Interview of "The Writer"

For me, writing is like going to the gym. It is fun when it is voluntary and dreadful when you don’t want to go.

1) What are the different ways you use writing (in and out of school)?

            I use writing in order to express my feelings when I am upset, sad and sometimes even happy. I write these feelings in my journal; on my Facebook page and I text messages my friends and let them know what is going on in my life. In school my writing is very different depending on the assignment. For example in Human Physiology I wrote a research paper on a disease that I found very interesting. I wrote the paper with a very serious tone and no expression to my feelings about the topic. I found myself writing a boring paper, but the topic was very interesting. 

2) What writers have you read that you could say had an authentic “voice”? Describe the qualities that made them unique.

            Victor Villaseñor is my favorite writer because his books are usually based on his family’s history and traditions. I find it refreshing to read a book that directly relates to my personal culture. He tells tales of how his family lived their lives illegally in the United States after war broke out in Mexico. He includes in these tales the Mexican and American history. This allows me to relate it to the stories my grandmother would tell. His voice is very authentic because of his uses of Mexican American terms throughout his stories, which is how my grandparents speak to me.

3) How would you describe your writing voice? How connected is it to the way you think and talk?

            The way I think is the way I speak. I have no problem expressing my self unless speaking to a person of authority, or a professional in which I usually would intend to impress. The way I text message and the way I speak are very different in that in text messages and informal e-mails I tend to use abbreviations for words. The way I write in school and in my journal is also very different in that in school I write in a formal manner rather than in my sloppy shorthand handwriting that would be found in my journal. My writing voice can take multiple tones.

4) List all the types of writing you’ve done in this class (brainstorm together). Were some of these more challenging to you than others? Which ones did you feel most comfortable writing? What does that say about you as a writer?

            A formal paper (issue essay), informal writing (rant), I have also written assignments (research logs) with a formal tone in order to help me later write my multi-genre research paper. I felt the most comfortable writing the issue essay only because it was a formal paper that I intended to make seem professional. One assignment that was very hard for me to write because it was an assignment is the rant because it was an informal piece of writing that was an assignment. I feel that as a writer for other people I want things to be through and make sense. I like to present information in an organized manner as for my personal life (writing that shall never be read just written) I feel is PERSONAL and should never be seen I can be an intimate writer as long as I know that no one will read the words I have written.

           

5) What is your earliest writing memory?

            My earliest writing memory is when I was learning how to write my name in kindergarten I thought it was cool that I could write my own name (a noun not in the dictionary!) in crayon if I wanted but that my name meant me! I was very excited to see my name written on the wall by me. I think it was so significant because of how cool I felt that I could spell and write my own name.

6) What is your best/worst writing experience?

            My worst writing experience was during my senior year of high school my English teacher assigned the class three five page papers due the next day because certain people were fooling around during lecture. I was so upset I started crying because I knew it was a joke. I left class for lunch worked on one paper and got a page and a half into it and broke down crying hoping for an e-mail from my English teacher saying, “Just kidding haha!” I never got that e-mail I finished my school day and went to softball practice. After practice I took my brother to eat and then to his baseball practice. When I was at his practice I bust out with my laptop trying to finish the first paper I finally finish right as his practice is ending and then I realize that my computer is about to turn off. I hurry to plug it in but I was too late. I get home and tell my mom about my crappy situation and she laughs at me and sarcastically asks, “Well, what do you think college is going to be like? You better go finish its almost 8:30[pm].” I sit down and start writing again. I finished all three papers and my homework for all of at 6am the papers were done and I had to be at school at 6:45 for zero period on my way to school I stop for coffee and a donut I get to class I am dead tired and my English teacher tells us to turn in our papers. We pass them in and he puts them in his desk as he says 25 points extra credit each paper turned in half the class didn’t bother and I was one of many that stressed out about these undeserved papers. It was a horrible experience and the next time a classmate acts out during class I asked them to behave. 

