American Argument Culture Ruined?!

Often times, I witness how the media frequently highlights funny or debated aspects of an event. I do not strongly disagree with this because after all, isn't media meant to inform and entertain its audience? However, I do see a problem when the public discusses an event and loses the focus of the argument. A while ago, I read an article that allowed me to see that I am not alone in this observation.

To begin, a few weeks ago during the "free the pot" argument, I found myself sitting on my couch watching some sort of national news channel. The point of the news segment was to figure out how people felt about the legalization of marijuana around the nation. On the news channel, one lady against the legalization felt the need to insult a male who disagreed with her statement. Earlier on in the program, that same male admitted to smoking marijuana on a daily basis. I believe she called him a "crack head" or something of that offensive nature. At this point, everyone involved was trying to get her to apologize for her statement, losing focus of the session's goal. 

The article that I referred to earlier, written by Kelby Carlson of Vanderbilt University, also summarizes an event in which the point of the argument was lost. In the article, "Fighting Words: Why Our Public Discourse Must Change", Carlson refers to the Sandra Fluke and Rush Limbaugh contraceptive argument of early February 2012, in which talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh uses “fighting words” and offensive language towards his opponent, Sandra Fluke, upsetting the public, and taking the focus off of the issue at hand. However, there were a few aspects in that article that I did not agree with.

Carlson suggests that advancements in technology and social media have led to this decline in public discussion practices and the culture of argument. Although I agree with this main claim, I believe that he should have added more pieces to his article that would further reveal and impact his argument, such as an example of what he believes an effective argument would look like and a more complex counterargument than the fact that social media can be positive in some cases.

Lastly, Carlson seems to aim his argument towards people in the public eye of America. Even though I agree with getting public figures involved in this renewal of argument culture, I believe that everyone in the world should be "focusing on concrete issues and ways to solve them", as Carlson suggests for public figures in America.

Overall, ignoring his missing elements, I see the potential that Carlson's article had to effect and persuade readers. Nevertheless, I believe that Carlson's article inspires individuals, including myself, to reflect on their social media habits. It also allows for readers to wonder if public discussion is in "shambles" as Carlson discusses, and if they are causing its possible decline.

HEY, ALL YOU PEOPLE!

Dear Friend,

I want to start off by letting you know, I am okay. I have arrived at my destination safely. In fact, I feel great. I am excited for this journey. So far, I have seen and done great things. The kind of stuff you only see on television. The kind of stuff that you'd never believe to be real. On the contrary, these things are unbelievably real. As a child, I dreamt of this experience. At that time, I wish that I knew that I would one day experience this wonder. 

It all began yesterday. I was hungry and I found this restaurant. The establishment is great. It has this sort of underwater theme going on. The cashier even stands in a boat. Today I came back to get more. I am actually waiting to meeting the creator of this extraordinary creation. I heard that he is kind of a square, but that's alright.
I actually just purchased another one. It's so good! I kind of just want to shout, "HEY ALL YOU PEOPLE! HEY ALL YOU PEOPLE!  HEY ALL YOU PEOPLE, WON'T YOU LISTEN TO ME???!" I just had a sandwich; No ordinary sandwich! A SANDWICH, FILLED WITH JELLYFISH JELLY! I can not wait until you meet me here because, YOU'VE GOT TO TRY THIS SANDWICH; IT'S NO ORDINARY SANDWICH! IT'S THE TASTIEST SANDWICH IN THE SEA!

