USA Today: Superbowl Snapshot

For the response question on pg. 63 I chose the Superbowl snapshot. The quote on the side of the picture says "How we'll use our smartphones during SuperBowl 2013." 
I think this picture is funny.

Here are my three claims about the picture:
1) Since people are using their phones while watching the Super Bowl, this implies that people who are "watching" the SuperBowl are not really watching the Superbowl. Therefore, they are just following suit because everyone watches the SuperBowl.
2) Since peoples' faces are buried in their phones during an important football game, it must be that a lot of people who watch football aren't true football fans.
3) Since people use their phones and watch TV at the same time most of the time, we may infer that people just like to watch TV and talk to their friends about what is going on in the Superbowl because social media is a big part of life now.  

Either way we are always on our phones even when there are important events on TV to us that we want to watch.

Does Facebook define you?

If someone were to look at my Facebook right now I think they would generally think I'm a happy, laid back person. To be honest, some of the things I post could offend certain people. And not everything I post is 100% appropriate, but let's be honest.. not everyone is appropriate 24/7. I would like to say 90% of the things I do post on Facebook are friendly and appropriate just in case someone decides to look me up. For example; an employer, school or anyone else who is important and would judge me from my Facebook page. I don't really use foul language on my Facebook page. I think people would be able to tell I'm a nice person who has respect for herself. Sometimes people post really ridiculous things, for example on Twitter there's an account that is named "slutty girl problems" and girls actually repost things that are basically saying that's what they are. I think people would find some things that I post to be interesting and thought provoking. I don't always post nonsense and what I'm doing on Facebook-- actually I rarely post what I'm doing on Facebook. Also, my grammar and spelling is always accurate, even on Facebook. Spelling and grammar are really important to a lot of people, including myself. It is the difference between looking intelligent and looking like you have no clue what you're talking about. Having good grammar and spelling shows that you care about yourself and people that are looking at your page. I usually keep my Facebook page clean because people really do judge you by what you post online especially if they have never met you in person. Therefore, I think you should always be careful in what you post online because anyone can see it.

The Future of America

A week ago on Monday, President Barack Obama was inaugurated. As expected, he made a speech. His speech can convince us that we made the right choice or that we made the wrong choice voting him into office. In his speech he uses ethos to convince the audience of what he is saying. The audience he is directing it towards is everyone in the United States. But, I think he is mainly directing his speech towards the middle class and lower class. He refers back to the middle class the most and mentions the lower class a few times.  In our economy these are the people that are struggling with money the most and really want to see change. I think the aspect of ethos our president was using is showing that he has unselfish or clear motives in changing our country. In his speech he talks about real people that the audience can relate to. He talks about situations that make you feel proud to be an American and make you feel sad because you know of the struggles in America. Therefore, I have some examples from the speech that show his clear motives and unselfishness.

            The audience President Obama is directing his speech at mainly was the middle class. This is because the middle class makes up most of America so, it would only be logical that he appeals to that class the most. This is an example of how he is directing his speech at the middle class; “We believe that America’s prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class. We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship.” These sentences are directed at the middle class and involve a lot of emotion. It makes you think hard about America and how many families that make decent wages are still struggling. These sentences also show that President Obama is unselfish and has clear motives. He is not talking about the upper class and tax cuts for them. He is not talking about money or something that would benefit himself. He is simply talking to the audience in a completely relatable way. “For we remember the lessons of our past, when twilight years were spent in poverty, and parents of a child with a disability had nowhere to turn. We do not believe that in this country, freedom is reserved for the lucky, or happiness for the few. We recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, any one of us, at any time, may face a job loss, or a sudden illness, or a home swept away in a terrible storm.” This quote is also showing that he has clear motives for changing the future of America. He talks about negative situations but it gives you the feeling that he wants to change them because these things should be in the past. Also, he talks about how anything can happen to anybody. That no one can be sheltered from the dangerous things life brings. To me, it makes me feel like you can relate to him and that the president will actually be there for our country if something bad were to happen. I think in his speech President Obama uses unselfishness and shows his motives clearly; this aspect of ethos definitely makes the audience feel comfortable and able to relate knowing that the president is going to be there for our country in the long run.

