Final iQuest Reflection

Click for my final iQuest presentation

Juggling sports, a twenty-five-hour workweek, AP classes, and an internship has only been possible with my two iQuest off-periods. Frankly, what I enjoyed most about iQuest was having some time to nap after bouts of insomnia, but of course I also enjoyed being in a professional environment at my KP internship, and making an enormous dent in my reading list, all the while getting in the best shape of my life for cross country and track.

I was rather productive at my internship. At KP, I took a course in business process management, and applied that knowledge in the development of DataPower Request Process with a team of adults. At home, I was able to log over fifty hours of Codecademy and hundreds more of reading and listening to podcasts. I've learned this year about the added difficulties of being a female in STEM. I've learned more about the links between philosophy and computer science. I've dealt with people of all ages, from three-year-olds learning letter sounds at Kumon, to twenty-five-year-olds in my BPM team at KP, to the ninety-year-olds I wait on at the senior center. I've learned to overcome being an introvert at times, but at other times to fully embrace my "INTJ"-ness.

In retrospect, I spent a lot of time consuming information and ideas and not as much time creating. Much of my time at KP was spent reading textbooks or at seminars, and independently I read, listened, watched. If I could do it again I would spend more time developing, engineering, writing. Moving forward, I will live by my senior quote—"I'd rather be a third-rate Descartes than a first-rate Descartes scholar"—and let my thoughts drive creation no matter how bad I think the product may be.

iQuest has made my days more worthwhile, given me lifetime friends, and pushed me out of my comfort zone. An invaluable experience, really.

My Essential Question

Essential questions are those that probe complex, controversial, and affecting issues. However, these questions are often elaborate and multi-faceted—interdisciplinary in nature—and elude a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer, perhaps any answer.

The essential question that I am going to analyze for my final iQuest research paper is threefold: What can we predict about the motivations of what is likely to result from advances in artificial intelligence? How can we control these future entities, and to what extent is our moral obligation to do so?

As essential questions are, again, interdisciplinary in nature, this question is perfect for me because it entails a deep understanding of both philosophy and technology. This question was largely inspired by the works of Swedish philosopher Nick Bostrom whom I have been following for a while. He writes on existential risk, human enhancement ethics, superintelligence risk, and consequentialism, all of which interest me.

Though this research paper may take up a large chunk of time, I generally like to write papers because of the sense of material accomplishment, and I am excited to get started. I also believe the information I will find will be useful to me in the future. 

Read A Book

I recently finished Spanish philosopher Miguel de Unamuno's Tragic Sense of Life (1913), a collection of twelve essays contemplating the interplay of faith and reason. Unamuno is lesser known to English-speaking audiences than his French and German more "academic" contemporaries, yet this is one of the most accessible introductions to existential philosophy I have read. This book relates to my interest in studying philosophy and religion; I have read other works of Unamuno and many other existentialist works, and this one was on my list to read for quite a while.

In short, Unamuno claims that the "tragic sense of life" is the war between science and religion, between reason and faith. Man's ultimate desire is the desire for "immortality of the soul", which religion—Catholicism—grants. A nineteenth-century Spaniard, Unamuno is Roman Catholic himself yet acknowledges that reason contradicts religion, contradicts this pursuit of immortality. We strive simultaneously for immortality and rationality, but recognize the irrationality of the former pursuit. A clash between the head and the heart results, and Unamuno states that our only chance for salvation is this clash itself, the "tragic sense of life" present in all people and peoples. He opts not for the triumph of one over the other but for the necessary and universal tension between the two. Unamuno presents to us a paradoxical existence that embodies both reason and faith. This tension, this conflict, this tragedy, belies a peaceful existence, yet is necessary for an ideal existence. He concludes his book, "may God deny you peace, but give you glory!"

My absolute favorite part of this book is Chapter VI, "In the Depths of the Abyss", because it relates to me the most. I have always preached skepticism and uncertainty and I believe this section articulates my own feelings quite well. Up until this chapter Unamuno does not present a solution for the tragedy of life. He acknowledges that "the vital longing for human immortality finds no consolation in reason and that reason leaves us without consolation in life and life itself without real finality". In this abyss of despair we look to skepticism: "Scepticism, uncertainty...is the foundation upon which the heart's despair must build up its hope". In this chapter Unamuno confirms what I already know with an eloquence I cannot achieve.

