Non-Fic Blog Post #2 ( I believe )

NY Times Upfront: CYBERWAR, page 14. by Patrica Smith   {--Link--}

This article was about how hacking and computer technology has been used as warfare. On August 15th, an Iranian computer virus destroyed 30,000 computers in Saudi Arabia. The computers belonged to one of the largest current oil companies. The virus, "erased 75 percent of the data on Aramco's corporate computers." But this isn't just a threat to Saudi Arabia, the Defense Secretary believes a "cyber pearl harbor" could be coming, and this time we want to be ready. Obama has increased work on computer attacks on Iranian nuclear factories. Simulations have been done, cyber attacks can and will be a threat to the US until we protect ourselves.

Patricia didn't really speak in a commanding tone. She listed off facts and comments about what is happening around the world, and used quotes accordingly. It ends with her leading the reader to believing that cyber war will not eventually beat out actual war and a quote. I think she wanted the readers to be a little on edge, but not to think that other countries are going to have entire cities in their hands. She definitely wanted to get across that this is a big issue, but she didn't plan to frighten readers. Another quote from the article: "You don't have to be sophisticated to do a lot of damage," was spoken by Richard Clark a former counter terrorism official, really means that with all of our technology, you don't have to do much to prove a point.

This text reminded me of a new video game being released called "Watch Dogs." In this game you control a character that lives in Chicago. Chicago is run by a computer system called CtOS. In the game you hack the CtOS to learn about your surroundings and control the city on demand. From changing traffic lights, to stopping trains, the entire city is under your control. It also includes the ability to hack bank accounts and steal info about people, just by looking at your cell phone. After reading this article I found this game come quite close to home. If cyber warfare can be a real problem in the future, why showcase something dangerous in an interactive way? It really does bug me. Its as bad as when they make movies where the world is ending. It seems a bit like pushing your luck.

Thanks For Reading!

-drat

Post Script:

Do you find this game off in any way? Write your thoughts.

Blog Post #?

Book: The Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie by Alan Bradley

Wikilink <---

This book is about an eleven year-old chemist named Flavia de Luce, who discovers a dying man in her cucumber patch and a dead bird on her estate. The story takes place in England in the 1950s. Using wit and a high chemical knowledge she follows clues about her house to find the hotel room of the dead man. Flavia overhears a conversation between her war-vet dad and a suspicious man, that she assumes to be the dead man she found in her cucumber patch.

Flavia is a very interesting character. She takes on the entire world as an eleven-year-old girl. I can't tell if this unstoppable drive comes from her growing up very wealthy, or if it's just her personal character trait. Adults treat Flavia strangely. They sort of don't realize that she's serious and just play her. I specifically noticed this when she was talking to a police officer. He spoke to her semi-jokingly like she was an adult, but Flavia didn't realize that, which kind of added to her young ego. In all I don't think that the adults around her are helping and I believe that her ego will hurt her at some point throughout the book.


Thanks For Reading!

-drat