The Art of Trolling.

Trollin'

“What is a troll?” you might ask –  and no, it’s not a little ugly creature that lives underneath a rock and annoys Ronja in the woods.  I’m talking about the scum of the interwebs: the real troll.

In the world of the internet, a troll can be spotted in many ways. A troll is someone that will go against the direction of the people it is around, posting inflamatory, irrelevant, or off-topic messages in a discussion board, blog, or thread with the sole purpose of causing controversy or simply to enrage or make fun of the people involved. Many times, trolls can be funny, but usually this is not the case.

There are different ways a person can become a troll, once they become trolls, they stop being people in the eyes of the internet. Most of the time trolls, in real life, are geeks who have nothing better to do than go on 4chan and play WoW in their parents’ basement. Trolling can be done by posting comments that contradict common knowledge in order to get a lot of comments back, that deliberately insult the readers of a thread, or causing misfortune to the readers who are not aware that they are being trolled and are not familiar with it. There are also the real-life trolls, though these are rarely seen, they are pranksters who just mess with people. Trolls are always anonymous, therefore not many are seen in reality.

Some of you might be familiar with the troll face:

This character is what is most commonly used to personify a troll. If you encounter and identify a troll you must remember some of the basic rules of the internet, these are the ones concercing trolls:

–       Rule #14 – Do not argue with trolls, it means they win – Do NOT feed the troll. This means that if you spot a troll, IGNORE IT! If you engage in an argument with the troll, it has already won.

–       Rule #19 – The more you hate it, the stronger it gets – I think this rule speaks for itself.

–       Rule #20 – Nothing is to be taken seriously – Anything anybody says can easily be ignored, this rule especially applies for trolls.

The sole purpose of a troll is to cause revolt and misfortune, though sometimes extremely humorous, trolls are never to be accepted, so remember, don’t feed the troll, and most importantly: don’t be a troll!!

By: Humberto De Armas, IB12

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Stimulating the US Economy with Monopoly Money.

Competition contribution designed by a Mr. Lee Willet

It appears that Americans are starting to catch on with the rest of the world when it comes to currency. Creative Consultant Richard Smith created a contest which is on its second year. The contest challenges American citizens to create new designs for the current U.S. currency. Over 120 entries have been submitted for this contest that has not yet been bespoken by the government. The contest was not meant to be taken seriously, however, Smith would find it amazing if it was.

United States bills have not changed in a significant way since the 1930’s. Most of the designs submitted to the contest seemed to have the same pattern: vibrant colors, and vertical pictures. Smith expresses how it makes sense for the United States to change the current money considering the fact that almost every country in the world has multi-coloured bills. Not only would the new coloured bills brighten the currency up, but it would help the visual impaired distinguish the different bills.

“I was searching for ways, pushing for ideas to stimulate the economy,” he says. “The new Euro had a huge impact on several nations” stimulating some economies by 25 per cent. Statistics show that most applicants who submit their designs feature Barack Obama on the $1 bill. Smith also pointed out another factor that would be helpful if the bills were changed.

Designed by Mr. Duncan Dowling

“When we researched how notes are used, we realized people tend to handle and deal with money vertically rather than horizontally. The majority of people hand over notes vertically when making purchases. All machines accept notes vertically. Therefore, a vertical note makes more sense.”

From the positive results that this contest has shown, it would be wise for the government to actually eradicate the old design of the bill, and brighten things up this year.

By: Roxanne Allen, IB12

Party Like a Rockstar.

"Rockstar" energy drinks.

This is no ordinary drink for all of you that have or maybe haven’t purchased, drank, admired, collected, embraced (etc). Sure it’s just another drink when you see it, but check this out: the average energy drink includes 4mg of taurine (an amino acid protecting the immune system and obtained from meat or energydrinks for you vegetarians) and 32mg of caffeine.

Believe it or not one of these is essential for the human body and it’s not caffeine. Sorry coffee drinkers, but energy drinks beat you with that. The only thing is that these drinks give you an overdose of the recommended amount and yes that is BAD. I’ve only named two things contained within this drink and we’re already going down a bad path. Well while we’re in this pleasant direction we might as well discuss the other harmful substances. Glucose, Sucrose, and anything else that rhymes with gross! These are artificial sugars that no growing teenager needs! Aspartame being one of the biggest ones can cause great pain in the kidneys after a large dose of a “sugar free” drink. Yeah I said it! Just because it’s sugar free doesn’t mean its sugar free! Producers just want to attract a new crowd by making it seem healthier.

