Formulas. When I think about the array of disciplines in which formulas are handy – be it mathematics, lab work, herbal remedies, baking – I realize that they have always been my favorite part of learning. I love an opportunity to build a toolkit populated with formulas. Having a quick reference with no filler is one of the joys in life for me.
I like outlines. Dynamic, short, and concise equals a happy me. No matter the discipline, guaranteed, in short reach is a list of formulas – the essentials, void of complete sentences. The trick is saying more by writing less. Classes.
Getting classes to check out properly is a task in itself. Initially, when I would create child classes for a parent class, I predominately focused on the parent class, so much that I wouldn’t allow myself to move on through the problem until all of my child classes fell in line. But I’ve come – firstly – to anticipate the instances that shall be called upon, once all that meticulous mapping and outlining have been carried out. It's a little like working backwards. But it has helped me. I think about potential instances first; I ponder how to build the parent class, along with its child classes, accordingly.
Coding is new to me. It began as a hobby – a challenge in which I could lose myself for few hours. At first, I thought, "well this is nice: it is like approaching a new language." I am learning new syntax: this is fun! But the more involved I became, the more I realized that, perhaps, I am capable of more than merely memorizing the meaning of its punctuation.
Coding fulfills my need to be a problem solver. It has broadened the way I think. ABOUT EVERYTHING. Backwards mapping: I don’t use it enough. Or I never took the time to appreciate the beauty it serves – until writing classes.
SOCIAL DETERMINANTS.
Realizing that the general health of diverse populations is affected by income inequality moves one to consider social aspects that influence this phenomenon. Social determinants should be especially examined, because, despite what one might assume, the health of those on the high-income end of the spectrum are experiencing negative consequences, just as those on the low-income end of the spectrum are undergoing negative repercussions. Through analyzing concepts provided by Richard Wilkinson, John Lynch et al., and Dr. Donald Warne, the unfavorable health outcomes caused by income inequality are better understood.
Competition, superiority, inferiority, and sense of distrust fill our society with stressors. Wilkinson illustrates that a wide gap between low-income populations and high-income populations creates an environment in which hostility ultimately affects health. He raises the point that when the gap between the poor and rich is larger, rates of homicides and individuals in prison increase dramatically (TED 2011). In addition, Lynch et al. offer similar insight into this idea of trust, violence, and health. Social cohesion dissipates when there is greater income inequality. This disintegration of social cohesion influences homicide and violence, particularly regarding young adults (Lynch et al. 2004). Such a statistic raises more questions, comments, and, possibly, answers. Wilkinson presents notions on the relationship between status competition and psychological effects. Low-income groups may feel inferior in societies where the gap is wide. Evaluating oneself based on social value leads to stress (TED 2011). Stress compromises the immune system, subsequently causing entire groups of people to be constantly fighting off social and individual physical problems.
We are aware that income inequality is detrimental to a population’s health, individually and as a whole. We are also aware that violence and distrust serve as culprits for declining health; but, why? And, are enough individuals voicing their opinion on an ugly, complex, and sensitive issue to make a difference for the vast populations suffering the consequences of great income inequality?
Dr. Warne expresses his sincere opinion on matters of health, social aspects, and income inequality. In a web-exclusive video, "Bad Sugar: Episode 4 (Culture of Diabetes — Native Americans and Futurelessness),"" Warne discusses the impact of income inequality and social isolation. Through practicing medicine and tending to the health of numerous Native American patients, he has come to believe that diabetes is an environmental and social behavioral matter. He states that diabetes was rare in Native American populations prior to the damming of rivers in Arizona (Unnatural Causes 2008). In an early 1900s health survey, there was one documented case of diabetes. Diabetes has only dramatically increased since then (Unnatural Causes 2008). Warne conveys that people who have less access to good foods, in addition to the introduction of bad foods such as corn syrup, makes particular populations more prone to diseases like diabetes (Unnatural Causes 2008). Moreover, he expresses that due to the social isolation of Native Americans, diseases more easily plague their population, because a feeling of isolation leads to a feeling of hopelessness (Unnatural Causes 2008). Since Native Americans have experienced major shifts in lifestyle, they are also feeling disconnected with their cultural traditions, which only perpetuates this feeling of unhealthy isolation (Unnatural Causes 2008).
Income inequality causes a social split that is detrimental to the health of all those involved. Even though low-income populations or culturally isolated populations have urged researchers to examine the cause and effect of widespread diseases, more research should be done on how income inequality is also affecting those in the high-income bracket. Social isolation could be applied to high-income groups in further investigations. The greater the divide, the greater the odds for opposition to implore a threat.
CATS, MOLD: IN NEED OF A NEW HOME.
