Food, Inc.

     After watching Food, Inc. I found myself being completely shocked by how much of the food industry deliberately conceals from us. Before watching this documentary I did have some notion that there was a food “industry”, yet I did not realize the extent of how commercialized this industry has become and how processed our food actually is. When I went home after watching the movie, I sat back looking at my dinner plate. I actually hesitated before eating, something that I never do. Even though I’m a foodie and still ate my dinner, I decided that I would make a more conscience effort when it comes to deciding what to eat in the future. My biggest impression in the film came from the untimely death of a young boy. I felt such pity for Kevin. It is unfathomable that a perfectly healthy child was killed by the negligence of our industry. The E-coli virus should not have any place in it.  We should be more diligent when it comes to the safety and cleanliness of our food. His mother has been fighting for years to pass “Kevin’s Law” (a law that would help reduce pathogens in meat and poultry) for years and still faces being consistently ignored.

     What stood out the most for me in this film were the farmers. The local farmers who were being completely dominated by these buying monopolies. Farming was once their pride and joy and now some farmers find themselves shackled by their own profession. They are in debt, being forced to give up their integrity and have no choice but to obey major corporations. One example would be the overproduction of corn. Farmers are producing so much of it that scientists came up with ways to do more with it. In other words scientists have been creating, high fructose corn syrup, xanthan gum and more additives out of corn. The government even pays farmers to overproduce this crop. Over 90% of processed food products have some traces of corn within them. Aside from that this excess corn is being used to feed cows. Cows are supposed to be fed grass, but instead they are being fed cheap corn which is hard to digest. This then can produce the E-Coli virus in a cow’s stomach. The cows are so tightly packed together, that then they all catch the virus. Another problem would be that farmers are forced to grow chickens faster. Chickens usually needed three months to grow, yet are now grown within half the time. They are bigger because of the hormones they are grown with. Their bodies can’t support the weight so these poor chickens live a life of torture. They sit in their own excrement unable to support their weight never seeing the sun. Monopolies such as Tyson and Perdue have forbade farmers from showing this truth. One farmer that showed the inside of a chicken house had her contract terminated. Companies like these have forced farmers to go in such debt, without providing them with any monetary compensation. These farmers have basically sold their soul to the devil.

     I like that this film interviewed such a large spectrum of people. So many perspectives were shown. It was unfortunate that the the perspectives of monopolies could not be shown because they refused to be interviewed. I did not like the graphic nature of this film just because I do not like to see farm animals and people undergo such torture. Even though it was not easy to watch, it was essential in the film. These images reveal the truth and the extent of the food “industry’s ugly secrets”. We can not always sugarcoat life.

      If I were to create a food formula I would make it short and simple. I would say try to eat food that is organic, take advantage of shops such as “Trader Joe’s” (the food is organic and more affordable), eat foods that are less healthy(processed) in moderation, drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly. I would follow this formula because it does not force a person to be perfect. You are trying your best and making a conscience effort to eat better. Even if you can’t always follow a food formula, it is better to try to improve than to be completely oblivious to what you are putting into your body.

McDonaldization vs. Dehumanization

 Eric Schlosser’s essay “What We Eat” addresses the impact of the fast food industry on America. He argues that fast food has expanded so rapidly that it “has helped to transform not only the American diet, but also our landscape, economy, workforce, and popular culture. Fast food and its consequences have become inescapable”(668). In other words we have not realized the magnitude of the fast food industry.

     In order to explain how the fast food industry has affected the economy, workforce, and popular culture, Schlosser uses a mixture of writing techniques. For examples, he uses description to explain the experience of entering a fast food restaurant. “Pull open the glass door, feel the rush of cool air, walk in, get on line, study the backlit color photographs above the counter, place your order, hand over a few dollars, watch teenagers in uniforms pushing various buttons, and moments later take hold of a plastic tray full of food wrapped in colored paper and cardboard.”(668). He evokes pathos to show how buying fast food is almost second nature. It is a routine. We don’t think about what we are buying, how good the quality of the food is, or if small business farmers have been replaced by major corporations. 

       Definition is used when Schlosser elaborated on the term “McDonaldization”. This term meant that as the fast food industry increases it poses a “threat to independent business” and serves as a “homogenizing influence on American life”(669). This sense of “uniformity” makes people rely on fast food. They know that if they go to any franchise they will receive the exact same thing. This means that there is equality, and everyone is treated exactly the same. Comparing and contrasting is used in the essay to show how the fast food industry over time. At first there was more skilled labor in the industry and a varied workforce. There were also less fast food establishments. Now “McDonald’s Corporation has become a powerful symbol of America’s service economy” and “has about thirty thousand restaurants worldwide” (668). The workers are usually teens too. The preparation of food does not require skilled labor, so these chains can pay low wages and hire large amounts of unskilled laborers.