Anyways for those of you who like energy drinks enough to go on reading here’s the positive aspects of energy drinks: these drinks are liquid candy with a touch of exotic flavoring that’ll make you feel a rush through your body just after the first sip. Not satisfying yet? Well the rest of the ingredients is pure power from South American berries such as gaurana and the Asian herb ginseng. Just a heads up these herbs are normally included in the double up (500ml) drinks such as Monster and Rockstar. Sounds awesome, doesn’t it? It’s like tea, but a cooler version with all that kick behind it. This drink’s definitely great for parties because it’ll last you a few good hours of excitement. Some people think I’m addicted to these drinks, but I think they’re addicted to me.

By: Majid Ahy, IB12

Another Itcher!

Majid, IB12

Yoo, you probably don’t know me so I’ll start out by saying the name’s Majid Ahy. I’ve been lurking around this school for three mighty long years. Currently attending my senior year of IB and therefore you may call me senior. Anyways names are just a small bit of my past. I’ve been brought up in the U.S in the state of Virginia. Down there my daily life consisted of the smell of diesel (motorcross, Atv, and such), crab-fishing, and boating. Mhm yer darn right – I’m from the South. I’ve moved in between the time that I lived there to Saudi Arabia and often vacationed in Dubai to catch a glimpse of my homeland Iran. I’m actually half Persian incase you’re wondering. Also half Swedish (born in Umeå). Crazy mix I know, but it’s cool I suppose. I skateboard more than I walk and I listen to music more than I talk just incase you think I’m anti-social (there’s my excuse). I listen to mostly anything, but my taste is Nickleback for the most part yet I live by Kid Cudi’s lyrics. I love Redbull and “Monster Girls”, but Jenny Swanson definitely takes the prize. Lastly I’m a pretty chill guy besides when it comes to partying. I go hard in the paint!

1 Question, 3 Answers.

Do you think being homosexual is a choice or a trait that someone is born with?

Paul R, Paul G & Gustav

Gustav Karlbrink, NP2: I think actually it’s a bit of both but I believe most is choice because like 90% of your actions come from where you live and the people that you live with, so I think I think they get it from their own choice.

Paul Rodriguez, SP3A: For me its 50-50 %. It could be the environment that made him/her in to that kind of person or it could be part of his/her genes.

Paul Greco, IB12: Well actually I think it’s different from person to person. Some people are at an early age very clearly prone to what we see as homosexual tendencies and remain that way their whole lives whereas other people often change their sexual leaning later on in life, having been dissatisfied with their experiences with the opposite sex.
Then again that could also mean that they’ve always been gay.

Homosexuality: A Choice or a Trait?

Nature vs. Nurture?

A question is being debated by not only scientist, but religious leaders and the general public as well: Is homosexuality a choice that someone picks, or a trait that someone is born with?
Some people, like religious leaders view homosexuality as a choice, and go as far as calling it a personality disorder. Others protest that someone’s sexual orientation is a trait that someone is genetically born with, and insist that the reason for someone’s sexual preferences is due to a hormonal change in their genetic make up. Many, however, feel that it is both that determine the sexual stance of someone. Known to be the largest association of psychologists, The American Psychological Association (APA), feel that this question is more complex than some might think it to be.

“There are numerous theories about the origins of a person’s sexual orientation; most scientists today agree that sexual orientation is most likely the result of a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological factors. In most people, sexual orientation is shaped at an early age. There is also considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role in a person’s sexuality. In summary, it is important to recognize that there are probably many reasons for a person’s sexual orientation and the reasons may be different for different people.”

Some people refuse to believe that homosexuality is a trait. Gregory Cochran, a physicist who developed some new ideas in evolutionary medicine and genetic anthropology, suggests that genetics will not and can not explain a person’s sexual orientation because such ‘gay’ genes would have been exterminated from the population over time. Cochran suggested that homosexuality can be connected to disorders such as MS, heart disease, chicken pox, or any bacterial or viral conditions. When hearing this ‘Gay Germ Theory’ many people were outraged.

“I think it’s a very interesting idea. The idea that homosexuality resulted from overprotective mothers was also an interesting idea. But when it was tested, it turned out to be completely untrue. Whether Cochran’s theory is true or false is an experimental question and needs to be answered by observation and by experimentation, not by chitchat, says Dean H. Hamer, Chief of gene Structure and Regulation at the Laboratory of Biochemistry at the National Gene Structure Cancer Institute.”

