Facebook, The Mean Girl and Me

Citation: Brodesser-Akner, Taffy. "Facebook, The Mean Girl and Me." Dialogues: An Argument Rhetoric and Reader. Boston: Longman, 2011. Print

Summary: Brodesser-Akner explains in her essay about the years of growing up and growing apart from her friends. She tells the audience about her struggle in school to be accepted by her once best friends and by girls she tried to befriend. Her middle school career was laking in the social department and she never seemed to have best friends. However, since Facebook she is able to feel more accepted because she has added them as "friends" and them liking her posts and pictures makes her feel like they accept her again with a click of a button. Also, since she can talk to them via messaging she has seemed to notice that they are not as perfect as she thought they were or turned out to be.

Quote: "Why, then, am I sitting at my computer, concerned to distraction over the activities of the people who were cruelest to me during my favorite years."

Reflection: Facebook has become a new wave of communication. We seem to just add anyone that we have mutual friends with but, thats not really what Facebook is about. Its about keeping up with friends whether they are old or new. Time and, time again I find myself going through and deleting people I don't feel I should be friends with. However, I can't seem to delete the girls in school I didn't really like or I wasn't friends with. Just like Taffy, I seem to get enjoyment out of seeing what they are still doing and how they have turned out. Also, I feel when they like or comment on my page that they are just as fake as I thought they were. There will always be some enjoyment on being updated with someone else's life. It is interesting how we can be drawn in to someones open life on the internet.

The Zukerburg Revolution

Citation: Gabler, Neal. "The Zuckerberg Revolution." Los Angeles Times 28 Nov 2010. Web. 7 Mar 2011.

Summary: In this Neal talks about Mark Zuckerberg new form of messaging and wondering how Neil Postman would react to Facebook. Stating that Facebook is a billboard of oneself and that the more we socialize on the internet the less creative and less intelligent we become. Also, that Zuckerburg is the anti-Guntenburg. 

Quote: "Gutenberg's Revolution left us with a world that was intellectually rich. Zuckerberg's portends one that is all thumbs and no brains."

Reflection: Gutenburg did change the world with his invention, but so did Zuckerburg. As we continue into the future we are communicating more instantly. Just because Facebook is a billboard of ourselves does not mean we can't  enjoy the thrill of sharing our lives with our friends we accept. If you don't want someone to see it don't post it. Now, I do understand what the quote is trying to explain. In todays society we have become obsessed with technology and the rapid communication between people. We are constantly on our computers and phones replying to different forms of communications. This would be the "thumbs and no brains part." However, technology has grown with educational means too. We can now download books onto our computers and phones. We can learn languages and google information. Yes, this seems lazy, but we are still using our resources and learning by searching. Once we have done that we can share it through email, text and Facebook. Its all sharing and informing people of what is out there. We are not just typing and posting random information. It is networking and staying in touch with people. Facebook has become huge. I know I catch myself on it when I should be focusing on other things but, I do know that when one of my friends posts an online news article about something she saw or read, I am more likely to read it than watch the news since I am never really home to watch TV. Technology continues to expand. So instead of questioning it, except it and see how it is changing the world. 

A Stigma That Never Fades From: The Economist

Summary: This article explains the high incarceration rate in America and how is differs from other countries such as China, Russia, Europe, etc. It gives examples of the percentage of convicted males in the past years. Stating that the reason it has gone up, and the reason the U.S. has the highest statistics, is because America has a very high criminal and homicide rate. The article also talks about how the inmates are convicted and the time they have to face. Explaining the requirements one must have to get out early, that it might possibly be racial discrimination. Also, that rehabilitation used to be something offered but studies show that it might not even be affective.  

Citation: “A Stigma That Never Fades.” The Economist.  18 Aug, 2002. Web. 8 Feb, 2011. http://www.economist.com/node/1270755?story_id=1270755

Quote: "A survey of Californian inmates found that half were functionally illiterate. Prison could fix some of those social disadvantages; usually it does not. So the typical inmate is released from prison with all the problems he went in with—plus a prison record that makes finding a job or a place to live even harder."

Reflection: I picked this quote because I feel very strongly against it. I don't think when you are convicted of a crime, and are sent to prison, you should be given a hot meal and education and a pat on the back. What you did should not be fixed by my tax dollars that are going to your education; when I am trying to get my own that I am spending thousands of dollars a year for. 

They chose to go down the wrong path in their earlier years. That is their problem they wound up in that situation in the first place. You are the only one who can control your actions, and if you chose to do the wrong thing you deserve to be punished. Not sent to prison to be educated and expect to get out and have a new life handed to you. Also, even if they were educated those who are getting out are just going to finish what they started or continue what they did before, and for that 1% who want to change their lives around can go back to school. That is one amazing thing about America, is we have plenty of opportunities to turn our lives around. One just has to want to do that.

