L A Y A ! [ e L e t t e r f o r A m e r i c a n Y o u n g A d u l t s ] h t t p : / / w w w . l a y a . c o m <<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>> VOLUME III ISSUE 12 DECEMBER 1998 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S . . . ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - A NOTE FROM THE STAFF - WHEN DICK RULES OVER JANE - PART 2 of 2 - REFLECTIONS || SNOITCELFER - HALLOWEEN JOKE - AND THEN THERE WAS LOG - OF FOOTBALL FANS AND REPORTERS =================================================== AMAZON.COM There's no easier, faster way to buy the books you love! Have them delivered with convenience right to your front door -- guaranteed lowest prices! Click below to visit amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/laya =================================================== <>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<> A N O T E F R O M T H E S T A F F <>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<> Happy non-denominational holiday. In today's world, politcal correctness is starting to become too much of a good thing. True, racism and sexism isn't "good," but calling dead people "differently alive" is just a tad excessive. The same goes with the holiday season. Just a few years ago, "Holiday Break" was known as "Christmas Vacation." But due to the increasing "awareness" of the "diverse" people on this planet Earth, school boards across the world have decided to be more accepting to the concept of equality (how hypocritical--see "When Dick Rules Over Jane, Part Two"). Anyhow, just a bit of thought to go along with your Christmas meal. And remember those less fortunate than you--after all, 'tis the season of giving. Food drives, homeless shelters, Hurricane Mitch victims--whether you give in the form of a donatation or simply by lending a helping hand, generosity is greatly appreciated. The LAYA! Staff <>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<> W H E N D I C K R U L E S O V E R J A N E <>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<> Part 2 of 2 Literature chosen in schools doesn't always have to be sexist. Many books of merit feature strong, assertive female characters. "The Handmaid's Tale" and "The Scarlet Letter" (although often showing women at unflattering times) are two explains, as is "The Joy Luck Club." "Jane Eyre" is a classic, and "Their Eyes were Watching God" is both a superb cultural and social commentary. Some of these texts are on high school reading lists, but from what I've observed, many classes don't read them. People can argue that books don't make that much of an impact, that by high school age, students know enough to realize that women are important, too. But is this really true? Studies have often shown that the media is the most effective influence in young adult lives-and this includes written sources. Books are simply enforcing women's tradition subordinate roles to men. In a way, this also relates to the discussion of banned books. Just the act of a school's choosing texts for students is slightly tyrannical. After all, teachers are merely dictating what students read. Researchers also say that teenage girls are the most emotionally vulnerable, since they're still developing self-esteem and are searching for their roles in today's complex world. Books showing women being abused simply convey the message to both girls and boys that women exist only to serve as an outlet for violence. Many of the required novels for high schools emphasize women subordinates, cooking and cleaning away for their husbands. This message of male importance begins at an early age. From "Peter Rabbit" to "Dear Mr. Henshaw," books are about boy after boy after boy. I eagerly read those books, and still do, but as many people have observed, girls are much more willing to read books with male characters than are boys with female dominated books. Is this the message we want future generations of children to receive? It may already be too late. Serena Chang serena@laya.com ------------------------------------------ To respond to this article, either click on the link below, or copy and paste it into your web browser: http://www.laya.com/rsp.cgi?id=ser01&sec=fre01 <>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<> R E F L E C T I O N S || S N I O T C E L F E R <>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<> Aside from the mouse turning 30 years old: http://www.msnbc.com/news/221857.asp there isn't much of interest. Just Kidding. All those offended please turn your heads... The first Furby Autopsy: http://www.phobe.com/furby/ In case you don't know what a Furby is, it's a small interactive toy that supposedly learns and does other weird things. In this owner's case, his Furby died. If you thought that was weird, try visiting 'The Church of Mentos'-- "Using the lessons taught in the 30 second mini-dramas on television, we focus on various techniques employed by the faithful to overcome unforeseen problems. These range from dealing with a high-heel shoe mishap to an inconsiderate businessman parking in a hurried manner." Go figure: http://www.btf.com/mentos/ Of course there's nothing like a weird cartoon: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Rampart/6331/hackers.html If you thought that was weird, wait until you find out this next bit of news -- Stephen Hawkings is going to star on a one hour special on a special episode of none other than...The Simpson's! I'm not kidding. And they're considering offering him a regular spot... http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/newsid_228000/228834.stm The Onion has signed a $450k book deal with Crown, and negotiated for a television Christmas special! http://www.theonion.com Last but not least, I'm sure all you will want to