Technology

     After reading the article "This Is How We Live" by Ellen DeGeneres, I had mixed feelings. I agreed with many of her statements, for example that humans are inherently lazy. However, I thought she was to critical of technology and placed a lot of the blame of humans being lazy on technology, rather than on the humans who are using it. She did touch upon this idea when she discussed the inappropriate uses of GO-GURT and power bars but she did seem to place a majority of the blame on technology. DeGeneres is correct when she says that technology can hurt us, but that is because we use it in a way that can cause harm. It's not a GO-GURT that makes us lazy, it is the idea of it that implies laziness. In the case of power bars, they are made for athletes as a form of compact food supply to eat when you do not have the supplies to cook. The makers of power bars are not to blame either because they made them for the intended purpose of use by athletes. It is the person who is eating it on the way to the mall who is to blame for the misuse of the product. 

     This brings me to the next idea that DeGeneres discusses, the packaging of consumer products. DeGeneres states "How else does technology torture us? Well, try opening up a brand-new CD". It is true that the packages of may consumer products such as CD's are a pain to open. However, there is a reason why these products are a pain to open in a store. Companies are protecting their products from being stolen out of stores, and by making them hard to open without a tool, it reduces the change of someone stealing it easily. The packaging was implemented because someone decided to steal products, that is a human error that has had the consequence of protective packaging. If people did not choose to steal, the packages would not be used. Companies certainly would love to save money on cheaper packaging.  

     Technology is not torturing us, it is our human counterparts that are the root of the issue. This idea can be applied to the other examples in the article where technology it put on the chopping block. Humans are the root of almost every problem that arises in our society, if you sit back and take the time to think about it, you will see. It is a part of human nature that we make decisions that have a negative impact on the progression of our species. 

Response: Entertainment Articles

During our last few classes, we have been debating the meaning of entertainments, and what it means to be entertained. Many of us have disagreed on their definitions, but we have all agreed upon the fact that context does play a role in the way we categorize entertainment. When we take into consideration that categorizing entertainment is based on context, we must also acknowledge that these definitions are subjective, and sensitive to many variables. For example, everyone has a different preference as to what they find entertaining. Even if two people agree upon an item that is entertaining, they may enjoy it to a different degree, or even enjoy it for two different reasons. Maybe Person A thinks books are entertaining because he/she likes clearing new vocabulary. On the other hand, Person B may enjoy reading because of an interesting story-line. Variables such as these all lead to different definitions, making the topic subjective to preferences. 
I believe that we should define entertainment, and the idea of being entertained separately because they are two very different things. Entertainment is anything that can cause enjoyment to a person regardless of popular opinion. If enjoyment is present, it can be considered as entertainment. Now, the idea of being entertained should be defined on solely and individual level because it is dependent on individual preference. You can decide if something brings you enjoyment. If it does, then it can be categorized as a form of entertainment. However, although it is entertainment, it does not mean that it is entertaining to everyone. As an individual, you may decided if it has entertained you and only you.
So, the idea that entertainment is something that brings enjoyment to any person. And the idea of being entertained is something that can only be determined on an individual level. For example in the article "Pearls before Breakfast: Joshua Bell on the Subway" by Gene Weingarten, the idea of whether Bell's music was entertaining or not was introduced. We should all be able to agree that his performance is in fact a form of entertainment because someone, somewhere finds it enjoyable. However, whether you are entertained by it,  or in other words, "Is it entertaining?" is a question that each of us can answer on an individual basis. 
You Decide.

Observation

For my practice observation, I went to the Honors Program Office in the bottom floor of the Maxwell library. Because the students who use the room are all in the honors program, it can defiantly be categorized as a community. The room that houses Honors Program Office is quite small with only a few computers a couch and a coffee table. Two of the students in the room at the time I was observing were employees of the Program that are responsible for managing the room and planning Honors events. By listening to them communicate, I learned a few things about their personal lives, and what they were working on in the room. The other students that were in the room were using the computers in the room to utilize the free printing. Most of the students using  the computers seemed to know the works in the room which probably means they use the room regularly. The use of media was prominent in the use of computers by both the employees and the students. The students use media to help complete their school work. 

