Tales of Tenth Grade

As we all know, the activities of North Korea are often disconnected and unknown to the rest of the world.  Due to restrictions on freedom of the press and many other strict human right implications, North Korea is able to control what information they want publicized, and the information that they do not.  Even some of the most powerful intelligence agencies have trouble breaching "Mr. Kim's inner circles," according to the New York Times.  Now, as Kim Jong Un was absent from a popular North Korean celebration as well as not being seen in days, it is natural for rumors to spread like wild-fire.  One of the predominant rumors claims that Kim Jong Un is now in critical condition and possibly dead after a failed heart surgery.  Another, more recent article, released by Fox News, indicates that he was injured at a missile test launch.  But, is this true, and if so, what does the future hold in reference to political decisions. The leading piece of evidence t...

With all of the news stations talking mostly about the negatives of COVID-19, I thought it would be good to share some other good news! The major positive to social distancing is the positive effect on the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. With all of these busses, cars, trains, etc. which are constantly in use, there is a lot of negative emissions coming from them. The amount of CO2 in the air is on a fast slope upwards since the 1950s and now, this curve has the opportunity to level out! According to the Seattle Times, "China, the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter followed by the U.S., saw at the height of its economic shutdown during the pandemic an estimated 25 percent drop in emissions...." This is a substantial drop in emissions in the world's greatest contributor to global warming. Similarly, in Seattle, there has also been a dramatic drop in emissions. However, this is not enough to actually flatten the curve. The Seattle Times also states that "Even ...

Countries around the world have begun utilizing renewable resources in order to combat the imposing global warming crisis.  The most popular methods involve converting wind, solar, or other renewable sources into electricity.  This clean electricity can then be used to power our common everyday items.  However, this clean electricity only accounts for a small portion of transportation and fuel for our homes.  Fossil fuels such as gasoline, oil, and natural gas are still widely used and are the leading contributors to global warming.  But, as new technologies develop, hydrogen can now be used to replace these popular pollutants. Hydrogen molecules are created through two processes.  One process involves the use of fossil fuels, which only leads to more pollution, while the less common process uses a method called electrolysis.  Electrolysis uses electricity to split the hydrogen molecule from the water molecules.  With such an abundance of wate...

          On March 25, news broke out that the last survivor of the transatlantic slave trade was discovered, per Sean Coughlan of BBC news. This person was identified as Matilda McCrear, who lived until 1940.            Previously, Redoshi Smith was found to be the last survivor slave by Hannah Durkin at Newcastle University. Smith was a slave captured in Africa and brought over to the U.S. She died in 1937.           For more information on McCrear, it was stated that she died in Selma, Alabama, in January of 1940. Family members of McCrear did not even know about this. Her grandson, 83-year-old Johnny Crear, claims he didn't know about his grandmother's history. Crear was actually in Selma once where he witnessed violence against civil rights marchers. The protesters were addressed by Dr. Martin Luther King.            Here is what Crear had to say about his discov...