Piltdown Man

I've already heard about the Piltdown Man hoax. It's worldwide famous because by that time all scientists from London's Historical Geological Society believed it to be THE missing link between Humankind and Apes.

But it wasn't, Dawson, the first acclaimed discoverer of this treasure was in fact just a small-town (Piltdown is a village in UK) liar, an amateur geologist.

I found an really interesting podcast in Youtube. Not only because of the history in itself, but also to practice our listening, as it has a lot of different accents!! Good to practice for IELTS, as we know a little about the Piltdown Man hoax, and not everything will be new info for us.

If someone is interested, this is the link (use phones =D):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LGnXaf9A4c

Jimmy Wales

I started watching an interview. Jimmy was being bombarded with so many dubious questions. The interviewer was trying to make Jimmy’s creation, Wikipedia, seems like a huge mistake, once the children was just copying and pasting its content, without reading properly, and learn. Jimmy answer back with a question: Which marks are these children obtaining? Probably F or E. So, don’t blame me.

Jimmy sees Wikipedia like a traditional encyclopedia with fresh new information. It is always being updated, and when not too accurate, the Wiki’s staff keep on working to correct the errors and fake news. Another point that Jimmy emphasizes is that we must learn how to be critical about all the information we receive daily, coming from Wikipedia or not.

When he idealized Wikipedia, he was claiming for a world in which every single person on the planet could have free access to the sum of all human knowledge.

I also watched to a new Wiki program that is creating free offline Wikipedia access to countries in Africa, where broadband connection is not always available or its too expansive. That’s really wonderful!

Spaghetti trees - Huiwon

In 1957, BBC broadcasted a three minutes programme about Spaghetti trees in which farmers were

harvesting spaghetti from the trees, drying it  under the sun and finally cooking using this.

Because the presenter in this programme was really prestigious and this programme was made

by BBC that was one of the famous broadcast company in the UK, lots of people believed that story.

Even staff  in BBC didn’t doubt the truth of the programme.

The idea of the story had been derived from a class that a cameraman was taken when he was young.

Once, his teacher told the class that if there were people who would believe someone’s saying that

spaghetti grew on trees, they were stupid. 

Because at that time spaghetti wasn’t popularized and people just could see spaghetti as a can

with tomato sauce, there were not much people who knew the origin and how spaghetti was made. 

That was why many people believed the hoax that now we could think of it as a obviously fake news. 

the spaghetti-tree hoax - Minami Kamata

 I searched about the spaghetti-tree hoax.

 

 It was reported for  broadcast on April Fools' Day 1957 by BBC. They said "a family in southern Switzerland harvesting spaghetti from the family "spaghetti tree". " At the time  the UK people didn't know about spaghetti because it wasn't famous food. Therefore the audience thought it was good food for they make. The news was announced by Richard Dimbleby who was  respected by a lot of people so much. It's one of the reason many people believed the news.

 

 After I searched about that I thought the respect sometimes cause misunderstanding.
However it was fun story for me so much.

 

Sidd Finch-Chiaki Kitaoka

 I read the article abut hoaxes on the textbook and I found Sidd Finch the most interesting for me. Sports Illustrated ran the article about him. He was introduced as an up-and- coming player. The article also said he threw balls as fast as 270 km/h. It is said that many people believed this was true. I think it never occurred to people that an authoritative sport magazine do that. 
 I think the most interesting thing about this hoax is the hoaxer gave people quite an obvious hit. The hit is to read the first letters of the sentence, ''He's a pitcher, part yogi and part recluse. Impressively liberated from our opulent life-style, Sidd's deciding about yoga—and his future in baseball.'' It says ''Happy April Fool's Day.''
 In Japan people sometimes use the similar way to this. The way is to write some sentences so that the first letters of them make another sentence when they are connected.

The Manuel Elizalde Hoax – Natsuki Sakamoto

 I knew the hoax about a Stone Age tribe, and I thought if the tribe existed, it would be fun and exciting. I have some reasons why I think so.

 Firstly, everyday life must be new. For example, even though they live in the remote part of the country, they are human, so they have to eat to survive. They have to find something to eat by themself because there is no supermarket or restaurant. Sometimes they may find something like fruits, or sometimes they try to find some animals and cut them or they could find new foods. It means that everyday life could be adventurous to find something to eat, I guess. In addition, I wander if they never drunk except water because there is no ingredient to make juice in the cave.

 Secondly, the article says they didn’t even speak the same language as other people in the area, so I want to know what the language they speak looks like. I guess they all speak special language known by an individual. They cannot communicate with each other by speaking, so it is admirable thing to live together every day. They may communicate by only using gesture?!

 The life which they lived seems to be hard and of course it’s just hoax, but I would like to live in the caves as Manuel found if possible!

Jimmy Wales - Huiwon

I watched a interview that had happened 9 years ago.
He looked relatively young and seemed enthusiastic. In the interview, it seems interviewer asked him with quite aggressive attitude but he didn’t lose his own mood. He said the future of WIKI and now I know his dream came true already.
While watching a few videos about him, I felt he was very open minded and his own business took after his personality as well.

Jimmy Wales - Futo Anyoji

Jimmy Wales is a well-known entrepreneur, who founded freely licensed encyclopedia: Wikipedia. The large part of his motive for inventing this online encyclopedia is, according to his speech for TED talk, his interest in digital divide. This issue is thought to be one of the problems to be solved in this information society, where it is getting more and more important and necessary to have good enough information of high quality immediately so one makes a good decision and lives a better life. In this sense, Wikipedia can potentially be a key as it is widely open to the public: everyone can add, delete, or edit the content, and articles, much more read them.

