SOCSCI REVIEWER The Magic of Reality PDF

ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A SOCSCI REVIEWER THE MAGIC OF REALITY 1. WHAT IS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF “THE MAGIC OF REA...

ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A SOCSCI REVIEWER THE MAGIC OF REALITY 1. WHAT IS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF “THE MAGIC OF REALITY”? 'The Magic of Reality' by Richard Dawkins explores the wonders of the natural world, shedding light on myths and legends with the science behind them. It's a fascinating and thought-provoking read that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the universe around us. 2. IN THE CHAPTER ABOUT THE RAINBOWS, WHAT SCIENTIFIC CONCEPT DOES DAWKINS EXPLAIN? Richard Dawkins explains the formation of rainbows using the scientific concepts of refraction, reflection, and dispersion. Sunlight enters raindrops, bends (refraction), reflects off the inside of the drop, and bends again as it exits. This process causes the light to split into its component colors, creating a rainbow. Dawkins uses this to show how science explains the beauty of natural phenomena. 3. WHAT DOES DAWKINS ARGUE IS THE BEST WAY TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD? Richard Dawkins argues that science is the most reliable way to understand the world. He emphasizes the importance of evidence, observation, and experimentation, contrasting science with myths and supernatural beliefs, which he sees as lacking empirical support. Dawkins advocates for using reason, critical thinking, and the scientific method to uncover truth. 4. DAWKINS DISCUSSES THE CONCEPT OF “WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN?” IN THE BOOK. WHAT EXPLANATION DOES HE PROVIDE? Bad things happen due to natural processes, not because of any moral or divine purpose. He argues that the universe operates according to the laws of physics and biology, and suffering or disasters are the result of random events or natural causes, rejecting the idea of punishment or moral lessons. 5. WHAT DOES DAWKINS USE TO ILLUSTRATE THE CONCEPT OF EARTH’S AGE? Dawkins uses the metaphor of a 1-year calendar to illustrate the age of the Earth. He compresses the Earth's 4.5 billion-year history into a single calendar year: January 1: Formation of Earth. March: The appearance of the first simple life forms. November: The emergence of complex life. December 1: Dinosaurs appear. December 31, just before midnight: The appearance of humans. This analogy helps to convey how recent human history is compared to the vast timescale of Earth's history. 6. IN THIS CHAPTER ON THE SEASONS, WHICH SCIENTIFIC CONCEPT DOES DAWKINS EXPLAIN? The Earth's seasons result from its axial tilt relative to its orbit around the Sun. This tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, leading to seasonal changes in weather and daylight. Dawkins uses this to illustrate how the Earth's orientation and movement in space directly cause the seasons. 7. WHICH FAMOUS SCIENTIST’S WORK DOES DAWKINS FREQUENTLY REFERENCE IN THE BOOK? CHARLES DARWIN 8. WHAT DOES DAWKINS USE TO EXPLAIN THE CONCEPT OF PLATE TECTONICS? Dawkins uses the analogy of a cracked and floating layer, comparing the Earth's lithosphere to the shell of a cracked and floating eggshell. This analogy helps illustrate how the Earth's surface is divided into tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid mantle beneath them, leading to the movement of these plates and the resulting geological activity such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. 9. WHICH CONCEPT DOES DAWKINS EXPLORE USING EXAMPLE OF THE GRAND CANYON? Dawkins uses the Grand Canyon to explore the concept of geological time and the process of erosion. He explains how the Grand Canyon's formation is a result of millions of years of geological activity, including erosion by the Colorado River. This example helps illustrate the immense timescales required for natural processes to shape and transform the Earth's landscape. 10. HOW DOES DAWKINS DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF THE FORMATION OF MOUNTAINS? The formation of mountains through the process of plate tectonics. He explains that mountains are primarily formed by the collision and convergence of tectonic plates. When two plates collide, the Earth's crust is pushed upward, creating mountain ranges. Dawkins also discusses how different types of plate interactions, such as continental-continental collisions or oceanic-continental collisions, lead to various mountain-building processes and types of mountains. 11. WHAT DOES DAWKINS SAY ABOUT THE ROLE OF CHANCE IN EVOLUTION? Dawkins explains that evolution involves both chance and natural selection. Genetic mutations occur randomly and introduce variations in organisms. While these mutations are random, natural selection, which is non-  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A random, acts on these variations by favoring traits that are beneficial for survival and reproduction. Thus, evolution is a blend of random genetic changes and the selective process of natural selection. 12. IN THE CHAPTER OF THE SUN, WHAT DOES DAWKINS SAY ABOUT THIS FUTURE? Dawkins discusses the future of the Sun in terms of its life cycle and eventual fate. He explains that, in about 5 billion years, the Sun will exhaust its hydrogen fuel and expand into a red giant. During this phase, it will become large enough to possibly engulf the inner planets, including Earth. After this red giant phase, the Sun will shed its outer layers and eventually shrink down to become a white dwarf. Dawkins uses this to illustrate the long timescales of astronomical processes and the eventual transformation of stars. 13. HOW DOES DAWKINS DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTATION? Dawkins describes scientific experimentation as a structured method for understanding nature. He stresses that scientists form hypotheses from observations and then test these through experiments. This process provides evidence to support or challenge hypotheses, enhancing our understanding of the world. For Dawkins, science is a systematic approach to discovering truths through repeated observation and analysis. 14. WHAT DOES DAWKINS SAY ABOUT THE ROLE OF EVIDENCE IN SCIENCE? Dawkins highlights that evidence is fundamental to science. He states that scientific claims should be based on observable and measurable evidence, which helps test and validate theories. Unlike beliefs rooted in tradition or faith, scientific credibility comes from rigorous, empirical evidence. 15. WHICH PHENOMENON DOES DAWKINS EXPLAIN USING THE CONCEPT OF REFRACTION? Rainbows through refraction. He shows how sunlight bends and disperses into colors as it passes through raindrops, creating the colorful arcs of a rainbow. This demonstrates how science can reveal the natural processes behind what might seem magical 16. WHAT DOES DAWKINS SAY ABOUT THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE OF TIME IN THE MAGIC OF REALITY BY RICHARD DAWKINS? Dawkins explores how we perceive time as a continuous flow in daily life, influenced by memory and events, and contrasts this with the scientific view. He explains that, according to Einstein's theory of relativity, time can vary with speed and gravity, highlighting the difference between personal perception and scientific reality. 17. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING DAWKINS USE TO EXPLAIN THE CONCEPT OF EXTINCTION IN THE MAGIC OF REALITY BY RICHARD DAWKINS? He explains extinction through examples like dinosaurs, showing how species vanish when they can't adapt to environmental changes. He emphasizes that extinction is a natural, recurring part of evolution. 18. DAWKINS USES WHICH NATURAL EVENT TO EXPLAIN THE CONCEPT OF ENERGY CONSERVATION IN THE MAGIC OF REALITY BY RICHARD DAWKINS? Richard Dawkins uses the Sun to explain energy conservation. He shows how solar energy is transferred and transformed on Earth, like in photosynthesis and heat generation, to illustrate that energy can only change forms, not be created or destroyed, reflecting the law of conservation of energy. 19. WHICH EXAMPLE DOES DAWKINS USE TO EXPLAIN THE CONCEPT OF PROBABILITY IN THE MAGIC OF REALITY BY RICHARD DAWKINS? TOSSING A COIN 20. WHICH NATURAL PHENOMENON DOES DAWKINS USE TO EXPLAIN THE CONCEPT OF INERTIA IN THE MAGIC OF REALITY BY RICHARD DAWKINS? a ball rolling across the ground 21. ORIGIN OF LANGUAGE IN THE MAGIC OF REALITY BY RICHARD DAWKINS? Dawkins presents the origin of language as a fascinating example of how natural processes and evolutionary pressures shaped one of the most distinctive features of human beings. 22. HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THINGS EXIST? FIVE SENSES 23. APART FROM OUR FIVE SENSES, WHAT ARE OTHER WAYS THERE TO FIND OUT WHAT THINGS EXIST? SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT 24. WHY IS A TELESCOPE LIKE A TIME MACHINE? We look at far-away galaxies where the light emitted takes a long time to reach us 25. WHY ARE MODELS USED IN SCIENCE? Models describe something complex/abstract; part of the scientific procedure: hypothesis, experiment, proof. 26. WHAT ARE GREGOR MENDEL’S ACHIEVEMENT? LAWS OF HEREDITY  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A 27. Which three senses (meanings) of the term 'magic' does Dawkins describe? And which one does he use in his title? Supernatural magic, poetic magic, stage magic TITLE: poetic magic 28. What does the history of science show? The scientific process constantly expands what we can explain. 29. What is illustrated by the example of the pack of cards? Laws of probability determine all events. 3 QUALIFICATIONS OF A GOOD LEADER: 1. Academic Excellence 2. Professional Excellence 3. Moral Excellence “Life is a consequence of our moral choices.” - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY Interdisciplinary confront the realities brought about by Science, Technology and Society. This interdisciplinary course engages students to confront the realities brought about by Science and Technology in Society. Such realities persuade the personal, the public, and the global aspects of our living and are integral human development. Scientific knowledge and technological development happen in the context of society with all its socio-political, cultural, economic, and philosophical underpinnings at play. This course seeks to instill reflective knowledge in the students that they are able to live the good life and display ethical decision making in the face of scientific and technological advancement. WHAT IS CRITICAL THINKING? fosters superior decision-making how you think, understand and solve things. ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own. OBJECTIVE PERSON - able to think under pressure. FACT VS OPINION FACT OPINION proof or evidence , Science Perspective personally, my understanding, “in my opinion” aren’t subject to believe endless CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS Reasoning Evaluating Analyzing Decision Making Problem Solving DMAIC METHODOLOGY - is a data-driven quality strategy used to improve processes. Define - identifying the problem and the process that needs fixing. Measure - involves figuring out how big the problem is and mapping the current process to set a starting point. Analyze - data is reviewed to find out the root cause of the problem. Improve - is about putting solutions into action and testing them to make the process better. Control - makes sure the improvements stick and the process stays effective over time. ➔ SCIENCE is the poetry of reality. ➔ Goes on and on uncovering new things ➔ Explain everything, and use that as the spur to go on asking questions, creating possible models and testing them, so that we make our way inch by inch closer to the truth. ➔ SUSTAINABILITY - the ability to exist and develop without depleting natural resources for the future. ➔ ONUS - responsibility to prove. ➔ WHY ARE WE HERE? We don’t know yet. PAMAHIIN/SUPERSTITION - a belief in supernatural forces – such as fate – the desire to influence unpredictable factors and a need to resolve uncertainty. -scientifically speaking it is not proven.  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A -denied yourself for proper education. -belief that isn't supported by science. THE MAGIC OF REALITY 1. WHAT IS REALITY? WHAT IS MAGIC? In the book, "reality" refers to the natural world as it truly is, without human interpretation or belief. Dawkins emphasizes understanding reality through science, which relies on evidence, experiments, and observation. He explains that the natural world, when understood scientifically, is more amazing than any myth or supernatural explanation. Dawkins uses the term "magic" in three ways: 1. Supernatural Magic: The kind found in myths and religious stories, which he critiques for lacking scientific evidence. 2. Stage Magic: Tricks performed by magicians, which are entertaining but based on deception. 3. Poetic Magic: The sense of wonder and amazement people feel when experiencing something extraordinary, like a beautiful sunset. Dawkins believes science can evoke this same sense of awe by revealing the true wonders of reality. "The Magic of Reality" suggests that the true magic is found in the real world and the discoveries made through science. Dawkins contrasts the myths and supernatural ideas with the awe-inspiring truths revealed by science, which he considers the real magic of the world. 2. WHO WAS THE FIRST PERSON? Richard Dawkins explains that there was never a single "first person" in human history. Instead, humans gradually evolved from earlier species over millions of years. He emphasizes that evolution is a slow process with small changes accumulating over generations. If you trace our ancestry back far enough, you'll find ancestors that were not human. There isn't a clear point where non-humans became humans; it's a gradual transition. So, the idea of a "first person" is a misunderstanding of how evolution works. Humans, like all species, evolved gradually from earlier forms of life. 3. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF ANIMALS? According to Richard Dawkins, the great variety of life on Earth, including countless animal species, is the result of millions of years of evolution and natural selection. Dawkins suggests that the immense variety of species we see today is the natural outcome of evolution through processes like natural selection, adaptation, speciation, mutations, and coevolution, all occurring over millions of years 1. Evolution and Natural Selection: Dawkins explains that animals evolve over time through natural selection. Environments change, and animals with traits that help them survive or reproduce are more likely to pass those traits to their offspring. Over generations, these small changes can lead to the development of new species. 2. Adaptation to Environments: Different environments, like oceans, deserts, forests, and mountains, have led species to adapt to their specific surroundings. For instance, polar animals have evolved to live in cold climates, while rainforest animals are suited to warm and humid conditions. These adaptations drive the diversity of species. 3. Speciation: Geographical barriers like mountains or rivers can isolate animal populations. Over time, these isolated populations may evolve separately and eventually become distinct species, further increasing the diversity of life. 4. Random Mutations: Mutations are random changes in DNA that can introduce new traits in a population. While most mutations are neutral or harmful, some may offer survival advantages. These beneficial mutations can be passed down through generations, contributing to the creation of new species. 5. Coevolution: Coevolution occurs when different species evolve in response to each other, such as predators and their prey or hosts and parasites. As predators become better hunters, their prey develop better defenses, leading to a continuous evolutionary "arms race" that adds to the diversity of life. 6. The Tree of Life: The "Tree of Life" illustrates the relationships among all living organisms. The branches represent different evolutionary paths, all tracing back to common ancestors. The vast diversity we see today is the result of these branching evolutionary pathways. 4. WHAT ARE THINGS MADE OF? Dawkins explains that everything in the universe is made up of atoms, which are themselves made of smaller particles. These atoms combine in different ways to form all the materials and substances we see around us, with this knowledge rooted in physics and chemistry, showing the unity of all matter.  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A 1. Atoms and Molecules: Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter, consisting of a nucleus surrounded by electrons. When atoms combine, they form molecules, which make up everything around us, like air, water, and living organisms. 2. Subatomic Particles: Atoms are made of even smaller particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons. These particles are themselves made of even tinier particles like quarks. 3. The Structure of Matter: Atoms are mostly empty space, with a small, dense nucleus. Even though things seem solid, they are largely made of this empty space. 4. Elements and the Periodic Table: Elements are defined by the number of protons in their atoms. Different combinations of these elements create the diverse materials in the world. 5. Energy and Forces: Forces like electromagnetism hold atoms and molecules together. These interactions between particles and forces determine the properties of matter, like how solid or fluid something is. 6. Quantum Mechanics: At the smallest scales, the behavior of particles is different from what we see in everyday life, governed by quantum mechanics. Dawkins points out that everything, from the tiniest particles to the largest galaxies, is made of the same basic material and follows the same physical laws, unifying all matter in the universe. 5. WHY DO WE HAVE NIGHT AND DAY, SUMMER AND WINTER? Richard Dawkins explains the natural causes behind the cycles of night and day, as well as winter and summer, through the Earth's movements relative to the Sun. Dawkins uses these explanations to show that natural phenomena follow predictable scientific principles, which can be understood through astronomy and physics, without the need for mythical or supernatural explanations. Why Do We Have Night and Day? 1. Earth's Rotation: Dawkins explains that the Earth spins on its axis, an imaginary line between the North and South Poles, completing one full rotation every 24 hours. This rotation causes different parts of the Earth to face the Sun, resulting in daylight, while the parts turned away from the Sun experience night. 2. Rotation and Regularity: The Earth's continuous rotation ensures that every point on the planet experiences both day and night within a 24-hour period. As your location on Earth turns toward the Sun, it's daytime; as it turns away, it's nighttime. Why Do We Have Winter and Summer? 1. Earth's Tilt: Dawkins describes how the Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees relative to its orbit around the Sun. This tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, creating the seasons. 2. Orbit Around the Sun: As the Earth orbits the Sun, the tilt causes one hemisphere to receive more direct sunlight, resulting in summer, while the other hemisphere receives less sunlight, leading to winter. 3. Opposite Seasons: Dawkins notes that when it's summer in one hemisphere, it's winter in the other. For example, during summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the Southern Hemisphere experiences winter, and vice versa. 4. Equinoxes and Solstices: Dawkins also mentions the equinoxes, when day and night are approximately equal, and the solstices, when days are longest or shortest. These occur due to the Earth's position in its orbit around the Sun. Summary: - Night and Day: Caused by the Earth's rotation, making different parts of the planet turn toward or away from the Sun. - Winter and Summer: Caused by the Earth's tilt and orbit around the Sun, leading to varying angles of sunlight and day lengths throughout the year, with opposite seasons in each hemisphere. 6. WHAT IS THE SUN? Richard Dawkins explains the Sun from a scientific perspective, describing its nature, composition, and importance in our solar system. The Sun is a typical star made mostly of hydrogen and helium, where nuclear fusion produces light and heat. It provides the energy necessary for life on Earth and maintains the gravitational pull that keeps the planets in orbit. Dawkins highlights the Sun as a vital and awe-inspiring natural phenomenon understood through science. 1. The Sun as a Star: The Sun is a star, like those we see in the night sky, but it appears larger and brighter because it’s much closer to Earth. It’s a massive, glowing ball of hot gases, mainly hydrogen and helium. 2. Nuclear Fusion: In the Sun's core, nuclear fusion occurs, where hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium, releasing energy as light and heat. This energy makes life on Earth possible by providing light and warmth. 