The High Price of Materialism

I found this passage quite interesting because it was a research conducted on how people view things and how that shows how they are doing. I agree with the fact that if people who care about material items are less healthy and sane. I think they are too focused on the obvious and need to look pass the item itself. This passage made me want to not care about material items as much as when I started reading it. The studies focused on what was most important to the subjects and where their social alligensce lied. This shows how marketing effects people individually and what the after affects are. Also the passage showed that people who come from money tend to go toward materialization more often wince they can afford it. I think they are correct because I have grown up in a fancy school and watched kids fallen into the trap of materializing and lose almost every thing to smoking, drugs, and alcohol. Of course everyone is pursing wealth and that is not a bad thing but their are a few other priority's. Like health, family, food on the table, and shelter. This is instead of getting a down payment on a Ferrari.

Me talk pretty one day

Personally this was not one of the best passages but alright. I hated the teacher throughout the whole reading. I thought it was funny that he would try to write out the words in french. I personally am french and tried to encode the words and got nothing. I think it was also funny that he was from New York because I am too and our accents don't help. It is hard to pick up another language so I see where he is struggling. I took Spanish in school and struggled with till the last day. It is difficult for you to take it up unless you are around it all the time. I feel if you are surrounded by the native tongue then you are in a float or sink situation. All in all he picked up the language so the teacher must have been good and he must have had the dedication if he was not kicked out. Kicked out when the teacher was weeding out the students. I think that even though I hated the teacher some times you need teachers like that who will push students to their goals by lighting a fire under their..., you know what I mean.

Abortion is too complex to feel one way about

That sucks to have a child during college. I had an older friend who had a child when going into college and it was terrible for him. He claimed that it took over his life and was his number one priority. Although that is true I felt bad that he could not enjoy the fun parts of college. I feel abortions are wrong and should be frond upon but are needed in certain situations. For example if a women was raped and became pregnant I'm confident in saying she might not want care for it or if she was under aged too. On the other hand I think that women shouldn't be running around having abortions left and right. I guess you can say I'm pro choice if I give them the option too decide and I thought I would never be saying that. I think that a baby is one of the most adorable things and is an awesome moment when you find out you are a father or mother but should wait till you are at lest in your twenties. I didn't really enjoy the passage or reading about the unlucky kids who didn't think of wrapping before tapping.

Dog ate my disk and other tales of woe

Sadly I have used most of these excuses and more. I have used them at school and work at numerous occasions. The family one I use to a certain extent I usually do not say someone has died because that is messed up and you cannot use it repedly. It is a last regret if so. Best friend is one mainly used by my self friends always come in handy for excuses. This is because they can vouch for you and make your argument valid. I had some days were I skipped school and my friends vouched for me or I said I had to help them. Evils of dorm life I cant really use because my dorm building is awesome and it would be bad excuse. Evils of technology is perfect excuse because it is out of anyones hands. When it comes down to this it is mainly the printer that is the evil. The computer or desk top is a close second. Total Bizarre this is usually unbelievable and NEVER works. This passage was enjoyable because it brought back good memories and was like a montage. I think out  of all my excuses in my history the bests were in high school and would probley be on my highlight reel if I had one.

Food Product Design

This was the most interesting article to me because it was on food. I love food and love watching the food network channel. I think it is because I'm Italian. I thought the statistics about ninety percent of americans income goes to food was very interesting. The flavor industry gained an amazing income of one point four billion dollars. I also learned a lot about how food companies try to appeal to the consumers with fake products. Using artificial flavoring and chemicals to make it seem more attractive. For example how the fries are always tasting exactly the same. I also took a liking to the part about french fries and disliked how they bashed them. I understand McDonald fries are fake and bad for you but I think they are awesome and taste. I think that we pretty much get what we pay for. It is dirt cheap and appeals to audiences so its probably not good for you. This article also reminded me of a book I read in eight grade named Welcome to the Jungle. It was about food production in the great depression. Looks and flavor are the two main points these companies target and it seems to be working.

