HW 31 - Exploring Methods of M,M,C,A, & Aggrandizing the Self

Part A
So for my homework, I decided to ask my mom about her method of adorning her face with cosmetics. Below is our conversation, word for word.

So mom, I see that you wear makeup, and you don’t like to leave the house without it. Why is this so?
Because I always wore makeup since I was a teenager, I feel I must always have something on my face otherwise I will feel naked like I’m missing something, like wearing clothes. The other reason is I don’t like the way I look without makeup. Makeup makes me feel presentable in public. I also think without makeup, I look blah.

What do you think makeup does for one’s self-esteem levels?
It builds up one’s self-esteem, it project confident to one’s self. When a person likes the way they look, they will feel better about themselves and that will help them be able to interact with others with confident.

Did you always wear makeup, even when you were younger?
Yes, I started wearing makeup when I was a teenager. At first, it was just playing dress-up, but later it was because I did not have any self confidence and I did not think I was pretty and was plain. So I wore makeup to make myself feel prettier.

Do you think there are certain age groups of people who should not wear makeup?
Yes, I don’t think kids or teens should start wearing too much makeup. When they overdo it, it just makes them look worse than better. Wearing a subtle amount is fine if it make you look natural. Also makeup ruins people’s skin, I also learned that the hard way and it was too late to change that when I figured it out.

Shockingly, my mother did not give me the standard "Because I like it, it's for me, not for others” answer many of us are use too. However, this does not mean she did not tell me something along those lines. She did say that she wore makeup to boost her self-esteem level, which made her feel better about herself. She explained that have a high level of self esteem makes human interactions easier, which plays into the whole “others” part of the above statement. When I heard my mother’s answers to these questions, I was actually surprised. I never thought she wore make up to boost her self-esteem level, I only thought she wore it to impress others. I learned something new about her through these answers.

Another thing my mother’s answer made me think of is the way little kids like to play dress-up in their parents clothing. They are still adorning their bodies with materialistic items, even though they are young and do it for fun. All through our life we are constantly trying to improve our self-image, trying to add or remove items from our body to make us accepted by others. Ever since we were little, our parents dressed us up and showed us off, as a way to impress their friends with their children. Once we got older, and into our teenage years, we developed our own styles and what we believed was cool. Some people got tattoos and piercings, while others spend a ton of money on clothing. Moving past the teenage years, adults also feel the pressure to be accepted by others, while in their companies they work at or by their friends. We always adorn our body in order to impress others, and make ourselves seem “cool” in other’s eyes. We might not realize it, but we all do it.

Part B
After listening to my mother’s answers to my questions, I began to question my own reasons for wearing makeup. As I stated above, people of all ages adorn their body, in order to impress others. I wear eyeliner and lip-gloss because I feel that I am prettier with it. By adorning my body with cosmetics, I am boosting my self-confidence levels (as my mom said), while changing the way others see me. Along with wearing some makeup, I also adorn my body with clothing that if find others will approve of. If I dress the ways others do, or wear the brands others do, I feel that I would be more accepted by others.

As Shakespeare said in As You Like It, “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players”. This quote represents our society today. We all have roles in this world, our role depending on who we are and what we do with our lives. By adorning our bodies, we are creating roles for ourselves in this massive stage. By applying makeup, I am playing the role of the teenage girl who tries to impress her friends and others. By wearing clothes that I feel others will approve of, I am playing the role of a teenage girl who wants to fit in instead of standing out. I am constantly changing my apparel and look because I want to impress the people around me. I know it sounds ridiculous, the whole question of “why do you care what others think” coming into play, but we all care what others think. Some people may be in denial, but every time we get dressed or look in the mirror we think about what others think of us. My methods of adorning my body helps me boost my confidence levels, and makes me feel as if I am more accepted by the people around me.

Homework 30 - Psychological and Philosophical Theorizing of Cool

What is emptiness? Is it the feeling of a bottomless pit in your stomach, or is it the feeling of something physically or mentally missing? When people say they feel lonely, do they feel empty? Are they looking for that lost piece that will make them feel complete? What is emptiness exactly?

There are many views on what emptiness entails. Our human mind wants us to believe that emptiness is the feeling of missing something. According to Dictionary.com, emptiness is “containing nothing; having none of the usual or appropriate contents”, or “destitute of some quality or qualities; devoid”. There are several more definitions, but these two stand out to me the most. Even the dictionary tells us that emptiness is the feelings that nothing is there, that we are devoid of something. We are convinced emptiness is when something is missing. For example, a solid object such as a cup, is used to contain things, such as liquid. A cup filled with liquid is considered full, while a cup filled with liquid is considered empty because it does not have anything inhabiting its physical form. However, according to http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/emptiness.html, this cup is not empty. “We usually say that a cup is empty if it does not contain any liquid or solid. This is the ordinary meaning of emptiness. But, is the cup really empty? A cup empty of liquids or solids is still full of air. To be precise, we must therefore state what the cup is empty of.” (http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/emptiness.html) But our human mind is so one tracked that we only look at the cup in a physical sense containing physical matter. We classify things as empty or full depending on their physical form or state. When we feel empty, we feel that we are missing something from our lives. Something we believe will make our life whole again, whether it be a materialistic item or a certain someone. We search for that special something to make us feel whole again.

But what is emptiness according to psychologists? The great prophets advocate Buddha believes that “"form is emptiness; emptiness is form". Emptiness is a key concept in Buddhist philosophy, or more precisely, in the ontology of Mahayana Buddhism. The phrase "form is emptiness; emptiness is form" is perhaps the most celebrated paradox associated with Buddhist philosophy.” (http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/emptiness.html) When reading this quote, I took this key concept to mean one important thing. We as humans need form to help us live; we need structure in our lives to help us feel organized. We keep planners or organizers to schedule our meetings and what we have to do that day. But Buddha says that “form is emptiness”, meaning our structure we so carefully put together for ourselves is nothing but emptiness. He’s saying we don’t need forms to live our lives, we can just live. “Emptiness is form” because we got rid of that daily structure, and now we are finally living.

Buddha also tells us that being empty means being devoid of inherent existence. (http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/emptiness.html) What exactly does this mean? Inherent existence means there is nothing inhabiting the cup. We are partly right when saying that a cup is empty when not containing any liquid or solid, but we mean that in the physical sense. Buddha says that this cup is always empty because it is devoid of inherent existence. This doesn’t mean Buddha doesn’t think the cup exists, he knows the cup exists, but to a certain extent. “The cup exists, but like everything in this world, its existence depends on other phenomena. There is nothing in a cup that is inherent to that specific cup or to cups in general…The cup's properties and components are neither cups themselves nor do they imply cupness on their own. The material is not the cup. The shape is not the cup. The function is not the cup. Only all these aspects together make up the cup. Hence, we can say that for an object to be a cup we require a collection of specific conditions to exist. It depends on the combination of function, use, shape, base material, and the cup's other aspects. Only if all these conditions exist simultaneously does the mind impute cupness to the object. If one condition ceases to exist, for instance, if the cup's shape is altered by breaking it, the cup forfeits some or all of its cupness, because the object's function, its shape, as well as the imputation of cupness through perception is disrupted. The cup's existence thus depends on external circumstances. Its physical essence remains elusive.” (http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/emptiness.html) The cup exists because of all these external forces or circumstances, these conditions that make a cup a cup. Just like we as humans exist because of conditions that make us human. So is this cup empty? Yes, if it is devoid of these circumstances, but then it would not be a cup.

Buddha says that anger is nothing more then just that...nothing. We are so consumed by the feeling of wanting to feel something that we classify and label what we want to feel. When we have "feelings" of anger towards someone or something, we are feeding into the concept of anger. Anger is nothing but a concept we are trying to force ourselves into believing, a physical state we want our minds to believe we are in. By classifying our anger as "my anger" or telling ourselves "I am angry", we are labeling nothing. Buddha says that if we were to just let our "anger" pass through and not react to it, we will realize that anger is nothing but a void we are trying to fill with our own emotions. This plays into the sense of emptiness because we take what we think we are feeling and fill it with our emotions, causing our minds to over think what is really nothing all along. We get ourselves so worked up these feelings of emotions that we make ourselves believe what we are feeling is real, even when it is nothing all along.

But why do we as humans feel the need to fill this empty void we feel, instead of embracing it? We always want to be whole, to feel as if our life is complete. We look at our emptiness as a negative force acting against us, something we must get rid of as soon as possible. We don't embrace this feeling of emptiness as something good. We need to understand what Buddha says about emptiness, and understand that we are all empty unless we have all these conditions making us whole. It is not a bad thing to feel empty or have a life with no structure. It’s also not a bad thing to stop labeling things as “I”, because by not labeling ourselves using the word “I” we are taking away the concept that our perception is all that matters.

