Final Blog

Ahhh sorry group!!! I don't know where my brain is I keep forgetting about the blogs!!!!

Looking back over this semester I think I've learned how to really "read" text. I think we've been shown to look below the surface and find the real meaning of what the author is trying to say. Much of what we discussed dealt with out current population and the thought we are lazy/unintelligent. I do agree with some of what we've talked about and sometimes the truth hurts but I can't say I think it is entirely true. A lot of the

books we read were futuristic saying that at some point we will entirely rely on technology and won't be able to think for ourselves. Both Feed and the dumest gerneration hinted at this message. Sometimes I think the level we rely on technology is slightly rediculous but I do not think the owrld is made up of unintelligent people that would ever let things get to the point they are in Feed. I think there are a lot of people striving to create new things, work hard, and learn more as the years progress but there are also those who lack all motivation. Those are the people I think some of these books focus on but I think it is an unfair representation of  our generation. Some of the things we do on our spare time is viewed as "lazy" but I also think our society is so fast pace and stressful that we need to take time to ourselves sometimes.

I think I have learned to appreciate literature and see it's importance. Literature gives people a way to express themselves and makes the reader dig deep to interpret the writer's feelings. I think all the books we read this semester brought the problems in todays society to our attention. However I don't think we should be completely hard on ourselves and think we are useless. We definately aren't and are expected to know more and accomplish more and a shorter span of time then any previous generation. Our expectations are at a much higher level due to the inventions of technology. More is expected and if we don't accomplish all of it we are viewed as unsuccessful which isn't true. However these readings still pointed out the things we need to be aware of so they don't happen and we can improve the part of our population who does fit this category.

Blog 9 - Books

I can't say that I am a huge reader but I definately think I would miss books. A few authors that I particularly like is Jodi Picoult, Meg Cabot, and Lurlene McDaniel. Some of the books written by these authors really made an impact on me and I'm extremely glad I read them. These books made me happy and sad and allow people to relate to them or realize how good life it. While we are on the topic if you're looking for a book to read I suggest one of these authors. I think kids would miss out on a lot of knowledge if books were taken away. In my daily life I can't say I frequently sit down and read a novel but WHEN I do I really enjoy that I have the option to do so. A world without books would be a sad world because many people use books as an outlet. Reading books helps some people keep a stable mind, release stress, look at the world differently, and does the same for the people who write them. Although books aren't something I read as often as I should I still really like them being around as an option to read.

I think we burn books everyday by not using them and instead turning to other references. I'm guilty as many others, to just turning to the internet as a resource instead of looking it up in a book. The less we rely on books the more it is like we are losing the need for them. By neglecting books as a reference we are burning books. Also, we tend to watch a movie instead of reading the book. By watching the movie it is like we are burning the book because we chose not to read the book and never will since we saw the movie. Things like this are how we "burn" books everyday. When you don't use something it is like they are there (or burned).

Blog 8- Woops Forgot!

I really enjoyed the book Hunger Games. I liked how detailed and suspensful the book was, it made it much easier to read. After reading this book I though it working "in conversation" with 1984 because the capitol controlled the districts just like Big Brother controlled the town. It also worked well with the lottery because what seems like an outrageous event gets carried out each year but nobody tries to stop it. The people in Hunger games probably felt very similar to those in 1984 as well as the lottery. I think they felt helpless. Since these people are outnumbered or over powered they are unable to change something like whether they live or die. Someone besides themselves can decide if their life is ready to come to an end or not. I definately found myself responding to Katniss, Peeta, Rue, Katniss's little sister, and Gale. This book really made you connect with the characters each in a unique way.

http://www.naturefootage.com/video_clips/KW60_088

This is an extremely weird link for me to put on here but I really had trouble finding one. This link is of a vulture circling its prey. I selected this because I feel like the gamemakers were like vultures just circling waiting for someone in the games to die. Vultures also fly around looking for "trouble" or animals dying. The game makers look for trouble as well and even started  trouble if there wasn't any occuring by itself. In the book it felt like Katniss was they prey and at a huge disadvantage at the beginning and the people watching were the vultures.