How To Say Something In 500 Words

I in the beginning of this story I thought it was the story of my average weekend. Usually I deal with my essays with procrastination. Although a essay on college football, the example, would be easy for me. The key points he made all make it seem like I need them in my essays. Avoid the obvious content is something I always bypass. I don't think taking the less obvious side is the wiser choice. I think dealing with the main side is easier and more facts will give you a longer essay. Slip out of abstractions is a common mistake that I always come across. I always go off topic even when it is a simple yes or no topic. I really didn't get the topic of padding. Call a fool a fool is something I'm not concerned about. That is pretty much negating what your whole topic is. I think that is one of the most worst thing you could do in an essay. Colorful words are words that add splash and make you feel smarter. I need that in my essays to make them seem more adult like. Colorless words are the opposite of what you need and colored words are the ones in between.

Serving in Florida

I particular liked this package because it reefers to the average joe. I like how the author made it simple and to the point. There were exciting plot twists and I enjoyed how it related to a show I like named The Office. All my jobs can relate to this story. The characters that worked there all the way to the working at tables. I worked at a pizza joint over the summer before I came to Florida Gulf Coast University. The pizza place job had the most similarities to the story. Due to the environment and restaurant atmosphere. One part I thought was enjoyable was when the author talked about who the manager operates. This is because I use to drag some jobs out so he wouldn't be on my back and give me other harder jobs. Its true that he watches over and dose nothing till someone messes up or needs another job. O also enjoyed the drug scandal too. It brought out a dark side and mysterious side to the story. I also was amused in how the author poked fun at the work place in this setting which broke up the plan old describing feeling you get from any other reading.

The Western Women's Harem

This story wasn't really my cup of tea. I don't really care what size I am as long as Im healthy. I think too many people worry about there outside appearance. I understand the saying "If you look good you feel good" but I think some people bring it over the edge. I am very skinny but I don't worry about it I just eat three meals a day and go on with my life. I feel more people should worry about there inner qualities. I guess it was a culture shock for some who does not live in such a industrialized world. I think too many celebrities and role models are giving the wrong impressions witch was the start of this. Another factor is some people who are naturally skinny raising the bar to people who have to work for it. Clearly if people accepted themselves for who they are we would conquerer this problem. When I meet new people I do not judge on appearance or size in this case. I look for great personality and similarities with me. Although we have more freedoms then other countries some time they have negative affects. In this case self image is the negative effect. I feel that in this story the author had a depressed mood.

A Man Who Was Mean to His Dog

I feel animal abuse is wrong and beating a dog is cruel and unusual punishment. The last thing that should go threw anyones mind is hurting mans best friend. When reading this the first thing that came to mind was what Michel Vick did to those poor dogs. In case you didn't know Vick hurt dogs to get pit bulls to fight in dog fightsI think that the Mother should have stood up and take action against the man who was hurting the dog. Sam clearly had the right idea to stand up to the man who was hurting the dog. Thankfully the other mother took action and put a stop to the beating of the dog. There was also a very religious aspect to the story and I felt that it was too much and that they overused. I feel that no dog should be beaten because they are over powered by people. I believe animal abuse is overlooked and not frowned upon enough. Dogs should be treated with respect and taken care of. I think the dog can also be represented as a human in the story. Since there was a lot of religious references and it could stand for equality. All in all I think this was a sad story and that it shows that you should stand up and take action for what you think is wrong like animal abuse.

The Price We Pay

Adam Mayblum talks about 9-11 and what he did that day. Being from New York and having relatives who were in one of the towers I felt a connection to this passage. This was a tragic day and I remember it exactly as if it was yesterday. It was the end of the school day, I was in sixth grade, and as I got home both my parents were hypnotized by the TV. So I curiously went over and asked "what they were watching." My parents told me "the news and that the twin towers went down." I was in shock when I looked at the towers and saw smoke bellowing from the towers. Ill never forget the news clip. Then we got a phone call from my brother in law and found out me made it out safe.

It was probably one of the saddest days in history in the US and it affected everyone. The next day you could see everyones mood had changed and that people were doing little things like holding door for people and other little things. Mayblum's really hit it home when he described the event and how he added an element of suspense. His story really puts you on the edge of your seat as he describes descending through the first tower. I think it is miraculous that Myblum made it out in one peace. I think no one should of had to gone through what he did.

Once More to the Lake

I can simulate to White about the trips he took up north. I too have taken trips like these to upstate New York and Vermont. Although not being a lake in Main it has the same upstate feel to it. I feel that White described the lake so well that I could have been there myself.  Sadly Whites father has passed away so he cannot look at the lake the same. I have thankfully not gone through that so I could not relate. It must be hard for White to revisit a place where he had many good times with a relative that passed away. When he talks about fishing for bass I remembered me and my cousin fishing out on a lake by his house fishing for bass and how it was similar to the story.

