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Tesla Attempts to Win the Future with New Battery

June 4, 2015 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Ella Donesky
Staff Writer

In May 2015, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, the leading global energy conservation manufacturer, announced the release of their latest fantastical invention: “Powerwall.”

The home battery, available this summer, provides a sustainable alternative source of energy, which you can use to power your home electrical appliances. The battery can be used to power your Tesla Motors Electric Car. The energy for the battery is supplied through Solar Panels which can be attached to the roof of your home.

The Powerwall is offered in an assortment of colors and can be stacked on top of each other. A single battery is approximately 51 inches in height, 34 inches in width, 7 inches in depth and weighs 220 pounds.

Musk delivered a keynote speech (powered by the Tesla battery, of course) where he presented the battery and further pressed the ever-growing need to switch to clean energy sources. He opened by saying, “What I’m going to talk about tonight is a fundamental transformation of how the world works, how energy is delivered across the Earth.”

Musk then began the presentation by projecting an image of the current state of global warming, followed by a graph of the Keeling Curve, which demonstrates the trend of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere.

The impact of both images is a visual representation of what the world could look like if we continue to release harmful chemicals into our atmosphere. Musk listed the existing ways of conserving energy: Coal, Natural Gas, Nuclear, Hydro, Wind and Solar.

An impactful and lasting solution, however, is not in any one of these methods, except in the Tesla Battery. And according to Musk, this solution exists in two parts:
first,get rid of carbon as a source of power; then, show people how easy it can be to do that.

An image of a blue square on the map of the United States, (occupying a very small portion of Texas) which represents that amount of land needed to power the whole country, communicated this message in the clearest and most powerful way.

Musk then zoomed in on the blue square, revealing an even smaller red pixel, which represents the amount of batteries needed to eliminate carbon as a source of energy

Musk addressed the inadequacy of existing batteries and described them as “expensive, unreliable, stinky, and ugly.” The Tesla battery is exceptionally powerful and relatively compact.

In order to make all transport, electricity and all heating renewable, we need 2 billion powerpacks releasing 200,000 gwh. Musk pointed out that currently, we have 2 billion cars and trucks on the road. The importance of that statement is to provide a comparison figure that people can relate to, suggesting that if we can do that, we can transition the world.

Aside from providing a cleaner source of energy, there are other benefits to purchasing the Tesla Battery. Firstly, it can be used as a backup energy source in the case of a power outage. It is also a solution for people who live in remote parts of the world, who don’t have electricity, or for whom it is too expensive. The battery works “off the grid.”

The fundamental question Elon Musk posed in the presentation was, in his words, “What do we need to transition the world to sustainable energy?” And the point he pressed in the presentation was that is was incredibly easy to do so.

According to the energy.gov, the average American spends $3,052 annually on energy. The Powerwall costs $3,500, (plus the cost of the panels and installation) and that’s a one-time purchase.

I believe that this solution is entirely feasible. With the Powerwall, sustainable energy sources become more accessible to people, and based on what they spend on electricity in a year, most would save money within a few years–specially if it’s permanent and if the government got involved to make the battery cheaper.

Musk also went beyond that, offering to share technology with other companies so the price of the battery goes down and everyone can participate in the transition to sustainable energy.

My only criticism of the presentation is that it leaves a lot of questions unanswered. The battery is one part of the package, but Musk didn’t make clear where the cables are coming from, how to install the battery, who will install the system, whether the solar panels are also Tesla, and so on.

Musk finished the presentation with this statement, “No incremental CO2, that’s the future we need to have, and the path that I’ve talked about, solar panels, that’s the only path I know that can do this. And I think it’s something we must do, and we can do and we will do.”

Watch the full presentation here: http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/1/8527543/elon-musk-tesla-battery-feels

Diversity In Superhero Films

June 4, 2015 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

by Staff Writer: Calamity Jung-Allen

Recently, superhero movies have been ruling the theaters. Thor made over $181 million, The Incredible Hulk $312 million, Iron Man $318 million, and Captain America $176 million. In fact, The Avengers broke box office records making $623 million so far, and close to $206 million in its opening weekend.

Because of all this success, superheroes are in the spotlight, and when something is in the spotlight, a lot of heads turn to look. But how do those superheroes compare to the audiences that watch them? And what cultural norms are they enforcing?

