What This Class Has Taught Me

My 2010 fall semester of ODU proved to be both challenging and informative. The class I am writing this blog for, criticism and commentary, ended up being one of my favorite classes this semester. I learned everything, from ways to make sure my criticism is done the correct way, to considering popular social debates such as legalizing marijuana and the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in the military. This class opened my eyes to many topics I didn’t know much about.

I learned that good commentary utilizes plenty of research, a logical argument, and a literary style. I learned that my voice is the main voice I want the reader to hear. Not snippets of other people’s voices from other sources. I have to take all the information in and be able to form my own thoughts, options, and arguments. 

My conclusions will be pointless if I do not present them in a way that successfully gets my ideas across to my audience. Much like a painter, I can have all the perfect elements to make a painting masterpiece (my different colors of paint are much like my different pieces of criticism), but if I do not know how to logically make all the different elements come together in an effective way, my vision cannot be seen. 

This criticism class has made my communication foundation so much stronger. I will take what I learned from this class and use it in the future classes down my education path, and I will certainly use these skills in my future career. 

Censorship 101

Is censorship keeping Americans from being free? Freedom of the press and freedom of speech are monitored to make sure nothing too extreme is released into the public. In a way, the government decides what it wants the citizens to have access to. Perhaps it is the government that has the total freedom, and the people have the choice of the watered-down leftovers of what is deemed fit for society. 

Americans have the freedom to read any book they want, right? Then why are books banned for containing racial slurs, excessive profanity, or explicit sexuality? All of that is freedom of speech and expression. While I do agree there is a time and place for such books, I do not believe they should be banned. I do, however, agree they do not belong in schools with children and young adults. At that age, you don’t necessarily understand the significants of such language or obscenities. 

Novels such as Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are censored so young readers can enjoy the story. I fully support that. However, students should also know that a lot of the book is censored to cover up the parts regarding slavery, and essentially, parts of the book were removed entirely. Children need to understand (maybe at a more mature age) that at the time of the book’s creation, that was a way of life. The book’s setting takes place in a Southern area along the Mississippi River. The book was published in the US in 1885, shortly after slavery was abolished. The themes and ideas were not seen as obscenities in the context of that time period. 

I believe censorship is an important part of keeping children protected from ideas they should not know about yet (i.e. violence, drug use, etc.), but I also believe that censorship should not compromise the value of a story the way the author intended it to be told. Our American rights should protect us from having our freedoms taken away; that should also include our right to know the true story of a book or poem, and not be forced to read a “safer” version of a piece of literature.

NPR

NPR, National Public Radio, is a national syndicator for hundreds of radio stations in the United States. The daily NPR radio segments are high in information, but lack in upbeat entertainment. Many would argue that NPR news does not have to be sugarcoated, but instead, given freely to the public to inform them about events. 

One of the ways NPR makes its money is from advertising. Companies know there is a NPR audience, so they make sure to have information about their product on the airwaves. They are not necessarily commercials, but statements about the product at hand. Another way is by charging radio stations to receive their programming and play it for their listeners. 

NPR has listeners from all over the country and beyond. While still broadcasting stories which are relevant to the areas where listeners are, worldly topics are also discussed and debated. With segments airing during the morning, afternoon, weekends, etc., listeners have a decent window of airtime when they can tune in. If they happen to miss the show a particular day, NPR also has a podcast on iTunes which listeners can also enjoy. 

While NPR may not be the most entertaining radio station available, the vast amounts of information cannot be denied. With news on politics, science, worldly events, health, music and the environment, listeners are getting a well rounded amount of knowledge covering many areas. At the end of the day, NPR listeners are well informed about many aspects of life. 

Mandatory Public Service: Yay or Nay?

As of today, America does not require mandatory public services from its citizens. It primarily runs on people’s choice to volunteer for various organizations, such as the military, AmeriCorps, nonprofits, etc. While there is great pride in helping other people, whether from your own country or one on the other side of the world, there are still people that are strongly against mandatory public service in the United States. 

There are benefits from having mandatory public service in any country. Jobs would open up and it would give opportunities to those who would otherwise be doing nothing with their lives. It teaches people to serve others and helps those less fortunate, whether it’s the victims from a natural disaster or a low income family needing work done on their house. Skills are taught through service that cannot be truly understood unless you are in such an environment. It teaches people to be selfless and to not take their life for granted. 

