An Imperial Message

This parable by Kafka is written simply, yet is almost impossibly difficult to fully understand. I think that this story is open to many different interpretations, because Kafka never really explains his true purpose to us. I found it interesting that he wanted to destroy these writings before he died, but they were still published after his death.
I think that Kafka is playing on the idea that humans are distant or removed from God in this lifetime. If the Emperor represents God in this story, then he is claiming that God is dead, or dying. But in what sense? Does he mean that God is dead in our eyes, or that he literally does not exist? I think Kafka is trying to tell us that if God had a message for us, humankind would not be able to grasp it or comprehend it in its full complexity and true nature. I think he is also saying that it is impossible to reach every person and make them understand your message, or whomever's message it may be. The "Emperor's messenger" is running a hopeless race in trying to deliver the "message" to all of the world. Kafka says it well when he states that the "world [is] crammed to bursting with its own refuse". There is a lot of crap in this world that people get stuck or slowed down in, inhibiting them from noticing the true nature of the world around them. It is impossible, in my opinion, to understand the full spectrum of reality in the current human condition.
Many figures in history have played the role of "messenger" in many different ways. Some were messengers of peace and justice, others messengers of death and destruction. But I think Einstein said it best; "Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods".

Discrimination is a Virtue

"Discrimination is a Virtue" is an article which discusses how so many people do not understand the true definition of the word discrimination. This essay by Robert Miller explains how an "entire generation has grown up believing that "discrimination" means "racism"". He further details the idea that our culture has become obsessed with the idea of equality for all people. In almost every aspect of our society, including education and politics, we try not to draw any lines between students as well as candidates.
When it comes to the Democratic presidential nomination race, little is said about the candidates' policies in the media. Their focus tends to be on skin color or gender instead of the actual issues. For example, how many people know that Barack Obama is actually opposed to gay marriage, although he does support civil unions? In general, many people seem to think that because women or black people have been "discriminated" against in the past, no real discrimination is needed in where they should place their vote. Assuming anything about a candidate based on race or gender is not fair to the candidates. We need to understand that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are two very different people with different policies. Don't get on the bandwagon with so many others and vote for one or the other based on some clouded bias.

Argument Visual

This graph shows the major producers of hydroelectric power in the United States. The Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for the power generated by the Colorado River Storage Project. The graph explains that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is second in power generation only to the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. This is relevant to my paper because it shows how much of a role the Bureau plays in providing power to the country. Without this source of power, alternative methods would have to be found. These would include less clean sources such as the burning of coal.

Prospectus Questions/Concerns

1. Although the author takes an even-handed approach to the subject of plagiarism, he or she does not give their personal opinion on the subject. Should this be included in the prospectus?

2. The author could have done a better job of explaining the topics he or she will be discussing in the introductory paragraph. Also, a well defined thesis in the introductory paragraph would help to round out the authors purpose.

3. The author needs to work on the transitions between paragraphs. Although the paper had a good tone, stronger transitions would have helped the paper flow more smoothly.

Black English

Baldwin makes a compelling argument regarding language in his essay "If Black English Isn't A Language, What Is?". Language is our most powerful tool as humans and is one of the few traits which distinguishes us from every other species on earth. Baldwin points out how much of a role language really plays in our personal and cultural identities as well as our view of the world around us. He claims that the language of the black culture in the United States is just as much of a language as the white man's English. He supports his claim well using historical evidence to describe the evolution of this language. The origins of black English are deeply rooted in our country's past and the decisions made by our forefathers. He reveals that when slave trading began in this country "blacks came to the United States chained to each other, but from different tribes. Neither could speak the other's language". Language is a tool born out of necessity, and Baldwin explains how this was also true for the blacks forced to come to America. He also explains the important role that black language and culture has played in every facet of our society.
Baldwin is explaining to us that this language is a window into the black culture as well as a revelation of the injustices and immorality faced by black people in the past. It reveals to us the underlying notion that American history has created some people that think "that they have nothing to learn from the poeple of a country that has managed to learn so little".
Overall, this author does a good job of using historical evidence as well as a powerful sense of ethos brought on by his credibility in the subject to persuade the audience.

