Coming straight from Orville, this book is definitely a change-up. Or a fastball. Regardless, Farhad Manjoo
takes aim at discovering the truth beyond the lies, or lies behind perceived truth.
I am interested in all the angles he can venture in after reading the first section. John Kerry's iffy false patriotic actions were foreign to me, and I feel like there is a lot that Farhad still has to share.
He begins with the story of a little girl from California who got AIDS from her mother.
“The death of a little girl in Los Angeles may not look immediately germane to the thesis of this book: that the limitless choice we now enjoy over the information we get about our world has loosened our grip on what is—and isn’t—true,” writes Manjoo. “What killed Eliza Jane, then, was not only a disease but more precisely the lack of notice and care for a disease—a denial even, that her condition existed. What killed her was disregard for scientific fact. It was the certainty with which her parents jettisoned the views of experts in favor of another idea, their own idea, far removed from observable reality. It was a willingness to trade in what was true for what was merely true enough.”
An awakening start, I am interested to see where he goes. I would really be excited if he went into 9/11 matters.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Men and Power
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-katz-md/biologys-effect-on-mens-behavior_b_977466.html?ref=mostpopular
This article, written by Dr. Katz touches on the power men feel entitled to, without being ashamed of it at all. In fact, he remarks that "it's more natural to procreate with more than one partner over a lifespan than to be with one person until death do us part."
Though we live in a society that believes marriage is the key to happiness and eternal love, this may not be the case for everyone.
He also draws parallels to the celebrities who have found themselves in a trap.
"Biology is often the cornerstone of bad behavior. The pattern is well-established: Powerful, successful men (often with attractive, intelligent, successful wives) find themselves caught up in high-profile sex scandals. We somehow always manage to seem a bit surprised, as well as appalled, although I suspect our surprise is more feigned than real. And of course, for every high-profile peccadillo of this sort, there are countless others too mundane to tempt the paparazzi."
His choice of the word "mundane" really shows how sick our society is. He is basically saying that a conversation goes along the lines of this:
Person 1: Have you heard about him and her?
Person 2: No I haven't because she's not rich enough and he's ugly (or vice versa).
For starters, this is where the media controls those who are influenced by it. People want drama, and for some reason they are easily provided it.
This article, written by Dr. Katz touches on the power men feel entitled to, without being ashamed of it at all. In fact, he remarks that "it's more natural to procreate with more than one partner over a lifespan than to be with one person until death do us part."
Though we live in a society that believes marriage is the key to happiness and eternal love, this may not be the case for everyone.
He also draws parallels to the celebrities who have found themselves in a trap.
"Biology is often the cornerstone of bad behavior. The pattern is well-established: Powerful, successful men (often with attractive, intelligent, successful wives) find themselves caught up in high-profile sex scandals. We somehow always manage to seem a bit surprised, as well as appalled, although I suspect our surprise is more feigned than real. And of course, for every high-profile peccadillo of this sort, there are countless others too mundane to tempt the paparazzi."
His choice of the word "mundane" really shows how sick our society is. He is basically saying that a conversation goes along the lines of this:
Person 1: Have you heard about him and her?
Person 2: No I haven't because she's not rich enough and he's ugly (or vice versa).
For starters, this is where the media controls those who are influenced by it. People want drama, and for some reason they are easily provided it.
Unacceptable
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/20/jamey-rodemeyer-suicide-gay-bullying_n_972023.html
While glancing over the Huff Post home page, I came across a title that has become way to regular in the news. "Boy Commits Suicide After Gay Bullying".
Though the names differ, the basis of the story is all the same. In this case, it was a 14-year-old freshman in high school named Jamie Rodemeyer. His parents thought he was handling the issue well, but it turns out that was not the case. Friends claim he just wore a really good mask to cover it all up, and in the end, the slurs of other careless students were the base of his demise.
This is pertinent because it is the simple language of others in their own public sphere that offended and ended up taking this innocent boy's life.
