Hip-hop has become part of the dominant youth culture around the globe. In almost every other country in the world, their youth scene involves a heavy element of hip-hop culture, and each country has put their own unique spin on the genre. In a lot of countries, one might find that hip hop is actually a way to express different hardships, real experiences, or a form of poetry and simply try to carry out their message. I think that the power of corporate marketing has a lot to do with the vulgarity, violence, and sexually explicit lyrics that some artists portray in their music.
Despite the fact that critics probably would agree that a lot of the music in today's culture is inappropriate for children, thus parental advisory. However, they know that this is what sells, which is probably one of the main reasons they defend it. I personally am I hip hop fan and I do agree with some critics when they use the defenses of artistic, poetic, and lyrically creative. I also however think that these defenses are just circling around the vulgarity of the music and somewhat setting it aside and looking more at how the artist expresses the message rather than what's being said. Regardless, it sells. Lil Wayne for example, uses sexually explicit lyrics, and vulgarity, but he has won four out of eight nominations for his previous album the Carter 3. However, I don't think that men are the only one's who carry out vulgar messages in their music. In today's culture it is also common for women to use sexually explicit lyrics, because they know that it sells.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Custom made furniture
It was a regular Sunday morning in Baltimore, Maryland, when my Uncle Jim was carrying out his usual Sunday routine. He woke up, read the newspaper, made some breakfast and went his woodshop to begin working on making another peice of furniture. My uncle is naturally artistic, but making wood custom furniture was a specific hobby of his. He had had years of experience, and sometimes was even requested to make special pieces for people. He would even display some of his work in his cousins antique shop, which he lived above.
Even with his years of experience, not even he could forsee the event that was about to occur that day in the woodshop. A regular customer of his cousins antique shop had specially requested him to assemble a dining room table. He began by setting up his workspace as he usually did. He set up the wood on the saw table and went to grab his Craftsman tablesaw. He turned the saw on and started to saw the wood. All the sudden, the saw must of hit a knot in the wood and the saw kicked back. The wood pulled in so quickly that as his hand was guiding it in, the momentum pulled it in and caught his hand. The next thing he knew his thumb was dangling off of his hand, nearly completely severing it off. He immediatly wrapped it up himself and being stubborn, drove himself to the hospital.
By the time he arrived at the hospital, he had almost passed out in the waiting room from losing so much blood. The hospital had to bring a special hand surgeon from a fellow hospital. The surgeon took a skin graft from my uncles chest to sew the missing part of his thumb back on to his hand. From there, they had to cut a square peice of skin from his side and stick his thumb in it. They had to put the flap over the thumb and bandage his whole arm to keep it flat against his skin so that the graft would take on his thumb. A couple weeks later, the skin graft took and his thumb was left permanetly numb, but still has complete function. Three months later he continued to use that same saw and the lady finally got her dining room table!!
Even with his years of experience, not even he could forsee the event that was about to occur that day in the woodshop. A regular customer of his cousins antique shop had specially requested him to assemble a dining room table. He began by setting up his workspace as he usually did. He set up the wood on the saw table and went to grab his Craftsman tablesaw. He turned the saw on and started to saw the wood. All the sudden, the saw must of hit a knot in the wood and the saw kicked back. The wood pulled in so quickly that as his hand was guiding it in, the momentum pulled it in and caught his hand. The next thing he knew his thumb was dangling off of his hand, nearly completely severing it off. He immediatly wrapped it up himself and being stubborn, drove himself to the hospital.
By the time he arrived at the hospital, he had almost passed out in the waiting room from losing so much blood. The hospital had to bring a special hand surgeon from a fellow hospital. The surgeon took a skin graft from my uncles chest to sew the missing part of his thumb back on to his hand. From there, they had to cut a square peice of skin from his side and stick his thumb in it. They had to put the flap over the thumb and bandage his whole arm to keep it flat against his skin so that the graft would take on his thumb. A couple weeks later, the skin graft took and his thumb was left permanetly numb, but still has complete function. Three months later he continued to use that same saw and the lady finally got her dining room table!!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Week 8 Blog Reviews
Mary Holtz:
No One Wants to be Alone;
I think you raised a really good point that I even failed to think about prior to reading your blog. I enjoyed reading your blog especially the second paragraph when you discussed how affection can be given in more than just romantic relationships, but father and son, bartender and the heartbroken, or even best friends. That was a good segway into talking about how these types of affections are very common and natural. Your blog had very good organization, first with discussion affection amongst human beings and then following that with a paragraph relating this affection to the affection being animals. Also, I agree completely with your concluding paragraph.
