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Earlier this week an unnamed space rocket, launched by SpaceX exploded just minutes after the launch. The purpose for this rocket, named Dragon, was to conduct a resupply mission for the International Space Station. Dragon's cargo included 2 tons of goods, including 1,500 pounds of food and provisions for the crew. It was not clear what caused this rocket to fail after launch but an investigation will be conducted very soon. This event relates to two major themes in Human Geography. The first theme is Globalization. Globalization represents the modern technological age, in which improved worldwide transport and communication allowing for the instantaneous diffusion of ideas and innovations as seen on page fourteen in the Themes Of Human Geography Textbook. By launching the rocket into space, SpaceX is improving communication between other nations that are using the International Space Station. Also, this rocket would have accelerated the technological age by providing influential information and hardware. In addition, this current event relates to the theme of Cultural Landscape. Cultural Landscape explains what a region or area actually looks like in relation to its physical features. Even though space is a foreign place to us humans it has its own Cultural Landscape, such as stars and galaxies. Thus this small rocket, loaded with supplies, can aid researchers in the Space Station acquire more information of the Cultural Landscape in space. In conclusion, Dragon's crash has been a very popular current event and relates to two various themes of Human Geography, including Globalization and Cultural Landscape.

Excellent analysis. Thank you! Here is an interesting resource from NASA about their attempt to map Mars (http://www.engadget.com/2015/07/10/nasa-mars-trek/).

What's the difference between a "space" and a "place"?

Does anyone have an answer to this? What would war look like in space (think Star Wars movies)?

Who's ready for the Olympics? How do the Olympic games encapsulate Human Geography?  Write me a 1-page report (double-spaced) filled with examples from the Olympics and textual support from APHUG by 2/14 and you can earn extra credit toward MP#3. :-)

How are maps made today? 

How does the real time map illustrate time space compression? Thank you to Jes, from APHUG 2013-2014 for sharing. 

How does this study of Arctic sea ice relate to our first chapter? 

This article discusses an interesting recent discovery of the possibility of water on one of Jupiter's moons, named Europa. The discovery was made in 2012 when the Hubble Space Telescope spotted water vapor in the air above southern parts of Europa, and now several space agencies, including NASA have taken an interest in exploring it even further. This summer, work on building the spacecraft that is to be sent to explore Europa, began. In addition to exploring Europa, this spacecraft will also be exploring two of Jupiter's other moons, Ganymede and Callisto. Although covered in ice, all three of these moons have the potential to be harboring oceans underneath, and possibly some bacteria necessary to begin the growth of life on another rocky object in our solar system. The relationship between the moons in the Jovian system and humans on earth looking to explore these objects is an example of nature-culture on a very broad scale. Instead of just one small region of people interacting with the environment around them, this project deals with humans on earth as the people who are trying to change the environment (in this case other moons in the solar system) around them. One could also tie the theme of globalization to this article because various countries from around the world are bringing their knowledge and money together to try to achieve this mission of exploring Jupiter's moons.

This article talks about the ongoing religious conflict in Israel and Palestine. For decades they have been fighting over the land that holds there holy spaces. I wonder if this conflict will ever end.

Sadhana- I agree that peace will be very difficult to achieve. They both want different things for themselves and the conflict will take time to resolve.

Bailey- I agree that the conflicts end is to be questioned. The idea shown in the article that neither side is willing to compromise is one of the largest issues in my opinion. The holy sites are so close together which makes both sides want the land enough that they will go to extreme lengths to defend it.

The area in the red box is about 25,000 square miles, slightly larger than the state of West Virginia. The small red square shows the space required to meet German demand for energy. If only this one small area of land in the desert can power the whole world, why doesn't someone build it? This shows the conflicting interests of world powers and the theme of nature-culture

How does this article present the theme of nature-culture for our country regarding space?

What are some urban patterns you notice with each city? Concentric? Hoyt's Sector? etc. Thanks again, Pam for the wonderful resources.

Change over time and space!

