Star Trails Compendium

by Marcha Fox

3. Have you ever tried to learn another language? What are some of the other ways that people communicate? Did you know that during World War II the Americans used Native Americans to communicate over the radio so that no one would understand their messages? The Navajo language was spoken only with no writing associated with it and limited to America, making it nearly impossible for foreign powers to learn the language or have access to it. Not all languages have a written component and some are not spoken, such as American Sign Language but they are all intended to allow communications.

  4. Of similar interest is the Rosetta Stone which was discovered in the town of Rashid in the Nile Delta of Egypt in the year 1799. Literally a stone, it contained the text of a decree made by King Ptolemy V in 196 B.C. in three languages, the lowest form of ancient Greek, ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and Demotic, which was a form of Egyptian used primarily for administrative and documentation purposes. Since the text was nearly identical and scholars were familiar with ancient Greek, it enabled them to understand Egyptian hieroglyphs and open the way to their translation. In other words understanding an unfamiliar or foreign language requires a reference point whether it's an object to define the word or establishment of some other commonality. Some languages such as those known as the "romantic" languages which are those derived from Latin as the language of the Roman Empire have the same root. This applies to French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese as well as some English and German words. They are often pronounced very differently but recognizable when written as having the same origins. For example cat (English), katze (German), and chat (French) all derived from the Latin version, cattus. The Rosetta Stone can be thought of as the antithesis of the Tower of Babel story in the Bible which describes the confusion of the prevailing language at the time into several different dialects, preventing the people from communicating with each other.

  Chapter 15 (Delta-Sub-Q-Alpha-Prime)

  1. What are some of the reasons that the habitable planets in an intergalactic society would employ space stations as points of entry? First of all, intergalactic spaceships would be extremely large and therefore heavy. In order to escape from a planet's surface into space requires that a vehicle go at least as fast as the planet's escape velocity which depends on its gravitational strength. Current technologies employ rockets which require a lot of fuel to acquire that speed which is why they are large and usually employ different stages which are left behind as the fuel is used up. At the present time science has not determined how to neutralize gravity because they don't actually know how or why gravity works. Advanced civilizations on other planets, however, could have figured this out and employed it into their transportation. In that case, landing and leaving again would not be a problem. However, if a planet allowed all vehicles to land at will they could also be invaded by hostile forces. There is also the possibility of contamination from other worlds which could be lethal for its inhabitants, plants or animals. Thus, coming in through a central point provides greater control of both a social and health-related nature.

  2. With the advent of advanced electronics robots have been developed which can perform a variety of tasks. They are used in manufacturing to perform routine and predictable tasks and can also be used as advanced instruments which allow human operators to do more than they could unassisted. Remote control via radio waves allows the operator to be at a substantial distance away, often to maintain a safe distance from hazardous environments. Robots are limited, however, and cannot make decisions other than those that are programmed into them. People can think and synthesize information based on experience which allows them to make real-time decisions in situations they have not previously experienced. Artificial intelligence refers to the ability of a robot to think and draw conclusions and gather experience.

  3. A common algorithm or sequence of commands in computer programming in that known as an "if-then" statement. It tells the robot or devise "if" this is true, "then" take a specific action. As an exercise thinking like a machine, try writing down all the necessary steps for performing a simple task such as making a sandwich or getting ready for school. The next time you play a computer game think about the commands operating in the background that direct the game to behave as it does. Better yet, write down an algorithm for one of the most common actions using "if-then" statements.

  4. A "synchronous orbit" is one where an object such as a satellite is always over the same place as seen from the planet. Communication satellites, including those that provide television and internet services, are in such an orbit. Of course they are not standing still. Rather, the time it takes them to make one orbit is 24 hours, the same amount of time it takes for the Earth to complete one rotation. They are therefore moving at the same rate which makes the satellite appear to remain in the same location. The amount of time it takes a satellite to complete one orbit depends only on how far it is above the Earth. Its size or mass does not matter. Thus, whether it's a space station or a small communications satellite it will be at the same distance which is approximately 22,300 miles (35,900 kilometers) above the Earth. A geosynchronous orbit is also known as a geostationary orbit. It is circular but the satellite will be perturbed by the Moon from time to time which will require adjustments at the ground station or adjustments to the orbit by onboard thrusters.

  Chapter 16 (Bryl)

  1. What are some of the advantages of international cooperation in scientific research?

  First of all, combining the knowledge of scientists who received their training in different locales creates a synergistic environment where additional discoveries can evolve. Intellectual and cultural diversity stimulate creative thinking and seeing the same phenomena through different eyes. Secondly, if several countries cooperate in scientific endeavors it is less likely that one will advance faster than the others and thus achieve technological dominance which could ultimately result in war. Thirdly, many scientific and engineering projects such as the International Space Station are expensive endeavors. When several countries work together with each contributing financially the combined resources allow the group effort to pursue larger projects than either could alone.