3. Size and Scale: The Sun’s immense size, about 1.4 million kilometers in diameter, which is 109 times the diameter of Earth. Despite its size, the Sun is considered an average-sized star. 4. The Sun's Gravity and the Solar System: The Sun’s gravity holds the solar system together, keeping the planets in orbit. It makes up 99.86% of the solar system’s total mass, giving it a strong gravitational pull.  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A 5. The Life Cycle of the Sun: The Sun is in a stable phase called the "main sequence" but will eventually run out of fuel, expand into a red giant, and finally become a white dwarf. 6. Cultural Significance and Myths: Dawkins notes that many cultures have worshiped the Sun as a deity or symbol of life, but he contrasts these myths with the scientific understanding that the Sun is a natural, physical object without supernatural qualities. 7. WHAT IS A RAINBOW? A rainbow is a natural optical phenomenon caused by the interaction of sunlight with raindrops. This interaction involves refraction, dispersion, and reflection of light, which breaks the light into its constituent colors to form a spectrum we see as a rainbow. While rainbows are beautiful and surprising, Dawkins emphasizes that understanding them through physics reveals their true nature. 1. Light and Refraction: a rainbow forms when sunlight hits raindrops in the atmosphere. The light slows down and bends (refraction) as it passes from air to water, changing direction. 2. Dispersion of Light: Sunlight, though it appears white, contains all colors of the spectrum. When light enters a raindrop, it is bent and separated into its component colors because each color bends at a slightly different angle, with red bending less and violet bending more. 3. Reflection and Refraction: Inside the raindrop, the light reflects off the inner surface and is refracted again as it exits, spreading the colors further. This double refraction and internal reflection create the circular spectrum of colors we see as a rainbow. 4. The Rainbow's Shape: The circular arc shape of a rainbow is due to the consistent angles of refraction and reflection in all raindrops contributing to the rainbow. We typically see only an arc because the ground blocks the full circle, but a complete circle can be seen from an airplane. 5. The Role of the Observer: The observer's position is crucial for seeing a rainbow. The Sun must be behind the observer, and the raindrops must be at a precise angle, about 42 degrees from the opposite direction of the Sun. 6. Double Rainbows: Double rainbows occur when light reflects twice inside the raindrop before exiting. The second reflection reverses the order of colors, with red on the inside and violet on the outside. The secondary rainbow is usually fainter. 7. Cultural Myths and Scientific Reality: Dawkins contrasts the scientific explanation of rainbows with myths, such as the idea of a pot of gold at the rainbow's end. He clarifies that rainbows are optical phenomena with no physical location or end. 8. WHEN AND HOW DID EVERYTHING BEGIN? Richard Dawkins explains that everything began with the Big Bang around 13.8 billion years ago, marking the start of the universe, time, and space. Following this, stars and galaxies formed, and eventually, our solar system came into existence. On Earth, life emerged from non-living matter through natural processes billions of years later. Dawkins contrasts these scientific explanations with creation myths, emphasizing that science provides a deeper, evidence-based understanding of how everything originated. 1. The Big Bang: The Beginning of the Universe: The universe began with the Big Bang, not as an explosion, but as a rapid expansion from an extremely hot, dense state. This event marks the beginning of time, space, and the universe as we know it. The continued expansion of the universe is supported by cosmic background radiation and the observation that galaxies are moving apart. 2. The First Atoms and Stars: After the Big Bang, the universe was a hot soup of subatomic particles. As it cooled, these particles combined to form atoms, mostly hydrogen and helium. Over time, gravity pulled these atoms together, forming stars and galaxies. Nuclear fusion in these stars create heavier elements, which are spread across the universe when the stars explode as supernovae. 3. The Birth of Our Solar System: Dawkins describes how our solar system formed about 4.6 billion years ago from a cloud of gas and dust. Gravity pulled this material together to form the Sun, while the remaining matter condensed into planets, moons, and other bodies, including Earth. Early Earth was a molten mass that eventually cooled to form a solid crust, atmosphere, and oceans, setting the stage for life to evolve. 4. The Origin of Life: Dawkins notes that life on Earth began around 3.5 to 4 billion years ago, likely as simple self-replicating molecules. Through natural selection, these molecules evolved into more complex life forms, leading to the diverse organisms we see today. While the exact process is not fully understood, it likely involved chemical reactions that produced complex organic molecules, eventually forming the first living cells. 5. Contrasting Myths and Scientific Reality: Dawkins contrasts scientific explanations with creation myths from various cultures, acknowledging their storytelling appeal but emphasizing that scientific explanations, supported by evidence and reason, provide a more accurate understanding of how everything began.  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A 9. ARE WE ALONE? Richard Dawkins explores the question of whether we are alone in the universe by considering the vastness of the universe, the possibility of habitable planets, and ongoing scientific efforts to find extraterrestrial life. Although there is no concrete evidence of other civilizations, Dawkins highlights the importance of curiosity and evidence-based inquiry in exploring this question. 1. The Vastness of the Universe: Dawkins discusses the immense size of the universe, with billions of galaxies, each containing billions of stars and potentially even more planets. This vastness suggests that there could be other planets with conditions suitable for life, even though we haven't found any proof yet. 2. The Drake Equation: The Drake Equation, which estimates the number of active extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy. The equation considers factors like the rate of star formation and the likelihood of life on other planets, but many of these factors remain uncertain. 3. Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI): SETI uses radio telescopes to search for signals from other civilizations. Despite these efforts, no clear signal has been detected so far. 4. Extremophiles and Life's Possibilities: Dawkins mentions extremophiles, organisms that live in extreme environments on Earth, like deep-sea vents and hot springs. These discoveries suggest that life could exist in a wider range of conditions than previously thought, potentially increasing the chances of finding life elsewhere. 5. The Fermi Paradox: Dawkins briefly discusses the Fermi Paradox, which highlights the contradiction between the high probability of extraterrestrial civilizations and the lack of evidence or contact with them. This paradox remains unresolved. 6. Open Question and Scientific Exploration: Dawkins acknowledges that there is no direct evidence of extraterrestrial life, making it an open question that science continues to explore. The absence of evidence doesn't mean life doesn't exist elsewhere; it just means we haven't found it yet. 7. The Role of Science and Curiosity: Dawkins emphasizes the importance of scientific investigation and curiosity in addressing the question of extraterrestrial life. The search reflects our desire to understand our place in the universe and the potential for life beyond Earth. 10. WHAT IS AN EARTHQUAKE? Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates in the Earth's crust. When stress builds up along faults and is suddenly released, it creates seismic waves that cause the ground to shake. Dawkins contrasts this scientific explanation with historical myths and superstitions about earthquakes. 1. Tectonic Plates: Dawkins explains that the Earth's outer layer, the lithosphere, is divided into large pieces called tectonic plates. These plates float on a semi-fluid layer beneath them and move slowly over time. 2. Plate Boundaries: Earthquakes mostly occur at the boundaries where these tectonic plates meet. The three main types of plate boundaries are: -Divergent Boundaries: Plates move apart, such as at mid-ocean ridges. -Convergent Boundaries: Plates move toward each other, leading to one plate sliding beneath another or colliding. -Transform Boundaries: Plates slide past each other horizontally, like along the San Andreas Fault. 3. Stress and Strain: As tectonic plates move, stress builds up along faults. When the stress exceeds the strength of the rocks, it is suddenly released, causing the rocks to break and move. This release of energy generates seismic waves that cause the ground to shake. 4. Seismic Waves: The energy from an earthquake travels through the Earth as seismic waves. These waves originate from the earthquake's focus, the point where the rocks break, and spread out, causing the shaking we feel. There are different types of seismic waves, including primary and secondary waves. 5. Magnitude and Intensity: the magnitude of an earthquake measures the energy released, using scales like the Richter scale or moment magnitude scale. Intensity measures the effects of the earthquake at different locations, which can vary depending on distance from the epicenter and local conditions. 6. Aftershocks: are smaller tremors that occur as the Earth's crust readjusts to the new stresses after the main earthquake. 7. Science vs. Myths: Dawkins contrasts the scientific understanding of earthquakes with ancient myths and superstitions, emphasizing that modern science provides a clearer and more accurate explanation of how and why earthquakes occur. 11. WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN? Richard Devolutionawkins discusses why bad things happen, attributing them to natural processes, chance, and human actions rather than to supernatural forces. He believes that understanding and addressing these issues should rely on science and human effort.  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A 1. Natural Processes and Randomness: Dawkins points out that many disasters, like earthquakes and hurricanes, occur due to natural forces and chance. These events are a part of how the universe works and can cause suffering without any intention or purpose. 