Links Used

http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/emptiness.html

http://www.viewonbuddhism.org/wisdom_emptiness.html#6

http://www.hinduwebsite.com/buddhism/essays/emptiness.asp

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/emptiness

Homework 29 - Merchants of Cool

Recently in class we watched the movie “Merchants of Cool” from Frontline. This movie was about how corporate companies manipulate teens into buying their mass produced products. The movie investigates what teenagers believe cool is, and how companies can market cool to teenagers in order to get them to buy their products.

It is a known fact that corporations manipulate teens into buying their products, all while pretending not to, as shown in “Merchants of Cool”. Companies hire people to go “cool-hunting” for them, people who will find those 20% of teens who set the trends, who make their own style, who don’t feel the need to confine to the next best trend. They take pictures of these teens, and sell them to companies so that companies know what teens find cool. But once companies market off these styles to be cool, it is not cool anymore. Everyone says that in order to be cool, you must be yourself, and have self-expression. But when buying mass produced products, how can one be cool and be yourself at the same time? We all want to appear as if we don’t care about being cool, and we don’t care what others think of us, but while doing this there is a part of us that seeks that attention and approval from our peers. Companies, as shown in “Merchant of Cool”, know this, and decide to subtly sell off their products without overselling the product. Once something “new” comes out, such as a new trend, teens flock to it. They gobble up the merchandise, spend millions of dollars on their new wardrobes, all trying to confine to the definition of “cool.” This works out in the companies favors, because they’re making millions of dollars. Once that trend dies out, something new will pop up, gaining a company more money.

Does this make corporations evil? Are they the enemy in our lives, always trying to sell us the next best thing? Or are they our best friends, the ones who show us the next greatest thing, the new trends that make us seem “cool” to our peers? I don’t believe it is evil that corporations manipulate the minds of young people for the sake of profit. Yes, when put in that sentence, corporations seem like the enemy, the ones who want to take our money and make a profit. But think about it…marketing is the process where people sell a new trend or product, and make money of off it. Isn’t this how our society works? We buy mass produced products, making corporate companies richer, and making ourselves happy because of our new products? Companies are actually smart for manipulating the minds of young people, because they know that young people follow the trends the most. They know we always want the next best thing, the things that will make us appear “cool”, and feed off of that. So maybe they make a profit of off it…isn’t that how capitalism works? It’s a cruel world, it’s true.

Should advertising to young people be banned? From watching “Merchants of Cool”, we learned that by the time young people are eighteen, we will have viewed over 10 millions advertisements. That’s a lot, isn’t it? But how would you want advertising to young people? Everywhere we go, we are smacked in the face with a new advertisement. Whether it be in the subways or on city buses, or the bright lights of Times Square. How can you get rid of that? Advertising to young people is what tells young people what they should wear. It helps us find new trends, or find items that we want and like. Advertising helps both corporations and us teenagers, because it keeps us up to date, while generating profit for them. In this Capitalist society, money talks and we listen.

I don’t believe that manipulating our young minds is wrong. It is just how our society works. Corporations know that teens always want to have the next best thing, to be perceived as cool by their friends. As told to us in a lecture by Matt Fried, teens want to be viewed as cool by their friends. He explains that teens are always craving that attention or approval from others, and companies supply teens with that. They boost our confidence levels by selling us products that they know will make us feel better about ourselves. Okay they’re making money, but aren’t we all happy? Think about that next time you call corporations evil.

Homework 28 - Informal Research

"Cool (aesthetic)." Wikipedia. 04/12/2009. Wikimedia Foundation, Web. 5 Dec 2009. .

This article explains the overview, theories, and origins of the word cool. It also shows what is cool in different regions of the world. Along with giving a reason why the word cool has no meaning or definite definition, the article explains what goes into being or making someone cool.

This article bought up a very good point about the word cool, one that I have not heard before reading this article. Stated is the fact that cool does not have a meaning or definition because of the constant evolution of what cool is. This article explains what goes into being cool, and gives the generic normal answers, but then explains that cool changed per decade/new fad, which is an interesting point.

Fenichel, Michael. "What is "Cool"? (What's Hot? What's Not?)." Dr. Michael Fenichel's Teaching Tools. 2008. Wikimedia Foundation, Web. 5 Dec 2009. .

What is cool? This article works to explain what cool is (according to children and teenagers), and then incorporates the author’s point of view’s on what cool is. This article ties together self-esteem, peer pressure, and social experiences, to name a few, with the word and definition of cool. On the bottom are interviews the author had with girls and boys about what cool is.

An interesting point that this article brought up that has not been brought up by other sites I visited or people I spoke to was the fact that peer pressure and self-esteem played a big role in being cool. Yes we did touch on the fact that being cool involves being popular or being liked, and having confidence in one’s self, but we never explained how it impacted people with low self-esteem, or how people feel pressure to be cool.

Buehler, Doyle. "You're not cool - I am. What is cool & finding the cool factor. ." Fast Company July 24. 2008: n. pag. Web. 5 Dec 2009. .

This article is extremely interesting on two different levels. First, the author perceives himself as cool and likes to say that he is cool than anyone else reading this article. He then explains why and how he perceives himself as cool. The second interesting thing he does is he gives a formula or breakdown for how one can become cool. In this formula, the biggest slice or variable is what people think about you, taking up 99% of the 100% the formula adds up to. This seems rather true. The author then explains that there is no universal definition of cool; it’s all up to a person’s point of view or perception.

Like I said before, the interesting point of this article was the formula to be cool. This can definitely be used as an argument in a paper or in a discussion, or as steps to how people can become cool. The author also brought corporate companies into the article, which also can be used in an argument.

Homework 27- Informal Research - Interviews and Surveys

What does it mean to be cool? In class and on our blogs we discussed our views, but we never asked our family members or strangers on the street what they thought cool meant.

During class on Wednesday, we ventured onto the streets outside of school, and cornered strangers going to work or class. Following one guy pushing a stroller with a baby in it, Henry (with me tagging along), asked this man his opinion on what cool is. While pushing the stroller and walking at a steady pace, the man replied that he thought kids were cool. (How fitting, considering he was pushing his child in a stroller...). Henry then commented on how that was an unusual answer, considering mainstream media likes to tell us that children aren't cool. Defensively (in my opinion), the man replied "I don't care what mainstream media thinks, I think kids are fun and cool." What a good father, huh? After saying thank you to the man pushing the stroller, Kate and I quickly stopped a guy rushing to class. He looked to be in college, and was reluctant to answer our questions until we told him what we were studying. Suddenly he seemed to come alive. When asked what he thought cool was, the guy gave us a shocking and confusing answer. "A manufacturers desire", he replied. When asked to expand on that statement, he replied "it's self-explanatory." What, did he think he was cool by giving us that answer? But when asked if he thought he was cool, he said no. Before leaving, he gave us one piece of advice. He recommended a book called "A noble writer sound of words" by Wallace Stevens, and told us it would help us in our class. We thanked him for his time, and off he went. Two interesting point of views from our first two interviews, who's next? Oh yes, the man in the blue leather jacket, blue sunglasses, and blue hat. Trying to make a statement or resembling cookie monster? Either way, he answered our questions for us. He gave us a generic answer to what his definition of cool was (just being yourself...how ironic since he was resembling a character from a child's television show), and didn't believe that he was cool. He also said the way you dress makes you cool (also ironic). When asked who was cool, he replied "entrepreneurs or people who make a lot of money." When asked which celebrity he believed was cool, he replied Jay-Z, since he made a lot of money. Carrie asked if the sunglasses he were wearing were cool, and he replied "no, I just wear them to avoid eye contact." I'm assuming eye contact is not cool in his opinion...although Jay-Z makes eye contact with many on a daily basis. Finally, we asked a female jogger who was taking a rest while waiting for someone. In my opinion, she was the coolest stranger we interviewed today, because her answers were extremely thought out and she didn't give us generic answers. She believed that being cool wasn't about "popularity or power, it was more about being passionate about something you love." In her opinion, standing up for what you believe in is cool. She believes that she is cool because she stands up for causes she believes in, such as preventing human trafficking. When asked which celebrities she believed were cool, she replied Susan Surander and Gloria Stein, both chosen because of the way they gave back to the community and how they stood up for what they believed in. She also believed that integrity was cool, and that men and women have different views on what cool is. She thinks men associate cool with power and receiving, while women associate cool with giving back and standing up for what they believe in. This seems to be true, to a certain extent, depending on the person in question.

