Questions about Human Rights

1. What are human rights?
Human Rights are the basic and invulnerable rights which a person owns only because he/she is a human. 

2. Why were they created?
They were created in 1948, after II World War. So Human Rights were created to try ensure the pace between humans. 


3. How many human rights are there?
There are thirteen human rights

4. Which human right were you not familiar with? Mention an example where this human right is respected and where it is not respected.

It's strange for me the human right nº 15 which says "Everyone has the right to a nationality". It's impossible today don't have any nationality so I think this should be "Everyone must have a nationality". 

Formal letter: Human Rights

16 Sector Puigmal

Empuriabrava 17487 (Castelló d'Empúries)

Catalunya

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue 

Washington D.C. 20500 
United States


Dear Mr. President Obama, 


I send this letter to express my opinion about "Kony Operation" (the Ugandan man who killed children).
Last week, I watched a video which explains what this man did to 300.000 children: he torture them to death. Video's creator wants that US army look for Kony to capture him or to kill him. After lots of protests, the US decided look for Kony. Obviously that's a good action, however why did US government this?
I think that US movements in other countries are only for interests (only analysing the history, we'll see that is absolutely true). So, I suppose that US government has an interest in the Uganda's zone. There are a theory which says that the US wants control that zone because there are an expensive mineral.
Besides, Uganda's prime minister said that Kony isn't in Uganda. So send the army to Uganda when Ugandan people or government ask for help?     
Therefore, I request you, Mr. Obama, that the U.S. involved other countries when people (or government) of these country ask for help. I think that will be better for everybody.

Yours faithfully,
Guillem Mancilla 

News: Antoni Tàpies death

This news is about Antoni Tàpies death. It explains that Catalan government confirmed the Antoni Tàpies death. Tàpies, who had been in a poor health since 2007, was influenced by surrealists artists like Miró or Klee. Later, Tàpies developed his own style, using writings and numbers. He studied law and he created a magazine.

In my opinion, Antoni Tàpies death is a terrible loss to Catalonia because he represented our country in other places. I think he's one of the bests painters in the last century in this country. However, it's difficult for me understand what message Tàpies wants to transmit. In my opinion, the Tàpies paint which is on Palau de la Generalitat is the best of all Tàpies paints. It really represents Catalonia.

Expo oral

I was very nervous in my expo oral. Perhaps it's true that I didn't prepare it very much but when I'm talking in public to other people I become nervous. Moreover if it's in English, I don't have some resources which I have in Catalan or Spanish. For these reasons, I think my note is a 6. Damn nerves! 

News: Facebook hit by technical problem across Europe

This news explains that last Wednesday, Facebook fall down for some technical problems in many European countries including UK and Russia. The technical problems have been present for two hours. Then, Facebook could solve the problems. Some people used other social networks as Twitter express they thoughts about these problems. As usually in Twitter, people wrote his thoughts in a humour way.
I think that social networks are a good way to communicate because they are quick and free. However these technologies, especially Facebook, have become addictive to people. Besides, the majority of people which use Facebook are very foscused in what the other people think about them.

I as an ideal partner

My name's Guillem and I'm 17. I live in Empuriabrava, in Alt Empordà (Catalonia).
I got black hair and brown eyes. I'm more or less 1.80 metres tall and I'm thin. I usually play handball (in a handball league). Occasionally, I go cycling or running. Hardly ever I watch football matches on TV. Although I don't dislike football game.
I love historical and philosophical books and films. Besides, I hates the films which are about love. Sometimes, I read books but I watch films more frequently.
I'm a happy sort of person. I consider myself as I shy person. I usually need reflection time to think about things of my life or about some topic. I think I'm a reflexive person. That moments to think make me see the life more clearly. Furthermore, I like discuss my thoughts and ideas with other people.
I'm a bit untidy person and I hate people who are big-headed. I think people must be humble.

Harry Potter series. SPOILER, EXCEPT THE LAST NOVEL

Harry Potter is a series of seven books and eight films. The writer, JK Rowling, finish to write the first book (Harry Potter and Phlosofer's Stone) on 1997. The seventh and the final book (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) was released on 2007. Seven years before, on 2000, Warner Bros company produced the film of first book. Last film was released on 2011.
Harry Potter's story explains the life of a young wizard, Harry Potter, who must win the powerful dark wizard ever, Lord Voldemort. Harry, when he was a baby, beat Voldemort and the most of wizards thought that Voldemort was death. Although, he returns on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (fourth novel). A few years later, Harry and Albus Dumbledore (magican school's director) discovered the Lord Voldermort's secret (I won't divulge for people who don't know the story). After the director's death, Harry and his best friends (Ron Wesley and Hermione Granger) must kill Voldemort.


