Tow #3-(article)" Are We Hard-Wired for War?" By: David P. Barash

In this thought-provoking article, Barash looks towards our biological make-up to try to refute the idea that war is simply human nature. He starts with the claim of the other side, citing various sources such as The National Interest and New Scientist. He then looks at our evolutionary relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, two similar species that are very different in how they address conflict. Barash narrows this idea by then citing different tribal groups, all of which have different ways to deal with conflict as well, and many of them peaceful, and concludes that war is not simply human condition. This idea is essentially the author’s point. As people look at the growing tension in Syria and United States intervention, they may wonder if humans are simply wired for war. But in this article Barash dispels this misconception. Through his use of anecdotes and appeals to logos and ethos, Barash makes his argument more convincing. For example, he establishes the claim from the other side before moving on to his own, which makes it seem like he has carefully considered both sides of the argument. He also has science and history to back up his claims. Finally, Barash ends strong with a story about a Native American girl who dreams of two wolves fighting, and asks her grandfather what it means. Her grandfather says that one wolf represents peace and the other war, and that whoever wins in this eternal struggle is the one she feeds. This illustrates the point that humans can decide whether to make peace or make war. The audience of this article is probably the American public, because they have seen the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and are weary of more fighting. The author achieved his purpose by thoughtfully looking at all sides of the argument and pointing out examples and counterexamples, showing that war is not wired into the human brain. David Barash has been a psychology teacher at the University of Washington-Seattle since 1973. He has written numerous books about violence and other human behaviors.

Tow #2- (article) Rebel Yell: Creating Punk at the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Jonathan Van Meter

In this Vogue article about the influence of punk, which will feature in Metropolitian Museum of Art’s exhibition “Punk: Chaos to Couture.” Punk, the author believes, is like a competitive sport of who can be the most outrageous and therefore show the most dedication to the form. The author then tells a story of his own discovery of punk and of one of his “punk” friends. He extends this to other “punk” celebrities today, include Madonna and Lady Gaga, who are characterized by the sometimes inappropriate things they do or wear to that grabs attention to show a context of what punk is. This punk subculture is derived from punk music, which started in about 1975. Punk fashion is characterized by clothes with outrageous symbols and leather or vinyl clothing. The author probably wrote this article to inform people about what punk, which many older people associate with hooliganism, really is. He says, “Every now and then I hear myself mutter under my breath, “That is so punk rock.”… Sometimes it’s an acknowledgment of heroism, sometimes nihilism.” The point about punk is that it goes against the established order and is meant to shock. It shouldn’t be seen as bad; it’s merely another form of expression. The audience would probably be adults, because they may have less of an understanding of what punk is than teens. Throughout this article, the author uses anecdotes and allusions to achieve his purpose. For example, he characterizes his punk roommate, Mortimer, as someone with stereotypical “punk” qualities, like his Mohawk. But he also describes how during a Chistrmas party Mortimer wrapped himself with Christmas lights attached to a long extension cord so that they actually lit up. This makes it appear that punk is a way of creative, unfettered thinking. He also alludes to the movie Edward Scissorhands to describe a physical appearance. I believe that the author did achieve his purpose, because he certainly made me reconsider what my image of punk is. When I think of punk I think of the music and clothes, but the author mentions little of either in his article. Instead, he focuses on the relationship between punk and the public and the purpose of this culture. Van Meter started his career writing for the Atlantic City magazine. Since then, he has written for Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and many others. Van Meter was the former editor-in-chief of the Vibe magazine, which focuses on street music culture.

 

 

An example of "Chaos to Couture" on the Red Carpet, as shown by Katy Perry.

 Source: http://www.behance.net/gallery/Met-Gala-2013-Punk-Chaos-to-Couture-On-The-Red-Carpet/8661215

Dreams From My Father (IRB)

Dreams From My Father is a memoir of the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama. President Obama wrote this memoir as he was preparing to campaign for senator. This book delves into his past and a little bit about who his parents were. He talks about his grandparents, about moving, and about school. Eventually he goes back to Africa for a period to rediscover his past.

I've always intended to read this book, but until now, haven't had the time. As the first African-American president of the United States of America, Barack Obama is currently making history. But I'm even more interested in how he came to be where he is, and the obstacles that he has had to face and overcome. Many times with high public officials, we either place them on a pedestal or demonize them, forgetting that they sometimes have some of the same experiences that we do. I've never read an autobiography of a politician before, but I have high hopes for this one.

Tow #1- Media: "How Schools Kill Creativity" by Sir Ken Robinson

 

 

 

Picasso once said, "All children are born artists. The problem is to remain an artist as you grow up." In this speech, Sir Ken Robinson makes a profound argument that institutions are actually squandering the creative potential of their pupils. Robinson introduces this problem by showing the creativity of young children and how they are unafraid of making mistakes. He argues that with the current school systems in the world, mistakes are stigmatized and that students are educated "out" of creativity. Throughout the speech, Sir Ken Robinson states that the fundamental idea of education needs to be rethought. This speech informs others about the diversity of creativity, which is very valid today because 21st century problems require a lot of different approaches and perspectives. Robinson achieves his purpose by primarily employing humor. His jocular tone makes the audience want to listen. Robinson even digresses on the occasional tangent, which gives the audience time to laugh, before he continues with the topic. Robinson also uses anecdotes to illustrate his point. For example, he uses the example of Gillian Lynne, who managed to find her passion and succeeded even though her talents did not lie in academics. Overall, I believe that Sir Ken Robinson accomplished his purpose. Although I've always thought of intelligence as diverse until now I have never questioned how school system works. After hearing this talk and the very valid points and interesting anecdotes that Ken Robinson has shared, I have a better understanding of why this system is not for everyone and how it can sometimes even unknowingly repress talent. An educator for many years, Sir Ken Robinson certainly has great credibility. He completed his PhD at the University of London and was a professor of education for twelve years at the University of Warwick and received many honors, including the Peabody Medal. In 2003, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his dedication to the arts. His most recent book, Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, is a New York Times Bestseller and has been translated to over 20 languages.