However, it is true that some people are doubtful about the reliability of Wikipedia, as anyone could potentially manipulate the information Wikipedia provides. Interestingly, the reality is apparently different as Wales said. The administrators all over the world, though they are just volunteers, are more careful than vandalism and Wikipedia is going to maintain its quality of information. Of course, Wikipedia is not for research: not academic enough as almost everyone agrees, but some research has revealed that Wikipedia is good enough as an encyclopedia.

In conclusion, Wikipedia may be a great invention that tackles digital divide. This encyclopedia is meant to provide everyone with quality information equally. In addition, this project may be developed into a textbook, which seems highly intriguing.

Jimmy Wales - Minami Kamata

 I watched some videos about Jimmy Wales.

 

 There are some words I was impressed. For example, the interviewer asked people have to be something under 35? Then he answered "No." Recently, I'm thinking about my future more than before. I always get nervous every time. However after I heard his word I could think I don't have to be impatient now. I also impressed that he doesn't worry if it isn't perfect.
 Wiki means "puick" in Hawaiian so idea is puick collaboration he said. Anyone can edit and see Wikipedia so it's quick collaboration.


I thought the most important things to success is don't be afraid of anything.

Jimmy Wales - Nanako Komori

I’m interested in the word “quick collaboration”. Jimmy Wales said this word in the interview as a concept of Wikipedia. 

New things are happening every time and every day. Also, things get updated very quickly. So these type of quick collaboration in information is important to follow the new situation.

But we don't believe the fact on the website is absolutely true. I think as long as all people can access to it, the website only show us reratively true fact. We have to use these type of sources with being concious of it.

Jimmy Wales-Chiaki Kitaoka

 I watched a video '10 Question for Jimmy Wales'. There were interesting questions and his answers to them.

 The first question which interested me was "Has the creation of Wikipedia meant that traditional encyclopedia is dead?". To this question, Jimmy answered that it is certainly ailing. 'Ailing' means being in poor health, so it is supposed that he is sure how Wikipedia has influence on other encyclopedias. However he also added that which encyclopedia is better or worth depends on their business model. I think his opinion is true. Not everyone has their own needs.

 The second question was "Would you rely on corporate sponsorship or would you shut down Wikipedia?". He said he is opposed to having advertising in Wikipedia but absolutely not because he and his college have to keep Wikipedia alive. I agree with this. I think it is impossible to run big and beneficial internet services such as Wikipedia with no fund. He also said"Money is not on the table".
 The next question is that what is the most difficult problem Jimmy has encountered. He explained he has spent a lot of time policy relating to biographies of living people. He described this as the most critical, thoughtful, ethical and responsible pieces. I can understand well what he said. Some people write the fake information to hurt someone, so it's important to set the criteria carefully.
 The final question was from a college student. He asked whether he could earn a college degree just from studying Wikipedia. I thought he was kidding but his question could show what Jimmy thought of Wikipedia. He said clearly he won't. He didn't end this answer but added that the education changed radical so you could get o lot of useful information in aspect of informal learning.
 Through those questions, I learned being responsible and thoughtful is necessary to establish something influential like Wikipedia and to operate it.  

Jimmy Wales-Satoe Konuma

In the interview, Jimmy Wales says that we need to ask people be very critical of all your information sources. He also says that Wikipedia is an open system, so things can go wrong, but there is a core community there who are very passionate about getting it right.

I agree with his statement. Of course some people say Wikipedia is unreliable and useless, but I think it is basically useful. Also, I think Wikipedia itself is not so bad. Really bad are those who trust everything without thinking whether it is true or false.

I also consider the social role of online encyclopedias that provide knowledge to everyone. In an advanced information society, we cannot live without the Internet. This fact is suitable to me, too. When I have to understand professional knowledge, Wikipedia helps me a lot. It is true that everything written on Wikipedia is not always right, but it also presents some verifiable and reliable information sources, so it leads me to understand difficult knowledge which is incomprehensible when I read professional books.

So, I think how we get along with Wikipedia is more important than the accuracy ratio of the articles in Wikipedia.

Jimmy Wales – Tomoki Fujiwara

 I felt it interesting that he and his fellows had been making effort to have Wikipedia independent from big companies like GAFA. If I were him, I would jump to the conclusion that we should receive a lot of money from those companies. This is because it’s obviously the most simple and easy way to make Wikipedia sustainable. In addition, an idiom ‘double-edged sword’, which he used to put the situation where they were getting money from only small individuals was interesting. I think it’s a little bit wrong way to use, but this idiom was new and interesting to me.

I won’t change the way to use Wikipedia, because there was no clear explanation that makes the information written on Wikipedia enough reliable. I'm thinking of using Wikipedia in a way to know some new words roughly, and know some related words or ideas with the word.

Jimmy Wales - Haruki Washio

The original vision for Wikipedia is “Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge” but the cost of data prevents millions of people from accessing Wikipedia. In fact, some schools do not have their own libraries in developing countries. In such a case, Wikipedia works as a precious source of information. Even though students have cellephones, they cannot afford data. Therefore, Jimmy tried hard to give them free access to Wikipedia. I was impressed with his attitude. I feel he is taking pride in his job.

Jimmy Wales – Natsuki Sakamoto

I watched some clips about Wikipedia and learned both positive and negative aspects of that.

 As you know, Wikipedia is very useful tool. I realized it again by watching the clips. We can research what we want to know easily and quickly. However, some information written in Wikipedia are incorrect, fake, not accurate, or not true. Therefore, I think we must distinguish correct information and incorrect one. Otherwise, we have a misunderstanding, and may teach about that to the other person. It’s very serious problem, I think. What I described above is familiar with many people, and it’s a negative aspect of Wikipedia.

 On the other hand, a new thing that I learned from his talking is to contribute to African school children. Many school children in African countries don’t have access to research material, and their school doesn’t have library, so Wikipedia helps them to research for their studying. Before I watched the video, I hadn’t known that Wikipedia plays an important role in developing countries.

