My Tuesdays begin at 12:00 with Math class. This is a pretty good starting time for me as I can stay up pretty late the night before, as I like to do, and not feel exhausted when I begin my day. Though I don’t believe every class needs to start at noon or later as that would inevitably lead to more night classes (no thanks) I think it the vast majority of college students like to start their day later than they did in high school or middle school. When the time comes to select classes, we rush to the computers to ensure that we won’t get stuck with an 8:30 or God forbid 7:30 class. Students don’t want to be there, most teachers don’t want to be there, so I would love for a school to phase out early morning classes so that is no longer a concern for anyone.
Because of this adjustment, my ideal college would also serve breakfast until at least 11:00. As it is now, I could wake up two hours before my class starts and still have very little time to go out and eat, especially if I wanted to shower beforehand. It’s always good to eat a good meal before starting the day, so let’s make that a little easier for everyone.
As for the class itself, one unlikely objection that I have is that our homework does not get checked and therefore does not affect our grade. I understand that it is very difficult to check everyone’s work in a class as large as mine, and I have admittedly taken advantage of this policy many times, I think that in the long run it hurts my peers and I. For one thing, there is little incentive to do the assigned work when there is no immediate benefit for having it completed and no punishment for neglecting it. It is easy then to put it off or ignore it altogether, but then we are forced to cram before quizzes and exams. Not to mention, these in class assignments are the only thing we are graded on. Having homework count towards our grade could be a saving grace for students who are genuinely trying to learn the material but still struggle on tests. My ideal college would have all tangible assignments count towards our final grade.
At 4:30 I go to my second and final class of the day, Research Methods and Analysis. When people learn that I’m taking this class they often ask what we do there and what we learn about. I usually have no idea what to tell them. It’s not such a difficult class, but I tend to wonder just how it relates to Government and International Politics (it is required for that major) and I get the distinct feeling that I’m not the only one in my class who asks that same question. Perhaps it is inevitable that we won’t always see immediately the benefits of taking a particular course, but if that is the case then professors need to be able to tell us why this is going to be important in the long run. If they can’t do that, then the course should probably just be dropped. The Administration Office should make an effort to hear what students have to say about the things they are learning and re-examine the merits of courses that receive widespread criticism. There’s no use in having us take classes that are just there for filler.
On a more general note, my preferred school would encourage professors to seek feedback from their students rather than just lecturing and hoping they all absorbed the necessary information. I want my teachers to try and get to know me and how I think. I want them to know my name. I want to feel comfortable with the people around me and not like they are strangers who simply happened to take the same class that I did. A good way to do this, in addition to teacher to student communication, is student to student communication. Group projects, peer reviews, jeopardy games; there are plenty of ways to help kids get to know one another. For this to happen, there must be professors who understand that one of the things we all want out of college is to meet interesting people. They have to create a positive, laid back environment that encourages us to listen to others, respect each other’s opinions, and make an effort to get to know as many people as possible.
With this in place, my last wish shouldn’t be too hard to fulfill. That is that the students at my ideal university would not be as bound to certain cliques or social groups as they are in many schools. I think that by interacting more during class, we could learn a lot more about the people we go to school with and build friendships that would have otherwise never formed. No stereotypes or pre-conceived notions about others based on how people look or dress or whom they talk to. We aren’t all going to be best friends with each other, but we can at least learn that there is more to all of us than what meets the eye, and we all probably have more in common than we realize.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Jesus is just all right with me
1. I originally saw these shirts as more a parody than anything else, even though I suspected that there were many Christians who wore them. However, I do see how they could be an attempt to make religion more appealing to those who would otherwise want no part in Christianity, mainly young people. My guess is that if that is the goal, then these shirts are not likely to be very effective simply because a number of people will not think that they are meant to be taken seriously. As a non-religious person, I am not offended by any of these shirts and I actually like the idea of Christians showing their faith in a creative manner. However, I can see how more religious people might view them as making light of their faith and what Jesus went through.
2. With regards to shirts reading “Jesus is my Homeboy” and “Mary is my Homegirl” Paul Mitchell confesses “Sadly, I even know Christians who wear them” (324). This shows that many in the Christian Community have no problem showing their faith in a more unorthodox, humorous approach and that they don’t consider the shirts blasphemous at all.
3. For me personally, the images of Jesus or Mary do not have much impact on my view of the shirts, so I would not feel differently if they were not there. I do think that the images are a large part of what bother some of those who are offended by these shirts, so their attitudes could change significantly if the images were removed. However, I doubt that would happen because the pictures of Jesus and Mary make the shirts stand out more, and usually depict them in such a way that they look cool, and thus appealing to young people. For some Christians, this is exactly what they do not like about the shirts.
4. I think the shirts want to convey much the same message that priests and ministers do about Jesus and his sacrifice, but in a way that makes him seem more like someone that young people can relate to. Jesus is portrayed in the top photo as being cool, happy, peace loving, and in touch with current fashion. He is meant to look like someone that would be a friend to teenagers, which is something that Christians believe is very important, if not essential: to have a personal relationship with Jesus. The fact that he’s flashing the peace sign goes with his teachings, and could just be another way for people to show others what Jesus and Christianity are all about. The second shows him looking slightly more like what we are used to, though with the black and white coloring he still looks a little “cooler” than we’d expect him to. He is also making gestures with his hands that look like something a teenager or athlete or rapper might do and seems to be holding the words with his fingers. Though I think this one carries the same basic message that Jesus was the kind of person we could all respect, love, and be friends with, it also suggests through his halo that he was more than that. While some may say this makes the image even more blasphemous, I think it shows some genuine faith in Jesus that they thought to include the halo even though we could easily identify him with just the text and picture. This suggests that he really is the prophet that Christians believe him to be.
2. With regards to shirts reading “Jesus is my Homeboy” and “Mary is my Homegirl” Paul Mitchell confesses “Sadly, I even know Christians who wear them” (324). This shows that many in the Christian Community have no problem showing their faith in a more unorthodox, humorous approach and that they don’t consider the shirts blasphemous at all.
