Assignment 6:Create Your Own Adventure

What interests you? What is your point of exigence?

This week, create the three writing prompts that you find most intriguing. Then, choose one prompt and respond to it.

Ready...

Go!

Due Sunday, October 2 at 11:59 pm

Television

It's hard to argue against television being the ultimate source of media. I mean, what else compares? It beats radio by offering moving pictures, and functions as a radio if you are blind. Newspapers don't talk to you, and the pictures in magazines don't move. Who wants to read about lasts nights big game when you have the option of watching it as it happens? Television is obviously the big dog in information giving to the masses, and with every type of media it has it's disadvantages. Sure, there's advertisements, but there's also ads everywhere else there isn't TV. Other media sources have just as many ads as TV, but television ads are even more entertaining than color pictures or radio ads. People talk to each other about their favorite TV shows, sports, news, even major current events, most people have discovered through their home televisions. The reason things involving television are so popular are because nearly everyone can relate to them. People simply prefer watching their favorite actors on stage over seeing nobel peace prizes being handed out, for the fact that it is less relevant to them.

TV

I don't watch TV much anymore. I used to watch TV a lot, but then I realized two things. One, they were replacing all of the good shows with just awful shows. Two, the awful shows all had the same exact premise. They were all cut from the same cloth. Now, I watch very little TV. Most of the tv I watch revolves around 3 main channels: Comedy Central, Spike, and ESPN. Between the stand-up comedians and the regular shows, like the Daily Show and Colbert Report, it gives a good variety of different types of comedy. They also throw in the occasional movie once in a while. Spike has a very limited variety, but is good nonetheless. Between Blue Mountain State and Deadliest Warrior, it keeps me realitively entertained. And then there's ESPN. This is what I do instead of certain homework. I watch the same clips over and over. ESPNU also comes in handy during lacrosse season, but that's pretty much it. Most of the other shows on TV just annoy me. The news channels are garbage and the kids shows are trash. Honestly, if it came down to sleep or TV, everyone in this class would choose sleep.

Television

As almost everyone else had mentioned on here, I watch TV to be entertained. I also find it to be one of the most effective methods of relaxation. Currently, my favorite shows include It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia and Wilfred. I typically watch shows that are stylistically different and that can make me laugh. As much as I love a good drama or soap opera, I ultimately prefer a comedic show. Sorry, but I'm not really relaxed or able to experience the giggles after finding out Dr. House is addicted to Vicodin. THATS JUST ME THOUGH. As much as I love television, I also recognize its detrimental qualities. There have been several occasions in my life where I have felt as if my chronic procrastination was created by having too much interaction with technology, such as TV. I wouldn't classify watching Television entirely as a waste of time though, as it provides people with a cultural identity. Without it, people would not discover new styles, learn vital information, etc. At the end of the day, television is a resource, and like all other resources in existence must be used in moderation. However, it is essential that we DO utilize it as a resource and not completely remove it from our lives.

TV

I watch TV to relax and be entertained. It feels good to be able to come home and sit down with my family and watch cake boss or a movie before starting on homework or other things. It provides a little get away for me sometimes. Some of my favorite shows are probably NCIS, Criminal Minds, Cake Boss, and Glee. The only show i really try to follow is Glee, and I do a pretty bad job of that. I usually end up watching it at Hulu or a friends house. But NCIS or Criminal Minds is almost always on. But I also love being able to watch movies with my family on tv. A few moments ago I was watching Lord of the Rings with my family before coming to write this, in fact it is still on in the background. It may not be the most intelligent thing but it doesn't always have to be. I just watch it to be entertained and relax after a day of thinking at school. Granted it is sad that some people consider the things that happen on these shows and such more important than things like the Nobel Prizes.

Why I watch TV.