     Process analysis is used to describe on how rapidly the food is prepared and served. “Most fast food is delivered to the restaurant already frozen, canned, dehydrated, or freeze-dried. A fast food kitchen is merely the final stage in a vast and highly complex system of mass production (671).” Schlosser uses this to express how systemic we are becoming. We are not focussing on quality, but rather quantity. The personal touch along with our humanity is being diminished by this industry. Convenience is relied on too much and we do not understand what the value of this food truly is.

     Schlosser’s decision to incorporate all these methods is what makes his argument so strong. He can provide evidence in different ways. These methods help readers better understand a topic, relate to it and analyze it further. The essay flows and is informative because of these methods. If he chose to focus on method his essay may have become dull. Even though I found Schlosser’s essay to be very informative, I would have changed the way he organized it. I feel that he jumps around a bit too much. It would have been more effective if he grouped how the food is prepared with the small farmers portion. He leaves that off until the tail end of the essay. It should have been addressed earlier. I also think he should have explained why fast food is so bad for our health. He mentions that there are harmful substances in this food, but not what they do to us directly.

      I have to say that I do agree with his argument. The fast food industry is definitely taking over. We have to realize its impact on society. It is a shame that so many small business are being trumped by it, and that obesity is spreading. We are brainwashed consumers. I am a foodie and I always trying to find a small restaurant that is not necessarily a chain. Quality means something to me, and I do enjoy that there is effort and creativity put in to what I am eating. For me the fast food industry has destroyed the art of food. This essay helped reinforce my dislike of the fast food industry. I will definitely continue to boycott it and search for restauranteurs that take pride in their work.

Proud to be an American?

     Comparing and contrasting are important elements within writing because they help hi-light the differences and similarities of certain topics. By comparing and contrasting we can make connections between topics or ideas, or instead distinguish them from one another.  When we establish relationships using comparing and contrasting a topic is analyzed. These elements give us a precise understanding of a topic, instead skimming its surface. 

       In Bharati Mukherjee’s essay “Two Ways We Belong in America,” we are given two different views of how two sisters assimilate to living in America. Bharati compares and contrasts her experiences of living in America to her sister Mira’s experiences. Mira viewed America as a place to study and work. She never truly accepted it as her home. Mira preserved her Indian culture and kept close ties with her mother country. “After 36 years as a legal immigrant in this country she clings passionately to her Indian citizenship and hopes to go home to India when she retires,” said Bharati (p.273). Bharati saw America as her home. She left her culture on the back burner in order to assimilate into American culture. Both sisters remained close relationship wise, but were the exact opposite when it came to their opinions. Bharati explained that her sister pitied her for her “lack of structure”, while she pitied her sister for “the narrowness of her perspective, her involvement with the mythical depths or the superficial pop cultures of society.”(p.273). Mira wanted the benefits of provided to immigrants without becoming a citizen,yet Bharati felt that these benefits come from being a citizen.

     The essay predominately focuses on the differences between the two sisters. Bharati opens up the essay by explaining how similar the two of them where when they were younger and how now each sister took her own path as they became older. “When we left India, we were almost identical in appearance and attitude. We dressed alike, in saris; we expressed identical views on politics, social issues, love, and marriage in the same Calcutta convent-school accent.”(p.272). The rest of the essay exemplifies the differences between the Bharati, a citizen of America, and her sister Mira, an immigrant.

     I believe that the argument of this essay is to find which of the “Two Ways to Belong in America” is best. You can legally belong to America by being an immigrant with a green card, or you can choose to become a citizen and assimilate into the country’s culture. Who’s to say what is better? I think it depends on the person. If I was put in the same position as these two sisters I would side with Bharati. This land provides people with an opportunity, and an escape so it should be respected. Even though I have a Greek heritage that I love, I always put America first. I do not forget where I come from, but I live in the moment. The moment is where I am now. This is where I chose to be, so this is the nation that I prioritize first. I feel that if I held my Greek culture to the extent that Mira did I would not be living in America, but instead in Greece. America is a melting pot, so its not like you have to be a certain race or ethnicity to be an American. You choose whether or not you are an American. It’s an internal concept. The choice of how to “Belong in America” is up to you.

Do You Swear to Say the Truth and Nothing but the Truth?

     Stephanie Ericsson manages to categorize the lies humans tell within her essay “The Ways We Lie.” I think she does an exceptional job on categorizing human lie because she discusses numerous types of lies. She breaks down lies into the white lies, facades, ignoring the plain facts, deflections, omissions, stereotypes and cliches, groupthink, out-and-out lies, dismissals, and delusions. I agree with her characterization of lies because she delves deeper into how we lie. I enjoyed her humor, relatability, and sincerity throughout her essay. As much as we try to say that we don’t lie, lying becomes inevitable at times.

   The amount of lies that circulate in our world can not even be fathomed, but it is as if they are part of human nature. Ericsson explains that even though she fibs occasionally, she still considers herself an honest person. “We exaggerate, we minimize, we avoid confrontation, we spare people’s feelings, we conveniently forget, we keep secrets” because its natural. We lie so we can avoid complicating life and because we sympathize with other. I think it is very important that Ericsson also brings up how lies can be harmful. For example with facades, omission, stereotypes and displays, we are running away from the truth. These are different types of lies though because they promote denial. At times they can be more of a detriment than a quick fixer upper. We should not try to justify them. I think the truck driver example definitely resonates. Ericsson says, “I once admitted to a group of people that I had a mouth like a truck driver. Much to my surprise, a man stood up and said, “I’m a truck driver, and I never cuss.” We become so caught up in our preconceived notions that we can jump to conclusions and believe our own lies.

