It's Christmas time once again! My favorite time of the year. It's the season of giving and receiving for many. When most people think of Christmas, they think of Santa Claus. For those who don't know, Santa is the fat man in red who lives at the North Pole with thousands of elves. Santa watches over those who believe and places them on either a naughty or a nice list. This determines if you will receive any presents on Christmas. While Santa is watching over you, his elves are busy crafting the toys and objects requested by those who write Christmas lists and send them to the North Pole.
Yes... A fat man is watching you at all times... judging you... deciding whether or not you are going to get presents. It's interesting that this is what children have been brain washed with. Whether it's a lie so that kids will listen to their parents or just something "fun" for kids to believe in... it's interesting. Why a fat man in red? Why elves? Why is he watching over us?!
Santa's image is said to be derived from Clement Clarke Moore's 1823 poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" and of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast in the 19th cntury. Elves were brought about by Scandinavian story writers such as Thile, Toplius, Rydberg. These autors sketched the elves' true role in modern life: fairies that are somewhat mischievous, but the true friends and helpers of Father Christmas. Santa's naughty and nice lists were brought about in the 20th century by the 1934 song "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town."
So now that history has served its purpose for the image of Christmas, the question of society is left. Some "criticism about this deception is not that it is a simple lie, but a complicated series of very large lies."
-Objections include that it is unethical for parents to lie to children without good cause, and that it discourages healthy skepticism in children.
-Some have charged that it is more about the parents than it is about the children. For instance, writer Austin Cline posed the question: "Is it not possible that kids would find at least as much pleasure in knowing that parents are responsible for Christmas, not a supernatural stranger?"
Do not get me wrong, I love the jolly Santa. I am not a Grinch. It is just very interesting, to once more say the least, that such a figure is created for kids to bury their joy, fear, and beliefs in. "You better behave because Santa is watching you!" How about behaving because it is the right thing to do? "I don't want to talk back to my parents because Santa is watching me and won't give me any presents!" How about not talking back because it's disrespectful and trust me presents are the least of one's worries in life. It may be harsh but isn't lying to your kids about a false sense of higher being? Think about when you discovered Santa wasn't real. Then think about how mislead you were. Then think about your kids... just think.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
What if?
What if there were no letters. If there were no letters, there would be no alphabet. If there was no alphabet, there would be no words. If there were no words, there would be no sentences. If there were no sentences, there would be -from our present perspective- no intelligent form of communication.
Or would our communication be intelligent? Without words we could use sounds and motions to classify things. This may require even more intellect than when using words. Separating sounds and motions, and we think we have it hard. How do we even think?
But what if there was no way to classify things at all? Without a form of classifying things, there would be no communication. Without communication, there would be no sound.
Well there would be sound but only to the extent of a dish dropping.
Would there even be such things as dishes? Without communication how would we even know what a dish is? Or how to make one? How would we even know that it is needed to hold our food?
How would we even know what food is? How would we even know that we need to eat? How would we know if we don't eat we will die?
How would we know that food can prevent death? How would we know what death is? I wouldn't even be able to call it death because we wouldn't be able to communicate or even have words.
If one were to die, how would we know how to make another? With out another the existing ones would die off. If the existing ones die off, eventually there will be no more people. If there are no more people, then there will be nothing. Or at least not to our knowledge because we won't even have knowledge. We won't even exist to have knowledge.
But... how was there anything in the first place? How did we learn to make another? How did we discover death? How did we learn that we need to eat to stray from death? How did we produce dishes? How did the sound of things, such as dishes, dropping expand into different sounds? How did the sounds in turn, develop into communication? How did we come up with communication? How did we classify this? How did we develop words to classify? How did we connect our communication and classifications together to create words, language, an alphabet... letters? What are letters?
Language is so vital to our lives. We most likely would not exist without it. You may take this as just a ramble or non-sense but is it really? Think about how it all links together. Think about each chain effect. Think for yourself. Just remember, how are you able to read this and think about it?
Or would our communication be intelligent? Without words we could use sounds and motions to classify things. This may require even more intellect than when using words. Separating sounds and motions, and we think we have it hard. How do we even think?