No More White Dress;
I thought you did a really good job in setting up your introductory paragraph so that the reader knew exactly what your blog was going to be discussing. I especially liked the concluding sentence of the first paragraph, " But what might happen if we just accepted that men and women may be biologically set up to flirt, date and mate with multiple partners?" This blog as well has a very good flow to it. You raised a valid point that if marriage was changed and was no longer sacred, then there would be a breakdown in society. You also did a good job ending the paragraph by giving the reading a quote from Fisher and closing with a question so that the reader can think about the points you just made throughout the blog.
Whitney Semmens:
Animal Instinct: Homosexual?? ;
I noticed you mispelled "Insticnt" in your title, but as you've noticed, I have a habbit of typing and not realizing my grammatical errors, so I know it must have just been an accident. In your first paragraph, I liked the point you made that many people against homosexuality might say it is unnatural, but Kruger says otherwise. Studies have found that animals take part in homosexual activity and it is very common. You did a good job in incorporating quotes from the article and making valid points. However, I would have been interested to see your opinion on the matter. Overall it was well written and organized like always.
Survey: Is Man Monogamous ;
I liked that fact that you chose the survey option because I noticed not alot of others did. I think you did a good job in choosing specific questions that would lead one to conclude that the person taking your survey would have a increased chance of infidelity. Questions like 1 and 2 would lead the reader to see the person taking the survey's likliness to be in a serious relationship, whereas someone who isn't likely would jump to person to person. Asking questions like are you parents married, or if either parent had cheated in a relationship, would make one believe that maybe being in that environment would make one more likely to cheat. Asking questions about their religion would bring in factors of having the religion be a reason they would not commit infidelity. I found all of the questions you chose to be great questions in finding whether someone is likely to be monogamous or not. Good job!!
No One Wants to be Alone;
I think you raised a really good point that I even failed to think about prior to reading your blog. I enjoyed reading your blog especially the second paragraph when you discussed how affection can be given in more than just romantic relationships, but father and son, bartender and the heartbroken, or even best friends. That was a good segway into talking about how these types of affections are very common and natural. Your blog had very good organization, first with discussion affection amongst human beings and then following that with a paragraph relating this affection to the affection being animals. Also, I agree completely with your concluding paragraph.
No More White Dress;
I thought you did a really good job in setting up your introductory paragraph so that the reader knew exactly what your blog was going to be discussing. I especially liked the concluding sentence of the first paragraph, " But what might happen if we just accepted that men and women may be biologically set up to flirt, date and mate with multiple partners?" This blog as well has a very good flow to it. You raised a valid point that if marriage was changed and was no longer sacred, then there would be a breakdown in society. You also did a good job ending the paragraph by giving the reading a quote from Fisher and closing with a question so that the reader can think about the points you just made throughout the blog.
Whitney Semmens:
Animal Instinct: Homosexual?? ;
I noticed you mispelled "Insticnt" in your title, but as you've noticed, I have a habbit of typing and not realizing my grammatical errors, so I know it must have just been an accident. In your first paragraph, I liked the point you made that many people against homosexuality might say it is unnatural, but Kruger says otherwise. Studies have found that animals take part in homosexual activity and it is very common. You did a good job in incorporating quotes from the article and making valid points. However, I would have been interested to see your opinion on the matter. Overall it was well written and organized like always.
Survey: Is Man Monogamous ;
I liked that fact that you chose the survey option because I noticed not alot of others did. I think you did a good job in choosing specific questions that would lead one to conclude that the person taking your survey would have a increased chance of infidelity. Questions like 1 and 2 would lead the reader to see the person taking the survey's likliness to be in a serious relationship, whereas someone who isn't likely would jump to person to person. Asking questions like are you parents married, or if either parent had cheated in a relationship, would make one believe that maybe being in that environment would make one more likely to cheat. Asking questions about their religion would bring in factors of having the religion be a reason they would not commit infidelity. I found all of the questions you chose to be great questions in finding whether someone is likely to be monogamous or not. Good job!!
