My thanksgiving was spent with my moms side of the family. They're big church goers. They don't really like me and mom but we went anyway. My mom played piano the whole time and me and my cousins rode around in the gator. No one really discussed anything about the day. We didn't do that thing where you go around and say what you're thankful for. It was creepy cause we were in my aunts new house which was her friends who killed himself in the bedroom of the house and it was weird because they kept talking about him like about how much of a good person he was. It was creepy. They told me to go up in the attic and take anything I want out of all his stuff. I chose not to because I believe in ghosts.
I got texts from some of my moms friends saying happy genocide day but that was the most of what was discussed about the day itself. My aunt kept saying how nice it was to be with family. My uncle got drunk cause he always does and he's my favorite family member. My cousin also got drunk and told me she's going to take me out dancing soon. That probably won't ever happen.
I think the American people often try to blind themselves to ignore the evil things we've done to other cultures, and focus more on how good we are. We sit around proclaiming thanks for all these things that are in our lives, and we feel better about ourselves afterwards, as if somehow giving all that thanks shows how grateful and kind we are. We play ignorant from the destruction we've caused. This doesn't reveal much about how to live a good and meaningful life. It reveals what not to do, which is to pretend we're something we aren't. We focus on how we are going to be perceived, and if that means sitting around stuffing our faces and pretending to be thankful for those around us shows what grateful and good people we are, we will do it.
We drove back that same night. I spent Black Friday at home. The only thing I bought that day was a metrocard. I did buy soup that night but it was after midnight so I figured it doesn't count as Black Friday, so I guess you could say I participated in buy nothing day. I didn't really do it intentionally. I just hate big crowds and people who push and I knew everyone would be out that day and even if I wasn't shopping I'd probably get really annoyed. By midnight, it was nice out. I bought french onion soup and a coke.
It's strange that the day we're supposed to sit around discussing all these amazing things in our life that we are thankful for and how we can't be greedy because we've got so many amazing things, is followed by a day in which we rush out and try to buy new things to make us happy. It's all about temporary stimulation for the American people, and then denying it. We put up this false persona as if we have everything we need from our family and from what we've been given, and then we rush out to consume more and more. We're just a bunch of liars.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
big paper-dom messages
It's no secret that we live in a world controlled by corporate media. We are sent messages through these corporations, telling us the best ways to live. These supposedly best ways to live, are usually those that consume the most. Within media, we find there are three different types of messages. The first are dominate messages, which are the messages we see the most often, and those that are most visible. The next are marginal messages. These are messages that we only occasionally see. Finally, there are prohibited messages, messages which corporate media would not want to be sent to the public.
One of the most dominate messages we can find is that we are not as good as we could be. We are shown things that would somehow improve the state we are at, whether that be our appearance or through our relationships with others. We are constantly being told that we are good how we are, but we could be better with the help of what they can provide.
We can see this dominate message a lot through magazines.
One of the most dominate messages we can find is that we are not as good as we could be. We are shown things that would somehow improve the state we are at, whether that be our appearance or through our relationships with others. We are constantly being told that we are good how we are, but we could be better with the help of what they can provide.
We can see this dominate message a lot through magazines.
election
I never wrote my response to the election so i'll do it now.
It was really exciting to watch that happen. The second it was announced people were screaming and cheering around my neighborhood. The buzz around the election and voting had been going on for so long that I had never actually stopped and considered how greatly things might change if Obama were elected. I think this was an incredible feat for our generation, especially because it was the first time for many of us to actually vote. I think it was amazing that we were able to participate in such a drastic change, we were able to see that we are capable of change, and we are capable of being heard. Our generation has been so jaded when it comes to politics. The first most of us ever heard of politics was when the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky scandal came to light. Shortly after that, when we grew older and were finally capable of really comprehending political issues, all we have ever known was this Bush administration. We've grown up with such a negative and jaded view of politics and what its capable of, and its all we've ever known as for politics. It's incredible to see that for the first time many of us have had the option to vote, we were able to basically control the outcome of the election. A huge victory for a generation that has been so let down for so long.