The main reason that I watch TV is to be entertained. When I was younger I use to watch TV all the time and even watch it when there wasn't anything on TV that I wanted to watch. Now that I am older the only time I watch TV is for sports or to watch my favorite TV shows. My favorite shows are Hawaii Five-0, NCIS, and Criminal Minds. I like all of this stories for one reason because they entertain me and keep me guessing. The other reason that I watch TV is to watch sports in general or specifically some of my favorite teams. The main difference between my TV watching now to what it use to be is that I finally have grown out of the feeling that nothing was entertaining as watching TV. Now I have many things that I would rather do then just sit in front of the TV and watch something that I don't even want to watch. I have reached the conclusion that TV should be for entertainment and not as a time consumer. You should only watch TV when you are watching something that truly entertains you or you gain something positive from it. One type of the shows that I do not like are reality shows. I feel that most of this shows are over dramatized and the people on them are often dysfunctional and overall bad people. The main type of people on these shows are people that are so desperate for fame or attention that they are willing to put on an act or act like something or someone that they aren't just so they can become famous and make some money. An example of this type of show is Jersey Shore, all the people on that show do are go out at night and party and do other stupid things and for some reason people find it entertaining to watch these people fight and just overall do irresponsible things with each other.

TV or not TV

The title was meant to be a "To be or not to be" joke... probably failed.

I don't frequently watch TV. Its not because i think its bad for you or i could be more productive. But as a general rule, i find books more imaginative and entertaining. Not to mention less commercials. I most often watch tv when i watch sports. Football and basketball. These are beautiful ways to waste hours away. However, i only follow one NFL team and two NCAA teams, any more would be overkill for me. I dont even always watch my teams. I dont regularly watch shows. But thanks to netflix, I can. The shows are all chronologic and just waiting to be watched, with no commercials. My new favorite shows are weeds, blue mountain state, and archer.

TV is a great form of entertainment. Movies are more so. Thats why my favorite tv channel is probably FX, which has the movies. Advertisers these days abuse TV to the extremes. 100 minute long movies suddenly becomes 135 minute movies. Not to mention football games, every timeout, every quarter, every call, every touchdown there is a commercial. the Superbowl alone makes me despise commercials. Advertisers spend an entire year trying to come up with funny or catchy commercials for the superbowl. This is the abuse to the max. I'm not sure what inane means, but given the context I assume useless. TV isn't useless. Huddling around the radio to listen to a basketball game or to hear a presidental speech doesnt have the same appeal as watching it on tv. As a tangent, TV isn't useless because it helps bond people and make relationships. Such as, friends or families watching a tv series, the guys getting together to watch a game, or the young democrats watching an obama speech. TV is popular and it is that way for a reason.

TV!

I am not a frequent television watcher. There are only one or two shows that I actually care about enough to keep up with constantly. Other than that I watch TV when I am bored or just feeling lazy. I watch it because I am sick or I feel like I don't really have anything better to do. I watch almost no TV at all during the week. I don't have time. There are so many things going on in my life that I don't have the time to sit down in front of a screen and do nothing for an hour or two each night. Also, if I watch a lot of television, especially consecutively, I feel unproductive. I think of all the things that I could be doing other than that kind of regret wasting my time.
As I said at the begging, there are a few shows I do keep up with. The number one show that I love is Glee. That is the one that I have to watch every week (even though I can't watch it when it actually airs). Some more shows I love but don't keep up with are: Law and Order Special Victims Unit, Big Bang Theory, Project Runway, Teen Mom, Dance Moms, and Switched at Birth. These are the ones I just watch randomly when I am bored.
The shows I hate are mostly shows like Untold Stories of the E.R. which have a lot of blood. I don't do well with blood and hostpitals which is pretty much exactly what the show is. Also, I don't like Dora the Explorer. I never have. She has annoyed me ever since I watched it for the first time.