 From now, I will try to recognize if the information is correct or not and also will be more careful not to get wrong information when using Wikipedia. However, I will continue to use the tool, I don’t want to stop using, because it takes less time to find the answer than other site. Of course, when I have a lot of time, I will research the other official site.

 I couldn’t organize my thought well, but in the end, I think we should use Wikipedia and other site depending on the time and the situation.

Jimmy Wales – Urara Motomura

I watched two clips of Jimmy Wales interview. In those clips, he said they wouldn’t shut down Wikipedia if troubles happen. This fact was surprising for me. But I felt that his determination to carry out his original intention is very firm.

When he was asked a question about a problem that some students copy (cut) Wikipedia and paste into their academic papers today, his answer was that he did not think it’s a problem because teacher also have Wikipedia and be able to check a cheating. I thought his idea was partly right. However, I think the essential problem is not the way to check a cheating but how to have students not to use Wikipedia for academic purpose. My position on reliability of Wikipedia has not changed. I think we should not use Wikipedia for academic purpose.

Jimmy Wales –Hiroki

I watched the Youtube of Ted about Jimmy Wales. He is a co-founder of the online non-profit encyclopedia, Wikipedia. I am surprised the fact that the Wikipedia was run by little cost. The Wikipedia is edited and saved by a ragtag band of volunteers. So, he said in this video, total monthly cost is about 5000 dollars. This is quite cheap compered by other presses, I think.

Moreover, he said that the biggest and the most important thing is our neutral point of view policy. I think what he means in this speech is that we have to check carefully on the internet and the facts on the internet may be sometimes wrong.  I totally agree with this opinion.

Jimmy Whales-Ryo Nakanowatari

To the question about the possibility that students do their homework by doing cut and paste from Wikipedia, he answered it is ok because teachers also have an access to Wikipedia, so they can check and find a cheat. It is interesting because many teachers told me about it so I found that Jimmy Wales also thinks so. Regarding of accuracy, interviewer argued that Wikipedia lacks in accuracy because anyone can add something very easily. He believes that Wikipedia is updated quickly and people try hard to be accurate so it is not a great problem, but he did admit some kind of error can exist. Also he said that it is important to be critical of all the information, so though I learned that Wikipedia can be trustable but I don’t change my mind of being critical of information on the Internet. It is true that it is useful in getting information so I will use it carefully.

Jimmy Wales-Yuto

I'll list some information that I've found about him.
In his talk, he mentioned about the future of the wiki. There are two points. One is to improve the system so that people can edit it more easily. The other thing is to open this knowledge source to people around the world. I think this means that he is going to provide it by many more languages. Actually, I'm not sure what he was talking so if someone knows about this matter, please let me know by writing a comment. 
So many interviewers ask him about the reliability of the service. But I think it is meaningless, because everyone knows that it is impossible to control or check all the information on it, and reliability is not the most important factor that makes it attractive.  I think that one of the best things about it is that you can get some related things or information about what you really want to know. The wiki can't be used as a resource of the information but can be used to collect some related information for beginners.

Jimmy Wales - Rio Nagasawa

 What I thought interesting about Jimmy Wales' interview was that the academic reputation of wikipedia has improved. The stereotype of wikipedia was that sometimes unreliable and contained fake or mistakes, but the accuracy has been getting better.
 When I research on an academic topic, I sometimes use wikipedia to gather information. I think that is an efficient way in a research. Still, yet, I think it is so dangerous that you cannot copy-paste the contents of wikipedia. Just for understanding the large frame of a topic, wikipedia is suitable but I think we should rely on other information source when we need academic information.

Communities I’ve benefited from - Bia Anchão Oliveira

When it comes to our current lifestyle, all the facilities we have to meet new people, should lead us to think that being in a new community is something relatively easy. But it’s definitely a double-edge sword, because at the same time we have a lot of options, it’s hard to find a place you fit in, or at least you have the possibility to -someday, somehow- fit in.

However, by the moment you accept the challenge, and understand that you need to be malleable, you got it! I could experience a situation like this when I joined an agriculture extension group in my University, which means apply "book's knowledge" into real world. 

I came from a traditional farmers family, who was always dealing with agriculture and livestock issues, and learned from them a way to concept agriculture, traditional, but sustainable. I couldn’t imagine another way to see things, and when joined to a totally different community, with unusual practices -at least for me-, but at the same time meaningful and practicable, I could expand my view and enhanced my background.

To be honest, I thought about giving up at the first moment, but the community’s master convinced me to persist and try to “give and receive”. He said me that, as I could learn something, I could teach something as well, and everybody will benefit from these sharing ideas. I accept the challenge, and I’m totally sure that this philosophy of facing differences will remain with me to the rest of my life, as well as the agricultural practices I’d learnt.  

I had such amazing experiences, and certainly the best one was our final achievement, when after a year and a half working hard and generating incomes, we went to Europe. Another experience to enhance ourselves' background, applying our philosophy of "giving and receiving". 

Communities I Have Benefited From - Haruki Washio

I felt as if I didn’t belong to any communities when I entered the university last spring. Now I’m in some clubs at the university and I have benefited from them in that I could find my place in it and also I could see the completely new world for me. However, these days I cannot join their activities because I’m living overseas and feel that they can be burdens.

Community I have benefited from-Yuto

    It is good to belong to a community in which you can find people who are interested in something same as you and have some thoughts similar to you, and you can discuss your and their future with them. Besides, it will be also important that they will not force you to do something, which means that the community is not so strict.

    Fortunately, I have a community like that. I’ll explain a bit about it. I attended an architectural program in last summer in which people whose background and age are totally different gathered at a Japanese traditional house in one of the most rural area. The purpose of it was to make something you want and pursue your idea for about 10 days. It is not so popular and somewhat strange for most people. But I managed to meet with people who have really interesting thought which is close to mine. I sometimes meet with one of my friends who I met there and talk about our future, which is really nice to me.