    I think Ericsson’s purpose for writing this essay is to show us how to know where to draw the line on our lies. Getting caught up in lies can lead to us believe them and make rash and false conclusions. We also need to consider if the lies we make to get ourselves out of an awkward situation are paid for at another person’s expense. Besides these points though Ericsson writes this piece to explain that lying is a cycle and how lies can vary. They will only end if all of us do not take part in it. Since we can not be completely honest with one another and want to spare each other’s feelings or connivence ourselves, lying will always be present. We should always expect it. I think that this piece was published because it reveals our humanity and how we always strive to simplify life. I liked that Ericsson makes us be more conscience of our lies through her examples. After reading this essay I started to wonder how much I lie. It really puts things in perspective for me and makes me want to be more conscience of what I say in the future.

     Lies that I think Ericsson should have included would be the “emergency lie” and the “bluff”. An emergency lie is when we lie to protect the well being of someone else. For example we might use an emergency lie to prevent someone from being harmed. A bluff is a lie that can be useful in a game of poker. Sometimes we have to use these lies in order to win, or protect, rather than harm another. Even though we all lie, I believe if we are conscience of the lies we make and when we use them, lying might not be as detrimental.

The Golden Rule

      Connor’s essay grasps his audience’s attention before it even begins with its title. It is titled “How in the World Do You Get a Skunk Out of a Bottle?”. He uses this title to attract attention and make want people to read it. The fact that it is a question provokes thought and a sense of wonder. Will the essay even talk about a skunk, or is this something figurative? The concept is intriguing. It also captures Connor’s emotions. He found himself in a bizarre situation not knowing what to do. Encountering a skunk in a bottle was something out of the ordinary. He was conflicted: he was scared the skunk would spray him, worried for the skunk’s well being, and also unsure on how he would handle such a complicated situation.

     Even though most people will never actually encounter a situation in which they will have the opportunity to pull a skunk out of a bottle, Connor writes this process analysis essay to help raise awareness. Yes, this is a rare situation, however it could happen to someone else. It is something out of the ordinary, so it is worth documenting. Writing in process analysis form helps provide a pace, sequence, and insight on his personal thoughts and experiences throughout the essay. Readers can understand both Connor’s and the skunk’s struggle. “What do you want me to do?”, he says. He is conflicted. Finally, he comes to the realization that he is responsible for the skunk since he found it. This essay shows us how to have compassion. If we have the ability to help someone and we are able to do so we should try to assist, depending on how much we are putting ourselves in danger. The details he uses in the story on the different ways in which he tried to save the skunk, keep a reader engaged and makes the piece somehow relatable. The skunk was helpless and unable to save itself, so sometimes we have to become the aid it needs.

     I think the main point of this essay is an underlying meaning. It is that even though we think we are not directly involved with wildlife, we are. It is important to be conscience of where we dispose of our trash. We can be harming animals without even knowing it. There can be animals, just like the skunk that can become injured from our litter. If we pay attention and dispose of our items properly we can prevent animals from becoming victims of our negligence. It all goes back to the Golden Rule, “treat others the way you want to be treated”,  even if they are not human. We share the world with them too, so they also deserve respect.

Proactiv(E)?

      The following picture affects certain consumers through its strategic advertising. It displays well known singer Avril Lavigne. She wears a confident smirk, has an inviting look, and flawless skin. Her face looks as if it was made out of porcelain. In front of her bold letters state “I’m No Pushover I’m Proactiv.” So what does this mean?
     This ad was created by the well known skin care brand Proactiv. Proactiv claims that their product will help clear acne and provide its user with clear and radiant skin. The company is so successful because they spend so much on advertising. Their commercials consists of success stories which range from everyday people, to a lengthy list of celebrities. The people who endorse this product are constantly in the public eye. They include singers, actors, dancers and more. Some of them include Katy Perry, Lindsey Lohan, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kaley Cuoco, Naya Rivera, Julianne Hough, Justin Bieber, Vanesa Williams, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine and many more. They use all these celebrity endorsers help to grasp the attention of people from various audiences. Almost anyone can relate. So many people idolize celebrities and aspire to be like them. When they hear celebrities speaking about their struggle with acne, they are shocked and think that they have something in common with them, their struggle with acne. If this product can help celebrities and make them look flawless, why can’t it do the same for them? On top of of that the product is even more enticing due to its affordability. 
     I have to admit that I was very skeptical about this product because I have also faced many problems with acne. Acne is something that lowers your confidence. We live in such a society that is constantly fixated on how we look. You think that you will try anything to fix it. Numerous times my acne would be so bad that I did not want to leave my house. I felt as though people were just looking at my acne and not focusing on me. Ads like this toy with a person’s emotions. After being completely feed up, I ordered this product because I thought that if so many celebrities endorsed it, it had to work. I wanted to be what the product advertised, “proactiv and not a pushover”. I needed to take action about my acne, rather than let it take over my life. When I started using the product my acne did not decrease. It actually made my skin worse. I’m not saying that the product is horrible, it just wasn’t my match.
     I did not think that the celebrities that endorse this product are paid to do so, or that their photos are airbrushed and professionally edited. They are not as perfect as we think they are. My acne problem was only solved by a prescription that was tailored to my own needs. It was not some generic product. Just like numerous people I was swayed by strategic advertising. It is easy to get caught up in the appeal of the advertisement without picking it apart. Before buying something we have to evaluate if we are purchasing it for the proper reasons, and not only because we are being compelled by it.