It was really exciting to watch that happen. The second it was announced people were screaming and cheering around my neighborhood. The buzz around the election and voting had been going on for so long that I had never actually stopped and considered how greatly things might change if Obama were elected. I think this was an incredible feat for our generation, especially because it was the first time for many of us to actually vote. I think it was amazing that we were able to participate in such a drastic change, we were able to see that we are capable of change, and we are capable of being heard. Our generation has been so jaded when it comes to politics. The first most of us ever heard of politics was when the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky scandal came to light. Shortly after that, when we grew older and were finally capable of really comprehending political issues, all we have ever known was this Bush administration. We've grown up with such a negative and jaded view of politics and what its capable of, and its all we've ever known as for politics. It's incredible to see that for the first time many of us have had the option to vote, we were able to basically control the outcome of the election. A huge victory for a generation that has been so let down for so long.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
worker dies at long island wal mart
It's really disturbing that people would be capable of something like that. And it's even worse that they continued into the store to shop, despite the guy dying on the floor. I think it is proof that people can be corporate zombies. I don't think someone can really use this and respond saying "Oh but that was only in one place in long island, it doesn't happen everywhere", but the fact that it happened anywhere at all, it matters. Even if the people had stopped and walked out of the wal mart, I still would have seen that and been proud that people were capable of realizing how horrible an act that was. I wouldnt simply say "oh but only some people did that". I would just be happy anyone did that.
It's scary when you really think about how it must have been like to be there. The people sound like animals, bombarding the door and trying to break it down.
It's scary when you really think about how it must have been like to be there. The people sound like animals, bombarding the door and trying to break it down.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Good Life
1. What is the song basically saying about how to live a good life? Paraphrase the main idea.
It's basically saying that the good life is to do what you want and get money and famous for doing that.
2. What lyrics particularly speak to that perspective? Use quotes as evidence.
"go ahead switch that style up and if they hate then let 'em hate and watch the money pile up"
"whether you broke or rich you gotta get the biz havin moneys the everything that having it is"
"i'ma get on this tv mama"
"they say the best things in life are free"
"i always had a passion for flashin before i had it i close my eyes and image, the good life"
3. How do the video images support, re-orient, or challenge the dominant theme of the lyrics? Analyze.
During the quote "the best things in life are free"
4. What else do you notice that's interesting? Look for internal contradictions, aspects of the message that resonate with other messages from the pop culture, points that connect to your own perspective, etc. Analyze squared.
It's basically saying that the good life is to do what you want and get money and famous for doing that.
2. What lyrics particularly speak to that perspective? Use quotes as evidence.
"go ahead switch that style up and if they hate then let 'em hate and watch the money pile up"
"whether you broke or rich you gotta get the biz havin moneys the everything that having it is"
"i'ma get on this tv mama"
"they say the best things in life are free"
"i always had a passion for flashin before i had it i close my eyes and image, the good life"
3. How do the video images support, re-orient, or challenge the dominant theme of the lyrics? Analyze.
During the quote "the best things in life are free"
4. What else do you notice that's interesting? Look for internal contradictions, aspects of the message that resonate with other messages from the pop culture, points that connect to your own perspective, etc. Analyze squared.
Monday, October 13, 2008
ESSAY
What do the people around you say about living meaningfully?
Some define the meaning of life by actions, while others define it by aspects of ones personality, and often relationships one has with others.
One person who defined it by action was Michael Wexler, a high school gym teacher. When asked what was meaningful about his life, he said "the opportunity to interact with youth and offer them guidance". The most meaningful part of his life is something that he does and interacting with others. He also defines his life by relationships, for he is listing the relationship he has with his students to be the most meaningful.
A young middle-class caucasion female on the street did not define it by action. Her response to what was meaningful in life was "loyalty and humor". Her definitions of meaning are based on aspects of someone's personality. It can also relate to relationships. “Loyalty” is probably referring to being honest and loyal to another person, therefore making her another person whose relationships with others affected her response to what is meaningful.
