This commercial is something that my sister would die laughing at any time it was on during the year that it ran, and when the prompt said attention-getting, I figured this really nailed that direction.
So, why do I think this works? Well Let’s get into the ethos, logos, and pathos of it all.
Logos: I think talking about this commercial’s level of logic is slightly ridiculous, and I don’t really believe that it applies to a silly commercial like this. So, I don’t know if this is allowed, but I’m going to conclude that this commercial does not fit the logos side of things.
Ethos: I think ethos actually kind of works because the positive and entertaining nature of the cow and the annoyance of the family, as well as not the believability of the situation but how one would feel in the situation, i.e. the family’s annoyance.
Pathos: Pathos is the one that makes the most sense, I think, because pathos is the emotional appeal. The emotional appeal of happiness and joy through the laughter and humor this commercial brings is a really strong advertising tactic. Enjoyable and funny commercials are very popular and talked about, like this one was when it aired, and the ‘publicity’ brings money. I think pathos is super effective in this regard.
Overall, I think that even though logos and ethos are lacking a bit, the pathos carries the commercial enough that it’s still persuasive and works as an advertisement.
For this week’s movie recommendation, I’m going to talk about a classic: The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club is an all-time favorite of mine, and what I like to call my “feel good” movie.
We’ve all heard of this movie, and it’s shocking to me that so many people my age have not seen it, and I, myself, was one of those unfortunate souls just a mere three years ago.
If you have not seen this film, which, like, it’s from 1985, so come on, I’m giving you homework to go watch it right now. I don’t care if we’re looking at these blogs in class, go watch it RIGHT NOW.
This movie actually made me feel better in my aforementioned down times of high school, and I have a strong intuition that it will probably carry my overly emotional self through college, and maybe it can carry other someone else!
I don’t have a lot to say because spoilers but this movie is an emotional rollercoaster, and I watch it whenever I’m sick or sad. I don’t know when this became my thing, but it just did at some point and I can’t let it go.
Overall, this movie is for sureA RUCKUS. But, it’s a ruckus worth watching, and your homework is to go watch it again if you have seen it, and go watch it right now, for those uncultured swines (like me, circa 2016) who have not seen it.
So today, friends, we have a topic that I find particularly infuriating and confusing. Social media and the use of smartphones among GenZ! Strap in, folks.
I find myself reading our assigned article, a truthfully insightful piece by Jean M. Twenge about smartphones ruining a generation. Now, truthfully, I heard the title of the piece and immediately cringed. Ugh, no, they haven’t, people just like to be mad at today’s kids. HOWEVER, I say that for me, not for all of GenZ, and the article really made me think.
Twenge talks of depression, being alienated and uninterested in family conversation, and all of the wonderful lows of social media and smartphones. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Do I think smartphones have ruined a generation? NO,,,,,yes… well, maybe?
This is why I’m mad! This article made me rethink everything. I have said that today’s kids are rude because of social media and the lack of manners portrayed by such insightful figures as Jake Paul and his utter hate for, wait, teachers? Yeah, and I think it only grows. But attitude aside, what about depression and alienation?
Well, here’s the thing. Personally, I like to identify with, well, not GenZ, or rather, people born beyond the 90’s. I’m aware that’s not how it works, but I truly feel that children born in 2004 and on are much different than those of us in that weird period of late 1999 to 2003 (AT MOST). I relate to 90’s kids more. I think a lot of this has to do with our separation from technology. We did grow up with technology, but I think all of us in that weird gap had an unacknowledged separation from technology until, what I can remember, was the 4th grade. This is still early, yes, but it gave us time to still be kids. I still played mermaids in the pool, and cops and robbers or spy at recess. We were still kids.
In terms of alienation, I don’t think that this holds true for what I’m defining as the gap kids (1999-2003). The gap kids, in my experience, are generally close with their parents and family, and interested in the conversation. Do we enjoy time to ourselves? Yes, but didn’t all generations? Wasn’t that the point of drive-ins, and school dances, and simply just hanging out with friends? Everyone enjoys alone time, or relaxed time with friends, away from parents and what is usually big bad serious conversation. I don’t find that the gap kids are as alienated as Twenge or the statistics seems to believe, but I can’t speak for the entirety of a generation.
The one thing in this article that really made me think, however, is depression. Everywhere on social media, you see jokes, or maybe non-jokes, about wanting to die, being depressed, crying, and just generally being miserable in life. I think this trend has many factors to it and can’t be defined to simply one reason, but I do think a lack of ‘hanging out’ contributes greatly.
Speaking from personal experience, high school can be really lonely when you don’t get invited out but you see all of your friends out and about, enjoying life. I think sitting inside all the time can cause a sever plummet in mood and personality, and contribute to depression the same way dark and dreary weather does. You’re inside, you’re sad, you feel alienated by friends; you feel alone. Even with a phone full of contacts and apps and ‘friends and followers,’ you’re alone. Seeing everyone out and about on social media truly affects a person. So, I think Twenge makes a really important and true point in this regard.
