TOW #28 - Move over, Unicorn Frap

https://www.bustle.com/p/starbucks-will-unleash-more-novelty-drinks-in-the-near-future-so-move-over-unicorn-frappuccino-54602

Sadly, everyone’s favorite novelty drink, the Unicorn Frappuccino, is coming to its end in a few days. But while eliminating this sugary, neon colored drink is sad, this opens room on the menu for other Instagram worthy drinks to come. The C.E.O., Kevin Johnson, “confirmed that Starbucks will be adding more limited edition novelty drinks to their menu in the future.” Rumors of the flavor of this drink include a mermaid inspired beverage, as well as a rainbow swirl.

This text (and this drink) displays the pop culture of today’s world; so infatuated with new trends, yet always waiting for the next best thing. While I did not try the unicorn frap and do not plan on doing so, the people I know who have tried it are less than impressed. It seems like a drink that people NEED to try, but only once. This also points out a flaw that everyone wants to conform to new trends, but once they spend 5 dollars on a drink, they realize it is not really all that great.

Starbucks as a business chain is very good at their stuff. They know that people will pay whatever amount of money in order to get an infamous drink because they are Starbucks. Also, I have observed they have such good social media coverage. With Starbucks nationwide, it’s a wonder how much money comes out of their corporation.

I think that at times, we are all guilty of “trying the unicorn frap” in one form or another. Americans tend to be consumers of trends that may not even be logical. But, let’s face it: at least we are passed the silly band stage.

TOW #27 - Bulimia Visual Image

Imaged above is a piece of art work depicting the eating disorder, bulimia. Though the author is unidentified, we can assume they had or knew someone with this disorder, as they are showing the thoughts and feelings a bulimic may regurgitate. The artist makes an argument that bulimics get their inspiration to purge based off of what insults have been said to them. Their purpose is to show other's to be more mindful of what the say to others, as their words or actions could trigger someone to self-destruct.

To an extent, I agree with this artist rendering of a bulimic in action. As a person with a pass of an eating disorder, however, I think that the stigma that bulimia (and other eating disorders for the matter), is only a result of other people's actions is evident. More often than not, bulimia is about controlling an aspect of your life, such as food, as all other parts seem to be spiraling out of control. Being called "Too Fat" or reading proED accounts online may make a person more fragile, but this does not mean that an entire disorder can be sprain from this alone.

In order to eliminate these stigmas or generalization in a society, people who have gone through these illnesses should be encouraged to speak out about their past. This way, a society will be more educated on the subject, and people who know nothing but stereotypes will have a better perspective on what it’s really like to have this burden on their life. Unfortunately, bulimia, like other mental disorders is not easily to detect on a person, as it is expected for people to mask themselves from these problems.

TOW 26 - Diary of Anne Frank (IRB)

 In the early 1940s, in the midst of World War II and Hitler’s reign to kill all “non-Aryans”, there lived a Jewish girl named Anne. Anne, nearing her teens and looking for a way to express herself and her interest in writing, began to record her thoughts and the daily events of her life. It was just before her 14^th birthday that her parents announced they would have to make an abrupt move (or go into a hiding at a friend’s home). Thus was the beginnings of an accredited memoir that has impacted our knowledge of the Holocaust greatly.

Anne’s tone in her diary adds to her purpose of documenting what a young Jewish girl at that time was feeling. She deliberately uses distinct diction to show her feelings of isolation and longing in the Secret Annex. For example, in one of her entries, she writes, “Still, I can’t help telling you that lately I’ve begun to feel deserted. I am surrounded by too great a void.” (33% on Kindle) Anne uses words like “deserted” and “a void” to help communicate her sadness and what she is coping with. She feels bad admitting it, even to her own diary, because she knows she is fortunate to be safe with her family, but the loss of her friends and former life is incompatible. In this way, we recognize how difficult it must have been growing up as an adolescent who was being forced to go into a hiding at the cost of her life. It is astounding how well of author young Anne is, for she remarks the happenings in the Secret Annex in full, comprehensive detail.

I have noticed that often times, Anne’s frustration and boredom has become more and more apparent as the book continues. This is more evidence that the Holocaust affected the Jewish people as a population, both physically and emotionally.

TOW #25 - Anti-Evolution Poster

A bible church is "a type of Christian church which emphasizes the Bible as its standard, and focuses on the original inerrant of scripture. It is typically a sort of non-denominational, evangelical Protestant church." (Wiki) As we see in our history and present, many times, when a religious text is read and conceived word for word as the only truth, it can clash with other's beliefs and cause conflict.

