“It’s dangerous downtown, it’s always been that way, just stick with what you know, stay at the Carlyle. ” Change has been a very big factor throughout this course, & the idea of sticking with what you know vs. branching out made this quote stick out to me. What’s really “right” & “wrong” is so subjective too, its hard to find any sort of compromise between those set in their ways & those who desire to explore/experiment.

“‘Well, how the hell did you mean it?'” With just having read “Citizen”, this stuck out to me, the ignorant comments with seemingly no other possible intention that poke out in people’s moments of panic..

The different reactions to the attacks presented in “Escape from New York” were all very interesting to see, especially since it comes back to the fact all three of them are “escaping” together. It was also funny seeing a town I live somewhat close to mentioned in a work like this… I thought it was cool that Alison Bechdel was from Pennsylvania but it wasn’t anywhere all that close to me– but Bethlehem is pretty around me I was like Woah!

“And hearing Marlon scared made Michael as scared as he’d been all day. You never want to see your father scared, or your mother cry, and, as far as Michael’s chosen family went, that’s exactly what was happening right now” I like the reference to them all being a little family like in the times of tragedy, even if they’re talking about the fear now all of them were facing. Its also an interesting take on how paranoia spreads like wildfire oftentimes, even to the “logical” oriented ones like Marlon. Also, is it vaguely conceited to think you’d make a good “trophy on someone’s wall” or are they really important? I thought they were just some group of friends but maybe I missed an important line somewhere. They also call it the “apocalypse” frequently but isn’t that really dramatic ?? or were people genuinely thinking it could reach that extremity with 9/11 & I don’t understand it because I wasn’t around.

I don’t know. I didn’t like this one too much. Maybe I missed something but it kind of felt boring to me. They didn’t really do much & what they did do wasn’t very exciting, mainly just bickering & such.. which is fine but not for attention grabbing reasons I guess? Not for me at least.

I liked “Meet the President” more though, as I think futuristic concepts with cool tech involved are interesting, even if their guesses aren’t accurate whatsoever (like 80s shows thinking we’d have flying cars by 2010 type stretches). The commentary on many key elements of global culture right now was also very neat to read, ranging from economic issues to industrialization & stuff, I also think pieces on class disparities are interesting which this one could be counted as I feel like, since even though its futuristic, not everyone had the same access & opportunity as this kid did, much still like the modern climate. & similarly those in a place of privilege being completely blind to the struggles of those beneath them..tough…. but he learned a little something out there at least. I also find the idea of virtual worlds / virtual reality cutting off real people from the real world so tragic yet so fascinating.. which also drew me to this story more. I think its scary how digitized we want to make everything, & that its very sad when people see nothing to this beautiful world we were given… obviously I know its not sunshine & rainbows & there are several huge huge huge issues that need to be dealt with, but nature in general & humanity as a whole I find so beautiful & fascinating.. I don’t get why anyone would want to give that up entirely- but I could also say I know its because I would’ve loved to escape to a fantasy world when I was younger instead of my reality too, so maybe I should sound more sympathetic.