Another person I encountered on the street named all of these for his answer for what is meaningful. He was tall, possibly European, and caucasion. His response was "the future, thinking, being concious of ourselves and the world around us, and work to some extent". His response involved action ("work, thinking"), aspects of ones personality ("being concious of ourselves and the world around us"), however he also included "the future", in his reply. He did not clearly define what he meant by future, whether it was important because it is inevitable or because we should work for a better future, or maybe simply because it seems everything we do is for the future.
Two people answered the question “what is meaningful in life?” by saying happiness. When asked to describe what it is that makes one happy, Michelle, a fellow student, said “friends, family, music, and just little things”. In her response, Michelle is saying overall that it is happiness that matters most, something you can consider an aspect of ones personality. However, she also lists what it is that makes her happy. In that, she lists relationships with others (family and friends). She also brought up “little things”. When she described what “little things” are, she said it was just the simple little things you notice during the day, like something cute that happens or a joke that no one else gets. This part of her answer cannot be categorized with the others, possibly making it one of the more unique and maybe even more meaningful responses.
Another person who answered the question by saying “happiness” was Alex, a friend of mine. When I asked him what it is that makes him happy, he simply said “having fun”. That response is relatively vague, for it can be about relationships (having fun with friends and family) or about actions (going out and playing sports).
Andrew, a college student in California, answered by saying “the relationships you have with friends and family and the search for new experiences in life”. After receiving so many answers that had to do with relationships with others, I asked him “Why do you think friends and family is so important?” He responded by saying “We’re genetically programmed to want close relationships with thos people. We’re social animals. I personally feel social bonds are important but it’s hard to say why, aside from a whole evolutionary basis”.
His initial response (friends, family, and the search for new experiences) involved relationships with others and action. The action being “the search for new experiences”. He, too, felt relationships were very important, and he gave a fairly logical and scientific explanation as to why that is. He thinks loving ones family is as simple as genetics. Theres no ifs, ands, or buts about it, its as simple as that’s how we are made.
Aidin, an SOF Alumni, listed “being happy, love, and family” as what is meaningful in life. Again, someone responded with “happiness”, a very vague answer. I asked him what it is that makes him happy. His response was, “I want to say competition, and it sounds weird but, like, it makes me happy to know that there’s someone that could do what I do, what I could do, if not better. So I know I’m not alone. And then there’s also family, and love life”.
I found it interesting that “competition” is something that makes him happy. It seems he enjoys knowing that he is striving for something, and that other people long to have what he may have, or vice versa.
I also noticed that he, too, listed family. I asked why is family important. He said, “because you have something to fall back on if you’re going through something. Family will always be there. That’s why I put love as second [to what makes me happy] because love comes and goes. And if you’re with someone, sure you could use them as something to look forward to when you go home, if you’re old enough and living together and all of that, but family is always going to be there”. Aidin didn’t leave the answer at simply “because that’s the way humans are”, as Andrew did. He explained why, emotionally, one may feel such a strong connection to family.
He had also mentioned love, so I asked him why that is important too. He said, “because with your loved one, you could share things that you wouldn’t share with your family. So it’s like two different settings, two different environments”. It seems that he categorizes both love and family as things that can be there for you, however love picks up where family lets off. A romantic relationship gives you what a family cannot, and vice versa. His overall response involved primarily relationships.
Seeing that most people have chosen to define the meaningfulness of their lives by the relationships they have with others, one must wonder what it is that a person gets out of such a relationship. It seems it is this sense of belonging one can feel. Wexler must feel the sense of belonging when he feels he’s making a difference in someone’s life. All the people who listed family or friends must feel they make a difference in how happy those family members and those friends are. It’s this feeling that we each somehow serve some kind of purpose, and it seems that the easiest and most common way to feel that is through friends and family.
Some define the meaning of life by actions, while others define it by aspects of ones personality, and often relationships one has with others.
One person who defined it by action was Michael Wexler, a high school gym teacher. When asked what was meaningful about his life, he said "the opportunity to interact with youth and offer them guidance". The most meaningful part of his life is something that he does and interacting with others. He also defines his life by relationships, for he is listing the relationship he has with his students to be the most meaningful.
