Skunk

            Robert Connors sees a skunk, whose head is stuck in a glass jar. He names his experience “How in the world do you get a skunk out of a bottle?” Why? Who knows? Maybe because that was what first came into his head when he saw a skunk in a jar or maybe the ridiculous and strange question appeals to readers. Honestly, the first question I’d think of is exactly that. The funny thing is, most people will never encounter this situation, where they have the opportunity to pull a skunk out of a bottle. I think I’d be interested in encountering this.

            Why would Connor write a process essay about completing such an unlikely task? Obviously because of how bizarre it is. The fact that it is so bizarre makes this article so enjoyable to read. The article begins with the narrator believing it is just another morning, like any other human being. Right when he encounters a skunk, his thoughts are poured into the article allowing the reader to be in the situation. In the end, it’s almost as if Connor has befriended a skunk, who will return the favor by not spraying him with a strong odor. Amusingly, the narrator actually said, “Next time you see me… don’t spray me”. My question would be, did the skunk acknowledge that? Connor felt happy, maybe feeling as if he made a friend with an animal or knowing he saved a life. But me? I’d feel happy about a skunk not spraying me.

 If the article was just plain out, “I saw a skunk and I pulled it out of a jar”, there would be no amusement. The first person narrative feels like a story a friend is telling. The way Connor tells his experience is almost what you’d hear a friend tell you. Imagine hearing this from a friend, it’d be worth listening to. If I were to encounter such a random and peculiar experience, I would love to share it with the world.

Ads

            Communication has been a necessity for human life. Telephones and cellphones have been integrated into our daily lives. It is unusual for people to leave their houses without their trusty cell phones. Almost all people own a mobile device which they use for voice call, face time, messaging, and internet browsing. Hassan Bawab, founder and CEO of Magic Logix stated that according to studies, there will soon be more people using mobile devices than any other electronic devices. These mobile devices are usually sold by the same few carriers. That is because they employ efficient advertising campaigns compared to those of smaller companies.
            T-Mobile, one of the top cell phone carrier companies, promotes their company through posters, television commercials, and billboards. Like other cell phone companies, T-Mobile has goals of turning high profits. However, this company does so more efficiently by making sure their ads are seen by a larger audience.

            For example, on my way to class I entered a train which was covered in large T-Mobile print. As I entered the lavender doors I stumbled upon an empty seat where I caught notice of the words “Because life is too short not to have fun at work.” Sitting like a duck on a pond, I scrolled my eyes around this colorful poster. The characters of the poster are of different age, gender, race, and status. The setting takes place in a subway cart near Manhattan, New York. I realized that both the characters and the setting are relevant towards the audience of this poster because the viewers are in the same position.

 In my opinion this poster was created to target younger people due to the man wearing a superhero costume. Having a strong superhero wear the T-Mobile sign symbolizes how great the company is. The characters in the poster are all in a pleased manner. This would allow the audience of the poster to take note that the company is not only great but, also good at satisfying their customers. Looking at a poster like this would not affect me as an individual because having T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon would not affect what I do on my phone and how I do it. Hence this poster does a poor job in convincing me to convert. On the other hand, to the hundreds of views that see this poster I believe many have been motivated by mood of the characters.

College Depression

            Depression is a major issue that many people have to face in life.  Alissa Steiner wrote a piece about depression in college students in response to a feature article. In this article, Alissa raises the awareness of depression that is a worldwide issue. Depression is an illness that inhibits the ability for a person to function normally each day. College students are being faced with stress that causes them to go into a dark place. Anxiety puts students into suicidal thoughts, where they begin to cut their skin and isolate themselves from the world. College is often the time where stress and pressure easily puts students into depression. Steiner's main point is that depression should be understood as a major issue and that colleges should reach out to students to help them before it's too late.

            In the article, Nima Shaterianl and Elizabeth Shin have committed suicide due to busy life they face in college. Nima Shaterianl was bright, friendly, gifted, and popular. Nobody would have guessed someone like him would shoot himself. Personally, I find it interesting how someone who is popular would suicide rather than someone who works hard yet isn't popular. Nima is one of the 11 UC David's students, who had committed suicide. A study by the American College Health Association in 2005 showed that 15 percent of college students around the century have been diagnosed with depression. Therefore, it is important to publicize and reach out to students. Steiner describes depression and its triggering factors in order to allow someone to recognize it. She also concludes with ways to look out for each other with anyone going through this problem.

            Elizabeth Shin, an MIT sophomore set herself on fire in her dorm.  She was viewed as popular, busy, and self-motivating. Again, the unexpected are also the ones to go through depression, which is why Steiner wants colleges to publicize about depression. Students juggle with school, work, extracurricular activities, family, relationships, and many other things. It's a tough world and the demands are increasing for students to earn advanced degrees. Working to support themselves and keeping up their grades is difficult and creating stress and hopelessness. The first step to help a friend, who is in crisis or appears to be, is acknowledging their feelings. Expressing concern and allowing them to express their own feelings is crucial. Another crucial step is to understand them.  It is hard for students in depression to let out their thoughts. This is true, knowing one of my friend's mother, who has depression. She wasn't able to handle stress and with no one to talk to, she fell into depression.
            Universities need to realize the importance of students' mental health. College is important years in a student's life, where they stress the most about their future. Students need to know that there are people who are willing to help them in order to even wish seek help. My friend had a bad experience talking to a counselor causing her to lose her trust for school advisers. Not only does counseling need to be a priority, but the counselors need to understand what students face during depression.

            Those who do not understand depression will not realize the importance of raising awareness. In this essay, I would question the reader, trying to place them in the shoes of those helpless students. For example, "If you really were to consider death, wouldn't you want someone to help you deep inside?" or "What if you felt like you were all alone in the world and no one is there to help you?". I support Steiner's view on depression. It is important for students to have someone to talk to.