Take the 1978 Superman as an example. When Superman announces that he stands for the American way, the implication that this statement will appease mainly American audiences is a dangerous one, because it goes along with the assumption that America’s face is that of a straight, white, cis, able-bodied man.

So many people (children more often than not) look to superhero movies as inspirations for how they should act to be good citizens (I’m looking at you, Captain America), but whether purposefully or not, the movies also set a standard for how to look. What about people other than Superman?

Women (and I’m talking the least persecuted section of women: white, cis, and fit)

One role that has run rampant in superhero films for a very long time is the love interest. These female characters were most often static and had further identity outside of their relationship with the male hero. One such example is Lois Lane in Superman, who, though a subjectively exciting character, spends her entire time kissing or being saved by Clark Kent. The same happens to Mary Jane Watson in Superman, Rachel in The Dark Knight, and Jane Foster in Thor.

Another one of the most recent developments in the depiction of women in superhero movies is called the fighting sex toy. This trope is perpetuated repeatedly amongst the women shown in movies such as Black Widow in The Avengers, all of the girls in Sucker Punch and Mystique in X-Men. Physically powerful women are reduced to their bodies. Even though they are technically strong, they often use their bodies as sexual weapons more often than that. Black Widow usually cracks villains’ necks between her leather clad legs, Mystique spends the entire movie in a skintight suit made to look like the character is naked, and the women in Sucker Punch have multiple scenes of sexual context and extremely revealing outfits.

Now, don’t get me wrong: ladies fighting bad guys and being comfortable and confident in their bodies is not something I want to discourage. But the persistence of this trend is what makes it ridiculously frustrating for the representation of women. The seduction is overused, and creates the connotation that the only way a female superhero can even exist is if they are conventionally attractive and use their sexual prowess as their main advantage.

People of color

One way that directors will often feign diversity in their casts is by having people of color as consistently secondary characters. You see this among many superhero movies, where almost if not all of the main cast is white, with one person of color in the background. Including characters of color only to play backseat roles only reinforces the idea that people of color are only important as the sidekick or comic relief. White characters are seen as the ideal image, and this limits the dynamic of non-white characters.

The Avengers, being one of the most influential and famous superhero films in recent mainstream media, is one of the best examples of this. Its poor representation reinstates the philosophy that a white, straight male is the default, and everyone who is part of a minority has only one responsibility: to support. This way of thinking makes it easier for the general public to pinpoint a Black Widow movie as a girl movie, or a Miles Morales movie as a black movie. It’s almost as if being part of an underrepresented section of society turns you into an adjective.

Another way that people of color are marginalized in superhero movies is by altering natural characteristics and assimilating them into white culture to make white audiences and critics more comfortable. For instance, Storm in X-Men and Thunder in The Outsider both have straight, flowing hair (grey-white for Storm and blonde for Thunder).

Not only this, but the very color of their skin is often in question. In Guardians of the Galaxy, Zoe Saldana is painted green, Dave Bautista is painted grey and red, and Vin Diesel is a tree. Not only does this take away from the representation of people of color in superhero movies by almost disguising them, but also further promotes Euro-centric beauty standards.

Another problematic role that characters of color are often smashed into is the villain. Often, they are shown as the savage and/or evil caricatures who barely have backstories. It’s important that audiences do not mistake this for adequate inclusion. Though prominent non-white characters is a pro, consistently portraying them as threatening is a definite con. Apparently, people of color are seen as dangerous not only in America, but also in galaxies far far away.

Looking to the future

Recently, there has been a lot of buzz about characters who have usually been portrayed as white people being played in live action movies by actors of color. For instance, the originally white, blond Human Torch and Aquaman are now cast as Micheal B. Jordan and Jason Momoa. Other examples in comic book form include John Stewart as Green Lantern, Miles Morales as Spiderman, and a Pakistani American Mulism as Ms. Marvel. Many people have condemned this trend as disrespectful to the original artists’ visions, but as Azie Dungey says in The Huffington Post, writers in 1961 can’t be expected to write black superheroes when black men couldn’t vote or eat at lunch counters.

If the industry is ever going to follow suit, it’s important we support and encourage movies, concepts, and casting choices that reflect diversity. As movie goers that support such diversity, it’s up to us to help the films that have good representation! So, go on. Buy your tickets! Do your research! And together we may be able to help the superhero film industry finally change its ways.

