Brenton's Blog

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."  - Leo Buscaglia When I first considered this topic, I wasn't entirely sure where I wanted to take it. To begin, I started with a broad reflection of our world, trying to point out what areas needed improvement the most, based on my personal views. It was during this time that the issue of widespread hate really hit home for me. It’s become something like a spreading disease, fueled by differences in race, religion, politics, hobbies—you name it. What struck me most is how we’ve started moving away from the idea that it’s perfectly fine for everyone to have their own opinions. This shift has led to more and more people seeking comfort in groups of others who think just like they do, which only makes these negative attitudes stronger and more widespread. Moreover, I feel this ha...

In the past decade, fueled especially by the recent pandemic, vaccines and their transparency have begun to be questioned in much higher amounts. However, to understand the truth about vaccines and what they do, we first need to understand where they came from, and why they were ever created in the first place. That's what the author of the article " Five surprising moments in vaccine history", Anna Rothschild set out to do. Using many experts in the field, who have studied human medicine for years, she began by asking them questions about when the use of vaccinations became a worldwide phenomenon. However, before vaccinations existed, people used a very unsettling method of immunizing themselves to diseases through a process called "variolation". It was done by taking the correct antibody of a certain disease, smallpox at first, and ingesting it into the body to allow one's immune system to beat it before the disease could one day totally infect the body. G...

I don't know if it's just me, but I can't wrap my head around how fast life has been moving lately. It feels like just yesterday I was starting my junior year here, with no sense of how quick time would fly. Sure, it has been an amazing year, and probably my best here at USC, but I can't say I'm excited for it to end. I know summer will be awesome, but something about this year has really made me take a step back and appreciate everything I have right now. I know I still have one more victory lap instore for myself next year, but I really am going to miss being the dumb college kid I am right now.   Back at home, I have two little brothers, one is 9 and the other 12. It's pretty cool being able to watch them grow up before my eyes, and it really makes me think back to the good old days. I watch them play their sports, their video games, eat their homecooked food, and it reminds me of when I was that old without a worry in the world, so content with doing whateve...

  Book 2: Post 2 Feel Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You -  Ali Abdal I'm not gonna lie, I still have about a fourth of the book left currently, but at the time of this review, I feel I have a good grasp on the main concepts of the reading. Like I said in my last review of the book, I was interested in this book in hopes of it being a tool I could use to reshape my approach to being productive. I hoped to find out-of-box strategies that I'd be able to use throughout my day, hopefully leaving me time for what makes me happy and fulfills me.  The book, however, is more than just a time management guide. It is more of a way of reshaping my mental approach to the stresses of everyday life, and the goals everyone has for themselves. One of the best quotes I read was: "Productivity isn't about doing more things - it's doing more of what matters." Although pretty straightforward, the quote basically illustrates the point that you should be doing...

TO: Clark Hansen, CEO, AMDP FROM: Brenton Gerhardt, R&D, AMDP DATE: March 8, 2024 SUBJECT: Investment Proposal: Celsius Holdings Inc. As part of AMDP's ongoing efforts to identify innovative and sustainable investment opportunities, I am excited to present an analysis of Celsius, a company that has shown remarkable growth in the functional beverage sector. Celsius is known for its scientifically backed, fitness-dedicated energy drinks that promise to provide healthy energy and metabolism-boosting benefits without compromising on taste or health. This memo outlines the reasons for considering an investment in Celsius by examining its alignment with AMDP's investment standards and detailing its potential for growth and sustainability. AMDP Investment Standards AMDP prioritizes investments in companies that adhere to a set of core standards, emphasizing not only financial returns but also social responsibility and environmental sustainability. These standards include: Triple B...

How the Week Organizes and Tyrannizes Our Lives. - Jill Lepore I know I have only been alive for about 20 years now, but I will say I do not ever think we will abandon the idea of a 7-day week cycle. As I read about the history of differing week cycles, it made sense that we have a 7-day week, which is right in the middle of the 5 and 10-day cycles mentioned. I know many might not like this perspective, but I think the 7-day cycle is perfect. Obviously, I'd like more days like Saturday and Sunday, but I know this is not really possible. With a 7-day week, 5 days of work (70%), and 2 days for relaxation (30%), I feel works best for the world. I personally think that balance is very fair for people, as if there were more weekend days, people would struggle to financially support themselves as needed, while also having too much time on their hands during weekends.  Moreover, the connotations associated with different days of the week play a significant role in how I plan and prioriti...