Reading Independently

Reading is one of my favorite pass times. I love to dwelve into a different world and escape my own. At the first of the year, I had to push myself to read regularly. Now, however, reading for a while every night has become a habit. Not to mention, the books I chose this period were all pretty interesting and fun to read.

Inking my thinking was a harder habit to get into. Sometimes, I have trouble pausing my reading to write what I'm thinking. I found that I have many deep thoughts, I just cannot get them on paper very well. Looking over my reading journal is quite entertaining, though, since I can go back and remember how I felt during certain parts of the book. My favorite part of my journaling is writing down quotes that I love from books.

I am sure that I am reading more analytically this year. I know that I am putting more thought into the books I choose. Next quarter, I want to expand my reading variety even more. I am going to start with a book that my mom has recommended from the 70s called Jonathan Livingston Seagull. I want to read books that normally wouldn't have read.

Socratic Seminar Reflection

The Socratic Seminars proved to be a fun, interesting way to talk about "big ideas" in Brave New World. As we discussed we came to a conclusion that "there is no way for a utopia to exist because it cannot be perfect for everyone." I have really been thinking about this over the past weeks. Every person, no matter how hard any government tries, is different. With so many people to please, there is no way that everyone can be completely happy all of the time. This logic solidifies for me the use of soma in the book. The government cannot make everyone happy naturally, so they found a drug to do that chemically. By researching for my Seminars, I found that Huxley tied Shakespearean tales into his book. John the Savage can be related to many of Shakespeare's characters. Also, while talking about fads, (iPods in particular) one group concluded that even though they may be a fad, iPods bolster individuality because they allow users to listen to their own taste of music. From now on, I can imagine that I will be seeing the individual appear even in the following of trends.

By participating in the Seminar, I took two roles: I participated in the discussions and I also had to evaluate someone else in his or her discussion. Being in the discussion felt almost unnerving; I imagined myself as a fish in a bowl with everyone else looking in. Soon into the discussion, however, I was usually too into talking and listening to remember my surroundings. Evaluating my classmates gave me an opportunity to hear new ideas and watch how people interact with one another.

Overall, I felt I did pretty well. Sometimes I had trouble getting all of my researched thoughts in before I got distracted and moved on to another idea. I often had five or ten new ideas running through my head as another person was talking, so I had to push those out of the way to really listen to them. I generally like the seminar, but there was one point when the discussion turned into a flat-out debate. That was a little uncomfortable; many people seemed to walk away with their feelings hurt.

The Socratic Seminar was thought by Socrates to be one of the highest forms of learning. By participating in a civilized discussion, one not only collects his or her own ideas, but he or she also hears what others have to say. I am certain Socrates would be proud of the discussions we mere teenagers were able to have.

Pink's Purpose

Pink's amused humor reveals that Americans have forgotten how incredible their abundance is and are seeking meaning and creativity. For example, Pink describes the incredible environment of his local mall, but discovers that "what's so remarkable about Potomac Yards is how utterly unremarkable it is." (pg. 32) By comparing his childhood shopping experiences to modern ones, Pink shows that abundance in America has increased since the 1970s. This paradox explains how Americans overlook the extravagance of the normal objects in their lives because they are commonplace. However, this prosperity has not made Americans that much happier. Pink says "while living standards have risen steadily, personal, family, and life satisfaction haven't budged." (pg. 35) He is not suggesting that Americans are not happy, only that material possessions have not made Americans any happier than they were previously. Basically, Americans are looking past their material possessions to search for meaning and internal satisfaction. Pink's ideas lend themselves to suggest that American society is moving into an age where material possessions and technology are not as important as seeking purpose and self-satisfaction.

Persuasive Appeals Analysis

Most advertisements, whether directly or indirectly, use persuasion. Some try to persuade consumers to buy a product. Others, persuade people to stop or start a practice such as anti-drug and "got milk" advertisements. In order to do this persuading, advertisement designers use the three forms of persuasion: ethos, logos, and pathos. One ad that uses all three forms of persuasion is this ad for Triumph motorcycles.