Depression in College Students

     Alissa Steiner takes on a daunting task by delving into the topic of depression. She explores how depression influences certain people, why it is caused, how we can recognize it, what triggers it, what it can lead to, proposals on how to handle it, and what actions are being taken to assist people in need. Her thesis is implied, but I think the closing of her essay demonstrates the main point. “If students are more informed about what depression is and how to detect it, they may be quicker to seek out someone to talk to, and possibly less likely to consider suicide as a solution...Hopefully, as universities come to realize the importance of students’ mental health in academic functioning, they will make funding their counseling services a priority”. In other words we can handle depression in better ways if we are informed about it and if its outreach programs have the proper funding.

     She supports her thesis by providing examples of people with depression, scientific information about the illness, statistics and details about organizations that are trying to lend out a helping hand. I completely agree with how she responds to the issue of depression in college students. I think Steiner does an excellent job of alerting her audience of depression’s severity. Depression should not be taken lightly. She grasps her audience’s attention by mentioning the suicide of one of her fellow classmates, Nima. He was a celebrated student with a wonderful personality. No one expected that this young man, with such a promising future would take his own life. Steiner displays her credibility by by providing important statistics. She states that a study by the American College Health Association found that professional diagnoses in depression in college students were up by ten percent. She then notes how chemical changes in the brain can contribute to depression. By explaining how to identify symptoms of depression she also helps her audience become more active readers. More people are being informed, so maybe more people can help others. Trigger factors of depression can stem from leaving home, balancing academics with work, relationships and more. To reemphasize the seriousness of depression she brings up the tragic suicide of MIT sophomore Elizabeth. Elizabeth showed signs of depression, but is was just to late when they found her. Hope is provided though counseling organizations. Organizations such as CAPS provide counseling and assistance for people that are depressed. Stein’s biggest complaint is that there are not enough of these organizations. They lack funding, and other people do not even know they exist. People do not utilize them enough. By alerting people about these organizations and providing funding to expand them, more lives would be saved.

     This piece definitely strikes a nerve for me because my grandmother suffers from depression as well. She has been battling with this illness her entire life, and counseling organizations like the ones that Steiner mentioned are what keep her going. I completely support her plea. No one deserves to be alone during such a difficult time in their life.

     If I were writing this essay, I would hope that I could include just as much as Steiner. She truly covers all the important aspects from support, to funding, to the scientific aspects of the illness and more. I only would do one thing differently. Even though her central focus is college students, I would expand it to people of all ages. I feel that depression should not be taken lightly and everyone deserves whatever help they need no matter what age. It is truly comforting that there are people like Steiner, addressing important topics that deserve more attention in our world. 

Hit the Books or Hit the Road?

        In “Hidden Intellectualism” Gerald Graff takes on a controversial topic. What is better, being book smart or street smart? Graff’s argument is that being street smart is way more beneficial than being only book smart. A street smart person is liberated. People that are street smart are not confined solely to thinking about topics that they do not like or are not interested in. In his thesis he says, “I believe that street smarts beat out book smarts in our culture not because street smarts are non-intellectual, as we generally suppose, but because they satisfy an intellectual thirst more thoroughly than school culture, which seems pale and unreal.” School tends to focus primarily on curriculum at times so it is easy to become robotic and not intrigued. Street smarts on the other hand allow a person to become a sponge, absorbing whatever they want from the world. Everything that surrounds them is their campus.

     To defend his argument Graff uses his personal experiences as examples to prove why they have helped him become an intellectual. As a child he hated books. He engrossed himself only with things he liked. Graff read sports magazines, sport autobiographies, and sports novels. At times he would debate about who was the toughest guy in school with his friends. Sports and his everyday conversations brought forth the skills of debate, and different types of analysis. He was becoming an intellectual without even knowing it. Street smarts taught him “how to make an argument, weigh different kinds of evidence, move between particulars and generalizations, summarize the views of others, and enter a conversation about ideas.”

     Sports also allowed him to have a sense of community. Book smarts can isolate people at times because the community is just so big. Graff’s examples help reinforce his argument. I personally think his points are quite valid. He enforces how schools can  create grade competitions, while when it comes to street smarts the competitions differ and have the potential to create bonds.