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Research Log #4

DePauw University student Sarah Eutsler began to research Generation Y her freshman year of college and was immediately intrigued, just as I am. Eutsler states “[i]n the face of a bad economy, Gen Y may be dazed into believing the tales that we’re lazy, cell phone-obsessed, and that we know more about Justin Bieber than politics. But here’s why Gen Y will save the world, even if we don’t find jobs:” split into categories of “[w]e seek out meaningful opportunities”, “[i]t’s all about the cause”, “[w]e’re redefining home” and “[w]e want a life”.  Each of these categories clearly defines Gen Y as a proud and productive generation. I have personally encounter many people in my college career that are not just obsessed cell phone users and abusers we are a generation of meaning we have a lot to give to the world. Not through technology but through what we have learned from the harsh economy. We are the generation that has made it harder to get into colleges and universities. We are the reason colleges and universities are more diverse than before. We are the reason there is so much volunteer work being provided through colleges and universities. We see to do things for others as Eutsler states “[s]ervice opportunities are a priority.”

Eutsler also states “[t]he radio of advertising bureau reports that over half of Millennials feel that their role is to make a positive impact on the world”. This is an indication that Generation Y is a generation to provide meaning to the world. Aside for feeling completely responsible for the future of our horrible economy, we have been the redefining generation in how work is taken up with something that we like to do. We want our lives to be filled with achievements living in this competitive world has taught us we have to build our lives around something meaningful. Through competitive college acceptances it is harder than ever to get into college let alone find a job that is more of a hassle than what its worth. I have come to the conclusion that Generation Y is more than just a generation obsessed with technology. Due to the fact that Generation Y is redefining the way we live our lives by incorporating technology into our everyday routines. I choose this article for my research because it expresses the concern that most members of Generation Y have such as having a career to best fit their personal interests and benefit society. As Generation Y evolves through technology we are using it to benefit our personal interests and for the greater good of the world. We have been very proactive about the green movement taking place. I believe Eutsler provides evidence from other sources in order to allow for an alternative view of the true Generation Y. As a generation we have adapted to the uses and advantages of technology in order to produce a better future for our future generations. Unlike before we have been following traditions all in the while Generation Y is the revolutionary generation, in that we have formed new standards and evolved with the development of technology.  

Eutsler, Sarah. "Gen Y Will save the World, Even If We Don't Have Jobs | USA TODAY College." Untitled Document. 1 Mar. 2011. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. <http://www.usatodayeducate.com/staging/index.php/blog/gen-y-will-save-the-world-even-if-we-dont-have-jobs>.

Research Log #3

In David Pogue’s article “Many Ways to Plug In to Tech Savings”, he explains, how to utilize the technology available in order to save money. One example he gives includes cutting the landline. This in fact has already happened in my home. We are completely dependent on cellular devices because they are cheaper and mobile. Pogue also brings up the “pay as you go” no contract plans that help people manage their cell phone usage and bank accounts. I am personally a cell phone user and do not use a landline any more. They are non-existent in my generation. I have come to the conclusion that technology’s constant development continues to allow for Generation Y to be the trendsetters. Pogue states “[h]ome landline service is also declining; once again, the Generation Y’ers are leading the way.” (Pogue 2).  I think that Pogue is right about using the new technological advances to make a tight budget a little less tight. As a college student I have no cable and no television. I utilize the wifi provided by campus housing and watching television on my laptop instead of buying an expensive television set and paying a monthly cable bill. I personally eliminated a cost that will not only save me money but gives me pride to say I learned to do this through my peers (members of Generation Y). Using Netflix, ABC.com, and other cable networks provide television shows online. It’s better than paying for the cable when you only watch a particular show.  Pogue also addresses the “sacrifice: You’re also losing the nonmovie stuff on HBO, the dramatic series and so on; then again, why not get those on Netflix DVDs? The savings: $132 a year.” (Pogue 2). Pogue not only points out alternatives to saving money but also shows how Generation Y has impacted the growth of technology and how to  use it to full advantage.

