Research

Internet: My Sister's Keeper- an interview using one person from each organization of the Divine Nine. Explaining what makes each organization different from the other and their principles.

Book: Black Greek 101 by Walter M. Kimbrough- This book gives the history of how and why these organizations were founded. It breaks down the customs, culture and challenges of the sororities. It also gives an idea of what the future holds based on what each organization offers.

Bonding Over A Mascot

The potential research question that the author started with prior to conducting his research is “Whether or not mascots are offensive to their culture and race?” Also, “Whether or not the National Collegiate Athletic Association handled the problems with the Native Americans properly?” The purpose of this article is to address the problems that are faced between colleges who have Native American mascots and to prove that people were not offended by it but instead were proud. This may not seem like a problem but Joe Lapointe points out the issues that these mascots bring. Most times schools who use this mascot do not know the culture or history of the Seminoles however; Florida State offers classes for the students to learn about the history and culture. Lapointe did a lot of research for this article by interviewing students, tribe members, professors and NCAA professors. He was able to use these sources to prove his points. He stated that the NCAA allowed Florida State to continue to use this because the tribe gave it a blessing. Lapointe helped them to realize that the mascot was something very positive and historical and that it is a great way to embrace the culture and history.

Sixth Blog Assignment

I agree that internet is making us stupid. Carr brought up many good points that I can completely relate to. He gives examples of people who have had drastic changes in the way they read. Now it is difficult to read a long article online or on paper. This is true because the internet is so fast and immediate gratification is what everyone expects. He also explains how years ago when doing research you would have to be in “stacks or periodical rooms of the library” and now you can get the same information on the internet quicker. At one time it would take many hours and days to gather information from various sources now the internet helps you find all your information abruptly.  Our thought process has changed and I don’t feel we put enough effort as before because now the internet “hands” things to us instead of us searching through various sources to find information. Also he mentions how the Net includes constant distractions and that advertisements pop up on computer which appeal to us. I agree with this because I can be doing one thing on the computer and then an ad from my favorite store pops up about a sale on shoes or clothes and I will be quick to stop what I am doing and see what is going on. The internet has brought about many negative changes over the years however it is very resourceful and convenient.

Fourth Blog Assignment

Social welfare and aristocracy are two issues that Swift identifies as important issues in his society. Swift uses satire to explain the ignorant ways the rich viewed the poor. The aristocrats didn’t feel the kingdom (the government) should have to help poor children because it's not the kingdom's responsibility. They also felt that poor parents shouldn't have children if they are unable to support them. Although aristocrats were aware of the way poor children suffered they paid it no mind. They only cared for those on the same status as them. Swift satirizes the rich by saying that they should just “eat the babies” or infants should be sold at the age of one when they are plump and healthy to give the rich people a new source of income and give the poor a new food product to eliminate their social problems. The satirical mode supports the message he is trying to get across because his use of sarcasm explains to us how terrible the aristocrats treated the poor. This leads to the purpose of this piece which is that the poor people treated the poor children horribly. He also tells us that the rich people should have just eaten the poor children based on the way they treated them.

 A national issue that is commonly debated is President Obama’s health care plan. There is a group that opposes universal health care while there is another who is in favor of universal health care. Those who oppose universal health care are the rich because health care is not something they struggle to have. They also oppose it because they feel that their dollars are being used to pay for the insurance of the poor. However, the group that is in favor of the health care plan are the ones who are struggling and cannot afford insurance. Just as in a modest proposal, Swift pointed out that there were poor children who did not have means of support social welfare, such as health care. This is exactly what we are facing in today’s society.

third assignment blog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmQBshQ11uo&feature=related

My favorite song is a gospel song called “Can’t Give up Now” by Mary Mary. This song is about how we experience many trials and tribulations throughout life and we should never give up regardless of our situations. It also communicates to us that overcoming an obstacle is not easy; however, God has brought us very far and wouldn’t leave us in the midst of our many adversities. The first verse of the song says “There will be mountains that I will have to climb and there will be battles that I will have to fight. But victory or defeat, it's up to me to decide but how do I expect to win if I never try…”  This line expresses to us that success is what everyone longs for however we cannot get there if we do not try or experience hardship. All of the reviews for this song have been very positive. Many of the reviewers express how encouraging and instrumental this song has been to them throughout their lives. One reviewer said “this song lets me know that God will supply my every need”.  Another reviewer said “This song has really touch my heart, I have lost my granddaddy yesterday and I and trying  to stay strong for my grandma but it is getting hard…”  Based on the reviews, this song has helped many individuals, young and old, in various circumstances. Simply playing this song has made a difference and has also brought many closer to God. I agree with every evaluation and would evaluate this song in the same way because I have experienced many situations where I wanted to give up in an instant. Playing this song has always encouraged me to be positive and push through any obstacle I face. This is my favorite song because I believe it can help many no matter what the situation. You can be having trouble completing a paper, problems with your roommate, death in the family, difficulty with friends, etc.  Often times we are ready to quit even though we have put forth a lot of effort. Listening to this song helps me to realize that God doesn’t give me more than I can bear and he hasn’t brought me so far to just leave me there. 

