Civic Artifact Elevator Pitch

I’m going to present you with some “this-or-that” questions. As I do this, truly and honestly think about what you value more. Physical items with a hefty price tag or fresh, clean air? Next-day delivery, or the preservation of animals’ natural habitats? Art museums or flourishing wildlife? Members from the climate activist group “Just Stop Oil” contemplated similar questions before pouring soup on Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” painting to bring attention to the flawed values many big corporations have when it comes to preserving the environment. By seemingly destroying something labeled as “valuable” in today’s society, these two young activists provoked an important and eye-opening question, “What should we really value?”.  

These activists inspired many, including myself, to take further action against climate change, and I’m asking you to do the same. Falling under numerous of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Climate Action, just to name a few), the exigence presented by the climate change issue invited action from the “Just Stop Oil” activists. The use of lenses such as dramatism, social movement studies, and identity rhetoric and criticism all demonstrate the power and influence behind this action. 

Through the analysis of this event under the multiple rhetorical lenses it fits, we will be able to see further into the climate change issue, how it impacts individuals, and how it should impact the entire world. Doing so not only helps gain awareness but also addresses aspects of civic engagement that are growing increasingly important. 

Together we can make a change for the better and provide a world suitable for humans and animals to thrive. Now think again, What do you value more? Thank you. 

 

 

Sources:

https://abcnews.go.com/International/climate-activists-throw-soup-vincent-van-gogh-painting/story?id=91505432

Passion Project Ideas

Some things that make me, me, and are well known to many are my love for cows, music (specifically The Beatles, and Rex Orange County), figure skating, and my passion for healthcare. When thinking about which of these interests are most important and fun to me, my love for Rex Orange County is one of the first things that comes to mind. 

One passion blog idea that I have specifically includes Rex Orange County. This idea includes me deeply analyzing each of his songs and recording how they make me feel, what elements of them I enjoy the most, and compiling this data to make an accurate conclusion about what my favorite Rex Orange County song is. Whenever I am asked to answer the question, “What is your favorite song of his?”, I rattle off a list of songs, instead of just one. This project would allow me to spend time analyzing the music I love most while also collecting data, something my science brain also enjoys. 

Another idea I have is to research more specific and in-depth information about healthcare careers so that I can truly know and understand what I want to do with the rest of my life. As of now and for the past five years, I have wanted to be a surgeon. However, I do think it would be beneficial to explore other career options in-depth, including certain surgery specializations and entirely different careers.

Greta Thunberg and Her Use of Commonplaces

As the climate continues to change in drastic and terrifying ways, there are few people making a conscious effort to combat this tragedy. One of these people is Greta Thunberg, a twenty-year-old Swedish climate change activist who uses her youth and passion to try and influence the world. Thunberg realized that she was placed in a rhetorical situation at a young age, and used this disparity to her advantage. Through protests, strikes, speeches, and the development of climate change programs, Thunberg has responded to her situation in more ways than one. In a speech she made at the U.N. Climate Action Summit, she utilized commonplaces and her growing global influences to attempt to persuade the people of the world and those of high power to fight against climate change. She uses the statement, “[Yet] I’m one of the lucky ones,”, a statement that is heard frequently in American and world cultures. This phrase diminished the feelings of those struggling just because of the notion that there are people in worse circumstances. Thunberg uses this statement to attack the people of the world who are opposing action on climate change, as she comments on how she should not be described as “lucky” when the rest of her physical world is collapsing around her. Setting this hateful, desperate, and, at some points, aggressive tone allows her to express her views in full capacity. Her speech is full of passion and addresses the inconsistencies and faults of those with the power to either slow or stop climate change altogether. This tone development shows how Thunberg was able to “read the room”, another tactic in trying to influence those with potentially differing opinions. She understood that her audience consisted of powerful corporations and individuals who believed they were making a difference and whose only goal was to shut down her efforts, and used this to her advantage. Even at such a young and seemingly powerless age, Thunberg was able to respond to a rhetorical situation and impact the state of the world today.