            I choose Pogue’s article from the New York Times because it was easy to follow and had to do with the technological advances and how beneficial Generation Y has made these technologies worth the minimum expense. Generation Y has been finding ways to make technology useful in the department of economics due to the continuous development, there are always new and updated versions. There are always new things out on the market making our economy continue to grow, which the United States is desperate for in this current recession. In Pogue’s article I noticed that it was written in terms to better the recession for the people that have to live through it. With the current job losses and continues budget cuts as Generation Y we have no other choice but to use the technology to the best of our ability in order to eliminate costs whether it’s a phone bill, cable bill or any bill for that matter in the economic conditions we are living in now is the time to cut corners and save as much money as possible. The perfect way to do so is to utilize the technology available. 

Pogue, David. "Many Ways to Plug In to Tech Savings - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 07 Jan. 2009. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/technology/personaltech/08pogue.html?pagewanted=2>.

Research Log #2

            “Judith (“Ski”) Lower, RN, MSN, CCRN, CNRN, is retired nurse manager of the neurocritical care unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Now a consultant and lecturer, she serves on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses” (Lower). Lower wrote the article,  “Brace Yourself Here Comes Generation Y”, based on the technological benefits Generation Y brings to the nursing career. Lower states that Generation Y in has been “making suggestions during the developmental and piloting phases of technology projects, they can help make the workplace better and more technologically advanced.” This is very beneficial to healthcare providers all over the world. If Generation Y can make such a big difference in the healthcare industry why haven’t they? Lower expresses the idea that Generation Y is inexperienced and incapable of learning from older nurses “because they grew up with the Internet and are completely at ease with the online universe, they may have more current facts than their instructors.” (Lower). Lower expresses the concerns of “Author, speaker, and innovative educator Michele Deck.” According to Lower, Deck “emphasizes that Generation Y is a TV generation used to getting information in snippets, with commercial breaks at least every 10 minutes. In teaching sessions, she suggests giving Y’ers a mini-break every 15 minutes by having them do something unexpected—stand up, tell a joke, get a reward (such as a piece of candy for a correct answer), hear a drum roll, or use a secret word.” Knowing that Generation Y’s way of learning has been completely altered by the advancement of technology it worries me for the fact that it may also have an effect in our health. I have taken into consideration that these advancements may have both positive and negative effects but I would like to learn why Lower would be more interested in the benefits of the generation as a whole rather than their inexperience and the possible side effects in the health of the members of Generation Y.

            I agree with Lower in that Generation Y may be unprepared in the health industry working with “schedules [that] will resemble those of their earlier years, when parents and schools “protected” them. They’re used to having flexible rules and taking part in decisions about their schedules (among other things). They want schedules that allow time for “life” and family.” Having fun and having personal time for “‘life’ and family” are aspects of life that Generation Y has been taught to value (Lower). With the comprehension that being a nurse is not only competitive but a tough career to start with is something that Generation Y nurses need to find a way to cope with this highly demanding and inflexible career. Generation Y has put into perspective that they have a lot to offer not only in the knowledge of basics in technology but with their competitive and refreshing high achieving attitudes. I personally choose this article because it was interesting for a nurse to take so much time to write this piece based on the generation that will make the world a better place through the nursing industry. I personally am a pre-nursing major and am very pleased with the way Lower has analyzed my generation not only as a generation but also as a group of people that have more to offer than in previous years. I would like to further analyze the other things that Lower stated in her article and discuss that she is not just a nurse but also an unbiased observer of Generation Y.

Works Cited

Lower, J. "Brace yourself: here comes Generation Y." Critical Care Nurse 28.5 (2008): 80. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 23 Mar. 2011.

Research Log #1

Currently generation Y has been accused of being a selfish and spoiled generation. These accusations I believe has a lot to do with the writers of this topic. Due to the fact that the writers of the articles claiming that Generation Y is spoiled, leads me to the idea that the writers are not only from previous generations, but that they may be biased in their ideas. People are writing articles with the conclusion that Generation Y has become very dependent their parents. People are speaking of Generation Y as if they have done everything the wrong way. As a part of Generation Y I believe that we have been misjudged and technology has a big impact a side from the biased writers. I believe that Generation Y has come to be through our parents, which would be the previous Generations. We learn not only from teachers in a school setting we learn based on what is available to us such as the Internet. Technology has developed so much in the past few generations that Generation Y is completely dependent on technology. Technology has become part of our everyday lives and most people do not realize it. I understand that times have changed, but my generation does not have to look up books in the library any more, we Google them.  My question is this a bad or a good thing? Is this hurting our brain’s development? Being so dependent on technology may hurt our health, development and adaption to the new world of technology that we are living in. It has come to my attention there is no solution to what will become of future generations but I am anxious to see what the world has in store for our future based on technology.