Youth Pride Preview

June 1, 2015 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Angelica Owens

Staff Writer

The city of Philadelphia always has a Gay Pride parade and festival in June, but this year they tried something different. After the regular Gay Pride Parade, they will have a Youth Pride parade on July 5th.

Youth pride will be from 11-6pm and will start off at the William Way Center 1315 spruce and the rest will be between 13th and locust.

Youth Pride was planned mostly by a man named Andrew Rannells, along with student, Sean Morris and others. They started Youth pride because regular pride is filled with old, drunk people. To avoid that scene, they made a day where participants 21 years old and younger can celebrate being queer. There isn’t much information given on the events on this day, but there will definitely be a ribbon cutting of the new rainbow crosswalks in the gayborhood so that should be an exciting thing to happen. It is not clear where the tradition of the rainbow crosswalks started but they are over gayborhoods all around the country, including most recently, Key West Florida.

I am really looking forward to going to going to Youth pride because this is the first year we have done this and I think it would be good for just the youth to get together and celebrate being youth in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community because it’s not easy. We are always getting talked down on from some of the older generations.

Another event I am looking forward to is the rainbow crosswalk. I have always wanted to see something rainbow in our city besides the rainbow signs but actual visibly on the streets such as the sidewalks. I am a huge fan of being prideful about who I am, so I can’t wait to see the new edition to the streets of the gayborhood! It brightens up our city and makes it a way to say that we have pride towards who we are and to show we are happy with ourselves.

Where is the Goth Lyfe?

May 31, 2015 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Staff Writer

Corinthia Bell

Have you ever wondered of the Gothic subculture? Many consider Goths to be creepy and vampirish, but in truth the subculture is simply one where beauty is shown in the darkness. If there’s beauty amongst light and colours, wouldn’t you say there the same for the shadows? This subculture’s fashion always involve black, but there can be a bit colours that suit the colour black, such as red or dark blue. It also involves chokers, short/ long sleeves for the arms, platforms, spiky hair and legs are usually covered with thin laced stockings.

The history how it has adapted to where it is today has came from a range of time periods. Many believe Goth has formed from the punk movement in the 70s, but it actually hadn’t. For this subculture has always been in existence ever since the early 800 A.D. Of that time, there were Vikings and the Goths were of the Viking groups. Even later around the 12th century, architecture was a popular form of it. But knowing then that buildings, such as Gothic churches, are labeled as Goth then mostly Goth people went into these places. Such people were known as a group and Gothic was their religion. This subculture’s religion believed in Christianity, sharing much doctrines and practices as today’s Christians. They even had tribes or division groups such as the Gepids, Vandals, and Burgundians.

So, where are Goths today? To be Goth is presently most popular in Germany and Japan. A main day where Goths are supported, is Goth Day. By supporting, someone gives a share of this beautiful style to all. Goth day takes place upon Friday, May 22. It firstly existed 2009 in the UK only, until a year later when it became universal. The reason of why it takes place upon May 22, is because a BBC radio broadcasted a show that focused on the Gothic subculture and it was on that date, and so as a result it became lovely Goth day.

A quick poll of the journalism class, has showed that if most students were to see someone wearing full black or have a pentagram, they’d assume they’re Goth when they could be of another form of style. Of those styles considered to be wrapped under the Goth package, alone they are their own individual style. Such other styles are known as Emo, Scene, Punk, Pastel Goth, Metal and much more. But of those who attend SLA, there hasn’t been anyone known to be identified as Goth, but however few are identified as emo and punk.

Several students in the class actually said that they thought I was a Goth. However I am just simply a someone who loves the colour black. The outfits I wear are worn by me because I cherish the styles and designs I see my favourite stores offer. I shop mainly upon Hottopic, Forever 21 and a lot of online stores. I always look for black with clothing that has designs of elegance, skulls, floral lace, and lots bands with low collars, long sleeves, oversized sweaters and leg skinny jeans/leggings, as well worn with a choker and black studs.

I personally can somehow differentiate those who are thought of Goth, but aren’t simply by knowing what each of the styles are that exist. For one, Emos are those whom cover an eye with the hair, wear tight pants, with band t-shirts, belts (sometimes) and converses. Scenes are those with much dyed hair that is teased oftenly and coloured clothing worn with black. Punks are those whom have the spiky sometimes shaved hair, spiked jackets bracelets etc and worn with little colour. pastel Goth is same as Goth but with bright kawaii colours and dyed hair. Then lastly metal as in everything bands with the same exact kind of clothing style as metal band members.

