David+Tsai+RP+Post+3

Research Questions  My research questions have not changed much because I have two other research projects due at the end of the week, and this is simply overwhelming; I am writing this at 4:30 AM. Actually, there are some new questions after all: First Source  This [|source] is titled Why Do We Forget Things? and is written by Edward K. Vogel and Trafton Drew. I found it in the Scientific American journal on their website in the early morning on May 29, 2014. SOAPSTone
 * What is a mistake?
 * Why do we forget things?
 * Is there a systematic method to anticipating mishaps?
 * = S  ||=  Different levels of memory  ||
 * = O  ||=  A new study poses a new theory on why human memory is flawed  ||
 * = A  ||=  Scholars, brain scientists  ||
 * = P  ||=  To illustrate a new model for visualizing the human memory  ||
 * = S  ||=  Two scientists  ||
 * = Tone  ||=  Instructional, contemplative  ||

Summary  Scientists have long agreed that there are two different types of memory: short term and long term. The short term memory is limited in capacity but stores great detail; a person uses it to remember what he or she is working on. The long term memory has practically endless capacity but is a bit fuzzy in detail; a person uses it to remember things over a long period of time. The reason that people struggle to recall information is that our brains toss data into our memories in an unorganized fashion, and we do not know where the information is when we need it. Author’s thesis  Although human memory is excellent in that it can store massive amounts of information in great detail, the method of storage limits what a person is able to recall voluntarily. The extent to which I am convinced of the author’s treatment of the topic  Vogel and Drew, unfortunately, did not go into detail about the study that they cited. The article was also very short, and it did not explain much. I already knew the facts in the article prior to reading it. Therefore, although I do not suspect any false information, I am not highly inclined to use this source other than to back up what I already know. Quotes Second Source  This [|source] comes from the United States Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration. I picked it for its relation to my third research questions of the day (preventing mishaps). The document is simply titled MSHA’s Accident Prevention Program, and I accessed it from the MSHA website in the early morning of May 29, 2014. Note that the link refers to the landing page only; the source extends through several other pages via links. SOAPSTone Summary  Mining accidents can occur for a number of reasons, including negligence, equipment failure, improper heat exhaustion, short circuits, or insufficient ventilation. Some of these causes can be prevented simply by being more careful. For the causes that are not due to human error, there are safety devices available for installation that can alert operators of imminent danger. Main point  Please try to follow the advice that we are giving you and use the safety devices that we made available to you. The convincingness of this source  The source is coming from the government, which makes it more credible for our purposes. All of the information is objective. The tone of the speaker does not express any love or caring, but that would actually detract from the credibility in this case. Overall, the author’s treatment of the topic is appropriate. Quotes
 * “These memories range from the profound… to the most trivial.”
 * “Parents, for instance, often know the perils of a fuzzy memory when shopping for a birthday gift for their child: remembering that their son wanted the G.I. Joe with Kung Fu Grip rather than the regular G.I. Joe could make an enormous difference in how well the gift is received.”
 * “...the objects differed in an extremely subtle manner, such as a pair of toasters with slightly different slices of bread.”
 * “We can’t always find that information when we want it.”
 * “At least that’s our story when we come home without the Kung Fu Grip G.I. Joe.”
 * = S  ||=  Safety in the mining industry  ||
 * = O  ||=  Mines are dangerous places to work in  ||
 * = A  ||=  Mine managers primarily and mine workers secondarily  ||
 * = P  ||=  To reduce injuries and deaths underground  ||
 * = S  ||=  Government employee  ||
 * = Tone  ||=  Sounds like the government is talking about itself  ||
 * “Safety... Something YOU can live with!” ([|Landing Page])
 * “Filter fires can even occur on permissible equipment where exhaust temperatures are controlled.”
 * “Only operator experience or a sudden shutdown of the machine indicates this low water condition.” ([|Diesel Filter Fires])
 * “Heating a mounted tire and rim assembly, intentionally or not, can cause the tire to explode.”
 * “Trajectory hazards are greater to the sides of the tire assembly, but debris can be blown in any direction.” ([|Tire Explosion Hazards due to Heat])