Talking About Nerdy Stuff While We Wait

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
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<p>lol… We are all lactose intolerant! If you aren’t, then you can thank your mutant alleles. Mutants! </p>

<p>As for the rat, I meant a fine aged block of Parmesan, of course. Most quality non-processed cheeses have virtually no lactose. </p>

<p>Either way, I was totally kidding with my rat/cheese comment in the first place. It just sounded better than “Can a rat get some [half-eaten chicken bones/watermelon rinds/coffee grounds/anything you might compost or put down the garbage disposal]?” </p>

<p>Anyone read “Guns, Germs and Steel”? Phenomenal.</p>

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<p>I am a mutant! Just waiting to evolve some laser eyes and a couple extra hands. </p>

<p>I didn’t read Guns, Germs, and Steel, but the author of the book made a NatGeo documentary based on it, which I watched. It was really great! I haven’t seen the movie in awhile, but does he discuss the effects of racism/colonialism in the book? It seems that it was barely touched on in the film, but that it would be kind of a big thing to overlook about the causes of inequality. Because, for example, there were some highly advanced civilizations all across Africa, which is a continent rich in natural resources. Based on his theory, you would think that African countries would be dominant cultural forces today, but they aren’t because of colonialism and the theft of their natural resources…everything from precious metals to diamonds. The germs part certainly counts there, though. So many people dying of malaria and HIV. But I’ll stop there because, otherwise, I’ll go on a ramble about sickle-cell anemia, malaria, and evolution. lol</p>

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<p>@whatevdude</p>

<p>I sure have! It has been a very long time though, so I only remember the general idea of the book–really good stuff. “Collapse” and "The Third Chimpanzee are also really interesting works by Diamond. It’s too bad more people don’t study science and appreciate it as much as you do. Perhaps UT will respond to you this century and give you the green light to continue your studies and improve mankind’s prospects lol. </p>

<p>@deadxpoetics
I’m waiting to develop a prefrontal cortex like the rest of my fellow humans! Maybe one day I can behave like an adult and manage my life better than a third grader :D</p>

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<p>LOL@ “waiting to develop a prefrontal cortex” … a bit skeptical about the “like the rest” part though… Either way, give me a few years; I’ll hook you up. ;)</p>

<p>And DUDE I wish you were right, but, as I was just writing in our ex-thread, I have a bad feeling I’m not going to find out until well into May. Ugh. </p>

<p>@deadx: By all means, please do feel free to ramble away, especially about evolution and diseases. That is the name of this thread, isn’t? :slight_smile: </p>

<p>That documentary was mediocre at best. I find it incredibly weird when people say, “Yes, I want to read the book before I see the movie!” Why would anyone ever do it this way?? It’s just backward. Not once in my life have I ever read a great book, and then afterward seen the movie and thought that it didn’t suck. The books are (almost) <em>always</em> better, and so ruin the movie. (I threw in the “almost” qualifier there only because universals make me cringe, not because I can think of a single counterexample!) See the movie first, for sure. But I digress. </p>

<p>Especially if you liked the film, you MUST read that book. It was incredible. I remember having to stop and restart the movie a few times because it just felt long and tedious, but even after reading the book once, my husband and I listened to the whole thing on audiobook during various road trips - twice. Seriously, it’s that good. Except maybe the entire chapter devoted to corn. I can’t lie, that was a bit much for me, but necessary I suppose. Sans that, it’s amazeballs. Got into a semi-heated debate once in US History 1301 with a professor about something related to the possibility of inferior genetics among Native American tribes or something. I won the debate, courtesy of a Jared Diamond citation, and the next class period he read an excerpt from it aloud. True story. :D</p>

<p>Also, just happened to see your stats on the front page of our ex-thread, and I’m wondering if I know you. I’m @ACC in PTK, too. Do you ever go to any of the volunteer stuff they do? Feel free to ignore this question entirely. I know things are supposed to be hush-hush anonymous around here, though I’m not totally sure why.</p>

