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.