The Hunger Games

 I've started to read a Trilogy called "The Hunger Games", by Suzanne Collins.


Trilogy on Wiki

I just finished reading the first book yesterday. My teacher introduced me to the book two days ago. it was so addicting that I couldn't go anywhere without the book, even finishing classwork early to read it.

From the wiki:

"The Hunger Games trilogy takes place in an unidentified future time period after the destruction of North America, in a nation known as "Panem." Panem used to consist of a rich Capitol, located somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, and thirteen surrounding, poorer districts which cater to the Capitol's needs. As punishment for a previous rebellion against the Capitol wherein the thirteenth district was supposedly destroyed, every year one boy and one girl from each of the remaining twelve districts, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, are selected by lottery and forced to participate in the "Hunger Games." The Games are a televised event where the participants, called "tributes," must fight to the death in a dangerous outdoor arena until only one remains. The winning tribute and his/her corresponding district is then rewarded handsomely. It is required viewing for everyone in the districts."

The Hunger Games follows 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, a girl from District 12 who volunteers for the 74th Hunger Games in place of her 12 year old sister who was initially selected by the lottery. Also participating from District 12 is Peeta Mellark, a boy whom Katniss knows from school and who once saved Katniss's life by giving her bread when her family was starving. The entire suspence of the Life-or-death Hunger Games is what makes this book so hard to put down. from the moment Katniss hops on the train to the capitol, you already want to know what happens to them before, during, and after they enter the arena.

Customer Reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Suzanne-Collins/product-reviews/0439023483

Outro

Well, this will probably be my final blog post for a while. I didn't exactly learn anything about posting that I didn't know before, but this was an enjoyable in class experience.

So, as a final question, what is the ONE THING that you want to do most at some point in your life?

10 questions to think about

1. What is your stance on education in America? What do you think should change in our system (if anything)?

2. Do you think animals should be used for food?

3. Think 20-50 years into the future. What changes are you most afraid of happening?

4. Which is more important to you, logic and academics (Science, Math), or the arts?

5. What is your opinion on Space Travel? Do you think we should invest in it and if so, when?

6. (Warning, cliche question) If you could UNCONDITIONALLY live forever, would you?

7. What is your favorite piece of literature?

8. What is the current issue that you regard most outstanding/important?

9. Which type of fictional doomsday or apocalypse would you be most willing to face?

10. What person in history do you think has contributed the most, overall, in the development of our world?

Humans could regenerate lost tissue

By shutting off a single gene, researchers think humans could regenerate damaged tissue just as newts do.  -J. Carmichael

By shutting off a gene (P21) in our DNA using a transcription factor, we could regenerate body parts such as lost limbs and even completely heal scar tissue. P21 is responsible for monitoring cell division, so unfortunately if it is turned off it could potentially lead to genetic diseases and complications like Cancer.

Newts don't seem to have this problem though. I suppose if we research genes like this further we could find out how to utilize this ability without causing damage. Genetically tampered mice weren't harmed upon receiving the gene, but we can't say for sure the result would be similar in Humans.