3. For me personally, the images of Jesus or Mary do not have much impact on my view of the shirts, so I would not feel differently if they were not there. I do think that the images are a large part of what bother some of those who are offended by these shirts, so their attitudes could change significantly if the images were removed. However, I doubt that would happen because the pictures of Jesus and Mary make the shirts stand out more, and usually depict them in such a way that they look cool, and thus appealing to young people. For some Christians, this is exactly what they do not like about the shirts.
4. I think the shirts want to convey much the same message that priests and ministers do about Jesus and his sacrifice, but in a way that makes him seem more like someone that young people can relate to. Jesus is portrayed in the top photo as being cool, happy, peace loving, and in touch with current fashion. He is meant to look like someone that would be a friend to teenagers, which is something that Christians believe is very important, if not essential: to have a personal relationship with Jesus. The fact that he’s flashing the peace sign goes with his teachings, and could just be another way for people to show others what Jesus and Christianity are all about. The second shows him looking slightly more like what we are used to, though with the black and white coloring he still looks a little “cooler” than we’d expect him to. He is also making gestures with his hands that look like something a teenager or athlete or rapper might do and seems to be holding the words with his fingers. Though I think this one carries the same basic message that Jesus was the kind of person we could all respect, love, and be friends with, it also suggests through his halo that he was more than that. While some may say this makes the image even more blasphemous, I think it shows some genuine faith in Jesus that they thought to include the halo even though we could easily identify him with just the text and picture. This suggests that he really is the prophet that Christians believe him to be.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
My Debut Album
Title-“Open Minds Will Open Eyes.”
The album cover would feature a young person’s face surrounded by drawn, cartoon-like images of people and things that are likely to influence his thoughts and beliefs. This includes parents, other teenagers, a teacher, a rapper, a television set tuned to a news network, a politician, a comedian, a radio, and a stack of novels. This cover, coupled with the album title, is meant to convey the idea that all throughout our lives, we are learning new things, and to do that, we must listen with an open mind to everyone and everything around us. However, we should not take everything that all of them say at face value, as evidenced by the fact that they are drawn, cartoon-like pictures rather than “real” images. Therefore, we must realize that some people are going to use dishonest tactics to try and make us believe what they want us to believe, and it is up to us to separate fact from fiction.
1. Don’t Tase Me, Bro- Hip Hop
This song deals with police brutality and excessive use of force particularly in less fortunate urban areas. It will feature several stories about people who were beaten or even killed by overly zealous police officers and postulates that race plays a big role in how alleged criminals are dealt with in our justice system. The song title comes from a quote from a University of Florida student who was tazed by police during a question and answer session with John Kerry.
2. “Friends” for Life- Alternative Rock
This song questions whether or not fraternities and sororities are a good thing. It asks if the friendships formed amongst members are real, or if many of the people in these organizations simply want to appear more social and popular. It also addresses things like hazing and criticizes how far some people are willing to go to be accepted. Rather than jumping into a frat or sorority because it feels like the cool thing to do, students should make friends by being themselves, and recognize that true friends will appreciate their individualism and unique personalities.
3. Will I Ever Come Home?- Soft Rock
The U.S has had troops in Afghanistan and Iraq for a combined total of some 13 years now, and many of them have been forced to serve multiple tours of duty, or have had them extended when they expected to be coming back to the U.S much sooner. Despite calls for withdrawal leading up to the 2006 Election, the War in Iraq only escalated with thousands more troops being deployed to try and improve a situation that was growing worse each day. This song is written from the point of view of a soldier who has been away from his family for a long time and has seen awful things happen to people around him, and wonders if he will ever make it back.
4. Give the Man a Chance- Hip Hop
Since Barack Obama took office just over two months ago, he has frequently been the target of criticism for political policies as well as things that have nothing to do with the current state of the nation. Despite the fact that many of these critics were quick to label people who did not support the Bush Administration as “Bush Bashers” it appears that they are not the least bit willing to put partisanship aside and try to do what’s best for the country. Some have already predicted that he will fail and others have gone so far as to say they hope he does fail. This song calls out those who refuse to give the new President a chance to prove himself, citing conservative commentators Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity as examples.
“You see what you want to see
To reinforce your beliefs
It doesn’t have to be a battle
But you’ll never make peace
8 years you pretended everything was going well
Now Obama takes office and we’re all going to hell
Rush said he wanted failure and Hannity agreed
Well tell that to the homeless and jobless
To the people in need
Dissent is patriotic
We’re all Americans first
But there’s nothing to be gained from assuming the worst
Now it’s time to stop the fighting
No matter what your stance
It’s time to be supportive
Time to give the man a chance”
The video would include images that go with the lyrics, including some of the major events taking place under the Bush Administration as well as Hannity and Limbaugh’s interview and other clips from their shows. It would include news segments talking about the economy getting worse as well as images of people who are struggling to pay bills, find work, etc. It would also feature some cliché symbolic images such as an American flag and an eagle to remind the audience that we are all in this together. It would close with an image of the President, most likely with a member of an opposing party to represent the need for bipartisanship.
5. Fight Fire With Water- Hip Hop
The infamous Westboro Baptist Church is scheduled to come to George Mason University next week to preach that we are going to hell for our sins, most notably our acceptance of homosexuals and their life style. This song is intended to teach people about the kind of people who are part of this group that is really more a cult than anything else, including several criminal charges that have been brought against its members. More importantly, it calls on listeners to take the high road in dealing with them, to not be violent or aggressive, but merely to show them that we will not be swayed to support such a hateful cause.