Passive Aggressive Notes

Just before reading the selection about the passive aggressive notes, one of my suite mates decided to leave a note to his roommate asking him to clean his dishes. I would have posted a picture of it, but its contents are a bit to inappropriate to be posted on a course blog. Thinking back to the note my suite mate left after reading the article, I realized the structure and purpose of these notes. Although each note seems to be passively directed to one person, they are meant to be seen by everyone. But why is that? Why not just leave someone a private note? Obviously these notes are meant to be humorous by the writer, but the humor has an alternative purpose than just a good old laugh. By using humor, the writer is effectively gaining the support of everyone that the note is not referring to. In an effort to avoid being the talk of the latest gossip, the person or people who the passive or aggressive note is referring to will change their behavior. Leaving a note like the one about the stairwell is a brilliant way to correct whatever problem is created without having to figure out who the culprit is. Also, if the note is successful and the problem is corrected, it avoids a possible one on one confrontation with whomever it is referring to. My guess is that tomorrow there will be no dirty dishes left on the sink in my suite.

Response: "It takes a Tribe" by David Berreby

    A community can come in many forms, but all communities share a common denominator, the people within them share similar beliefs, traditions, behaviors or backgrounds. Often, as a part of a community, or multiple communities, we forget just why we are a part of them. The article written by Berreby answers that "why" by presenting the results of scientific analysis and relating these results to the idea of college as a community.

    As a college student, I found his explanation interesting and thought provoking. It got me to think about the reasons I picked this particular college and my behaviors as part of the Bridgewater State community and the other communities I am a part of both on and off campus. Much of what he writes, specifically about humans craving to be part of something bigger was accurate.

    One line in particular stood out to me, "Once people see that they've been divided into groups, they'll act accordingly, even if they know that the divisions are as meaningless" (Berreby,122). This statement is true, but what is it about human nature that makes actions like dividing ourselves into exclusive factions so desirable? The answer is simple, as humans we naturally think in a mob mentality. We are afraid that if we choose to form our own opinions about matters that we will be wrong. And more importantly if we are wrong, we are seen as an outsider from the groups who's popular opinion we dared challenge. No one wants to be considered an outsider, not because they are afraid of being alone, but because life actually gets more difficult to live when the resources of the group( whatever they might be) are not available to the individual. For example, if you join a sports team at BSU, you are allowed to choose your classes before non-athletes. If you are an athlete and you choose not to be on a sports team, you lose that privilege. You could be the next Olympian, but because you are not part of the official group, your academic life becomes more stressful as you struggle to get into the classes you want. Furthermore, once you become an outsider, factions will go out of their way to exploit the outsiders for challenging them, even though their motives are completely meaningless. In the case of the figurative Olympian, he/she will be cal

led selfish, stupid or strange for not wanting to use their talent on the team.

    But soon enough, for every faction formed, one that has an opposite believe of that faction will arise to challenge them. These behaviors are not exclusive to sports teams, they can apply to other faction or groups that exist in any community. 

For my collage I chose to express two aspects of my life that I value greatly, and how they come together to motivate me to achieve my goals. Music and exercise have been part of my life since the beginning of high school. I wanted to change my lifestyle to become more of an athlete and participate on a sports team for my high school. At the time, I was over weight and living a very sedentary lifestyle, and lacked support from my peers. So, I turned to music in an effort to motivate myself, especially during exercising. Whether it was running, or weightlifting, I was always able to throw on my favorite songs to help me focus. 
Today, I am doing the same thing, but my goal is different. In August I enlisted in the Air Force and since then, my goal has been to prepare myself for the training I will go through over this summer. Still, I turn to music to find my motivation and help me stay focused whether it be academically or physically. Both academics and physical fitness are important to my career in the Air Force, and with the help of music, I plan to excel in both areas.  

September 11 Tattoos

 Body art is used as a method of self expression that becomes part of a persons identity. Many cultures around the globe use different types of body art as a form of expression for religious, ceremonial, traditional and many other purposes. The meaning of body art to a particular group can be analyzed for its unique traits. The September 11 Tattoos were obviously created to commemorate the tragic events of that day. But what do these tattoos say about the identity of the United States? Two of the tattoos feature the American Flag, and one of the tattoos quotes the Bible and reads "We will not forget our brothers and sisters". Further, another tattoo quotes the song "America the Beautiful". All of these symbols seem to point to one common theme, nationalism. Theses tattoos show that Americans have a sense of pride and union. Also, the Bible is referenced, leading you to believe that religion is an important part of society. The similar themes expressed by the tattoos defiantly touch upon the key values of the United States.