When it comes to religion, many views on whether or not it should be condemned create controversy. One passage from the Old Testament states that:
‘You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination’ (Leviticus 18:22).
Upon reading this, one can obviously assume that the passage bluntly states homosexuality is an ‘abomination’. However, Michele Brand Medwin, Rabbi of Temple Sholom in Monticelle, New York begs to question whether or not the Old Testament really condemns homosexuality.

“These verses [Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13] were not meant to be used to foster hate against homosexuals or to condemn individual gay men and the loving relationships they form…The Canaanites used homosexual acts as part of their pagan rituals. Therefore the Israelites were prohibited from doing this, not because it was an act between two men but because it was symbolic of pagan ritual. In today’s world this prohibition now has no meaning. We are no longer threatened by Canaanite pagan religion and homosexuality today is not a pagan ritual. Homosexuality in Biblical terms is no longer an issue for us today.”

What is more interesting is that the majority of people might not notice that nearly all references refer to men performing intimate gestures with each other, not women. This leads people to further the question on whether or not homosexuality is a trait or a disorder. Either way, this topic will continue to have two sided opinions and will probably always be a questioned too complex to answer.

By: Roxanne Allen, IB12

Prejudices about Gothenburg Gymnasiums.

I have interviewed people in town and some students at IHGR and asked them about their prejudices, they have unleashed all their prejudices about the high schools in Gothenburg. The students that have been interviewed are:

Aida, Humberto & Foos

Anonymous, SP3a

Aida Hakimi, SP2B

Foos Ali, SP2A

Humberto De Armas, IB12

Which high school is IHGR’s greatest rival?

Anonymous: No high school, all the high schools in Gothenburg are really lame compared to IHGR!
Aida: Any other English speaking school, such as Engelska Gymnasiet. However, IHGR stands out because we are, as far as I know, the only international school governed by Gothenburg’s municipality. Hvitfeldtska’s IB program might be a big rival as well.
Foos: IT college.
Humberto: I guess Hvitfeldtska .

The high school with the best dressed / best looking students are:

Anonymous: I haven’t been at all the schools and seen the students, but IHGR will be damn far down. I don’t like brat high schools, Schillerska’s students seem to have a very nice style and students. Being well dressed is not by wearing expensive clothes, but by being interesting. The really interesting fashion styles are found in Schillerska.
Aida: I think I have to say Göteborgs Högre Samskolan. Every time I’m in that school it feels like I’m in the headquarters of Vogue Magazine or something. Even the teachers dress fancy.
Foos: IHGR undoubtedly.
Humberto: I would say somewhere in like Hovås.

The high school with the worst dressed / ugliest students are:

Anonymous: Definitely Munkebäck, I sound really shitty, but it’s true. Or Sigrid Rudebecks they only have M.U.F students there. Seriously, Munkebäck have so much ugly people that you have to close your eyes half the time you are there, The brats in Sam is too much “dad pays everything”, Rudebeck is a math geek and brat school and Hvitfeldtska are only dressed in MQ.
Aida:I don’t know. I can’t think of any high school that stands out because of their student’s ugly clothing style.

Which high school has the most motivated students?

Anonymous: Sigrid Rudebeck, I have heard that you become war wounded after going at that school.
Aida: Donner Senior High School is known for their ambitious and all student-MVG. However, I think we do a pretty good job here at IHGR.
Foos: IHGR.
Humberto: GTG.

Which high school has the least motivated students?

Anonymous: Burgården.
Aida: Any school with low admission points.
Foos: IHGR.
Humberto: Angered.

The people we asked had really different opinions about IHGR. IHGR is a weird high school, IHGR is too chill, and IHGR is a huge freak show and  have really hot chicks.

Here are some more associations:
Global. Love all the people in the world. International. Round. Africa. Odd. Girls. Be kind to everyone. English environment. English. Typical “American High School”. Immature. “Fjortis”. Players. Small criminal. Guys with invertebrate complexes. Soft. Great. Beautiful. Creepy building. Scary faces. Fun. Immigrant school. Wannabe American high school. Probably lame. Reality. Super chill. Revolting. Right wing stupid people. Hot girls. Amazing.

By: Sara Aman, SP2A