Why I Watch TV

I watch TV because I like it. I enjoy being able to sit down at the end of a hard day, turn on E! News, and relax. Granted, E! News is not the most intellectually stimulating program that I could choose. But, I do enjoy watching other programs that do actually have some substance. As a matter of fact, I will watch basically whatever is on television. I watch basketball with my sister, the History Channel with my dad, and cooking shows with my mom. Just like with music, I can respect and usually enjoy whatever is played for me.

Currently my favorite TV shows are Glee, Psych, and The Office. A lot of new shows are premiering right now so the list will definitely grow soon. I also have a few guilty pleasure shows like Billy the Exterminator (weird guilty pleasure, right?) and I’m always up for a good cake show.

Television

I watch television because it entertains me. Simple as that. If something is entertaining (and appropriate), then I don't see why you wouldn't watch it. Unless I have a bunch of homework to do or places to go, I'll probably either be on the internet or watching TV. The fact that television is so readily available with so many options of what to watch makes it hard to resist. At any given time, there's probably something on that would entertain me. That's the problem, though. Someone with little self control that is put in that situation would have a really hard time getting anything done. Priorities are important; I'll try to finish my homework before I watch TV, or have some time allotted afterward to do it.

The shows I like include How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Tosh.0, and Wilfred. I'm a fan of comedy. I also watch sports and SportsCenter very often, and the news every so often. The shows I dislike are mostly those lame reality shows. Not all, but most. It all just seems so fake.

As for what the whole Emmy's-Nobel situation says about society, I'm not sure if it is good or bad. But it is unavoidable; TV appeals to a much larger crowd than the Nobel Prizes. Naturally, this would mean more coverage and attention on the Emmy's. It's a shame of course, because the Nobel Prizes signify such great achievements in the real world. But I'm not sure if I can see a way around it.

Television

I watch television. You watch television. Everybody. Watches television. I've always been told by my doctor that television rots your brain. But if this is true, and everybody watches television, wouldn't everyone have rotted brains and be dumb? The only plausible answer is that television rots your brain in excessive amounts. The key to partaking in this easily attained commodity, like so many other indulgences, is moderation.

Television is probably one of the most recognized forms of entertainment. I'll agree that sometimes, after a long day, it feels fantastic to plop down on the couch and relax. That's okay. Even watching a show or two (30-60 minutes) everyday I'll deem not bad. But if television becomes your main form of diversion, then that becomes wasteful. Most of us can spare an hour or so a day on personal pleasure, but after that, you begin to realize all of the things you could have accomplished with that time you spent watching TV.

Personally, I don't watch much television. I feel that I don't get much out of it, entertainment-wise; it doesn't capture my attention. When I do, it's usually a sports game or sports show, but even those seem to be uncaptivating. I get more out of the internet (where you have an even greater selection of browsing) or actually playing sports (physical activity). I wouldn't want to cut the cable, but if we did I would live untroubled.

TV

There are lots of reasons one would want to watch the television, as it has so much to offer. You can learn about the news, weather, cooking, space, and all kinds of stuff. The only thing i watch on tv is sports, the news, and occasionally a funny show like the office or scrubs. I think tv is a good way to relax and take your mind off things.
I think the biggest part of tv is the news. The news helps us to connect to the rest of the world, and be aware of whats happening in places from New York to California. I don't think there are many instances when tv is an inane use of time. If your supposed to be doing something else like homework or your english, and instead you just watch tv, its a waste of time. Other than that tv is a great luxury to have when used in moderation.
I think its a bad thing that the Emmy's have a ton of attention when Nobel Prizes don't. The Emmys, to me at least, aren't even a huge deal. Even compared to the grammys or oscars i don't care about them hardly at all. That being said, Nobel Prizes are really important, and i think its a bad thing these don't get at least a block of programming on television.

Television!