The first persuasive technique that can be found in this add is ethos, an appeal to credibility or character. The most obvious example of this is the use of the Star Wars saga to try to grab attention from consumers. The top of the ad says "The Empire Strikes Back" which is also the name of the fifth movie in the Star Wars saga. The comparison of Triumph to the Empire from Star Wars also invokes thoughts of strength and power in the mind of consumers. Another play on Star Wars is seen in the first line of text: "Not all that long ago..." This is a play on the famous opening text from Star Wars that says "A long time ago..." These uses of ethos are what drew me to the ad, so they obviously worked. The second paragraph of text shows that Cycle Canada magazine called the motorcycles "sublime." Ethos tries to create credibility, and the ad is saying that if Cycle Canada, a credible publication (in Canada), likes these bikes, consumers should like them too. The text also tells consumers that Formula One technology, such as that used in race cars, influences the building of each bike. After all, who doesn't secretly love race cars?

Logos, or logical appeal, is clearly seen in the text below the photographs in the advertisement. The whole first paragraph speaks of the great benefits and bonuses that are included in each motorcycle. The ad tells consumers that each Triumph motorcycle is "crafted in the world's most modern motorcycle factory in the English midlands." Plus, "each Triumph is backed by a full two-year unlimited mileage warranty." The Formula One technology and hand craftsmanship are also facts about the bikes that could convince a consumer to buy a Triumph. All of these great facts about the motorcycles and the company make them seem more desirable.

Finally, pathos is used. Pathos appeals to the emotions of consumers. This ad is designed to make consumers feel excited about Triumph motorcycles. All of the photographs show riders in all black going very fast. The angles at which the pictures are taken make the scenes look fun and even a little daring. Besides the photographs, the text can also appeal to emotions. Talk of "traditional hand craftsmanship" remind consumers that they generally trust such craftsmanship. In the second paragraph, each motorcycle pictured is briefly described. The Daytona 955i is compared to a tactical fighter. The Speed Triple is said to have "the pugnacious attitude of an English bulldog." These comparisons make consumers want a Triumph because tactical fighters are cool and English bulldogs are too. Motorcycles that can be compared to these objects must be cool as well. Plus, the comparisons and the rest of the text has a sense of wit and humor. This makes consumers laugh and like Triumph even more.

By using all three forms of persuasion, the ad has proven to be successful.. Each persuasive technique is balanced by the others so that the advertisement is appealing and pleasing to consumers. This ad makes Triumph motorcycles seem cool and desirable, thus the advertisement has done well.

A Modern Marvel

For my confirmation, I received a book called Blessed Gianna Beretta Molla: A Woman's Life. At first, I pictured the book would be a semi-interesting, informative biography. I soon discovered inspiration and a wonderful story within the book's pages.

In a nutshell, Saint Gianna Molla was a modern day saint who lives between 1922 and 1962. She grew up with twelve siblings in a very religious family. She went to college to become a nurse to fulfill a need to help people. Gianna had four children herself, the last of which she sacrificed her life to give birth to. She remained as religious as her parents, and she went to mass every single day. She was the leader of many church youth and women's organizations. However, she also had many other interests such as opera, mountain climbing, and skiing. Of course, none of these took a larger place in her heart than that of her God.

Throughout the book, first-hand accounts of Gianna were given. In all of these accounts, family members and friends spoke of her appreciation of life and religion. One quote inpired me the most. "[Gianna took] pleasure in the small and great joys God grants us even in this world." I can always be greatful for the "great joys" that I experience such as when I succeed in a task or when I get a wonderful gift. This quote reminded me that we all should also be thankful for the "small joys" such as the weather on a nice day or a day that just seems to be going right. Often, I find this hard, but my eyes were opened to these small parts of my life.

During the pregnancy of her last child, Gianna discovered some complications that had three options to fix: an abortion, a surgery that would be very dangerous for the baby, or a surgery that would be very dangerous for Gianna. As she had a giving mother's spirit, Gianna chose the last option. Because of this, a few days after the baby was born, Gianna died. Her sacrifice for that of her child is incredible. I am not a mother, so I cannot really understand such love. I still ask myself, though, if I would be able to make such a sacrifice. Gianna knew that she would likely die, but she also knew that her baby would live. I also wonder how difficult the decision was to make.

There are thousands of Catholic saints out there. However, many of those modern saints are often overlooked. I am very glad that I could learn about a modern woman whose actions led her to become a saint. Who knows, maybe someone I know could become a saint.