I wish I may, I wish I might

I realize there was a post slightly similar to this earlier, but this examines a different aspect of wishing.

Imagine: A genie has just given you one wish. Nothing is beyond this genie's power. What would you wish for? Think carefully about your wish. Unintended consequences may result, even if your intentions are well-meant.

It's getting hot in here

This week a heat wave has baked the United States. Nearly every state is experiencing record highs, into the 90's and above. NASA also recorded this year's January-June the hottest half-year in the U.S. since records began in 1895. This isn't some freak exception, however; average temperatures have been rising around the world, especially this decade: 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 are in the top 5 hottest years globally. Things are really heating up!

Global warming looks like it's becoming a hot topic these days (no pun intended). Most scientists agree that humans are partly to blame for global warming, and if action isn't taken soon, it may be too late to reverse the buildup of greenhouse gases. Europe is considering implementing a mandatory emissions-reduction plan, and the Bush Administration wants to create a voluntary program of the same sort.

Is global warming an issue we need to worry about? If so, what should we do to combat it?

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-change

A neighbor of mine is moving this week to Arkansas. She and her family have been involved in the swim team for several years, and it will feel very strange when they don't come back to swim next summer. On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my mother's good friend has battled her breast cancer into remission and is recovering surprisingly well.

Both cases note an instance of change, though they happen to be unrelated and yield different effects. Although the second instance describes a positive change, people often consider change unsettling and unhappy. What is change and why does it bother it so much? How is one affected by change? Does change over a long period of time affect a person more than change in a short space of time? What influences change a person's character or personality?