There are people that oppose public service being required, especially in the United States. America is founded on the basis of freedom and the right to choose their own actions. If an American does not want to serve others, then they should have that desire respected and honored by the government. The freedom of choice would be stripped away from all free Americans if mandatory service became implemented. 

Perhaps instead of making it mandatory, programs can be funded in the school system that teaches children and young adults about the benefits of serving others. Free choice is still present, but it is not forced upon them. To find a common ground with this debate, comprise must take place in order to appease both sides.

Wanna' Know What Grinds My Gears?

Hi, Peter Griffin here. Ya know what really grinds my gears? Ketchup. Right when I wanna’ squirt some out of the bottle, there’s gotta be a ketchup waterfall first. I mean, I’m an educated man, but there’s some things I’m just confused and turned on about. Like, what.. is the ketchup that hot sittin’ there in my cold refrigerator it has to sweat all over my hamburger bun?

Another thing that grinds my gears are all these teenagers gettin’ discovered off of youtube and gettin’ record deals. It happened with one prepubescent girl, aka Justin Bieber, and then suddenly everybody is postin’ videos up there. I mean, what is that music doin’ for me, huh? I’ll tell you what it’s doin’ ..nothin’. You hear this silence? ...........  you hear that? .......... that’s what that music does for me.  ........ nothin’. I think I’d rather kiss an H1N1-infected pig smack on the lips, than listen to that Bieber girl sing about being deeply in love at the age of 7.

One last thing that grinds my gears is people tryin’ to start a whole conversation with me through textin’. If I actually wanted to engage in a real conversation with you, I would simply get in the car, turn it on, drive down the road, realize I just accidentally stole the car I’m drivin’, continue down the road anyways, pick up a few cupcakes from the cupcakery that’s next to that old connivence store where that tragic lemonade sale took place, go to your house, and THEN I would talk to ya’. No, not with the use of a telephone. We all know that “tele” is actually French for “don’t,” “pho” means “text,” and “ne” means “me”  ...which translates to, “don’t friggin’ text me like I’m a friggin’ robot, jackass.”  

And that’s it for tonight. Tune in tomorrow night to find out what else grinds my gears. Yeah, that’s right.. I’m lookin’ at you Miley Cyrus. 

The Humorous Side of Political Commentary

Jon Stewart is a political satirist that combines facts with a little bit of humor to make his case. He is also a standup comedian, so his timing and humor are very effective. He hosts The Daily Show on Comedy Central and his set looks similar to something right off of CNN or MSNBC. While his show is humorous and educational with current events, the show is still separate from real news channels. Yes, his voice is being heard, but can real change happen?

The format of The Daily Show features interviews with various celebrities from different backgrounds, such as authors, actors, athletes, politicians, and other public figures. At the start of the show, he opens with a monologue where Jon talks about current events from that day or days prior. While there are real facts and commentary coming from Jon, there is always a slight twist to the news in order to get a laugh.

The show has a loyal following and has gained in popularity since the 2000 and 2004 elections. While it may not be the most reputable television program to watch in order to learn about political and social information, but there is still a lot you can learn from the show. Jon Stewart’s approach to daily news is almost a sarcastic demeanor. For some, this style might be easier to relate to than a boring news segment. Perhaps comical shows like The Daily Show can inform younger audiences, which will lead to more voting on election day. 

Whether you get your news from CNN, Rush Limbaugh, Jon Stewart, or some other political commentator/news source, all that matters is you are getting informed. If you prefer to have a more straight-laced, traditional news fed to you, there’s an outlet for that. On the flip side, if you would rather have news with a slight humorous twist, then there is certainly an outlet for that as well. The most important thing is to stay interested in America’s politics so the best elected officials are in office. 

Facebook: Yay or Nay?

Facebook: the time-consuming black hole that brings out the procrastination in all of us. Facebook is an online social networking website where users share information ranging from last summer’s vacation photos to basic person identification, such as religion, political views, and relationship status. It may seem boring when you look at Facebook’s business model, but when your Facebook “friends” feel comfortable enough to post pictures, videos, blogs, and daily statuses about their life in revealing and personal ways, Facebook suddenly becomes a doorway into their lives. 

