Article: Chilean Miners rescued after two months trapped in mine in Copiapo

Chilean Miners rescued after two months trapped in mine in Copiapo

            by Zachary Chin

October 15^th, 2010

            On August 5^th, 33 miners in Copiapo, a Chilean city a few hundred miles north of Santiago, were trapped due to a cave-in that sprung Chilean President Pinera and mining minister Golborne into action. Officials began leading rescue efforts by drilling bore holes where they believed the miners to be.

            On August 22^nd, drilling efforts reached the miners, confirmed with an attached note to the end of the drill stating that there were 33 men split into 3 groups to eat and sleep, and more importantly, that they were okay. Once the location of the miners was discovered, rescue workers began to lower essentials down to the group such as water and food, relieving some of the larger concerns about the health of the miners.

            Comments on ABC News reflected deep fear that the miners would not be rescued until Christmas. The authors’ thoughts and prayers went out to the victims of the cave-in, but little did they know, the day of rescue would come much sooner. Throughout September, correspondence and transportation of supplies continued including motivational T-Shirts, a small projector designed to display a Chilean fútbol game, and an enormous health package filled with tanks of oxygen and tools for communication with the outside world.

Rescue workers lower the second of Phoenix capsules

            Come the beginning of October, officials announced that a rescue mission for all miners would be coming soon. The miners rejoiced when the tip of the drill broke through the 1 km tunnel on October 9^th, and learned two days later that their rescue would be coming soon.

            Viewers from across the globe observed the ordeal and maintained hope that the miners would be rescued, but the consequences of the cave-in were not kept in focus as much as the survival of the 33. The mayor of Copiapo announced before the process of the rescue that the miners’ families intended to sue the government for varying amounts of money.

            The legal action taken by the suffering families illustrates tension between working class individuals and their governments, and many wait to learn the more serious steps  that will be taken after the elation of returning home.

             

Review: The Social Network

The Social Network: A well-timed, well done cinematic gem
by Zachary Chin

October 10th, 2010

Facebook is far more than a $30 billion dollar company and popular employer of extraordinarily talented computer programmers and marketing geniuses. Facebook is a global tool for social interaction of all types. Whether it is used for day-to-day communication with friends and family or a tool to gather supporters for a charitable cause, Facebook has become a staple for any person or group trying to reach out to others in a quick and effective fashion. Its growing importance caught eyes of movers and shakers in the entertainment industry, and it was only a matter of time before we saw its controversial childhood depicted on the silver screen.

The Social Network paints a complex portrait of a computer whiz kid while hinting at a certain ‘whodunnit?’ type of character exploration. The script is designed to allow the audience to decide who possessed the ideas that led to Facebook’s success, and what regulations should be implemented when discussing intellectual property. Aaron Sorkin claims that he does “not want to demonize” any group or individual involved in the creation of facebook. Instead, he more or less exposes the missteps and misdeeds of all of the characters involved in the rise of facebook as an international staple.

The only true sympathetic character is Eduardo Savrin, Mark’s best friend and aspiring business man who wrote the original equation that started Zuckerberg’s popularity explosion. Yet, the elitist attitudes and superiority complexes of the other characters render Savrin an unremarkable leave-behind of the Facebook team. The Winklevoss twins, the perfect scholar athletes, epitomize the idea of modern day renaissance men as rowers and members of the Porcelian. Zuckerberg has a keen sense of human nature as well as an innate ability to write and delegate thousands of lines of code to produce his brainchild. Justin Timberlake plays an irresponsible older brother figure to the rising superstar that infuriated Eduardo by rendering his shares public.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4152690201/ - The Social Network provides a helpful introduction to both the topic of the film as well as Jesse Eisenberg's interpretation of Mark Zuckerberg

Regardless of the lack of belonging that a movie watcher feels among the characters in it, the fast paced script and captivating grey toned cinematography made for an excellent cinematic experience. Facebook’s key components were explored in the film and viewers were able to understand their origin, or at least the movie’s portrayal of it. The chapters are linear, but the manner in which viewers are given information about the role each person played in the creation of the social network is far from simple and truly challenges the concepts of free and fair use, the nature if intellectual property, and the ethics of business in a digital age. For its characterizations, relevance, and ability to captivate, The Social Network is now under “favorite movies” in my Facebook profile.

