It seems as though society has put forth the idea that pencils are simple: simple product, simple application, simple manufacturing. However, in looking into the production of pencils especially, it is much more complicated; there are a lot of underlying environmental impacts when manufacturing pencils.

I have always bubbled in my exam answers thoroughly, layering sheets of graphene with my #2 pencil to ensure my exam would not be marked as incomplete. In an unexpected parallel, I now layer a sense of guilt as the cherry-on-top to my test-taking experience; the materials and processes required to produce the #2 pencil accelerate our climate crisis.

It is without question that we live in a more interconnected world than ever, and now that physical connection and globalization are viewed as hazardous primary drivers for the velocity of viral spread, our digital connections have become essential for work, study, and social connectedness. However, the new role of digitized correspondence as the “exoskeleton” of society is not without an insidious underbelly.

Hey everyone! 

Here's links to the first official study about pollution and COVID-19 deaths that I brought up: 

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-08/air-pollution-linked-to-higher-coronavirus-death-rates

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.05.20054502v1.full.pdf

Obligate intracellular parasites / The visualization of the nonliving?

In Chapter 23 of the Honors Book, a discussion of privacy and the fast emergence of the lack of privacy is brought to our attention.

      Throughout the course of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, my life has been filled with either moments of complete chaos or harrowing solitude. Living an almost nomadic lifestyle out of my car, I have had to witness these distressing times through a unique lens. I wake up to an empty street and dull winds of Westwood. Following the snacking of several granola or protein bars, I use the later extent of my day finding places to study or loiter.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of the lives of individuals across the globe, including those of all genders, racial and ethnic backgrounds, ages, and abilities. Although COVID-19 has impacted a wide spectrum of people at the intersection of various identities, it would be remiss to say that this virus has infiltrated these people’s lives in identical ways. Rather, communities who hold historically marginalized and oppressed identities, including people of color and people with disabilities, are being affected in a disproportionate, negative way.

In Chapter 14 of the Honors Book, Sarah Wenner analyzes the ethics surrounding pharmaceutical testing in animals. The message is a powerful one, evoking the horrors of cruel procedures that torture and kill animals in laboratories across the world. Various organizations and affiliates attempt to combat the use of animals in highly experimental and unsubstantiated medical trials, but these groups have covered little ground in their fight. The art of Marina Abramovich shows the effects of such barbarism on the human body, and the result is devastating.

The start of each mundane morning is signified by the chirping birds outside my bedroom window. Although the nagging sound of alarms is what leads me to jump out of my subconscious thoughts, it is the sound of nature that follows that keeps me sane.

Although I joined this class late, I was immediately intrigued by the concept of understanding how biotechnology and art shapes our perceptions about COVID-19. After reading the Biotech and Art book presented in Dr. Vesna’s class, Natalie Focha writes an amazing piece on how the overpopulation of pets beginning in the 1800’s has contributed to an overpopulation of domesticated animals in the United States.

Katherine Morrett’s piece entitled “An Introduction to Epigenetics” gave a thorough description of epigenetics and its connection to the real world and art. As explained by Morrett, epigenetic factors can influence our gene expression, and thus our appearance, actions, and physiology. Unlike other heritable DNA-binding factors, epigenetic factors can be influenced by the environment, such as diet and exercise.

A few weeks ago, when Los Angeles' mayor announced "Safer at home" order, but before Moscow went on complete lockdown, I was talking to my Russian friend on the phone, chatting, catching up on our lives, and exchanging gossips. As I was sipping my morning coffee in silence and solitude of an empty apartment, I could not help but notice constant rattling and clanking of dishes steadily drowning my friend's voice.