Heather Havrilesky on Mad Men

1. Havrilesky's main insight about the show Mad Men is that it represents people's desire to achieve the imperfect "American dream" and the harsh realities that people will have to face to reach that goal. She describes many of the characters who have had to suppress or sacrifice parts of their lives to attain whatever their version of perfect is. Once the characters get there, they may find their perfect dream to be lacking in some way.
2. Havrilesky is a television critic for Salon, and she uses specific details as well as generalizations about the show that suggest she has followed it closely enough to have an understanding of each character.  
3. The first two paragraphs play heavily on ideals that most people grow up with, "we should be paid handsomely for our creative talents..." Also later in the essay, she uses specific examples from the character's lives to make it relatable to the reader, describing social pressures of marriage, romantic relationships, relationships within a family, and work.
4. I had seen the first episode of the show when it first came out, and didn't continue to watch because it didn't really interest me. Havrilesky doesn't really describe the premise of the show, so I don't really know any more about it than I did before. It does seem like she wrote her arguments for people who have watched the show and can put her examples into context. In that way she has made me want to go back and give the show another shot just so I know what she is talking about. On the other hand, her arguments are rather disheartening and I don't think this essay advertises why the show would be good to watch, so I remain mostly disinterested.

Analyzing "On Buying Local" by Katherine Spriggs

• Spriggs' main point is that buying locally is better for the environment.
• Her thesis is clearly stated at the end of the first paragraph, "we should give up a little bit of convenience in favor of buying local."
• Some of the reasons she gives are: 
• The US is a major contributor of green houses gas emissions as well as a guzzler of world oil supplies, to transport food goods across country.
• Local farmers would not have to compete against large farms as much to survive.
• Large farms use monoculture techniques that deplete earth of nutrients.
• Small farms are more sustainable, using local and natural resources.
• Buying locally can reduce fuel costs.
• She uses quotes and statistics from a wide variety of sources.
• Yes, her reasons are plausible and sufficient.
• She does mention counter arguments, and uses facts to prove how they are flawed.
• She acknowledges them but holds to her argument.
• she presents the counter arguments respectfully
• avoids sweeping generalizations.
• She uses quotes from experts like the director of research and education at the Center for Global Food Issues, and uses statistics from not only credible, but varied sources.
• Her sources are credible and unbiased.
• Her essay was published in 2010 and all the sources are from 2006 or later, so they are current within the last ten years.
• She does not assume that the reader knows a great deal about the topic and provide appropriate detail and background to make it accessible.
• The language is fairly informal and generally inclusive.
• This is a topic is one that I have studied fairly recently, and I have found that I do agree with all the point Spriggs has made.

Response to Bob Herbert

Herbert is pretty clear about his position right from the beginning of the essay. He uses the example of the high school kid if he knew who the vice president as a lead in to say that the U.S. is holding on to an outdated educational system that does not fit the demands of society today. He goes on to explain that there is a need to re-examine the way the school system is structured. His focus is on two areas: teacher quality, instead of just counting on their paper credentials, there needs to be a higher regard for the teacher’s effectiveness, their social ability to connect with the students; and openness to alternative school models, for instance adopting a longer school day.

 

Herbert’s tone is somewhat demanding, but not in such a forceful way that makes thee reader feel threatened. And he isn’t asking for people to follow his lead, his demands are more along the lines that people need to open their eyes to the current situation and come up with ways to fix this situation. For me, this stood out most on the last sentence of page 89, “The U.S. has not yet faced the fact that it needs a school system capable of fulfilling the educational needs of the children growing up in an era that will be at least as different from the 20^th century as the 20^th was from the 19^th.”

I think he establishes the importance by not just throwing facts and statistics into his writing, but by using the knowledge and opinions of real people, like the high school kid and Professor Kane.

Herbert appeals to values near the beginning when he states that “Over the next 20 or 30 years, when today’s children are raising children of their own in an even more technologically advanced and globalized society, the educational requirements will only grow more rigorous and unforgiving.” And with the very last paragraph, “If American kids – all American kids…” Both of these passages weigh heavily on the reader’s value for a better future for generations to come, and the last paragraph appeals to the value of equality, that every kid in any situation has the right to learn.

I agree with Herbert that there needs to be a change in American education, I just don’t know what that change would be. From my own experiences compared to those of my parents, I think that education has become hyper-focused on certain things, and somewhat neglectful of others. I also think that there needs to be more variety of options for people who learn differently, not necessarily different schools, but more qualified personnel within schools to help and teach those students. I agree that the success of a teacher will be measured by their ability to connect with the students, and though I don’t like it, I agree that new systems with longer days or school years should be considered, as well as number of classes given in a year. One major issue I have had with the education I have received (though it has been very good) is with testing. I thinking testing for placement can be very useful, but within the classroom, tests administered either by the state or by the school sometimes seemed to hinder the learning process. The lessons seemed to be geared more towards preparing for the next test rather than towards gaining knowledge about the given subject.

Possible position paper topics

Things I feel strongly about:

• Society's dependency on technology.
• High costs preventing proper medical care.
• Lack of general knowledge about medical care.  
• Pressure on youth to attend 4 year universities.
• Wages for entertainers vs. service workers.
• General fascination with private lives of public figures.
• William Shakespeare's true identity. 

Response to Tim Wise

Time Wise starts out by clearly stating his position that the term in question is not one that should be used by white people to describe black people. He supports this by explaining that historically the terms has had been used in a negative way, as a form of insult. Wise provides the analogy of the term “red-neck” being somewhat offensive and only appropriate coming from certain people who are involved in that society to make the situation more relatable. He goes on to say that if the specific term is to be reclaimed, it his place, or right, as a white man to take part in the reclaiming.

What struck me most about his lecture was the way he was at ease with the idea that you can recognize racial differences, see that even in the nation as a whole, we are divided by cultures, colors, and attitudes, BUT that does not have to been seen as a bad thing. It is important to realize that you are not racist simply for recognizing differences, you are racist when you use those differences to deem another person beneath you. This is a difference that I think many people have forgotten.

P. 70, Thinking about my writing

The only things I've written recently were either the blogs for this class, my literacy narrative, and fictional stories. Of those options, the only one that really has a specific "issue" that holds any great importance for me would be the narrative. I think the intention for writing the narrative was pretty clear, it was just meant to be informative about a situation most people don’t experience growing up. I suppose my position was a little less clear, but the narrative wasn’t really about something I had a strong opinion about, it was just a description of a series of events, and I find it unlikely that people would disagree with my narrative as it was just a recollection of my experiences. 

"Yes, We Can" Response

The message of the speech is very powerful all on its own. There is a sense of strength behind the words that is expressed in a way that doesn’t make the reader/listener feel weak or overrun, but included and empowered. I a way hope is the most fitting definition of this speech because it gives off the feeling that we are the masters of our own lives and don’t have to be over powered by the social conditions of the world.

I think music can make anything more powerful. So often, I feel that a melody can express raw emotion so much better than words can. That can be useful in trying to make a situation relatable, the audience might not understand the event being described in words, but chances are the will recognize and connect with the emotions floating on a wave of music.

This video gave me chills. The combination of the beautiful harmonies compelling text felt so raw, so real, and so personal, it struck right to the core. Usually it seems that things with such power make the viewer’s feel small and insignificant, but this worked to lift everyone up and give them strength to keep working at change.

HOWEVER, as great as the combination is, there is a drawback. So many voices talking/singing at different times and paces was rather confusing and difficult to follow. The video really depended on the audience already knowing what was being said, which is not a bad thing, but it does make it hard for expanding the following.