      I have to say that I do agree with Graff. Like Graff, I believe that “we associate the educated life, the life of the mind, too narrowly and exclusively with subject and texts that we consider inherently weighty and and academic” and that “real intellectuals” can turn anything into to something thought provoking. Street smarts allow everyone to contribute. They make us more open minded. Book smarts may make us well educated, but they do not always provide us with lessons on life. There is so much knowledge within what we can learn on the streets. Street smarts help us defend ourselves, and give us new innovative methods on how to live our life. If we found a way to integrate street smarts into schools along with book smarts, society would benefit immensely because it would be cultivated even more.

Mass Media: Beneficial or Detrimental?

     Steven Pinker and Peggy Orenstein both explain the effects of electronic media through their pieces. Even though both pieces have a lighthearted tones each author has a different argument. 

     Steven Pinker explains how “new forms of media have always caused moral panics”. He feels that this is completely unnecessary and that electronic media is good. He uses ethos by incorporating statistics. One example would be when he mentions comic books. In the 1950s crime was falling to “record lows”, as oppose to rising because of comic books. He appeals to the current world by pointing out that today even the most accomplished scientists use programs such as Powerpoint to get their point across. This program does not hinder them, but instead makes them more effective. Pinker uses logos to explain how electronic media is not harmful, and that it depends on how a person decides to use it. “Music doesn’t make you better at math, conjugating Latin doesn’t make you more logical...” He closes off his piece with ethos by offering advice that reinforces his point. “The solution is not to bemoan technology but to develop strategies of self-control, as we do with every other temptation in life.”

     Peggy Orenstein on the other hand uses her personal experiences to state her argument against electronic media. She explains that it is easy to become superficial and over involved in it. Constantly, she grapples with her urge to tweet. Orenstein uses pathos when she describes the outdoor scene of listening to The Trumpet and the Swan along with her daughter. This personal anecdote makes her relatable. Numerous times we constantly fight the urge to tweet about our lives and find some way to make a moment more artistic than what it is. Ethos comes in when Ornenstein brings up sociologist Erving Goffman. He thought that “life is performance”, which can sometimes happen with Twitter. Ornestein demonstrates logos when she explains how when we are constantly trying to expose ourselves over social media but change this around so we can seem more appealing. “The self {is} increasingly becoming externally manufactured rather than internally developed”.

     After reading both these convincing arguments I would have to say I agree more with Steven Pinker. Even though it is easy to lose sight of oneself in electronic media, I feel as though people should have a sense of responsibility and control. It is up to you whether you choose to publicize your life or not. If electronic media is used constructively I think it is more of a benefit than a detriment. It allows us to be informed about current events quickly, become unified with other people, and be creative. If electronic media is used positively, people exercise self control and apply limits it should contribute to society.

Obesity in America

David Zinczenko (a heath magazine editor) and Radley Balko (a liberal magazine editor) discuss their views on how obesity in America should be handled at a magazine convention. They meet each other while siting down for a presentation on the appeal of advertising.

DZ- Hi is this seat taken? I arrived here a little late and everywhere else the seats have already been taken.

RB- Sure have a seat. Wait a second! You are David Zinczenko from Men’s Health Magazine. Would you mind discussing your views on obesity in America with me? It is a topic that greatly intrigues me and I have read some of your work. I personally think this whole obesity crisis stems from our government.

DZ- Of course I will discuss this topic with you. I find it quite fascinating. So you are telling me that you think it is our government’s and our fault that obesity is so prominent in America? 

RB- Yes, I do. I think our government is too focused on dictating to us what is good for us. Deciding what is good should be our own responsibility and not the government’s. 

DZ- I see where you are coming from, but I think the government’s intervention is completely necessary. Numerous consumers are ill informed about what they are eating because the food industry does not provide enough information about their products.

RB- How so?

DZ- You may think that we should know what we are eating, however the nutrition facts can be misleading. A person may see no harm in his or her meal because the nutritional facts about each item are listed separately. Before you know it a meal that you think is 400 calories has jumped too 1,200.

RB- That may be so, but our government should not have to tell these companies to show us what is good for us. We should take responsibility for what we eat. As oppose to taxing unhealthy things, our government should reward us for being healthy. They spend so much money on health care that there are no consequences for being obese. There will just be another pill or medication to fix things. This should not be the case. People that are healthy should have to pay less for their healthcare, and be able to allocate their money elsewhere.

DZ- That is a valid argument, but look how difficult it is for people to be healthy. It is so easy to find thousands of fast food chains, however it is so difficult to find healthy alternatives. These quick fixes are easily accessible and much more affordable. Our government should intervene and require the food industry to provide information about their products and also make healthy choices easily attainable.

RB- I think what you are asking for of the government is just too much. We are in a democracy, however the government’s actions are resembling more and more socialist qualities than democratic ones. Our civil liberties are being limited.