Me and Harry Potter
I discovered Harry Potter on 2001, when I watched for first time Harry Potter and Philosofer's Stone on cinema with my parents. In those times I liked the story, but it's possible that I don't know the truth Harry Potter's plot (I was a child).
A few years later I watched the films of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (second novel/film) and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azakaban (third novel / film). At third film, I discovered the real plot of the series. For this reason, the Magician Kings give me, as a present, all the Harry Potter books. However, I didn't read those books until four or five years.
So, I watch the four film without read books. After that film, I started to read the books and I bought the new novels (all series except the last novel). Some years later, I went to the cinema to watch Harry Potter and the Order of Fenix (fifth novel / film). That time was different watch the film because I read the book before and I imagined different some scenes. 
After a couple of years, I watch Harry Potter and Half-blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 1). The last film, released last year, was the second part of the last book. The special effects of this movie were amazing but the final of the series is a bit different than the book. Although, that film is so good.
My favourite Harry Potter novel is the third, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban because is when Harry began to know that Voldemort can returns. Furthermore, I like HP3 because Harry met with important characters to series as Sirius Black or Remus Lupin.
Concluding, Harry Potter is an amazing series which represents to me my initiation in real literature.

Gregorio Luri

Before Christmas, we went to "Jornada de Filosofia de l'Alt Empordà" in Figueres. There we met with other 2nd Batxillerat students. We talked and discussed about a basic topic in the modern philosophy: the progress.
First of all, all the students were divided in nine groups. This groups had to discuss about that topic and then, in the auditorium explain the conclusions. After that, a student from each school did a speech about the progress. In INS Castelló's case, the student was Adrián Santeliz. To finish the philosophical day, Gregorio Luri, a philosopher, did a long speech about the origins of the process idea.
Luri, whose thesis at university was about Greece philosophy, said that classical people didn't think as us the progress. It wasn't until Middle Age when people began to think the progress as a line. This thought was more powerful with French Revolution and Liberalism (XVIII century). Now, after two world wars, the progress is in crisis: is it true that humanity always improve?
Luri also commented our debates. He said that we are the real young people and he criticized the media because they only talk about "nini" young people.
I have to say that Luri's confidence was a bit boring because he was talking about the same topic about two hours. Although, I think it was a nice experience to listen a real philosopher.

News: Spain protests French TV's on ridicule on sports drugs

This news talks about the dispute between Spain and France caused by Canal + France. First of all, the news explains what did Canal +: some puppets imitated some Spanish athletes like Iker Casillas, Pau Gasol or Rafa Nadal. After that, the news explains the reactions from Spanish government. It says that Jose Manuel García Margalló, Spanish Foreign Minister, is disappointed with Canal + France. Also, the minister will sent a letter to French government. This videos were released the same week that TAS (Tribunal Arbitral du Sport) decided to punish Alberto Contador for two years.
In my opinion, Spanish government exaggerated the situation. Canal + France only wanted made laugh. Besides, I think Spanish public opinion is obsessed in sport. It's true that Spain is in a good moment in sports championships but Spanish people give to these championships more importance than other things like economy.

Can Internet help the world to be a better place?

Last ten or fifteen years ago, new technologies (like Internet) have developed quickly. Today, using Internet you can talk and communicate with people who are a few kilometres away from you. However, can you use this technology to do the world a better place? 

Internet is a rather good place to realize campaigns to change our planet because this technology arrives to all the world. For example, people who disagree with pollution can use Internet to try that the rest of people change. Other examples are the Arabic Revolutions: these movements began in Twitter, where a lot of Egypt people talked about a Revolution against the old system.

Although a lot of people use Internet to do things like abuse of children or steal money. Things like these aren't definitely good for us and our planet. Besides, using Internet, we lose a lot of privacy: everybody can know your name, your address, your mobile phone etc. I think talk using Internet isn't so good for us because we lose human contact (face-to-face) and that's very important. 

In conclusion, we can use Internet to do the world a better place but we have to be alert with people who use this technology badly.

Carnival!

On Carnival I dressed up as Wally (from Where's Wally?). Other people dressed up with me. They were Guillem Costa, Simon, Pablo, Oliver, Guillem Montero, Guillermo, Quim and Aleix.
On Friday 17, we went to Roses Carnival (in my opinion, the best Carnival on Alt Empordà). We met in front of a hotel which is near to the sea. Then, we went to the Carnival parade. However, we wanted go party so we went to "L'Embalat" where is the real party. From that moment (for the abundance of people and for the alcohol) we began to separate and lost ourselves. In my case, I went to Roses Pavilion (I don't rememberer why!). There was other party but I didn't know anybody there. Finally, I could return to "L'Embalat". Suddenly, in the way of return, I met with Simon and his girlfriend who were waiting to catch a bus. After that, I arrive to "L'Embalat" where I met Pablo. He returned me to my home.
On Saturday 18, I went to Sant Pere Pescador Carnival. This Carnival is litter than Roses Carnival but is funny too. Only four wallys went to Sant Pere Carnival, the four "Guillems" (Guillem Costa, Guillem Montero, Guillermo and me). I went to Sant Pere with Montero, Costa went with his parents.
We arrived very early to Sant Pere, so we went to Guillermo's house (Nuria and Sandra came with us too). There we spend two hours, more or less. Then, we went to Civic Centre to began the party. At 4.00 a.m. I return to my house

The unique photo with all wallys (except Quim). Pablo's face is awesome!