I choose the article “Gen Y: Who They Are and How They Learn” by Alison Black an associate professor of education at SUNY-Oneonta because it gives her credibility in the department of education. She evaluates the reactions of administrators at her college. In doing so she attends many meetings of the administrators and learns of the growing concern if Generation Y could and should be taught by past generations. I believe this is a good concern considering the fact that not all generations before Generation Y have very much experience with technology. This leads me to the idea that maybe technology has advanced so rapidly some past generations may have not been able to keep up.  Given so Generation Y should be able to learn just as well as any other generation.

Black questions the quality of education in the article  “Gen Y: Who They Are and How They Learn”. Black starts off with the question of whether or not the generation gap has any effect on Generation Y’s learning process. Following this question, Black analyzed the responses from Faculty in a Leadership Pilot Program, which included interviews of the administrators at Black’s college. A concern from the administrators was the adaptation to teaching today's students and meeting the needs of the students. Within her teaching, Black has found that students born in Generation Y have already adapted to the use of technology in everyday lives and communicate more with their parents.

Following the abilities learned from past generations there has been a great advancement in technology allowing for communication and learning to be faster than ever. Students are now more competitive. It is harder to get accepted to a University than it was in past generations. I have heard my grandparents tell me that if I go to college I will automatically get a job. In the current economy of the United States that may not be true. Being a second generation Mexican/American, I have learned that from generation to generation you learn from your family’s history. You see what has been accomplished throughout their education and decide what you want to do with yours. Given the skills of technology and the ability to adapt with the continual development of technology, there is no reason for my education to be compromised. Teachers and administrators also need to adapt to technology as their student already have.

           

Works Cited

Black, Alison. "Gen Y: Who They Are and How They Learn." Educational Horizons 88.2 (2010): 92-101. ERIC. EBSCO. Web. 22 Mar. 2011

What is really important? Appreciation and Respect for Others.

I think it is important for people to learn how to be respectful. As a product of Generation Y I have found for some people to be less and less respectful of others every single day. I think its time for a reminder of what it means to have respect for others. The reason I believe people should have this common courtesy of respect is because usually older people are grateful when you do something so common such as holding the door for another human being. A few days ago I saw a girl walking out of a building holding a big board and there was no way she could have opened the door on her own. I waited for her to make it through the door and just as she was walking through a man walks right through the door I was holding for the girl with the board. He walks through without a word and she almost drops the board. I expected at minimum for an apology to the girl because he almost caused her to drop the board. She walked on through the door with great appreciation saying “thank you” multiple times. If it were anyone else I wouldn’t have changed my action because it is a friendly deed. I want to know why people find it so hard to say “thank you” or say “please”. It is appreciation, respect that has become less and less important. I grew up in a mixed up Mexican and Palestinian household. My mother and father are both Mexican and their parents are Mexican but I lived with my mother and stepfather the majority of my life. My stepfather grew up in a Palestinian household with Palestinian parents that pray to Allah five times a day. It was hard to adjust to but I finally found some common ground between these cultures. It was appreciation and respect. I learned to appreciate having a life, having food clothes and most of all family because not everyone gets to have these things. I learned that respect was not just given it was earned but only if you respect others. By respecting others and saying “please”, “thank you”, “your welcome” and even “bless you” people will look at you and know that there is something about you that deserves respect and appreciation when doing common daily deeds such as holding a door open for someone else, giving up you seat on a crowded public bus, small deeds like this add up and may change someone else’s perspective of not only Generation Y but humanity. 

Can there be world citizenship?