Dihydrogen Monoxide

At first glance DHMO.org may seem like a perfectly normal website with a respectable cause. The writer is extremely creative with the way he explains the "dangers" of dihydrogen monoxide. He makes sure to stay extremely vague with his explanation of the supposed research done on the chemical. They say things such as "dihydrogen monoxide is the major component in acid rain" and "thousands die each year after inhaling dihydrogen monoxide". Although both of these statements are true, their purpose for writing it this way is to scare people into thinking that this is a lethal chemical. But with about thirty seconds of research from an outside source we find that this is a complete hoax. Dihydrogen monoxide is nothing more than a fancy name for H2O, water. The first suspicious thing I noticed about the site is the non-functional links on the page. Not only are most of these links pages created by the same group, but half of them don't even work. Also, there is no way to contact anyone from the "Environmental Assesment Center" given on the homepage or any other. This site is obviously unreliable in every way, except for a good laugh.
I have to admit that when I first began to read over the website, I didn't think anything was too odd about the website. When the common person reads over a name like "dihydrogen monoxide" they assume they are being given the scientific term for some horrible chemical they know nothing about. This website plays on the gullibility that so many people succumb to when they don't think critically and don't look at an outside resource. I wonder how many people have actually bought items from this site without realizing what they were buying!?

"Middle-Schoolers Get the Pill"

An article from "The Week Daily" website explained that a school board in Portland, Maine, passed legislation to allow students between the ages of eleven and thirteen to receive birth control pills with permission from their parents. The idea of children being sexually active at the age of eleven is a touchy and controversial subject no matter which side of the argument you are on. Both sides make valid points to support the validity of their arguments.
The majority of conservatives agree that it is immoral for people to be having sex at such a young age. Their evidence includes the fact that their has been an increase in underage pregnancies as well as sexually transmitted diseases throughout the years. A counterargument to this might be the idea of providing condoms as well as birth control pills to prevent pregnancy and disease from occurring in young people.
Liberals claim that conservatives are being too "puritanical" with their beliefs and think that these kids should at least be given the option of birth control if they decide to make that choice. The Boston Globe also stated that the school is not just handing the pills over to girls but stated that they must "first travel a long-even arduous-road of counseling. Their is evidence to support the fact using that using protection does decrease the possibility of pregnancy as well as transmission of disease, but certain perspectives are overlooked in regards to this argument.
One theory overlooked is the idea that providing students with condoms contraceptive pills at such a young age can actually lead to an increase in sexual activity. The logic behind this theory is that kids are easily persuaded, and that if they are given these instructions by teachers and parents, they may be persuade to believe that it is a cultural norm for people their age to be having sex. This in turn could cause them to become sexually active at a premature age whether they are interested or not.

My RA Essay

My paper was on the Conan O'Brien commencement speech given to the graduating class of Stuyvesant High School. I found the process of writing this rhetorical analysis enjoyable. It gave me the opportunity to practice my skills in identifying and understanding the rhetorical appeals used by the author. I think that this is a very important skill to master for a number of reasons. First, it helps me in my everyday writing, no matter the subject. Secondly, it helps me to better understand other writers and what their purpose might be for their audience. I was relatively happy with my understanding of the speech, but more analysis could have been applied to explain my ideas in further detail. There were several elements in my essay that could have been improved further.
I feel that I could have put more emphasis on my thesis within the opening paragraph. Although it was vaguely stated in the last few sentences of the first paragraph, a single and final sentence to pull my ideas together would have helped the reader to better understand my purpose. A more thorough and detailed reading of the speech may have also given me a different perspective on Conan's purpose as well as my thesis. For example, perhaps Conan's purpose was not to give them any practical advice, but to just make them laugh to relieve some of the pressure in the air. Or perhaps his story of his past experiences had a completely different purpose then what is primarily seen at first glance. Further analysis could also have helped me in lengthening my essay to the proper size. It may have me to be more detailed with my explanations as well as my summaries of the speech.
My transitions needed some work in my first draft, but with a little rewriting and reorganizing, they seemed to flow into the next paragraph much smoother. Also, my editing does not seem to be as strong as I had previously thought. Even though I read over my final draft several times, I missed a few obvious grammatical errors as well as a sentence fragment. With better peer editing as well as self editing, this can easily be alleviated.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Conan's speech as well as working on this essay. Although I had a vague understanding of Aristotle's rhetorical appeals, learning about them in class and doing this assignment especially, gave me a new perspective on what they really mean. When I sit down and read anything now, I can't help but notice the authors appeals. I seem to constantly see how well, or how poorly, is appealing to his audiences' emotions and how they explain their logic.