Cannabis vs. Alcohol

Everyone knows about the on going debate of marijuana use and whether it should be legal or not. We also know about the debate about alcohol use. The people who think marijuana should be legal tend to point fingers at the fact that alcohol is legal and it kills more people than marijuana annually. According to http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Causes_of_Death alcohol kills about 24,518 people per year and marijuana kills 0. So, why is alcohol even legal if it kills people and marijuana really does not? This is a question that will probably always go unanswered. Marijuana is classified as a drug; it is in the same category as cocaine. Cocaine kills people and cocaine is a very addictive substance. Again, the difference between cocaine and marijuana is that marijuana is basically harmless. Regardless, marijuana still is used to get high and still impairs your ability to think clearly and operate machinery. But, it is not as dangerous as alcohol or cocaine and that is the point this picture is trying to make.

The argument here is that marijuana use is safer than alcohol use. It shows a marijuana leaf with an arrow pointing to a series of events that look happy and fun. Underneath there is a picture of a bottle of alcohol with an arrow also pointing to a series of events. But, the difference here is that this series of events looks as if it is filled with destruction. There is a question underneath the two series of pictures. The question is, “Can you tell which is legal?” If you were to bring an alien to our country and show them this picture and then ask them to answer the question, “Can you tell which is legal?” they would most likely think alcohol is the illegal substance. Thus, bringing me back to the argument in this picture. The picture is showing that marijuana is safer to use than alcohol. But, this picture is bias. Each substance in this picture is considered a drug. Alcohol is just as much of a drug as marijuana. The difference between the two is that alcohol is legal for people 21 and over and marijuana is illegal for anyone who uses it. In the picture, the top series is showing what can happen if you use marijuana responsibly. The bottom series shows the irresponsible use of alcohol and the effect it has on peoples’ lives. Hence why the picture is bias. Whoever made this picture does not approve of alcohol use but approves of marijuana use therefore, showing the responsible use of marijuana and the irresponsible use of alcohol. Him/her decided to show what can happen if you use it in your house with your friends and do not go out to use it. But, if you were to go out and use marijuana there is the possibility of getting arrested because it is an illegal substance. If this picture were to be fair and accurate then it would show someone getting arrested for using marijuana and them sitting in the back of a cop car. Also, if you use alcohol responsibly it could probably be represented by the top series of pictures as well as the bottom series.

In the end the picture is trying to prove that marijuana is in fact safer to use than alcohol. Even though the picture is not an accurate portrayal of what could really happen if you use either substance, the argument still stands. The argument in the picture is that marijuana is safer and more fun to use than marijuana. It does not cause pain or destruction in the end according to this photo. In this photo marijuana just causes you to be happy and silly and to have a good time. It is playing on the good aspects of marijuana use and the very bad aspects of alcohol use to try and get the point across to whoever the audience is. 

For the love of the sea

The ocean is something that has always kept my mind at ease. Ever since I was little I remember loving the sand between my toes and the cold water in the summer heat. It is a relaxing place where I can go and forget about the stresses of reality. When I look out into the vast ocean I feel instant relief and peace of mind. Watching the light dance on the ocean as the waves slap against rocks really puts me at ease. Even in the winter, I love going to the beach and watching the sunset or simply just admiring the beauty of the ocean itself.  This connects to my love of nature and being outdoors. Our Earth is a beautiful place and people should appreciate it more. It starts off simply by stepping out of your front door. For this reason I think the ocean represents me the best because it shows how connected I am to nature. It shows my love of outdoors and all living things. The ocean is peaceful and calm for the most part; which would represent my personality. Ever since I was a baby I have always felt really connected to the sea. Thus, going back to why I love the ocean; It is like my home away from home.