At the end when White talks about the "chill of death" I guessed that he fells grim when he revisits the lake due to the passing of his father. I think when he goes to the lake he should think of the good times he had with his father and cherish that over grieving he's death. Don't get me wrong it is terrible when a love one passes away but you should just try to remember the good times you had. Also he can pass the good times down to his son now. Another positive aspect is that he can keep the memories he had with his dad alive and have stories to tell to his kids.

Shitty First Draft

First drafts are the most important part for a writer. The first draft is to regurgitate and lay down the basic information. I agree when Anne Lamott says "Very few writers really know what they are doing until they've done it." While writing and editing a first draft you are preventing errors from going into your finial copy and deleting extra material.

After reading this I think I am going to use the first draft more often. I fell that Lamott is correct about getting all the information down when writing the first draft then going back and editing it. She uses alot of good similes to get the point across and comedy too. Although some of her humor is kinda dark, I liked when she talked about writers block which is a major enemy to most writers. Also when she talks about doing ten other things before getting down to writing. I tend to do many things and get off topic when about to start writing too. So if I did this before every main writing assignment, unless required, I could improve my grade by probley ten percent.

Propaganda Techniques in Today's Advertising

I agree propaganda is used to brainwash the viewers to side with the salesmen that use it. Although some propaganda is used to help send a message and people who are less fortunate. Others are used to haggle you out of money or make you feel obligated to buy or do something. The technique of propaganda is just convincing your views with straight up lies and cheap parlor tricks.The techniques can be repulsive but effective. Some target a certain group and others target you the reader. Although propaganda is use often used that it is kinda over looked. Propaganda ranges from logos to free t shits and anything in between.

Advertisers use a wide variety of techniques to get to the consumers. Name calling is one and is when they use negative names to there competitors. Glittering generalities is when they hype up an item to make it seem better then it is. Transfer is when the consumer recognizes the symbol or logo and trusts it. Testimonial is like when someone endorses something. Plain folks is resembling the average, normal, and everyday consumers. Card staking is when the evidence is distorted. Bandwagon is saying "Everyone's doing it. Why don't you."All of these seem cruel and unusual but are effective and widely used.

Freewriting

This particular reading hit close to home. I have many problems with writing and english in general. This technique looks like it could fix many of my english and writing problems. Also it looks like a good way to practice for brainstorming. Although it is under used it is one way to increase your writing structure. Free writing also cures going back and editing which could come in handy when it comes down to a time restrain.When freewriting you don't worry about other criteria like spelling and grammar which keeps you on topic and prevents losing your thought process. This also keeps a consatent flow in ones writing. Another problem that is apparent is jumping off topic. The one aspect of freewriting I do not get is the peer editing part where there is no critiquing. This spontaneous writing will help you in the long run in various ways. One being finding main ideas and topics for ones writing assignment. Which is one of my most common errors.

The one thing I do not agree with in the passage about free writing is that there is no editing and that it could just be nonsense and extra unwanted material. Clearly something you think makes sense could be complete garbage to someone else. So peer editing would make free writing more effective. I disagree when Mr. Elbow says that this is the most effective way to increase your writing skills. I feel repitition is the best means of incresesing ones writing skills.Free writing is not for everyone. Advanced writers should not use it because it would only slow them down.

How to Mark a Book

Mortimer Adler has many respectable views on how to mark up a book. Personally I have no interest in violating a book in any fashion wether its taking notes in the margins or highlighting a important sentence. I fell it takes away from the value and shelf life of a book. I feel a book should be kept in mint condition. When I see a book marked up I second guess the persons opinion on if the topic should have been marked or highlighted. It can be very successful as a study guide for said book but the next person to come across this may not agree.Although it summarizes the book and makes you brain storm form main points of the book. In my opinion if the book is not returnable it is ruined.

Adler points out some useful methods of taking notes in a book like underlining, stars, asterisks, numbers in margin, circling key words, and jotting notes at top and bottom of the pages. I fell these would be useful in a school setting. Like books you will be tested on and books you will need for a later date. I also agree that you should not violate a library book or a friends. One of my biggest pet peeves is when I lend a book to a friend and they dog tag or highlight the pages. I feel that if the fact that you would have taken notes on or highlighted was that important then it should be on a sticky note or on index cards you could slide in to book mark the important fact.