I watch TV when I don’t feel like doing anything else. It’s not something I set aside time to do, but when I do I usually watch random shows on abc nbc cbs or ket since that was just about all I had up until the end of last year. I’m still not used to having more channels. The shows that I really like are talent competitions (America’s Got Talent, American Idol, etc.) and murder shows. My favorite is probably The Mentalist just because I find it interesting. I don’t watch television all the time now, but when I was younger I would turn it on in the morning before school, watch the news, then turn it on again when I got home and leave it on all night until I went to bed. I think TV is a good form of entertainment, but I also think it’s a very convenient delivery system for advertisers. For example, when I did watch TV every day, I could recite at least 30 commercials, especially the drug commercials which I’ve always found ridiculous. When I was younger I even told my mom I knew what to do if I ever got depressed: just sit around and wait for it to get better. That’s pretty much the opposite of what you do, but I’d seen plenty of Cymbalta commercials and that’s what I thought you did, and the numerous advertisements with depressed people convinced me of it.

Also, the fact that the Emmy’s get so much attention while the Nobel Prize announcements are barely noticed in the news shows how commercialized our society is. We don’t care that someone did a great thing for our society. We care about who wore what from who. It’s not just bad, it’s ridiculous. That doesn’t mean I plan to watch the next Nobel Prize announcement and skip the Emmy’s, I just think it’s sad how disproportional America’s interests are.

TV

First off I'll just say that I personally don't watch much TV. The extent of my television watching the the discovery channel when I'm so utterly bored even playing call of duty doesn't entertain me, and like Spongebob or something of that nature at dinner. So I'm not a big TV person.

I suppose I don't watch TV because it's not typically entertaining. That only TV I watch nowadays is out of "tradition". ie., I've always watched Spongebob and Discovery. I "love" these shows simply because they are embedded in my mind as entertaining. TV is not so much as a form of entertainment but rather advertisement. I mean, even your favorite sitcom has extreme amount of product placement I'm sure.

The Emmy's getting more attention than the Nobel prize; I don't really care. Sure the Emmy's get a whole bunch of media attention, and the fact that they do so shows so-and-so about society and blah blah blah. But in all honesty, whether Snoop Dog get a golden trophy or a science professor disprove all of modern physics, It doesn't affect me either way. I don't pay attention to either.

T.V.

I watch TV because its entertaining. TV has everything, it has comedy, action, suspense, and everything else. I love TV and I couldn't ever watch too much of it. My favorite show has to be Tosh.0. Basically, all it is is a guy who stands in front of a green screen and makes fun of internet videos (which doesn't sound as interesting as it actually is). It's probably the funniest show I've ever seen on television. Another one of my favorite shows is It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. This show is about a group of friends who run a bar and could not get any dumber. It's hard for anybody to watch this show and not laugh. One TV show I do hate is American Idol. I can not stand this awful excuse of a show. The point of the show is to have people who think they are talented ruin good songs. That's all it is, and for some reason, people still love it. I don't see how anyone could watch this show. Even after like 10 seasons, probably only 2 or 3 of the winners have became well known, which proves that this sow is a waste of time. But at least for as many bad shows on TV, there's usually something always on to entertain me, and that's why I watch TV.

Television- and too much of it.

To be completely honest, I don’t get very many opportunities to watch too much TV, especially during the school year. But I do watch it some, and when I do, I like to watch the occasional scary movie, or Law and Order: SVU, NCIS, or some older shows- as with everything else, it just depends. One of those is usually on whenever I have free time. It can be helpful for news and everything, but it’s not usually my main source for entertainment or information, even though there is a TV in just about every room in the house, and I’m sure most people could say the same.