  2. What are some of the pros and cons of consensus?

  When everyone agrees it's easier to focus on a single goal or target. Otherwise everyone could be going off in another direction, literally or figuratively, and compromise the group's objectives. However, if everyone always agrees creative problem solving can be inhibited or nonexistent. Worrying about always obtaining others' approval can squelch ideas before they have a chance to mature. Breakthroughs typically come from unconventional approaches so honoring individual and different opinions are important, too.

  Chapter 17 (Intuition)

  1. How much can emotions be trusted?

  What is the difference between emotions and intuition? Emotions are actually a physical response to some sort of stimulus, sometimes positive and sometimes negative. Depending on your personality, some people are more affected by emotion than others. Emotions can be joyful or painful and drive conclusions and decisions that are not always factual. If a person feel threatened in some way then their sense of security is at risk which can activate the "fight or flight" response. The important thing is to recognize when your thoughts have an emotional basis. Talking through your feelings with someone you trust can help put them in the proper perspective and help you avoid making bad decisions not based on fact. Intuition, on the other hand, derives from your subconscious instead of your emotions. There is a tremendous amount of information stored in that part of your brain that you cannot access.

  For example, years ago they conducted an experiment where test subjects were placed in a room with a ceiling covered with acoustical tiles that had numerous holes in them. They were asked to count the holes and report their answer. Most people counted the holes in a few tiles then multiplied it by the number of tiles to get an estimate. Then they hypnotized the individuals
who were then able to effortless tell them the exact number of holes. A similar experiment involved reading a newspaper where they were told to focus on one particular story, which they were asked about. In spite of only reading that one story, when they were hypnotized they were able to convey every story on that page of the paper in vast detail. Thus, you are constantly picking up on all sorts of information at a level beyond your conscious mind. Hypnosis is one way for accessing your subconscious where all this information is stored. Sometimes your subconscious will process this information and draw a conclusion which it conveys in the form of intuition which will usually be correct. It is not always easy to distinguish between feelings based on emotion and a feeling evoked by something in your subconscious. Learning to tell the difference is important, however, since emotions are often an inaccurate representation of truth while your subconscious can be a powerful ally.

  2. What is electromagnetic radiation?

  Electromagnetic radiation is the technical term for what we know as light. However, the visible spectrum is only part of the radiation included in this type of energy. Each color represents a different frequency and wavelength as well as energy level. Not all radiation can be seen, however, like microwaves and radio waves. A microwave oven cooks food because the energy is converted to heat as it meets resistance. Infrared radiation, also at the low end of the spectrum, is recognized as heat. You may also be familiar with how the world looks through infrared goggles, where everything has a green cast. On the other end of the visible spectrum is ultraviolet, which cannot be seen. It is a shorter wavelength and higher frequency which can cause damage to cells and is also responsible for such everyday things as sunburn. Sunscreen blocks these rays and thus protects your skin. Xrays such as those used by the medical profession are stronger still and can cause even more damage in large doses. After that come gamma rays, which are the most dangerous, and are emitted by the Sun. Fortunately for us, Earth's magnetic field and ozone layer protect us from them.

  To understand why remember that we're talking about electromagnetic radiation which derives from an electromagnetic field. Electricity and magnetism not only go together but are inseparable. The Earth's magnetic field is caused by the planet's iron core being rotated, which actually creates electricity. Rotating magnets are common in motors and electricity in turn creates a magnetic field. This is why power lines, particularly large transmission lines from power plants, can cause radio signal interference as their magnetic field disturbs them. Light is made up of tiny particle-like units known as photons which have energy related to their wavelength. Photons originate at the atomic level and can also be absorbed in a similar manner. An influx of photons from the Sun is thus visible in the form of auroras at the North and South Poles. Their color results from their interaction at the atomic or molecular level with Earth's atmosphere and demonstrates their change from high energy gamma rays to lower energy emissions in the visible spectrum.

  3. What is encryption?

  Encryption refers to scrambling a signal or message into a form that disguises it so that no one else can read or understand it. Of course both parties, the sender and receiver, have to understand the encryption scheme so it can be translated. This is usually done mathematically using a technique known as a matrix. The letters and numbers are scrambled according to a certain pattern which the matrix can scramble and unscramble. This is more sophisticated than a simple scheme such as assigning numbers to letters such as A is one, B is two, C is three, and so forth. The consistency in that method makes it easier to translate. With a matrix, however, the letters will not always have the same value and be impossible to decipher. Secret codes have been used throughout history using a variety of different mechanical devices that functioned similar to the matrix. In modern times, computer technology has facilitated a variety of techniques for encoding messages.

  Chapter 18 - 19 (Grounded Out; Home)

  What is serendipity?

  The definition of serendipity is to make fortunate and unexpected discoveries by accident or is sometimes also referred to as an unexpected delight. Recount any such experiences you've had such as meeting the right person at exactly the right time t help you with something or finding something in a lucky and surprising way.

