I have become more knowledgable about the World

I have become more knowledgable of many of the events that are happening in our world today. One such current issue that I am aware of is the high demand for oil from many places. The Middle East holds the most oil in the world, it may be possible that the demand for oil is one of the reasons for the conflict that is occurring there today. Even though there is oil located in other places in the world as well, problems arise in these areas too. One such location that is facing problems with drilling for oil is the Gulf of Mexico where a BP (British Petroleum) derrick burst into flames and encountered a major oil spill several days ago.

I am also more knowledgable on the history of the Twentieth Century. Mainly, I am more knowledgable about one of the biggest wars in human history; World War I. Two of the main causes for the beginnings of World War I were imperialistic and nationalistic ideologies. However, the war officials started when the Archduke Ferdinand of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire was assassinated by Serbian rebels. Technologies developed during World War I helped develop better technologies afterwards, such as aircraft and plastic surgery. Certain ideologies developed during World War I, such as self-determination and women's suffrage, would play major roles in the years to follow, such as the employment of women yet again to work in the factories during World War II.

Another topic that I am more knowledgable on is the topic of human diversity and ethnicities. There are many ethnicities out in the world. However, one should not assume that someone is of one ethnicity. The person may, in fact, be of another ethnicity and not appear like it. Furthermore, if the assumption is wrong, the person being questioned may be insulted by the assumption. To summarize, one's ethnicity may be different from what it appears to be and that one should not assume another's ethnicity to be one ethnicity or another.

Another topic that was discussed was that about other places in the world. One of the many places discussed was Africa and the various cultures there. One problem that Africans face today is that of genocides occuring in various countries such as Uganda and Sudan. Another fact to consider is that young children are being abducted to become fighters in the rebellions and the organizations. Currently, steps are being taken to end the genocide in Uganda, such as employing former resistance fighters to hunt down the heads of the movements.

One final topic that was discussed was that of the cultures of the world. One such culture that is far different from our own is that of Japan's. For instance, in Japan closing one's eyes during a meeting or a dicussion means that the person is deep in thought. However, in America, closing one's eyes during a discussion means that they are bored or tired of the conversation. The same also goes for scratching the back of one's head. In America that is a sign meaning that the person is curious or confused. However, in Japan it conveys the message that they are uncomfortable or embarrased by what is being discussed.

In the second semester, I have become more knowledgable about the world than I was before the start of the new year.