I placed “friends” in quotation marks because are Facebook friends really our friends at all? Has today’s definition of “friend” been watered down so drastically that little to no real life interaction is necessary to maintain a friendship? A comment here, a “like” there, a wall post over there; has all of this electronic interaction replaced handshakes, high fives, or visiting a friend to see how they are? I hope the answer is no, but with the constant electronic influence on our daily lives, a true social skills lacking society might be heading that way. 

There are pros and cons to Facebook. Cons: people waste too much time looking into other people’s lives (sometimes on a creepy level), procrastination increases, potential sexual predators can contact younger Facebook users, inappropriate pictures/videos might surface making you lose your job,  and people are likely to create a false sense of reality by constantly updating their status making it appear like they have a life, but they really are home all day doing nothing.

On the other hand, Facebook has several pros. Facebook can serve as a massive contact list. There have been countless times I have gone to Facebook in order to find someone’s contact information. Another plus, you can find old friends you have lost contact with over the years. You can also seek advice by talking to a friend that happens to be online and receive instantaneous feedback regarding a matter. It is also possible to keep in contact with someone that is living across the world. Facebook can bring people together. 

A perfect example proving that Facebook can be a good thing is when you consider the case of my best friend’s mother. She decided to get a Facebook around 2008 or 2009. She was able to track down some old childhood friends and had a pleasant time catching up with them. Earlier in 2010, she was diagnosed with cancer. She was able to document her strong fight through daily Facebook statuses, and people that were states away were not left in the dark about her situation. They had the chance to give her quick words of encouragement through status comments and wall posts. This past August 23rd, she sadly lost her fight against the terrible disease. Her Facebook has almost become a memorial to her where people can still write on her wall expressing their sadness. People can see pictures of her and the life she loved. 

After reading the comments on her Facebook wall, it is clear to see just how valuable Facebook was during her last few months. Her friends expressed how grateful they were that they reconnected before she passed away. No doubt, the conversations she had with friends via Facebook were priceless. Yes, one could argue that she could have called her friends on the telephone, but during that time of extreme weakness, a simple Facebook status did the trick of updating hundreds of her friends in an instant. 

       Love it or hate it, Facebook has certainly made an impact in today’s world. I'm sure there are other similar cases like my best friend's mother, so I hope Facebook is used to bring people together during difficult times. However, odds are Facebook is most used during times of deadline and finals week. I wouldn't expect much less from our society that's rich in procrastination, with a side of creeper. 

The Marijuana Debate

          A popular debate in the United States is whether marijuana should be legalized, or in the bigger picture, if drugs as a whole should be closely regulated, not banned. By making something totally off limits, it almost entices people to give it a shot. See if they can get past the system and do something that is illegal. It has been debated that if something, such as marijuana, became legal, the fun and risk would be stripped away. Perhaps then, less people would feel the urge to experiment with something that is forbidden in America. 

   In America, there are strict laws under the Controlled Substances Act. Illicit drugs, such as cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, etc., are illegal and have harsh penalties if one is found to be in possession of or using any illicit drug. The United States has been trying to stop drug use before it even begins by educating children about the dangers of drugs. Programs, such as D.A.R.E., are able to inform children about drugs, the dangers, and the consequences of drug use. With a strong foundation of drug knowledge, children can then hopefully make wise decisions if they ever find themselves under peer pressure. Even with programs such as these, there are still drug problems in America’s schools and streets.

         A popular debate has been if marijuana should be legal under U.S. law. As of 2010, the legalization has not occurred. Even with the push from liberal states, such as California, the government stands strong in its decision to keep marijuana illegal. There is an entirely different side to this argument when observing the medical side of it. Medical marijuana has been proven to make the nausea and other side effects from chemotherapy more easy to deal with. It has also been proven to help with neurogenic pain, glaucoma, AIDS, arthritis, and stress disorders. With that said, marijuana also unfortunately contributes to short term memory loss, learning difficulties, poor judgment, problem-solving difficulties, and loss of coordination. Clearly, there are reasons to make marijuana legal and reasons to keep it illegal.

Should Placement Tests Occur?