After the interviews on the streets, I asked my friend Yang, who isn't in our school, about her definitions of cool, who (in her life and celebrities) is cool, and if she is cool. Her answers were "Being cool can be phrased as relaxed, easy to be with, stress free, hip, in style, awesome or good. Its a positive word that can describe a person, location, object style and much more. It can also mean laid back, mellow and something, somewhere or someone u would like to be associated with. Honestly I think I can be cool at times but not always like when I am in a bad mood or tired. I can be cool when I'm with close friends and having a good time but when I am stressed I can be very moody. I think current mood & stress level has a lot to do with "coolness". The coolest celebrity would be Robin Williams. He makes others laugh and gives people a good time. He's a great entertainer and keeps away from scandals and such, so he isn't an attention seeker. I would say I know a lot of cool people in my life. among those would be my close & best friends who are there for me when I need them and I can be myself with them because they are cool with how crazy or moody I can be at times and still love me for who I am. When we hang out we have a lot of fun and if we fight we always make up. My parents can be cool when they aren't being strict or nagging about school or curfews but they aren't always cool. I guess those are some of the cool people in my life.

Finally, I asked my mother the same questions I asked Yang. Her answers were "cool is being able to relate to people from the past and present generations. Be open minded about cultures, beliefs, fads, current events without imposing your own feelings upon others. Cool can also be anything that is the newest and must haves that everyone wants. Yes, I do think I am cool. I always wanted to be the cool mom, someone my kids and their friends can feel comfortable talking and being with, and being able to relate back with them. I like their musics and most of their taste in things. I feel and act young and that makes me cool too. I can fit into all different generations. In my opinion, the coolest celebrity is...hmm...this is a hard one, but I think I would say Donny Osmond. After seeing him in Dancing with the Stars and having him win makes him the oldest winner to date so that's cool. He is ageless and timeless in his celebrity status. I known him and liked him most of my life and he is still the same person as when he was young and that makes him the coolest in my opinion. In my life, I think the coolest person is my husband. This is because he is giving back to the community at the moment. I asked him to simplified and get rid of his stuffs he accumulated and does not need. He is giving his books and office supplies to the City Councilman office to donate to our oversea troops and also to the neighborhood school who can use the supplies more."

Strangers on the street, friends, family members, classmates, students, it doesn't matter who you are, we all have different views on what cool is. Some answers maybe be generic, some may be astounding. But what does our media and mass corporations say about what cool is? Lets save that for next time(:

Homework 26- Photos and Questions

I interviewed my friend Yang on her definition of what is cool and what is uncool. Below are her answers:
“What is your definition of cool?”
My definition of cool is being chill, amazing, and not annoying.
“What is your definition of uncool?”
My definition of uncool is not being naggy or whiney.


I then interview my friend Emily, and got one of the most profound answers ever. I really liked this answer:
“What is your definition of cool?”
Being cool is when you stay who you are and stick to your morals. when youre not easily influenced by others or fall into peer pressure. being cool is being true to yourself.
“What is your definition of uncool?”
Being uncool is when a person is narrowminded, and only looks at things in their own perspective. they dont allow room for improvement. they are easily influenced and stuggles to find their identity.


I then asked Gavin for his opinions:
“What is your definition of cool?”
Well I think people who are cool are those who care for others, and make the effort to be with people they enjoy.
“What is your definition of uncool?”
Uncool people try to attention grab and neflect others.


Finally i asked Carrie for her opinions:
"What is your definition of cool?"
when someone is charismatic i find that cool
“What is your definition of uncool?”
well i don't have a specific preference for cool but i know that someone uncool is generally someone who tries to act cool.

Homework 25- Story Comments and Analysis

Comments:
Kate-
I really liked your story because it was new and fresh. Most people talk about how the popular girl is cool because she makes fun of others, but in your story your girl is cool because she stands up for others. That was a nice twist, and i really liked how you wrote your story and how it flows. Great job =)
-Rachel

Henry,
I really enjoyed reading your story. i like how you wrote it, and how the story flows. Your story did an amazing job of explaining your point of view on what or who is cool, and what goes into being cool. good job =)
-Rachel

Jia Min,
I love your story. The dialogue makes the story easy to be able to connect to, because i can imagine these people talking. I also like how you made your character cool because of the fact that she stood up for another person. She wasn't afraid to stand up for someone who couldn't stand up for himself. Your story did a great job portraying what you thought the definition of cool involved.
-Rachel

Amber,
Although your story was short, i think it clearly got your point across. You incorperated so much into so little, if that makes any sense. i like how you portrayed the "cool" girl as the girl who does not care what authority thinks of her. I have read several other people's short stories, but yours is the first one to focus on rebelling being cool. great job =)
-Rachel

Maggie,
I really like your story. No dialogue is used, nor is it needed. Your point gets across clearly and your story makes so much sense. Your cool girl doesn't need the popular girl or the jock, she doesn't need several friends. She's just herself. I also like how your story flows, and how you described the girls clothing, to paint an image in our mind.
great job (:
-Rachel

Carrie,
I really like your story. It flowed nicely, and what your definition of cool was shown in this story. Your character captivates her audience by just being herself. I also agree with Jia Min, your last sentence was a great ending and my favorite line in your story.
-Rachel

Analysis
In several of the stories I have read, I have noticed that everyone has different definitions of the word “cool”. Some people perceive the word cool as that popular rebel character, as shown in Amber’s story (http://amberm93.blogspot.com/), or they perceive the word cool as the character who helps our others, as shown in Kate (http://kated2010.blogspot.com/) or Jia Min’s stories (http://sy17.blogspot.com/). Reading these stories helped open my eyes to the fact that many people perceive what is cool in different ways. There is not one universal definition of cool, rather several definitions, fit to the person who states it.

In Kate and Jia Min’s story, they chose to portray their character as cool because they helped others out. To them, being cool is about helping others. I also noticed that in both stories, the person in need was less “cool” or less “popular”, more along the “geeky” or “nerdy” type. In our society, we connect being uncool with be the geek or the loser.

In Maggie and Henry’s stories, they portrayed the cool character as the “quiet” type. They didn’t feel the need to talk to other people, or associate themselves with the whispers around them. By reading their stories, I came to the conclusion that Maggie and Henry believe that cool people don’t care what other people think, and they don’t feel the need to associate themselves with everyone.

In Amber’s story, the main character rebels against authority, She does not care what her principal says about her, and dares him to expel her, as he threatened to do. This shows me that Amber’s definition of cool involves not listening to adults, or rebelling.

Everyone has a different definition of the word “cool”, and after reading these stories, I was able to have a glimpse at what other people’s definition of cool is. These stories were interesting to read, and it was fun to read stories made by my classmates and friends.

Homework 24- Short Story One

I knew from the first time I laid eyes on her, she would be deemed as the “coolest kid in school.” Maybe it was her effortless style, or her natural beauty of a face, but there was something about her that struck me as cool. Her jeans were tucked into boots, her shirt was rumpled, and her hair looked like she just woke up and brushed it once but nothing more, but she radiated a sense of “coolness” whenever she walked. She was distant, and would not expand on her past when asked, her face a contortion of emotions, but her lips never leaking out one word. Few disliked her, most admired her. But let me go back to the first time I saw her.

It was a Monday morning, and the English teacher droned on and on in his nasal voice. Sleep threatened to take over my body, my eyes willing my brain to let them close. Students all over were napping, their heads spread out on tables, some lightly snoring. A blast of wind entered the classroom, followed by a door opening. Peeking to the front, I saw a tall girl standing still.

“You are?” The teacher asked.
“Taylor…Taylor Burns.”
“Ah yes, nice to meet you Ms. Burns. Yes we were expecting you. Please, take a seat. There’s one right there,” the teacher replied, pointing to the one near me.

It seemed as if she was gliding across the classroom, her hair bouncing but her eyes averted from connecting with anyone else’s.

“Nice to meet you,” I tried to be nice.
“Thanks,” she replied, coolly pulling out a patterned notebook.
“So, um…where do you come from?” I asked…trying to strike up a conversation. Our small school wasn’t use to getting new students, and I wanted to pry as much information from her as I can.

Her eyes shifted to me, starting quizzically at me, as if they were trying to figure me out. Her lips parted, as if to say something, and then closed again. After a long moment of silence, one word came out of her lips. “California.”

I was going to ask her more, considering I never met anyone from California before, but I stopped myself. She looked distant; her eyes seem to stare out to a spot on the wall. Mysterious, I decided. Mysterious was the word to best describe her.