Definition Proposal

1)     1.  I will be defining the word poetry.

2.Poetry is imaginative or creative literature written or spoken, for exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts.

3.I am defining this word because I write poetry and it is something very important to me. I use poetry to express my feelings.

4.The purpose of this paper is to define what the word poetry means to me. Also, to give other definitons people view poetry.

5.I will be writing to those who are interested in poetry or creative writing.

Second Blog Assignment

These two articles emphasize the impact that words have on us and how the definitions of the words mentioned have changed overtime.  Also, everything that has been created today is based on what people wanted more of from the past.  Oswalt defines otaku as a group of people who live in their own world and follow patterns that are outside of the norm just as in Japan.  These groups of people also have obsessive interest in anime or videogames. Oswalt and his friends were seen as nerds/geeks by other cliques; however, he didn’t believe that he and his friends fit the stereotypical description. He and his friend’s “nerdy” ways were their only option because they were young, didn’t have cars and weren’t interested in girls yet. The point of Oswalt’s essay is to inform us that although things seem new and eccentric, what we have now is branched off from what someone once loved in the past. In the past you were able to ponder and absorb what went on. You would still have time to question and reanalyze before what was to come next. Oswalt’s point about larger society is that everyone has gotten to a point where they become Otaku about anything instantly. There isn’t a difference between “nerds” and “normal” people. Being an “outcast” and interested in different things is not a bad thing, but instead a way of being ahead of everyone else. I agree with his point because although someone might not be interested in what you favor, doesn’t mean they should be considered and “outcast” or “nerd”. With the advancements in technology I believe that “geekiness” has become normal.

Supermarket Pastoral is the phrase Pollan uses to describe the development of farm animals, fruits and vegetables. He uses this phrase to express how the gratification of what we have longed for and depended on is not what is in occurrence. Those who shop at Whole Foods want high quality, organic, humanely raised food. Pollan explains that these expectations they have aren’t really for their well being, but for the business of the organic food industry. Customers still depict that their produce are from small family farms and are not aware that the produce really comes from the two big corporate “organic” growers in California. Customers look at the organic label on foods and don’t realize that it is just an alternative for the direct observation of how a food is produced.  They instead just use the label as a way to determine the freshness. Because the organic movement was conceived as a critique of industrial values, the process of industrialization has cost many.  This shows that the culture of “organic” agriculture is rather an industrial artifact than just the organic label that gives off an image of a simpler agriculture. Words affect us in our everyday lives however we don’t take time out to fully research and analyze them. Often times we are not aware that there are many definitions of words and therefore are left in the dark about things until someone eventually brings it to light.

First Blog Assignment

 Burke looks at Mein Kampf from a rhetorical prospective because he is trying to explain to us how Hitler felt and the reasons for the tactics he used based on what he wrote.  Society had a problem and couldn’t understand the reasons for the methods Hitler used towards the Jews.  In response to the concerns of society, Hitler tries to give answers and enlighten everyone about the way he treated the Jewish Population.  One Rhetorical appeal that Burke identifies to us is that Hitler felt that Jews were an “international” devil and that they seduced the Aryans by using sexual symbols. Hitler voted himself and the members of his lodge as having different bloodstreams from that of the Jews. He really felt disgust and detestation towards the Jews. There was nothing they could do to stop him from feeling this way. Another rhetorical appeal Burke identifies is that Hitler was very repetitive with his feelings towards the Jews. “Jews not admitted” and “War victims free” were two slogans that Hitler used at every Nazi meeting.  He was very strict about these two things. Burke also explains the appeal Hitler uses which is “relying on a bastardization of fundamentally religious patterns of thought”. This statement means that Hitler doesn’t believe in religion and that those who are corrupters of religion are the ones who cause danger to the world. I believe the audiences are those who were non Jews because Hitler persuaded the non Jews that they were superior to the Jews. The Jewish Population was all he focused on getting rid of. According to him they weren’t worth anything and posed a threat to society and therefore needed to be demolished. Hitler was very charismatic and because of this he had many people behind him willing to do whatever he wanted to get rid of these “threatening” human beings.

Proactive commercials are a piece of propaganda that I don’t really like but is very popular today. They use the testimonial device given by celebrities to get regular people to buy it. Many people buy the product because they see people like Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne, Julianne Hough, and Jenna Fischer, who they admire. We live in a world where many individuals look up to celebrities and would do anything to look just like them.  Proactive just gives those that have acne hope that they can end up looking like a celebrity one day. The audience would be those who have acne because a lot of them are self conscious about themselves. Using a product a celebrity uses boosts their self esteem. It helps them to feel a lot better and prettier.