2. Evolutionary Perspective: He explains that evolution by natural selection doesn’t guarantee a world without suffering. Life evolves through survival and reproduction, which means struggle and adversity are part of the process. 3. The Role of Chance: Chance plays a big role in life’s outcomes, such as accidents and diseases. These random events can drastically affect people’s lives without any clear reason. 4. Human Actions and Social Factors: Many problems, like conflict and inequality, are caused by human decisions and societal structures. Improving these issues requires collective effort and social changes. 5. Lack of Supernatural Reasoning: Dawkins argues against supernatural explanations for suffering, noting that there's no evidence supporting the idea that gods or supernatural forces are responsible for bad events. He believes this perspective doesn’t help in solving real problems. 6. Finding Meaning and Solutions: While acknowledging that bad things happen, Dawkins emphasizes that understanding natural processes and working together to improve society are the best ways to address and reduce suffering. 12. WHAT IS A MIRACLE? He defines a miracle as an event that seems to defy natural laws and is often attributed to divine intervention. Dawkins argues that many events considered miraculous can actually be explained by natural processes and scientific principles. 1. Definition of a Miracle: Dawkins describes a miracle as an extraordinary event thought to be beyond nature's power or supernatural, usually attributed to divine forces. 2. Scientific Perspective: He believes that what seems like a miracle can often be explained by natural causes and scientific understanding. Events labeled as miraculous may be rare or not yet understood scientifically, but that doesn’t make them supernatural. 3. Natural Explanations: Dawkins points out that many phenomena once deemed miraculous can now be explained by science. Advances in fields like medicine can demystify events that were previously thought to be miracles. 4. Human Understanding and Miracles: He notes that what was once considered a miracle due to lack of knowledge often turns out to be understandable through science as our understanding improves. 5. The Role of Faith and Evidence: Dawkins contrasts miracles with empirical evidence and rational inquiry. He argues that claims of miracles lack the rigorous evidence that scientific standards require and are not useful in scientific contexts. 6. The Wonder of Natural Processes: Dawkins encourages appreciating the natural world’s wonders without resorting to supernatural explanations. He believes that natural processes and scientific laws are remarkable enough on their own. SUMMARY The Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins explores fundamental questions about the world and existence through a scientific lens. Here’s a concise summary: 1. Purpose and Approach: Dawkins addresses profound questions like the nature of reality, the origins of life, and why suffering occurs. He contrasts scientific explanations with myths and religious beliefs, showing how science provides clearer, evidence-based answers. 2. Key Themes: -Nature of Reality: Reality is understood through observation and scientific inquiry. Dawkins traces our evolving understanding from ancient myths to modern science, explaining concepts like the Big Bang, the formation of Earth, and the development of life. -Scientific Explanations: The book tackles various phenomena—such as rainbows and earthquakes— demonstrating how science explains these events through natural processes rather than supernatural causes. -Role of Science: Dawkins emphasizes the importance of scientific inquiry and evidence-based reasoning. He argues that science offers a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the world compared to religious or mythological explanations. -Appreciation of Nature: Dawkins encourages readers to marvel at the natural world and its complexities, highlighting how science reveals the wonders of nature.  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A 3. Didactic and Inspirational: Designed for both young readers and adults new to scientific thought, the book is filled with lively explanations and illustrations to make complex concepts accessible and engaging. 4. Conclusion: Dawkins concludes that science enriches our understanding of the world and provides a deeper appreciation of natural processes. He advocates for replacing supernatural explanations with scientific reasoning to better grasp the mysteries of reality. KEY THEMES 1. Science vs. Myth: Dawkins emphasizes the power of science to explain the world more accurately than myths and superstitions. He argues that while myths can be beautiful stories, they are not true in the way that science is. 2. Curiosity and Skepticism: The book encourages readers to be curious and to question everything, promoting a skeptical approach to knowledge that values evidence and logical reasoning. 3. The Wonder of Nature: Dawkins highlights the awe and wonder that comes from understanding the natural world through science, arguing that reality is more magical than any fiction. The book was well-received for its clear and engaging writing, as well as its beautiful illustrations, which complement the text. It's often recommended for young readers and anyone interested in understanding science in a fun and accessible way. Overall, The Magic of Reality serves as a primer on scientific thinking and a celebration of the natural world. WHY ARE THERE STILL CHIMPANZEES? We’re not descended from chimpanzees. Instead, humans and chimpanzees share a common ancestor that lived about 6 million years ago. This ancestor gave rise to two branches: one leading to humans and the other leading to chimpanzees, which later branched further into bonobos and common chimpanzees. In essence, we are all cousins. Humans and chimpanzees are not directly descended from one another but share a common lineage. Gorillas, more distantly related, also share a common ancestor with both us and chimpanzees. This means that humans and chimpanzees form a natural group, which is closely related to gorillas. All of these animals, including gorillas, humans, bonobos, and chimpanzees, belong to the African apes. These African apes share a common ancestor with orangutans, who are part of the broader group known as the great apes. Within the great apes, the African apes are closer cousins to one another, with humans, bonobos, and chimpanzees being even more closely related. Among them, bonobos and chimpanzees are the closest cousins of all. WHEN DOES A BELIEF BECOME WRONG? When we impose our beliefs on others and force them to accept them, those beliefs can become problematic. A belief becomes wrong when it is based on incorrect information, flawed reasoning, or when it contradicts established facts and evidence. Additionally, if a belief leads to harmful consequences or fails to align with reality, it can be considered wrong. It’s important to regularly evaluate beliefs in light of new information and be open to changing them when evidence shows they are incorrect. WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION? The theory of biological evolution makes two bold claims about living creatures: 1. All living things on Earth are related; they evolved from a common ancestor. 2. The evolution of living things is driven by natural processes that can be studied and understood. To keep things simple, we’ll focus on Evolution’s first claim: that all living things on Earth are related. Rather than tackling the entire tree of life (which includes an estimated 8.7 million species alive today), we’ll narrow our focus to one fascinating branch of the evolutionary tree: Cetaceans. This group includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Biologists claim that all these creatures are closely related and that the entire group evolved from an ancient four-legged land mammal. Instead of just taking their word for it, let’s look at the evidence. We’ll begin with comparative anatomy—the study of differences and similarities between living organisms. COMPARATIVE ANATOMY Whales live in water and, from a distance, might resemble giant fish. However, a closer inspection of their anatomy tells a different story. Whales, like land mammals but unlike fish: - Have placentas and give live birth. - Feed milk to their young. - Are warm-blooded (which is rare for fish). - Do not have gills; instead, they breathe air with two fully developed lungs. While whales don’t appear to have noses like mammals, they breathe through blowholes on top of their heads. Some whales have two blowholes that resemble nostrils, while dolphins and porpoises have one.  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A Interestingly, the blowhole splits into two nasal passages inside the skull, suggesting it may be a highly modified mammal nose. But we’ll need more evidence to confirm this. Many whales also have hair, just like land mammals. In the photograph of a baby gray whale resting on its mother’s back, you can even see its whiskers. Strangely, whales have arm, wrist, hand, and finger bones inside their front flippers. These bones are the same as those found in bats, hippos, and humans—one bone, two bones, wrist bones, and finger bones. Modern whales don’t have back legs, but they do have a pair of tiny bones where the hips and hind legs should be. These bones resemble shriveled hip, thigh, and shin bones, with some even showing a deformed ball and socket joint like the one in our own hips. Are these leg bones mere coincidences, or are they remnants from the whales' evolutionary history? Before jumping to conclusions, let's see if another line of evidence supports this idea. EMBRYOLOGY Embryology is the study of how creatures develop before birth or hatching. Here we see a dolphin and a human embryo at similar stages of development. Both have what appear to be arm buds and leg buds. In humans, the leg buds grow into legs, while in whales, they grow for a while but eventually stop, fading away as the rest of the whale continues to grow. These photos show a common dolphin at different stages of development. Early on, two nostril grooves appear on the front of its face, just like in a puppy or a human. As the dolphin grows, the nostrils migrate to the top of the head and fuse together to become the dolphin’s blowhole. FOSSIL EVIDENCE Here are two species of extinct basilosaurus whales, known from multiple well-preserved skeletons that lived roughly 