In my own life experiences, and through evaluating reading materials and discussions with others, I have found that housing conditions (including indoor and outdoor pollution) prove to be a strong determinant of health. William C. Cockerham conveys that respiratory infection and problematic symptoms correlate with quality of housing conditions (Cockerham 2014). The poor quality of housing conditions of my last rental space negatively affected my health and the health of my pets. My relocation to a building with better indoor and outdoor conditions immediately improved some of my and my pets’ symptoms. Insulation, moisture, and ventilation all contribute to poor respiratory health (Cockerham 2014). Respiratory problems proved to be just the beginning of the issues ailing my cats and me. We certainly suffered symptoms, such as sneezing, wheezing, coughing, and chronic headaches. But perhaps more frightening was witnessing the dermatological journey of one of my cats in particular.
Issues with mold and cockroaches tormented one of my cats – progressively depleting his fur to bare skin. His battle with these allergic reactions were consuming his life. By the time we moved away from the property, half of his body was furless. His constant itching and grooming was then supplemented by his persistent vocalization; almost as if he was veritably “crying for help”. Fortunately, we were able to move into a better insulated apartment with no mold and only the occasional cockroach within the next year.
After only a few months of living in our new home, he had stopped the constant sneezing, scratching, and howling; his coat grew back in, beautifully, a month or so after that. He became an entirely different cat, a healthy cat. He plays much longer and is not as anxious. It moved me so much to see him not just healthy but happy again, that I almost forgot that I, too, was not suffering chronic headaches, inflamed sinuses, and swollen lymph nodes.
CONVENIENCE STORES AND LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS.
The high quantity of low-quality foods pervading low-income neighborhoods is atrocious. In regards to food categories, most markets found in low-income neighborhoods can hardly be recognized as functional markets, but rather, as corner or convenience stores. What may be even more devastating is that the United States Department of Agriculture lists these convenience stores and liquor stores under the same classification as grocery stores such as Whole Foods (Ornelas 2012). Lauren Ornelas, of the organization Food is Power, Sam Dolnick, of the New York Times, and Jessica Y. Breland et al. in their study titled, “Challenges to Healthy Eating for People With Diabetes in a Low-Income, Minority Neighborhood,” all exhibit how access to particular food categories greatly determines the health of those particular communities.
Ornelas declares the irony in what has happened in Silicon Valley concerning food availability. Silicon Valley, historically, has been noted for its orchards. However, in a study conducted on Santa Clara County and access to healthy foods, fresh foods were found to not only be lacking in this region, but the foods that were made available to the community were food categories conducive to bad health and disease (Ornelas 2012). Ornelas is a strong advocate for choosing a vegan diet and would like to see more vegan options readily available for individuals living in low-income neighborhoods. Dolnick raises various points revolving around low-income neighborhoods and food availability. South Bronx and obesity has been an issue due to minimal options for healthy food choices (Dolnick 2010). In addition, Breland et al. describe how diabetes has taken over minority and low-income populations. When comparing food categories such as fast food restaurants and highly processed foods to healthier eating choices like fresh produce, one can comprehend why diet-driven diseases permeate throughout populations of particular communities. Likewise, other various and important aspects of health and food access need to be addressed.
For example, not only does providing almost exclusively unhealthy food choices increase rates of disease such as diabetes, but some of the long-term consequences have to do with being unaware of which food categories are available and why. One needs to examine a person’s community in order to understand his or her overall health. Breland et al. found that two of the major impressions conveyed through their study was that the short-term, unfavorable consequences of diet eclipsed the long-term benefits of maintaining a healthy diet and that the communication between individuals and their healthcare providers concerning diabetes was ambiguous to a fault (Breland et al. 2013). Regardless of where one resides, teaching and learning together helps everyone as a whole to grow. The same is true for health and combating illness and disease. Those needing care, and those treating the ailing, should be aware of the tools and resources accessible to them. Clients and clinicians should establish a functioning system where each person involved has a good understanding of the various factors affecting their health, which includes options to better food choices, or questioning (together) why healthier options are not being offered by neighborhood establishments. The current generation can ingrain valuable, healthy behaviors or promote necessary actions to take in order to improve the quality of life for those in their community – ultimately, benefiting the lives of future generations.
The great thing about knowledge is that, oftentimes, even though it seems to initially ignite on an individual level, its true potential is seen as knowledge itself proliferates throughout a community. As families band together to encourage better health choices, and communities work together towards access to better foods, neighborhoods can combat illness, disease, and unfavorable circumstances.
Ornelas targets focus groups in La Mesa Verde where communities are being taught how to grow food in their own yards. In addition, their organization offers health-conscious cooking classes (Ornelas 2012). These types of movements have the potential to create long-term change for these communities. A shift in the perception of convenience stores may be occurring. The average corner store is largely seeming more like a diet-driven-disease vending facility.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARADIGMS, POTTERY, AND ARTIFACTS.
Pottery, as well as other artifacts and features, convey various concepts about past ancient peoples. Paradigms such as cultural history, processualism, and post-processualism are used by archaeologists to study and analyze remains. These paradigms help scientists to construct studies and answer questions like, what people were doing, what their environment may have been like, and what some of their beliefs systems were.