Hidden Intellectualism

In Gerald Graff’s essay, Hidden Intellectualism, he argues that “street smart” is essential just like being book-smart. Graff claims “we associate the educated life, the life of the mind, too narrowly,” testing kids academically is a great way to determine how well they can apply their knowledge in a limited area. Educated life can be learn, taught, and picked up. Street smarts on the other hand has to be experience, living in a perfect community all your life will never teach a person how to become street smart. I agree with Graff’s believes that street smarts beat out book smarts in our culture because in my opinion book smarts have limitations, a person is limited to areas that they have read about. On the contrary, street smarts can allow a person to try out everything. Knowing how the world revolves around, who to speck to, how to speck to that person. Hence, academics can never replace or value more than street smarts.

To illustrate his thesis even further, Graff uses personal experience to support his argument. After World War II, just a block away from his neighborhood was African Americans, Native Americans, and “hillbilly” whites who fled postwar joblessness in the South and Appalachia. The middle class refer to them as “hoods.” Enjoying sports ever since he was younger, sports have played an important role in his education and life. Reading sport magazines has allowed him to improve his skills in English class. Graff’s view of the 1950s was that being academically smart is important but having something interesting is as important.

I agree with Graff’s idea that schools should pay more attention to people who are more street smart, and that students have so much to learn besides math and English alone. Should pursuit a something that is in interest besides just following up on what’s happening in class. For example, during my earlier years in high school besides writing essays and reading books I look towards internships and voluntary work to widen my knowledge of the world, not just academically.

Social Media

Social Media, forms of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content, replaced the interaction between people during socialization. For over a decade, the growth of technology has caused huge growth in social media. However the result may not always create positive changes in people’s lives.

 In recent years, debates sprung up about whether mass media is beneficial or not. Writers such as Steven Pinker and Peggy Orenstein, authors of “Mind Over Mass Media,” and “I Tweet, Therefore I am,” respectively. In Pinker’s essay, he claims that we should not place blame on electronic devices for making us dumb but rather, they are the “only thing keeping us smart.” Pinker supports this claim by explaining how scientists are often found with an electronic device nearby and this aided the scientific communities to flourish and led discoveries multiple like “fruit flies.” Technology also benefits philosophers and other various schools of thought. Technology provides us with an abyss of knowledge that is accessible with the touch of a finger and we carry this vast amount of knowledge with us on a daily basis, thus, keeping us smart.

On a different note, Orenstein claims in her essay that social medias (ie. Facebook, twitter, instagram) are encouraging us to hide behind a façade of ourselves. Due to social medias, it is difficult to create a true identity since people can easily manipulate the information they make public and in doing so, deceive themselves and others around them. They are able to create a fake, ideal self yet they neglect their true self.

Balko vs. Zincenko

Radley Balko: Hey David, I read your article. But I feel that your argument should be changed.

David Zincenko: You did? Why are you reading my stuff man? You out of all people shouldn't be reading my article. Don't you have a issue with people eating.

Radley Balko: Yeah of course! What you eat is your business! How can you say it's not the person's fault for eating.

David Zincenko: Don’t blame the eater.

Balko: When people eat unhealthy foods like mc donalds, toco bell, kfc, and other fast foods. It’s their fault for wanting to eat it.

Zincenko: That’s not true. When I was in my teenage years my parents divorced and my only option was fast food restaurants because that’s all I can afford.

Balko: Well you could have learned how to cook and ate your own cooking. Or purchase foods that are more nutritious.

Zincenko:  I tried, but sometimes it is just more convenient to just go out and buy something. When I pick up groceries; I check the calories and ingredients, but there are things that I do not pick up while reading, for example, in small font or hidden, my burger is consists of 2.5 servings as to 1.

Balko: See! That proves my point. Why did you choose to eat a burger? I would have chosen to eat a homemade pasta or sandwich. It would have been cheaper, tastier, and healthier.

Zincenko: Kids would not want to dine at home all the time, after school or during school, they need a snack. Conveniently, there are fast food restaurants on nearly street. Sometimes there would be more than one mc donalds or burger king on a single block!

Balko: mc donalds and other leading fast food restaurants are causing consumers harm to their bodies and wallets. Although fast food restaurants claim to be cheaper, every meal is roughly a few bucks cheaper than a fresh cooked entrée at a diner or local restaurant. After eating these deleterious meals daily, your body will begin to have complications; such as heart attacks, high cholesterol, weight gain, and much more.

Zincenko: I know all the negative impacts are. Do you think I’m dumb? Geez. I’m just trying to say that it’s not our fault. For the millionth time, what if that’s all we can afford. Let me give you a situation, so I live in a town where the only restaurant is toco bell, and there isn’t a single groceries store for the next 20 miles. And I happen to only have two dollars. Wouldn’t dining at toco bell seem reasonable? Knowing all the risky effects of eating a few toco would do to me. I would most likely still choose to eat it. Wouldn’t you?

Balko: Stop talking to me. You’re just one of those people that waste our country’s money by relying on your public health benefit after eating unhealthy and having problems down the line. Then you end up having to go to a doctor’s office or the hospital a hundred times more often than the general population who chose not to eat fast food.

Zincenko: Whatever man. Just know that sometimes you just have to eat something unhealthy. It really isn’t our fault if we eat a meal that might someday cause us a heart attack.
Thesis: When an individual eats, it is entirely their decision however some may not take responsibility for their choice. What the government should do instead of providing more health care to the public, they should provide cheaper sources of nutritional foods. Because the main reason in my opinion why I would choose unhealthy foods over healthy foods is because organic or cooked meals is more expensive compared to a heated up frozen good.