Last Blog Post

In "Masters of Desire: The Culture of American Asvertising," Jack Soloman explains how the Advertising Agency uses multiple ways to sell their products. They use fantasy, fear, and the future of an illusion. This article gives multiple examples of each way they try and sell the products. They target America's hopes, fears, desires, and beliefs.

I believe they try their best to sell every product, so much as manipulating the consumers. For fear, a deodorant ad can use either fantasy or fear. Fantasy: AXE body spray, by the teenager spraying he all of a sudden attracts all females. In other deodorant ads they use fear, the fear of body odor. Febreeze uses the illusion, you think it is real people actually picked up off the street but it most likely isn't. The advertisement industry can manipulate the consumers to believing them, and it works.

In the article, "How to Solve the Diversity Problem," Katerina Bezrukova explains how a diverse setting working together is much easier said than done. She talks about Ferguson; a Missori police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black person, who was later failed to be indicted. She also talked about Charlie Hebdo and the other occurances that happened after the incident. What really caught my attention was the study of a diversity program; how some programs reported that it had great results, worse results, and some had no effect.

To me, the whole diversity thing is getting out of control. Many aren't comfortable with being around other people because they feel they are being judged. The main occurances of police shooting and killing unarmed people, especially unarmed black people is outrageous. It is happening a lot and needs to be stopped. There are recordings of them on the news and Internet and it is disturbing. Also the fact that the diversity training isn't working for some, and show that some people have worse effects than when they first started the program is crazy.

Blog Post 5

In "Why We Crave Horror Movies," Stephen King argues that our minds need to be fed by the alligators. By our minds being fed, it gives us the satisfaction of having that unacceptable behavior accepted; such as people being killed. Also, if we watch horror films, it is like we get our fix of the horrible stuff. We love watching it because it is "amusing."

I really enjoyed this article, he did a good job of stating his point and making his readers understand vividly. Half of the things he mentioned, I never even thought of. His points made sense and really connected to my experiences. I especially see how people think people being tortured, killed, ect. is funny and amusing. Some hate watching scary movies, but will pay $10 to watch the newest horror film at the midnight showing just because their friends are going. Horror films are a touchy subject, but most of us love them.

Blog post 4

“2b or Not 2b”

            In “2b or Not 2b,” David Crystal addresses how texting has taken a huge toll on all of us; but it is not destroying our language. He claims it can bring better things to the world. Some of the articles he brought up stated it was destroying our language, but others saying it helps the youth in education. He shows how texting evolved and abbreviations are starting.

            The way I see this, is pretty outrageous. Abbreviations aren’t that big of a deal, to me. I feel that abbreviations were more so when technology came out: not having keyboards, not fully knowing how to text, and to press a button a certain amount of times before you get the letter you want. I’ve never heard of people abbreviating like, iowan2bwu” (I only want to be with you). I do agree with abbreviations messing with our grammar and spelling completely. We’re so used to speaking in “text form", and once we have to write an essay we complain how long words are. We do “ttyl” (talk to you later). On the other hand texting was made for abbreviations, in my opinion. It was created to leave a short message or even a reminder, so you don’t have to call. Just how emails were made for “business and to be professional” they were used as texting first, and now being used for professional reasons. Texting will help the youth in some ways, as long as they aren't on the phone 24/7.

Blog Post #2

     In "Mastery Essay", Douglas Ross explains how birth control isn't being used with people who do not want a child. Mainly because they are irresponsible, not taught at home about it, and propaganda lures them into that direction. As he was a sophomore he attended a Law Enforcement school and found out that teen moms resulted to prostitution so they could provide for their children. He then later found out that many teens were sexually active and didn't use protection or was on birth control. Secondly, he explains how teens that don't use protection were raised irresponsibly, because their parents didn't teach them that it was important to do so. they thought "Oh, that will never happen to me". Lastly, he used propaganda as a main reason, saying that they gave the effect to "Live in the moment" which a lot of teens say/do now a days.
     My reaction to this paper is I agree to his reasons, but not totally. I do see a lot of teens going into prostitution to help provide for their children, but not too much now a days, it is usually on TV that I  see it. Most have their family to fall back on for support and help, but even if they don't help them, they get a job and provide for themselves. As for the irresponsible parent(s) raising them, it happens a lot now that parents aren't always home to watch them, and who simply just don't care what their child does, but some children do practically raise themselves, and know right from wrong. But as far as parenting, it isn't always the parents fault. Lastly, propaganda does play a huge roll in teens now; teens watch TV almost 24/7 and there are commercials promoting sex so they can use their product. Such as Trojan, with their condoms. I think he did a good job with this essay, he just could've used more examples.

First Blog Post

In "Appreciating the Moment," Jay Hasheider talks about how you should live in the moment, not dwell on what has happened, or what's going to happen. His 20 year old son was moving out and they were working on his car for the long car ride across country. Even though they planned to work on it early in the morning they weren't in any rush. Then as soon as they were about to finish they decided to watch the baseball game, having one more father and son moment before he left, making it one to remember. He believes you should just go with the flow, not everything needs to be planned because then there is no surprise.

Even though I'm one of the biggest planners, I agree that you have to be spontaneous once in a while. I felt sad for them while I read this. Thinking that, fixing the car couldn't be their last moments together before his son leave across the country! I'm glad they ended well, watching a good game, only thinking good memories. It must’ve been sad to leave, but they both knew the day was coming; they just didn’t want it to. If that was me in this situation, I wouldn’t want to spend the last few moments with my dad anyway else.