The album cover would feature a young person’s face surrounded by drawn, cartoon-like images of people and things that are likely to influence his thoughts and beliefs. This includes parents, other teenagers, a teacher, a rapper, a television set tuned to a news network, a politician, a comedian, a radio, and a stack of novels. This cover, coupled with the album title, is meant to convey the idea that all throughout our lives, we are learning new things, and to do that, we must listen with an open mind to everyone and everything around us. However, we should not take everything that all of them say at face value, as evidenced by the fact that they are drawn, cartoon-like pictures rather than “real” images. Therefore, we must realize that some people are going to use dishonest tactics to try and make us believe what they want us to believe, and it is up to us to separate fact from fiction.
1. Don’t Tase Me, Bro- Hip Hop
This song deals with police brutality and excessive use of force particularly in less fortunate urban areas. It will feature several stories about people who were beaten or even killed by overly zealous police officers and postulates that race plays a big role in how alleged criminals are dealt with in our justice system. The song title comes from a quote from a University of Florida student who was tazed by police during a question and answer session with John Kerry.
2. “Friends” for Life- Alternative Rock
This song questions whether or not fraternities and sororities are a good thing. It asks if the friendships formed amongst members are real, or if many of the people in these organizations simply want to appear more social and popular. It also addresses things like hazing and criticizes how far some people are willing to go to be accepted. Rather than jumping into a frat or sorority because it feels like the cool thing to do, students should make friends by being themselves, and recognize that true friends will appreciate their individualism and unique personalities.
3. Will I Ever Come Home?- Soft Rock
The U.S has had troops in Afghanistan and Iraq for a combined total of some 13 years now, and many of them have been forced to serve multiple tours of duty, or have had them extended when they expected to be coming back to the U.S much sooner. Despite calls for withdrawal leading up to the 2006 Election, the War in Iraq only escalated with thousands more troops being deployed to try and improve a situation that was growing worse each day. This song is written from the point of view of a soldier who has been away from his family for a long time and has seen awful things happen to people around him, and wonders if he will ever make it back.
4. Give the Man a Chance- Hip Hop
Since Barack Obama took office just over two months ago, he has frequently been the target of criticism for political policies as well as things that have nothing to do with the current state of the nation. Despite the fact that many of these critics were quick to label people who did not support the Bush Administration as “Bush Bashers” it appears that they are not the least bit willing to put partisanship aside and try to do what’s best for the country. Some have already predicted that he will fail and others have gone so far as to say they hope he does fail. This song calls out those who refuse to give the new President a chance to prove himself, citing conservative commentators Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity as examples.
“You see what you want to see
To reinforce your beliefs
It doesn’t have to be a battle
But you’ll never make peace
8 years you pretended everything was going well
Now Obama takes office and we’re all going to hell
Rush said he wanted failure and Hannity agreed
Well tell that to the homeless and jobless
To the people in need
Dissent is patriotic
We’re all Americans first
But there’s nothing to be gained from assuming the worst
Now it’s time to stop the fighting
No matter what your stance
It’s time to be supportive
Time to give the man a chance”
The video would include images that go with the lyrics, including some of the major events taking place under the Bush Administration as well as Hannity and Limbaugh’s interview and other clips from their shows. It would include news segments talking about the economy getting worse as well as images of people who are struggling to pay bills, find work, etc. It would also feature some cliché symbolic images such as an American flag and an eagle to remind the audience that we are all in this together. It would close with an image of the President, most likely with a member of an opposing party to represent the need for bipartisanship.
5. Fight Fire With Water- Hip Hop
The infamous Westboro Baptist Church is scheduled to come to George Mason University next week to preach that we are going to hell for our sins, most notably our acceptance of homosexuals and their life style. This song is intended to teach people about the kind of people who are part of this group that is really more a cult than anything else, including several criminal charges that have been brought against its members. More importantly, it calls on listeners to take the high road in dealing with them, to not be violent or aggressive, but merely to show them that we will not be swayed to support such a hateful cause.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Steroids
1. I enjoyed this video because it explored an unpopular view and made me question my views on the issue of steroids as well as some of the things I’d been taught about the effects and dangers of steroid use. It’s very important to see what people with firsthand experience have to say about the matter considering that most of those who rail against steroids today do not have that same knowledge.
With that said, I had a few problems with things that were said and not said in this video. First, the men seemed to downplay some of the health risks that are involved with steroids. Dr. Norm Fox casually mentions the fact that “they [steroids] make the good cholesterol go down and the bad cholesterol go up” but does not elaborate on the problems associated with high cholesterol. He also semi-dodges the question of why doctors are wrong and does not address their specific arguments. Next, the study includes only “healthy adult men” which leaves out a number of people for which steroid use may be a concern. One also must consider the fact that steroid use is a relatively new development and while the report does utilize long time steroid users, it is safe to assume that it will take some time before we truly know all the side effects of steroid usage. Steroids today may not be the same thing that they were many years ago and that could be bad news for current users. While there is evidence put forth that suggests some of the health risks may be exaggerated, there is no mention of the psychological or mental effects of steroid use, most notably the condition commonly referred to as “roid rage.” This is something that could be of great concern to friends and family of steroid users. Finally, the steroid issue is most frequently discussed in the context of sports, and the impact they have on the games played. This is another issue not addressed in this clip. Even if some of the common beliefs about steroids turn out to be false, is it ethical for certain players to use these performance enhancing drugs while others may shy away from something that they still don’t completely understand? I was very surprised that a ten minute piece about steroids would not mention their connection to professional sports.
After seeing this video, I am slightly less skeptical of the belief that steroids can be used responsibly, though still not fully convinced. I still think it’s very possible that this could just be one of those things that work great for one person but produce entirely different results for another. Like most potentially dangerous substances, it seems very likely that there are safer ways of using steroids, namely limiting the frequency of usage and the dosage used each time. It appears that the men in this video did both those things. However, I think we still need to be concerned about what happens when people do not use these drugs responsibly, as that could make a huge difference.