Communities I have benefited from -Hiroki

I have many friends when I was preparing for entrance exams for universities for another year. We were studying together for a year and  spend all the time. We are still good friends now.I’m going to meet them this winter.

We chose different  course, so we live different place and make a living differently. Therefore, When I talk with them, their talk is really interesting and fresh for me. Sometimes, we talk about our dream. One of my friends started up the company last summer. His business went well. We helped and advised each other when something wrong happens. I think this experiment was fun and rare. I want to say thanks to him.

Now, we are busy because of study, so it is really difficult to meet frequently. However, these days it is possible to contact by SNS. If they have some problem, they consult to me. I also do so. We can help each other if we are live far away.

A Community I Have Benefit From-Chiaki Kitaoka

 When we get into the new environment, we may make friends with someone and learn something from them. I also made friends with girls and had good time with them.
  However I noticed that when I said something funny, they reacted  very differently from the other friends from junior high school and high school. I thought I could come closer to them if I made fun of myself, but I couldn't. One day I realized obvious thing that everyone has their way of thinking and feeling thus it's no wonder my friend's reaction was so different from my expectation.
  In this way, my friends often tell me something obvious and forgettable.
   Also I encourage myself to study though I'm depressed, because my girls make effort.
 So my community I have benefit from is the community with my friends.

Communities I Have Benefited From – Kazuma Hiroi

The community I have benefited from is the tennis club in my high school. We had the club activity from Monday through Saturday for two years. So I spent a lot of time with them. As you know, tennis is not a team sport. But we practiced together for two hours per day and yelled for them when we took part in tournaments. They made me laugh and my school life fun. They also helped me study when I was studying for the entrance exam. I have been keeping in touch with them since we graduated from the high school and often played tennis with them. I want to be on good term with them in the future.

A Community I Have Benefited From - Futo Anyoji

When I was sixteen, about one and a half years after I stopped playing football, I started track and field. I was looking for somewhere I could belong and get regular exercise. I really wanted to put a period to an inactive life. I had more energy than I knew what to do with. I already heard some of my friends participated in the club activity so asked one of them if I could join. They warmly welcomed me and I was soon integrated, feeling comfortable, and a sense of community. Training was for me something I could concentrate on. The dull days which I had been spending aimlessly came to an end.However, there is more to it than this. Club members were good diligent students as well as competitive runners. They would often work hard on their studies, which inspired me a lot. I gradually got to behave as they did without being aware of it. The most beneficial part of being a member of this community was I got to know many model students, or people, which formed my self-discipline. Without them, I would be a different person no one can ever imagine.

Communities I Have Benefited From-Satoe Konuma

I have belonged to several communities since I was born. Of those communities, the most important one for me is Thai Massage Seminar, which is one of the classes at my university.  I love the teachers and the members, of course Thai massage itself. So, I decided to write about two benefits I gain from this community.

Knowledge

By joining a community of like-minded people, I have an chance of meeting friends who are willing to teach techniques and knowledge to me.  Also, the teachers and friends give each other the advice and feedback, which improves our massage skills.

Support Connections

I also have a chance to make a new personal network. Besides, I can increase my chances of encountering positive opportunities through the relationships I develop. That means that I have an opportunity to improve my skills and meet someone who is able to provide me with the help I need. Moreover, my teacher has a lot of connections, so I can meet those who succeed in their business in Thailand, which stimulates and widens my thoughts.

Communities I have benefited from - Nanako Komori

My club activity aim is to motivate high school students in provincial areas to go to university of Tokyo. In my university, many students are from Tokyo or other famous cities and the rate of students from provincial areas are low. To deal with this problem of education gap, my club do activities like telling our experiences of studies in high school days and why we wanted to enter this university to such students.

I was also from provincial area, so I joined this club. At first, I thought the activity was just only to tell my experience. But I felt I was given something important by high school students through the activity. From students, I remembered my ambition to enter the university in high school days. I always notice I am lucky to be able to learn in this university, like I dreamed in past.

If I had not joined this club, I might not have noticed it. I want to continue activities in the club and also study hard in the university.

Communities I have benefited from - Rio Nagasawa

 One of the biggest communities for me is the women's hockey team in my university.
 I have belonged to it from the begining of my university life. At first, I was a player but now support the team as a manager. When I injured my foot, I decided to quit playing hockey and leave the team. But some reliable senior teammates gave me a suggestion to become a manager. In the beginning, I felt like a misfit but soon I found that I was good at taking care of other people or listening to teammates' worries.
 Now I am proud of myself as a manager and feel grateful to my team. I will keep supporting the team and I think I can improve myself with my teammates.

Communities I have benefited from-Ryo Nakanowatari

When I was preparing the entrance exam of my university after I graduated from high school, I had friends who studied for the same university. For a year, I studied with them. It was so helpful because if we couldn’t understand something in class, we taught to each other. Sometimes we made questions for each other and that helped us understand deeply. Also we often discussed what we learned. Whether you can explain is a good criteria of understanding, so this also helped us to learn.

This community was good not only for studying but also for our mental health. If you study alone throughout a year, possibly you will be sick and hate studying because all you do is just study. However, fortunately I made friends and when I felt exhausted of studying, I was able to feel refreshed by just chatting with them.

Some people say that studying in a cram school for a year for entrance exam should be tiring terrible experience and they want to avoid doing that, but I don’t think so. Finally I successfully entered the university with most of my friends, and thought that that whole year was not so tiring boring but a great experience. I learned a lot and improve with each other with friends.

Communities I hve benefited from - Minami Kamata

 I think I had benefited from junior high school

club.I have some reasons for that.

 

 First, I could learn cooperation with others.I joined volleyball club.Volleyball is a team sprots,so l have to cooperate with my teammates to win.Because of this l could learn how to communicate with others.