34 to 40 million years ago. In this photo, we see the top of a basilosaurus skull. Notice that the nasal opening isn’t on the top of the head like in modern whales, nor at the end of the snout like in most land mammals. Instead, the nostrils are in the middle, indicating an intermediate species—exactly what the theory of evolution predicts! At the back of a basilosaurid’s body, there are small, yet fully developed hips, legs, ankles, feet, and possibly three toes (though we’ve only found the bones for one). These legs were too small for walking on land but may have been useful for mating or scratching itchy skin. Evolutionary theory suggests that the further we go back in time, the harder it will be to distinguish whales from regular land mammals. Meet Maiacetus. Scientists have found multiple well-preserved skeletons of this species, including a pregnant mother. Maiacetus had sturdy hips that could support walking on land, but it is considered a whale for several reasons: - Their skeletons were found among fossils of sea creatures. - Their short legs, combined with long, flat fingers and toes, suggest they were strong swimmers with webbed hands and feet. - The bottom side of a Maiacetus jaw and skull shows teeth matching those of basilosaurid whales, and unique structures of the middle ear bones (bulbs behind the jaw) match those of basilosauridae and modern whales. Maiacetus appears to be a walking whale! The fossils of many ancient whale-like mammals have been found, and new discoveries continue to blur the line between four-legged land mammals and fully aquatic whales, reinforcing the idea that whales evolved from land creatures. DNA EVIDENCE DNA molecules contain chemical codes that act like recipes for living things. Without ever looking at bones, embryos, or anatomy, researchers can compare the DNA code of different creatures to find out who is most closely related to whom. Whale DNA has been compared to various animals, and so far, the closest genetic match is the hippopotamus. This doesn’t mean that whales evolved from hippos, but rather that whales and hippos share a common ancestor that lived roughly 54 million years ago. Initially, this connection surprised researchers because whales are mainly carnivores, while hippos are mostly vegetarians. However, a closer look reveals many shared features that may have come from their common ancestor. Ancient walking whales had specially shaped ankle bones found only in hippos and their close relatives. Both hippos and whales often give birth and nurse their young underwater, have multi-chambered stomachs (common in herbivores but rare in fish-eating mammals), lack a coat of fur, and have internal testicles. CONCLUSION So, there you have it—dozens of facts from four independent lines of evidence, all telling the same story: Whales evolved from four-legged land mammals. But whale evolution is just one of many evolutionary histories we’ve uncovered. Fossils, DNA, embryology, and other lines of evidence reveal that: - Bird wings are modified arms and claws, evolved from dinosaur-like ancestors. - Bat wings evolved from five-fingered hands similar to those of monkeys and shrews. - Humans share a recent common ancestor with chimpanzees. - Mammals evolved from reptile-like creatures, which evolved from amphibian-like creatures, which evolved from fish-like creatures, and fish share a common ancestor with segmented worms. In summary, thousands of observable facts from completely independent fields of study converge to tell us the same story: All living things on Earth are related.  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A WHAT IS NATURAL SELECTION? Natural selection is one of several key concepts within the theory of evolution. To understand exactly what natural selection is and why it's so important, we must first look at two other evolutionary concepts: Descent with Modification and the overarching idea of Common Descent. Descent with Modification is the observable fact that when parents have children, those children often look and behave slightly differently than their parents and slightly differently from each other. They descend from their parents with modifications. These differences in offspring are partially due to random genetic mutations. Common Descent is the idea that all life on Earth is related. We descended from a common ancestor. Through the gradual process of descent with modification over many generations, a single original species is thought to have given rise to all the life we see today. The common descent of all life on Earth is not a directly observable fact; we have no way of going back in time to watch it happen. Instead, Common Descent is a conclusion based on a massive collection of observable facts found independently in the study of fossils, genetics, comparative anatomy, mathematics, biochemistry, and species distribution. Because the evidence for common descent is so overwhelming, the concept has been around since ancient times. In the past, however, it was rejected by many philosophers and scientists for one main reason: You cannot get order and complexity from random chaos alone. The bodies and behaviors of living things are extremely complex and orderly. Descent with Modification simply produces random variation. Throughout history, no one could explain how complex life arose from simple life through random variation until Charles Darwin discovered Natural Selection. Charles Darwin, who lived from 1809 to 1882, was a naturalist, someone who studies nature. At the start of his career, he traveled the world by ship, collecting and documenting plants and animals. During his travels, Darwin became very interested in the idea of common descent. He noticed that islands contain species of plants and animals unique to those islands that can't be found elsewhere, yet they often look and behave surprisingly similar to creatures found on nearby continents. For example, tortoises on the Galapagos Islands can be distinguished from those in Africa. However, except for size, they're almost identical to a species found nearby in South America. Darwin believed these similarities could be best explained through Common Descent. Long ago, a tortoise from the mainland may have drifted to the islands, possibly on a raft of storm debris, and after arriving, laid her eggs. Random changes caused by Descent with Modification over thousands of years eventually transformed the island and mainland creatures so much that they could no longer be considered the same species. This idea made good sense to Darwin, except for one thing: the island creatures he found were not just randomly different from their mainland cousins; they were specially adapted for island life. The Galapagos is a collection of 18 main islands, many of which are home to tortoises. The larger islands have lots of grass and vegetation, leading tortoises there to grow extra heavy with dome-like shells. Some of the smaller islands have very little grass, forcing the tortoises to feed on island cactus. The best cactus pads grow on the tops of these plants. Fortunately, tortoises on these islands are equipped with expanded front legs and saddle-like shells, allowing them to stretch their necks extra long to reach their food. It’s almost as if these island creatures have been perfectly sculpted to survive within their unique environments. For thousands of years, farmers have been taking wild plants and animals, and through the process of selective breeding, have sculpted the original wild forms into new domestic forms, much better suited for human use and consumption. The process is slow but simple. If a single plant produces a hundred seeds, most will grow to be nearly identical to the parent plant. A few, however, will be slightly different. Some variations are undesirable, like smaller size, bitter taste, or vulnerability to disease. Other variations are highly valued, such as thicker, sweeter leaves. If a farmer only allows the best plants to reproduce and create seeds for the next crop, small positive changes will add up over multiple generations, eventually producing a dramatically superior vegetable. NATURAL SELECTION You might be surprised to hear that broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbages are all just different breeds of a single type of weed commonly found along the shores of the English Channel. The evolution of this original plant into all the varieties we see today was carefully guided by different farmers around the world, who simply selected for different traits. It's important to note that the farmer doesn't actually create anything. Random Descent with Modification creates new traits. The farmer simply chooses which of those new creations are allowed to reproduce and which are not. Darwin proposed that nature itself is also capable of selection. It may not have an intelligent brain like a farmer, but nature is an extremely dangerous place to live. There are germs that can kill you, animals that can eat you, you could die of heat exhaustion or exposure to the cold. When parents produce a variety of offspring, nature, simply by being difficult to survive in, decides which of those variations get to live and reproduce and which do not. Over multiple generations, creatures become more and more fit for survival and reproduction within their specific environments. Darwin called this process Natural Selection.  