According to Elise Boulding there should be an international citizenship but because of war and excuses for war world citizenship is not possible. I believe that if every single nation in the world would establish a peace treaty allowing for peace and no war. The problem with this is that because there is a world super power according to Boulding, which is the United States. The United States has created this reputation of ruling, invading and allowing for the world to fear the United States. Currently the United States is at war with Iraq for many reasons stated in the video “Two Wars” when “Talk to an Iraqi”, allows for people of the United States to see what the war is truly about. The Iraq war is full of uncertainty. People are confused as to why the super power of the world invaded Iraq. After an unjustified invasion with confusion from the citizens they have no other choice but to make it feel OK that everyday soldiers are dying in an unnecessary war (depending on who you ask).

Boulding being a Norwegian immigrant felt the safest place was with in the innocence of Norway until WWII when Hitler invaded then Boulding came to the realization that the world was a place of fear there was no where to hide. These are the exact feelings that the citizens of the United States felt when there was a terrorist attack on September 11 on the world trade center. The subject of world peace was unthinkable from that moment on. As Generation Y experienced and learned of these events through the United States’ short history as a nation Generation Y and Boulding both have a similar characteristic, in that, these events churned out fear. In the article “The Why-Worry Generation” by Judith Warner points out that Generation Y lives in fear because “growing up in an era of almost unremitting ambient anxiety: school years spent in the shadow of Columbine, 9/11 and, lately, widespread parental job losses. Maybe chronic unease has simply raised this generation’s tolerance level for stress, leaving it uniquely well equipped to deal with uncertainty.” With that said there is little hope for an international peace. I feel it is not possible especially with the next expected great generation living in the shadows of terror.  The world will live in the shadow of fear never allowing for a world citizenship to take place especially when the most democratic nation (the United States, of course) is unable to make such an enormous decision such as, war, up for vote. 

Characteristics of Generation Y

- Expected Education: High School diploma plus some college

- View of Family: Variety of family usually separated and remarried and sometimes, traditional families.

- Role of Career: Main focus, climbing the “positional”  ladder.

- View of Authority: Question authority, respect, honor, new traditions. 

- View of Technology: Use it. It is common and is a must have based on social aspects of our time.

- View of Success: work for it, earn it don’t let anyone take it away from you. Based on family value and influences.  

-Interactive Style: e-mail, Facebook, cell phones, text messaging and occasional phone calls, video-web chatting.

-Messages That Motivate: “going green”, “just do it”

Generation Y

Generation Y has be perceived as a very dependent and spoiled generation in these two articles “The Why Worry Generation” and “Generation Me” from the New York Times and Newsweek. Both of these articles are based on research that has been done in order to show how generation Y has become so spoiled and needy. Being part of generation Y I feel this is a complete outrage that my generation is considered “the most narcissistic generation ever” (Kelley). Narcissism is a strong word given the fact it is considered a personality disorder and that is the word that is going to be associated with my generation for the rest of our lives! As children I agree we tend to be selfish and we do grow out of it depending on our parents and family. I have been raised in a home where if you do selfless acts to benefit another human being, you are doing a noble act. I have been taught to do nice things for complete strangers because karma is something I believe in and my family believes. Not too long ago I sat on the public bus filled with many college students and people of the city of Chico. My cluster mate and I sat down and a woman gets on to the bus with two children, an infant in her arms, and a toddler. I gave my seat to the toddler by respectfully asking her mother to allow her young daughter to take my seat. I stood on bus the entire way to school, which is not to far. My cluster mate however, was seated right next to me and did NOT given up her seat just as I have. She stayed seated next to the toddler while the woman stood with her infant son in hand. This experience made me think: “what the hell was my cluster mate thinking not giving up her seat?” Why was I the only person on that bus willing to give up my seat to a toddler? Then it hit me! I was brought up to do selfless acts. Am I as selfish as the generation I happen to be a part of? I have become a college student because I want to be a nurse and help other people. Is that “narcissistic”? I agree that people of my generation are spoiled and expect more out of life than most generations, but it is not because we have good parents that gave us too much self-esteem, it is because we were raised to have goals and desires (Warner). Through generation Y, Warner points out we live with the “ambient anxiety: school years spent in the shadow of Columbine, 9/11 and lately widespread of parental job losses”. We have experienced these things that has given us the desire to want more. We want jobs that will be available in the future. We want a stable country not just for ourselves but also for the rest of the nation. We do not want to worry about layoffs and making ends meat to survive, however that is exactly what we have been taught to be afraid of. We have been taught to work hard in order to achieve a better life compared to the one’s our parents have worked hard for. We just want to do bigger and better things than the generations before us. If having a goal is cocky or egotistic then why did the generations before us expect greatness from generation Y?