Reality TV- Jersey Shore season 2

I chose to watch Jersey shore because I think it is one of the most watched reality shows at the moment. Reality television is definately trashy at times.I'll also agree that the producers set the characters up for failure by forcing them or putting them in scenes they know will lead to arguments or drama. However, I do think there are people that really act like those on Jersey shore. Sometimes it seems like reality shows are a bit extreme but  if we think about it there are moments/people that act like the people on Jersey shore in each of our personal lives. There's definately couples out there that always seem to be fighting and people who seem to be on a mission to make bad decisions. For this reason, I don't think reality tv is totally fake. This group of people living in a house together at Jersey Shore with no responsibilities but to have fun would ultimately lead to some crazy incidents. These people really don't have anything to do all day but have fun. Also if you think about how many months are being filmed versus the hours that are actually shown on television it may actually be relevant. The producers have months to get "good" film and it is very possible that they will end up with a few crazy incidents. I think reality tv definately focuses on drinking, humor, fun, and sex. It seems like it's always the same story everyone on Jersey Shore goes out to drink, dance, bring back a "buddy", Ronnie and Sam fight and then they all go to bed. I think we are drawn to this because we enjoy watching how people handle and act in certain situations. We enjoy watching people have fun, be happy, fight and make up. All these things are pretty much the story in everyones' life maybe not in the exact same way as Jersey Shore but we all experience the same emotions they do. Our role as viewers is to respond to what we enjoy. If we like something we watch it and follow all the other shows that correspond or relate to the show, like after show where they discuss what we didn't see. Personally I don't revolve my life around these shows but I can't say I hate to watch them. I am definately the type of person who likes to see other peoples' reactions and how they handle certain situations.

Blog 6- Privacy

I would say we definately give up our privacy today in order to keep our basic rights secured. It sound contradictory to give up privacy to keep freedom and other rights. Although we give up our rights, I do think it is necessary in order to stay safe . In all reality we don't have to worry about the government taking complete control. This is not a worry because in order for laws to get passed it goes through a lot of people, it's not an easy process so no one person has the power to "take over/away" our rights. "Big Brother" exists in scenarios like airport security but without this protection we could crumble because when things like 9/11 it takes an extremely long time for our country to get back on its feet. I think privacy still exists and if you are especially worried you can ensure this by filling out papers. For example, at the library some people have pop-ups that come up under their name saying the patron filled out a privacy paper so we are not able to release any information about that person. Other examples include HIPPA. HIPPA is a privacy act that ensures all people receiving medical treatment can be sure their information will be held private. I do realize there are cameras put everywhere but for the most part a lot of these cameras are not continuously being watched. In a lot of cases they use the after something has happened to find who did it. Overall I am willing to give up certain rights for safety, not all my rights of course, but definately some of them. 

Blog 5 - Choice #2

Many people would think living without a Feed would be awful but I think it was one of the best decisions I have made, despite not being given a job I deserved. I experienced being mistreated and not given certain opportunities but in reality if those are the people hiring me I would rather not work for them. Today as I walk through society I see how corrupted the people around me have become because of their feeds. They have been raised with the Feed in their head since the day they have been born. All they hear is all the great things the Feed can do for them but they've never experienced what they could do without the Feed. It is a shame what the Feed is doing to the people around me without them even realizing it. The language I now teach is considered dead and now all I hear is unit this unit that, meg this and meg that. People no longer know how to express themselves in words and think for themselves. Nobody reads or writes anymore it's all m-chatting and slowly but surely it'll all be dead. They have been raised with a blanket over their eyes and never given the opportunity to think or act how they want. Everything is supplied to them through the Feed hiding all the terrible things it actually does. I gave into the silliness and allowed my daughter to get a Feed and it ended with losing her. However, nobody will focus on incidents like this because the Feed has taken over their lives. Society is slowly dying just like the language and I'm glad I'm not dying with it. I'm one of the few without a Feed but one of the few that is experiencing what life is. For these reasons I am glad I don't have a Feed and just wish I would have never allowed my daughter to get one either.

Last Day =)

Today is my last day without technology and I am extremely happy. I have been productive with my school work while not having my technology but I usually am even with my technology. It's nice not having people constantly texting me since they know I can't text them back. However I am definately excited to get my phone back and have the option of watching television if I want to. I don't like feeling like I'm being punished/secluded by not being able to talk to people. I still get to hang out with people it's just hard making plans. Another thing I miss is talking to my family it seems like it has been two weeks not just one week. Normally my dad sends me short e-mails every other day and I usually call to talk to them for a little once a week but this week I haven't been able to do at all which was something I'm not used to. Regardless it is over and I'm glad. A few things I did while off technology is homework, sleep, take my friends' weiner dog for a walk, and went running.