In this poster, Darwin's theory of Evolution is being challenged. Many Extreme-Christian's are against (or at least were against) the idea of natural selection and survival of the fittest, as they sought out to persuade other's that people are the images of god, not an adaption of our ancestors. The author makes the statement that "If evolution were true, moms would have 3 arms". This statement, (recognized as an Either/Or fallacy), shows the illogicality of the argument, as evolution does not provide evidence in the individual, but in a population over time. The only way a maternal figure could inherit 3 arms is if someone who had 3 arms reproduced viable offspring. But, as it seems, someone with 3 arms is probably disabled and at a disadvantage, therefore the environment selects against them and they will face difficulties spreading this trait to their offspring. This statement made by the Bible Church goes to show that people who are anti-evolution, anti-Darwinism often do not even understand the logic behind it.

This poster goes to show that one must examine multiple theories and ideas before becoming fully invested in one. If one keeps an open mind, society will better advance. A lot of times, people get their principles and moral belief mixed up with science. In some instances, this could be a good thing. For example, people genetically engineering their offspring as the “master” individual is morally not right and typically dangerous. But, in the case of evolution, there are too many signs that it exists in society to be consider not possible. In general, moderation of morality and scientific research is beneficial for all.

TOW #24 - Bioengineering professor gives talk on biology, physics working together

http://observer.case.edu/bioengineering-professor-gives-talk-on-biology-physics-working-together/

Herbert Levine, physicist and professor of bioengineering at Rice University, makes the argument that the subjects of biology and physics have inherit similarities. Levine made his argument by appealing to logos. He explained, logically, that cells must use complex degrees of navigation to perform properly in their environment. He writes, "Cells figure out where to go by using primitive ‘senses,’ mostly smell—detecting chemicals—and touch—detecting the hardness of surface." Levine goes on to describe how these movements involve the law of attraction, there for making evident that biology has physics applications.

Another way Levine rationalizes his argument of cell mobility is through analogies. With the knowledge that his readers are of the age of driving, he compares the chemical mechanics of cell structures to a "cell driving car". He draws similarities to a cell and a car whereby they refuel themselves, respond to stimuli and survive in many ranges of environments. In this way, he gives his audience a tangible and memorable way to understand his subject at hand.

Overall, Levine makes a compelling argument. As a student of science, it is interesting to learn how all the facets is interconnected. I would think that chemistry and biology are more directly related, before reading this article, but it seems that all three subjects have some parallels. I wonder what it is like to have a teacher like Levine who also researches in laboratories and makes new discoveries every day. Science is a growing subject in that we still do not know what we do not know. Textbooks are constantly changing and new methods are being brought up, in contrast to history or math, where bureaucratic learning has been practice for years. In conclusion, biological structures are constantly making amazing innovations and people like Herbert Levine are responsible for this! 

TOW #23 - The Little Mermaid Playbill

Alas, the school's musical has come to an end. With all the free time I have without after school, late night rehearsals, I decided to analysis "The Little Mermaid" program in honor of it's closing this weekend. I should confess that this will most likely not help with my PSD (Post-show depression, as theater kids would call it).

Pictured is the outline of a mermaid, likely to be Ariel. She is facing the sun, sitting on a rock just above the sea. This is similar to how the show opens, with Ariel on her rock, looking out to the ocean to a ship that which Prince Eric is sailing. We can infer that this is what Ariel is looking at.

This texts, like the show, makes the argument that people often get curious of the unknown. Ariel, a mermaid, finds herself collecting "human stuff" and eventually (spoiler alert) sells her soul to the sea witch, Ursula, in place of getting legs. Ariel's body is facing towards the sun to highlight this longing.

I agree with this argument. I think that, for as long our existence on this earth, we are drawn to forbidden things. Think Adam and Eve, for instance. The forbidden fruit that Eve ate is equivalent to that of land for Ariel.

In some cases, following one’s curiosity can be a good thing. It can lead to new discoveries, new talents, and rid one of prejudice. For Ariel case, things worked out well for her when she visited the human world (thanks Disney). But, in some case, like Adam and Eve, obstacles will occur. It is imperative that when you follow your curiosity, you’re doing it with the right intentions. Otherwise, disasters may occur, or danger will proceed.

TOW #22 - Does Time Really Exist?