Once the bell rang, she packed up her books in a handmade organic cotton bag, and stepped out of the classroom. Without asking anyone where to go next, she consulted her schedule and walked off. As she walked down the hallway, heads swiveled, whispers escaping people’s mouths. If she noticed, she didn’t say anything. She radiated “coolness” because of “I don’t care” attitude, and her distant attitude. Her style seemed effortless, and the students at school quickly picked it up. Some chose to talk crap about her, but others tried to befriend her. Those who criticized her made themselves feel better, jealousy and hatred radiating on their faces, but those who tried to befriend her got nothing but a soft smile and a blank stare. It was as if she did not want to talk to anyone, only wanted to do her own thing. Of course, this made her cooler in my eyes, along with half of the grade’s eyes. Here comes a girl from California, effortless beauty, aloof, distant, silent, but yet demanding attention in a discreet way. Her name escaped peoples lips, whispered in hushed tones, yet she didn’t seem to care.

It’s now three months since Taylor first stepped into our school, and I still know nothing about her. Mysterious? Yes, that’s her. Many tried to talk to her, but she never seemed to divulge more than one word answers. She was highly respected, and everyone knew her name, some even attempted to copy her style. Poseurs, I thought inside, wondering what was going on in her mind when she saw these followers in the hallway. Staring into her soft gray eyes, I realized I would never know. But one thing was sure, this girl was the definition of “cool”.

Homework 23 - 1st Constructivist Exploration of Cool

Every day, the word “cool” is tossed around as if it is nothing, effortlessly leaving people’s lips, without requiring much thought to the definition behind this four letter word. What is the definition of “cool”, and who defines what is considered “cool”? Does your style make you cool, the way you act, your personality? Or is it something completely different? What do people mean when they say “you’re cool”? These are some of the questions I am hoping to answer through this unit, and here are some of my answers to these questions.

I do not believe there is a universal definition of the word “cool”, rather a definition chosen by that of the person. Different people define what is “cool” in different ways; some people might say that being cool involves not caring or being a rebel, while others might think being cool means conforming to society’s standards. I believe that being cool ties into the idea of being popular, or being liked by many people. Your style might be cool or your personality might be cool, and that might make you cool to others. But what makes you “cool” to others? I believe what makes you cool is the ability to make people like you, and follow you. Sadly, our society is filled with followers rather than leaders, and when one spots a leader type, someone who isn’t afraid to show authority, they automatically think, “hey they’re cool”. There’s no fundamental base to what is cool, no concept written in textbooks, or steps to follow. Being cool is based on one’s perspective of others. I can say that I think Kate D’Auria, or Carrie Li, are cool (which I do believe is true), however people might beg to differ. I could argue that Carrie’s effortless style makes her cool in my eyes, and Kate’s ability to be nice to everyone makes her cool also. But this is my perspective, someone, let’s say Maggie Zheng, might think differently. We could argue over whether or not Kate and Carrie are cool, but what difference would it make? It’s an opinion, not a fact.

What is “uncool”? Who is “uncool”? Who defines what “uncool” is? I believe that being “uncool” ties into the whole concept of being “unpopular”. If one does not have many friends, or does not have a sense of style, they might be considered “uncool”. They don’t demand respect from others, or do anything to impress others. However, a person’s perception of whom or what is cool also depends on opinion. I could think sidekicks (the cell phone) are cool, but my mother might think they are uncool. These concepts of cool versus uncool plays into a person’s perception.

During class, Andy shot down Beatrice’s idea that Ali Jo was the coolest kid in school (as defined by the school as whole), or that Kareem was the coolest kid in school as spoken by Charles. When asked what made someone cool, or by what standards was he measuring these people, Andy did not share his thoughts. His moment of silence prompted me to believe that people think other people are cool based on what they admire in that person. Charles admires Kareem because he is funny, which makes Kareem cool in his eyes. Beatrice admires Ali Jo because she is a free-spirit, who does not care what others think of her, which makes her cool in Beatrice’s eyes. We believe that people are cool based on what we admire most about that person. We want to be like that person, in one way or another, and by deeming them cool we are setting them on a pedestal to admire from afar.

When people call others “uncool”, they are comparing that person to themselves. If they don’t think that person’s sense of style is uncool, they are comparing it to their sense of style or someone’s style they admire. In this critical society we live in, we automatically compare people without even realize it, giving the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” a sweep to the back of their mind.
What makes someone cool? What makes someone uncool? What are the definitions of these two words, and how can one work towards being cool? What fundamental concepts are there to follow in order to be cool? Hopefully this unit will provide the answers to these questions.

Homework 21- Art Project 1

^click on image to see larger version"

I believe that my art is a mirror. In my art, I reflected the world as I see it. I took pictures of my friends and family using technology, and incorporated that into my collage. Instead of telling people how they should or should not be using technology, I showed people how people I know use technology in their daily lives, whether it for schoolwork or just for pure fun.

For my art to be a hammer, it needs to reflect our society as I see it, and then reflect on how I believe our society can change it’s over excessive use of technology. However, I did not want to do that. I don’t want to tell people they have to cut down on their use of technology, I want them to realize by themselves they need to. I don’t want people to cut down on their use of technology because I am telling them to, that is the same as going to school and having a teacher tell you what to do, without explaining why. If, after looking at my collage, people feel the need to cut down on their technological use, so be it. If not, then I can’t say I didn’t try. I want people to enjoy my art, and have a glimpse of how I see our society. I want them to act like they are in my shoes for once, and look through my eyes.

My art does indeed make me think and feel. My collage incorporates pictures that I took in one period of time. During class, I took pictures of my friends and classmates using their digital representation devices. I never realized how obsessed our society is with technology. Since we had a substitute in class, my classmates immediately pulled out their cell phones, iPods, and laptops, and began using them. While looking at my art, it dawned on me how obsessed we all are. My art makes me analyze our current generation and how society affects them.

The most interesting aspect of making my art was figuring out which pictures to use and how to place the pictures in an interesting ways. I wanted to vary my picture positions, and didn’t want to clump pictures of the same people together. Making a collage always requires a lot of thought, in my opinion, and trying to reflect our society in a collage required a thought out process. I didn’t want my art to look like something I slapped together last minute; I wanted it to tell a story. I have some pictures in color and some in black and white to show the various stages of people using technology, and to create a contrast in the photos. I wanted the viewer’s eyes to first be drawn to the quote about art by Bert Brecht, and then to the pictures around it. As the viewers eyes take in the whole picture, they will take in the whole picture. I wanted the collage to be viewed in different stages.

Homework 20- Big Paper

Introduction
Digitization is a huge part of today's world. Our society consists of using technology for everything we do and as humans strive for a better and faster world. Practically every teenager in today's world has some sort of an electronic device, whether it is an ipod, cell phone, camera, or other sorts of electronic devices. Although most people think that digital representation devices are corrupting the minds of our society’s youth, digital representation devices actually provide our society with the ability to keep in touch with everyone, and entertain and stimulate our minds through television and video game systems.

Arguement One
Technology provides our society with a faster way to keep in touch with people. Instead of sending letters, we can send emails that would reach the recipient faster, and text people when we feeling like having a quick chat. Websites such as Facebook or Myspace help us reconnect with old friends, or people in other countries. Through a satellite we can talk to people in China, Australia, or Russia, with the simple click of a mouse. Devices such as cell phones "make it easy to make business arrangements when you are traveling away from your office and can't call everyone by emailing or texting business associates." (http://www.ehow.com/facts_4812563_positive-effects-cell-phones.html). In this way, we are always connected if we choose to be. Several positive impacts of cell phones are "you can use it for emergency problems. Your cell phone can be a life saver. That’s why it is necessary to have a phone. You can never know when you will have a problem or you will be the witness of a car accident and you will have to call for an ambulance or Police. There are 160 000 wireless emergencies calls, which are made every day. This means 110 calls per minute." or "Because of all the things we see at news, parents buy cell phones for their children so they can know where they are all the time. This is another positive effect of cell phones. Parents don’t worry as much as they did before. With the help of the cell phones they now know where their children are, all the time." (http://www.w-cellphones.com/positive-effects-of-cell-phones/) By being always connected, people never feel like they are left out of the loop. With internet on our laptops and cell phones, we can always know what is going in on the world, and can always talk to people.

