Seeing

I thought this reading was very confusing. Although I found it interesting and I liked hearing all about the nature I also got bored. I thought it was too long and I'm sure that has to be some hidden meaning but I couldn't see it because it just went on and on. She lost my attention quickly and I found it repetitive. I definitely think she was a nature writer because that was clearly her main focus and everything revolved around nature. She used vivid images to create pretty pictures which I enjoyed but it also got a little complicated. Overall it was interesting but much too long and redundant.

There Is No Unmarked Woman

Deborah Tannen is a Doctor of Linguistics and currently teaches at Georgetown University. She has written a few books which all deal with conversation and its effects. This essay, "There Is No Unmarked Woman" is an excerpt from one of her books and it focuses on the fact that men can be "unmarked", yet women always seem to be "marked" or labeled. She bases this upon her own thoughts of her colleagues, both men and women.

Tannen explains that she was at a conference with four women and eight men. She was only their for a few days, but by the final day she was able to categorize or mark all three of the women simply based on the women's hairstyles, makeup, clothing and accessories. One woman was classy and sophisticated while a little plain. The next was a little older, but very dignified and confident. Finally, the third woman was glitzy glamorous and sexy. Tannen had been able to label each woman just by looking at her. Once Tannen realized this she asked herself why she was only studying the women, and then came up with the answer, "The men's styles were unmarked" (Tannen 141). Tannen referred to the men as unmarked because they all wore similar suit pants and dress shirts. They all had similar shoes and hair cuts with the exception of a man who was balding. None of the men stood out or seemed extraordinary. She could not deduce things about the men or their personalities simply based on physical characteristics like she could with the women.  She continues supporting her thesis throughout the essay. For example, she discusses how on forms women must choose a prefix which marks them as married or unmarried, but the male prefix is the same regardless of his marital status. In the end of the essay Tennan talks about her feelings towards marking and says she feels sad because, "Some days you just want to get dressed and go about your business. But if you're a woman, you can't, because there is no unmarked woman" (Tannen 145).

Elie Wiesel

Elie Wiesel's speech was very touching and eye opening. When he spoke of the victims saying "They were dead and did not know it" (Wiesel 216). That line was so depressing and eye opening. I cannot imagine having to live like that. It makes me sad and disappointed to know that we turned away a ship of refugees. We could have saved those peoples' lives and instead we sent them to their deaths. I have so much respect for Wiesel. If I were him I would be bitter and angry towards the United States, but he wasn't at all. Instead he seems hopeful and even thankful. He must be a very strong man. His speech was full of passion and understanding. He wasn't trying to blame us, but really trying to call people's attention to how dangerous indifference can be. It was a very powerful speech and it really made me think. I loved reading it and I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Wiesel.

Braindead Megaphone

          This article was very interesting. He had some good points in that many stories are silly and trivial on the news. We rely on the media to give us accurate information so we can make informed decisions and opinions. However, everything said on the media must be "politically correct". Often newscasters sugar coat stories or only show some parts of the story. This leads to us being uninformed and mislead.
        I thought the author was too harsh and rude. He gave a one-sided argument, and made it seem like he thought everyone in the world except himself is stupid. I definitely agree that the media can give invalid information, but it also gives us some credible information. He made it seem like we are all brainwashed when in reality we have a free will. People often choose to support the media because it's easy and requires no research, but that doesn't mean that everyone does this. There are informed educated people out there as well as uninformed stupid people.
         The author definitely caught my attention with this essay. I realized that I may be hearing one-sided arguments or opinions from the media. He reminded me that it is imperative to do my own research for topics, and to consult more than one source to avoid hearing a biased opinion. It is my responsibility to educate myself not the media's. I can choose to be totally informed or totally ignorant, but either way it's my choice. Also, I need to really try to see through all the propaganda presented to me. Stories will be shown in the way that makes the most money, not the way that will keep us properly informed.

Course Theme

People today are too wasteful. Things are used too excessively and often the long term effects are forgotten. Already we have cities with air that is black from pollution. Some bodies of water are so polluted that all the animals and organisms living in it are dying. Forests are being destroyed, and more and more species of animals are becoming endangered. We need to be more conscientious and keep in mind that we do today affects what happens tomorrow and so on. Some people are doing their part and trying to raise awareness, but more people need to follow in their foot steps in order for a real change to be made. Some people are already using their power against land and animals by destroying environments and ruining habitats. Others have tried and failed to control other people. This has led to genocides and wars. Thankfully more and more leaders are communicating peacefully. Hopefully most others will follow suit so war and violence will become a last resort.