DZ- I understand your point of holding a person accountable of their own health, however it is so difficult for a person to do that when the food industry is creating advertisements that are so enticing. These advertisements target the youth that is less likely to make themselves accountable for their own health. At times they are too young to understand the severity of their choices, so the government needs to intervene. By clarifying why the fast food industry is so bad there is a smaller chance for people to be taken in by it. Therefore, I believe that we should be responsible for our own health, but that we also need the government to guide us in our choices.

...

Thesis- It is completely inconceivable that our government should be able to dictate to us what we should be able to eat. If a person wants to eat a particular item, no matter how well informed they are they will still eat it regardless. We live in a democracy and not a socialist society. The government should not insult our intelligence and tell us what is right for us, it should expect its people to have enough knowledge to do what is best for them. Even though both arguments make valid points, I disagree with both. The problem is not the government getting involved, or the food industry increasing our resources, but America becoming a sedentary society. It is the lack of exercise and movement in America that is causing people to become obese, not the food and not the government.

Extra Credit Dialogue

     When I first saw this assignment I was not exactly sure about what dialogue I would write about or pick. I decided I would come back to the assignment later and watched some television instead. I was watching one of my favorite shows, Modern Family, and then I heard it, the perfect dialogue.

PHIL- We can learn so much from the children. I bet it all seems kind of silly what you guys were even fighting about, huh? 

MANNY- I made fun of his poofy hair. 

LUKE -I made fun of his accent. 

GLORIA-What accent? 

(Everybody laughs.)

MANNY- I made fun of him having the same thing for lunch every day. 

(More laughter)

LUKE- I made fun of him because his mom used to dig coal.

(More laughter still, except from Gloria.)

GLORIA-What? 

MANNY- He said you were a coal-digger.

PHIL-Okay, I think we can move on.

GLORIA-Who said I was a “coal-digger”?

LUKE-That’s what my Mom told me.

ALEX- What’s a coal-digger?

PHIL-He heard it wrong, it’s gold-digger.

HALEY- (into phone) I’m going to call you back.

CLAIRE-Okay, wow, I do not remember ever saying that.

LUKE- You said it in the car, you said it at Christmas, you said it at that Mexican restaurant --

CLAIRE-Oh, look. Mister leaves-his-sweatshirts-at-school suddenly remembers everything.

GLORIA-So it was all in my head, huh?

(She makes the Claire face to Claire then starts out.)

CLAIRE- (Calling after) But that was like a year ago before I even knew you. Gloria...

Gloria exits.

MANNY- Nice going. Now my Mom and my sister are fighting.

*the following script excerpt was obtained from http://www.simplyscripts.com/tv_all.html

     This dialogue is so interesting and humorous because it plays upon the typical stereotypes of society. For example Claire, is accused of calling her new step-mother a gold digger. Claire thinks this because Gloria, her new step, mom is quite an attractive woman and much younger than her father. She has a hard time believing that Gloria’s intentions are genuine. What makes this dialogue so humorous is that the children interpret the term “gold-digger” as “coal-digger”, so they completely miss the meaning of the comment. It works because Claire tries to diffuse the situation by making comments about her son, and completely denying the entire situation. The situation becomes even more comical when her husband accidentally reinforces that she did mean “gold-digger” as oppose to “coal digger”. The dialogue concludes on a comic note because Manny blames Luke for causing his mother and sister to fight. Manny’s statement stresses the complexity of the family because his mother is Gloria, making Claire his step sister.                       

     The dialogue is funny because it is relatable. We laugh at it because numerous times we find ourselves having similar opinions on certain topics. This dialogue taught me several things on how to make a dialogue more effective. It should go back and forth, almost like a game of ping pong. The characters should have a good connection so that what they are speaking about is clear enough to understand. This dialogue also manages to give incite on the character’s personalities. Phil is a bit goofy, but caring. Manny is very mature for his age. Claire does not like to be confronted when she is wrong. Gloria does not take insults well and Luke is the dummy of the group. The dialogue allows me to understand the characters as oppose to directly telling me about their conflicts. It makes an event so much more intriguing. For example a person being accused of being a “gold-digger” is not as stirring as hearing an actual conversation. It is a lot funnier to see people scrambling to find different ways to diffuse awkward situations.                                      

"Shooting and Elephant" Response

     George Orwell’s essay “Shooting an Elephant” was a piece that impacted me greatly. Even though it described a rather disturbing event, what made the biggest impression on me was Orwell’s sincerity and honesty. I believe that those components make it a gripping piece because Orwell is relatable, observant, and truthful. In the text he incorporates figurative language, description, and allows readers to see his innermost thoughts by using first person narration.

     In the essay Orwell explains the current conflict between Burma and England. He is in a difficult situation because England was occupying Burma while he was an officer. The people of Burma were completely against anyone European because of the imperialistic forces that occupied their nation. Orwell does an excellent job of showing that he is an alien in this land by providing personal anecdotes. “A nimble Burman tripped me up on the football field and the referee (another Burman) looked the other way, the crowed yelled with hideous laughter (Orwell)”. By personifying the crowd and calling it hideous, he emphasizes his embarrassment even more. Despite the difficulty Orwell faces he understands the native people. “I was stuck between the hatred of the empire I served and my rage against the evil-spirited little beasts who tried to make my life impossible (Orwell)”. One day Orwell gets a call to kill an elephant that is running loose. He finds out the elephant has killed a man and continues to look for it. Finally, he locates the elephant, but realizes he does not want to kill it. He realizes the crowd is only interested in following him because they want to see him kill the elephant and then take its parts to make money off them.

