What do I like to do?

I like to read and use the computer. When I use the computer, I love to research scientific concepts from, but not limited to, paleontology, astronomy, genetics, and marine biology. I particularly like paleontology because I find the evolution from prehistoric life to today's life fascinating. I also like to research my favorite book series, which are Dirk Gently by Douglas Adams, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling, The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, and The Space Trilogy, also by C. S. Lewis. I usually read fantasy or sci-fi books from the twentieth century. I prefer twentieth century English books to twenty-first century American books because I feel like most of today's American books for people my age are written for the money and focus too much on romance (not for me). I also enjoy writing. I have written a few short stories, some poems, and a few online reviews (you can find them on Common Sense Media).

What are my values?

I strongly value knowledge over almost anything else. The one thing that I possibly value is the ability to use knowledge to do the right thing. I also strongly value morality and the ability to do the right thing. I believe that people should be allowed to do drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and the like, but that they should not do them at all. I am a vegetarian because I do not approve of the meat industry's monstrous treatment of animals. (Vegetarian, not vegan. I could never give up cheese!) I am against all forms of bigotry and believe that everyone is equal and deserves equal rights. I am particularly interested in gender equality. I am an atheist, though I believe atheists and religious people are equal and that atheists should not force atheism on religious people. I am also a strong believer in evolution.

What am I most proud of so far in my life?

So far, I am most proud of a research paper that I wrote in 7th Grade. It was on the Christian themes in The Chronicles of Narnia. Our English teacher had assigned us to write a research paper that was at least two pages long and had at least three sources. I decided to do mine on the Christian themes in The Chronicles of Narnia because I had read the entire series very recently and was very familiar with its Christian themes. This is probably the school project that I have worked the hardest on; I spent at least two entire days working on it. Ultimately, I wrote a six-and-a-half page research paper with thirteen sources. I received a 100 on the project. Both my English teacher and my peers loved it. I am most proud of this project because I worked very hard on it and it was proof that hard work shows. Now, I always think of this project when I am working on a project and aim to work as hard as I did on this research paper.

Who do I admire?

I admire my four favorite writers (Douglas Adams, Philip Pullman, J. K. Rowling, and C. S. Lewis). Douglas Adams's most famous work, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, is hilarious yet still well written and intelligent. I, however, prefer his Dirk Gently series, which is about a "holistic detective" who solves crimes based on the idea that everything is connected. Douglas Adams is able to form a cohesive story out of random events with almost nothing in common. Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials, is the probably the most creative writer I have ever read. He is able to combine fantasy, religion, atheism, real science, and real world culture to create an epic story that is both accessible to younger readers without talking down to them as well as have an interesting philosophical discussion with adults. When I read His Dark Materials, I thought "How does he come up with this?". J. K. Rowling, author of the famous Harry Potter, series is able to really make you feel like you know the characters. Although Harry Potter isn't as inventive as Dirk Gently or His Dark Materials, you do not know the characters of those stories as well as you do in Harry Potter. It almost feels like J. K. Rowling's characters actually exist and she wrote the books after interviewing them. C. S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia and The Space Trilogy, is well known for being a Christian writer. That is not what makes him great. He is able to write amazing descriptions without being verbose and boring, as well as have a good story with great action but is still really about character development. Also, I have never read anything more beautiful than his Christian allegorical scenes, and I'm not even Christian. I wish I could have the inventiveness of Adams and Pullman and the character development of Rowling and Lewis. It would take very many years to be a writer as skilled as them.