Arguement Two
Video games help stimulate our minds while improving our hand eye coordination and character survival skills. Video game systems such as the Wii also keep our bodies fit and in motion. Not all games make the players sit on their couches and stare at a TV screen; they also incorporate the movement of the player’s bodies. Video games do create a challenge for our brains. Even though we are not learning on an intellectual level, and are not using one of the academic subjects to complete our challenges, we are still improving our skills. We improve our hand-eye coordination, which is an important skill not taught in school, and we also learn how to better our characters in the games so that we do not get injured or die as often as we would in the beginning of the game. Steven Johnson, the author of "Everything Bad is Good For You”, wants readers to realize that there are benefits to our digital devices. In a way he is playing devil’s advocate to ever person who has the same generic response, “television and video games corrupt young children’s and teenager’s minds.” However, Johnson argues that video games actually stimulate our brain, because we make challenges for ourselves without even realizing it. In a video game, you must complete a level before you can reach the next one. As each level goes on, the challenges become harder and harder, and that is when skill levels come in. To many people, you just need to know how to shoot a gun or kill an enemy, but when analyzed further, one realizes that there is skill behind these techniques. Also, by trying to get onto the next level, a self designed goal in created in the player’s mind. They have a target they need to reach, and have the urge to succeed. In a conversation I had with Carrie Li, I asked her how she thought the Wii stimulated our body motions. The conversation is pasted below:
Me: how do you think wii's stimulate our mind and bodies in physical motions?
Carrie: it makes us interact physically with the game rather than the typical video games, where u only have a control and you're only moving your fingers
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie:so i guess it links your mind with your physical activities
like how you would in real life
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie: yeah
Carrie proved my point that video games do help stimulate our mind and body. It keeps our body fit, and keeps our mind entertained. Although not every video game keeps us physically fit, one cannot say that there is not a system that doesn’t.

Arguement Three
Television stimulates our mind, even though our body is at rest. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, some shows actually make us think, and analyze what is going on. In "Everything Bad is Good for you”, Steven Johnson argues that television also stimulates the mind. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, Johnson argues that some shows make us think, and analyze what is going on. Shows such as ER, House, Lost, and Flash Forward, make the viewers analyze what is happening, and in the case of Lost and Flash Forward, predict an outcome. In the case of ER and House, viewers are able to actually see what goes on in a medical room, an experience they would not likely have in their daily lives. All though they are not actually in the hospital, they can imagine themselves as if they are. Below are some of television’s positive sides, pulled from http://www.odec.ca/projects/2005/zerb5m0/public_html/positiveEf.html
• helps people to learn about other cultures
• gives family members of all ages an opportunity to spend time together while watching it
• parents can use TV to get kids reading by getting books on the same subjects
• parents and children can talk about TV programs
• educational programs can teach children new things, and even help them make new friends
• news, current events and historical programs can help kids find out more about other cultures and people
• documentaries can create a picture of the world in kids' minds
• cultural programs can show children the world of music and art
Along with stimulating our minds, television also helps people learn, especially children. Children are able to watch educational shows that teach them the alphabet, or how to spell. Programs such as PBS Thirteen specialize in a child’s learning.

Arguement Four
Technology also plays a huge part in our advancement of science. Every day, scientists are constantly trying to come up with cures for Cancer, or other diseases. Just recently, scientists came out with a Swine Flu shot. They would not have been able to come out with this shot without the efficient use of technology. With our advances in machines and computers, scientists can quickly diagnose a patient and create a medicine or prescribe a medicine that can keep them healthy or make them feel better. In the 1340’s, the Black Plague was a deathly disease that swept through Europe and killed millions of civilians. “By the time the epidemic played itself out three years later, anywhere between 25% and 50% of Europe's population had fallen victim to the pestilence.” If, God Forbid, we were to have something like the Black Plague sweep our nation, our scientists would have the technology to either stop or cure this disease. Back in the 1340’s, scientists did not have the technology to come up with a cure for this disease, but now with our technological advancements, a cure might be possible.

Opposing Viewpoints
Books such as Feed by M.T Anderson contradict what I just said about the use digital devices and always being connected. In Feed, the characters have a permanent “Feed” attached to their brain, which keeps them connected at all times. Since Feed is an allegory of our world, Anderson is trying to say that the “Feed” in the character’s minds are like our cell phones, laptops, and other digital devices. With these devices, we are always connected, 24/7. In Feed, the characters cannot shut off the “Feed”, not like they would want to. Anderson argues that in our world, people are so attached to their digital devices that they would not be able to live without it if it was to be taken from them.

When M.T Anderson wrote the book Feed, he meant it to be an allegory of the modern day teenage life. He didn’t want readers to think that he was capturing what he thought would happen in the future, more he wanted readers to see what our world is like right now. I do believe that Feed is on target because it perfectly captures the life of a teenager in our current period of time. While reading this book, I realized that the Feeds in the character’s heads represented the technology we teenagers use. Even if we do not have a chip in our head generating information for us whenever we need it, we do have cell phones and computers that can retrieve information with the click of a button. In a way, we are always connected to technology, like the characters in Feed are. People might argue that we do not have our digital devices on us 24/7, which are true, but everywhere we go we are faced with a source of technology. Whether it is the cell phones in our pockets or the iPods attached to our ears, we are practically always connected in one way or another. Everywhere we turn, we see representations of technology, whether it be the huge televisions in Times Square or the moving advertisements on television screens on our local city buses or taxis. We can’t escape from this technological oppression, even in our own homes. However, this technological oppression also helps us learn about our world, and entertain our minds. If we wanted, we could turn off our digital devices and do something else with our day.

Comparison of Two Books
Johnson and M.T Anderson have two completely different views in their books. In Feed, Anderson was all about how technology is bad for us, and how it is corrupting our minds. He went on to explain that our world is consumed with technology, and that we are hit with it 24/7. However, Johnson is claiming that television and video games are good for us, and that it is not corrupting us. Although I believe that the two authors contradicted each other, I also believe that they were talking about two different aspects of digitalization. In Feed, Anderson was talking more about a “Feed” representing a cell phone or laptop in our world, and how we are always connected, every minute of the day. Like the Feed, most people will not turn off their cell phone or laptop, and find that they cannot live without it. Johnson is talking more about television and video games, and how they stimulate our minds and make us set up personal challenges for ourselves. Anderson does not touch on televisions and video games too much, as it is not his main focus. He wants people to see the fact that we are always connected. Johnson did not focus on cell phone or laptop use, rather the entertainment use of technology.

Opposing Viewpoints
On the contrary, being always connected in our society does limit our ability to keep our privacy. When sending a text message or an email, anyone can retrieve it, because what goes into cyberspace stays in cyberspace. The internet and cell phones do limit our privacy, and many people complain about privacy invasion. Business people call their Blackberry’s “Crackberry’s” because of their addictiveness. Imagine that instead of being on “Crack”, your blackberry was a drug. By having a Blackberry on you 24/7, your boss can constantly call you or email you to keep in touch with you, even if you are on vacation. However, if people did want to step away from our technologically-obsessed society, they could shut off their electronic devices and spend time outdoors with people they love. Most people do not do this people they are addicted, but it’s not like we don’t have the ability to shut the devices off.

Connections
This paper connects to our current-day society because it is about our current-day society. In a world filled with technology, this paper focuses on the pros of our technological use.

Significance
The significance of this paper is for people to understand that technology has pros in our society. People are always claiming technology is so bad, and it corrupts our mind, but my point in this paper was to show the benefits of living in a world filled with technology. Without our technology, science would not be half as advanced as it is today, we would not be able to talk to people around the world, or know what is happening in other countries. We would not be able to stay in touch with people with the click of a button or the ring of a cell phone. Technology has its pros, but people are always forgetting about them.

Conclusion
In conclusion, technology is a huge-step forward in our society, and without it we would be nowhere. Technology helps advance science, and always keeps us connected. It also keeps our minds and bodies stimulated, even if it through the simple use of a television or video game. Although most people think that digital representation devices are corrupting the minds of our society’s youth, digital representation devices actually provide our society with the ability to keep in touch with everyone, and entertain and stimulate our minds through television and video game systems.

Works Cited Page:
Anderson, M.T. Feed. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2002. Print.
Johnson, Steven. Everything Bad Is Good for You . Print.

Zerbes, Maryam. "Postive Effects of TV." How Much TV Should Kids Watch? Web. 8 Nov. 2009. .

"Positive Effects of Cell Phones." eHow. eHow, Web. 8 Nov. 2009. .

"Positive effects of cell phones ." Cell Phones. Web. 8 Nov. 2009. .

"The Black Death, 1348," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2001).

Homework 19- Big Paper Suggestions

My partners did not post up their rough drafts, so i commented on Amber's and Carrie's instead.

Amber,

For a rough draft, I think your paper is extremely strong. Your thesis is sharp and concise, and your arguments are clear and organized. You should have no trouble creating a final draft of your paper.

In your thesis I liked how you used the phrase “drastic permeation of digital devices”. I feel that this phrase captures the readers attentions because the drama insured by the phrase. The word “drastic” makes the reader wonder why this is so. Why can’t it just be harmful? Word choice is extremely critical in writing a paper, and I think you captured the technique perfectly.

I also like how you went straight into talk about Feed and what M.T Anderson thinks about our society and how Feed is an allegory for our society. However, I am not sure if it is a right choice. When writing an argument paper, you might want to put your arguments first before you put a supporting piece of evidence. This is up to you though, and putting Feed as the first paragraph doesn’t interrupt the flow of the paper.

