Short Responses - Stanford Essay
Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or musical artists.
The Matrix series, for the intriguing philosophical questions and the ground-breaking originality of the action film-making.
Success Built to Last, by Jerry Porras, for its great pieces of life wisdom that encourage me to follow my passions in a way that serves the world and me.
What newspapers, magazines, and/or websites do you enjoy?
Wired News, a sleek magazine that discusses how technology affects culture, the economy, and politics.
WebmasterWorld.com, a forum for intelligent discussion about the design, coding, maintenance, promotion, marketing, and management of a website on the internet.
What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?
The emerging trend of media consolidation threatens free and fair public discourse. If giant media conglomerates are allowed to control so many news outlets, then diverse, democratic journalism will be replaced with a one-size-fits-all media monopoly.
How did you spend your last two summers?
I was hired by Intel Corporation to work as a full-time web developer. I followed a rigorous cross country training program, running over 400 miles, to prepare for the cross country season. I taught myself to build dynamic websites using PHP and MySQL server-side programming languages.
What were your favorite events (E.G., performances, exhibits, sporting events, etc.) this past year?
California International Marathon Relay, December 2, 2007 - Over 10,000 runners (I was one of them!) from around the world raced this 26-mile, 385 yard course. My high school relay team took second place!
PubCon - an educational trade show specifically for web professionals and website owners.
What qualities do you admire in people?
Curiosity, Free-spiritedness, Intellectuality, Respect, Integrity
Who is your hero/from whom do you draw inspiration?
Benjamin Franklin is my role model because he is the epitome of the Renaissance man; famous for his curiosity and diversity of interests, he excelled in a wide variety of subject areas -- politics, science, civics, writing, and business, just as I wish to do.
How do you rejuvenate yourself?
By listening to Through the Fire and the Flames, by DragonForce. This energizing song takes listeners on an exhilarating musical journey, evoking emotions of pure joy at an unrelenting tempo of 230 beats per minute!
What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed or participated in?
The first message being sent over the ARPAnet (predecessor to the modern Internet), because when the student programmer went to send the message, "login", the system crashed after sending just the "l" and "o". I would have loved to see the student say, "Oops, the Internet just crashed!"
What five words best describe you?
Open-minded, Idealistic, Ambitious, Innovative, Confident