But what if there was no way to classify things at all? Without a form of classifying things, there would be no communication. Without communication, there would be no sound.
Well there would be sound but only to the extent of a dish dropping.
Would there even be such things as dishes? Without communication how would we even know what a dish is? Or how to make one? How would we even know that it is needed to hold our food?
How would we even know what food is? How would we even know that we need to eat? How would we know if we don't eat we will die?
How would we know that food can prevent death? How would we know what death is? I wouldn't even be able to call it death because we wouldn't be able to communicate or even have words.
If one were to die, how would we know how to make another? With out another the existing ones would die off. If the existing ones die off, eventually there will be no more people. If there are no more people, then there will be nothing. Or at least not to our knowledge because we won't even have knowledge. We won't even exist to have knowledge.
But... how was there anything in the first place? How did we learn to make another? How did we discover death? How did we learn that we need to eat to stray from death? How did we produce dishes? How did the sound of things, such as dishes, dropping expand into different sounds? How did the sounds in turn, develop into communication? How did we come up with communication? How did we classify this? How did we develop words to classify? How did we connect our communication and classifications together to create words, language, an alphabet... letters? What are letters?
Language is so vital to our lives. We most likely would not exist without it. You may take this as just a ramble or non-sense but is it really? Think about how it all links together. Think about each chain effect. Think for yourself. Just remember, how are you able to read this and think about it?
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Mom, Who's Johnny and Why Is He At Our Door?
Horror fiction, it can be traced all the way back to the 18th century. This genre has been apart of our world for a very long time. Topics such as murder/death, the afterlife, evil, the demonic have been a guilty pleasure of humanity. From Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to James Wan's The Conjuring, the horror themes seem to thrill or scar their viewers. Have you ever wondered why this is? Why is it that, as humans, we enjoy watching murders, exorcisms, and hauntings?
Horror has been derived from folklore and religious traditions throughout history. It can be traced back to 'The Castle of Otranto' and subtitled 'A Gothic story' by the English author Horace Walpole in 1764. This led to a gothic horror genre that contained both horror and romance. Horror has existed in books, movies, music, and daily life ever since.
So... why horror? Why do some of us, even those who are mentally sane, enjoy these horrifying stories? Why did Paranormal Activity 3 gather a big $54 million in the box office? (The most ever for a horror film). Studies show that people view horror for the thrill, not because they're afraid. In other speculations, it has been said that audiences endure the horror simply for the euphoric sense of relief they feel at the end. However, authors Eduardo Andrade (University of California, Berkeley) and Joel B. Cohen (University of Florida) argue that humans experience positive and negative emotions simultaneously. The feelings of thrill, relief, and fear would be occurring throughout the whole encounter with this form of story, not just at the end. Opinions vary and studies change. We may never truly know exactly why Chuckie is our Friday night flick, we are all different. Some view horror to criticize a book or a film, some do it because they lead ordinary lives, and some figure they can get a cheap thrill that won't be detrimental... but is that true?
Think about a world without horror. Halloween would be filled with kids dressing up as dumb, corny, super heros with all treat and no trick. Books would be filled with sappy love stories. Boys wouldn't have an excuse to put their arms around scared girls at the movies on their first date. There would be no thrills and chills in orchestras. Would there be as many fears and phobias? How about crime? Does horror inspire murderers? Maybe The Texas Chainsaw Massacre invokes a crazy inside us all. Without this genre, the freaks of nature would not have an order. Maybe the world would keep turning just fine.
It is interesting that such themes appeal to the mentally stable, or anyone for that matter. We can experience fear, thrill, excitement, and even joy while encountering evil or death. Horror sends us on a roller coaster of feelings, and after it all we're still together. There's a reason society has kept this type of literature around for hundreds of years. Our minds love it for different reasons. Mike Meyers going on a killing spree may be crazy but then again so is traveling through the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest to find your dad.
Horror has been derived from folklore and religious traditions throughout history. It can be traced back to 'The Castle of Otranto' and subtitled 'A Gothic story' by the English author Horace Walpole in 1764. This led to a gothic horror genre that contained both horror and romance. Horror has existed in books, movies, music, and daily life ever since.
