What do "iPod," "MySpace," and "YouTube" all have in common?
I mean, besides that they are all modern obsessions. Look at the words themselves.
Here, let me help you out:
iPod
MySpace
YouTube
Hopefully you caught it that time.
So here's my concern: Why is our culture so self-centered? Why is it all about us? Am I the only one who sees danger in this way of thinking?
I'm not saying that there are any moral issues with those products themselves. I adore my iPod. They're just exemplary of how deeply ingrained this way of thinking is.
What I do worry about is how this mindset will affect us. First off, I think it's a false mentality. The world does not revolve around you. Sorry to burst your bubble. The are billions of other people who are just as important as you. And know what? You couldn't live without them.
Our culture promotes independence and self-sufficiency like it's going out of style. Frankly, I wish it would. People are dependant on each other. And it's a good thing!
Think of everything that goes into keeping up just your house. Electricity, heating, plumbing, the building itself. I highly doubt you could have even built it all on your own, forget fixing everything.
Even if you did build your house, where'd you get all the materials? Other people!
We need to start treating others with the mindset that they are important to us. The media will always play on our selfishness, because it will trigger our greed. We need to fight it with our attitudes.
So thank you. I need you.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Meh.
Collins dictionaries has officially given the expression "meh" status as a word. In case you've been under a rock, "meh" is used to express indifference, it qualifies a topic as "boring," "mediocre," or "uneventful." It is fairly flexible and most commonly used by youth.
This is just one example of the evolution of the English language; new words and expressions are added, older ones fade away. In the age of the internet, all kinds of new terms are being coined. The popular search engine, Google, has its own verb: "googling." From MSN, many acronyms have been birthed, such as "omg," "lol," or "rofl."
Is this a deterioration of the language, or is it just adaptation? You be the judge. I'm not sure, personally. I am a Shakespeare nut. I do believe in preserving the quality of our language, but some amount of change is inevitable. And fine to an extent.
"Meh" in the news:
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=f216bac2-8f0b-4202-a1ae-8f7ed4de2bd7
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2008/11/17/quot-meh-quot-is-the-new-quot-whatever-quot-will-quot-teh-quot-be-the-new-quot-the-quot.aspx
This is just one example of the evolution of the English language; new words and expressions are added, older ones fade away. In the age of the internet, all kinds of new terms are being coined. The popular search engine, Google, has its own verb: "googling." From MSN, many acronyms have been birthed, such as "omg," "lol," or "rofl."
Is this a deterioration of the language, or is it just adaptation? You be the judge. I'm not sure, personally. I am a Shakespeare nut. I do believe in preserving the quality of our language, but some amount of change is inevitable. And fine to an extent.
"Meh" in the news:
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=f216bac2-8f0b-4202-a1ae-8f7ed4de2bd7
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2008/11/17/quot-meh-quot-is-the-new-quot-whatever-quot-will-quot-teh-quot-be-the-new-quot-the-quot.aspx
Thursday, November 13, 2008
LOVE IS THE MOVEMENT
121 million (people suffering from depression worldwide)
2/3 (of those with depression never seek help)
FEBRUARY 13th (the day before Valentines Day) is the day with the highest suicide rate in America.
"HEY! We LOVE you!"
It is horrifying how many people feel alone and isolated in our world. Our culture is very centered around "ME" and what I want, I need. People often live as though there aren't billions of others struggling in the same broken world. We forget the value of life, how vital love is.
NOT TODAY.
No longer will we shove issues under the carpet. We renounce our apathy. People need each other, and it is extremely dangerous to forget that. TODAY, we are physically writing "LOVE" on our arms to symbolize our universal fight for life and to explain our commitment to communicate hope to others stuck in this place with us.
It's just the START.
LOVE IS OUR REVOLUTION.
We start now, fighting the lies people live with everyday about their worth. We care, and we will not sit back and let despair take over. We are reaching out with love to offer ourselves to people in desperate places of their lives.
You're Invited to SPREAD THE LOVE:
This entry is based on the series of "To Write Love On Her Arms" days that have been going around high schools. Please, check out www.twloha.com to find out more about this cause. It is a very easy and simplistic message, but it can not be forgotten. Search them out on Facebook to keep updated on different events and stay aware.