In this map, it shows the top countries of immigrants. #1 is USA, which didn't really surprise me.... but the second was Russia, which puzzled me. Then I realized maybe the country looks more attractive to others now that the Soviet Union fell and Cominism with it. That may bring more people in, making it #2 in the world.

That is interesting Jake! Another contributing factor may be that Russia has a lot of space for people to spread out and not be crowded.

I was also puzzled Jake, because most of Russia has a harsh climate like Siberia. But there are also large cities located in the West that may be attractive.

All about possible sanctions of U.S goods from Russia which effects many computer companies which have factories in silicon valley

I think that it is interesting that the company might have to move due to taxes. I don't think that they talked much about it in the textbook but I do feel that it is a HUGE reason that companies might have to move so that they can keep up their profit.

It's interesting that the US is getting involved in the issue between Russia and Ukraine. It's unfortunate that the computer companies might feel a backlash from Russia's actions in Ukraine. Nice work Lockwood!

The article associated with this post speaks of a unique project called Tour Triangle that will dominate the Paris skyline with a massive tower. The skyscraper will provide many jobs and may take the city's beautiful culture into a more modern setting. That's why cultural landscape could be associated with the article. After the lifting of the ban on buildings over 36 meters tall, a large number of politicians began to realize the need for an architectural masterpiece that would offer temporary construction jobs to the public, include some more up to date buildings, and give the community extra office space. The story behind the Triangle expresses the urban French culture found here, because of it's strong ties and love for its historic roots, while attempting to keep their city in line with today's first world standards. However, the ideas of the people was also expressed in the passage, because of their discouragement of the project showing that they dislike the transition to newer buildings and they feel strongly about housing issues in their area, which is strengthened by the tower.

One of the most prominent current events at this point in time is the legalization of gay marriage nationwide. This ruling has caused both celebration and controversy, as several individuals view homosexuality and traditions quite differently. This plays into the geographical theme of cultural landscapes, as the main opposition of this new law consists of conservatives (in the article, it is noted that the more liberal justices were the ones in strongest support). The conservative view is due to the idea of a traditional family. As the textbook reading says on page 23, the ideal lifestyle-- or the typical suburban middle-class American family-- was to consist of a mother, a father, and children. Some think this should be upheld, whether it be for the sake of religion, homophobia, or tradition. Therefore, this new legalization is closely associated with the idea of a cultural landscape. However, how does the fourteenth amendment exactly relate to this issue? The amendment was created for former slaves, and while it applies to everyone, how does it specifically affect marriage when it addresses most directly citizenship rights and basic equality? The basic benefits marriage will hold for these couples are a good thing, yes, but will they no longer be discriminated against? In fact, will this worsen prejudice of those who were very strongly against the idea?

Thank you for your intuitive analysis, Reagan. You're accurate in suggesting that the cultural landscape theme connects to the recent Supreme Court ruling. What individuals in society care for and what they take care of translates into how they organize the space around them. Which regions in the county, state, and nation would you most likely find those strongly against the recent Court ruling? Are some areas of the state or nation more conservative than others?

This article links to religious conflicts as it shows the anger towards ISIS, an extremist sect of Islam, from other Muslims in the area and other Arabs who are atheist. Why does ISIS feel the need to have such a tight and violent grasp on the community they inhabit?

I would also ask the same question on why the extremists are so violent towards others, and another important question is why are they violent to other Muslims.

I'm surprised that retail services are more profitable than tech. services.

I would believe that the consumer sector would out do the tech sector simply for the fact that it is more traditional. People are more used to shopping and buying things in person, so tech services trying to let people buy things online face an uphill battle one getting people to switch over. Also everyone has to buy things at some point at a retail store, but not everyone will need help with their technology.

I believe that we would expect to see an increase in the profits of tech services because as more and more people grow familiar with these services, it is much more convenient and easier for them, like using online shopping rather than going out and spending the time and effort to shop in person. This can be shown by companies like Blockbusters and Borders who went out of business due to at home conveniences of the internet. However, some retail stores and services cannot, and most likely will not, go away because people need what they sell right away, such as grocery stores.