2/15/11 In Class Discussion

1) When do we stop turning our personal power over and responsibilities to liars?

The day that we make a step forward and accept responsibility for our actions. We turn to liars and blame them for our deception and our wrong doing yet we do not realize that we allow them to lie by blaming them. We enable liars to lie. We give them reason through guilt and emotion. We learn from our mistakes of trusting liars to not trusting very often. We put our trust in certain people and allow them to ruin our trust not just for those certain people but many others as well. We allow liars to take not only our trust but also faith in good people, which can be a form of personal power. It is our responsibility to protect ourselves from the people that may hurt us emotionally and we must accept that we are responsible for trusting others, keeping our personal power in tact.

2) Ericsson connects to other writings in class.

Ericsson explains 10 different types of many lies and how everyday people lie. The connection I have made between Ericsson’s point of view and what we have been learning in class is that from behind a computer screen vicious comments can be posted as a façade that people chose to have from the safety of their anonymous profile. Online, people create these images or perceptions of themselves, which can be hurtful and harmful to others at times.  This very common façade may or may not reflect a person’s true personality. Throughout the class we have discussed the reasons people chose to use a façade online and how common it is. 

Generation Me

I feel the author of “Generation Me” was very stereotypical and judgmental toward generation y. Raina Kelley’s attitude was very negative toward generation y, which was expressed in the words she chooses to describe us. One example is the title of the article “Generation Me”, that expresses the idea of a selfish generation right from the beginning. Throughout the article Kelley uses the term, “narcissism” to describe the people of my generation. This word is not only offending but very stereotypical based on the fact that she states “we've created a generation of hot-house flowers puffed with a disproportionate sense of self-worth (the definition of narcissism) and without the resiliency skills they need when Mommy and Daddy can't fix something”. Narcissism does not only mean a “disproportionate sense of self-worth” but it is also considered a personality disorder in some cases. There are many successful people of my generation that will go on and make history but not in a selfish manner and without the help of our mommies and daddies.

2.   

Agree	Disagree
- The super stars have impacted Kelley’s perception of our generation as a whole. - We are a little more dependent on our families than most generations - Inflation of praise, expectations for our generation.	- The way we are raised does impact the amount of narcissism a person has and can learn from. - Socioeconomic status, cultural norms does impact the way you are raised and how we become or are not narcissism. - We grow up to have our own values, morals and social expectations not all however are based on having “six-figure sweet-16 parties and plastic surgery for graduation presents”.

My Lie

The last time I lied was last night when I was on the phone with my sister. I told her I had a lot of homework to do, when the truth was I only had to review my notes for today’s Child Development class. It was the only way to get her off the phone; so, I could do what I needed to get done. We hardly ever speak on the phone because she and I are always busy with school and dealing with other things. I love my sister and I am glad that she calls me but I have work that needs to get done this makes me a white liar. 

Types of Lies According to Stephanie Ericsson

White Lie

When someone lies to you to protect you. One example is when I don’t want to talk on the phone I decide to tell whoever is calling me that I am busy doing homework and I cant talk unless it is very important.

Façade

Façade is like wearing a mask. You create an image for someone or something else. An example of a façade is when you go to a job interview you may not be or act like your casual self. Depending on the job you may act more sophisticated and use vocabulary you do not normally use.

Ignoring the plain facts

Is being dismissive of the facts and convincing your self there is nothing wrong. For example I tried to convince myself that sneaking out would be “okay” because my parents were being unreasonable. The truth was that they sneaking out could be potential danger lurking and my parents are just trying to keep me safe. 