2. I still have many doubts as to whether the benefits of steroid use outweigh the negative effects, and for the time being I think that sports leagues should uphold their policy of no anabolic steroids. At the professional level, I think drug testing is a good idea because it is pointless to say that athletes aren’t allowed to use steroids but not do anything to enforce that rule. Many fans today are worried that performance enhancing drugs in professional sports compromise the integrity of the sports, and it is almost certain that a number of players in baseball and other sports have used them. With testing, there is a better chance that the steroid problem will start to get better rather than worse.
I think high schools ought to enforce the same rules, as it is likely to be even more dangerous for people their age to be using these drugs, especially if they do not fully understand how they work. However, this is a little more difficult to regulate as different schools and states may have different laws. While a plan such as the one put forward in Texas creates a random testing situation similar to the one that Major League Baseball players currently face, but it does not guarantee that all students will be tested. Also, when many schools are not giving drug tests, a situation could arise where some young athletes aren’t given a chance to play professionally, while others do get to the pros, only to be busted for steroids once they’ve made it. The best way we can prevent high school athletes from using steroids as well is to try and shed them of the impression that all the pros are using them and that they must do the same if they want to have a chance. I believe that steroids are the same for every sport and while each league has the right to make its own rules, they should all take a stand against these drugs.
Given the pressure that is put on athletes from a very young age, and given the competitive nature that our country takes pride in, I think Hoberman makes a valid point in suggesting that this problem should come as no surprise. Once a few athletes decide to take a risk and try and get ahead in their game, it is only natural that others will do the same to try and keep up. Steroid use becomes the norm, athletes perform better, and young people are forced to make dangerous decisions in the hopes that it will get them to the place they dream of going. Though we are a society that encourages honesty and hard work, there is no question that we put great emphasis on being the best we can be. This often creates a difficult situation for anyone that is trying desperately to achieve a certain goal and feeling that if they cheat and get away with it, the dream will come true. Competition is the name of the game here in America, and when there are so many athletes across the country, they are constantly trying to find ways to set themselves apart from the rest. Unfortunately, in this case, that means that for many of them, steroids are just something that they must do in order to make it.
With that said, I had a few problems with things that were said and not said in this video. First, the men seemed to downplay some of the health risks that are involved with steroids. Dr. Norm Fox casually mentions the fact that “they [steroids] make the good cholesterol go down and the bad cholesterol go up” but does not elaborate on the problems associated with high cholesterol. He also semi-dodges the question of why doctors are wrong and does not address their specific arguments. Next, the study includes only “healthy adult men” which leaves out a number of people for which steroid use may be a concern. One also must consider the fact that steroid use is a relatively new development and while the report does utilize long time steroid users, it is safe to assume that it will take some time before we truly know all the side effects of steroid usage. Steroids today may not be the same thing that they were many years ago and that could be bad news for current users. While there is evidence put forth that suggests some of the health risks may be exaggerated, there is no mention of the psychological or mental effects of steroid use, most notably the condition commonly referred to as “roid rage.” This is something that could be of great concern to friends and family of steroid users. Finally, the steroid issue is most frequently discussed in the context of sports, and the impact they have on the games played. This is another issue not addressed in this clip. Even if some of the common beliefs about steroids turn out to be false, is it ethical for certain players to use these performance enhancing drugs while others may shy away from something that they still don’t completely understand? I was very surprised that a ten minute piece about steroids would not mention their connection to professional sports.
After seeing this video, I am slightly less skeptical of the belief that steroids can be used responsibly, though still not fully convinced. I still think it’s very possible that this could just be one of those things that work great for one person but produce entirely different results for another. Like most potentially dangerous substances, it seems very likely that there are safer ways of using steroids, namely limiting the frequency of usage and the dosage used each time. It appears that the men in this video did both those things. However, I think we still need to be concerned about what happens when people do not use these drugs responsibly, as that could make a huge difference.
2. I still have many doubts as to whether the benefits of steroid use outweigh the negative effects, and for the time being I think that sports leagues should uphold their policy of no anabolic steroids. At the professional level, I think drug testing is a good idea because it is pointless to say that athletes aren’t allowed to use steroids but not do anything to enforce that rule. Many fans today are worried that performance enhancing drugs in professional sports compromise the integrity of the sports, and it is almost certain that a number of players in baseball and other sports have used them. With testing, there is a better chance that the steroid problem will start to get better rather than worse.
I think high schools ought to enforce the same rules, as it is likely to be even more dangerous for people their age to be using these drugs, especially if they do not fully understand how they work. However, this is a little more difficult to regulate as different schools and states may have different laws. While a plan such as the one put forward in Texas creates a random testing situation similar to the one that Major League Baseball players currently face, but it does not guarantee that all students will be tested. Also, when many schools are not giving drug tests, a situation could arise where some young athletes aren’t given a chance to play professionally, while others do get to the pros, only to be busted for steroids once they’ve made it. The best way we can prevent high school athletes from using steroids as well is to try and shed them of the impression that all the pros are using them and that they must do the same if they want to have a chance. I believe that steroids are the same for every sport and while each league has the right to make its own rules, they should all take a stand against these drugs.
Given the pressure that is put on athletes from a very young age, and given the competitive nature that our country takes pride in, I think Hoberman makes a valid point in suggesting that this problem should come as no surprise. Once a few athletes decide to take a risk and try and get ahead in their game, it is only natural that others will do the same to try and keep up. Steroid use becomes the norm, athletes perform better, and young people are forced to make dangerous decisions in the hopes that it will get them to the place they dream of going. Though we are a society that encourages honesty and hard work, there is no question that we put great emphasis on being the best we can be. This often creates a difficult situation for anyone that is trying desperately to achieve a certain goal and feeling that if they cheat and get away with it, the dream will come true. Competition is the name of the game here in America, and when there are so many athletes across the country, they are constantly trying to find ways to set themselves apart from the rest. Unfortunately, in this case, that means that for many of them, steroids are just something that they must do in order to make it.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Paraphrasing
When writing research papers, students often rely more on quotes than their own ideas and interpretations. Although it is necessary to include valid sources, direct quotes should not make up the vast majority of a paper, but rather a mere 10% or so (Lester). Lester also suggests that students refrain from copying too many direct quotes when taking notes on their sources.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Thesis
Because there are still many unanswered questions about what the Bush Administration’s “enhanced interrogation techniques” and because it is essential to hold our leaders, like any other citizens, accountable for their actions, I encourage you to support Senator Leahy’s plan for a Bush-Cheney Truth Commission to investigate any possible wrongdoings.