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/biocentrism/201202/does-time-really-exist

“We're living through a profound shift in worldview, from the belief that time and space are entities in the universe to one in which they belong to the living.”

Biocentrism Robert Lanza, M.D. argues in an article that time is more of a social-constructed idea than a reality. He states that he believes that education and experience has shape time. He describes clocks and watches as "comparisons of events", but says that time is conceptually not this.

I agree with Lanza's argument. I think that our sleep and school and work schedules shape how we fill time, but time is not something that is measurable. For example, I think that, whoever came up with the idea that we sleep at night and work during the daylight did this because they were tired, not because it was their definite "bedtime".

Working on "week days" (which is a social construct in itself) and having off on weekends is another society construct. Our bodies and minds are used to the routine of getting up at a certain time and going to sleep at a certain time, but this does night necessarily mean that this can't change. People who often feel in a "time crunch" are actually just having problems following this social construct. In reality, everyone has the same amount of "time" during the day, just some are better at managing this unit of measurement than others.

Thinking time is a social construct may be pessimistic sounding thinking. A lot of people feel this way because questioning things that are yet to have been discovered is out of people's comfort zone. But, like Socrates preached with his method, you can’t discover things if no one ever questions anything. A society that does not tweak and refined their ways is an unproductive, undeveloped one.

TOW #21 - Tao Te Ching by Lao-Tzu

Even at 6 B.C., people were already exploring the best ways to govern a nation. Lao-Tzu (meaning "old master" is rumored to write the earlier piece of text that is "Tao Te Ching". Nothing can be certain about his life, though it's said that he worked in the court during the Chou Dynasty. His philosophical document uses parallelism and distinct pronouns in order to explain to his audience that society is best with little action."

Tzu writes "There is a time for being ahead, / a time for being behind; / a time for being in motion, / a time for being at rest; /..." (29). By using repetitive sentence structure, Tzu is able to communicate the variability of life. He is also able to suggest that there should be a balance of all these activities. This helps prove that we need do little things in order to have a life full of bliss.

In addition, Tzu also use distinct pronouns to prove this. He often differentiates using “she” when talking about the universe, as suppose to “he” when talking about men and rulers. He does it to show how women follow life’s course and do not interfere with life’s path, whereas men often create destruction and mess with the universe’s plan. In this way, he shows that when it comes to action, less is more.

Tzu main point is to emphasize that “If you want to be a great leader, / you must learn to follow the Tao. / Stop trying to control.” (57) His rhetoric, as well as his ideas, were perhaps ahead of his time. But if we consider the true message of his text, we can try to grasp the truth in it. Unfortunately, as time elapses, people often get caught up with the pace of society and forget that at the end of the day, the universe gives us all we need.

TOW #20 - President Trump Is Skipping The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner

https://www.buzzfeed.com/tomnamako/trump-skipping-whca?utm_term=.xplq6KdGl#.lq8oPz3yM

"The annual, celebrity-studded WHCA dinner has long been criticized as a display of too-cozy relations between the media and people they are supposed to cover fairly and critically. It usually involves a comedian or master of ceremonies roasting the president, and then president responding in kind."

This week, Donald Trump has become the first president after Nixon to not attend the White House's Correspondents' Association Dinner. To President Trump, this dinner promotes such "Fake News" he has spread awareness to during his campaign. News reporters like the New York Times, NBC News, and CNN will be in attendance.

Tom Namako makes the claim that Trump is not attending this dinner because his views on the media and how it illustrates himself as a political leader. I agree with Namako. I think that part of Trump’s failure to gain support from most medias sources is the way he handles criticism. It seems that whenever the President is critiqued, he has to shoot back with a tweet or a snarky retort. Take Meryl Streep’s acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, for instance. When Streep spoke out about how it is troubling to know that someone who is that insensitive to disabled people could be representing our country, instead of responding to Streep with an apology, or even a rational behind his earlier claims, Trump instead felt the need to tweet about it, like a teenage girl. He said something along the lines that Streep was an overrated actress, and how her comments were violent.

I think that, when examining what makes Trump and other inefficient leaders weak is that of their use of the rhetoric. Maintaining ethos at all cost should be essential for anyone politics, especially towards those who opposed your views. If this is not practiced, people will dislike one not just because they disagree with them, but because they think one put their emotions in the way of their craft.