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A Since Darwin first put forth his idea in the mid-1800s, Natural Selection has been studied and observed numerous times in nature and in the science lab. What started out as a mere idea is now officially an observable fact. Darwin's discovery has greatly expanded our understanding of the natural world, leading to amazing new breakthroughs and finally allowing scientists to seriously consider the idea of Common Descent. Natural Selection is the process by which random evolutionary changes are selected for by nature in a consistent, orderly, non-random way. Through the process of descent with modification, new traits are randomly produced. Nature then carefully decides which of those new traits to keep. Positive changes add up over multiple generations, while negative traits are quickly discarded. Through this simple, ongoing process, nature, even without a thinking mind, is capable of producing incredibly complex and beautiful creations. WHAT IS AN ATOM AND HOW DO WE KNOW? ATOMS Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of chemistry. Just as baked goods are made from various ingredients, all matter is composed of different types of atoms. Scientists have discovered 118 kinds of atoms, known as elements, which are arranged on a chart called the periodic table. Everything, from the screen displaying this video to your eyeballs watching it, is made of atoms. However, a single atom is so small that it’s impossible to see with the naked eye. DEMOCRITUS Democritus is credited by many historians as the first to clearly propose the idea of the atom. In his time, some believed that if you chopped a piece of matter—like an apple—you could keep dividing it infinitely. This idea didn’t sit well with Democritus, who argued that there must be a point where you reach particles so small and indestructible that they couldn’t be divided any further. He called these particles "atomos," meaning uncuttable. However, Democritus didn’t have any evidence to support his claim, so many people dismissed it. ARABIC SCIENCE Fast forward several hundred years to the Arabic world. You might know that salt can be extracted from seawater by evaporating it, but Arabic scientists like Jabir ibn Hayyan took extraction science to a new level. Through careful experimentation, they developed complex processes to purify substances, discovering that crude materials could be divided into multiple pure substances—pure in the sense that they were consistent all the way through, unlike natural mixtures. FRENCH SCIENCE In the 1700s, French scientists Marie-Anne and Antoine Lavoisier built upon the work of their Arabic predecessors. They found that certain pure substances could be broken down even further through chemical reactions. For example, water can be split into hydrogen and oxygen gases. However, no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t break down oxygen or hydrogen any further. They concluded that these gases must be elements—foundational substances that couldn’t be created by mixing other chemicals or broken down any further. This led to the search for and identification of 118 elements, now listed on the modern periodic table. PERIODIC TABLE Elements like oxygen and hydrogen are gaseous at room temperature, while others, like carbon and gold, are solids. Some, like mercury and bromine, are liquids at room temperature. Under certain conditions, elements react with each other to form compounds with new properties, such as rust or water. COMPOUNDS These reactions can be reversed, and the amount of each element recovered after separation is always equal to what reacted to form the compound. This confirms that elements are real and essentially indestructible—but what are they made of? JOHN DALTON In the early 1800s, English schoolteacher John Dalton became fascinated with chemistry. Through experiments and research, he noticed that elements reacted in specific whole-number ratios, suggesting that elements were made of tiny, indivisible units—atoms. He proposed that atoms of the same element were identical in size but different from those of other elements. EINSTEIN AND THE PROOF OF ATOMS In 1905, Albert Einstein proposed an experiment to confirm the existence of atoms and calculate their size. French physicist Jean Perrin conducted these experiments, providing strong evidence that atoms exist. SCANNING TUNNELING MICROSCOPE (STM) In the 1970s, engineers developed the scanning tunneling microscope (STM), which uses electron tunneling to scan and essentially "feel" the surface of samples. STONE AGE What comes to your mind when you hear the words ‘Stone Age’? Do you think of people hunting mammoths with spears, telling stories sitting around the fire, and painting on the walls of caves? If so, you'd be right - but  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A there's much more to the Stone Age than just that. Let's find out more about it! The Stone Age is the earliest period of human culture. It officially began almost three million years ago, when researchers found the earliest evidence of humans using stone tools. This period was called the Stone Age because tools were mainly made of stone. It is typically divided into three distinct periods: 1. Paleolithic Period: 2.6 million years ago – 12,000 BCE 2. Mesolithic Period: 12,000 BCE – 8,000 BCE 3. Neolithic Period: 8,000 BCE – 3,000 BCE 1. The Paleolithic is the earliest and longest of the Stone Age periods, starting when early humans appeared in Africa about 2.5 million years ago and lasting until roughly 12,000 years ago. The Paleolithic means "Old Stone Age." Humankind gradually evolved from early representatives of the genus Homo into anatomically modern humans. Homo Habilis (HANDYMAN) was the first true human species to evolve from apes. Homo Erectus (UPRIGHT MAN) had long legs which they used to walk considerable distances. Homo Erectus were probably the first to learn to control fire and cook food. Neanderthals were the most commonly found extinct human species. By about 40,000 years ago, Homo Sapiens were the last human species surviving on Earth. No other species seemed to be able to compete with how advanced we grew to be. HANDYMAN (HOMO HABILIS) - 2 - 1.5 mya NEANDERTHAL - 200 - 40 kya UPRIGHT MAN (HOMO ERECTUS) - 2 mya - 150 kya WISE MAN - 200 kya - today The Paleolithic people formed small communities often referred to as tribes. Most Stone Age people used caves more as motels, staying in them overnight and then moving on. During the Paleolithic, people were nomadic, which means they moved around from place to place in search of food. In general, they spent their time on direct subsistence activities - gathering edible plants along the way - fruits, berries, and nuts. They also dug up roots. For a sweet treat, they took honey from wild bee hives and collected eggs from birds’ nests. Hunting was not yet common, and the meat was eaten raw! Animals were found already dead, and their meat was scavenged. At the very beginning of the period, Paleolithic stone tools were very basic. People made them in a primitive way: one stone was struck with another until pieces broke off, making a sharp edge. In time, the Stone Age people started attaching handles to stones. This is how primitive hand axes made of stones appeared. Animals that roamed the Earth during the Stone Age include wooly mammoths, wooly rhinos, musk oxen, cave bears, and giant deer. They were the source of bones, horns, skins, and of course furs. The Stone Age people used animal skins and furs to make clothes. Later, people began to fasten long strips of leather around their clothing to hold it in place. Around 47,000 years ago, awls began to be used to join pieces together. In the Paleolithic, people made decorations from shells, teeth, stones, and animal claws. About 500,000 years ago, people discovered fire. It is thought that they rubbed two sticks together, then learned to strike stones together to produce sparks. Fire use reduced mortality rates and provided protection against predators. People living in caves decorated their walls with pictures of animals. Carvings found on stone walls mostly show giant bulls, stags, horses, and bison. It seems that prehistoric humans believed that by creating images of potential game pierced by a hunter, they ensured a successful hunt. 2. The Mesolithic was the second period of the Stone Age. The Mesolithic means "Middle Stone Age." By this time, some humans would have given up the nomadic lifestyle and started to build permanent dwellings near bodies of water. They built huts and shelters from wooden frames, or frames made from animal bones, and covered them with animal hides. The Mesolithic saw the development of finer, smaller stone tools such as arrows or spearheads. With their help, hunting became much easier. There were also bows and arrows. These weapons made it possible to hunt deer, wild boars, and birds more effectively. During this period, fishing began to develop as a form of subsistence activity. New tools were created for fishing, such as hooks, harpoons, and fishing nets. Exploration of water expanses brought about the first rafts and boats. It is during the Mesolithic period that dogs are believed to have been domesticated. Dogs could help with the hunt, warn of danger, and give warmth and comfort. 3. The Neolithic Period is the final stage of cultural evolution and technological development among prehistoric humans. The Neolithic means "New Stone Age." It began when some groups of humans gave up the nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle completely to begin farming. This was the so-called ''Neolithic Revolution,'' since it drastically changed the way of life for most of humanity. Neolithic people were skilled farmers, manufacturing a range of tools necessary for the tending, harvesting, and processing of crops. Neolithic farmers developed tools such as plows to help them with their work. Cattle breeding was taken up, too. Animals such as sheep, goats, and pigs were domesticated and provided a ready supply of meat, milk, and wool. The domestication of animals, along with the beginning of farming, led to humans staying in one place for longer periods of time. Settlements became more permanent. People settled together in villages. Villages gradually developed into organized communities where food was stored and material goods were traded.  