Two more Days

Nobody knows where I am =P

Today is day 5 of the Thoreau challenge and I am ready for it to be over. As silly as it seems part of me feels like I'm being shunned because I can't talk to people that aren't right beside me. I really don't like it if my roommates aren't home and I'm not sure when they are getting back and can't ask them. I also don't like not being able to talk to my friends  that live across campus or find out what they're doing. Two times this week I did just drive over and stop by to talk to them but I don't always like to do this because I don't know if they're home. Not being able to talk to my parents when I want to also bothers me somewhat. These are the biggest problems I am experiencing with this challenge. I don't feel depressed or like my world is ending or anything I just miss being able to keep in contact with my friends when I want to. I would not want to take on this challenge if it lasted for much more than seven days. I don't completely hate this challenge because I kind of like that nobody can get ahold of me. At times it is nice being secluded and not talking to anybody but I don't like the fact I can't get ahold of others when I want. =P However I do think I won't be so attached to my phone after this challenge because I will  be used to not having it.

Day 3- No technology

Today is my third day without technology and I find it extremely inconvenient. I do not have much trouble when it comes to no television or facebook. The only television shows I watch is Pretty Little Liars and Jersey Shore (because my roommates do). I'm sure Thurday will stink when my roommates watch Jersey Shore and I am unable to join but only 4 more dayss. However, I do not like giving up my phone only because it makes it difficult to make plans. For example the other day I had to drop my car off at the dealership to get fixed and my roommate and I were circling around the building trying to find eachother. This was annoying but I eventually found her. Giving up technology is definately a little harder than I expected. I didn't realize how often I used my phone for situations like meeting up to do things.

4 Days..... =(  
30 extra credit points =)

Blog #4

This shack does not look pleasant to live in but I think I could do it temporarily if I had to. I put emphasis on temporarily though because I do not think I would want to do this my whole life nor would I want to be there much more than a week.I think living in isolation, like Thoreau, would be extremely difficult. I have similar feelings about living in isolation as I do about living in the shack. They are both things I think I could handle for a little bit but not for a long time. If my friends would join me in the woods I would probably last longer than being alone. Spending time in the woods alone would be okay for a few days and may help me connect with myself. I think it is important to get away from our stressful society to take time and relax. One way I know my family does this is by going to our cabin which is a real cabin not like some peoples' where it is just a little off from their normal house.

                                                   

My cabin has no running water or electricity. This picture above is my cabin. It isn't the nicest thing but that sort of makes it even nicer. When we go here we don't have to take our shoes off or worry about much. It is just a place to relax. Going to my cabin occasionally helps to clear your head and escape the constant business we face everyday. However, if I spent a long period of time alone in isolation I think I would be extremely lonely and sad. Being around people is one thing that makes me happy and that's why I don't think I would want to be in the woods alone for a long time period.

These are some of the picture from when I went home a few weekends ago and my family went on a walk at our cabin. Things like this are always nice because it allows us to relax.

Blog #3- The Dumbest Generation"

I can understand why we may be referred to as the dumbest generation ever but I do not agree with it. I think our generation may lack on the basic knowledge of important events in the past or other general knowledge  but I think we excel in other areas. Today our generation has more pressure to learn more advanced things about technology and the medical field. Also our generation is forced to choose one major field and focus our education on that specific area. I really think that dumb is an opinion because really what determines whether you are dumb or not. If one person can solve outrageous math problems but can't change oil in their car or vice versa which person would be considered dumb?

 I don't know what makes this author feel like he has the power to say we are the dumbest generation ever. Is he really that intelligent to decide who in the world is dumb and who isn't?  I think each generation has its strengths and weaknesses but that doesn't mean that they are dumb. It is also a difficult thing to gerneralize people as a entire generation. It seems a little close minded to form an opinion about an entire generation. An entire generation is including a whole lot of people and forming an opinion of them as one group seems silly. I think technology may have had some disadvantages such as decrease in physical activity and obesity. However, it has also had some advantages like cures to diseases, availability to new resources, and much more. More so than not I think people in our society focus on all the bad things and forget about the good things.