All in all, I think saying a generation is ‘ruined’ before you’ve even seen all of them grow into adults is wrong. But I DO believe that acknowledging and addressing the problems Twenge lays out is important. The gap kids (TM) were blessed to have their gap from technology, and grow up as kids. But, we also have a long way to go in terms of self-worth and social media, and how it relates to depression.
I am proudly blessed and depressed. (I’m working on the whole depressed thing, but isn’t everyone?)
So, this is a film recommendation of one of my favorite movies, and I felt that with our first passion post being on September 11, it’s a fitting film to talk about, as well as being a personal favorite.
The movie is called 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.
Now, I love war movies and combat set movies, as I am fascinated by history and the dynamics of warfare. But this movie is a totally different take and a much more recent look at warfare. The sad part is, that so many people discuss Benghazi because of H. Clinton’s involvement in it during her time in Obama’s cabinet, but they don’t know the real story, or even what it is besides saying “well what about Benghazi!!!???”
Well, this movie is an incredible piece of cinematography with a great cast. John Krasinski is the lead of this film, my very own Jim Halpert (from Scranton, remember?) is an American hero in this film.
So what is it about?
Jack Silva is a hired military contractor (bodyguard, essentially) on his 12th war tour at a secret CIA base in Benghazi, Libya; one of the most dangerous places in the world. He is only set to be there for a month or two before returning home to his wife and kids, but plans change. On the morning of September 11, 2012, Silva and the rest of the hired contractors feel an attack mounting, and they are right. Now, I’m not going to spoil the rest of the film for anyone who may watch it, but it’s GOOD.
John Krasinski is KILLER in this film and the story is so interesting. The problem with this situation is that nobody knew about the base in Benghazi, hence it being a secret. It doesn’t end great, to be honest. But it’s a true story, and these people, brave men protecting ambassadors in Libya (before it became a failed state, which is still is) should be remembered as part of 9/11 because they were attacked as part of the anniversary. They are brave men and unsung heroes of 9/11, and the story is one everyone should know.
https://youtu.be/Pbn6a0AFfnM <—- This link is the song the title is based on. It has a very interesting story, should anyone care to read into it. I highly recommend doing so!
What is the state of rhetoric in American society today?
Well, that’s quite an interesting question. How do I answer such a complex question?
When I began thinking about what I wanted to write this post on, my immediate answer was gun control. Yes, I care about LGBTQIA+ rights, and the pay gap, but I think the most pressing issue of those would be children dying in schools; simply living.
However, I reread the prompt for this post. Suddenly, a different answer came to me. I find myself saying “the two party system is, or rather should be, dead,” Quite often. What does that mean exactly?
Well, I identify as a Democrat, personally. I was raised in a mostly Democratic family, but the funny thing is, I didn’t know until the 2016 election rolled around that my family were democrats. I guess we just never really discussed politics in my family until there was someone my relatives REALLY didn’t like (sorry, Trump supporters). I was scared of saying what I thought due to fear of being ridiculed for being young, or getting in an argument with Republican family members. And I’m lucky to have a family that (mostly) agrees with me (yes, Grammy, I know pro-life is the way of our religion, but someone else’s life isn’t my business!).
Anyways… Where am I going with this?
Well, the thing is, that fear I held of speaking while developing my political views in a social media sphere is a problem. Why can’t children have different views from their parents? Why can’t they learn to be better; more educated; more independent-minded? Why can’t people voice their diverse opinions without the fear of immediate attack from opposition? The answer is that everyone should be able to.
…… THE TWO PARTY DOMINANT SYSTEM NEEDS TO DIE FOR THIS TO BE THE WORLD WE LIVE IN, INSTEAD OF A FANTASY.
Woah, that was really aggressive. Why was I that aggressive? Because, in our current two party dominated political system, people simply hear “republican” and think “hicks; gun-toting crazies; gay-hating slobs,” and when some hear “democrat” they think “fragile snowflakes; baby killers; crazy communists, libtards” instead of seeing real, genuine people. The system we have enables an atmosphere of animosity, a lack of communication, and overall missing the point.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. And dialogues with different opinions are important and necessary, but how can these dialogues happen when the two sides are simply looking at each other angrily, labelling each other before even hearing the opinions they might find they agree with?
For example, I mentioned that I identify as a Democrat, and that’s true. However, a lot of my opinions fall in the middle of the political spectrum. Do I find that I align more with Democratic views? yes. Do I still share opinions that some Democrats, more liberal than myself, would ridicule me for? probably. That’s the point though, I vote in the favour of their candidates (traditionally) and align more with their views, but some liberals simply see a view that’s not theirs.
This post is much longer than what it was supposed to be, and that’s because I could go on about this for hours. The point of this is that dialogue is important, and as long as there is a side to oppose, proper and fair dialogue won’t take place. That is why I believe we need to work towards a system that isn’t dominated by two parties that hate each other instead of hearing each other.