One thing I think you should add to your paper is how all of this connects to you directly. I guess that would go into the significance section of this paper, but I am really interested in learning how technology in our society connects to YOU as a teenager, as a human, as someone living in our society.

The last thing I think you should add is quotes from classmates or peers. In the last paragraph, where you write “All sides have good arguments, but what is the right answer to this question. The only way to find out is if we stick around long enough to see for our selves” I think you should discuss what people around us think about the answer to this question. It would create more diversity in your paper.

I really enjoyed reading your draft, and can’t wait to read your final paper.

-Rachel (:

Carrie,

First, your draft is very short, but I think what you have makes a lot of sense and your arguments and thesis are extremely sharp. Your draft is organized and simple.
One thing I would change however, is in your thesis “Online social networking tools such as instant messaging, twitter, facebook, texting (not really online) etc. have made it harder for us to read people by eliminating the physical aspect of interaction and making it easier for others to develop a second personality.” I think that instead of saying “such as instant messaging, twitter, facebook, texting (not really online) etc”, you can just write Online social networking tools have made it harder… because including examples in the thesis is not needed, in my opinion. In your introduction or your arguments, you can expand on the examples of social networking, but I think your thesis should just state social networking. It leaves room to talk about these sites or systems in your introduction or argument, instead of jamming it into one sentence.

I really like your last paragraph, and want to read more about what you think about the differences between physical and online interactions. I know that you have some good arguments and quotes planned to incorporate in your paper, and can’t wait to read your final paper.

I really enjoyed reading your snippet of a rough draft, and can’t wait to read the final.

-Rachel (:

Homework 18- Big Paper Rough Draft 2

Digitization is a huge part of today's world. Our society consists of using technology for everything we do and as humans strive for a better and faster world. Practically every teenager in today's world has some sort of an electronic device, whether it is an ipod, cell phone, camera, or other sorts of electronic devices. Although most people think that digital representation devices are corrupting the minds of our society’s youth, digital representation devices actually provide our society with the ability to keep in touch with everyone, and entertain and stimulate our minds through television and video game systems.

Technology provides our society with a faster way to keep in touch with people. Instead of sending letters, we can send emails that would reach the recipient faster, and text people when we feeling like having a quick chat. Websites such as Facebook or Myspace help us reconnect with old friends, or people in other countries. Through a satellite we can talk to people in China, Australia, or Russia, with the simple click of a mouse. Devices such as cell phones "make it easy to make business arrangements when you are traveling away from your office and can't call everyone by emailing or texting business associates." (http://www.ehow.com/facts_4812563_positive-effects-cell-phones.html). In this way, we are always connected if we choose to be. Several positive impacts of cell phones are "you can use it for emergency problems. Your cell phone can be a life saver. That’s why it is necessary to have a phone. You can never know when you will have a problem or you will be the witness of a car accident and you will have to call for an ambulance or Police. There are 160 000 wireless emergencies calls, which are made every day. This means 110 calls per minute." or "Because of all the things we see at news, parents buy cell phones for their children so they can know where they are all the time. This is another positive effect of cell phones. Parents don’t worry as much as they did before. With the help of the cell phones they now know where their children are, all the time." (http://www.w-cellphones.com/positive-effects-of-cell-phones/) By being always connected, people never feel like they are left out of the loop. With internet on our laptops and cell phones, we can always know what is going in on the world, and can always talk to people.

Video games help stimulate our minds while improving our hand eye coordination and character survival skills. Video game systems such as the Wii also keep our bodies fit and in motion. Not all games make the players sit on their couches and stare at a TV screen; they also incorporate the movement of the player’s bodies. Video games do create a challenge for our brains. Even though we are not learning on an intellectual level, and are not using one of the academic subjects to complete our challenges, we are still improving our skills. We improve our hand-eye coordination, which is an important skill not taught in school, and we also learn how to better our characters in the games so that we do not get injured or die as often as we would in the beginning of the game. Steven Johnson, the author of "Everything Bad is Good For You”, wants readers to realize that there are benefits to our digital devices. In a way he is playing devil’s advocate to ever person who has the same generic response, “television and video games corrupt young children’s and teenager’s minds.” However, Johnson argues that video games actually stimulate our brain, because we make challenges for ourselves without even realizing it. In a video game, you must complete a level before you can reach the next one. As each level goes on, the challenges become harder and harder, and that is when skill levels come in. To many people, you just need to know how to shoot a gun or kill an enemy, but when analyzed further, one realizes that there is skill behind these techniques. Also, by trying to get onto the next level, a self designed goal in created in the player’s mind. They have a target they need to reach, and have the urge to succeed. In a conversation I had with Carrie Li, I asked her how she thought the Wii stimulated our body motions. The conversation is pasted below:
Me: how do you think wii's stimulate our mind and bodies in physical motions?
Carrie: it makes us interact physically with the game rather than the typical video games, where u only have a control and you're only moving your fingers
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie:so i guess it links your mind with your physical activities
like how you would in real life
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie: yeah
Carrie proved my point that video games do help stimulate our mind and body. It keeps our body fit, and keeps our mind entertained. Although not every video game keeps us physically fit, one cannot say that there is not a system that doesn’t.

Television stimulates our mind, even though our body is at rest. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, some shows actually make us think, and analyze what is going on. In "Everything Bad is Good For You”, Steven Johnson argues that television also stimulates the mind. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, Johnson argues that some shows make us think, and analyze what is going on. Shows such as ER, House, Lost, and Flash Forward, make the viewers analyze what is happening, and in the case of Lost and Flash Forward, predict an outcome. In the case of ER and House, viewers are able to actually see what goes on in a medical room, an experience they would not likely have in their daily lives. All though they are not actually in the hospital, they can imagine themselves as if they are. Below are some of television’s positive sides, pulled from http://www.odec.ca/projects/2005/zerb5m0/public_html/positiveEf.html
• helps people to learn about other cultures
• gives family members of all ages an opportunity to spend time together while watching it
• parents can use TV to get kids reading by getting books on the same subjects
• parents and children can talk about TV programs
• educational programs can teach children new things, and even help them make new friends
• news, current events and historical programs can help kids find out more about other cultures and people
• documentaries can create a picture of the world in kids' minds
• cultural programs can show children the world of music and art
Along with stimulating our minds, television also helps people learn, especially children. Children are able to watch educational shows that teach them the alphabet, or how to spell. Programs such as PBS Thirteen specialize in a child’s learning.

Books such as Feed by M.T Anderson contradict what I just said about the use digital devices and always being connected. In Feed, the characters have a permanent “Feed” attached to their brain, which keeps them connected at all times. Since Feed is an allegory of our world, Anderson is trying to say that the “Feed” in the character’s minds are like our cell phones, laptops, and other digital devices. With these devices, we are always connected, 24/7. In Feed, the characters cannot shut off the “Feed”, not like they would want to. Anderson argues that in our world, people are so attached to their digital devices that they would not be able to live without it if it was to be taken from them.

When M.T Anderson wrote the book Feed, he meant it to be an allegory of the modern day teenage life. He didn’t want readers to think that he was capturing what he thought would happen in the future, more he wanted readers to see what our world is like right now. I do believe that Feed is on target because it perfectly captures the life of a teenager in our current period of time. While reading this book, I realized that the Feeds in the character’s heads represented the technology we teenagers use. Even if we do not have a chip in our head generating information for us whenever we need it, we do have cell phones and computers that can retrieve information with the click of a button. In a way, we are always connected to technology, like the characters in Feed are. People might argue that we do not have our digital devices on us 24/7, which are true, but everywhere we go we are faced with a source of technology. Whether it is the cell phones in our pockets or the iPods attached to our ears, we are practically always connected in one way or another. Everywhere we turn, we see representations of technology, whether it be the huge televisions in Times Square or the moving advertisements on television screens on our local city buses or taxis. We can’t escape from this technological oppression, even in our own homes. However, this technological oppression also helps us learn about our world, and entertain our minds. If we wanted, we could turn off our digital devices and do something else with our day.

Johnson and M.T Anderson have two completely different views in their books. In Feed, Anderson was all about how technology is bad for us, and how it is corrupting our minds. He went on to explain that our world is consumed with technology, and that we are hit with it 24/7. However, Johnson is claiming that television and video games are good for us, and that it is not corrupting us. Although I believe that the two authors contradicted each other, I also believe that they were talking about two different aspects of digitalization. In Feed, Anderson was talking more about a “Feed” representing a cell phone or laptop in our world, and how we are always connected, every minute of the day. Like the Feed, most people will not turn off their cell phone or laptop, and find that they cannot live without it. Johnson is talking more about television and video games, and how they stimulate our minds and make us set up personal challenges for ourselves. Anderson does not touch on televisions and video games too much, as it is not his main focus. He wants people to see the fact that we are always connected. Johnson did not focus on cell phone or laptop use, rather the entertainment use of technology.