Deflecting

Deflecting is when direct the attention from the truth and focus it on something else (can be more lies). When I was in high school and my parents wouldn’t let me barrow the car I would deflect the attention by pointing out that they let me use the car only when it is convenient for them. 

Omission

Omission is when you tell part of the truth but not the complete truth. When I went to the movies my parents asked me who was going to be there and I told them all the names of my girlfriends and did not mention that we were going to meet boys there.

 Stereotypes and clichés

Stereotypes and clichés are made up of “exaggeration, omission and ignorance” says Ericsson. An example of a stereotype is when some people see a beautiful person they jump to the conclusion that because that person is beautiful that person must be stuck up or have an enormous ego dependent on looks.

Groupthink

Groupthink is when people lie as a group and make the decision to not tell the truth when questioned. One example is when a group of people decides to go out somewhere and not invite a specific person. And they decide not to tell that specific person they all went out together is groupthink.

Out-and-out lie

Is straight out lie. No truth is involved. One example is when my parents ask if I am going out this weekend and I say “absolutely not! I have too much work I need to get done.” When the truth is I am going to parties every night of the weekend.

Dismissal

This is a form of denial or making a decision not to say something or do something about the truth. One example is if a friend is getting cheated on and you know and don’t say anything to your friend you are dismissing the fact of truth being a bystander. Depending on the situation it may a good decision not to say anything.

Delusion

Delusion is when excuses are accepted vs. the truth. One example is the fact that someone I know has parents that are delusional because they know their daughter does things that they are not proud of and they don’t tell their daughter what to do and what not to do. They allow her to continue to make these mistakes and accept the excuses that she gives them.

Rant: Non-football fans that feel the need to make unnecessary comments when true football lovers watch their favorite team lose.

Congratulations to all the Greenbay Packer fans, it was a good game. As a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan it was devastating to watch. If watching my favorite team lose wasn’t bad enough the constant bashing on Facebook, through text messages, rude comments came from the people that do NOT even care about football was just plain annoying and UNECESSARY! I am sure if all those people were to see the packers lose the same things would have been said about the packers to packer fans. If you do NOT like football, follow football or even cares which team loses or wins learn how to bite your tongue!

People all over the country watched the super bowl and all of a sudden people decide to have a slight interest in what team loses or wins. Good for you, you are taking an interest in something that many people like and even love to watch. If you don’t have nice things to say about the game that you decided to watch don’t say anything at all. It is called RESPECT learn how to both earn it and give it to others. Watching my favorite team lose was a good enough reason for me to post a status update congratulating Packer fans that I have as friends on Facebook. I put a lot of thought into the things I say to the fans of the Super Bowl XLV champions and people still have the rude, disrespectful nerve to feel the need to comment on my nice, respectful status update. Seriously people, learn how to earn and give respect to the respectful football fans of the NFL!

Online Guidelines

After being a regular Facebook user it is only natural for me to ask for all websites to have similar privacy settings for social networks such as Facebook. People have a freedom of speech in the United States and because the Internet around the world is not completely regulated. One main guideline is to be respectful, polite and have morals when you post, comment or question someone else’s post. Due to the fact of misconception there is no way possible to completely regulate profanity, and the complete disrespect that people find behind the safety of their computer screen. One reason that I like Facebook so much is that I can decide what stays on my profile and what certain people can see. The privacy feature Facebook provides is something that most websites should also include. This will allow people to be bold in what they post and it may also allow for people to think twice before posting things that may be offensive to others.

Main guidelines:

1.     Think twice before posting something online.

2.     Be polite and respect others’ opinions without criticism.  

3.     Always expect to be attacked for anything and everything you post. 

Reading response to “Make Our Ugly Discourse Better: Join the Civilogue” and “ Why I like vicious, anonymous online comments”

With a growing popularity of internet posting, commenting, tweeting, or simply stating what is on your mind people are able to give their own personal opinion publicly through websites such as blogger.com, twitter.com, Facebook.com, myspace.com and many other sites like these. The problem with all of these sites is the fact that they are not all completely censored. People all over the world can post violent and vulgar language at any moment for any one to see. Matt Zoller Seitz points out very specific inappropriate language posted on websites such as Salon.com in his article “Why I like vicious, anonymous online comments”. People drop the F-bomb like it is a new trend in the very extreme quotes he uses in his article. Seitz made it very clear that he was not offended by the “vicious” comments but he points out that these comments are made public due to the lack of censorship on the fairly new Internet that has become a household item for most people around the world. The fact that these comments are filled with profanity allows for people to have little to no fear of consequence. With the little regulation on the Internet people have began to create fantasized identities by acting, saying and doing certain things on the Internet.