 

Second,I could get not only physical strength but also mind strength. My teacher was really strict person,so I have to stand a lot of things. I was always scolded by him.

 

For these reasons, I think I had benefited from the club the best.

Communities I Have Benefited From - Huiwon

There was a small bookstore near my room in Seoul. At the first time, I was just one of customers but as time went by, the host of the shop and I were getting closed. That shop sold not only books but also some classes. From time to time the host posted events that would come in his social media, after then people were gathering in the small shop. Members were not fixed. Anyone who wanted to come could enjoy that place! We used to watch classic movies, talk about new books and sometimes drink a lot until in the morning.

Because the host’s preference was really similar to mine, I went there often. I got to know lots of curious people as well and could meet new world where it was totally different with my original worlds such as my family, company, friends and so on.
The shop was my hideout. though I didn’t have any plan even at Friday night, it was okay because I had my own hideout. I went just there and met people and talked about anything that we wanted.

However I’ve heard that shop was out of business while I’m living here. It’s so pity. But the host might be planning some exciting things. So one of my works which I will do as soon as I arrive in Korea is meeting him to hear his new though. Just imagining that makes me very excited.

Communities I Have Benefited From - Natsuki Sakamoto

I belonged several communities in the past, and had a lot of relationships with many people. Though those experiences, I realized the importance of community. I was on the soccer team from when I was in primary school student to high school student, about 9 years. Especially among them, community that I have benefited from is the soccer team which I belonged when I was in high school.The team practiced hard every day in order to take part in a tournament, the highest level in the region. All of the team members wanted to participate in that tournament, so everyone had a passion.

As you know, soccer is a team sport, so when one person makes a mistake in the game, the situation of the game gets worse and someone may blame them for making mistakes. However, my team mate was not treat like that. We always cheered up or give some positive sayings each other such as “Nice Challenge!” or “Don’t mind!”. We were always given energy from team mate and could move forward. It was good relationship, I think. I learned the importance of supporting each other from that experience.

 In addition, we were in the relationships which stimulate or inspire each other. We only 11 players can play in the game, that is soccer, so we had to compete each other to seek our position in the game. Even though when I have no motivation for practicing because of something, once I see my team mate doing their best, I was stimulated from them. They always gave me reasons why I do my best, so I appreciate to them. I learned the importance of stimulating or inspiring each other from this communities.

 As I described, my team mate always supported me. That community taught me the importance of a spirit of teamwork. I owe what I am to my team mate. I think to be independent is necessary, but also depending on other people or supporting each other is essential to enrich our life.

Communities I Have Benefited From - Tomoki Fujiwara

I had a lot of opportunities to be a member of some communities, such as a local community, a religious community, and like that. As for a local community, there is a big festival, called ‘Hamaorisai festival’, which is a festival that we carry a portable shrine on 10-30 people’s shoulder to the ocean. It’s difficult to tell you specifically the state of the festival, so I’d be grateful if you could google images of ‘Hamaorisai festival’. Through this festival, I was able to get acquainted with a lot of people in my town. Seemingly, we have a strong community in our town, but the number of the participants in the festival was less than half of the population and it decreases gradually. In fact, I haven’t participated in this festival for years. The second community for me was a religious community. I used to go to a church, because my mother was a Christian. I learned a lot of important things like the morality or something like that, though I seldom go to the church recently.

Communities I have benefited from - Urara Motomura

I belongs to three club activities in university now. I am also thinking of joining other group next month. However, the most important community to me is members of club activity in high school.

I belonged to a volleyball club in high school.

I started playing volleyball when I enter high school, so I practiced almost every day to be able to contribute our team in games. There twelve my teammates in the same grade. Eight of them started volleyball from high school.  The coach was respectable person who teach us volleyball very kindly and teach us the importance of practice to master how to control a ball sensory.

The coach and my teammates made what I am today. I really learned a lot of things from them. Especially, summer training camp was so hard that I could not stand the training menu. Though the training camp, I could improve my volleyball skills and more got to know about my teammates.

Our friendships still benefit me. I can keep going to the end for any difficulty because I experienced some experience working hard and after that succeeded in club activity. Whenever I suffer from some trouble, I usually seek their advice because I trust them.  

Carlos Acosta - Tomoki Fujiwara

The interviewer asked an interesting question that how he did keep his mind fresh when he practiced or performed some basic dance, of course which requires a lot of important skills to complete the dance. Actually, I couldn’t catch correctly what he answered, but I thought his answer was like this. “It is true that these dances are tedious, so I need some challenges, and what I can do for the basic dances are just keeping the level.” To tell the truth, I want to know how to deal with the problem of feeling bored and lack of motivation, but this answer was also interesting to me because he didn’t have a concrete answer and just he did. It’s maybe one answer. Lastly, I’d like to introduce his words about dream.

“It (making my dream come true) is possible. I did it by working. I did it by dreaming big, and don’t be afraid.”

Bia Beatriz - Futo Anyoji

Ana “Bia” Beatriz Caselato Gomes de Figueiredo, or Bia Figueiredo is a female Brasilian racer born in 1985. In 2008, she participated in her first Indy Lights series, the Firestone Indy Lights series, and won the race at Nashville Superspeedway, which catapulted her to fame as the first female to win a race in the Indy Lights series. As is commonly expected, she will probably have had difficulty through her career because it seems that males have been dominant in the racing circuits. People tend to focus on the fact she is a female racer, but she may not like it. In the interview after her first win at Nashville Superspeedway, asked if it was special to her to become the first woman to be the top at that kind of race, she emphasized the importance of being successful as a Brazilian racer, not as a female racer. It may be that we, spectators, still remain to be biased as long as we admire her for being the first woman.