Seriation and cross-dating are methods that draw upon elements from both a cultural historical approach and a processualist approach. If a particular ceramic style frequently found at one site is also found at another site, both sites could be considered contemporary to each other, which aides in dating the artifact. A scientist using a cultural historical approach compares characteristics of artifacts to each other. Here, the scientist will carefully analyze style, depiction, and materials. A processualist would also be concerned with how the materials were worked or used. Since seriation revolves around the idea that specific ceramics will increase in popularity and then decrease in popularity through time, it draws from both disciplines, because it takes into consideration what has been found and how frequently these artifacts occur (Brewer 2012). Post-processualism addresses the why questions pertaining to artifacts; it pays attention to particular art symbols depicted on the artifact. A post-processualist may also delve into questions about why women dominated more scenes on a particular object compared to men (Brewer 2012).
Sociopolitical aspects of ancient cultures are also portrayed through examining artifacts. When Egypt transitioned into a more centralized economy, archaeologists were able to recognize this occurrence through observing an increase in mass produced wheels, molds, and pottery. Pottery before this transition differed in that it was highly detailed and more personalized in style. In addition, the economic centrality of this period is displayed by an overall increase of less decorative artifacts found distributed over a vaster region (Brewer 2012).
Commercialization and exchange patterns among ancient cultures can be determined through analyzing pottery as well. The association of ancient Egyptians and Palestinians is evident through the discovery of Palestinian ceramic vessels, engineered in a similar manner by Egyptians. These particular vessels were produced with wavy handles. Striking similarities rendered in artifacts found in different regions supports the idea that different populations from different areas were most likely interacting with each other, and therefore, influencing each other (Brewer 2012).
The archaeological record thrives on the use of diverse paradigms and methods by scientists. Documenting and assessing evidence from ancient societies leads current societies to answers concerning the past (and, possibly, the future). Artifacts represent human creation. What humans create often goes beyond necessity; it reveals various layers of the human experience, which include communication, self-expression, and interpretation.
THE LATE PERIOD & PTOLEMAIC PERIOD: POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS, AND ECONOMIC MOTIVATIONS IN THE COMMISSIONING OF ART AND ARCHITECTURE.
Royalty of the Late and Ptolemaic Periods commissioned art that was shaped by the political, religious, and economic climate. Featured in twenty-sixth dynasty art are past models, more specifically, styles of the Old, Middle, and New Kingdom (Robins 2008). Themes depicted in art represented religious deities such as Amun. Then, in later periods, other deities such as Nekhbet and Wadjit were chosen to be depicted. Even with shifts in rulership in the Late Period and Ptolemaic Period, like rebels overthrowing Persian kings and Persians reconquering Egypt, Egyptian art form, for the most part, successfully withstood the commotion and remained the historically dominant style as found in earlier periods.
The twenty-sixth dynasty sunken relief of King Taharqa demonstrates a stylistic model reminiscent of the late fifth and early sixth dynasties. The figures have brawny limbs, low small of the back, and sizable shoulders (Robins 2008). Although the reasoning for incorporating older models into the art of this time has been disputed, Robins makes the insightful suggestion that Egyptians were now surrounded by Egyptian art of previous eras. Artists now had the ability to more easily study it and be inspired by it. Past religious ideas were not forgotten and were incorporated into the belief system of this time period.
Since Amun symbolized the creator capable of rising above turmoil, King Taharqa (in the twenty-fifth dynasty) had a building constructed next to a sacred lake where rituals could be performed with the return of the Amun statue. The statue traveled to this temple from Medinet Habu (Robins 2008). Nubian kings of the twenty-fifth dynasty insisted on expressing traditional Egyptian elements. Perhaps the emphasis of rebirth and regeneration for foreign kings and their people helped them to feel as though they were successfully melding into this culture and this new phase in their lives. In the periods to follow (the Late and Ptolemaic Periods), Egypt relied on Alexander the Great for assistance against Persian rule, which led to Ptolemy claiming himself as king. The descendants of Ptolemy had leadership over Egypt for two and a half centuries (Robins 2008). In the temple of Kom Ombo, two scenes exhibit King Ptolemy VIII being guided by Nekhbet and Wadjit to Sobek-Ra. Horus is shown giving the king Sed festival symbols. The layout of this relief is representative of Ptolemaic temple scenes, where each scene is encapsulated by a column of vertical text (Robins 2008). Decoration typical of the Ptolemaic Period predominantly expressed Egyptian style, which includes enhancing old traditions and refining skill. That art did not completely adopt foreign stylistic traditions, even though Egypt was being ruled by (ethnically) non-Egyptians, reveals the resiliency of Egyptian culture.
Art has the ability to communicate history, and in more fortunate circumstances, can reveal abstract notions such as sentiment, atmosphere, and empathy. It is fortunate for ancient Egyptians that they were capable of this and so much more.