education/harvard-business-students-see-class-as-divisive-an-issue-as-gender.html?hp