Tragic Sense of Life is rather dense, and is a translation, so I would not recommend it to those looking for an easy read. However, there are much denser and more archaic works of philosophy, and as earlier stated, Tragic is one of the more accessible books of this genre I have read, so I would recommend it to those interested in existentialism and/or philosophy of religion. It is work for great minds by a great mind, and has certainly made my list of favorites.

JA Social Innovation Camp

I was among many CHS iQuest students who attended Junior Achievement's Social Innovation Camp this past Wednesday (2-4-15) at Robert Half International on Camino Ramon. Like many others, I started the day not knowing what to expect but eager to compete in a formal business environment. I love group projects, competitions, and working with people I've never met before—although my assigned group consisted of two other Cal High girls, fellow iQuest student Adri Robinson and junior Adrienne Lampo. Senior Alexa Richmeier from Dougherty Valley High School showed up after breakfast and helped us come up with solutions to social issues.

With four strong, independent voices, one of our group's biggest issues was agreeing on one business idea/invention. After much contemplation and debate, I finally proposed an idea that we all agreed was interesting and innovative: reusable, biodegradable graves. Sounds morbid? Maybe, but a huge social/environmental issue that everyone seems to overlook is that our population is growing and burial land is diminishing. Our group's "green" cemeteries, under the business name "Family Tree Memorials" would not only save valuable space, but also recharge dead soil for plant growth, bring more oxygen into the atmosphere, save money for families who would otherwise buy expensive mahogany/steel coffins and large plots of land for graves, and shed a new, more positive light on death and the cycle of life.

Our mentor, Alice Fisher, Director of Business Development at Robert Half, came into our room in the midst of our planning and her face lit up when we told her about Family Tree Memorials. Alice was sold on our idea and helped Adri, Alexa, Adrienne and I sort out all the technicalities and create a detailed business model. All in all, I enjoyed this entire day and am sincerely thankful to Robert Half and Alice for this invaluable business experience.

High School Reflection

After twelve years of school, I'm surprised to say that I've done most of my 'growing up' in this past year alone. My senior year has brought with it misery of all degrees, from my worst cross country race to my beloved uncle passing away unexpectedly. Yet, running my worst race pushed me to run my best race within the next couple of months. I gave my first eulogy in celebration of my dear uncle's life. I strengthened relationships with friends who helped me in my time of financial need. And whether or not everything happens for a reason, I have learned to stand strong even while the very ground I stand on seems to be turning in on itself.

This last semester of high school I will be laser-focused on health, sports, school work, my jobs, and learning what I want to learn—i.e., reading philosophy, collecting insects, researching and working with BPM, IoT, etc. I am excited to go on adventures, reach out to more people, take risks, test myself physically, mentally, and emotionally in my pursuits. I know now that I can surpass the largest of obstacles. I will make the most out of these remaining months—with competence, effort, creativity, leadership, and compassion.

Colleges I have applied to:
Cal Poly SLO
Rice University
Santa Clara University
UCB, UCD, UCI, UCLA, UCSD
University of the Pacific
USC

Lastly, a few more S.M.A.R.T. goals:
1. By April, complete a Prezi that perfectly encompasses my several iQuest projects
2. Visit my maternal grandmother, who lives in Sacramento, at least five times this year.
3. Run a sub 5:30 mile and sub 12:00 two-mile this track season.

How Full is Your Bucket?

After watching in class the video of Tom Rath talking about his bucket and dipper metaphor, I learned a few strategies on how to maximize my own "bucket" and ultimately, be happier and more successful.

1. Prevent bucket dipping: To maximize the amount of positive energy in my metaphorical bucket, I must minimize "bucket dipping", or negativity in my life. Preventing others from dipping into my bucket cannot happen unless I stop dipping into my own and others' buckets first. I should actively and consciously throw away my negative comments and the negative energy will follow. I should not be afraid to avoid situations that I know will only result in a net loss.