When I Grow Up...
1. The first article takes us through a study performed by the writers that is meant to give us some idea of the relationship between male action figures and society’s views on the ideal body. The authors believed that action figures would evolve with regards to body type as humans changed their perspective on what men should look like. After determining what toys such as GI Joe, Hans Solo, and Luke Skywalker would look like to scale with an average height male, they found that their bodies would be much more muscular than what we consider to be normal or preferable. This appears to support their hypothesis, though they mention a few things that readers should consider when interpreting the results: many action figures were not included due to their strict requirements of the study, the developing media trends are not necessarily proven, and it is unclear whether the toys are the cause or the effect of these trends, or if they are related at all.
Folstad’s editorial takes a critical stance towards the belief that action figures have any impact on body image. She expresses frustration at the fact that people have gone from attacking Barbie’s unrealistic figure to claiming that GI Joe promotes the same kind of unattainable body image for males. She believes that these are just toys, that we all stopped playing with them at a young age, and that boys and young men have desired a GI Joe-like figure for many years. She concludes by remarking that the whole situation has been “blown out of proportion.”
2. The first article has a much more informative and objective tone that the second. It is written much like a lab report explaining the step by step process that they used to come to their conclusion. It is very fair minded and aware of the possible flaws of the study, prefacing one section with “These findings, however, must be interpreted cautiously for several reasons.” Clearly, they do not want to simply make every reader believe as they do and are honest about their results. This can be targeted at anyone who is interested in learning more about the possibility of a relationship between body image and action figures as it allows for readers to form their own opinion based on this study.
The second article is, obviously, written like an editorial. Folstad has a firm point of view on the topic and comes across as very frustrated and dismissive of anyone with an opposing point of view. With such comments as “Will this ever stop?”, “Here we go again”, and “To suggest that even little boys measure manliness by taking a ruler to the G.I. Joes is comical” she makes clear that her mind is made up on this subject, and she is appealing to people who feel the same way and would like to reinforce their beliefs that the comparison she is addressing is ludicrous.
3. While the editorial was a little more enjoyable to read, I thought the first one was the better article overall, mainly because it relied on facts and evidence from a well conducted study. Folstad really did not have much to say to back up her claims and seemed to rely more on the hope that if she said “This is ridiculous” enough times, that people would start to agree with her. I don’t recall what my favorite childhood toy was, and I don’t believe I was ever denied anything because it was “too violent” or “masculine.” I do not think that toys like Barbie, G.I. Joe, or Luke Skywalker should not be sold because of the body image they may promote, but do I think it could have an influence on children? Certainly. Young kids are likely to consider those characters as heroic or inspirational and will therefore aspire to be like them. Granted, they are not likely to feel the same way as they get older, but these action figures to plant the idea that that kind of appearance is the ideal one, no matter how unrealistic it is.
Folstad’s editorial takes a critical stance towards the belief that action figures have any impact on body image. She expresses frustration at the fact that people have gone from attacking Barbie’s unrealistic figure to claiming that GI Joe promotes the same kind of unattainable body image for males. She believes that these are just toys, that we all stopped playing with them at a young age, and that boys and young men have desired a GI Joe-like figure for many years. She concludes by remarking that the whole situation has been “blown out of proportion.”
2. The first article has a much more informative and objective tone that the second. It is written much like a lab report explaining the step by step process that they used to come to their conclusion. It is very fair minded and aware of the possible flaws of the study, prefacing one section with “These findings, however, must be interpreted cautiously for several reasons.” Clearly, they do not want to simply make every reader believe as they do and are honest about their results. This can be targeted at anyone who is interested in learning more about the possibility of a relationship between body image and action figures as it allows for readers to form their own opinion based on this study.
The second article is, obviously, written like an editorial. Folstad has a firm point of view on the topic and comes across as very frustrated and dismissive of anyone with an opposing point of view. With such comments as “Will this ever stop?”, “Here we go again”, and “To suggest that even little boys measure manliness by taking a ruler to the G.I. Joes is comical” she makes clear that her mind is made up on this subject, and she is appealing to people who feel the same way and would like to reinforce their beliefs that the comparison she is addressing is ludicrous.
3. While the editorial was a little more enjoyable to read, I thought the first one was the better article overall, mainly because it relied on facts and evidence from a well conducted study. Folstad really did not have much to say to back up her claims and seemed to rely more on the hope that if she said “This is ridiculous” enough times, that people would start to agree with her. I don’t recall what my favorite childhood toy was, and I don’t believe I was ever denied anything because it was “too violent” or “masculine.” I do not think that toys like Barbie, G.I. Joe, or Luke Skywalker should not be sold because of the body image they may promote, but do I think it could have an influence on children? Certainly. Young kids are likely to consider those characters as heroic or inspirational and will therefore aspire to be like them. Granted, they are not likely to feel the same way as they get older, but these action figures to plant the idea that that kind of appearance is the ideal one, no matter how unrealistic it is.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Support Group or Self Hate Club?