The Meaning of 9/11 By: Morris Berman

Summary: In this essay Berman opens the truth to The American Invasion of Iraq. Stating that the invasion "was about a lot of things, but it certainly was not about Iraq." He explains the lies and tactics that the United States government did to keep what was really going on quiet. Things like "making up a story to tell to the American people." Berman also emphasizes on the fact that The American government does not really care about the Western heritage and that many were saying to basically just wipe it clean, and that one day the truth will eventually come about the 2003 Iraq war. 


Citation: Berman, Morris. “The Meaning of 9/11.” They Say, I say with Readings. Ed. Russel Durst. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2009. 322-341. Print.


Quote: "What to do? One tactic was to keep repeating a lie..." 


Reflection: This quote really shocked be because he fact that one of the governments 'tactics' was to 'keep repeating a lie' to the people just proves that they really don't tell us everything. Also, that most of the information on the news we hear is manipulated so it sounds better than it really is or that it is said in such a way that you can't make clear sense of what they are really trying to convey to the American people. 


I know if I was told exactly what was going on inside the Pentagon that I would feel like am respected as a U.S. citizen. That my opinions and idea really do matter. The fact that I am lied to on a regular basis of what is really going on makes me feel that the government doesn't care about the American peoples opinions or what we feel is good for our country. 

The Growing College Gap By: Tamara Draut

Summary- Tamara Draut explains in this essay how the 'college gap' is getting bigger in colleges around the United States. Many students are struggling to pay for school since tuition has gone up, and how financial aid nowadays is being given to those who are already capable of paying for college. Draut also emphasizes on the expenses and harsh competition in today's classes in many colleges. Many elite schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Yale give tours that are also very costly to those who even want to consider going there. However, if you do not have the money you can forget about your childhood dream.


Citation-  Draut, Tamara, "The Growing College Gap," They Say I Say with Readings. Ed. Russel Durst New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2009. 378-391. Print.


Quote- "When student aid is focused on merit rather than need, it tends to go to students from families who can already afford college tuition."


Reflection- This quote stood out to me because it bothered me that nowadays college financial aid is going to people who do not really need it. Financial aid should go to those who really struggle with money and who want to go to college to have a better education. It should not go to those who are already qualified to pay for college tuition. Also, financial aid should not be based on mart. Financial aid has aid in it for a reason. Now, I understand that even though people who have the ability to pay for school does not mean they shouldn't have some help for expenses since college is indeed very expensive. However, there are plenty of scholarships that can provide the support for more privileged children. Financial aid needs to go to those in need of it. 


I am very fortunate to be able to pay for my education and have the ability to better my future. On the other hand, I feel passionate about those who want to have the chance to educate themselves just like me. I would never expect that since I am more privileged that I should get financial help. I want those who are in my generation to receive it because I know the further of tomorrow will be more benefited with more doctors, lawyers, teacher, and educated mothers and fathers.   

The Decline and Fall of Declinism By: Alan W. Dowd

Summary: In this essay, Dowd was arguing that America is not in any way going down hill. Also, that the French President Nicholas Sarkozy couldn't have said it better than" The United States is the worlds leading economic, military, and monetary power... [the] economy is flourishing, [and the] intellectual life is rich." He emphasizes on the GDP and per capita income of the United States. Dowd also adds economic statistics to support his argument about the strength of America by listing the growth of Walmart, McDonald's, Computers, and Coke products proving that we are in no way in a "steep decline." 

Citation: Dowd, W. Alan, "The Decline and Fall of Declinism," They Say I Say with Readings. Ed. Russel Durst New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2009. 404-409. Print.

Quote: "Some people don't want to admit it, but America is in great shape."

Reflection: The reason I picked this quote was because it caught my attention before I even continued reading the essay. It made stop and think about America and what it really meant to be an "American." We hear about all these horrible things going on around the world like bombing, genocide, and sick and injured people who do not have any help and we complain about the TV going out or the shower not getting hot enough. However, at the end of the day we should be happy and lucky that we even have a TV to watch or a nice shower to bathe in. Everyone forgets about what we are blessed with as Americans and the opportunities we are given. 


Once I continued reading I agreed with Dowd that America is in very good shape compared to places such as North Korea. The U.S. economy represents 20% of global output. America has its problems that will be fixed but, at the end of the day we are still thriving and importing and exporting goods all over the world. 


When Dowd explained the growth of the fast food market, stores, and computers he mentioned that,"Google was created by a pair of Stanford graduate students without any government help at all." That just proves the power in America. It is not just government that is in power but, the people and the nation make a difference and that is why we are still so strong. We are giving so many more opportunities and privileges and anyone can make a difference if you want your voice to be heard like the Stanford students. They did something they believed in and are now very successful. Everyday you should wake up and go to sleep with a smile on your face knowing that you have it much easier than many people around the world today who would give anything to live here in America.