18 million (people with depression in America alone)
#3 (cause of death among teenagers: suicide)
#1 (cause of suicide: depression)
2/3 (of those with depression never seek help)
4% (of the population struggle with self-mutilation,
equal occurrence between males and females)
FEBRUARY 13th (the day before Valentines Day) is the day with the highest suicide rate in America.
"HEY! We LOVE you!"
It is horrifying how many people feel alone and isolated in our world. Our culture is very centered around "ME" and what I want, I need. People often live as though there aren't billions of others struggling in the same broken world. We forget the value of life, how vital love is.
NOT TODAY.
No longer will we shove issues under the carpet. We renounce our apathy. People need each other, and it is extremely dangerous to forget that. TODAY, we are physically writing "LOVE" on our arms to symbolize our universal fight for life and to explain our commitment to communicate hope to others stuck in this place with us.
It's just the START.
LOVE IS OUR REVOLUTION.
We start now, fighting the lies people live with everyday about their worth. We care, and we will not sit back and let despair take over. We are reaching out with love to offer ourselves to people in desperate places of their lives.
You're Invited to SPREAD THE LOVE:
This entry is based on the series of "To Write Love On Her Arms" days that have been going around high schools. Please, check out www.twloha.com to find out more about this cause. It is a very easy and simplistic message, but it can not be forgotten. Search them out on Facebook to keep updated on different events and stay aware.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Low Expectations
There is a new rule being imposed by the Board on high school teachers: they are no longer allowed to penalize for late assignments. Students can now ignore deadlines and not lose marks for it.
Why this was decided, I have no idea. Of course we can all understand that there are extenuating circumstances that can sometimes make it difficult for deadlines to be met. Personal matters, outside obligations, too much homework from various classes can all be causes for stress in a student's life.
I have always known teachers to be very understanding and forgiving in such situations. If you are typically an honest student who makes the most of your education (note: I don't put any emphasis on academic excellence), teachers are willing to cut you some slack when you need it. If you ask beforehand, most will give extensions or find alternate options. Everybody is human. We have limits.
I believe that beyond just skill and regular curriculum, high school is a place to learn about ethic and accountability. It can be the four years of your life that shape who you will be the most. If you are going to grow into a person of integrity, your habits will begin to be developed now.
Under this new rule, there is no accountability for laziness. I have already seen its effects in the classroom. The whole class can be held back because of too many late assignments. The teachers are not able to get assignments graded as quickly, so they will hold off on the next project so as not to get too backed up on marking.
This mind frame being built is going to hold students back later in life, whether in post-secondary education or in the workforce. In the real world, deadlines are not to be taken lightly. I recently had a teacher exclaim to the class, "If you were employees, I'd have fired most of you by now!" She would have had reason, too.
I should also mention the flip side of this rule: teachers are, however, allowed to tell a student that they do not have time to mark their late work, which will result in a zero. I hope they use this when appropriate... I fear them too compassionate.
And to those who were wondering, yes, the title is a reference to Great Expectations.
Why this was decided, I have no idea. Of course we can all understand that there are extenuating circumstances that can sometimes make it difficult for deadlines to be met. Personal matters, outside obligations, too much homework from various classes can all be causes for stress in a student's life.
I have always known teachers to be very understanding and forgiving in such situations. If you are typically an honest student who makes the most of your education (note: I don't put any emphasis on academic excellence), teachers are willing to cut you some slack when you need it. If you ask beforehand, most will give extensions or find alternate options. Everybody is human. We have limits.
I believe that beyond just skill and regular curriculum, high school is a place to learn about ethic and accountability. It can be the four years of your life that shape who you will be the most. If you are going to grow into a person of integrity, your habits will begin to be developed now.
Under this new rule, there is no accountability for laziness. I have already seen its effects in the classroom. The whole class can be held back because of too many late assignments. The teachers are not able to get assignments graded as quickly, so they will hold off on the next project so as not to get too backed up on marking.
This mind frame being built is going to hold students back later in life, whether in post-secondary education or in the workforce. In the real world, deadlines are not to be taken lightly. I recently had a teacher exclaim to the class, "If you were employees, I'd have fired most of you by now!" She would have had reason, too.
I should also mention the flip side of this rule: teachers are, however, allowed to tell a student that they do not have time to mark their late work, which will result in a zero. I hope they use this when appropriate... I fear them too compassionate.
And to those who were wondering, yes, the title is a reference to Great Expectations.
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