1. Pro anorexia websites and blogs are absolutely not the answer for women who are struggling with eating disorders. While such websites may prevent themselves as “support groups” they in fact do nothing to help their members, and only cause sufferers to go deeper and deeper down the wrong path. I see them as nothing more than a chance for anorexic and bulimic girls to brag about their conditions, and even strengthen the notion that what they are doing is right and makes them beautiful. On one pro ana message board, a poster questions the life style she is currently leading: “But is this really the life I want? Everyone thinks I'm happy. But I'm miserable.” This is a rare instance of a young lady at one of these websites who recognizes that she has a problem that needs to be addressed. But she will not find that help here. Make no mistake, these women do deserve our support, but the way to lend support in this case is not to have them all come together and further convince one another that they have the right idea. We need to put an end to the blogs and websites that only make this situation worse and begin to get these innocent young women the help that they need and deserve.
2. While pro anorexia websites may not be the best way to help women who are suffering from eating disorders, they are an important part of the lives of many victims and we would be ill advised to dismantle them. It is important that we all realize that as strange as these sites and blogs may appear to us, and as unhelpful as we think they are, we really cannot begin to understand what is going through the mind of an anorexic or bulimic person. People with either disorder most certainly know that. And that is exactly the reason we cannot just step in and shut these places down. Aside from the questionable free speech issues that could arise from taking down websites that are only meant to be helpful and do not violate any laws, these girls simply need a place where they do not feel alone. A pro ana website user named Claire explains eloquently what the sites mean to her: “But at the end of the day, I can go online and talk to them there and I don’t have to worry about them judging me for how I feel.” It is clearly difficult for anyone with an eating disorder to talk to someone who is not and never has gone through their situation, and even if one attempts to do so, speaking with someone who doesn’t know what it’s like for them can only get them so far. Eating disorders are dangerous enough as they are. Perhaps the single worst thing we could do would be to make victims feel as if they are alone. That is the consequence of shutting down these sites.
3. It is apparent that pro ana websites and blogs do very little to fix the problems associated with eating disorders or to change the behavior of girls who have them. That does not mean, however, that they serve no purpose and should be banned. Therefore, the solution to this conflict must
1. Continue to allow the website and blog creators and followers to post content that may be considered controversial or unpleasant to others
2. Continue to give young women with eating disorders the opportunity to speak with others who understand their feelings and actions and do not judge them
3. Offer women something more than just a dialogue with fellow victims who may not have any intention of trying to change their ways.
The first two points, being mere continuations of our current policies, let us examine further the final one. While there is something to be said for having a place that women can go to and not feel alone, that is simply not enough when we are dealing with diseases that are potentially life threatening. They cannot only be given one side of the story, which is too likely to be the case when most people who suffer from eating disorders do not feel like they are doing anything wrong. These sites should feature stories of real women who overcame their struggles and are now leading better, healthier lives, and visitors should be given the opportunity to speak with these women just as easily as they can talk with those who are currently anorexic or bulimic. For sites that have message boards, there should be a folder with links to resources for anyone who is actively trying to get over their disorder and a section where girls who have decided to seek help can tell each other about how they’re doing as well as provide encouragement and motivation for those who are in the same situation. This way the women at pro ana sites do not have to feel like they are just suffering together, they are getting better together as well.
2. While pro anorexia websites may not be the best way to help women who are suffering from eating disorders, they are an important part of the lives of many victims and we would be ill advised to dismantle them. It is important that we all realize that as strange as these sites and blogs may appear to us, and as unhelpful as we think they are, we really cannot begin to understand what is going through the mind of an anorexic or bulimic person. People with either disorder most certainly know that. And that is exactly the reason we cannot just step in and shut these places down. Aside from the questionable free speech issues that could arise from taking down websites that are only meant to be helpful and do not violate any laws, these girls simply need a place where they do not feel alone. A pro ana website user named Claire explains eloquently what the sites mean to her: “But at the end of the day, I can go online and talk to them there and I don’t have to worry about them judging me for how I feel.” It is clearly difficult for anyone with an eating disorder to talk to someone who is not and never has gone through their situation, and even if one attempts to do so, speaking with someone who doesn’t know what it’s like for them can only get them so far. Eating disorders are dangerous enough as they are. Perhaps the single worst thing we could do would be to make victims feel as if they are alone. That is the consequence of shutting down these sites.
3. It is apparent that pro ana websites and blogs do very little to fix the problems associated with eating disorders or to change the behavior of girls who have them. That does not mean, however, that they serve no purpose and should be banned. Therefore, the solution to this conflict must
1. Continue to allow the website and blog creators and followers to post content that may be considered controversial or unpleasant to others
2. Continue to give young women with eating disorders the opportunity to speak with others who understand their feelings and actions and do not judge them
3. Offer women something more than just a dialogue with fellow victims who may not have any intention of trying to change their ways.
The first two points, being mere continuations of our current policies, let us examine further the final one. While there is something to be said for having a place that women can go to and not feel alone, that is simply not enough when we are dealing with diseases that are potentially life threatening. They cannot only be given one side of the story, which is too likely to be the case when most people who suffer from eating disorders do not feel like they are doing anything wrong. These sites should feature stories of real women who overcame their struggles and are now leading better, healthier lives, and visitors should be given the opportunity to speak with these women just as easily as they can talk with those who are currently anorexic or bulimic. For sites that have message boards, there should be a folder with links to resources for anyone who is actively trying to get over their disorder and a section where girls who have decided to seek help can tell each other about how they’re doing as well as provide encouragement and motivation for those who are in the same situation. This way the women at pro ana sites do not have to feel like they are just suffering together, they are getting better together as well.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Fallacy
If you convict my client, then you do not believe in true justice!
Either/or Reasoning
Career: Lawyer
Either/or Reasoning
Career: Lawyer
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Born to Run
1. I thought this ad seemed very strange upon first seeing it. The opening question in large text left me wondering where the makers of this ad were going with the idea. The dark background and seemingly ominous image of the running shoes made me wonder if this was some kind of attack or accusation against runners. I certainly did not expect the ad to be in support of running. However, as I saw the entire ad campaign on their website, I began to see that they had put much thought and effort into their message.