Works Cited Page:
Feed by M.T Anderson
Everything Bad Is Good for You by Steven Johnson
http://www.odec.ca/projects/2005/zerb5m0/public_html/positiveEf.html
http://www.ehow.com/facts_4812563_positive-effects-cell-phones.html
http://www.w-cellphones.com/positive-effects-of-cell-phones/

Homework 18- Big Paper 1 Rough Draft

Digitization is a huge part of today's world. Our society consists of using technology for everything we do and as humans strive for a better and faster world. Practically every teenager in today's world has some sort of an electronic device, whether it is an ipod, cell phone, camera, or other sorts of electronic devices. Although most people think that digital representation devices are corrupting the minds of our society’s youth, digital representation devices actually provide our society with the ability to keep in touch with everyone, and entertain and stimulate our minds through television and video game systems.

Technology provides our society with a faster way to keep in touch with people. Instead of sending letters, we can send emails that would reach the recipient faster, and text people when we feeling like having a quick chat. Websites such as Facebook or Myspace help us reconnect with old friends, or people in other countries. Through a satellite we can talk to people in China, Australia, or Russia, with the simple click of a mouse. Devices such as cell phones "make it easy to make business arrangements when you are traveling away from your office and can't call everyone by emailing or texting business associates." (http://www.ehow.com/facts_4812563_positive-effects-cell-phones.html). In this way, we are always connected if we choose to be. Several positive impact of cell phones are "you can use it for emergency problems. Your cell phone can be a life saver. That’s why it is necessary to have a phone. You can never know when you will have a problem or you will be the witness of a car accident and you will have to call for an ambulance or Police. There are 160 000 wireless emergencies calls, which are made every day. This means 110 calls per minute." or "Because of all the things we see at news, parents buy cell phones for their children so they can know where they are all the time. This is another positive effect of cell phones. Parents don’t worry as much as they did before. With the help of the cell phones they now know where their children are, all the time." (http://www.w-cellphones.com/positive-effects-of-cell-phones/)

Video games help stimulate our minds while improving our hand eye coordination and character survival skills. Video game systems such as the Wii also keep our bodies fit and in motion. Not all games make the players sit on their couches and stare at a TV screen; they also incorporate the movement of the player’s bodies. Video games do create a challenge for our brains. Even though we are not learning on an intellectual level, and are not using one of the academic subjects to complete our challenges, we are still improving our skills. We improve our hand-eye coordination, which is an important skill not taught in school, and we also learn how to better our characters in the games so that we do not get injured or die as often as we would in the beginning of the game. Steven Johnson, the author of "Everything Bad is Good For You”, wants readers to realize that there are benefits to our digital devices. In a way he is playing devil’s advocate to ever person who has the same generic response, “television and video games corrupt young children’s and teenager’s minds.” However, Johnson argues that video games actually stimulate our brain, because we make challenges for ourselves without even realizing it. In a video game, you must complete a level before you can reach the next one. As each level goes on, the challenges become harder and harder, and that is when skill levels come in. To many people, you just need to know how to shoot a gun or kill an enemy, but when analyzed further, one realizes that there is skill behind these techniques. Also, by trying to get onto the next level, a self designed goal in created in the player’s mind. They have a target they need to reach, and have the urge to succeed. In a conversation I had with Carrie Li, I asked her how she thought the Wii stimulated our body motions. The conversation is pasted below:
Me: how do you think wii's stimulate our mind and bodies in physical motions?
Carrie: it makes us interact physically with the game rather than the typical video games, where u only have a control and you're only moving your fingers
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie:so i guess it links your mind with your physical activities
like how you would in real life
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie: yeah
Carrie proved my point that video games do help stimulate our mind and body. It keeps our body fit, and keeps our mind entertained. Although not every video game keeps us physically fit, one can not say that there is not a system that dosen't.

Television stimulates our mind, even though our body is at rest. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, some shows actually make us think, and analyze what is going on. In "Everything Bad is Good For You”, Steven Johnson argues that television also stimulates the mind. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, Johnson argues that some shows make us think, and analyze what is going on. Shows such as ER, House, Lost, and Flash Forward, make the viewers analyze what is happening, and in the case of Lost and Flash Forward, predict an outcome. In the case of ER and House, viewers are able to actually see what goes on in a medical room, an experience they would not likely have in their daily lives. All though they are not actually in the hospital, they can imagine themselves as if they are.

Some of TV's positive sides are:
· helps people to learn about other cultures
· gives family members of all ages an opportunity to spend time together while watching it
· parents can use TV to get kids reading by getting books on the same subjects
· parents and children can talk about TV programs
· educational programs can teach children new things, and even help them make new friends
· news, current events and historical programs can help kids find out more about other cultures and people
· documentaries can create a picture of the world in kids' minds
· cultural programs can show children the world of music and art
(http://www.odec.ca/projects/2005/zerb5m0/public_html/positiveEf.html)

Opposing Viewpoints: Use Feed as evidence

Johnson and M.T Anderson have two completely different views in their books. In Feed, Anderson was all about how technology is bad for us, and how it is corrupting our minds. He went on to explain that our world is consumed with technology, and that we are hit with it 24/7. However, Johnson is claiming that television and video games are good for us, and that it is not corrupting us. Although I believe that the two authors contradicted each other, I also believe that they were talking about two different aspects of digitalization. In Feed, Anderson was talking more about a “Feed” representing a cell phone or laptop in our world, and how we are always connected, every minute of the day. Like the Feed, most people will not turn off their cell phone or laptop, and find that they cannot live without it. Johnson is talking more about television and video games, and how they stimulate our minds and make us set up personal challenges for ourselves. Anderson does not touch on televisions and video games too much, as it is not his main focus. He wants people to see the fact that we are always connected. Johnson did not focus on cell phone or laptop use, rather the entertainment use of technology.

Works Cited Page:
http://www.odec.ca/projects/2005/zerb5m0/public_html/positiveEf.html
http://www.ehow.com/facts_4812563_positive-effects-cell-phones.html
http://www.w-cellphones.com/positive-effects-of-cell-phones/

Homework 17- Outline Suggestions

I commented Kate and Carrie's blogs because my partners did not post their outlines.

Kate,

First, let me say I really enjoyed reading your paper/outline, and found it extremely interesting. I also really like your thesis, it was clear, sharp, concise, and most importantly, summed up your arguments perfectly. I liked your arguments, and thought that your use of Feed and Wall-E as evidence helped make your arguments even stronger. Another thing is, I agree with Charles, your outline is extremely organized. It’s easy to read, and makes perfect sense.

One thing I think you can add on to is in your last paragraph, you quoted that women we interviewed. She said “She said she would limit her son from using to much technology "because he could be outside spending time doing other things, though he often sees me on the computer and wants to go on too".” I think that you should incorporate your views on if you would limit your child’s digital device use because it would show a sharp contrast between people of two different ages. People are always saying adults think teenagers are stupid and are consumed with excessive use of technology, and I think it would be good to see how your view contradicts to hers, if it does.

Another thing I think you should add your view to is in your second to last paragraph, where you state “Even today it is odd to hear that someone does not have a cell phone or an ipod/mp3 player.” How do you think these people feel, these people without these forms of technology? Do you believe they are getting along fine without it, or feel the pressure to conform and buy a digital representation device?

Overall, your paper was amazing, like I said above. I can’t wait to read your final draft, please IM me when it is up (:

-Rachel

Carrie,

First, let me say I enjoyed reading your outline. I thought it was extremely organized, concise, and sharp. Your thesis is extremely thought out, and makes a lot of sense. Your arguments are also extremely thought out, and I can tell that you spent a lot of time trying to word them correctly. The resulting product is fantastic.

I really liked your quote in the first paragraph, “For some, computer screens act as barriers that help us avoid the type of physical confrontations we fear. This shield allows us to create a virtual identity where we become the person we've always wanted to be.” I agree with this statement, because social networking websites such as Facebook and Myspace help users create a false sense of protection. We could be talking to someone who acts two different ways, once outspoken online, but shy in person. It’s an interesting contrast, and I like how you focused an argument on that.