Carlos Acosta-Chiaki Kitaoka

 I watched the interview of Carlos Acosta. He is a very talented professional ballet dancer from Cuba. His words in the interview made me impressed.
 He said that during his career ballet itself has changed. He added we should more change it because the world we are in now has to be represented on the stage. I was surprised at this because I've never thought like that.
 His father helped him so much. Carlos as a ballet dancer would not be here without him. He let him go to the ballet school , when he was a street child and delinquent. At first Carlos didn't like ballet. I somehow understand how he felt. He said he wanted to go to the street and play football with my friends. I wanted to know what changed his attitude. It was the performance by professional ballet dancers. Then even he was teased by the other children because he was doing ballet, he continued ballet.
 When the interviewer asked whether you feel distinctly among the other dancers from the different country, for example, America and Russia, I thought the most interesting question came. He said yes to this question. Also he added everyone has how to express their love.
This phase made me impressed so much.
 He regarded ballet as beauty, freedom, pain and sacrifice. According to him, the instruments of ballet dancers are their body. I felt that agony they have is more bigger that I suspect. Also I think I can never understand completely how hard he has tried and was feeling.
 I've never seen watched ballet, but I want to see it now that I ballet is more deeper than I thought. Also if it's possible I want to see him on the stage.

Carlos Acosta - Natsuki Sakamoto

I watched videos about Carlos and leaned something important from him.

Firstly, even though there is something disadvantages, it is possible to achieve the goals. He said that he did it by working hard, dreaming big, and don’t be afraid. These three expressions captured my heart. Also, I guess what he would like to say is that it doesn’t matter who you are, ability or talent is not required to do something. Actually, I tend to think that “I can’t do it anymore because I have no talent!” and then, I give up without any hope. Now, I realized that it was bad habit and uncool. Also, I am embarrassed. This is just my opinion, but no one knows whether you have talent or not. Therefore, all we have to do is to be ambitious, be confident, and just dive into the hope!

Second, we don’t have to care what the other think. Ballet is generally thought it is for boy, so people around him teased him, but he didn’t care about that. I think his attitude inspires us to do what we really want to do. I can hear his fame. “Do what you really want to” “You don’t have to feel embarrassment for doing what you want to”.

I’d like to make the most of what I’ve learned from Carlos.

Carlos Acosta - Minami Kamata

 I thought there are two reasons he can success through some videos.

 

 First, he always appreciate for people around him. For instance, he appreciate for his father, the audience. His father help him to continue playing ballet. He said one of the his highlight is when he performed Swan Lake at Royal Opera House his dad was crying while watching his dance. He also think his audience makes him strong. When they say "I love you" he can get energy.

 

 Second, he always tries to do many things and never give up. He said he likes challenges,so he continue challenge now. He lived in marginalized area and poor when he was a child. However he believed he can became a dancer and he still thinks it isn't impossible for anyone.

 

 For thesn reasons he can success as a dancer.

Ana Beatriz Figueiredo - Nanako Komori

I watched some videos about Ana Beatriz Figueiredo.

I really interested in the fact that she didn’t regard herself as a first woman who won the Indy 500. She was happy for winning as a one of car racer not as a female racer. And also, watching another video, I felt she had a strength to prove that women could do well.

 I learned from her, not worrying about what people around me are thinking. In facing some challenges, I should better push forward myself with believing that I can do it and I will.   

Ana Beatriz Figueiredo-Satoe Konuma

Introduction
In the interview, she expects that being genderless in sports will become more familiar in the future. Besides, as for car racing,  she won the first prize, so she hopes that her winning will help car racing become more open to girls.

After watching the video, I thought of gender problems (especially LGBT, which I am interested in). I hope the society will be more genderless, but today the prejudices and problems of gender still remains. In fact, I also suffer from the prejudices a little.

My Experience of a Gender Problem

To be honest, I am something of a transvestite (a person who wears clothes designed for the opposite sex). Of course I like women’s pretty clothes, but I like wearing men’s cool clothes, too. However, my family strongly objects to me. When I buy male clothes, my mother always complains, “Why are you buying male clothes!? They are for boys, NOT for girls! They are so plain and don’t make you pretty! I can’t understand you.” In addition, my father says unpleasantly, ”You're odd. Do you want to be popular with girls, not boys?” Whenever I hear such words, I wonder why I am not allowed to wear the cool clothes just because I am female. But those words and the way they say hurt me so mentally that I try to buy only female’s clothes now.

Conclusion

From Ana Beatriz Figueiredo interview and my experience, I hope people to enjoy what they really like regardless of their sex. I think the favorite should not be tied up with sex because the things people like are based on not their sex but their personality.

Carlos Acosta - Huiwon

I have been thinking about the way to express my feeling to others for a long time. When I say something, sometimes I think it’s not enough or it’s too direct to explain what I want to say. So far, I couldn’t find out a alternative way, Carlos Acosta gave me a good idea. 

He said “The most powerful thing about dance is that when you say “ I love you” with words 

that’s it but in dance you have movement that’s subject to interpretation. So there are so many ways you could say “ I love you” through movement. But it resonates differently in everybody’s mind.”

It seems a metaphor through a form of art can be the strong and efficient way to send

my messages. 

Carlos Acosta - Haruki Washio

When he was 9 or 10 years old, he was hanging out with his friends and stealing mangos or else to pay for a cellphone or a theatre ticket. When he was 13, he left his home. He says ballet dancers have to practice 8 hours every single day. All of these experiences seem too harsh but he did it. He seems superhuman. However, his motivation for ballet is the applause and the light on the stage. He says he loves the applause.  At this point, he seems ordinary.

I think someone who achieves a great success is not so different from an ordinary person but a slight difference or just an accident makes a big gap.

ANA Beatriz Figueiredo-Kazuma Hiroi

In an interview, she was asked “If you were a cartoon character, which would it be?”