TV can provide a decent form of entertainment, but not all the time. There has to be a line drawn between TV time and the time people spend doing more productive things. Advertisers definitely use television to their advantage, but I doubt that is working very well now. I mean, I just mute my TV during the commercials and do something else until it comes back on. Other people just skip through them or watch the show online, just so they don’t have to see all of the ads, which isn't going to help those companies sell their products any more than most other ways of getting their ads to consumers.

the revolution will be televised

it took me almost five minutes to figure out which television based quote/allusion/reference i wanted to use the most as my title, that is to say, television is one of the most basic aspects of American culture that it is impossible to ignore. that's not to say television isn't on its way out, it definitely appears to be. everything that you can see on one's tube is now on your beautiful laptop/iPhone/tablet-type-object. if not while its being broadcasted, then whiten hours. all the information one would rely on cnn for is now on cnn.com, and, of course, Charlie Sheen was the most payed tv actor of all time. its no longer practical to get our information and entertainment in half hour or hour long scheduling windows. and even though the drug called charlie sheen is one of my personal favorites, its for the birds now. im not saying television is  a bad thing, shows like adventure time, Wilfred, and glee definitely continue to keep it alive, it wont be fifteen years before my 60" only exists as a second screen for the iLimb surgically replacing everyone's forearm that receives and has calling, text, multimedia media messaging as well as a built in holodisk player, internet, and the best app-market in the world. oh, and you'll literally know the apple logo like the back of your hand.

why i watch tv

ok, there are two main reasons why i watch tv: to relax, and to escape. ill explain.
When I sit in front of a TV, im usually on the couch, or im on the floor. this causes a sense of comfort and peace. next, the mind numbing and senseless shows usually are on when i watch tv, so i feel too lazy and dumb to want to get up. the remote control makes it so that i dont have to move anything but my thumb and forearm. this finally sets me into a feeling of control over the TV, and i am its master, and i make it show whatever i feel like watching. TV is also a great way to forget about the troubles at school and have a few laughs, or watch sometyhing compelling or interesting. occassionally ill watch something thats informational, like pawnstars, but for the most part i just watch spongebob or something else to rot my brain. i can literally watch tv for four hours straight before i realize i have homework that needs to be done.

A couple of shows i like: Spongebob, Pawn Stars, Family Guy, Futurama, Fairly Oddparents, Two and a Half Men(no, not with Kutcher), and Tosh.O. I think all these are funny.
A couple of shows i hate: ANYTHING E! related, ANYTHING on TLC, and ANYTHING on Disney Channel (except occassionally Wizards of Waverly Place, cuz Selena Gomez is FINE) these shows mostly either show societies oblivious and unintelligent side, as well as really shows how the entertainment industry is really good at churning out useless and noncomical shows: laugh tracks dont make a show funny people. get it right.

why i watch tv

Assignment #1

My name is Bryce Clay im 16 i play video games, watch tv, ride my bike, and ocasionally run and jog places.

if i had a super power it would either be the ability to phase through stuff or to shapeshift.

for this year i plan to pass with A's and B's.

"Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?" A middle-aged man who lives his live irresponsibly

Why does one watch TV? Well, besides the fact that it can broaden your social horizons, improve your intellect, and teach you to do things you never imagined being able to do, I don't know.

Why do I watch TV? Quite simply, it's a treat. I live an incredibly crazy life. I even admitted to my Company B theater company at Lexington Children's Theatre that my prized possession would have to be my agenda. With such an incredibly busy life, I have a hard enough time watching the two shows I try to keep up with (Glee and Switched at Birth) on Hulu and DVR, let alone every new show that people ask me if I've seen. So, if you are wondering, it's probably "no" so let's just avoid that awkward conversation right now, shall we?

Now a days, most of the new shows I have experienced have been during babysitting. For some reason, kids are drawn to that sucker like a magnet. No matter how much fun we've had baking cookies or putting on shows, or playing hide-and-go-seek, the night seems to always end with a movie and popcorn (or TV in general).

When I watch these new TV shows and movies, I often wonder what parents are thinking. Having grown up with a preschool teacher as a mother, most everything I watched as a young child was educational in some way, whether it be morally, literary, or intellectually. Some of these shows that are on are just weird, have no lesson, and I find to be generally inappropriate.