I find these cases to be extremely sickening. We live in such a free society, almost too free. I guess it is too free if kids can slang words at one another and get away with it. But the essence of it is that within our free society, some are trapped by bullying, no matter how good they can try to hide it.
Through it all, Jamey tried to keep his head up. "Thats all you have to do. Just love yourself and you're set. And I promise you, it'll get better,” he said in the video.
Gay bullying has been gaining to much attention in the public sphere, and not for the right reasons. Some states are enforcing laws against such hate crimes, such as California and "Seth's Law". Though I am not really involved in this issue, I feel guilty just reading these stories and not doing anything about it. There needs to be a change.
While glancing over the Huff Post home page, I came across a title that has become way to regular in the news. "Boy Commits Suicide After Gay Bullying".
Though the names differ, the basis of the story is all the same. In this case, it was a 14-year-old freshman in high school named Jamie Rodemeyer. His parents thought he was handling the issue well, but it turns out that was not the case. Friends claim he just wore a really good mask to cover it all up, and in the end, the slurs of other careless students were the base of his demise.
This is pertinent because it is the simple language of others in their own public sphere that offended and ended up taking this innocent boy's life.
I find these cases to be extremely sickening. We live in such a free society, almost too free. I guess it is too free if kids can slang words at one another and get away with it. But the essence of it is that within our free society, some are trapped by bullying, no matter how good they can try to hide it.
Through it all, Jamey tried to keep his head up. "Thats all you have to do. Just love yourself and you're set. And I promise you, it'll get better,” he said in the video.
Gay bullying has been gaining to much attention in the public sphere, and not for the right reasons. Some states are enforcing laws against such hate crimes, such as California and "Seth's Law". Though I am not really involved in this issue, I feel guilty just reading these stories and not doing anything about it. There needs to be a change.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Winston's Uncharacteristic Conformity
I now understand why George Orwell's thought provoking novel "1984" is so thoroughly discussed throughout American Literature. His predictions of the future reveal how genius of an imagination the man had. But more than that, the novel is full of themes and symbols that are certainly open to multiple interpretations.
One of the first themes I began to investigate as soon as I began reading was the recurrence of hope throughout the novel. On page 83, Winston’s thoughts are quoted, “Truisms are true, hold on to that. The solid world exists; its laws do not change. Stones are hard; water is wet, unsupported objects fall toward the earth's center.” This passage reveals Winston’s incredible understanding of the world he lives in despite all the control imposed upon him. This is also significant because Winston previously had questioned the meaning of living in a society like such. For him to grasp and formulate those ideas says a lot about his character.
His rebellious nature only grows once he meets Julia, who I believe he feeds off. Julia is a free spirit who Winston is captivated by, and precedes to fall head over heels for. During their “good” times, I feel Winston is on his way to finding happiness.
Then it all goes wrong. O’Brien is not who Winston perceives him to be, and Winston and Julia are separated as Winston is sentenced to The Ministry of Love. There he is tortured, and Orwell’s descriptions are gruesome.
In a way, I drew a parallel to the story of Socrates and “The Apology”. Socrates, like Winston is a free spirit in a bound society. Both are convicted because the majority do not approve of the way they think. Though the fates of both men differ towards the end, I feel as if they resemble the same person in their respective eras.
That being said, the end of the novel left me in disbelief. I had faith in Winston that he wouldn’t act in the selfish manner that he did, but I guess that is due to The Inner Party’s controlling nature. When he passed on the pain to Julia, I felt as if I was the one receiving it. I had faith in Winston to not give up his rebellious nature and optimistic (for what its worth) philosophy. As I look back though, it was inevitable, and not as bad as I first thought it to be.
Winston’s sacrificing of his own thought process is not an act of weakness, but an act of wisdom, as was Socrates. Socrates chose death because he had done what he wanted to do with his life, and wanted to continue exploring what comes next. Similarly, Winston gave in to Big Brother because he had done all he could, and his ignorance had lost its strength that was once so powerful. His decision shows how cynical the society truly is, but also how smart he is to finally realize he is a prisoner of his own body and that there is no other option for life.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Travel by Mouse Instead of Jet?