2. I do not run very often, especially not by the standards of Pearl Izumi. I don’t think the first ad made me feel at all ashamed that I am not a runner, nor did it do much to inspire me to start running. Call me strange, but racing to the point of exhaustion only to find a dead body in the woods or a back alley just isn’t for me. But again, their message did begin to grow on me as I read their vivid description of what it is to be a runner. I can’t promise that it will motivate me to start running on a frequent basis, but I’ll give it some thought.
3. The authors of this advertisement clearly wanted to give readers a different idea of what running truly is, or what it means to them. They make strong distinctions between running and jogging, which they argue is mistaken for running far too often. As part of their definition, they not that “real running makes other people nervous” and go on to explain that it is a much more wild, exhilarating experience than something like jogging. By setting up the advertisement in a short story format featuring main ideas in large text and a few photos, they hold the audience’s attention more easily than they would in a more traditional approach.
4. This ad is obviously promoting physical fitness by means of running. Also, by noting how few real runners there are today, they seem to promote the idea of individualism, of going out and doing something that few others will. Something that frightens others. We have to do it because we were meant to do so.
5. As I went through this advertisement, I did begin to wonder if perhaps they were coming across as a little too condescending towards joggers. They absolutely did alienate the jogging population at certain points, but at the same time, they did so in a way that is bound to make people read on, even if they feel somewhat insulted. I think there are a number of joggers who have read or will read this ad and decide to give running a shot the next time they’re about to jog.
6. I would say that pathos had the greatest appeal in this advertisement. The makers clearly want us to feel a sense of curiosity as to where they are going with this strange idea. What is so bad about jogging? Is there really such a huge difference between jogging and running? The ad also featured a few humorous lines such as “Our ancestors never jogged down a meal” and “ ‘Take a jog at it’ is not a saying for a reason.” They create a clear image of what running is, and motivate us to see if we have what it takes to be a runner.
The Reebok ad seems predominantly logos to me, although it does feature something of a joke with the math equation on the right side. However, it seems to be persuading us not to be too over the top when running, and the vomiting man on the left reminds us of the consequences if we do not listen. This could also be an example of pathos in that we might feel disgusted at the sight of this image.
7. I would choose the Reebok ad to appear in a magazine over the Pearl Izumi. While I ended up being much more intrigued by the entire Pearl Izumi ad, it’s just not realistic to include the whole thing in one magazine. If we were to have only the part about runners finding dead bodies, I think that others may have the same puzzled reaction that I initially had, and that they would never end up seeing the best part of the ad campaign. While I didn’t enjoy the Reebok ad quite as much, it is very attention grabbing, and is not likely to be so controversial, another possible problem with the Pearl Izumi ad. Also, given what was said about the lack of real running amongst people today, readers are likely to relate more to the Reebok ad than the Pearl Izumi.
2. I do not run very often, especially not by the standards of Pearl Izumi. I don’t think the first ad made me feel at all ashamed that I am not a runner, nor did it do much to inspire me to start running. Call me strange, but racing to the point of exhaustion only to find a dead body in the woods or a back alley just isn’t for me. But again, their message did begin to grow on me as I read their vivid description of what it is to be a runner. I can’t promise that it will motivate me to start running on a frequent basis, but I’ll give it some thought.
3. The authors of this advertisement clearly wanted to give readers a different idea of what running truly is, or what it means to them. They make strong distinctions between running and jogging, which they argue is mistaken for running far too often. As part of their definition, they not that “real running makes other people nervous” and go on to explain that it is a much more wild, exhilarating experience than something like jogging. By setting up the advertisement in a short story format featuring main ideas in large text and a few photos, they hold the audience’s attention more easily than they would in a more traditional approach.
4. This ad is obviously promoting physical fitness by means of running. Also, by noting how few real runners there are today, they seem to promote the idea of individualism, of going out and doing something that few others will. Something that frightens others. We have to do it because we were meant to do so.
5. As I went through this advertisement, I did begin to wonder if perhaps they were coming across as a little too condescending towards joggers. They absolutely did alienate the jogging population at certain points, but at the same time, they did so in a way that is bound to make people read on, even if they feel somewhat insulted. I think there are a number of joggers who have read or will read this ad and decide to give running a shot the next time they’re about to jog.
6. I would say that pathos had the greatest appeal in this advertisement. The makers clearly want us to feel a sense of curiosity as to where they are going with this strange idea. What is so bad about jogging? Is there really such a huge difference between jogging and running? The ad also featured a few humorous lines such as “Our ancestors never jogged down a meal” and “ ‘Take a jog at it’ is not a saying for a reason.” They create a clear image of what running is, and motivate us to see if we have what it takes to be a runner.
The Reebok ad seems predominantly logos to me, although it does feature something of a joke with the math equation on the right side. However, it seems to be persuading us not to be too over the top when running, and the vomiting man on the left reminds us of the consequences if we do not listen. This could also be an example of pathos in that we might feel disgusted at the sight of this image.
7. I would choose the Reebok ad to appear in a magazine over the Pearl Izumi. While I ended up being much more intrigued by the entire Pearl Izumi ad, it’s just not realistic to include the whole thing in one magazine. If we were to have only the part about runners finding dead bodies, I think that others may have the same puzzled reaction that I initially had, and that they would never end up seeing the best part of the ad campaign. While I didn’t enjoy the Reebok ad quite as much, it is very attention grabbing, and is not likely to be so controversial, another possible problem with the Pearl Izumi ad. Also, given what was said about the lack of real running amongst people today, readers are likely to relate more to the Reebok ad than the Pearl Izumi.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
America's Army
1. One noticeable piece of rhetoric on the America’s Army home page is the photo of the American Soldier who is being saluted as the newest “Real Hero.” By providing a section dedicated to real life soldiers accompanied by quotes such as “I will never accept defeat” and “I will never leave a fallen comrade” they attempt to instill in visitors the values of the U.S Military. They are telling potential soldiers that they too can be one of these distinguished heroes. In addition, the “About” Section cites the Army’s superior knowledge and understanding of military simulations as evidence that this particular game is as realistic as any. One of the sites notifies visitors that “gold-level members” can earn free hats, shirts, and other merchandise at their online store, giving people a clear incentive to join the community.