First of all, I will discuss Spongebob Squarepants. Actually, what is there to discuss? I hated the character when I was younger, and find him to be even more obnoxious now. I know many people love him, but I just cannot stand the fact that a middle-aged character goes around acting so stupid and ridiculous. If you can find any sort of lesson in these episodes, it is that it's okay to never pass your driving test, work as a fry cook, and live in a piece of fruit. It's a wonder why the kids of America are so messed up...

In contrast, Yo Gabba Gabba! may be an equally as loved TV show - directed at a little younger audience - that still brings the crazy silly aspect to the table. I honestly don't find it as enjoyable as some of the other shows, but I have not had a kid tell me that they hate the show. Most of them are very actively engaged and singing along. I like Yo Gabba Gabba! for several reasons, but mostly because it uses some very effective techniques in order to introduce new ideas to kids. The show is divided in to several sections meant to represent a day (there is snack time, dance time, etc.). This allows for children to stay engaged longer, because it is always changing. I also love that they incorporate lessons such as trying new things, eating healthy, the arts, exercise, and learning along the way. It may not be the perfect kid show, by any means, but I feel it is much more satisfying than Spongebob.

I have given you a glimpse of what could end up to be several pages of reviews on children's shows, but I believe you can see what I am after. I am not opposed to TV- quite the contrary actually. However, I feel it should be a treat, something that is balanced by physical activity and mental stimulation along with social contact. Not only this, but children should grow up fondly looking back on wholesome characters developed to teach kids, while being silly and fun at the same time.

Come Down from Your High Horse, TV Boycotters

                Television gets a pretty bad rap.  Many of you incredibly intelligent young men and women may not watch a moment of TV in a given week.  Some of you may waste away your hours following along as Scooby and his gang set traps for the always-predictable bad guy.  But I don’t think either of you are correct in your use of this resource, as each of you come from a group either to aloof to take advantage of a valuable information tool or a group to numb to turn off the tube and participate in daily life.

                However, simply the existence of those two groups demonstrates the true culprit in this situation.  The screens ought not to receive the blame for an individual’s lack of industry.  The television does not force them to schedule out chunks of sedentary time in their days, nor does it keep the “off” button from operating.  Spending upwards of 1500 hours a year watching the tube rests on the shoulders of children—and their parents, much like McDonald’s shouldn’t have blame for the obesity crisis in the United States, but rather its patrons.  However, like obesity, television viewing shouldn’t be an all-or-nothing issue with children.  Kids shouldn’t eat only carrot sticks and All Bran cereal, but rather a balanced diet involving healthy foods and a good ole ice cream sandwich every so often.  Likewise, while parents should take children on walks, help kids make up their own physically active games, read books with their kids, and do homework and brain teasing activities, parents should also allow children to enjoy an age-appropriate television show or movie.

                While I babysat a pair of twin three-year-olds this summer, we made a proper event of watching a Disney movie.   On a rainy day, they helped me set up an indoor tent on their living room floor into which we piled books, sleeping bags, pillows, glow sticks, and flashlights.  We read a story together and made a snack that we enjoyed around our fake campfire before cuddling in the sleeping bags and enjoying the classic film.  Television didn’t kill those kids’ brain cells, scar their childhoods, or hurt their relational connects.  On the contrary, I hope that day was a memorable one for them about fun that can be had inside on a rainy day.

                When used in moderation, television can bond individuals and teach moral lessons.  Additionally, television provides children and adults educational opportunities.  While I pack the next day’s lunch, I love to watch The Daily Show or CNN, both of which help me feel a bit more up-to-date on the happenings of my world.  I can watch shows or news reports in Spanish to help me prepare for the AP Exam in May.  I can learn new information from history to science to professional careers and beyond simply by deliberately selecting respectable television programs.

                No one should spend more time on the sofa than they spend participating actively in society; however, when used correctly televisions can open doors and provide a myriad of benefits for the viewer.

Assignment 5: For the Love and Hate of Television

The Emmy Awards are kind of a big deal. Not a big deal in that life altering kind of a way, but a big deal in the sense that a lot of celebrities dress up, that a lot of companies pay more money in advertisements, and a lot of people stop watching reruns.