A topic that has recently caught my interest is the global climate campaign. CNN has even called it “the most widespread political activity in the planet’s history.” (McKibben 1) I have been interested in how our world is maximizing productivity in lieu of the seemingly infinite technological advances.
In the article titled “Travel by Mouse Instead of Jet?” Bill McKibben investigates what is gained and lost by using software such as Skype and other videoconference programs.
Here is how McKibben describes his new methods:
“In recent years I've learned to tell an increasing number of the people who ask me to speak (about ten a day, most days) that the only way I can "be" there is via Skype video. I sit in my kitchen, turn on my Macbook Pro, line up the camera, and when the moment comes I talk. In this way I am able to say "Yes." to speaking to a multiple of the people I could speak to if our only option was being physically present. And the good news is that the technology is improving all the time. I've already had one venue send out a special camera that allowed me to appear as a three-dimensional hologram!”
One of the main gains of this strategy is to cut costs, and in turn cut back on pollution given off by jets. You can do one thousand Google searches for the energy it takes a plane to drive six tenths of a mile (McKibben 3).
Many have taken this approach, and the only downside McKibben can note is that occasionally some feedback is lost in translation, or the Internet so to speak. Other than that, costs are cut and time is gained, and as technology advances it will only become more and more efficient to do work via remote workstations.
I feel as if McKibben and his coworkers are setting a solid foundation in cutting back not only on travel costs but also on global air pollution. It is brainless if you are a traveling speaker to not start off by making one or two of your conferences a month done over a video stream. In a way, it exemplifies evolution, as things are constantly changing and people not only have to keep up with the world itself but also the technology that comes with it. The world stops for nothing. Except until it freezes over and we all die.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
1984: Section 1
To be frank, after the first few pages I was seriously contemplating just dropping the book and continuing on with my life. I persisted though, and was happily rewarded. George Orwell's accounts of what he believes the future will hold are surprisingly accurate.
To begin, I appreciate Winston's character, and how he is a born leader. He doesn't like being watched, and seems much smarter than other townspeople. I am anxious to see how he grows and if others follow him in his belief that the Party needs to go.
Secondly, two passages stuck out in particular, and coincidentally they were right beside each other. On page 83 Orwell writes, "Stones are hard, water is wet, unsupported objects fall toward the earth's center." He adds, "Freedom is the freedom to say two plus two equals four. Once that is granted, all else follows." For some reason these two lines caused me to think how so many things are definite in this world, yet others are so unrestrained. I almost can't explain how it made me feel, but I was considerably astonished as to how much sense Orwell had made.
I do not typically enjoy fiction, and usually stray away from it, but I think I can find interest in Orwell's tale. I look forward to how the novel plays out as we get deeper into the plot.
To begin, I appreciate Winston's character, and how he is a born leader. He doesn't like being watched, and seems much smarter than other townspeople. I am anxious to see how he grows and if others follow him in his belief that the Party needs to go.
Secondly, two passages stuck out in particular, and coincidentally they were right beside each other. On page 83 Orwell writes, "Stones are hard, water is wet, unsupported objects fall toward the earth's center." He adds, "Freedom is the freedom to say two plus two equals four. Once that is granted, all else follows." For some reason these two lines caused me to think how so many things are definite in this world, yet others are so unrestrained. I almost can't explain how it made me feel, but I was considerably astonished as to how much sense Orwell had made.
I do not typically enjoy fiction, and usually stray away from it, but I think I can find interest in Orwell's tale. I look forward to how the novel plays out as we get deeper into the plot.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Ambassador Assignment
The area of the public sphere I chose to explore was "Pop Culture". Pop culture is a very vast category, allowing almost all areas of the public sphere to be connected. Defined as "Commercial culture based on popular taste," you can imagine how paths can cross.