Utopia: The perfect society

It's true that the perfection doesn't exist. Although, how it would be a perfect society? I will try to describe my perfect society.
First of all, I wanna say that this hypothetical society is only an utopia. I think that humanity can't live in the society I will describe. By the way we are going, humanity will never live in this utopia. 
Starting with the actual cities, the first thing I would do is close the churches and do museums there. Religions have done so much harm to humanity since they were created (wars, ignorance, hates, deaths).
Other thing I would do is eliminate the power: everybody control himself. That means no police, no political parties. I think that nobody can say to other what to do or what don't to do. Surely I would eliminate kings, dictators, emperors and similar. It's sad that in XXI century, kings still exist. It's a medieval way to organize a country.
The money is other thing I would change. In my opinion, today we give a lot importance to money. That can't be good, money is just paper! Therefore, I would eliminate the banks and the multinationals because they dominate our lifes.
Continuing the utopia, I would abolish borders. Countries are other important cause of wars. Both world wars were originated for national conflicts. 
In all probably this "communist" society only exists in my mind and never will exist. Only it's a dream, but for that are the dreams ;)

THUG 2

Tony Hawk's Underground 2 is a game for Playstation 2. Even if was released in 2004, today I play usually to this game. It's one of the bests games I played ever because the gameplay is awesome and the graphics aren't bad.
THUG 2 is about do skateboarding. You can choose what mode you want play: story mode, classic mode or free skate.
Story mode is the most important mode on the game. This mode have a plot: you are a rookie skater who is "kidnapped" by the veterans skaters. They are organized the "World Destruction Tour". In this trip, skaters, divided in two teams, will travel around the world doing bizarre things as destroy old buildings, burn the hair of some policemen or decapitate a few statues. When the thing is more bizarre, more points for your team. Skaters go to places as Boston, Barcelona, Berlin, Australia or New Orleans. At the end of story, they go to Skatopia, a place created to do skate.
Classic mode is completely different to story mode. Here, there's not plot, only objectives. The player must complete these objective to unlock new cities or places. Between this cities there are Los Angeles, Canada or Philadelphia.  
Summarizing, THUG is a varied game where you can find good gameplay, acceptable graphics and an excellent story. 

A film: Martín (Hache) (NO SPOILER)

Summary

Martín (Federico Luppi) is an Argentinian write screenwriter and film producer. Five years ago, he went to live to Madrid because he was able to find job in Spain and because he hates Argentina. He have a 19-year-old son, also called Martín (Juan Diego Botto) who is known as Hache.  Hache is a young man who doesn't work and doesn't study. One night in a concert, Hache was stood up by his girlfriend. After that, he takes drugs and he suffer a overdose. Everybody in his family thought that Martín was looking for the suicide. 

This changed his live: he went to live with his father, in Madrid. There, he'll meet with other people as Dante (Eusebio Poncela), an actor and Martín's friend, or Alicia (Cecilia Roth) Martín's girlfriend. 

Personal reflection 

Martín (Hache) is, in my opinion, an excellent film: in this movie, you can find reflections about drugs, politics, philosophy...  The four main characters (Hache, Martín, Dante and Alicia) represent four different ways to see the world. 

Hache is the young people that is misunderstood and need help from adults (but he don't want it, like the young people). Also he think that the revolution, to do real justice, is possible if everybody works to do. 

Martín, Hache's father, is more sceptical than his son. He thinks that nobody can change the world. In this moment of the film, Martín express his philosophy about the life. Martín is a solitaire man, he can't live with somebody. He's asocial and egocentric ever with his son and with his girlfriend, Alicia. Martín only wants that Hache have a good present. He lost the hopes with him. Martín hates the nostalgia and the passionate love 
Dante, the actor, is a little bit bohemian. He takes drugs (not to work). He says that drugs open his mind. Dante defends that people must life in the way that they think. Most of the time, Dante agrees with Hache's thoughts.
Alicia thinks similar to Dante. She take drugs like him. Although, she falls in love with Martín who don't want marry with anybody. That'll give some problems to both. 
In conclusion, I think that Martín (Hache) is an extraordinary film that makes you think about some important themes.  


In this video, you can read and listen some sentences and dialogues that Martín, Hache or Dante say in the film (it's in Spanish, I couldn't find it in English. Sorry!)