     Orwell continuously struggles because he sees that at the current moment the elephant is peaceful. He does not want to kill it. With the crowd looking upon him will glaring eyes he realizes he has to kill the elephant to please them. In a way I think he did this so he wouldn’t be embarrassed but also because he wanted to be accepted into this foreign land. Even though we do not always have to make choices on the scale that Orwell did we are still faced with similar issues. Many times we do something we do not want to do just to assimilate, “avoid looking a fool” or find some sense of community. We sometimes thrive on other people’s opinions and need their approval or just can’t handle embarrassment. “The crowd would laugh at me. And my whole life, every white man’s life in the East, was one long struggle not to be laughed at”, said Orwell. Orwell shows how he did not want to kill the elephant, by calling his actions murder. The details involving the elephant’s death are hard to read. The elephant did not die instantly and suffers immensely which causes Orwell to shoot it numerous times so it can die with less pain. His simile emphasizes his guilt. “The tortured gasps continued as steadily as the ticking of a clock (Orwell)”. He can not take it any more so he leaves the elephant.

      Orwell uses this anecdote to express his feelings on imperialism. He hates it and uses the elephant as a symbol. Imperialism is when a nation uses its power and force to  expand into other countries. It is a form of greed. To get more power a country attacks another. The elephant represents Burma. George is the British force that has taken advantage of a defenseless body. The British attacked Burma and they had no force to fight back but only obey. The elephants only protest is the final noise he makes with his trunk. This is almost like the small uprisings the people were having in Burma. The people are trapped like the elephant. They can only serve a master after falling. The people of Burma could not fight back, but they could not disappear because it was their home. They had to deal with British occupation. Orwell hated imperialism because it made him a puppet. He had to serve his nation even though he did not agree with it because he had no other option. The white man “becomes a sort of hollow, posing dummy, the conventional figure of a sahib (Orwell)”. He was doing his job, not expressing his beliefs. Orwell depicts how detrimental imperialism is and the lengths someone will go just to receive another figure's approval.

Syria

          If you asked me about the current crisis is Syria several weeks ago, unfortunately I would have to admit that I was completely ignorant on this topic. In order to get a better understanding on this topic I read several articles and watched a video. To quickly sum things up turmoil broke out in Syria in 2011 when activists peacefully protested against the government. Unfortunately, the government resorted to opening fire on these protestors. Ever since then there has been constant unrest in the nation, bringing forth a civil war. Recently there was a chemical weapons attack in Damascus, which killed numerous innocent people. Even though the Syrian government (Assad) denies that it was linked to the attack, evidence and speculation proves that it was. This has caused America, Britain, and France to decide how they will handle this situation. Both Britain and America have been planning a response. President Obama is completely against the use of chemical weapons and believes that there should be a U.S. strike in Syria and that these chemical weapons should be destroyed. He wants direct involvement. This could lead the U.S. into bringing their own weapons into to Syria for protection and straining its relationship with Russia. Russia does business with Syria by exchanging these weapons.
     Personally, I do not think I am a qualified enough person to decide what is right and what is wrong involving this matter. What I do have to say though is that even though President Obama has a well thought out approach, I think his plan is flawed. Just entering into another country causes unrest among other people. I would not like it if foreigners came into my home. Even though the conditions are horrible for Syrian people and I do sympathize with them I do not feel we should get involved. It is not our job to dictate how another country should rule itself. We should focus on our own home. It is also very risky having our presence in Syria because Russia could potentially get involved and want to harm us too. One war has cost so many lives and a fortune, we do not need another one. We have not fully recovered from the current war and it still has not come to a definitive close. I don’t think it is just to pay for people to get killed, when our nation can do more constructive things with its money such as fund schools instead.
      I read in recent news the U.S. and Russia agreed on a better solution. The chemical weapons would be put under international control so that way they can be eventually eliminated. This plan eliminates the U.S. directly interfering and allows the UN to work together. I think that this solution would have less consequences than the original plan and I hope that it is enforced. It is better to work together than against each other.