I plan on using publications such as The New York Times, NPR, The Huffington Post, as well as anything else that I come across from a valid source to review opinion pieces touching on people's reactions to certain events, articles pertaining to pop culture and college students, as well as anything else I find interesting.
I plan on using publications such as The New York Times, NPR, The Huffington Post, as well as anything else that I come across from a valid source to review opinion pieces touching on people's reactions to certain events, articles pertaining to pop culture and college students, as well as anything else I find interesting.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Reflection
Interestingly enough, if I hadn't spent the past five days here at college, I wouldn't be able to relate to the article "After Class, Skimpy Equality." However, I was able to and therefore can say that Lisa Belkin's point is considerably valid.
In today's day and age, it is fairly common that someone, unhappy with something about themselves, changes it in what seems the simplest manner to them. This is due in part to the fact that our world has ultimately become limitless. This can seem enticing, but only to a certain extent.
This is where a thing called the brain comes in handy. Dating back to 1.9 million years ago, the human brain has become less and less prominent to some as the future nears. Computers and processors are sweeping the nation. Robots build cars, drive cars, and even write sports articles simply by feeding it a box score.
With that being said, I see the solution to this problem that females dress as they wish, but if you do dress suggestively, expect the worst. In plain terms, just use that brain thing.
But this situation can be easily turned right around onto the males. I experienced first hand this weekend that it is substantially different around campus depending on your gender. For instance, freshman girls get made fun of by upperclassmen girls much more often than the older girls pick on freshman boys, but freshman girls don't get a door slammed in their face nearly as much as a freshman male.
(The previous was an exaggeration to a certain extent. Everyone I met and spent time with on campus were extremely helpful and considerate.)
Regardless, the moral of Lisa's article is that nightlife clothing (or lack thereof) is completely up to you. Just know that if you dress like you're someone you are not, chances are you won't get treated like yourself, man or woman.
In today's day and age, it is fairly common that someone, unhappy with something about themselves, changes it in what seems the simplest manner to them. This is due in part to the fact that our world has ultimately become limitless. This can seem enticing, but only to a certain extent.
This is where a thing called the brain comes in handy. Dating back to 1.9 million years ago, the human brain has become less and less prominent to some as the future nears. Computers and processors are sweeping the nation. Robots build cars, drive cars, and even write sports articles simply by feeding it a box score.
With that being said, I see the solution to this problem that females dress as they wish, but if you do dress suggestively, expect the worst. In plain terms, just use that brain thing.
But this situation can be easily turned right around onto the males. I experienced first hand this weekend that it is substantially different around campus depending on your gender. For instance, freshman girls get made fun of by upperclassmen girls much more often than the older girls pick on freshman boys, but freshman girls don't get a door slammed in their face nearly as much as a freshman male.
(The previous was an exaggeration to a certain extent. Everyone I met and spent time with on campus were extremely helpful and considerate.)
Regardless, the moral of Lisa's article is that nightlife clothing (or lack thereof) is completely up to you. Just know that if you dress like you're someone you are not, chances are you won't get treated like yourself, man or woman.
MBM Response #1
I believe that Paul Farmer did wonders for the world through his unmatched dedication and empathy. Although his individual medical work was focused on the most throughout the book, he accomplished something that I believe cannot be surpassed. The amount of hope and cheer he spread throughout Haiti is remarkable. Whether it be on his "routine" house calls or his infinite lectures, Farmer always manages to maintain composure and usually be the hero, whether he likes the attention or not. One of my good friends just came back from Haiti in August, and she said although they are still a bit behind with modern day medical care, everyone who knows of "Dokte" is more than grateful. Kidder words it perfect as he closes his book, remarking, "like so many hearts beating through one single stethoscope." Though there is a literal meaning to that, there is a bigger metaphor behind it. His witty, timeless approach he carries around with him has done so much for the current state of Haiti as well as for the future.
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