The Emmys are not the only award extravaganza of the season though. During the first week of October, without the advertising, paparazzi, or celebrities, the Nobel Prizes are announced. But how many people are listening? With the Emmys comes television's fall lineup, but what does the common person get after the announcement of the Nobel Prize in physics?

So, what are your thoughts? Choose one or two or all of the following prompts:

Why do you watch TV? Why do you not? What shows do you love or hate?

Does TV provide a good form of entertainment? Is it just a convenient delivery system for advertisers to send their messages to the masses? Is it an inane use of time? Can it be all three?

What does it say about our society that the Emmy's have so much glitz and attention and the Nobel Prizes are quietly announced in the news? Is this bad? Good? Appropriate?

Check out these sites for more information:

Turn off your TV

Television and Health

Positive Benefits of TV on Toddlers and Children

This image shows the one of the United States largest accomplisments involving space exploration. This is an image from the Apollo 11 mission which landed on the moon on July 20, 1969. It successfully made Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin the first humans to ever set foot on the moon. This mission helped to fufill President Kennedy's goal of landing on the moon before the Soviet Union putting the United States ahead of the Soviet Union in the space race. An estimated one fifth of the population watch the first lunar moonwalk live. This was a huge advancement for the United States. It opened up many other opportunities for space exploration. Apollo is the only space program that has send manned missions beyond Earth's low orbit. This program sparked interest in this field and in the technology field in general. It was a huge deal at the time and it still is today. Knowing about the universe and what has gone on in order form it can possibly help us in the future. And the technologies that have been developed in this field have helped with sending probes to space that have reached numerous other planets as well as devices such as the Mars rover. These advances help us to better understand the universe and what goes on. Therefore making this event a very important one in America and the worlds history.

Apollo 11

In the 1960s, Russia and the US were in a race to space after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first Earth satellite. President John F. Kennedy committed to the competitive missions that included Apollo 11, and in 1969, the entire world watched as Neil Armstrong exited the spacecraft and became the first man to walk on the moon with the words “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” These words are now forever engraved in history. The US won the race to be the first to land on the moon, and every American celebrated. This is one of the most defining moments in US history because the nation united under one cause, succeeded, and had hope that the country was moving in the right direction. This is a picture of Neil Armstrong just after planting the American flag on the moon. There really isn't much more to say because it was just such a huge moment in American history.

BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG

In 2008, Barack Obama was the first African-American to be president of the United States. He promised hope to everyone but mostly provided comfort to African-Americans letting them know that they are now truly equal in the United States of America. After all the blacks have been through in the past centuries, they have now been comforted with an African-American now elected to run this beautiful country of ours. All over the country people were rejoicing of this new piece of history and the change we have gone through. Although there was much rejoice, there was also a lot of annoyance by the opposing political party. All in all, this moment in the United States has brought us good and bad changes and has brought us into a new era of our country.

2008 Mumbai Attacks

The following picture is of Ajmal Kasab, the only surviving attacker from the 2008 Mumbai attacks. On the morning of November 26, 2008, members of the Laikshar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani military group began their onslaught, killing over 100 people, and severely wounding 300 others. This incident is something that has remained with me all these years, as the places where these terrorists killed innocent people are the very places I have gone and seen with my own eyes during my time in India. This picture does far more than just show Kasab during the attacks, as it also illustrates that terrorists are easily concealed among us. In all honesty, I wouldn't have assumed Kasab was a terrorist, simply by the way he is dressed. His cargo shorts, hoodie, and neatly cut hair are all characteristics of the typical Westerner. What is so unfortunate about Kasab is that his motivations to commit these crimes were not sinister. Kasab was a young man in Pakistan who was unable to find work, and due to a lack of availible resources and education, was eventually attracted by the large amounts of money provided by local terrorist organizations. This is also evidence of the human need to become prosperous and possess money. As morbid as this may seem by today's standards, money still plays a pivotal role in deciding a persons place in society. In essence, Kasab was simply searching for a way out of his poverty. This raises a larger question, however. We paint terrorists as being the villains in the society, and there is no question that their actions are not justified, but, isnt it entirely possible that they are simply the pawns for something much greater and genuinely evil? Food for thought.