I think that in argument one, using Wall-E as an example is smart, and helps support your point; however I think you should elaborate more on how it connects to our society and who we are as humans. How does the interaction between Wall-E and the guy connect to our society, and the daily social interactions between humans, whether it is through the use technology or in person?
I also like that you incorporated quotes from your classmates and their view points, it definitely strengthens your arguments. I also like that you put me in your paper (:

Just a last bit of advice, talk about online predators and how social networking sites make it easy for predators to reach out to young children or teenagers. As many know, social networking sites make it easy for predators to catch their prey, and I think it would be interesting to read your point of view on that subject.
I really liked reading your outline, and can’t wait to read your post (:
-Rachel

HW 16 - Big Paper 1 Outline

Thesis: Although most people think that digital representation devices are corrupting the minds of our society’s youth, digital representation devices actually provide our society with the ability to keep in touch with everyone, and entertain and stimulate our minds through television and video game systems.

Argument one: Technology provides our society with a faster way to keep in touch with people. Instead of sending letters, we can send emails that would reach the recipient faster, and text people when we feeling like having a quick chat. Websites such as Facebook or Myspace help us reconnect with old friends, or people in other countries. Through a satellite we can talk to people in China, Australia, or Russia, with the simple click of a mouse.

Argument two: Video games help stimulate our minds while improving our hand eye coordination and character survival skills. Video game systems such as the Wii also keep our bodies fit and in motion. Not all games make the players sit on their couches and stare at a TV screen; they also incorporate the movement of the player’s bodies.

Argument three: Television stimulates our mind, even though our body is at rest. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, some shows actually make us think, and analyze what is going on. Shows such as ER, House, Lost, and Flash Forward, make the viewers analyze what is happening, and in the case of Lost and Flash Forward, predict an outcome. In the case of ER and House, viewers are able to actually see what goes on in a medical room, an experience they would not likely have in their daily lives. All though they are not actually in the hospital, they can imagine themselves as if they are.

Evidence: “Everything Bad Is Good For you” by Steven Johnson (use in paragraphs two and three), Classmate's quotes

Me: how do you think wii's stimulate our mind and bodies in physical motions?
Carrie: it makes us interact physically with the game rather than the typical video games
where u only have a control and you're only moving your fingers
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie:so i guess it links your mind with your physical activities
like how you would in real life
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie: yeah

HW 15 - ABCDEF 3 - Treasure Hunting

Best Parts Of Blog:

Amanda,
Since Amanda only posted homework 10, I will comment on that homework and what I think she did well in that homework. I really liked the fact that she put an image in her post, because it captured my eye and made me want to read what she wrote. Visual images help people become interested in an article.

Comment To Blog:

Amanda,

I really liked the fact that after you incorporated a link of the article you were reading, you explained the main point of the article thoroughly, and included the most important thoughts in your mind while reading the article. After I read the articles you read, I realized that we both had almost the same thoughts. Another thing I like is the cool facts you found on the website. They were interesting to read, and I learned new things that I never knew before.

The main part of your post was that videogames have good and bad sides. You incorporated ideas from people who think video games are good, and from people who thinks video games are bad.

I think that your post connects to the world in a strong way. I like the topic you picked, because video games are an extremely controversial topic. I know people who spend all their times on video games and who think video games are the best things in the world, and people who don’t own any type of video game console and think it’s a big waste of time. It was nice to read both points of the argument.

I think that in order to make your post stronger, you should write about your view on video games. Do you think video games are a good or bad thing? Are they a waste of time or do they help us develop important skills? What’s your opinion on all of this?

Your post made me think about video games and whether or not they are a good or bad thing. I am still unsure about the topic, since it depends on the game itself; however your post made me further analyze my arguments.
I really enjoyed reading your blog; and can’t wait to read more of them!

-Rachel (:

Best Parts Of Blog:

Sam,
I really enjoyed her last post, Feed B homework 13. I would like to talk about the best parts of this post, since I think this was one of her best posts so far. One thing I really enjoyed about this post was the way she connected Feed to our world today. Most people know that Feed is an allegory of our world, yet they deny that we are anything like the characters in Feed. Instead of denying that fact, Sam found the parallels between the two worlds, and listed them. I also liked that she incorporated the quote about art and talked about what that quote meant to her and how it related to Feed.

Comment To Blog:

Sam,

I really enjoyed your last post, Feed B homework 13. One thing I really enjoyed about this post was the way you connected Feed to our world today. Most people know that Feed is an allegory of our world, yet they deny that we are anything like the characters in Feed. Instead of denying that fact, you found the parallels between the two worlds, and listed them. I also liked that you incorporated the quote about art and talked about what that quote meant to you and how it related to Feed.
Your main point in this post was that Feed is a perfect allegory of our world. We are so consumed with technology but we didn’t notice that fact until someone told us straight out. We had to read a book over dramatizing what our world is like before we understand that it’s true, the Feed world and our world are not much different from each other.

I think your post connects to the discussion we had in class when we discussed the parallels between the Feed world and our world. You summarized what was said in class, while also adding your own opinions to it.

In order to further develop your post, you should talk about what you are going to do to stop acting like Titus or the other characters in the book. You say you are addicted to these devices, but maybe you can find a strategy that can stop your addiction, what can you do instead of using technological devices?

Your post makes me think about what I can do to stop myself from being addicted to technological devices. Reading your post made me see that yes we are like Titus and his friends, but I also decided that I did not want to be like that. I am going to try and change my technological ways.

I enjoyed reading your posts and can’t read to red what else you have to say.

-Rachel

Homework 14 -Second Text

For this homework I chose to read the two short excerpts. In these excerpts, I found that the main argument was even though people believe that television, video games, and other forms of technological devices are bad for us, there is a flip side to that argument. Steven Johnson, the author of "Everything Bad is Good For You”, wants readers to realize that there are benefits to our digital devices. In a way he is playing devil’s advocate to ever person who has the same generic response, “television and video games corrupt young children’s and teenager’s minds.” However, Johnson argues that video games actually stimulate our brain, because we make challenges for ourselves without even realizing it. In a video game, you must complete a level before you can reach the next one. As each level goes on, the challenges become harder and harder, and that is when skill levels come in. To many people, you just need to know how to shoot a gun or kill an enemy, but when analyzed further, one realizes that there is skill behind these techniques. Also, by trying to get onto the next level, a self designed goal in created in the player’s mind. They have a target they need to reach, and have the urge to succeed. When it comes to television, Johnson also argues that television also stimulates the mind. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, Johnson argues that some shows make us think, and analyze what is going on. Shows such as ER, House, Lost, and Flash Forward, make the viewers analyze what is happening, and in the case of Lost and Flash Forward, predict an outcome. In the case of ER and House, viewers are able to actually see what goes on in a medical room, an experience they would not likely have in their daily lives. All though they are not actually in the hospital, they can imagine themselves as if they are.

I think that Johnson brought up a lot of good points about the pros of technology. People are always focusing on the bad, and how it “corrupts” our minds, but nobody focuses on what it can do for our minds. It was refreshing to see someone play devil’s advocate, because in order to make a decision, one must see both sides of an argument. I think that now that people can see the pros and cons of technology, they can further deepen their argument, and choose which side they want to be on.

One thing that I found interesting was the fact that Johnson hardly listed any cons to technology. Although I know he likes to focus on the good things, I am surprised that he did not want to include an alternate argument. In our exhibitions, we have to write an opposing viewpoint, even if we do not feel that way. I was surprised that Johnson did not want to include an opposing viewpoint, because if he did, he could have used evidence to shoot down the viewpoints. However, by not including a viewpoint, it shows that he is one-sided on the whole controversial discussion, which means he might not be a reliable source.

I do believe that Johnson brought up a good point about the video game use. I never thought about it before, but now I realize that video games do create a challenge for our brains. Even though we are not learning on an intellectual level, and are not using one of the academic subjects to complete our challenges, we are still improving our skills. We improve our hand-eye coordination, which is an important skill not taught in school, and we also learn how to better our characters in the games so that we do not get injured or die as often as we would in the beginning of the game.

Johnson and M.T Anderson have two completely different views in their books. In Feed, Anderson was all about how technology is bad for us, and how it is corrupting our minds. He went on to explain that our world is consumed with technology, and that we are hit with it 24/7. However, Johnson is claiming that television and video games are good for us, and that it is not corrupting us. Although I believe that the two authors contradicted each other, I also believe that they were talking about two different aspects of digitalization. In Feed, Anderson was talking more about a “Feed” representing a cell phone or laptop in our world, and how we are always connected, every minute of the day. Like the Feed, most people will not turn off their cell phone or laptop, and find that they cannot live without it. Johnson is talking more about television and video games, and how they stimulate our minds and make us set up personal challenges for ourselves. Anderson does not touch on televisions and video games too much, as it is not his main focus. He wants people to see the fact that we are always connected. Johnson did not focus on cell phone or laptop use, rather the entertainment use of technology.