I am not saying our generation is flawless, there are definately a lot of things that not only our generation should be aware of but everyone who lives in our country should be aware of. One of these things would be where the United States is located on a map and what our first amendment rights are. These are just two examples of basic knowledge that everyone in our country should be aware of because it benefits us as well as shows pride in our country.

Blog #2

The reading assigned this week discussed the control the media has on our lives. In the Machurian Conusmer section it says "we've given up mental control" this I do not believe. I do not think the majority of society has given up mental control but I do think game addiction is a problem. I think many gamers want to escape reality and the stress accumulated from it and their way of doing this is by playing W.O.W. This may not be a bad thing if it is played in moderation. However in Second Skin this was not the case. I think when people start spending 10, 12, or more hours a day playing this video game and alter your "normal" living for the game it is very detrimental to your life.

In the one section of Second Skin the gamers went to the grocery store and admitted to buying unhealthy food because it was quicker so they could keep playing the video game.One player even said he would pee in his empty soda bottles so he would not have to leave his game. Sleep, nutritious food, physical activity, and relationships with people are all necessities to living a healthy life. Although I think playing games in moderation is not a terrible thing when any one of these factors that are essential to living a good life are altered then gaming is a terrible thing. Another gamer claimed his back hurt too bad to work which may be true but I don't think sitting around all day playing games is the way to help this situation. This gamer should be doing exercises, watching his weight, and maybe even physical therapy not sitting in a chair all day. If this gamer with terrible back pain can sit in a chair and play a game all day I think he can sit in a chair at work and answer phones or do other activities like this. In my opinion several of these people made excuses to why spending all day gaming was acceptable.

 In the Posthuman section of the reading it discussed people and using their virtual selves to act how they wish they really were. This also may not be a terrible thing but only if the person only plays the game in free time and then uses the game to help him/herself act how they really desire in real life. I think it could be possible for a game to be used as a type of "self help" but like a said spending  10-12 hours a day is not healthy. The game should be used as a spare time activity that is played when bored or need to relax. Game time should be flexible and work around your life your life should not work around your game. I think this video related very well with the readings that discussed virtual personalities, the way technology has taken over us, virtual relationships, and the loss of reality. It was obvious that several of these people lost touch with the "real world" and began living in a virtual one which influenced their real lives. I definately think when gamers take it to this extreme they need help realizing the risks and problems this can give them in their life and need some type of help to stop gaming until they are able to control how often they play it.

On thing the readings about technology and the W.O.W videos made me think of was the song Back Then by Tim McGraw. In this song he talks about how much society has changed over time and I think it relates well with what we've been discussing in class. Here is a link to the song Back Then

Blog #1 Introduction

Hello

My name is Tessa Gilson and I am currently a sophmore at Shippensburg. My major is exercise science with a minor in biology. When I graduate I plan to continue my schooling to become a physical therapist. I grew up in a small town called Mifflintown and went to Juniata High School. I only graduated with about 170 kids in high school.This is not close to Juniata college I am about an hour and fifteen minutes away from Shippensburg. I chose to go to Shippensburg because it is fairly close to my home town and because it was one of the most reasonably priced colleges. I enjoy sports and doing things outdoors. In high school I played basketball, soccer, and softball. I also hunt and enjoy fishing on occasion.

 I took this class as a gen. ed. and chose this one in particular because I had Dr. Mortimore for WIFYS and liked how her class involved discussion instead of a boring lecture class. I honestly can't remember the last book I read not because I don't enjoy reading but I don't make time in my day to do so just  for fun. I normally only read when it is assigned for classes which keeps me pretty occupied by itself. The last book I read was for my World History II class and I don't even remember the title. In my other english class (WIFYS) I enjoyed the books we read because they were easy reads and kept my attention. Reading literature probably isn't my favorite thing to do but it doesn't bother me. I think literature can be anything that is stating someone's feelings, opinions, or telling a story.

I don't really follow any television show religiously but sometimes I watch pretty little liars and desperate housewives. I do enjoy movies and two that I am very excited to see include "No Strings Attached" and "Just Go With It." I mostly like funny, romatic, or action movies. However I do not like scary or sad movies.

 I'm fairly open with types of music I like anything from rap to country music.