           A placement test is the logical way to gauge what level of education an individual possesses before signing up for classes. Important subjects, such as math and English, are vital if one wishes to flourish in today's society. In a way, colleges put their stamp of approval on each student that enters its doors. The college is held responsible for the educational paths the student takes in order to graduate. If down the road a college graduate student proves to be lacking in the subjects of math or English, all fingers will be pointing at the institution with the question of, "Why didn't this college help this individual have a better grasp of the information?" A placement test is the perfect way to solve this problem.

            One of the greatest aspects about the world is the large diversity of people. No matter where you look, people will be of different race, origin, background, and education level. Therefore, colleges must accommodate such an array of different minds. A college is similar to a mini world, full of people with different ideas and knowledge backgrounds. In order to sort its students out, colleges must use a placement test for all incoming students.

           If five random students were chosen from a major university, the chances are fair that each student came from a different high school or secondary school. In order to keep all students on the same plan of success, they must be tested in specific areas in order to assess their level of knowledge. It would simply not be fair to assume all incoming freshman had the same high school quality in math and English. All schools and teachers vary with different teaching strategies, so colleges have to plan accordingly to make sure each students is set on the best path to success. Failure to not have placement tests will only hurt the students in the long run.

        Without placement tests, students that lack in subjects, such as math and English, will have a difficult road ahead of them. In order to do well in upper level classes, the basics need to be mastered. No new information can build off of a weak foundation. The purpose of placement tests is to put students in classes which make those foundations rock solid. As a result, the more difficult classes will be easier to understand, and the student will be more likely to succeed. 

       With today's economy and fast pace world, more people are wanting to obtain college degrees. Individuals want better lives for themselves, and want to be able to provide for the ones they love. Going to college is the best way to make that dream a reality. The first step is to take the placement test and see where they belong. Students will be placed in classes in which they will flourish, and classes where foundations will be perfected. With so many different backgrounds, all students must be placed on an educational plan in order to guarantee a smart, successful, and functioning member of society on graduation day. 

The Boy Who Lived

        When the clock struck midnight on November 19, 2010, hordes of people all over the country gathered into the nearest movie theater to witness part one of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The excitement in the air was almost tangible as the lights dimmed, and the final book began to unfold on screen before the eyes of eager fans.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, directed by David Yates, begins with the magical world learning that Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) has risen into power and his top priority is to finally kill the boy that always manages to escape his evil plots, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe). Within the first thirty minutes, one of Harry’s allies dies, along with his beloved owl, Hedwig. Clearly, this film is darker right off the bat than previous Potter films. 

The main plot of this movie is Harry finding and destroying horcruxes. A horcrux is a dark, magical object used to obtain mortality. Harry has learned that Voldemort split his soul into seven pieces and placed his soul into different objects, such as a ring, a locket, and a diary. Harry’s goal is to find these objects and destroy them. If Harry can find and destroy all the horcruxes, then he can kill the magical world's darkest wizard, Lord Voldemort. Harry drops out of school and sets off on a journey with his two best friends, Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), in search of the horcruxes. 

Directer David Yates clung closely to the book's story line as he directed this epic tale about Harry finding redemption as he seeks to kill the man, Voldemort, that killed his parents several years ago. This movie utilizes breathtaking environments for the actors to thrive in. Wide angle shots with beautiful mountainous backdrops and endless cornfields translated well on the big screen. 

Yates made sure to create this movie for the fans. The fans that have been there since the very first book came out in 1998. This film is not for those that have never read a sentence of a Harry Potter book or have not seen any of the movies. Odds are, those individuals will be greatly confused. Yates treats the audience like they are well informed of the plot and they know what to expect. With that said, he still packs an impressive punch full of surprise and catches fans off guard. Humor, scares, and perhaps even tears are all carefully threaded throughout this well-rounded film.

As much as there is to love about this film, there is always something to dislike. With this one, it is the fact that the plot had to stop at some point. The fans knew the lengthily book was going to be split into two separate movies. It is almost like you are at a dinner and you eat your salad, your bread, and right before you get your delicious chicken, dinner is suddenly over. When the credits rolled, the climax of the plot was soon about to happen. Now, Potter fans must wait until July of 2011 to resume this story. Love it or hate it, at least the last of the Harry Potter magic can continue for a few extra months.. before the magic ends forever.