A young middle-class caucasion female on the street did not define it by action. Her response to what was meaningful in life was "loyalty and humor". Her definitions of meaning are based on aspects of someone's personality. It can also relate to relationships. “Loyalty” is probably referring to being honest and loyal to another person, therefore making her another person whose relationships with others affected her response to what is meaningful.
Another person I encountered on the street named all of these for his answer for what is meaningful. He was tall, possibly European, and caucasion. His response was "the future, thinking, being concious of ourselves and the world around us, and work to some extent". His response involved action ("work, thinking"), aspects of ones personality ("being concious of ourselves and the world around us"), however he also included "the future", in his reply. He did not clearly define what he meant by future, whether it was important because it is inevitable or because we should work for a better future, or maybe simply because it seems everything we do is for the future.
Two people answered the question “what is meaningful in life?” by saying happiness. When asked to describe what it is that makes one happy, Michelle, a fellow student, said “friends, family, music, and just little things”. In her response, Michelle is saying overall that it is happiness that matters most, something you can consider an aspect of ones personality. However, she also lists what it is that makes her happy. In that, she lists relationships with others (family and friends). She also brought up “little things”. When she described what “little things” are, she said it was just the simple little things you notice during the day, like something cute that happens or a joke that no one else gets. This part of her answer cannot be categorized with the others, possibly making it one of the more unique and maybe even more meaningful responses.
Another person who answered the question by saying “happiness” was Alex, a friend of mine. When I asked him what it is that makes him happy, he simply said “having fun”. That response is relatively vague, for it can be about relationships (having fun with friends and family) or about actions (going out and playing sports).
Andrew, a college student in California, answered by saying “the relationships you have with friends and family and the search for new experiences in life”. After receiving so many answers that had to do with relationships with others, I asked him “Why do you think friends and family is so important?” He responded by saying “We’re genetically programmed to want close relationships with thos people. We’re social animals. I personally feel social bonds are important but it’s hard to say why, aside from a whole evolutionary basis”.
His initial response (friends, family, and the search for new experiences) involved relationships with others and action. The action being “the search for new experiences”. He, too, felt relationships were very important, and he gave a fairly logical and scientific explanation as to why that is. He thinks loving ones family is as simple as genetics. Theres no ifs, ands, or buts about it, its as simple as that’s how we are made.
Aidin, an SOF Alumni, listed “being happy, love, and family” as what is meaningful in life. Again, someone responded with “happiness”, a very vague answer. I asked him what it is that makes him happy. His response was, “I want to say competition, and it sounds weird but, like, it makes me happy to know that there’s someone that could do what I do, what I could do, if not better. So I know I’m not alone. And then there’s also family, and love life”.
I found it interesting that “competition” is something that makes him happy. It seems he enjoys knowing that he is striving for something, and that other people long to have what he may have, or vice versa.
I also noticed that he, too, listed family. I asked why is family important. He said, “because you have something to fall back on if you’re going through something. Family will always be there. That’s why I put love as second [to what makes me happy] because love comes and goes. And if you’re with someone, sure you could use them as something to look forward to when you go home, if you’re old enough and living together and all of that, but family is always going to be there”. Aidin didn’t leave the answer at simply “because that’s the way humans are”, as Andrew did. He explained why, emotionally, one may feel such a strong connection to family.
He had also mentioned love, so I asked him why that is important too. He said, “because with your loved one, you could share things that you wouldn’t share with your family. So it’s like two different settings, two different environments”. It seems that he categorizes both love and family as things that can be there for you, however love picks up where family lets off. A romantic relationship gives you what a family cannot, and vice versa. His overall response involved primarily relationships.
Seeing that most people have chosen to define the meaningfulness of their lives by the relationships they have with others, one must wonder what it is that a person gets out of such a relationship. It seems it is this sense of belonging one can feel. Wexler must feel the sense of belonging when he feels he’s making a difference in someone’s life. All the people who listed family or friends must feel they make a difference in how happy those family members and those friends are. It’s this feeling that we each somehow serve some kind of purpose, and it seems that the easiest and most common way to feel that is through friends and family.
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