TOW #19 - Dear Evan Hansen makes Top 10

http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7694135/billboard-200-chart-moves-dear-evan-hansen-hamilton

http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7694135/billboard-200-chart-moves-dear-evan-hansen-hamilton

In a weekly update of the top albums purchased and consumed, Billboard music makes mention of frequency of Broadway musical cast albums on this chart. Dear Evan Hansen has become the Hamilton equivalent of the year. So far, the cast and crew has sold about 29,000 albums, putting them at number 8, (behind Lady Gaga and Rebal McEntire).

In the article, Keith Caulfield, co-director of charts at Billboard, writes of the past musicals to make the top 40. This list is small, with the inclusion of Hamilton (obviously), The Book of Mormon, and Hair. Caulfield argues that in order to have this degree of success as a Musical soundtrack, a requirement of modernism is needed.

I agree with Caulfield’s argument. As a theater nerd myself, I am always aware of the differences between the “mainstream” musicals out, as suppose to the “hipster” musicals the me and my friends listen to. For example, I know a lot of people who listen to Hamilton despite not being into musicals at all. What makes this musical so popular is its similarities to modern-day music (as well as its historical accuracy, for some). That being said, I imagine if I showed these non-theater people the soundtrack to Sunday in The Park with George or Evita, they would not show the same enthusiasm.

Caulfield uses inductive reasoning to reach his argument. First, he mentions specific musical titles, like Hamilton, Hair and Dear Evan Hansen. Next, he tells us what these scores have in common. He draws the conclusion that all the top musicals are also the most similar to the top music on the radio. Finally, Caulfield synthesizes that all the Musicals to make the top 40 display a commonality of conventionalism, and because of this, in general, musicals that have “pop” sounding scores are more successful.

TOW #18 - They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky (IRB)

Judy A. Bernstein writes of the tragic events that took place during the Sudan Civil War in the autobiography, "They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky". This accredited book tells the story of three boys, Benson, Alephonsion, and Benjamin, the three of them brothers and cousins. These "lost boys" were sent across the world from Sudan to Ethiopia and Kenya in order to escape the terrible conditions of their hometown. The book is structured with alternating passages narrated by each of the three boys' perspectives.
Found in the title, the author plays allegory of the children's story, "Peter Pan" when often referring to the three boys as "lost". This comparison is genius, as it displays just how young the boys were when having to flee the country, and contrasts with the immature nature of the "lost boys" in Peter Pan. Another rhetorical device used in the book is vivid imagery. When describing the events, the boys do not shy away from telling the horrible truth. Benson describes the journey in saying "We could feel our bones trying to exhibit themselves to the world. Everything around us looked ugly and wild. We couldn't find happiness in ourselves, and no one could put it in us." This appeals to the audiences Pathos using upsetting and bleak diction. It also adds to tending the purpose: to display and bring awareness to the underprivileged countries in our world.

Before hearing of this book, to be completely honest, I did not even know of the Sudan Civil War. It is not commonly taught in History classes (at least Wissahickon’s history classes), so I felt a little ignorant to the situation, especially after reading the first view chapters. I am a prime example of why this book is so important in all its arguments. I hope in the future that I can have a voice in helping weaker nation who may experience similar cruelty such as the ones faced in Sudan.

TOW #17 - Beyonce's Pregnancy Photoshoot

In the midst of this week, it was announcing that the multi-millionaire couple, Beyonce and Jay-Z, are expecting twins! The news has spread all over the media, celebrating and anticipating the birth of "Queen B"'s second and third child. Along with the release of the announcement, an album of a collection of photos of the artist has also infected the media. Besides it being beautiful and perfectly timed (well played, B), the photo shoot also employs many rhetorical strategies used to prove the artist's central claim that she has "Three Hearts".

First off, Beyonce is sporting her wedding val. This reveals that she is still in a committed relationship with her husband, as well as further entailing she is keeping her vows. Beyonce is wearing her undergarments, showing that she (and other women) can still be beautiful and youthful although pregnant and a mother, which defies the stereotypes of what an expecting-mother should feel. The background of flowers could be suggesting the natural beauties that life has to offer. This shows how Beyonce values the patterns of nature and draws a metaphor of "the flowers blooming" and her twins growing. With her hands on her stomach, Beyonce shows the closeness and gives off nurturing body language between her and her babies.

Overall, Beyonce’s photoshoot “I Have Three Hearts” is intellectually sculpted to grab the media’s attention. It reveals Beyonce as a mother, as well as shows the underlying message that motherhood is beautiful and should be cherished. Like so many other famous people, she wants to show her audience and followers that she experiences many of the same aspects of life, despite being a celebrity. It seems apparent in many aspects that generally, famous artists want to be recognized as people too. Specifically, Beyonce points out through her pregnancy that she lives an ordinary (and perhaps a little glamorous) life.