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<p>Oh, I just couldn’t ramble because I had to do some last minute cramming for a bio test today!</p>

<p>So are you saying that your prof said something about Nat. Americans having inferior genetics? Sounds pretty racist and eugenics-y. I mean, historically speaking, we’ve always justified our poor treatment of browner folks by saying that they had inferior breeding, etc. Good thing you laid the smackdown! </p>

<p>If you do know me in person, I doubt it’s from PTK. I pretty much never go to meetings because I work every Friday night. I’ve done a couple of their volunteer things, but it was a year ago. Just can’t fit it into my crazy schedule! What campus do you usually go to? I have taken all but one class at NRG. My bio class is at Cedar Park this semester.</p>

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<p>This: “I pretty much never go to meetings”
I stopped going over a year ago because the timing couldn’t be worse. I am either studying or taking a much deserved break on Friday nights. The last thing I want to do on a Friday evening is drive to north Austin, from the Oak hill area, just to eat free cookies! I’ve met some interesting people there, but messing around with clubs and orgs, given my current load, isn’t the greatest idea. I still haven’t even taken care of that Terry scholarship app …</p>

<p>Ahhhh the wonder of audio books. The best way to keep myself entertained as I drive around the city or do housework. I’m broke as a joke, but I’ll never cancel my audibles subscription, no matter what! I have FIVE credits available right now and can’t wait to pick out my next book…What will it be!?</p>

<p>I think the book is coming back to me now…corn…corn…corn…lol. It reminds me of Darwin’s pigeon experiments at the beginning of “The Origin of Species,” which was hardly the most exciting part of the book. I prefer contemporary treatments of the subject, to be quite honest. I’ve got Daniel Dennett’s “Darwin’s Dangerous Idea” sitting on my bookshelf right now, waiting to be read. </p>

<p>@deadxpoetics
If you don’t mind me asking, why do you have nearly the equivalent of a bachelors degree? lol. I thought I had a lot of extra credits!</p>

<p>@deadxpoetics & Whatevdude
The best book ever written on the subject of eugenics is probably “War Against the Weak,” by Edwin Black. It describes the origin of the movement and its eventual application to the “Final Solution” in Nazi Germany. It’s a pretty chilling read. The number of figures we now admire who once supported this movement is pretty shocking.</p>

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<p>@ ABW</p>

<p>I couldn’t agree more. The meetings are kinda boring, too. They’re such shiny, happy people. I have to work for a living. lol. Any free time I have, I’m either making up for not sleeping enough, or doing homework. That’s pretty much every weekend. If I wanted to work more, I’d do it for pay at my job. I mean, volunteer work is important, but I feel like it’s something you do when you’ve got your ducks in a row, know what I mean? Definitely feel ya on being broke as a joke. I could never get rid of Netflix. I don’t have cable or anything else. It’s my sole entertainment. I only pay for half, too, since I share with my roomie.</p>

<p>Why do you think I have enough credits for a Bachelor’s? I’ve already completed 53 credits (three don’t even count because they are remedial math), and I’m in 10 credits right now. Just did a CLEP test on Friday, too. I tested my way out of four semesters of French. YEAH! But the point is, I’m right on track for my AA, plus a few extra credits due to the French. I’m graduating from ACC next month. :D</p>

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<p>Sorry! I guess that was @Whatevdude. I think I remember her credits being up there.
Yeah, I never understood the obsession with clubs and orgs. If people want to volunteer, they should go straight to the source. My roommate is applying to the college of education and has, you guessed it, volunteer experience and a paid position working AT A SCHOOL lol. I’ve had to work most of the time I’ve been in school, and my extra time goes toward developing skills in the fields in which I’m interested.
Congrats on testing out of all that French! I can’t imagine doing the same in Chinese. Have you received formal instruction in French?</p>

<p>Andd…Holy crap, people are receiving responses! Good luck to both of you. You two seem like very solid candidates, and I’m sure you will both get in!</p>