She replied “In the past people said that I had been Felicia, who loved animals but embraced them so strongly that she almost kill them. I also like animals so much that I am ‘dangerous’”

I found this interesting. I think this episode means she is enthusiastic about what she loves. As the saying ‘what one likes, one will do well’ means, the more you love it, the more you practice it and can do it better. I think her ability to drive the car comes from her love for Formula1. I want to emulate her when I learn English.

Carlos Acosta - Urara Motomura

I watched “Carlos Acosta – from Havana’s streets to the Royal Ballet” and “Carlos Acosta reflects on 17 years with The Royal Ballet”.

I heard that he was doing break dance when he was 9 years old. His experience in Havana’s streets contributed to be a top ballet dancer.

I am surprised that he tried to act a role people didn’t think or he didn’t think he was suited because it seems much more difficult than acting famous role.

I am also surprised to hear that he hasn’t got any vision as well as his life he is living because I have thought that he has very clear vision of his ballet life. He said that he wants to build a platform so that long after he’s gone, it can help young dancers from all over the world. I learned from him the importance of just practicing as you had done and help others especially those who has similar ambition.

Carlos Acosta-Yuto

He says that interaction with the audience at his stage is important for him. So he prefers small and intimate hall to large hall in which the audience watch his performance through screens. Most people tend to think that ballet is something to watch. But in fact it is something to feel and the ballet show will not be completed without the existence of the audience. It is really nice thing is this society which the media dominate.

Carlos Acosta –Hiroki

I watched some movies about Carlos Acosta. I felt that he really thanks to his father because he could get better job ballet owing to his father. He was over-energetic when he was young, so his father decided. I think his decision was really logical and brave and he has a talent to make the most of opportunity to succeed in.

In a movie, he said that in dance movements are the subject to interpretation and that there are so many ways to interpret to express their emotions depending on them. From his comment, I think, he truly love dance and because of his love to dance, he could succeeded. I’ve never seen ballet, but I am attracted by his comment “the power of movement is it’s all in silence”. If I have a chance to see ballet, I want to try.

Bia Figueiredo - Bia Anchão

Bia Figueiredo is recognized worldwide for her abilities with cars and speed. As a female racing driver, Bia faced a lot of challenges related to stereotypes. Her career started when she was just a child, with 8 years old. In this age she had already won some Kart racings.

Her mother was a dentist and her father was a psychologist. The first moment Bia asked to drive they felt insecure, not because she was a girl, but because it was dangerous. Even with this eminent ominous situation, they decided to be supportive for her. And we can be positive that it was a wise choice!

Bia won a lot of racings, prix and other championships during her career.

She drove Kart Racings until her 17s, then went to Formula Renault BR and since 2005 she rides at Indianapolis, USA. When asked about which cartoon character she looks most like, she answered it was Felicia, that one who love animals, as she is an animal-lover too. She admires Rich Mears, and every time that’s possible, she goes along with him, trying to learn more and more.

Ana Beatriz Figueiredo-Ryo Nakanowatari

I watched an interview of Ana Beatriz Figueiredo. The interview was after her first win in the Firestone Indy Lights, so interviewer mentioned that she was the first women to win the series, but it seems that she didn’t care about that much. She regard herself as just a rookie driver, not a female driver. I think this way of thinking was one of the key factors that made her win.

The interviewer asked her whether she had a boyfriend because she seemed so busy that she couldn’t make a boyfriend. Her answer was that she focused on racing, so she didn’t want to make a boyfriend. I think this was another factor that lead her to the victory. I admire her ability to focus; she totally focuses on racing.

Ana Beatriz Figueiredo's- Rio Nagasawa

 I watched some videos about Ana Beatriz Figueiredo's interview.
 She had difficulties on the race day but she could overcome thanks to the support by her teammates and family. I learned that to achieve a goal, even though the goal is a personal challenge, support by people around you is essential. And to be supported by others, you must be honest to others.
 The other thing I thought interesting about her was that she was a normal girl. She is a sport car racer and that sounds like boyish, but she goes shopping with her friends and cares about her hair or clothes just like other girls. Maybe it is time to put gender stereotype aside.

A challenge that would stretch me - Bia Anchão

Facing new challenges is always an excitation moment for me, mainly when they related to a physical overcoming. Since I was a child, I always pushed myself into different activities that required my body usage. Mixing power with balance in different proportions to find the best performance in whatever I was intending to do.

Recently I started running and walking in different track’s surfaces. Obviously, the New Zealand’s nature helped me, giving me more inspiration while practicing, as I was staring such beautiful spots and places.

My next challenge will be the Routeburn Track. It has 39 km, and takes around 2-3 days to be completed, going through the most diverse scenarios including forests, mountains and lakes in the South Island.

I don’t feel prepared to this track, not yet! I still need to face some obstacles, such as a recent knee injury that is almost healed, but got me a little out of shape, making me suffer much more with the physical wear and tear. But I’m focused on accomplishing it. No pressure, but too much motivation!!

Image 1 - Routeburn Track

Challenge that would stretch me - Haruki Washio

To fit in with my host family is very challenging for me, for I’m now spending most of the time here staying in my room. At first it seemed easy because I have never had a hard time trying to get along with someone. I always say I do not like little children very much but in fact, from my experience of working as a private teacher, I believed that I like them. However, I feel as if this time it turned out that my belief was false. It was much more difficult than I had expected, and I easily come up with so many excuses. 

However, there are 2 more weeks left. There is still a chance that I will manage to overcome this challenge and if so, it can improve my character.

A Challenge That Would Stretch Me-Kazuma Hiroi

I think a challenge that would stretch me is to climb a mountain, especially a high mountain such as Mt. Fuji in Japan. 

Though I have never climbed mountains, it is said that you should climb it at least once in your life. I think that’s because you have to put up with both physical and mental toughness before you command a fine view. You will want to give up climbing on the way to summit. But once you reach the top of the mountain, you will get a sense of achievement and confidence in yourself.