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A The Neolithic was characterized by the appearance of such crafts as pottery, basketry, and weaving. The invention of the wheel is the most remarkable of that time. The Stone Age ended when humans began working with metal and making tools and weapons from bronze. That was the start of the Bronze Age, but this we will talk about next time. THE GOOD LIFE We will talk about Aristotle and how we all aspire to live a good life. It started with Plato and Aristotle, who took different philosophical approaches to understanding reality. Plato believed that things in this world are not real but are mere copies of the real world, which exists in the world of forms. According to Plato, there are two realities: World of matter - everything is changing and impermanent. World of forms - entities are ideal models and are considered the only real entities. Aristotle, a student of Plato, forwarded the idea that reality is what can be perceived by the senses. According to Aristotle, every action emanating from a human person is a function of their purpose, and every human aspires for an end. He also claimed that happiness is the be-all and end-all of everything we do. For Aristotle, human flourishing is a kind of contentment, knowing that one is getting the best out of life. Materialism, rooted in the atomists of ancient Greece like Democritus, is the belief that the world is made up of matter, including human beings. In materialism, only material entities matter, and matter is what makes us attain happiness. This could include wealth, possessions, or achievements, such as sports cars, trophies, or even relationships. Hedonists/Hedonism believe that the end goal of life is acquiring pleasure. While materialism focuses on pleasure through material possessions, hedonism is about indulging in pleasure because life is limited. This pleasure could be physical, such as eating, drinking, or engaging in parties. The mantra of hedonism is to enjoy life while it lasts. Stoicism teaches that to generate happiness, one must distance oneself from emotions and be guided by logic. Stoics believe that happiness is attained through apathy, meaning a lack of emotional involvement with others. Stoicism encourages separating oneself from people to focus on rational thought, devoid of emotional influence. Theists/Theism, the ultimate basis of happiness is communion with God. The world we live in is seen as temporary, and true happiness is found in returning to the hands of God. Theists believe that the relationship with God is the source of happiness, contrasting with materialism, hedonism, and stoicism. Humanists/Humanism believe in the freedom of individuals to shape their own destiny, free from the control of any higher power. Humanism places humans at the center of moral considerations, using science and reason to understand the world. It also promotes human flourishing and champions human rights for everyone. In conclusion, this lesson covered various philosophies related to the concept of the good life, including materialism, hedonism, stoicism, theism, and humanism. EVOLUTION Evolution is a word that appears frequently in games and cartoons, sometimes used in ways that don’t align with its true biological meaning. In biology, evolution doesn’t happen to individuals within their lifetimes; it happens to populations over generations. Misconceptions like this are common, and terminology can also be misunderstood. For example, the word “theory” means something specific in science, different from casual conversation. “Fitness” in biology refers to the number of offspring produced, not how strong an organism is. Even the word “evolution” is often misunderstood, as it doesn’t necessarily mean more complexity in biology, though people may use it casually to describe products becoming more advanced. This will focus on defining biological evolution and exploring mechanisms like natural selection and genetic drift. Biological evolution is the change in a population’s inherited traits over generations, meaning populations, not individuals, evolve. Population consists of multiple organisms of the same species, each with genetic variety. Changes in a population’s gene pool can lead to evolution, as traits are coded by genes. Consider a population of grasshoppers with varying traits, such as color or leg length. Mechanisms like gene flow, where genes move between populations through migration, and mutations, which can be harmful, beneficial, or neutral, are sources of changes in genetic material. Genetic drift, a change due to random events, can also alter the gene pool. For example, if a lawnmower randomly kills some grasshoppers, the remaining population may have a different genetic makeup. Natural selection occurs when certain traits, like green grasshoppers being better camouflage from predators, lead to higher survival and reproduction, passing those traits on to future generations. Evolution doesn’t always result in new species but can, and there are multiple lines of evidence to support it. Homologies, such as molecular and anatomical similarities, indicate shared common ancestry. Molecular homologies compare DNA, proteins, and amino acids, showing that certain animals are more closely related to each other than to more distantly related organisms.  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A Anatomical homologies, like the similarities in the structure of a human arm and a dog’s forelimb, also point to common ancestry, though functions may differ. In contrast, analogous structures, like bird and insect wings, have the same function but do not share common ancestry. Vestigial structures are inherited from ancestors but have lost most or all of their original function, like the claw on a chicken’s wing. Developmental homology, which examines embryonic stages, can also support shared ancestry among organisms. For instance, vertebrate animals, including humans, have similar developmental structures like pharyngeal slits and a postanal tail. Other evidence includes the fossil record, which shows how characteristics in populations have changed over time, and biogeography, which examines how organisms are distributed geographically. Evolutionary mechanisms have acted on populations, leading to unique species in isolated environments, like islands. The distribution of marsupials in Australia and South America is an example of evolution acting on populations after the continents separated due to continental drift. It’s important to note that evolution is ongoing. It’s not a process that has finished, and populations continue to change over generations. Evolution can be observed more easily in organisms with short generations, like bacteria developing antibiotic resistance. ARE WE ALONE IN THE GALAXY? Are we alone in the universe? This question has been in the minds of scientists for centuries, capturing the imagination of people everywhere and driving countless other questions of the unknown. Many scientists believe that Earth isn't the only place in the universe to host life. Considering how vast the universe is, with an estimated 2 trillion galaxies, a better question might be: are we alone in the Milky Way? According to a study published in the Astrophysical Journal, researchers from the University of Nottingham suggest that the Milky Way galaxy could be home to 36 communicating intelligent alien civilizations. They arrived at this number based on the assumption that intelligent alien life forms on other planets in a similar way to how it does on Earth. The scientists assume that Earth is not unique. If we imagine a planet like ours orbiting a star similar to our sun, hosting a civilization that develops technologically similar to humans, there would be at least 36 earthlike civilizations in our galaxy. Previous calculations of alien life were based on the Drake equation, which included seven factors needed to estimate the number of intelligent civilizations, but those estimates ranged from zero to billions. With this new method, researchers refined the equation using more recent data and found that between 4 and 21 civilizations could exist, with 36 being the most likely number. However, discovering these civilizations presents another challenge, as they would likely be thousands of light years away. Scientists are now exploring Proxima Centauri B, the nearest exoplanet that may harbor alien life. This planet orbits within the habitable zone of Proxima Centauri, where conditions might be just right for liquid water to exist, offering potential for life. Proxima Centauri B is similar in size to Earth, possibly tidally locked, with one side always facing the star and the other in perpetual darkness. There could be three distinct climate zones: 1. hot sun-facing side 2. cold dark side 3. potentially habitable twilight zone in between If alien life exists on Proxima Centauri B, the planet's unique conditions could lead to extraordinary adaptations. Life on the sunlit side might have evolved to withstand continuous exposure to the star's radiation, possibly using protective mechanisms of photosynthesis-like processes. On the dark side, organisms might rely on geothermal energy to survive. If intelligent alien life exists there, it would imply that intelligent life could be common throughout the galaxy, as the Milky Way contains an estimated 400 billion stars. The odds that the only two planets with intelligent life are neighbors would be extremely low. This discovery could also offer insight into the nature of space travel among extraterrestrial civilizations. If these beings haven’t made contact, it could mean that interstellar travel is an even greater challenge than we realize, or that they are less technologically advanced than us. However, these ideas remain speculative, as the existence of extraterrestrial life has yet to be confirmed. Another candidate for hosting alien life is Kepler 62e, a super-Earth located about 1,200 light years away. This exoplanet is approximately 1.6 times the size of Earth, orbits within the habitable zone of its star, and might be a water world covered by oceans, potentially hosting aquatic life forms. If Kepler 62e has an atmosphere, it’s thought to be cloudy, warm, and humid. Though these ideas are speculative, the planet’s distance from Earth limits our ability to study it further. Gliese 667Cc is another super-Earth, located about 23 light years away, within a triple star system. If you were standing on the planet, you might see three suns in the sky. Gliese 667Cc orbits a red dwarf star, which has a much longer lifespan than our sun, offering an extended window for life to evolve. Even if life doesn’t currently exist there, the prolonged stability could provide enough time for complex life to emerge in the future. Among the five planets orbiting the red dwarf star in the Gliese 667 system, three are within the habitable zone, making this system a prime candidate for hosting alien life. However, as with Kepler 62e, we currently lack the technology to detect life at such distances.  