Friday, October 16, 2009
"It's just not natural?"
How many times have you heard someone evaluate some moral matter with the words “it’s just not natural?” Even societies that have came such a long way continue to put some limit on human action based on "what is natural". Ideas about what is "natural" are used in dicussions of all sorts of human behavior, including homosexuality. For example, homosexuality could be condemned through the simple argument that biologically, human genitalia was naturally meant to combine with the opposite sex for the production of offspring. However, out of all the species who practice homosexual actions, humans are the only ones who are oppressed when they try (Kluger 337). Bagemihl suggests that if homosexuality comes naturally to other creatures, then maybe it is time to stop oppressing over the fact that it could possibly come naturally to humans as well (Kluger 338).
Since the middle of the twentieth century, societies have moved from what is “natural” to natural human rights like the protection against slavery, social persecution, and injury to person or property. The concept of nature condemns the behavior that these laws prevent. When also speaking of condeming, the term "unnatural" has been used to condemn everything from racial equality to female suffrage to homosexuality.
Nature is used to to justify as well as condemn many aspects of human behavior. This also applies to the idea of homosexuality. The animal kingdom is much more sexually complex than most people know (Kluger 338). As he also points out, witnessing same-sex activity and understanding it are two different things, and we shouldn't have to look to the animal world to see what's moral or ethical (Kluger 339). Althought the findings of homosexual tendencies in animals suggest that it is a natural tendency, the debate of this subject will most likely continue on.
Since the middle of the twentieth century, societies have moved from what is “natural” to natural human rights like the protection against slavery, social persecution, and injury to person or property. The concept of nature condemns the behavior that these laws prevent. When also speaking of condeming, the term "unnatural" has been used to condemn everything from racial equality to female suffrage to homosexuality.
Nature is used to to justify as well as condemn many aspects of human behavior. This also applies to the idea of homosexuality. The animal kingdom is much more sexually complex than most people know (Kluger 338). As he also points out, witnessing same-sex activity and understanding it are two different things, and we shouldn't have to look to the animal world to see what's moral or ethical (Kluger 339). Althought the findings of homosexual tendencies in animals suggest that it is a natural tendency, the debate of this subject will most likely continue on.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The chemistry of relationships
There are several types of chemistry required in romantic relationships. An article written by experts at the University of Buffalo explains that the "something" that attracts us to somone more than another is actually several physical elements that, if they occur in a certain order, at the right time and in the right place -- can result in true love (University 1). The article goes on to provide various examples of different neurochemical processes and external stimuli that have to click in the right complex and the right sequence for someone to fall in love (University 2).
First there is smell. Smell forms part of the framework that conforms to cultural attractiveness standards and Mark Kristal, a professor of psychology at UB, uses the example of "smelling like a strawberry instead of mildew" (University 3). Shannon Brownlee also suggests that a man's smell could also trigger infatuation in a woman, as well as release a host of memories that could, at the right moment touch off vivid pleasant memories and possibly ignite that first stunning moment of romantic orientation (Brownlee 304). Then there are pheromones. "Pheromones are signals that enter the brain through the olfactory system. They can function in sex, alarm, territoriality, aggression, and fear" (University 4). Kristal also said, that while sex attractant pheromones may explain changes in libido, they don't explain why we choose a specific person for a mate.
The last neurochemical process discussed in the article in the brain itself and how it produces it's own substances that are involved in bonding. Two major brain peptides that have been been shown to be involved in both the permanent or long-term social bonding that underlies mating, are vasopressin and oxycotin. In Brownlees article, she discusses the major role of oxycotin in motherhood. "With the help of oxycotin, mothers are able to cater to their offspring's every whim and whimper" (Brownlee 295). "A woman with higher levels of oxycotin are more sensitive to other people's feelings and better at reading non-verbal cues than those with lower levels" (Brownlee 296).