 

 

 

The Mansion: A Subprime Parable by Michael Lewis

"The Mansion: A Subprime Parable" tells about the events that occur when the author rents a  mansion on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans with his family. The author, from the upper-middle class, experiences the problems of living in a house he can't quite afford. He reflects that Americans lust for expensive homes that they don't have the money for, and that he is no different. In the end, the author and his family move back to where they came from. Michael Lewis, the author of this essay, attended Princeton University before getting his MA in the London School of Economics. Mr Lewis became a financial journalist and is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair. He also writes for The New York Times. "The Mansion: A Subprime Parable" is rooted in the idea of the American class system. Ideally, there is a lower class, an upper class, and a large middle class. The author readily admits that he is from the upper middle class, and this essay is about what happens when a upper middle class family tries to transition into the upper class lifestyle.

A parable is a story meant to instruct. The author's purpose is to share with the lesson he learned from renting the mansion. He realized that pretending to be something he is not, attempting to live the life of the upper class, is ultimately doomed for failure. In the end, Lewis writes, “And so we fled, back to where we’d come from: the upper middle class.” (Lewis 86). The essay was published in Conde Nast Portfolio, which was known to target middle to upper class adults. Lewis delivers his purpose well, mostly through the use of the anecdote, which tells his story with clarity and dry humor. There is also symbolism: the mansion itself symbolizes the elusive upper class. He uses a great deal of imagery, describing the feeling of not belonging by saying, “-we all sit in the formal dining room, under the gilded ceiling and the crystal chandelier, eating packaged tortellini off paper plates.” (Lewis 81). Through these devices, Lewis emphasizes that his experience serves as a consequence for us to not thirst for what we cannot afford.

American Class Structure

"It is not the man who has too little, but the man that craves more, who is poor." -Seneca

Source:Dennis Gilbert, The American Class Structure in an Age of Growing Inequality (6th ed., 2003), p.270

The Writer in Winter by John Updike

"The Writer in Winter" is a reflection about the book-writing process by an older writer, the author of the essay. The author confesses that he is afraid that his best works are behind him, although he notes that although writing is a profession that treats the aging more gently. Still, the author feels satisfied that his books will outlast him and hopes that he still has one more masterpiece left in him. John Updike, the author and narrator, graduated from Harvard University with a degree in English. Updike became a staff writer for The New Yorker before resigning to write Rabbit, Run and The Centaur, the latter which won the National Book Award. Two of the three sequels to Rabbit, Run (Rabbit is Rich and Rabbit at Rest) won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. Updike passed away in 2009, at the age of 79. In this essay, Updike describes his own experience with age. Old age is generally a time we associate with retirement, and yet the profession of writing is more gentle on older writers. But being an older writer himself, Updike cannot help but wonder if he has lost his touch. Updike wrote this essay as a reflection of his own writing career. He admits that he fears his writing now has, " lost...it's carefree bounce, its snap, its exuberant air of slight excess. The author, in his boyish innocence, is calling, like the sorcerer's apprentice, upon unseen powers-the prodigious potential of this flexible language's vast vocabulary" (Updike174). Updike is admits his own insecurity. But behind this candid confession is the pride he has of what he has accomplished. Since the target audience of AARP Magazine (American Association of Retired Persons) is people in their fifties and older, this essay was probably intended for such an age range. The essay is personal and thoughtful, serving as a well-written reflective piece. Updike first remembers the past, muses about the present, and then thinks about the future. He uses anecdotes to reminisce about the past to further serve in his reflection. The idea of winter and his descriptions of different typewriters both serve as symbols that note the passage of time, effectively helping transition the essay along.

   

The Winter Years

"In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy." -William Blake

Source: http://www.electricityforum.com/poetry/portrait-of-laurence-steven.html

The Mechanics of Being by Jerald Walker

"The Mechanics of Being" discusses the writer’s father and his relationship with the writer. The essay begins with the author's decision to write about his father, who became blind. The author details his father's life. In the end, he realizes that he has been writing about his father all wrong, because he focused on his father's blindness rather than his father himself. The essay ends with his father's funeral where the author tells a funny anecdote about his dad, deciding that if he is to ever write about his father, it will start with that story. "The Mechanics of Being" addresses poverty and broken families. It also describes the process of writing a biography, the gathering of facts, while along the way discovering the beauty and complexity of life. The author's purpose in writing this essay is not to describe his father's blindness. Writes the author, "Chapter after chapter I focused on the mechanics of blindness when I should have focused on the mechanics of being" (Walker 187). The author shares his true purpose, which is his belief that people should not be defined by one thing. This message is universal and is intended of all adults and teens. The author achieves his purpose through in mes res. The story begins with the narrator struggling to write a book about his father, then goes into a series of flashbacks about his father's life, and returns to the present. Because of this, the reader is gradually given information from each flashback and realizes the diversity of the father’s experiences.  It also uses a particularly important anecdote at the end, describing a time when the author was angry at his father, but his father laughed because it was a joke, and the author could not help but laugh along. This anecdote embodies the idea that blindness should not define the story of the writer’s father. The narrator and author, Jerald Walker, received a MFA in Creative Writing and a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies. He has written for the Literary Review, Oxford American, and many other sources. He is the founder of the literary journal, The Bridge, which has won over sixty national awards. Mr. Walker teaches English at Bridgewater State University.

 

 

 

Life is...

 "Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens."-Khalil Griban

Source: http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/melanie/4-ways-to-find-happiness-inspiration-from-within.htm

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