one baby, two babies, red babies, blue babies?

i recently watched this documentary and, as cute as the babies were, i couldn't help but think about my introduction to psychology class when we were discussing the nature vs. nurture argument.  this argument is one of the top three most important debates or questions in human development.  this issue has been in existence since the very beginning of psychology, and dates back to the times of the ancient greeks, such as plato and aristotle.  in fact, these two very well-known philosophers disagreed when it came to this argument.  the issue has remained just that over the years but has been updated over time to fit the modern paradigms and beliefs.  according to the modern nature position, human behavior and development are governed by the automatic, genetically predetermined process known as maturation.  under this position, it is believed that there is a critical period within which we are particularly sensitive to certain experiences that shape the capacity for future development.  on the other side of the debate, is the nurturist position, which includes those who believe that development occurs by learning through personal experience and observation of others.

keeping that in mind, although i'm not sure the exact purpose for creating this documentary but it seems to me that one of the major reasons was to show how there are a lot of common characteristics among babies, even universally.  for a year, the documentary followed four different babies.  the babies were from all over the world. with one from mongolia, namibia, san franscisco, and tokyo.  regardless of their location in the world, the babies all acted the same.  to me, this only solidified the nature position.  i just don't see how it couldn't be true if there is more cross-cultural proof like this.,and i am positive there is.  i agree that you learn things when you are older and able to understand, but it can't be denied that in the beginning it is mostly genetics.

the lyrical stylings of run dmp (that's me, oh em gee)

i wish i may, i wish i might

write a poem to shed some light

on the life i live.

so please forgive

my horrible rhyming skills

tis' not what pays the bills.

like britney spears said,

before she shaved her head..

"i'm not a girl, not yet a woman."

you better believe i was a big fan.

trying to find my place in life,

not ready to be someone's wife.

wondering which road life will take me down,

willing to do anything to avoid a frown.

study, study, study

my books might be my buddy

but tv is my bff for L

it's like i'm under a spell

but that's beside the point,

it's time to rock this joint.

i've always been a nerd,

that's probably what you've heard.

i'd love to be the head of my class,

but life goes by so fast

that school can't be the only thing of matter,

i know it won't be when i'm older and fatter.

life has to be about having fun,

i want to have proved that by the time i'm dead and done.

who wants to wind up old and gray

and realize they forgot to play?

i wrote myself a memoranda,

to make sure to quote kung fu panda,

"yesterday is history,

tomorrow is a mystery,

but today is a gift,

that is why we call it the present."

i realize in my rhyme there is now a rift

but that line is just beyond pleasant.

i feel you get the gist,

it surely can't be missed.

live, laugh love,

and party when you get to that great place above.

who cares about cancer, as long as I don't get a pimple

do you ever stop and think about just how many things in our everyday lives cause cancer, or "the big c?" smoking.  artificial sweeteners.  hair dyes.  tanning beds.  water bottles.  chemicals in meat cooked at high temperatures.  asbestos.  cell phones.  even something as simple as air pollution, which most people wouldn't even think of, can cause serious damage.  everywhere we turn, there is something that could potentially give us cancer, a disease, or some other fatal illness.  you could almost say that we are trapped in a world full of disease and illness.
most people think, "oh, it won't happen to me," so they continue to participate in these known cancer causing activities and behaviors and not worry about it.  while, on the other hand, most of these same people stress out and take several preventative measures to assure they don't get a pimple on their face, something that happens to almost everyone and is often unpreventable.  this brings up the question of how we should live our lives.  should we live cautiously in order to live as long as we can, or should we be a little more laid-back and not worry so much about things but risk living a shorter life? take your pick.

the bucket list

every episode of the popular mtv show the buried life starts out the same way.  the narrator asks, "what do you want to do before you die?"  there are several shows, movies and songs out there today that deal with this topic.  noticing this has really made me start thinking about the things i want to do in my life, so i sat down and came up with my own "bucket list."  the list is in no particular order and no one thing is more important than the other.  after reviewing my list, i noticed that there isn't any one theme to the items on the list.  some of the items involve conquering fears, or helping others, and some of the items are simply about experiencing something that is known to be fun or a good experience, like going to the superbowl or going on a blind date. no matter how small or big the item, i still feel they are all important things that i need to accomplish before i die.  i don't want to look back on my life one day and realize that i didn't really live the way i want to.
i think it's a very good idea for everyone to make a bucket list at some point in your life.  not only is it fun to think about all of the things you want to do, but you really learn a lot about yourself in the process.  i learned that i have a lot of fears that i want to conquer so i don't end up feeling like i held back in any part of my life.  i just want to do it all, no matter what. no holds barred.