So... why horror? Why do some of us, even those who are mentally sane, enjoy these horrifying stories? Why did Paranormal Activity 3 gather a big $54 million in the box office? (The most ever for a horror film). Studies show that people view horror for the thrill, not because they're afraid. In other speculations, it has been said that audiences endure the horror simply for the euphoric sense of relief they feel at the end. However, authors Eduardo Andrade (University of California, Berkeley) and Joel B. Cohen (University of Florida) argue that humans experience positive and negative emotions simultaneously. The feelings of thrill, relief, and fear would be occurring throughout the whole encounter with this form of story, not just at the end. Opinions vary and studies change. We may never truly know exactly why Chuckie is our Friday night flick, we are all different. Some view horror to criticize a book or a film, some do it because they lead ordinary lives, and some figure they can get a cheap thrill that won't be detrimental... but is that true?
Think about a world without horror. Halloween would be filled with kids dressing up as dumb, corny, super heros with all treat and no trick. Books would be filled with sappy love stories. Boys wouldn't have an excuse to put their arms around scared girls at the movies on their first date. There would be no thrills and chills in orchestras. Would there be as many fears and phobias? How about crime? Does horror inspire murderers? Maybe The Texas Chainsaw Massacre invokes a crazy inside us all. Without this genre, the freaks of nature would not have an order. Maybe the world would keep turning just fine.
It is interesting that such themes appeal to the mentally stable, or anyone for that matter. We can experience fear, thrill, excitement, and even joy while encountering evil or death. Horror sends us on a roller coaster of feelings, and after it all we're still together. There's a reason society has kept this type of literature around for hundreds of years. Our minds love it for different reasons. Mike Meyers going on a killing spree may be crazy but then again so is traveling through the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest to find your dad.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
College Essays... WHY?!
It's senior year and college application deadlines are sneaking up on us high school students. It's usually the same process for most schools, personal information, possible majors, and the infamous application essay. Many will ask themselves why? Why am I slaving over this over heated computer critiquing every sentence? Why am I googling sophisticated terms and references in order to jazz up my paper? Well, according to college board, essays are the cherry on top of your application. An excellent essay can tip the scale for you and improve your chance of acceptance over another student's. As much as we dread the sort it is a necessary evil.
So, how can we be superior to other applicants? What makes a great essay? How will my use of language propel me forward? What makes a not so great essay? What is the point? Well, here are some checklists I've compiled from College Board and other scholarly sources to help improve your writing and maybe give a better understanding.
Add
-Have a clear topic or direction of your essay; You, the college, whatever the prompt may be. Start your essay with a powerful first sentence.
-Be mature.
-Display your personality and character... What do you enjoy? What makes you, you? Maybe connect with a short story or experience but not a life story.
-Add in a dash of humor. Bring a smile to your reader's face BUT remember to keep it mature.
-Tone is key, don't brag and don't whine, try to balance your success and be humble.
-Check Grammar, punctuations, and spelling. Have others proof read for you.
-Prove yourself, use your skills in language and back your ideas up. Ask teachers for help or do some research if writing or English is a weakness.
-Follow the prompt, do not become side tract with fluff or irrelevant details to the story and make sure you cover every aspect of the question.
-Be sincere.
-Be specific.
-Include a thesis, body, and conclusion.
-"Be yourself, but be your best self." ("How To Write Your College Application Essay")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9J7AxXHG3Y
Subtract
-Avoid making the essay your life story but connect yourself in the essay with experience. Stay focused on proving yourself
-Do not flood your essay with your accomplishments and activities and interest. Confusing I know. Keep yourself involved in the essay but there are other areas in the application to completely flaunt your sport awards or extra-curricular activity skills.
-Do not tell your full life story or in other words don't tell the school more than they need to know. Chances are they are more interested in your actions of good citizenship and pride than the pair of shoes you wore when you went to a concert with your friends Pete, John, and Laura. Unless of course this ties in with your topic.
-Keep humor or amusement to a dash, don't fill the essay with corny jokes
-Again, don't brag of your accomplishment or make excuses for your failures, show off but with humility.
-Don't ramble.
-Don't lie.