I think it is necessary to beat myself when you try something hard, that is to say challenges. Climbing mountains will give you an experience in which you can beat yourself. 

Therefore I think a challenge that would stretch me is to climb a mountain.

Challenge that would stretch me - Huiwon

One of my challenges which I am trying to do here is doing Yoga everyday. I had used to do Yoga steadily when I was in Korea. However for the last four months of last year, I didn’t do it at all and at  the end of year I felt my inner condition was getting worse. So with the beginning of new year, I restarted and have been doing it quite well until now. I’ve kept my promise that I made to myself to do Yoga everyday without any exception. After restarting it, I can feel everything is getting better not only physically but also mentally. Oh ! I haven’t done todays Yoga yet so I need to finish my writing in a hurry. Bye!

A challenge that would stretch me - Nanako Komori

For me, it’s one of biggest challenge to perform in a local play. I’ve never tried such role in the school festivals, I only made something to use in a play or just watched.

This is because I am really shy. I feel nervous about talking in front of many people. I tend to forget what to say at such time. Also, I’m not good at singing. Playing as a performer is one of the things which I don’t want to do most.

But if I try to perform in it and the play succeed, I may feel confidence about speaking in front of many people. To succeed, it is important to practice much, and this practice will be able to stretch me as well as the performing. And finally, I want to overcome my shyness.

Challenge that would stretch me- Rio Nagasawa

 I am planning to study in Finland from this summer to next spring. It will be for about 9 months and I guess there will be few Japanese around me and encounter enormous troubles or challenges everyday. For example, making new friends speaking only English, taking classes in English or live a life by myself.
 I am so anxious and told my host mother about it, and she said "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." The words are so strong and somehow cheered me up. I think I will remember those words when I have troubles in Finland.

A Challenge That Would Stretch Me - Futo Anyoji

If you are a student, no matter what grade you are studying in, you may well dislike one thing in your school life; examinations. It includes every kind of exam such as enrollment exams, routine paper tests. It is applicable to me as well. At the moment, I am thinking about taking a certain kind of exam in order to become a diplomat. It is very troublesome to prepare for it as it demands me a lot. However I do think it is going to be a challenge that may develop my capability. Reflecting on my school years, it was always exams, particularly the enrollment exams, that have made me learn, make efforts, and then stretched me. I believe that, although I am not very willing to think about it, preparing for another difficult exam will help me widen my ability.

Challenge that would stretch me-Yuto

In my case, it would be the most challenging thing to make a reservation for something that requires you to prepare for. You have to do some hard work whenever you want to make a progress. I can't work hard without something that urge me to do it, so for me, it is necessary to put myself into some environment in which you have to make an effort. It may sounds little bit ordinary, not special but yeah this is one of the best challenging things for me.

Challenge That Would Stretch Me - Natsuki Sakamoto

I think a challenge that would stretch me is to work abroad for a year. I have two reasons for that.

 First, in terms of the language skills. As you know, learning a difficult new language is very tough and take much time to master. Also, when it comes to work as a member of the worker, I must memorize and use a lot of specific words used at work. It looks very difficult. However, if I study hard to master such a difficult language, my brain will certainly grow up. It leads to learn any other things in the other fields not only language field, I think.



 Second, in terms of the mental. As I said, It takes much time to master a difficult new language. It means that I need to patient with the long and hard way until I achieve the goal to use that language. Such hardship will make me strong mentally. I am mentally weak, so it will be good challenge for me. In addition, to live in an isolated place will also make me strong mentally.



 For these reasons, a challenge that work abroad for a year would stretch me. I know I am not a challenger, and I also know challenging itself is very important in our life. However, the most important thing is to GROW UP by challenging, not challenging itself.

Challenge That would Stretch Me -Hiroki

Climbing a mountain with my friends would stretch me the most for me. 

I tried to climb Mt Fuji last year, but I gave up. It was because the weather was really bad and I became sick. I prepared very well but what I bought was in vain.

However, when I  climb with my friends, we have to take care of my friend with each other. So, I could learn how to communicate and look after my friends. 

Moreover, I also would learn how to achievea hard challenge by preperaring little by little.  In climbing a  mountain, tool is quite important, especially shoes. Checking about mountains is also necessary. You can learn how to prepare to achieve your purpose.

A Challenge That Would Stretch Me-Satoe Konuma

Introduction

Teaching in the classroom would stretch me because it needs a lot of skills I don’t have. I think there are four main elements about teaching ; preparation, instruction, acting and flexibility.

1.Preparation

In order to teach something, I must study it in advance. Also, I must make lesson plans (what to teach, to whom we teach, and so on). These things are hard for me to do perfectly.

2.Instruction

This element is connected with preparation. When explaining something to those who don’t know about it, I must use simple words in order to make such people understand it easily. To do this, I must understand it perfectly. This is difficult for me. If I can’t explain comprehensively, that means I don’t understand the things thoroughly. This fact is very severe…

3.Acting

It is a premise to teach something clearly, but if I speak reluctantly or in small voice, students will be unfocused and won’t listen to me no matter how good things I may say. That’s too sad…

In order to make students stay engaged all the time, I must have passion and perform like an actress. This keeps my classes interesting, so students can absorb and retain the information that I present.(But to be like a comedian is so hard!!)

4.Flexibility

Naturally, as students are living creature, I must be flexible to deal with unplanned conditions. I may not be able to fulfill my plans because of students’ sudden questions. Moreover, when teaching, I must care about students’ conditions (for example, health condition or to what extent they can understand). I like routine work and always want to avoid something unplanned, so this element is the most difficult thing for me.

End

I am not good at explaining with easy words and addressing something flexibly, so it is hard for me to acquire these abilities. However, to be a teacher is my dream, so I must overcome my weakness. If I do my best to  accomplish these four elements, I can develop myself a lot. Therefore, to get teaching skills would stretch me.