TOW #16 - How Not to Die (IRB - Second Post)

When it comes to health, you would be surprised how much nutrition factors into the prevention of many common diseases. Dr. Michael Gregor, an internationally-renowned nutrition expert and founder of nutritionfacts.org would attest to this. An advocate of a plant-based, herbivore diet, Gregor takes his readers illness by illness in proving that the "standard American diet" is really standard for disease. He examines 10 of the most common leading causes of death in book How Not to Die.

Gregor not only shows the fault in our diet and perception on health, but he also recommends substitute products in place of the "garbage we call food". For example, prostate cancer is linked to the consumption of cow’s milk (which makes sense, as their milk was not meant for us to digest). If we eliminate dairy from our diet, and replace it with a tablespoon of flaxseed a day, any hereditary linkage to this type of cancer can be avoided.

It is easy to turn a blind eye to things that do not affect us in the present. For example, if you do not have breast cancer, it might be hard to imagine having it; ergo, steps taken to avoid it may seem unnecessary. In addition, people do not like to do things outside of their comfort zone. If you have grown up on cheese and assorted meats, it might seem impossible to live without it. This makes Dr. Michael Gregor’s argument more challenging (and all the more important) to attack. In teaching an audience who might not see the long term effects of a healthy lifestyle, it’s important that you are forward, but not too complicated with your presented evidence. Gregor does just this. He presents his findings and explains their significance, adding just enough detail to earn him credibility while not being too complicated.

How Not to Die is the perfect book for people who are interested in improving their health but are unsure how to go about this (which is quite fitting for the New Year)!

TOW #15 - Professor misses class thinking school starts next week (Satire)

With the current semester at colleges and university starting off, The Oakland Post leaves room for humor. In "Professor misses class thinking school starts next week". student Nowshin Chowdhury writes a story describing a mishap at Oakland University in order to satirize a society's principals. She uses irony and parody as a way to make evident to her audience the ridiculousness of our emphasis on school.

She uses irony when writing, “I am not in denial,” professor Ian Denyle said to his wife on Jan. 4. “School starts next week. I’m still on vacation. Oakland is a great institution that recognizes our hard work and rewards us with much-deserved, long holiday breaks.” Obviously, the professor has said the opposite of the outcome of him missing the first day of class, thus satirizing teachers for being miss informed. In case of parody, the whole article is filled with specific times, like so: "At 4:20, students left the room, and the lights went out in the empty classroom." This kind of specifies gives off the effect that the manner is serious and that exact times are crucial to the situation. Chowdhury does this as a way to ridicule her readers of college students, who might feel worked up over the little details of their current schedule.

Nowshin Chowdhury proves to be a successful writer in the field of satire, a talent very admirable for someone of collegiate-age. She remains respectful with her subjects, while poking fun at them and their need to stress over their education. I think a great tie in to the theme of this essay is to quote Mr. Yost: “Relax; it’s just school.”

TOW #14 - To Help the World's Poor, Give Them Real Jobs

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-07-07/to-help-the-worlds-poor-give-them-real-jobs

In a country with arguably the richest humans, Charles Kenny makes the argument that this make poverty in turn, inevitable. The U.S. unemployment rate is 7.6 percent, which is seemly lower than that of the national average (6 percent). How can we change this? Kenny suggests that we create an environment with self-employed jobs, like farming, are more prevalent.

In supporting his synthesis, Kenny uses comparison to the two countries, India and Pakistan. Kenny tells how in these countries, more families are able to be more self-sufficient in the job market. In turn, unemployment rate is less than 5 percent. Kenny uses logos in his argument to describe the tradeoffs of this difference in economy. For instance, he states "Survey evidence suggests that being in the bottom fifth of India’s income distribution means your children have around a 12 percent chance of dying before their fifth birthday, compared with a countrywide average of closer to 8 percent." By using statistics and giving information on how other countries improve in this specific area, the readers are able to have a better understanding on this complex subject.

I think Kenny makes a valid argument, although I notice that he does not cite any of his sources. Perhaps this is because he is a senior fellow at the Center of the Global Development, therefore does not see it necessary here. He also contradicts himself when comparing our economy to that of developing nations, and it seemed to weaken his stance and credibility. I would be curious to read more from this author.