Michael+M’s+Final+AmEx+2013+Speech

=Title of Speech=

=Text of Speech= I was feeling a little under the weather as the stress of junior year crept up on me. Who knew that the most stressful part of this year was going to be AFTER the AP tests? Disheartened and in need of revival, I slowly fell into slump of cheap Mexican food and Halo 4. That is, until my sister showed me an article online about this little guy.

Here in all its omnipotent glory is a Mantis Shrimp. Some of you may recognize this majestic sea animal due to its recent viral explosion over the Internet. I mean, why wouldn’t this thing go viral? It’s freaking badass. Apart from its flamboyantly rainbow colored shelling, and ability to see into the infrared and ultraviolet light spectrums, this deadly crustacean is capable of killing its prey by literally punching its foes to death. It’s “fists” are capable of travelling speeds up to 50 miles per hour in a third of a second; the equivalent of applying the same amount of force as a 22-caliber bullet. If you don’t find that amazing, I think you might need a neurologist because there is clearly something wrong with your head.

So upon reading the article, I thought to myself. “If such an insignificant little shrimp holds the title for most badass sea animal next to Admiral Akbar, what does that make me? I’m 200 times bigger and yet, I still can’t get motivated to work out for more than 15 minutes a day. You know, I wonder how many other amazing animals actually live out there.” I was instantly inspired to prove my worthiness as a living creature next to this awe-inspiring, physics defying, fiend. So I got off my butt and started working to finish the year strong.

The mantis shrimp is one of many examples of the extraordinary life forms here in this universe. I bet none of you would have expected that little thing to pack such a powerful punch. There are so many amazing creatures, plants, and even people that roam this planet that are overlooked and disregarded. Which kind of saddens me because there is something totally awesome about everything, and everyone that needs to be recognized, even if it doesn’t seem apparent at first.

The problem with modern day Americans is that we are uninterested and bored with what surrounds us. We sit around all day on our phones and computers, unknowing of how much time, work, and technology was spent in making them. The world is amazing and beautiful, yet, we take it for granted and complain when we’re out of Nutella or that our Netflix account has just expired. And from this complaining, comes the term “boredom”. I am sick of hearing people say that they’re bored. I mean, how could you possibly get bored when we have pancakes, trampolines, and pugs. Seriously, we live in ven-f-ing-tucky. Have you seen the view from the cross or two trees? It’s awesome! Now I’m not saying to drop your Xbox controllers and go outside. We’ve all heard that spiel before. I just want to see a larger sense of appreciation for what this world has to offer. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in only nature either. There are really cool and amazing mechanical feats such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the subways of Manhattan, and even the Ventura Pier that still amaze me to this day. Almost everything has something. So to say that you’re bored is to say that you’re uninterested and unappreciative.

The truth is, many of our problems can be solved easily if we just look around us. Deer antlers have inspired for the creation of lightweight, sturdy materials. The aerodynamic shape of a kingfisher’s beak was the basis for the nose of the high-speed bullet trains we see in Japan. We could have never had the invention of the airplane if humans had never looked to the skies and seen the flying capabilities of birds. Who would’ve thought that machinery and nature could be so close in correlation?

In the America I wish to grow old in, I want to see more people having a greater sense of awe. With music, art, food, animals, people, materials, landscapes, oceans, buildings, planets. Everything. I want to see more scientists, artists, musicians, and architects finding inspiration for their work in Bob Dylan songs, orchids, and of course, mantis shrimp. I want to be able to ask someone what species of caterpillar they think is the coolest, and not get shut down by a blatant “what’s wrong with you?” I want more people like Allison to talk about hedgehogs. I want more cloud watchers in our local parks. There are so many cool things out there to observe and discover, and we’re just sitting here, thinking about what we can use to get into college and further make a living off of. Imagine the possibilities of future inventions inspired by the undiscovered or overlooked.

So go home. Eat a chocolate bar. Sit on the roof. Sniff a flower. Pet your dog. Bake some cookies. And just be more aware that life is pretty freaking cool. If you can’t take my word for it, just remember that there are Mantis Shrimp out there and thousands of other amazing life forms that roam the planet. Keep your eyes open and your mind awake, this world is not meant for the easily bored. Thank you.

**Cite Your Sources** http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/animals/invertebrates-animals/crabs-lobsters-shrimp/deadliest-mantis-shrimp/ http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2011/01/14/brilliant-bio-design-14-animal-inspired-inventions/