Another account of this “political nastiness” is expressed in the article, “Make Our Ugly Disclosure Better: Join the Civilogue”. In this particular article the focus has shifted from inappropriate, fantasized identities the Internet provides to “political nastiness”.  I found it interesting how the author does NOT ask for people to correct others politically but requests for people to give an alternative view in a political manner by commenting in these controversial posts in the political field. There has to be “Action!” taken in order for people to completely understand the dynamics of politics not only in the united states but all over the world. These points of view allow for people all over the world to have many perspectives at the tips of their fingers provided by the all so amazing Internet.

What is Freedom?

Freedom is the ability to make your own decisions. Not having to ask for permission to do things you wish to do. Not being held back in saying what is on your mind. Having the ability to think, say and protest what is on your mind without restrictions. Growing up in a traditional Mexican family I was not allowed to do a lot of things that my friends were. I was not allowed to be out all hours of the night hanging out with my friends. I had a curfew and lived in a very strict home where I could not even choose what kind of clothes wore.  My parents were very strict with me in having friends and attending social events. I was exposed to a life where I couldn’t tell my parents how trapped I felt. When I left home to attend CSU Chico in the fall of 2010 I began my life. I was able to make my own rules, wear what I wanted and do what I wanted with whomever I wanted. I have the ability to speak my mind.  I define freedom with the ability to make your own decisions, good or bad, they are your decisions and no one has the ability to change what you do or influence you unless you enable them to.  

“Two Wars” Reading Response:

“Two Wars” Act one: “Talk to an Iraqi” caught my undivided attention from the beginning. As a first year college student knowing what the United States is doing (through military force) in other countries making rules for other nations has a strong impact on my perception of how the United States is the world’s super power. United States citizens have many perceptions due to the fact that many people believe what makes them feel better about war. The war in Middle Eastern countries has impacted the Iraqi people in a manner that does not allow them to live their lives without fear. The Iraqi people fear of losing their loved ones in war. They fear stepping out of their front doors after dark. Living in fear is not something most citizens of the United States are use to. Citizens of the United States find comfort in war in misconceptions of war. The United States is nothing but a giving government says some people living in the United States. People in Iraqi would disagree. War can be perceived in many ways but there is one truth, which an eleven-year-old girl pointed out when she openly apologized to an Iraqi on behalf of the (almighty) United States. She apologized to an Iraqi for our great nation, the United States, stomping into Iraq and forcing the occupation of the United States military in Iraq. I do not understand how an eleven year old could go to an Iraqi and apologize on behalf but other people that also spoke to the Iraqi had the nerve to tell him how the United States is helping the Iraqi people. I have had an open mind about war now that I have seen and heard from this man the suffering his people are facing due to our troops that are being funded by taxpayers in the United States. The point that caught my attention is the fact that people find a way to make peace with fact the United States is at war with innocent people of other nations. Act Two: The war over a mowed lawn sounded like a very petty and pointless war because the married couple accepted the fact of each of their decisions. Yet a happy point was reached. I believe the purpose was to express the fact that they made a decision to make each other happy. This raised a few questions in my mind, why can’t the United States help another nation WITHOUT military enforcement? Why can’t the United States accept the other nations for the way they function without our presence?

10 random things about me!

1. I am a die hard Pittsburgh Steelers football fan.
2. I love my family more than anything in the world.
3. I am attending college to be a registered nurse.
4. I am the oldest of 9 children.
5. I like to read.
6. I hate doing my hair.
7. I hate big poofy dresses.
8. I hate wearing dresses without shorts under.
9. I love playing softball.
10. I love watching and playing sports.