One constant throughout both semesters was our blogs. Every week we were to create a blog post that fit under the categories of 'Passion,' 'RCL,' or 'Civic Issues.' Passion blogs were created to allow us to inform and discuss our passions with the rest of the class. Writing my Passion blog was one of the things I looked forward to most every week, as I learned about my passions and myself in the process. RCL blogs were generally instructor-prompted analysis of a certain topic that complemented our time in class. The Civic Issues blog was interesting because it allowed us to tackle a (typically) controversial topic and analyze it and determine our view points on it. Below are two examples of blogs from this past year. I hope you enjoy reading them!

Passion Post 2: Gotta Keep Your Head Up

It was my first backpacking trip. I had no clue what to think; I was scared; I was unsure. Of everything. I was unsure of being away from home, cooking on my own, and I was especially nervous about getting injured, as it happens fairly often to me. I remember looking at the ground for much of the day. Testing each rock as cautiously as possible, I made my way through the first eight miles of the trail. Through winding switchbacks, across streams, and up hills, I fixed my eyes upon the rock. After the first night, I could barely move my neck.

The following day we hiked on. About three hours into the day, I was told to stop and look out to the valley in which we were walking. For the first time, I looked up and this is what I saw:

It was spectacular. And then I was told about all the other vistas we had passed along the way. All the ones I didn’t see, since I was busy staring at the pebbles and dirt.

Although the intentions were to keep me safe, I missed so much by keeping my eyes glued to the stones that were most likely going to stay stationary.

This lesson could be applied to so many aspects to our lives. Yes, it is good to be cautious and safe in certain situations, but it can be so limiting that you end up missing out life. For the longest time I remember opting out of fun things with my friends and family because of nerves. Rollercoasters, slip ‘n’ slides, and even the swings were no-gos for me. If I got hurt in front of everyone. It would be the end of me. So I looked down at my feet and lived my cautious life.

Today, I live my life mostly opposite of the life I had become so comfortable with all my life. I tried new (legal) things, joined clubs, activities, and even played a sport, which for me was a huge step in becoming the guy I am today.

I have to admit, though, that I get carried away with my FOMO (fear of missing out). I cliff jump, swim class 4 rapids, and other cool, yet dangerous, activities. Part of me gets scared that I am pushing it too far, but my FOMO outweighs it. Personally, this just becomes another balancing act of life. It all depends on the person and where he wants that balance to lie. I choose to live on the “do everything physically possible” side of life whereas originally I lived on the “do everything physically possible that requires absolutely no risk” side of life. That lifestyle wasn’t doing it for me. To me, no risk equaled no reward.

If you find yourself living on the more risk-conservative side of life, challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Stop looking down all the time and look up to see the beauty that life holds for you.

Do all of this, but also look down occasionally to reset your footings; we all need to.

RCL Post 5: Advocacy Project Subject

I am a computer engineering major, however it was Kevin Cardenas who chose our topic of AI, or artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is, in my words, programatic and dynamic machine learning that allows systems to expand their knowledge and make better, more calculated decisions in the future. Merriam-Webster defines it as “a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behavior in computers,” or “the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior.” I like my definition better.

We chose this topic and decided to produce a video about it because there is a great need for AI that most people don’t know of. The uses of AI range from medical diagnosis processes, stock trading, transportation, aviation, and basically any other field that utilizes a digital system (your autocorrect that stores new words that you use is an easy example your phones artificial intelligence. If more people invested and researched AI, we would be able to see a bright future.

One example of AI currently being tested and integrated into our everyday lives is self driving cars. The Tesla 3, the newest to implement this technology, is already out on the markets and driving on the streets. Yes, there are self driving cars now. I never thought I’d see that happen in my lifetime. If other cars adopt this technology, we will see a decrease in car accidents, and hopefully deaths. The way these companies utilize AI is by putting the system through simulated tests that allow it to change it’s decision in the future if it were to crash in the simulation.

I have even developed some AI on my own. One of the programs that I’ve contributed to at my job involves learning patterns found in frequencies in order to jam/take over whatever is using that frequency pattern. This could be used in many military operations and save lives.

If more people invested time, money, and research into artificial intelligence, the world would be much better off. However, there is great danger when transitioning from manual machines to digital (like cars’ ignition/startup systems). Car companies are known for their physical safety concerns, but what about digital? Most car companies do not address the vulnerabilities that are faced when a car can be unlocked, started up, (and possibly even driven?!) remotely. That is why it is vital that others join in on development and investment in this market. Plus, because most tech companies are utilizing AI and reaping its benefits, you too will see dividends when investing in AI.

P.S. - If you are interested in learning more about AI, click here to see our finished product!