2. Make best friends: Developing best-friend relationships on the job will make work a more positive experience and motivate me to be more productive. A mutually supportive, playfully competitive, and non-distracting friendship will add to my bucket overall. Working alongside someone I feel comfortable with and with similar interests will help me overcome any obstacles toward success.

3. Give unexpectedly: When I give to others, their enjoyment will add positive energy to my bucket. Giving unexpected gifts will increase the enjoyment for both the giver and the receiver. I always feel better doing something on my own terms, under no obligation, and when given something unexpectedly, no matter the size, I am always more grateful. Sometimes the intangible gift of trust or responsibility is the most cherished.

While I never before thought of measuring my day moment to moment, I have always regarded attitude as a leading factor of success. Particularly, possessing a positive attitude toward myself and toward others will inevitably drive me to the fulfillment of my goals. I think Rath's strategies are in accord with my existing framework for success and I will try my best to utilize them. Complying to the metaphor I see myself as a bucket filler but clearly that is not always the case. I avoid gossip and hurtful comments but there are other ways to be a bucket dipper, including being subconsciously negative or aloof. I know my positive-negative ratio is much lower than 5:1 with my family, and that's something I am working to improve on—though I don't necessarily agree with keeping tally on the good and bad. I'd just like to generally increase the amount of positivity I spread. Which, yes, does not align with the Measurable factor of S.M.A.R.T., but why should we contain something so significant and universal as home and workplace happiness into narrow units? I agree with Rath's methods and we have the same ends in mind as well, but his video did not make clear to me why we must conceptualize happiness and positivity into ratios and buckets. If we strip down the metaphorical and technical fluff we are left with simple and effective tactics to increase enjoyment of life, which I am all for.

My iQuest Book

I am reading Miguel de Unamuno's Tragic Sense of Life for the iQuest book assignment. I will read roughly sixty pages a week in order to finish by January 28.

Unamuno is a late-nineteenth early-twentieth century Spanish author and philosopher, and Tragic is his major philosophical work originally published in Spanish in 1913. Earlier this year I read his novella "St. Manuel, the Good Martyr" about a priest who lives and dies in the service of God for selfless reasons despite his own faithlessness. This short story largely affected my religious outlook and deepened my interest in existential philosophy. I am excited to read Unamuno's longest, most well-known philosophical piece, a "masterpiece of Spanish literature" as I have heard. So far, I have read the first two chapters, and I have summarized three key points of each.

Chapter I: "THE MAN OF FLESH AND BONE"

1. The supreme object of all philosophy is the man of affection and feeling, the concrete man, the man of flesh and bone, not the abstract, rational creature. What differentiates man from other animals is feeling rather than reason.
2. The essence of this person of flesh and bone is the longing never to die, the longing to be himself indefinitely, the wish to eternalize his own flesh-and-bone experience. Of course, we all must die and this wish is irrational. Thus, all reason builds upon irrationalities.
3. Man is caught in a tragic deadlock between the head, which tells us we all must die, and the heart, which yearns to live forever. This unsolvable existential fact is the tragic sense of life. Consciousness is a disease because it disturbs the unity between reason and passion.

Chapter II: "THE STARTING POINT"

1. The two human instincts, reason and faith, are the foundations of individuals and whole "peoples".
2. Man has debated and will continue to debate at length the origin of knowledge and of mankind itself, but it is certain that we desire knowledge not for the sake of knowledge but in order to live and maintain life. Self-preservation and self-perpetuation, the tragic sense of life, is the starting point of all philosophy and all religion.
3. Truth for truth's sake is to deceive oneself or to wish to deceive others, and to wish to deceive others in order to deceive oneself. Underlying the pursuit of truth is the pursuit of immortality

Unamuno wrote this book to explain the paradox of man, to define the tension between reason and faith as the tragic sense of life and yet claim that this tension is essential and universal. I have always been fascinated by Unamuno's work and his passionate rhetoric is strangely satisfying. Unamuno was in fact introduced to me by my iQuest teacher mentor, Mr. King, and I look forward to finishing this book and discussing it with him.