know about Canada's new tax. Starting January 1, 1999, the Canadian government will charge 50 cents for every 15 minutes on a CD. That's about $2.50 (CDN) more per CD. Watch for the next reflections in the next issue (maybe you should turn around and look the other direction for that). Robert Chin robert@laya.com ------------------------------------------ To respond to this article, either click on the link below, or copy and paste it into your web browser: http://www.laya.com/rsp.cgi?id=rfl01&sec=esy01 <>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<> D I D Y O U E V E R W O N D E R <>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<> *Would a fly without wings be called a walk? *Can you be a closet claustrophobic? *If the funeral procession is at night, do folks drive with their lights off? *If a stealth bomber crashes in a forest, will it make a sound? *When it rains, why don't sheep shrink? *If the cops arrest a mime, do they tell her she has the right to remain silent? *Why is the word "abbreviation" so long? *If a book about failures doesn't sell, is it a success? *Do cemetery workers prefer the graveyard shift? *What do you do when you discover an endangered animal that eats only endangered plants? *Do hungry crows have ravenous appetites? *Is it possible to be totally partial? *What's another word for thesaurus? *When companies ship Styrofoam, what do they pack it in? *If it's tourist season, why can't we shoot them? *Why do they sterilize the needles for lethal injections? *Why is there an expiration date on sour cream? *Why do kamikaze pilots wear helmets? *How do you know when it's time to tune your bagpipes? *Is it true that cannibals don't eat clowns because they taste funny? *When you choke a smurf, what color does it turn? *Do they have reserved parking for non-handicapped people at the Special Olympics? *Why do they call it a TV set when you only get one? *Do radioactive cats have 18 half-lives? *If you shoot a mime, should you use a silencer? *What was the best thing before sliced bread? <>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<> A N D T H E N T H E R E W A S L O G <>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<> A history of the Logarithm Captain's LOG, Stardate e That's right. A whole article on Logarithms. No, not about how to calculate them...but how they were born. The Logarithm was invented in 1614 by a man named John Napier. He was a Scottish mathematician, and created the first logarithmic table (and created the word "logarithm" go figure.) In case you were wondering, his book was called "Mirifici logaritmorum canonis descriptio" What a mouthful. It just so happens that Napier also created the decimal point (and no, I don't believe he's the devil incarnate, in case you were wondering :) After taking Algebra II, you may be wondering, why would I ever need to use Logarithms in real life? In reality, logarithms appear in life all the time -- as a way to simplify exponential functions (read 'equations'). They're also greatly utilized in computers. And beware -- there are matrix logarithms as well (it just gets worse and worse, doesn't it?) One thing of interest -- if you add one to the log of a number, the whole number part of the log refers to how many digits are in the number. Isn't that spiffy? I knew you'd agree. And there, boys and girls, is a short history of the Logarithm. Hope you enjoyed it. Robert Chin robert@laya.com ------------------------------------------ To respond to this article, either click on the link below, or copy and paste it into your web browser: http://www.laya.com/rsp.cgi?id=rfl01&sec=esy01 <>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<> O F F O O T B A L L F A N S A N D R E P O R T E R S . . . <>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<> Two boys are playing football in Golden Gate Park when one is attacked by a rabid Rottweiler. Thinking quickly, the other boy rips off a board of the nearby fence, wedges it down the dog's collar and twists, breaking the dog's neck. A reporter who was strolling by sees the incident, and rushes over to interview the boy. "Young Forty Niners' Fan Saves Friend From Vicious Animal," he starts writing in his notebook. "But I'm not a Niners fan," the little hero replied. "Sorry, since we are in San Francisco I just assumed you were." said the reporter and starts again. "Little Oakland Raiders' Fan Rescues Friend From Horrific Attack" he continued writing in his notebook. "I'm not a Raiders fan either," the boy said. "I assumed everyone in the Bay Area was either for the Niners or Raiders. What team do you root for?" the reporter asked. "I'm a Cowboys fan." the child said. The reporter starts a new sheet in his notebook and writes, "Little Redneck Bastard Kills Beloved Family Pet. ====================================================================== ====================================================================== L A Y A ' s S T A F F . . . Robert Chin President robert@laya.com Serena Chang Editor/Lead Writer serena@laya.com Daniel Cheng Layout & Design daniel@laya.com Chris Lin Perspective Editor chris@laya.com LAYA! looks best viewed with 10 point Arial font. ********************************************************************** If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please e-mail "info@laya.com" ********************************************************************** SUBMIT AN ARTICLE! E-mail "submissions@laya.com" with your article. If this article was not written by you, we'd like to know who wrote it and what their e-mail address is. If it is your article, please include your name and your e-mail address. Your article may also be published anonymously (please tell us this in the e-mail). 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