Listen Up

Dear future English 110 students,

Throughout this quarter, I have learned a great deal about rhetoric and gained the skills of analysis that I have never had before taking this class. This class consists of very few assignments, and through the in-class lectures, my teacher provided me with a very good base of skills and taught me all the techniques required to do well in this class. However, I can't lie to you and say that this class was easy. In fact, I have said on several occasions that the Analytical Research Paper was one of the most difficult papers I have ever had to write in my entire writing career. On the first assignment for it, I received a C+. On the second assignment, I received a B-. On the final paper, however, I received an A. Alas, I can't really give you any advice that will help you attain an A on every assignment. This is because I believe that you need to fail a few times before you can succeed. No one is going to get it exactly right the first time they try to write this paper. You will need time to carefully revise it, listen to criticism, and correct your mistakes.

So don't be discouraged when you get a C on your primary source analysis. Just read your teacher's comments and take them in. As long as you listen to these criticisms, after several revisions and corrections, you will be well on your way to an A.

Love,

A Former English Student

Your brain on the Internet

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I Wanna Be A Nerd Too!

I don't think I have ever been referred to as a nerd, nor have I ever wanted to be called one. The negative stereotype about nerds that has permeated throughout the last several decades has been so distasteful and looked down upon that no one in their right mind has ever wanted to be a part of it. However, in Chris Hofer's article "Four Eyes No More: The New Nerd," he claims that the "nerd" of the last three decades is being replaced by a cooler, more likeable version of what this stereotype once entailed. He cites several television shows, including The Big Bang Theory and NUMB3RS, on network television that have portrayed likeable nerds as the main characters that have helped to change the stereotype and create a "new nerd," a smart yet suave and cool version of what a nerd once was. Another show I have seen a few episodes of, Chuck, airs on NBC and portrays the main character as a classic nerd. Yet despite his misgivings, he still has an attractive girlfriend and manages to prevail over the bad guys in every episode.


In the last decade the old stereotype of a nerd has begun to vanish, being replaced with a more socially acceptable blend of smart and cool, intelligent yet attractive. Popular culture has completely morphed our perception of this once unique and detested persona. I thought I never wanted to be called a nerd, but after reading this article, maybe I'll change my mind..?

Saving the World, One Book at a Time

Last Friday, I went to see the new film Book of Eli at the South Campus Gateway Film Center. I was enjoying the film, until about halfway through, Denzel Washington's character Eli whipped an iPod out of his knapsack and started listening to some tunes. I did a double take before I realized what had happened. The movie is set in post apocalyptic times- how does an iPod last 30 years? I got an iPod 2 years ago for Christmas and it died midway through last year. Eli's iPod was the oldest version too! Most people know from experience that the lifespan of their iPod is quite a bit shorter than the price implies it should be. This, and other cinematic abnormalities are the primary focus of Charlie Jane Anders' blog, "Forget Nuking The Fridge. It's All About The Post-Apocalyptic iPod!"

However, cinematic implausibilities aside, the iPod depicted in Book of Eli is intended to be more symbolic than realistic. It is sort of like a beacon of hope for Eli- a technological anomaly in a devastating time period with few other physical possessions to cling onto besides a couple firearms and a dearth of water. Anders talks about the emotional connection between humans and these gadgets, which is true not only for Eli (he risks his life and barters a few valuable possessions in exchange for charging his iPod battery) but for many people today. Why else would we pay hundreds of dollars for something so mundane? This is particularly true for cell phones as well. Almost everyone I know, including myself, is attached and completely dependent on their cell phone. Without it, I feel naked. Even though most of the time no one is trying to call me, when I don't have my phone I feel like someone is trying to get through even more. Compare this to Book of Eli- there is not an overwhelming amount of technology in this post apocalyptic world, and yet Eli is able to cling onto his iPod and ***spoiler alert*** use it to save the "word."

My abs are so ripped up... we call it "The Situation"

In the history of reality television, I don't think anything as ridiculously zany as Jersey Shore has ever been aired. The show is like a trainwreck, so absurd throughout that it's difficult to watch and yet, like a trainwreck, impossible to look away. Some people claim to love the show, including myself, but I think deep down everyone hates the contemptible antics that the characters perform in every episode. Furthermore, many bloggers have been taking an interest in the show and its cult following. One blogger from gawker.com, Brian Moylan, has noticed not only their shenanigans on the show, but now that they have achieved some level of celebrity, off the show as well. He rants to fans of the show and whomever else will listen about how the cast members are "behaving badly in clubs, being obnoxious on planes, and canceling scheduled appearances." Moylan's tone is angry throughout the blog, constantly griping about how "their misadventures are going to get tired very quickly."

One important advantage to blogging, which most bloggers have no problem utilizing, is that their tone can be very informal in an effort to connect with the reader and influence their perspective. Moylan writes as if he is having a conversation of sorts with the reader, a tactic he uses to get the reader on his side and to agree with his views. This method is something unique to blogging that cannot be used in other literary mediums. His layout and visual style are nothing special, but this doesn't matter because they would only take the focus off of what really matters- his words. Moylan's blog definitely sheds some light on the guidos and guidettes from Staten Island and Jersey that have been created in the last two months. Meanwhile, it also showcases some of the most important aspects of blogging and its informal, yet influential style.

Subconscious Judgement: It's corn-fusing!

In my room, my shelf is full of nutritious foods that allow me to eat well at all times. I possess no junk foods, primarily because if they aren't accessible, I won't be tempted to eat badly. So if someone were to look at my shelves, I'd hope that they would be impressed by my dedication to healthy eating habits. At the time being, however, my refrigerator is almost completely empty. Generally it is stocked with fruits and water, but I haven't been to the grocery store in a while. This fact alone helps to create my identity. I tend to put things off until the last minute, often not even doing assignments at all and just hoping for the best. I've always wanted to change my tendency to procrastinate, but I have trouble focusing and getting things done.

However, I still feel like some aspects of my personality cannot be ascertained by the things in my refrigerator alone. For example, I am generally introverted unless I am with people I know well. Sometimes I am quiet and subdued and sometimes I am more willing to assert myself to get what I want. Nothing in my food selection could possibly reflect these attributes. On the whole, it's very easy to make assumptions based on food selection. I worked at Dairy Queen last summer, and I silently judged people based on what they ordered, whether I wanted to or not. Every time I eat bad food, I feel guilty for it no matter the circumstances. First impressions and knee jerk reactions are very easy to make subconsciously. But until you get to know someone on a deeper personal level, you cannot accurately judge their personality- especially based on food selection.

I particularly enjoyed David Brooks' article, "The Outsourced Brain." His style was not unique, but it was encapsulating and I agreed with his sarcastic views about the dearth of knowledge plaguing the average person today, created by recent advances in technology. He hit the mark on several types of technology, with a somewhat scarily accurate depiction of what has happened to the majority of people because of these advances. We need to make an effort to control new forms of technology in the future, instead of letting them control us.