With this, such is tells to show that Goths too, have their own substantial gathering where they can truly union with with each other. It also gives way of to showing one’s private personalities. Now that you know what to be Goth is, you can see those no different than you, as someone that has love to show a beloved history.

Season to Remember for SLA Rockets

May 29, 2015 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

William Derry

Staff Writer

Image Courtesy of scienceleadership.org

The SLA baseball team may have finished their 2015 campaign earlier than they would have liked, but the Rockets’ season will go down as one of the best seasons in Public League baseball history.

C-Division was no match this year, as the Rockets finished the regular season with an undefeated 12-0 record. A team mostly dominated by sophomores, only had two seniors returning to the team –Stephen “Stax” Eager-White and Raekwon Smith — but this did not get in the way of their success.

The playoffs would prove to be even better for head coach Doug Herman and his young ball club. After holding B-Division Bodine High school to a hit in the first round, SLA Rockets pitcher Ben Simon, who closed out the game for the team said, “It felt good. It felt real good to pitch that well and that long in my first ever high school playoff game. I hadn’t pitched fantastic during the regular season so it was a great confidence booster to start off the postseason like that”.

The Esperanza Toros were next up. The Toros would be in for challenge, as Rockets came together, after infielder Jason Greene was knocked to the ground after being hit in the face by a baseball, in warmups. Greene would later have to go to St. Christopher’s Hospital, which thankfully was across the street from the field. The Rockets went on to win the game 13-7.

Frankford, the #1 seed in the Public League Playoffs, reigning Public League champs and current Division-A winners were next. The Rockets fell behind early, 5-1 but ended up winning the game 6-5 after keeping Frankford’s offense scoreless for the final five innings.

Lincoln was SLA’s next opponent in the Elite Eight. Lincoln’s pitching was no match for the Rockets’ offense as every Rocket that had a plate appearance got a hit. Starting pitcher Nick Miller taking a 1-hitter into the 7th, plus Simon shutting the door once again, proved to be enough as the Rockets went on to win the game convincingly.

Controversy surrounded the Public League Final Four. MaST Charter, who is not in the Public league, was given the opportunity to play against the Rockets, who had already won the right to represent “AA” in the state tournament, as they were the last “AA” team remaining in the Public League playoffs. The suburban charter school played an independent schedule, which included games against catholic and private schools but were not allowed to participate in their postseason. Further, this is not the first time MaST charter has participated in the Public league playoffs.

PIAA officials denied a proposal, that would have given Furness and Prep Charter an opportunity to play against each for the right to play the winner of the SLA vs. Lincoln semifinal if they were to win, which in turn would make sure that no Public League team would lose their right to play for the city title because of a defeat against a non-public league team.

Coach Herman, also made a proposal. SLA would play MaST charter on a separate day, that would not have any affect on the result of the Public League playoffs and every public league team that had played the charter school be given the chance to play other playoff teams to decide who would move on in the tournament.

Ultimately, on May 22nd, the Rockets and MaST charter met. With the “AA” title on the line the Rockets fell short with Lukas Supovitz-Aznar’s pitching heroics not being enough. Aznar’s arm would be missed, as the team had less than an hour to recover for their second semifinal against Franklin Towne. The Rockets fell behind early 3-0 but managed to take the lead in the 4th, 4-3. Franklin Towne would respond in the bottom of the inning to regain the lead, 6-4. The Rockets’ would have more chances in the following innings but could not get the timely hits that they were known for. Franklin Towne advanced onto the City Final against Olney, who they had just played in the previous round.

After shaking hands with players and coaches from the opposing Franklin Towne side, the Rockets met one more time around the third base bag. The realization of the end, became quite apparent as the players listened to coach Herman’s last post game speech of the season.

Senior’s White and Smith were congratulated by fellow teammates, as their high school baseball careers had come to a close but the two will be participating in the Senior All-Star Game on June 4th, at Ashburn Field. For the rest of the team, thoughts of a 2016 City Title run began to formulate in their minds.

Although the Rocket’s did reach the City Final or the PA state playoffs, they have a lot to be proud of. A C-division public league baseball team that was made up of mostly sophomores, went 12-0 during the regular season, 4-0 in the playoffs and 3-0 against A-division opponents. The 2015 season will forever be remembered as the year that changed the Public League.