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<p>Yes. I studied French in 7 - 10 grades before I dropped out. Got to French 3 AP. When I came to college in 2011, I took Beginning French I, and it was so boring because I learned this stuff when I was a wee kiddo and I already knew a lot of it. It was just kind of “refreshed” in my brain. I didn’t want to spend money/time on any more lower level French courses because the are 2 1/2 hours twice a week and involve a ton of homework. So I just brushed up on everything and studied a bit. So, it was definitely worth it. I did much better than I thought I would, even though I haven’t seriously studied French in years. I mean, I’m almost 24, and I literally started taking French almost a decade ago, but it was just squirreled away in my brain for later. lol</p>

<p>Ugh. No decision for me. But at least we know they’re being put out! Looks like just engineering now. I’m waiting on COLA, and I have no idea what order they’re coming in.</p>

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<p>I know. This is driving me crazy! Who knows what the order is. I bet COLA starts releasing stats within the next 3 days. We will be in that group, hopefully!</p>

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<p>A dude from was mcccobs also got accepted today so maybe it’s not just 1 at a time… Maybe… :-/</p>

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<p>You’re doing Asian studies, correct? </p>

<p>I’m surprised that I haven’t seen too many other psych majors in the transfer thread. Nationally, it’s one of the most popular majors. But it seems that we have an overrepresentation of STEM folks in there. We shall see, though. I’ve waited this long. I can wait a bit longer. I was just starting to worry that I wouldn’t get a response before I graduate. lol. </p>

<p>UT is looking more attractive all the time. I got my financial aid package from Texas State today. Not a single scholarship! A couple grants (Pell and TPEG), but mostly loans. And I’d have to commute every day.</p>

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<p>I’m a governmet major</p>

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<p>Oh, that question was directed at ABW. I believe s/he said s/he was studying Chinese. But I guess that means we’re all three waiting for COLA!</p>

<p>It’s definitely getting hard to focus on my semester. I’ve got my attention pulled in so many directions with deadlines and assignments and work and other deadlines. lol. Exactly one month left to go though!</p>

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<p>Oh haha I’m sorry! I wasn’t reading your other post!! My bad! And ya I know me too I have a 13 page book review over the country of Georgia and than anothe 8 page paper over global politics and 5 more physical science test and a horrible biast Oklahoma government/history class ug this semester cannot end fast enough that’s for sure</p>

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<p>The thing I’m looking forward to the most other than graduating is getting a full night’s sleep on the regular during the summer. Nothing else matters if you can’t sleep! lol</p>

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<p>Oh haha ya that would be nice but my 1 1/2 year would think that would be to easy :)!</p>

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<p>@Acanady88</p>

<p>Who got in to McCombs? Government is interesting. I considered that major for quite some time. </p>

<p>@deadxpoetics
No joke! STEM is highly popular on this thread, apparently. It is interesting that psychology isn’t very prominent on here given its nearly ubiquitous presence in all the classes I’ve taken. I can’t tell you how many psych majors I’ve met lol! Yeah, I told myself I didn’t care about a month ago, but now UT is the only think I can concentrate on! Asian Cultures and Languages (Chinese Specialization), but it is in the department of Asian studies. I’ve told myself that I will flee to China if I don’t get in. It’s my backup plan and will help me feel better if I get rejected lol.</p>

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<p>Let me look back in the transfer thread and ill get the name and yes I love politics my goal is to go to law school after I graduate and become a senator but lately I have also wanted to teach politics instead of law school.</p>

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<p>@ ABW</p>

<p>Yeah, I mean, I DO care a whole lot if I get in now, but it won’t do me any good if I focus on it so much that I screw up this semester. Sometimes I get mad though because it feels like UT doesn’t want us very much. :S</p>

<p>So why’d you decide to study Asian cultures and lang, and Chinese particularly? Have you ever been to Asia? I think I’d love to visit Thailand. I love Thai food, and the aspect I find particularly interesting about their culture is that it appears that they are more accepting of gender non-conformity than you would expect based on other interdependent cultures.</p>