              

The City of Light

 The moon flickers overhead aligning perfectly with the limitless charcoal sky. It’s dim golden tint glimmers subtly as if it were shedding light upon the world’s biggest stage. In an instant you forget all the cliches that you have heard about Paris, and become entranced in the city’s wonder. You can’t help but question yourself. Am I dreaming? Even the small boat resting upon the tranquil River Seine mystifies you. It is surrounded by glass walls that reflect the city’s lights and encircle its passengers with elegance and simplicity. The passengers of the glass menagerie have become awestruck and motionless. Slowly and smoothy the small Bateaux begins its journey down the Seine. The glass seems to mask the breathtaking scenery, so you venture out of the menagerie onto the Bateaux’s small splintered wooden deck. Notre Dame stands to the right with it’s gargoyle statues scrapping the night sky. It’s gothic architecture transports you to the reign of Louis VII, but you blink your eyes and sadly realize that you are in the 21st century. You feel the night’s breeze gently caress your face and become rejuvenated when the river’s mist meanders down your cheek. In the distance you can faintly hear people commenting on the sights coupled together with the French music playing from the captain’s quarters.The journey continues and the Bateaux cautiously approaches  every bridge, as if it fears to venture underneath them. Each bridge differs from the other. The marble etchings immortalize anyone from a god to an animal. A material once pale and cold has become alive, managing to sustain the fiery soul of the ancestor it depicts. 

     You scratch your nose as a way of distracting it. The warm fresh baguettes and croissants allow their tantalizing aromas to waft their way into your direction. You can still taste the flakey freshly baked croissant you had for lunch. The molten and velvety hot chocolate center of the croissant soothed your cold body from head to toe. You check your hands to make sure you wiped away the chocolate that trickled down your hands as you took your last bite. Nothing remains. In an instant your hunger is forgotten as you shade your eyes from a beam of light pointing directly at you. You look up and time looses its existence. The buildings surrounding this masterpiece seem to be a backdrop. The Eiffel Tower becomes the focal point and its gargantuan iron structure reminds you of how minuscule in size you are. It seems unreal as it’s lights ripple off the Seine and its grayish brown exterior has altered its color like a chameleon. The golden hue it emits warms your soul and comforts you. The world has temporarily become mute. For once in your life you are content, wishing that this moment can become like the marble bridges, suspended in time. The “City of Light” is in fact all that it is supposed to be. You look over from a distance and smile as the Eiffel Tower looks after its city, gently embracing it with its light.

     The forth chapter of Back to the Lake provides information on what entails a good narrative. A narrative is a form of writing that allows a personal touch. It is a form of storytelling. Narratives contain events and are used for many reasons. They can connect to audiences, entertain readers, record experiences, explain certain topics, persuade people and more. There are numerous branches of narratives. One branch is autobiography. In the book one example of an autobiography is given. It is one of Benjamin Franklin’s writings. In his work he provides personal anecdotes. Narratives can also involve success stories. A good narrative contains before and after points, cause and effect, a climax, follows sequential order, has a plot, has a purpose, addresses an audience, uses transitions, has an argument, demonstrates a point, uses proper grammatical structure and punctuation. They can have dialogue, and be written from the first or third person. 

     Lynda Barry captivates her audience with her relatable narrative “The Sanctuary of School”. The story flows so well because it is entertaining and fast paced. I liked that Barry follows chronological order and provides details within the text. She consistently refers to her feelings, which allows me as the reader to sympathize with her. I understand why school served as her sanctuary because she always felt unnoticed at home. Her desperation and sadness can be sensed through her underlying messages within her sentences. You could see how “ in an overcrowded and unhappy home, it’s easy for any child to slip away” (85). I can relate to her because at times when I’m sad I can find solace in doing an activity I enjoy in a place that I love. For me one escape would be when I would leave home and walk to the bookstore and stay there reading in between the isles for hours. I understand why Barry felt safe at school. She would be noticed by Mr. Cunningham and Ms. Claire LeSane, as oppose to being neglected. When she would draw something it would give her recognition as oppose to being dismissed. I also enjoyed her flash-forward. “It’s only thinking about it now, 28 years later, that I realize I was crying from relief” (85). This sentence allows readers to understand how she currently interprets her emotions. I understood her sadness when she spoke about the funding being cut for after school programming, because children like her would then be in danger of taking care of themselves or “slipping through the cracks”. One thing I did not enjoy in the text was the closing. I think Barry should have closed in a more personal way, as oppose to questioning if the country will help the other children in the nation by pledging back.

     You can see Barry’s argument on the nation’s involvement in public schools by the way she integrates in into her text. She does not approve of budget cuts. “Before- and after- school programs are cut and we are told that public schools are not made for baby-sitting children”, says Barry (58). I can see where Barry’s argument is coming from. Children do not always have the choice to live the life they live. They do not select their families or economic status. Our nation should care about them because they help mold our future. It should not cut funding, and then expect them to fend for themselves. Barry understands the pain of these children and neglect because she has lived through it herself so she is the perfect advocate.

     Detail is another important feature of the narrative. It allows Barry to create the setting. She describes her room, her home, her classroom, and the exterior of the school. Her home is described negatively because it is what she wants to escape, while the school is described positively because it is her sanctuary. Her room is almost something foreign because she was used to it being something she would be “giving up”. Once she would see the edge of her school she would feel a burden lifted off of her.  The school “had the most beautiful view of the Cascade Mountains”. Barry’s feelings would correlate with how she would describe something. All the techniques that Barry incorporates within her narrative are what make it a powerful and intriguing piece.