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A Kepler 22b is another fascinating exoplanet, about 2.4 times Earth’s radius, and possibly covered in a vast ocean or composed of gas. While it’s an interesting candidate for aquatic life, Kepler 22b is 640 light years away, making direct exploration with today’s technology impossible. If an advanced alien civilization on Kepler 22b were observing Earth, they would be seeing it as it was in the year 1384 due to the time it takes light to travel between worlds. This long delay highlights the challenges of exploring such vast distances. Despite these hurdles, estimates from data collected by the Kepler Space Telescope suggest there could be up to 300 million potentially habitable planets in our galaxy alone. With this in mind, estimating only 36 potential alien civilizations in the Milky Way seems extraordinarily conservative. Imagine if each galaxy hosts just one civilization, there could be a minimum of 2 trillion civilizations across the observable universe. Faced with these numbers, it’s humbling to realize our civilization might be just a tiny speck in the vast cosmic landscape. As we gaze into the stars, we must ask ourselves what legacy we will leave behind in this cosmic sea of possibilities. WHAT IS HAPPINESS? Happiness is a complex emotional state characterized by feelings of contentment, joy, and satisfaction. It often involves a sense of well-being and fulfillment. Happiness can be influenced by both external factors (such as relationships, achievements, and environment) and internal factors (such as mindset and resilience). HOW EMOTIONALLY STRONG YOU ARE? Emotional strength refers to the ability to handle and adapt to life's challenges and stresses effectively. It involves resilience, self-awareness, emotional regulation, and a positive outlook. To assess your emotional strength, consider how you manage stress, recover from setbacks, and maintain emotional balance in various situations. IS HAPPINESS A DESTINATION OR JOURNEY? Happiness is both a destination and a journey. As a destination, it involves achieving specific goals that provide a sense of fulfillment. As a journey, it is about ongoing personal growth and finding joy in daily life. Together, these aspects show that happiness comes from reaching milestones and enjoying the process of life. APATHY -complete lack of emotion -An employment goes wrong when people starts falling to apathy. 10 KEY FOR HAPPY EMPLOYMENT 1. Form independent opinions on the basis of your own reason and experience; do not allow yourself to be led blindly by others. 2. Life is absurd. Divert seriousness into something laughable. 3. Never seek to censor or cut yourself off from dissent; always respect the right to others to disagree with you. 4. Live life with a sense of joy and wonder. 5. Do not do to others what you would not them to do to you. 6. Do not overlook evil or shrink from administering justice, but always be ready to forgive wrong doing freely admitted and honestly regretted. 7. Test all things; always check your ideas against the facts, and be ready to discard even a cherished belief if it does not conform to them. 8. Question everything. 9. Free yourself from debt. If your lifestyle can’t afford it, don’t go there. 10. In all things, strive to cause no harm.  HEDONISTIC - view of all well-being is that happiness is the polar opposite of suffering; the presence of happiness indicates the absence of pain. Because of this hedonists believe that the purpose of life is to maximize happiness, which minimizes misery.  EUDAIMONIA - Greek word for “good” and “spirit” to describe the ideology. Eudaimonia defines happiness as the pursuit of becoming a better person. Eudaimonists do this by challenging themselves intellectually or by engaging in activities that make them spiritually richer people. HEDONIA come from doing what feels good and EUDAIMONIA comes from doing what feels right.  EUDAIMONIA -”good spirited” coined by Aristotle. -describes the pinnacle of happiness that is attainable by humans. -”human flourishing”  If you are offended by something does that mean you’re right? Being offended by something doesn’t inherently make that thing wrong or unjustified. People have different perspectives, beliefs, and sensitivities.  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A  The universe will keep spinning regardless how hurt you were, it will not wait for you. STEPS IN SCIENTIFIC METHOD 1. Observe 2. Determine the Problem 3. Formulate hypothesis 4. Conduct experiment 5. Gather and analyze 6. Formulate conclusion and provide recommendation.  Intellectual revolutions that defined society. Travelling to the Gliese 581 System This is Gliese 581d. It's a large rocky Earth-like planet, the nearest known. It's just possible that this world, or one like it, could in the future become home to the human race—a second sanctuary against the unforgiving blackness of space. Discovered in 2007, it's seven times bigger than Earth. It orbits a star smaller and redder than our own, but it lies at just the right distance from its sun to allow water to exist on the surface. But even if this is the perfect home away from home, there is a fundamental problem we will have to overcome. Gliese is a very, very long way away—more than 20 light years from Earth. That's 120 trillion miles. To get some idea of this extraordinary distance and the challenge it presents, I'm going to imagine that we could hitch a ride on the fastest man-made object in existence. Voyager 1 was launched in 1977. Now over 30 years old, it's traveled more than 13 billion miles. Its mission so far has taken it to Jupiter and Saturn. By using their gravity to boost its speed, the little spacecraft has entered the record books. It might not look fast, but Voyager is racing through space at 11 miles a second. On Earth, 11 miles a second looks like this: it's 39,000 miles an hour. At this speed, we could circle the globe one and a half times in an hour. So how long would it take a spaceship traveling at Voyager's speed to get to the nearest Earth-like planet, Glisa? The answer reveals the true scale of the cosmos, for even traveling at 11 miles a second, the journey to Gliese would still take over 350,000 years. I think we have a chance to become a lasting part of the ever-changing universe and to discover what other wonders it might hold. But to do this, we will have to develop new technology on an enormous scale, and that's going to take some serious engineering. If we could build a machine capable of traveling to other solar systems, we'd open up a fascinating possibility—the survival of the human race for billions of years. Present-day engineers have begun thinking about the principles of building such a ship. This is what it might look like. It could use atomic energy or perhaps more exotic fuel such as antimatter, supplying it with enormous amounts of power. Yet I think the main challenges won't be technical. The first will be financial. The cost of constructing an interstellar spacecraft would be huge, and for the society that made it, there would be little payback—they would never see it again. So, constructing such a machine will either be the greatest act of generosity in history, or it will have to be funded by the travelers themselves. And that raises the second problem. Even if it could travel mind-numbingly fast—say, a thousand times faster than Voyager, 11,000 miles a second—a journey to the nearest star system would still take 73 years.  “Hindi tayo malaya, sadyang malawak lang ang kulungan.” “wide cage” - implies that there are unseen boundaries or restrictions that limit true freedom.  ANGELES, KYLA C. BSIS 3A Activity/SW # 1 (Introduction to STS) 1.) How Science and Technology interact with our society? Society drives technological innovations and scientific inquiry. Science conveys to us what type of technologies we might probably create, and how to create them. Technology allows conducting further scientific research. The greatest contribution that science and technology can make in society is discovery of new knowledge and then using that knowledge for the betterment of human life and resolving various problems of society. 2.) What is the importance of Science and Technology to Society? Science and technology greatly enhance our quality of life and address complex global issues. In healthcare, they improve diagnostics, treatments, and preventive measures. For environmental protection, technology helps monitor pollution and develop sustainable practices. Communication has been revolutionized by innovations, enabling global connectivity and information sharing. Additionally, science and technology drive economic growth, create new industries and jobs, and improve education through advanced tools and resources. 3.) What is the Impact of Technology to Society? The effects of technology on society is that it has made life longer, made people more productive, offered people better access to information and helped save time. But also, it has its negative sides such as dwindling actual communication, diminished personal time, dissemination of falsehoods and too much reliance on social media. 4.) How does Science and Technology Contribute to Nation Building? Science, technology, and society are important for building a strong nation. They help boost the economy and improve people's lives. Nations invest in science and technology to gain social and economic strength and tackle environmental issues. Science and Technology plays a big role in developing a country by improving living standards, growing the economy, and encouraging innovation. Through these contributions, science and technology help shape a nation’s progress and success. 7.) Explain the five phases of DMAIC. Define, means identifying the problem and the process that needs fixing. Measure involves figuring out how big the problem is and mapping the current process to set a starting point. Analyze, data is reviewed to find out the root cause of the problem. Improve is about putting solutions into action and testing them to make the process better. Control makes sure the improvements stick and the process stays effective over time. 8.) How can you apply the DMAIC methodology in your everyday life? I can be more time effective and successful as a college student in case of using the DMAIC technique. One instance of that is when I require improvement in my study habits, I would initiate the process with a clearly stated goal, such as improving my grades or comprehending the material better. Then, I would examine my current study habits and evaluate what are the effective and ineffective ones. Afterwards, I would brainstorm the reasons some of the habits are not working, probably because I can be easily deterred or I do not manage my time properly. Then, I would give tests to new techniques, for example, making a study program or locating a quieter spot to study. At last, I would keep a record of my development to ensure that the new habits are formed, or make any corrections in the process as necessary. In this manner, I will be able to better handle my time in classes and get better grades. WHY ARE THERE STILL CHIMPANZEES? Our closest living relatives. Kailan nagiging mali ang paniniwala? When we are forcing others to believe it. WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION? -All living things are related. -powered by natural processes WHAT IS NATURAL SELECTION? -key concept of Evolution -Descent with modification -Common Descent - all living things are related. PORPOISES - baby whale MAIACETUS - mother whale BASILOSAURIDAE - family of extinct cetaceans CETACEANS - all 90 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises