26
Oct 12

Talking with TED

I personally love TED talks and have watched a few on topics I am interested in. The most important thing I have learned from the ones I enjoy is that these discussions must be intriguing and relaxed. I want to give a TED talk that people enjoy listening to rather than anticipating its end. While doing some researching for my bulllying topic I found an article about the psychology of  teenagers that go to school and preform mass killings. I thought it was extremely interesting how the article analyzed what goes on in the heads of kids that snap.It used examples such as the Columbine killers and the Virginia Tech shooter and categorized them into different psychopath mind sets. I find it interesting that the authors tried to pin point when a psychological change occurred in the shoots life; the snapping point. In many instances, and why it is related to my topic, the shooter was victimized by other students to the point of insanity. On the same note, I could also analyze on my own a few of the famous school shootings that were a result of bullying.

I think this would make for an interesting TED talk but at the same time I don’t want it to be distrurbing for anyone. If you think this is something you would like to sit and listen to, tell me! And if not also tell me, because a TED talk that is boring is no fun.


26
Oct 12

Draft for shift paper

Initially I was going to write my paper about the shift in the way America fights wars from WWII to present. What I quickly found while researching was that this topic was way too broad and I couldn’t pick one area of concentration without getting into all the others. So at the last minute I have decided to change my topic. The draft I have for this new topic is a little rough but what I really need your help on isn’t the writing part (I can put my ideas into words pretty effectively), but rather the idea part. I can’t write this paper until I have some substance. I was hoping you could read what I have so far and let me know where to go from here, then I could email you the actual “written” rough draft and we could discuss any organizational or grammatical errors.

 

Introduction

 

Thesis: Bullying and harassment have long been problems for young people in our nation’s schools at every level. The advent of advanced information and communication technologies has resulted in a paradigm shift in the way teens are harassed. This change has had dire effects, including but not limited to increased suicide rates among adolescents and violent school shootings.

Question for Phoebe: I am really bad at making thesis, how can I improve this thesis and make it stronger so that it will carry through my paper?

 

What is the shift? For my new topic I have decided to explore the shift in the way young adults torment each other.  It is human nature to disagree and to have conflicts, especially among adolescents. Before the use of cell phone and social networking sites, people had to confront each other the old fashioned way; talking about problems face to face or maybe even physically fighting it out. While bullying and harassment have long been problems for young people in our nation’s schools at every level, the advent of advanced information and communication technologies have now allowed this abusive and destructive practice to extend to virtually all aspects of a person’s life.

Question for Phoebe: this shift seems to be something that resulted from another shift (the shift to cell phones and social sites), do you think that is okay? Also, should I word it to be a shift in the way people are bullied?

 

Why the shift occurred:  The shift in “bullying” has been a direct result of the shift in technology. Confrontation is a scary thing and has been for many people, especially teenagers. Social networking and texting have enabled young people to eliminate the scary part of confrontation and hide behind a screen. With the technology we now have it is possible to terrorize and taunt someone without ever speaking a word or confronting the victim face to face

 

History of the shift:  Bullying is definitely not some novel thing for teenagers, however the new methods of bullying are. The history of the shift hinges on the history of social media. When things like AOL instant messenger and Facebook first emerged, bullies almost immediately used them.

*Include examples here

 

Significance/ Meaning: The significance of this shift is far reaching. Here are just a few results of the new cyber-bulling trend:

  • Teenagers are not held accountable for they things they say
  • The severity of the things teenagers say to each other via twitter/ Facebook is shocking
  • Because technology is constant, there is no escape from the bullying anymore
  • Suicide rates among bullied teens have sky rocketed
  • Kids snap: school shootings

 

I want to add more of my research here to back up these points however I am not sure which ones I should focus on?

 

Conclusion

 

Questions:

  • How can I focus this topic?
  • Do I have a strong thesis?
  • Is this a viable topic?

25
Oct 12

*phew* Hershel is NOT a zombie

While not as eventful as the season premiere, episode two did not disappoint. There are definitely two significant things we can take away from this episode. First and foremost, I think it is safe to say Hershel is going to pull through and not die. I’m pretty pumped about that because I personally love Hershel, and Lori needs him to deliver the baby. Assuming that he does survive, its going to be very difficult for him to move around. I don’t think he would be able to escape many zombies with one leg missing. So it will be interesting to see how the directors have him adapt. I think it was also significant that Lori was the one to revive him. It is pretty evident that it immediately improves her relationship with her son Carl.

Just Chillin

That brings me to the second significant event of episode two: Rick achieving bad ass status. This episode solidifies Rick’s new don’t-mess-with-me mantra. I hope I am not the only one who is happy he took initiative and killed those inmates. Last season he was all about giving people the benefit of the doubt, but that kind of behavior that jeopardizes the group. I am happy to see that killing Shane has toughened him up. It’s about time! This also might sound mean, but I am glad he is giving Lori the cold shoulder. In a way I think she deserves it.

Comment with opinions and questions! 🙂


19
Oct 12

The Evolution of Weapons

For my paradigm shift paper I thought it would be really interesting to talk about the change in weaponry over the years in the United States. I know this is a very broad range which is why I am still not sure where I want to start. I mean I could go back all the way to swords and primitive cannons but I think the biggest shift in modern weaponry occurred much later. So I am between two time periods: WWI and before or World War I to World War II. These are two of the biggest shifts in modern weapon as well as ways in which countries fought wars.

Before WWI trench warfare was king, and also very gruesome. Here is the Wikipedia link if you don’t know what it is :Trench Warfare. During WWI countries tried to utilize the same trench warfare that was used for years. However there was a problem, guns. During WWI the U.S developed the Browning Automatic Rife (BAR) which could shoot further, and more accurately than any other weapon of it’s time. This is also when the military staring using poison gases, such as Chlorine, Phosgene, Cyanide, and Mustard gas. These new technologies applied to primitive military strategies had deadly results.

This is am example of the trenches during WWI. As soldiers died they would pile up in the ditch and other soldiers would stand on top of them to avoid the water.

 

The other big shift in modern weaponry and warfare I am considering is the shift from WWI to WWII which brought about the biggest changes in the way wars are fought.World War II involved both strategic and tactical air warfare, the first ever. I will explain the difference in my paper. In general, the firepower of the individual soldier in World War II was considerably higher than in  any other previous conflicts. Most American soldiers, and some troops of other nations, were equipped with semi-automatic weapons (the famous Tommy Gun). These weapons required only that the trigger be pulled repeatedly to shoot; no lever or bolt needed to be worked to reload the gun from its magazine. And of course WWII saw the invention of the nuclear bomb, which would change wars forever.

An example of the high-powered cannons used in WWII

I am leaning more towards WWI to WWII, however the research I have done indicates that historians still disagree where the shift occurred. When I decide which one I want to do I will create a visual map.


19
Oct 12

Theodore Roosevelt’s take on Rhetoric

“Rhetoric is a poor substitute for action, and we have trusted only to rhetoric. If we are really to be a great nation, we must not merely talk; we must act big.” 
-Theodore Roosevelt 

As the presidential election looms over us I could not think of a better quote to describe the state of American politics. Throughout the last 4 years there has been a lot of big talk, and more than everyones fair share of “rhetoric”. However, despite nice plans and a sincere desire for change, the American economy is at a standstill. Many are fast to point the finger at Obama, accusing him of faulty policies and ineffective law making. I could not disagree more. You cannot pinpoint all the problems on a man that is working within a faulty system. As Theodore Roosevelt pointed out years ago, the problem with this country is an excess of rhetoric and a fear of action.

The president cannot make things happen without the support of the House and the Senate, and these two political bodies have been at war with each other for quite some time now. Congressmen and Senators are more concerned about party loyalty and what they call “rhetoric” than coming together on issues to take collective action. The result is a lot of big talk about change, but no results.

Roosevelt was right when he said that rhetoric was a poor substitute for action. The President, Senate, and Congress have been arguing about what’s best for this country for years, and what is the result? Unemployment still at record heights, economic growth agonizingly slow, and a country that is fed up with politics. It’ pretty obvious to me that while rhetoric is sometimes important, it isn’t the answer to our problems. What we really need is politicians to come together and compromise so that we can take action as a country and become the great nation we once were.


19
Oct 12

Season 3 Premiere

I think its safe to say that Season 3 came in with a bang. The winter has passed and it is now spring (pretty nifty how they got around handling the weather situation). So now Lori is more pregnant than ever, Shane is dead *phew*, Rick is more of a badass than ever, and Andrea is sick and dying. Its pretty evident that Lori is ready to pop so they have to find a secure area where she and the baby can rest. Enter in the prison. Since we have all see the premiere by now I am not going to recap, but rather discuss some interesting and slightly confusing moments in the premiere.

1) The first thing that really got me thinking was Lori’s talk with Hershel. Since the virus is airborne it is definitely in Lori’s blood (thus the babies blood) and she realizes it. Does this mean that if the Lori has a miscarriage and the baby dies that it will turn into a zombie and eat Lori from the inside out? What if Lori dies during birth and tries to attack her own baby? These are things I had never thought about until Lori discussed it with Hershel. There has to be a reason the directors included this. It definably forebodes that something is going to happen.

2) The other thing I am curious about is Hershel. Unfortunately he has been bit :'( I almost cried. But Rick cut his leg off to try to “stop the disease”. But the disease is airborne so he already has it? I guess he cut his leg off to stop the spread of bacterial infection, however he is likely to die a lot faster from blood loss then a bacterial infection. So I am not real sure why they cut his leg off. I think I am missing something.

There is so much to talk about within this episode so if you are one of my faithful followers feel free to add input or ask questions. I can’t wait for Sunday!!! I think I am going to live bog the next one.


12
Oct 12

Season 3 this week!!!!

The Walking Dead returns this Sunday, Oct. 14 at 9/8c. Which may leave the uninitiated panicking about how they can possibly catch up in time. Fear not! On Sat., Oct. 13 at 10AM/9c, AMC begins a two-day The Walking Dead marathon on-air covering the full series to date. First comes all six episodes of Season 1 back-to-back on Saturday starting at 10/9c. Immediately afterwards, Season 2 airs in its entirety throughout Saturday then again on Sunday, all leading right into the Season 3 Premiere, “Seed” at 9/8c.
So in the 3rd season of  “The Walking Dead” we will be treated to a 16 episodes which is a few more episodes than last season. Seven actors are returning from the season 2. Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes), Sarah Wayne Callies (Lori Grimes, Rick’s wife and Carl’s mother), Laurie Holden (Andrea), Steven Yeun (Glenn), Chandler Riggs (Carl Grimes, Rick and Lori’s son), Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon),  Lauren Cohan (Maggie Greene, Hershel’s  oldest daughter and Glenn’s girl).

Several recurring cast members are also set to return. Melissa McBride (Carol Peletier), IronE (Theodore “T-Dog” Douglas), Scott Wilson (Hershel Greene), Emily Kinney (Beth Greene, Hershel’s emotionally troubled youngest daughter),  Michael Rooker (Merle Dixon, who had gone missing in the middle of the first season and is Daryl’s brother).

There are also two new cast members have been added to the third season. David Morrissey (The Governor, a major antagonist in the comic series) and Danai Gurira (Michonne, the hooded figure that saves Andrea in the season two finale and a prominently featured character in the comic series).

Two main cast members who are not returning are: Jon Bernthal, who played Shane Walsh; and Jeffrey DeMunn as Dale Horvath; both characters were killed in the previous season.

From this point on my blog will be about the weekly episodes of TWD! So excited to collaborate with you all!

12
Oct 12

A Whole Lotta Nothing

I am stuck in the same spot with the paradigm shift paper as I was the rhetorical analysis paper. What subject can I possibly choose that I can write 5 pages about? I have a lot of ideas but I just worry about having enough content. I am not a complainer but I do want to say that I wish there was not a page minimum for these assignments. Some people (not me) can write a fabulous essay in 2 pages, you know like those kids with 12’s on the SAT writing. I may not be that good, but I can write a solid essay in 3 pages. With the rhetorical analysis paper I found myself adding “fluff” to meet the page requirement. *rant over*

I am still digging around for a topic for the shift paper. I usually ask my parents for advise and I think they will be my most valuable resource for this paper. Because I have grown up with a lot of these “paradigm shifts” I don’t really notice them (like the tickers John was talking about). My parents are old so maybe they can think of some shifts that really stick out to them. My mom is alway talking about how “kids these days” can’t do mental math anymore. I for one am a math wiz and still use my iphone AP to calculate a tip. Have AP’s made us dumb? I feel like that is a vague topic but I could go somewhere with it. Another option I was considering is the evolution of books. 50 years ago people read the newspaper that was actually paper, and read real, bound and printed books. Today its all about the nook, the ereader, the kindle, the iPad. Will books and newspapers become obsolete? I still read real books because the screens hurt my eyes and I have noticed that hard back books are becoming difficult to find. I am sure at the last minute I will come across something brilliant, but for the time being this is what I am thinking about.

Thoughts? Suggestions?


11
Oct 12

Live blog!

So it’s currently 8:50 and I would really much rather continue watching Halloween Wars instead of this VP debate. However I am going to take a swing at this live blogging stuff. I apologize if the following blog is sloppy/ confusing. This is my first time typing and watching         TV. Also, I decided to watch this on MSNBC (that right, I am a liberal).