  Chapters 20 (Operations)

  Have you ever started a project without fully understanding what was required to finish it? Did you get discouraged and quit or do what was required to reach your goal? Usually when you give up at some point you will regret it with it often impossible to go back and resume the endeavor. On the other hand, when you persevere and keep trying, regarding of how much effort it may take, you will learn new skills as well as patience which will help you throughout life. An optimistic "can-do" attitude is always helpful when tackling a difficult task. It's important to know your limitations, however, and not try to do something so far beyond your capabilities that you are doomed to failure from the start. For example, if you want to compete in a marathon you need to train and prepare a long time in advance, perhaps with the assistance of a good coach or experienced runner. You would start out with the right equipment such as good shoes and shorter distances to build up your strength and endurance. Difficult mental or intellectual tasks should be approached in the same manner, one step at a time and drawing from the advice and experience of others who have already accomplished what you hope to achieve.

  Chapter 21 (Intelligence)

  1. What is "situational awareness?"

  Situational awareness is a term that refers to being vigilant regarding what is going on around you. It is a significant part of military training but also relevant in your life as well. One example is defensive driving, where you watch those around you on the road and anticipate what they might do which could cause a hazard along with what your response would be to avoid an accident. Another example is traveling in a foreign country where there is a high incidence of theft so you keep close guard on your possessions. Being oblivious to your surroundings can be dangerous as well if you are hiking in an unfamiliar area, don't know what kinds of wildlife you may encounter, temperature variations, challenging terrain, and so forth. Give an example of a situation where knowing all the facts would be essential to your well-being in a defensive manner.

  2. How is being aware of your surroundings helpful?

  The other side of situational awareness is using it in an offensive manner to your advantage. For example, if you wanted to go on vacation but had a limited budget, you could find out ways to get the most for your money. You could watch for the best price on transportation such as airfare as well as accommodations such as available hotels, hostels, bed and breakfast inns and so forth. Collecting coupons for discounts on meals, researching where to get the best food for the least money, talking to other people who had already been there or doing research on the web could also help you find the best values. You could find out what activities in the area are available for free and plan a budget for souvenirs as well. Deciding where to go to college is another example where gathering information to guide your decisions will help assure a positive experience.

  3. How much can you learn about other people by paying careful attention to what they do and say? How much can you tell from a person's appearance and behavior? What type of person do you feel drawn to versus repelled? Do you know why you react that way? They say "A tiger can't change its stripes" which means people don't change. Do you believe that is true?

  Chapters 22 (Mind Games)

  1. Are you a detail-oriented person or a "big picture" person? What are the advantages of each? What are the limitations?

  A detail-oriented person can find small flaws or inconsistencies in an item or project plan. However, they may become so caught-up in trying to make everything perfect or solve one specific problem that they lose sight of the goal or vary off-course. A "big picture" person excels at visualizing the end result, setting long-term goals and defining the b
asic plan for achieving them. However, this person may miss important details and obstacles which could be avoided by proper planning, such as running out of money before it's complete. Thus, when they work together they have a better chance of success. Which one are you? What experiences have you had that demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses?

  2. When you want something do you try to do it all by yourself, expect someone else to do it for you or decide who you can partner with to help your or achieve it together?

  This is another situation where understanding your goal, what is needed to get there, and identifying any help you may require are essential for avoiding delays and frustration as well as assuring success. Usually the more you are willing to do yourself the more likely you are to succeed. Always expecting someone else to do the work or help you out will not only prevent you from learning important skills and lessons but will ultimately fail when there is no one there to turn to. There's an old saying "If you want something done right then you need to do it yourself." While there are exceptions since some things are impossible to accomplish alone, being willing to do your part is an important factor in accomplishing what you want in all phases of life.

  Chapter 23 - 24 (Covert Ops; Intentions)

  1. Think of someone you know whom you consider to be stubborn and opinionated. Now think of someone you know who is patient and always willing to listen, looks first to the facts, and compromises when necessary in a reasonable manner. Which person do you think will be more successful in the long run? Why? Now rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being willing to listen and 10 being confident that you are usually right. Think about making any adjustments required to optimize the chances that others will share information with you or respect your opinion.

  2. Can you always control your reaction to information or certain situations?

  This is usually a high-order skill that takes years to achieve. When a person feels threatened physically, emotionally or intellectually, their first instinct is usually a "fight or flight" response. In a primitive society this tends to assure survival but in modern culture where so many different situations exist it is not always accurate or advisable. While it is difficult to learn to control that adrenaline rush that triggers this response, you can learn to control what you say in response. If certain situations arise frequently you can figure out in advance how to react and rehearse it, either alone or with someone else. This equates to training which, as noted earlier (Chapter 7, item 2) can make your reaction a planned one that becomes automatic and assures it's appropriate. Think about past situations where you "lost it" and how you would handle it if it occurred again as well as any you expect to face sooner or later. Practice your response until it feels comfortable.