2. The intended audience for these websites is clearly teenagers and young adults who are considering a career in the military. In the Trailer for America’s Army, Deputy Director Chris Chambers describes the America’s Army Game as “a great venue to draw a lot of young people into the game center” and judging by the turnout, it appears to be working quite well. Ed Tomasi also comments that the game has “exposed us to a whole new community that we can tap into and generate revenue through traffic.”
3. I do think that Boyle raises a valid point in arguing that this game promotes war. While there are plenty of games that involve fighting, shooting, and killing others, the fact that this one is specifically designed by the Army strongly suggests that this was in fact their goal in designing this game. I’m inclined to believe that military recruiters and the makers of America’s Army know that playing this game is not the same as fighting a war, and that it cannot prepare someone for what it’s truly like to fight in a place like Iraq or Afghanistan, I worry that some young people might be a little quick to jump into the military after playing a game like this, thinking that they know what to expect. While it is important for any soldier to have necessary training and understanding of war before stepping onto the battlefield, but I have strong doubts that a video game could sufficiently do this. I’m further bothered by the fact that these websites seem to be encouraging the idea that this is a realistic simulation of war and that players who excel at it have what it takes to fight in the U.S Army.
I wouldn’t draw much connection between this game and the way that the media portrays the Iraq War today, though I do think there was a time at the onset of the war when they took a more laid back approach to describing what it was really like there. The same case could easily be made when the U.S invaded Afghanistan following September 11th. Both these wars were strongly supported by Americans at the time, and as such, the media made it sound like the missions were going to be much easier than they actually were. Likewise, I believe this game does not fully capture the hardships of fighting in a war, and the incredible physical and mental stamina that it takes to get through it.
4. Though I have already stated some problems that I have with this game, I do not believe that violent games cause or influence teens to be more violent from what I have seen. We need to be very careful in distinguishing correlation from causation. Does it surprise me that the Columbine shooters played violent video games? Not at all. People with as much built up anger and hostility towards the world that those young men had are likely to channel some of that rage through video games before they could find a way to show the world how they felt. But to say that the games they played were the cause of their actions that day is a stretch. Violence is all around us in pop culture; how many of us can say that we don’t play any violent video games, watch any violent movies or television shows, listen to any “angry” or “heavy” music? If all of these things inspire us to be cruel, aggressive people, then it is a wonder we haven’t all killed each other yet.
I personally do not own or play many violent video games, though I have many friends who do. They are all extremely kind, peaceful people who know that there is a difference between what is acceptable in a game and what is acceptable in real life. None of them show any tendencies towards violence or aggression that I have seen. They are just normal young people. It is easy to make a scapegoat out of something like a video game when a tragedy like Columbine or Virginia Tech occurs game, but the truth is that each case is different, and the explanation is never as simple as a game. The longer we pretend that that is the root of the problem, the less likely we are to stop these events from happening.
2. The intended audience for these websites is clearly teenagers and young adults who are considering a career in the military. In the Trailer for America’s Army, Deputy Director Chris Chambers describes the America’s Army Game as “a great venue to draw a lot of young people into the game center” and judging by the turnout, it appears to be working quite well. Ed Tomasi also comments that the game has “exposed us to a whole new community that we can tap into and generate revenue through traffic.”
3. I do think that Boyle raises a valid point in arguing that this game promotes war. While there are plenty of games that involve fighting, shooting, and killing others, the fact that this one is specifically designed by the Army strongly suggests that this was in fact their goal in designing this game. I’m inclined to believe that military recruiters and the makers of America’s Army know that playing this game is not the same as fighting a war, and that it cannot prepare someone for what it’s truly like to fight in a place like Iraq or Afghanistan, I worry that some young people might be a little quick to jump into the military after playing a game like this, thinking that they know what to expect. While it is important for any soldier to have necessary training and understanding of war before stepping onto the battlefield, but I have strong doubts that a video game could sufficiently do this. I’m further bothered by the fact that these websites seem to be encouraging the idea that this is a realistic simulation of war and that players who excel at it have what it takes to fight in the U.S Army.
I wouldn’t draw much connection between this game and the way that the media portrays the Iraq War today, though I do think there was a time at the onset of the war when they took a more laid back approach to describing what it was really like there. The same case could easily be made when the U.S invaded Afghanistan following September 11th. Both these wars were strongly supported by Americans at the time, and as such, the media made it sound like the missions were going to be much easier than they actually were. Likewise, I believe this game does not fully capture the hardships of fighting in a war, and the incredible physical and mental stamina that it takes to get through it.
4. Though I have already stated some problems that I have with this game, I do not believe that violent games cause or influence teens to be more violent from what I have seen. We need to be very careful in distinguishing correlation from causation. Does it surprise me that the Columbine shooters played violent video games? Not at all. People with as much built up anger and hostility towards the world that those young men had are likely to channel some of that rage through video games before they could find a way to show the world how they felt. But to say that the games they played were the cause of their actions that day is a stretch. Violence is all around us in pop culture; how many of us can say that we don’t play any violent video games, watch any violent movies or television shows, listen to any “angry” or “heavy” music? If all of these things inspire us to be cruel, aggressive people, then it is a wonder we haven’t all killed each other yet.
I personally do not own or play many violent video games, though I have many friends who do. They are all extremely kind, peaceful people who know that there is a difference between what is acceptable in a game and what is acceptable in real life. None of them show any tendencies towards violence or aggression that I have seen. They are just normal young people. It is easy to make a scapegoat out of something like a video game when a tragedy like Columbine or Virginia Tech occurs game, but the truth is that each case is different, and the explanation is never as simple as a game. The longer we pretend that that is the root of the problem, the less likely we are to stop these events from happening.
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