Plato and Freire on the "Truth"

Plato and Paulo Freire approach the concept of education and ignorance in very different ways. Yet they are both able to explain their ideas with descriptive language and powerful imagery. Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" is a parable of a man who is freed from a cave where he has spent his entire life and knows only the shadows on the walls. His freedom from this cave brings about a new enlightenment in the way he views the world and what he understands as the truth. Freire's essay called "The Banking Concept of Education" is more of an analysis of learning between the teacher and the student. Freire focuses on the idea that students can sometimes be oppressed by the system that is supposed to be an avenue for knowledge. Although these authors have different writing styles, their purpose is the same.
It is the purpose of both of these authors to explain to the reader the importance of questioning authority as well as reconsidering what is known as the "truth". Freire does this by using logos to appeal to the audiences logical side. He gives concrete examples as well as factual information to explain his opinion on the subject. Plato plays to his audience in a very different way. Plato uses strong imagery and rhetorical questioning to keep the reader engaged in the story. He does a wonderful job of using pathos throughout to appeal to the readers emotions. Both authors' writing skills show their abilities to thoroughly communicate their purpose to the reader.
So what is to be said about this idea of questioning authority as well as our perceived reality? How do we know that what we know is truly knowledge? Is there an absolute truth? What is the truth? These philosophical questions have been asked for thousands of years. What we must understand about these questions is that they may never be answered by man. Our perception of what we call "reality" or the "real world" can change on a daily basis. It is understood differently by every person. The only thing we really can do is keep an open mind and learn to communicate with each other to best of our ability. Because when people look at issues from several different perspectives, thay can get a better view of what they are trying to see.

Who's to blame in Flint?

Moore suggests in his film that it is the responsibility of corporations to make a personal and trusting relationship with its employees. Evidence of this can be seen during his interview with one of GM's lobbyists. Moore asks him this question and the response of the lobbyist is that it definitely is not. He says that the only responsibility of the corporation is to make money.
Bill George of the New Straits Times states in his article "Coping well when downsizing hits" that "management has a responsibility to make sure that the company remains profitable, so sometimes drastic measures are necessary"(George). But does this explain GM's reason for closing the plants in Michigan? According to Moore, the company was generating a profit in the billions when it made this decision. Whatever the company's motives may have been, the effects of these job losses are made clear in Moore's film.
So who is to blame for the degradation of Flint, Michigan? Moore would claim that the blame lies solely on the shoulders of the C.E.O. of GM, Roger Smith. Bill George might say that it is the responsibility of the former employees to come to terms with the changes when they arise and understand that change is a main component in the corporate world. Also, the government of Flint, Michigan can be held partially responsible. Their inability to adapt and create successful economic policy was also a factor in the decline in tourism and loss of business in the city. But perhaps all of the parties are partially too blame for such a collapse in one community.
It is certain that the plant closings caused an economic depression and put many people out of work. On the contrary, how long can this one corporation be blamed for such a lasting poverty in one community? Perhaps it is necessary for the ex-employees as well as the local government to adapt to the changes and learn to create new opportunities for themselves, elsewhere if necessary. It is the responsibility of the entire community, not just one entity, to create a successful and prosperous society.

http://www.lexisnexis.com/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?risb=21_T3028063526&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T3028063529&cisb=22_T3028063528&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=151977&docNo=3

Moore's Roger & Me

Although I am of the opinion that many of Michael Moore's documentaries may be somewhat bias, he does make some strong points in this film to support his viewpoint. First of all, the shutdown of the GM plant in Flint, Michigan definitely did have a hugely negative impact on the economy as well as the people of the community. This largely explains the increase in crime, poverty, and welfare in Flint. Moore does an excellent job of showing how seemingly incompetent officials making bad choices can feed the flames even further. On the other hand, Moore seems to go out of his way to make it seem like GM is the sole reason for the depravity within the city.I think that Moore is making an effort in the film of finding the poorest and lowliest people in the worst neighborhoods and then drawing connections between these people and GM where there might not necessarily be a direct connection.
There were some very powerful images in this film that showed the extent some people go to in order to survive. Although I found the "rabbits for pets and meat" a bit disturbing, the reality is that it's not such an unusual thing. In our culture, this may seem very base and primitive, but humans have been farming animals since our beginnings. Many cultures would not find this unusual at all, but in America we seem to be used to our food being bagged and tagged for us. One thing I did find very unusual was the entire "Jail House Rock" grand opening. The idea of paying $100 to stay in a place where people are sent to pay for their crimes is just a little weird. On the other hand, if it raised money for the city, who knows? I guess you could consider it a good thing.
Don't get me wrong, it was surely a tragedy to have so many jobs lost in one city. But the truth is that the sole purpose of a corporation IS to make a profit. GM did this by moving their factories elsewhere. Moore said it himself, "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer". This is the essence of capitalism. The rich do the things which make them richer, while the poor tend to do the things which make them poorer.