Wow thanks John I’m really noticing this damn ticker thing now. Joe Biden is first yay! Do they usually sit down for these debates? Thats awkward. I have no idea what Joe is saying right now. How is this relevant to the question. I hate Paul Ryan as much as the next person, but he is very well spoken thus far. Oh my god, your really going to bring Biden’s son into this!!!! Low blow low blow!!!! I’m wondering why we are talking about foreign policy right now with Libya when the U.S has an unemployment rate barely below 8%. I feel really young right now, what is Malarky? What exactly are “american values” Ryan? I can assure you I don’t have the same values as you. What are we supposed to do to stop Iran from making nuts? We can’t blow up the facilites! You can’t make Iatowa’s change their mind!!!! They are religious radicals you idiot! Get out of bed with Israel! Spit it out Biden stop mixing your words up. OMG YOUR NOT GOING TO CHANGE THEIR MINDS!!!!!! DUMBASS!!!! Biden cannot speak. What are all these references to Malarky? Whats Malarky? Finally we are going to talk about unemployment! No politician can guarantee what the economy is going to do. The market is unpredictable. Haha low blow Biden, bringing up the 47%. Biden just killed it. Nice ethos Ryan. How can you reduce the deficit without raising taxes and cutting spending Ryan? Read an economics book. Oh shit that was such a low blow Ryan!!! I am done I can’t watch this crap anymore. This is why I don’t watch this stuff, its all bs and it ticks me off. Back to Halloween Wars.


05
Oct 12

Nike’s “Find Your Greatness”

This is the link to the controversial ad Nike ran during the Olympics: Find Your Greatness

During a time when nearly 37.5 % of United States adults and 17% of United States children are obese (the highest levels of any country world-wide) Nike could not have designed a more effective pre-Olympics commercial than their “You’re your Greatness ” ad. The commercial begins with runner jogging down a long gravel road, we do not know his/her identity nor that this is a Nike commercial. As the jogger continues to run down the road, a British narrator discusses greatness. “Greatness is something we made up”, he says “somehow we have come to believe greatness is a gift reserved for a chosen few, for protégées”. We can now see that the runner is 200 pound Nathan who is just twelve years old. As he continues struggles to jog, the narrator concludes, “greatness is not so rare DNA strand, we are all capable of it, all of us”.

This ad created quite a stir in the media as to whether or not it utilized appropriate rhetoric. In many ways this commercial sends a positive message to viewers, one that encourages the everyday American to get out there and achieve greatness, using Nike products of course. But in the same instance is Nike sending the message that young people can only achieve greatness by becoming physically fit?  Nathan could someday become a great painter, a great writer, a great chief, or great scientist, none of which require him to be physically fit.

Regardless of the message Nike is sending with this commercial it is evident that they are fully aware of their audience and how to target them. This commercial was aired during the Olympics; a time when thousands of Americans tune in to watch humans test their physical limits. Nike could have used a commercial that depicted an Olympian training, like companies such as Reebok and Adias did. Instead they chose to show Nathan, something almost every American can relate to, weight struggles. Watching the Olympics many of us think “wow that’s amazing I could never do that”. Nike sends the message that you can become fit and achieve “greatness” through small steps just like Nathan is. They attach their company name to the idea of becoming a healthy, active, American.

As viewers, many things about this article draw us in, we are curious who the runner is, and the narrator’s voice with its fitting British accent is the only noise in the whole commercial so we listen. When we finally see Nathan struggling to jog, we want to cheer him on! We are motivated by his struggles to make changes in our own lives. Nike’s intended message is clear: if he can do it so can you. This is a very powerful message during a time when so many Americans are overweight and weight-related diseases are running rampant. The commercial’s use of pathos is concise and raw.

The location of the commercial is also familiar to Americans. This could have been shot in New York City or some fancy track at a prestigious location. Instead, the jogger is running down a asphalt road surrounded by grass fields and the occasional mailbox. Most Americans can look out their window and see the same thing. Nike wants viewers to know that with their products and a simple road you can achieve greatness.

The company Nike has significant ethos, so it does not need to prove itself. Nike is a household name that almost everyone, even worldwide, recognizes.         Nike outfits and sponsors many Olympians, sports teams, and even sponsors their own events. If a company like Asics ran an ad like this, it would not have been as effective as Nike. People know Nike, they grew up with Nike, and in many ways they trust Nike and its products. Therefore, they trust the message the company sends.

 

This is about 3 pages long so far. If anyone has any suggestions as to what I could add, it would be appreciated.


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