DEATH OF THE BUMBLEBEE.

Today, I learned that the entire population of honey bees as a species has been declining in recent decades. Certain subspecies in the western hemisphere have become extinct, and others are close to the same fate. It's called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and is probably caused by a combination of factors. Bees are suceptible to certain viruses and attacks from mites and fungi. The widespread use of pesticides and antibiotics also contributes to the deterioration of the species. However, none of these factors made me as mad as what i learned about apiculture. Beekeepers specifically breed bees to be stronger and produce more honey. I know that most animals and plants these days are genetically modified, but I still don't like the idea of it. Sure, the bees might make more honey initially (more honey = more profit). But generations of hybrid bees are more aggressive, which leads to negative effects for the beekeepers themselves. It is much harder to exploit honey from an angry beehive. Another thing that beekeepers do is feed bees a very specific diet. In winter months, bees are mostly given high fructose corn syrup and other sugar substitues. When they can finally pollenate flowers, certain bees only touch one type of plant. Not only does such a  regimented diet have negative effects on the bees (like weaker immune systems), but it is contributing to less variance among flowers as well.

I'm kind of obsessed with bees right now. I'm considering boycotting honey or something because I don't like the idea of a bee-free world. If you couldn't tell, I'm really upset. I don't understand why we, as humans, feel the need to manipulate nature for our own profits. The earth knows how to take care of itself. Our developed brains do not give us the right to mess with nature.

TV.

Today, I had an epiphany: I hate the TV.

GASP.

It was one of those crazy nights that seem all too frequent now. I was coming home late from a track meet, our kitchen was all torn up because of our new cabinets, and we all had take-out from a different restaurant. We (my family and I) were eating together with the TV on "in the background".

We didn't talk to each other at all.

Now, my mother is a very lovely woman, and I am not trying to write a post about how she is addicted to the TV. I simply want to give an example. My brother was trying to say something at dinner. I don't remember what, and it probably wasn't very important, but one would think that conversation was normal at a family dinner. My mom, however, was engrossed by the story of Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger on E! News. Whenever Peter, or anybody for that matter, tried to say something at the table, my mom would shush him and get all upset. I'll be the first to admit that I do this when my brother tries to talk to me when Glee is on- I'm sure all of us have at some point- but the intensity of my mom's reaction made me realize how much the TV is a part of our lives. We tune out the people we love to watch actors portray some ridiculous drama. Sure, it is very entertaining, but the way that people are obsessed with "their shows" disgusts me.

Next time you're going to get pissed about somebody interrupting your show, think about what's really important.

HOT TOPIC.

THE hot topic, in fact. Osama Bin Laden has been killed. Now, I am not trying to sound unpatriotic, because believe me, I feel so blessed to be an American. However, I have seen some tweets that are less than respectful towards Bin Laden. I'm not saying that we need to honor him or ignore the awful things he's done, but the happiness that everybody seems to be expressing about his death makes me feel uncomfortable. I don't believe that it is our job to decide who deserves to die, even in the instance of somebody as horrible as Bin Laden. And regardless of the victim, joy shouldn't be found in death like that. God and joy come in remembering the beauty in somebodies life, not at the excitement of their death.

This whole thing makes me feel uneasy.