Be Open-Minded (#ITSBEENALONGDAY)

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Although the book that we are reading incorporates multiple elements of gothicism, I find actions to be the most effective in inflicting horror, mystery, and supernatural aspects. The book does set the atmosphere and setting with very descriptive details, such as the scene where the author sets the tone for the bringing to life of the monster. Another instance where the author paints the scene for the readers would be the part of the book where Victor seeks solitude and locations that he enjoyed as an adolescent to distract him from his sorrow, such as his trip to Chammounix. However, no matter how discriptive, as a reader, I am not strongly effected. Mary Shelley also includes supernatural aspects such as the monster. Nevertheless, because I am aware that supernatural aspects do not exist in the real world, I do not find it to be an effective aspect in gothicism writing. As a result, I find actions to be an essential aspect because they indicate situations and feelings that could occur in everyday life, allowing for the reader to relate and be inflicted with what Mary Shelley tried to get across. For example, Victor's reactions when he met the monster after believing that he was the cause for the death of two individuals close to him. This scene was realistic, visual, and intense, creating high emotion and suspense for the reader. 

Goosebumbs...

Mary Shelley opens the novel Frankenstein with four letters. In these letters, Robert Walton, an explorer on a journey to unknown lands in the north, is writing to his sister, Margaret Saville about his journey. Throughout the letters, Mary Shelley provides background, mystery, and suspense. She also foreshadows and introduces characters, such as the stranger that readers will later see as the main character of the story, Victor Frankenstein. By doing so, the author introduces the main character in an uncommon way, creating an interesting and captivating prelude to the story. If I had to write a ghost story, I would be very creative, just as Mary Shelley was. I would make sure to begin it in a way that is very uncommon, as well. I would want to captivate readers and create an uneasy feeling right at the beginning of the story. I would do so by beginning with something that could be terrifying and that most can relate to. In this way, I would make it seem as if it were based on a true story. This would provide a realistic and horrific feeling for the reader. Therefore, allowing for the ultimate enjoyment throughout the rest of the story. Beginning the story in such a realistic but unexpected way, I would hope to create a very eerie, visual, and hair raising experience for the readers. 

What Did I Get Myself Into?!

One thing that I hope to do on my Spring Break is to actually relax. Unfortunately, I will not be having a genuine Spring Break. This is resulting from the many responsibilities I have taken. It also is resulting from the fact that LCCC's Spring Break was weeks before Early College's. During the college's Spring Break, I still had to attend my high school courses. Now that Early College is on Spring Break, I have to attend my college courses. For example, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I have microbiology research lab. Although, I always have research lab, regardless of my school schedule. Even on breaks, such as summer vacation. I will also be going to Columbus on Friday for an American Society for Microbiology convention to present the research that I work on in Dr. Kestler's lab. On Tuesday, I  will have to attend my HIV and field production class. On Thursday, I have my field production class, again. That means that on every day of the week, I will have to give up my free time. On top of my busy schedule, I have piles of homework to complete. My life is a struggle, but I 

know it will pay off in the future. I rather have all of these responsibilities my sophomore year of high school than in my junior or senior year. In those years, I am determined to relax and flow through with ease. 

The Possibilities

If I had to choose between the ability to fly or the ability to turn invisible, I would choose to have the ability to turn invisible. I would not choose to have the ability to fly because I am afraid of heights and falling. Only being able to fly 10 mph would also be annoying and useless. However, the ability to fly would be an experience. On the other hand, I would want the ability to turn invisible for the simple fact that I could do multiple things without others knowing. I could use the ability for good or evil. Although for the most part, I would refrain from commiting crimes. For example, I could find out what is really occurring in Area 51. I could scare my siblings. I could sneak into the front row of concerts that I attend without security knowing. I could dance around people without them knowing. I could annoy my family. I could see what people say about me. I could hide when my mom wants me to do something. I could sneak backstage. I could attend confidential meetings. I could possibly meet Beyoncé. I could mess with random people. I could be on stage with celebrities without them knowing. I could get out of trouble easier. I could also do favors for others. Even though I would not want to, I could even be an assassin, secret agent, or ninja. From scaring people to finding out the unknown, the ability to turn invisible would allow me to do almost anything. 

If I could not control when I would turn invisible, I would still want the ability because some of the possibilities are worth the trouble of getting caught. 

I would also not let anyone know of my abilities.