Article: New iPhone May Face Fierce Competition from HTC Incredible

New iPhone to Face Fierce Competition from HTC Incredible

            by Zachary Chin

June 12th, 2010

            Apple has announced its release of the iPhone 4 to be June 24^th, less than two weeks from today. The official announcement finally gained legitimacy when Steve Jobs claimed that the iPhone 4 would have the biggest differences from the rest of its kind, suggesting that the improvements made will be well worth the wait.

            Customers eagerly await new technology such as the front-facing camera, streaming video on both Wifi and 3G networks, and a brand new physical design. The installment will likely be the last product that AT&T has exclusivity with as a network, for the deal the two corporations made has nearly run its course. Other networks, such as Verizon Wireless, are expected to vie for a place onboard the seeming unstoppable Apple bandwagon.

The iPhone 4 will be available in both white and black skins
and will have a new, thinner design.

            Yet, with the economy in its fragile state and consumers looking to save dollars in as many ways as possible, can we expect the same craze for new iPhones this summer when they will be as expensive as ever and the HTC Droid series as possible competitors?

            Verizon stores have been clearing the shelves of the HTC Droid Incredible and Droid X, and iPhone’s success has not yet hindered that of the HTC series. Though brand is an important aspect and Apple has laid claim to that advantage, the cost of the HTC smart phones is dramatically less and may hinder iPhone 4 sales when its release occurs.

Boasting well-acclaimed features and price, the HTC smart phones may not have the brand-war won, but they certainly provide a popular alternative for consumers not looking to spend money on the iPhone or switch their plan from Verizon to AT&T.  

Despite any kind of price speculation, the explosion of word-of-mouth excitement and the lighting of blogs about the new Apple product is often what drive consumer to the white-walled stores. In a recent poll conducted by zcchronicle.com in Manchester, 7 out of 10 consumers claimed that they not only are they comfortable paying more for a phone if it is an Apple product, but intend to buy the iPhone 4 when it is released.

In less than two weeks when the iPhone 4 is released, Apple hopes that the value of HTC phones will not hinder their revenue and strike and unprecedented event where enormous amount of consumers avoid flocking to the shelves of Apple stores across the nation. 

Article: The Biggest Box Office Hit Ever: Avatar Going for Round Two?

The Biggest Box Office Hit Ever: Avatar Going for Round Two?

            by Zachary Chin

April 15th, 2010

            James Cameron’s Avatar was the highest grossing film to ever appear on the silver screen, and at the start of the New Year, Avatar’s facebook page and bloggers on MTV’s website quoted a very interesting statement from Cameron about a possible sequel, adding what many believe would be another heavy-hitter for the box office.

            Cameron said to MTV that he has a “larger story in mind” for Jake and Neytiri, the movie’s in-focus characters. The first film chronicled Jake’s journey from cultural ignorance to complete assimilation with the Navii of Pandora. It came off as a sort of Pocahontas tale with Neytiri as the native princess, teaching the naïve Jake the many customs necessary to survive in her world.

Bloggers believe Jake and Neytiri, pictured here sharing
a close moment over archery, will be having children in
the Avatar sequel.

            Bloggers on MTV made it very clear that they would welcome a sequel and want to learn a little bit more about “what the Navii heritage was and the history of the various landmarks such as Hometree.” Facebook contributors to the Avatar page made clear that they want to focus on the central storyline, continuing the progression from the end of the first film. One commenter claimed that a good portion of the film’s success will come from “Jake and Neytiri having children.”

            Since Cameron’s first installment of Avatar took over a decade to complete, it stands to reason that viewers can expect a sequel no earlier than 2014 or 2015. Despite the length of time, excitement about the continuation of the Avatar franchise has been substantial. Though other projects stand between Cameron and his labor on the new movie, he has been forthcoming about his intentions to continue the story.

 The director himself expressed his interest in exploring more of the life on Pandora, particularly the oceans. Movie-goers can expect an exciting addition to the Avatar saga that will take the famous story to the depths of the seas.