-Don't rely on computer spell check.
Why?
After reviewing the checklist you may still be questioning the purpose. The essays are here to help us, as much as we hate them. These essays allow us to use English and language to build ourselves up and prove ourselves worthy of admittance. These essays allow us to use English and language to set ourselves apart from the other applicants. They allow us to make ourselves memorable to the reader. They allow us to use English and language to stray from the cliché. These essays are our friend if we use them correctly. Well written essays can advance a norm student beyond a stellar student. A 4.0 gpa and a poor essay will have you pushed aside as opposed to a not so high gpa and a marvelous essay. The point is, take advantage of this lovely at-home writing. Colleges are literally taking our word for why we should be accepted so put yourself out there and prove what a great addition you will be for the school.
If you are still puzzled, follow the lists, do some research, complete your essay, and soon you'll be able to answer the question why on your own. You will discover just one of many places our language can take us.
For extra help check out this video. It's a bit longer but it's step by step and VERY helpful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf2LQFG0lZs
Other helpful sites:
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/essay_tips.htm
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/essay
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marjorie-hansen-shaevitz/college-essay-tips-_b_1719862.html
So, how can we be superior to other applicants? What makes a great essay? How will my use of language propel me forward? What makes a not so great essay? What is the point? Well, here are some checklists I've compiled from College Board and other scholarly sources to help improve your writing and maybe give a better understanding.
Add
-Have a clear topic or direction of your essay; You, the college, whatever the prompt may be. Start your essay with a powerful first sentence.
-Be mature.
-Display your personality and character... What do you enjoy? What makes you, you? Maybe connect with a short story or experience but not a life story.
-Add in a dash of humor. Bring a smile to your reader's face BUT remember to keep it mature.
-Tone is key, don't brag and don't whine, try to balance your success and be humble.
-Check Grammar, punctuations, and spelling. Have others proof read for you.
-Prove yourself, use your skills in language and back your ideas up. Ask teachers for help or do some research if writing or English is a weakness.
-Follow the prompt, do not become side tract with fluff or irrelevant details to the story and make sure you cover every aspect of the question.
-Be sincere.
-Be specific.
-Include a thesis, body, and conclusion.
-"Be yourself, but be your best self." ("How To Write Your College Application Essay")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9J7AxXHG3Y
Subtract
-Avoid making the essay your life story but connect yourself in the essay with experience. Stay focused on proving yourself
-Do not flood your essay with your accomplishments and activities and interest. Confusing I know. Keep yourself involved in the essay but there are other areas in the application to completely flaunt your sport awards or extra-curricular activity skills.
-Do not tell your full life story or in other words don't tell the school more than they need to know. Chances are they are more interested in your actions of good citizenship and pride than the pair of shoes you wore when you went to a concert with your friends Pete, John, and Laura. Unless of course this ties in with your topic.
-Keep humor or amusement to a dash, don't fill the essay with corny jokes
-Again, don't brag of your accomplishment or make excuses for your failures, show off but with humility.
-Don't ramble.
-Don't lie.
-Don't rely on computer spell check.
Why?
After reviewing the checklist you may still be questioning the purpose. The essays are here to help us, as much as we hate them. These essays allow us to use English and language to build ourselves up and prove ourselves worthy of admittance. These essays allow us to use English and language to set ourselves apart from the other applicants. They allow us to make ourselves memorable to the reader. They allow us to use English and language to stray from the cliché. These essays are our friend if we use them correctly. Well written essays can advance a norm student beyond a stellar student. A 4.0 gpa and a poor essay will have you pushed aside as opposed to a not so high gpa and a marvelous essay. The point is, take advantage of this lovely at-home writing. Colleges are literally taking our word for why we should be accepted so put yourself out there and prove what a great addition you will be for the school.
If you are still puzzled, follow the lists, do some research, complete your essay, and soon you'll be able to answer the question why on your own. You will discover just one of many places our language can take us.
For extra help check out this video. It's a bit longer but it's step by step and VERY helpful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf2LQFG0lZs
Other helpful sites:
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/essay_tips.htm
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/essay
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marjorie-hansen-shaevitz/college-essay-tips-_b_1719862.html
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