Titanic

The Titanic was a White Star ocean liner, and was praised as the sturdiest and most luxurious ship ever made (when it was made, between 1909 and 1912). The most expensive one-way tickets available for voyage were $4,350, or roughly $96,000 today. The maiden voyage, and only voyage, of the ship began from Southampton, England and was bound for New York City in the April of 1912. The sinking of the Titanic was famous for two main reasons. First of all, the ship was praised to be unsinkable, and then sank on it's maiden voyage. Second of all, the lack of lifeboats on the ship allowed 1,512 of 2,223 passengers on board to die. What is seen in this picture, is the shipwreck of the famous Titanic ship, which, when discovered, was an incredible moment in history for those who were alive when the ship sank. It was discovered in 1985 by a French/American expedition. The following year, the first expedition to the shipwreck took place. The major discovery of this time, was that the Titanic actually split in two, which was contrary to previous belief. To survivors that were still alive at the time, this event was a nostalgic experience, to see the product of the wreck that was likely the most eventful moment of their lives. In the picture, you can see the pod used to expedite people to the wreckage. You can also see the deterioration of the ship, and what it is now compared to what it used to be.

The Great Depression

The Great Depression was not only a significant event in American history, but it also had a catastrophic effect on people all over the world. This image was of a mother with seven kids during the Great Depression. This was obviously a traumatic event for her, as it was for so many people. This image was showing what happened to the majority of people. Those few who were able to escape it were definitely lucky. At the worst part of the Great Depression after the stock market crash of 1929, the unemployment rate in the US drastically increased, even going up to 25%, while we have a problem with 9.1% in more modern times. In other countries, their rates went up to 33%. Many people had to give up everything that they had because they couldn’t afford it anymore. So many people had their lives entirely uprooted because of the catastrophe. They had to deal with a completely different economic situation and the devastation of an economic system that would last for many years, and would still have problems in the future. The Great Depression has a lasting impact on our economy and our nation's history. Still, no one wants to pick up all of the pieces from a problem that they didn't cause. Even though we weren't around to see it, we can understand what that must have been like for them.

Assign. 3 Make-up post.

I'm not even sure how much this will count for at this point, but here goes. This is based on the Good v. Evil prompt. I'll have the late pass Monday.

I believe that there is no such thing a pure good and pure evil. Sure, people can do generously good things, like return a $4600 wallet, and terrible things, like 9/11. I'm a firm believer that there is a gray area between both sides, and not a line separating them. I personally think that there are even no sides to begin with, that society as a whole is one gelatinous blog of good-evil. All people make mistakes. All people have their motivation. What's considered "evil" and "good" is based on perspective. For a hypothetical example, a guy who robbed a bank might of thought he was doing justice because said bank ripped him off. A typical jury would probably find said man guilty of theft, but he simply thought he was getting even.

The only thing that little ramble didn't answer is that can good vanquish evil and vise versa. And the answer to that question is no, it can't. It comes down to this; without evil, there can be no good, and without good, there can be no evil. It's like a coin. You can't have a one-sided coin.

So that's that.

written law is what separates decent government from totalitarianism. the idea that ones leaders will only punish law violators in a previously stated way is what separates someone like an American president (ignoring the patriot act) from Hitler and Stalin. it gives a general member of society a respect for rules and regulations as a deterrent from crime, not overwhelming fear of their tyrant. this goes back to the Babylonian king Hammurabi. and though his eye-for-an-eye system is not necessarily humanely modern standards, the concept has been emulated by every non Nazi/commy/tyrannical government since.