The Southland

This essay by Henry Miller is ripe with descriptions of cities and famous landmarks which provides the reader with fantastic visual stimuli. Although these descriptions are eloquently written, many of the references Miller makes are to other stories, which could possibly confuse the reader if he or she has never read these stories. His numerous references to the Civil War make me wonder when this article was written and what kind of background Miller came from. Was he from the South? What are his opinions of the Northern part of our country? What in his life caused such a passion for the South?
Drawing this conclusion completely from this essay, Miller seems to be a lover of the "South" and doesn't seem to look on the "North" with much favor. This is evident in his reference to the "slave culture", which he says was not necessarily a bad thing and could have possibly provided the world with some sort of great work if it were maintained. Although this idea seems a bit odd, the author has an obvious passion for the South and has a great ability to describe it in a very intriguing way. The strongest imagery, in my opinion, but also the simplest to understand can be found in the last few sentences of the essay when he says..." It is all over now. A new South is being born. The old South was ploughed under. But the ashes are still warm."

National Geographic Rhetorical Analysis

The National Geographic Society is a well known and highly respected organization that has funded thousands of projects and expeditions over the past 100 years. This society consists of numerous scientists and supporters from across the globe. Their main goal, as stated on the website, is to "inspire people to care about the planet". Although the audience of this site could be seen as mainly the scientific community, people of all ages and cultures can be drawn to a sight such as this. Anyone with the capacity and eagerness to learn could be thought of as a potential audience. This explains why the magazine along with the shows are such a popular media in many countries.
The main purpose of National Geographic's website is to inform the public along with the scientific community. As seen on the home page, they strive to make their website compelling, engaging, and informative. This is evident in the many striking images they post everyday on page one. These photos, along with well written headlines, engage the browser and help to draw them into the website. Although the homepage has many links, it is designed in a way so that the browser can easily find the subject they are looking for.
The tone of this website seems to be an open-minded, exploratory and informative one. The authors of this site not only want the reader to be engaged in the articles on the site, but want them to be open-minded and think scientifically in their everyday lives.
The authors of this website use rhetorical appeals very effectively on the home page to complement the ethos, pathos, and logos found there. Many of these articles strike at the heart of our ethos as a culture, informing us of the many struggles and hardships we face. Not only is our cultural ethos reflected here, but the website also exhibits pathos by connecting with our basic human instinct of wanting to understand the world around us. By taking a scientific approach to the website, logos is clearly evident in the scientific data found throughout the website. All in all, this site seems to have found a strong connection between the three rhetorical appeals.

Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue"

I found this essay to be mainly about Tan's struggles to cope with the English language as a Chinese-American writer. I thought it was interesting how much her mother's ability to speak affected hers as a young student. I think this shows how a students learning and testing abilities depends on the environment they grew up in. Tan's experience with a mother who spoke "limited" English may have also helped her to become a more creative and determined writer.

This Should Be Interesting

I have only recently become aware of blogs and what they are really about. Blogs, in my opinion, are basically a free billboard which any person can access at any time. It provides a forum for open communication and gives the writer a chance to express themselves freely. I think that these blogs will definitely help our class to better share our ideas in and out of the classroom. I also hope that it will help me develop my writing and communication skills. I noticed that most of my classmates, as well as myself, have never done the blogging thing. This is probably because blogging has just recently become a popular form of communication on the internet. Despite our overall lack of experience as bloggers, I am sure interesting ideas and conversations will develop in future posts.

A Dingo Ate My Baby

Watch out for dingos, they will eat your baby.