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.