Are things like falling in love, physical attraction and coutrship based solely off of matters of chemistry and biology? With all of the neurochemical elements that trigger physical attraction and suggest the process of selecting a mate, it is becoming easier to say that these elements have alot to do with 'falling in love'. With providing such chemicals as a reasoning for infatuation, lust, and love, it would seem likely that this explanation would also lead us to monogamy, but also adultry. If these chemicals lead us to choose a mate, do they eventually fade, and does the process occur all over again, leading one to be unfaithful? If this is so, then pologamy would be more common, thus the idea of monogamous marriage would increasing decline over time. I do feel like there is more to relationships then the chemicals that drive us to infatuation and attraction. Yes, these chemicals may aid us in choosing a mate, however, these chemicals forcing us is definitely not the case.
Psychologist Says Neurochemical Processes Explain Romantic Attraction. University at Buffalo: News Center. 10 Feb. 2007. Web. 13 Oct. 2009.
First there is smell. Smell forms part of the framework that conforms to cultural attractiveness standards and Mark Kristal, a professor of psychology at UB, uses the example of "smelling like a strawberry instead of mildew" (University 3). Shannon Brownlee also suggests that a man's smell could also trigger infatuation in a woman, as well as release a host of memories that could, at the right moment touch off vivid pleasant memories and possibly ignite that first stunning moment of romantic orientation (Brownlee 304). Then there are pheromones. "Pheromones are signals that enter the brain through the olfactory system. They can function in sex, alarm, territoriality, aggression, and fear" (University 4). Kristal also said, that while sex attractant pheromones may explain changes in libido, they don't explain why we choose a specific person for a mate.
The last neurochemical process discussed in the article in the brain itself and how it produces it's own substances that are involved in bonding. Two major brain peptides that have been been shown to be involved in both the permanent or long-term social bonding that underlies mating, are vasopressin and oxycotin. In Brownlees article, she discusses the major role of oxycotin in motherhood. "With the help of oxycotin, mothers are able to cater to their offspring's every whim and whimper" (Brownlee 295). "A woman with higher levels of oxycotin are more sensitive to other people's feelings and better at reading non-verbal cues than those with lower levels" (Brownlee 296).
Are things like falling in love, physical attraction and coutrship based solely off of matters of chemistry and biology? With all of the neurochemical elements that trigger physical attraction and suggest the process of selecting a mate, it is becoming easier to say that these elements have alot to do with 'falling in love'. With providing such chemicals as a reasoning for infatuation, lust, and love, it would seem likely that this explanation would also lead us to monogamy, but also adultry. If these chemicals lead us to choose a mate, do they eventually fade, and does the process occur all over again, leading one to be unfaithful? If this is so, then pologamy would be more common, thus the idea of monogamous marriage would increasing decline over time. I do feel like there is more to relationships then the chemicals that drive us to infatuation and attraction. Yes, these chemicals may aid us in choosing a mate, however, these chemicals forcing us is definitely not the case.
Psychologist Says Neurochemical Processes Explain Romantic Attraction. University at Buffalo: News Center. 10 Feb. 2007. Web. 13 Oct. 2009.
Week 7 Blog Reviews
Mary Holtz:
For better of for worse, until death do us part:
I really enjoyed the title itself, I thought it was really creative. I also thought you made a good point when you said that now rather than "for better or for worse", it seems like “for better, maybe a few fights, but when it gets bad I’m out of here!” I also thought you made a good segway from your introduction paragraph to the body by asking the reader questions such as "Whats the problem" and "...is it something that we should get rid of as a “sign of the times?” I also noticed you chose one main reason for your reasoning which was untimately to have one partner is the most selfless thing a parent can do for the child. I agree. I also enjoyed your concluding paragraph when you make the point that if morality isn't enough, then maybe spoken word is. I really enjoyed your post, it flowed really well, all of your citations were correct and you made some good points!
"I just don't like talking on the phone"
Immediatly when I read the title of this post, it made me think of the same exact situation with my own boyfriend! We both took some of the same points Tannen made and incorporated them into our post. I liked how you kind of gave an explanation as to why your boyfriend used "I just don't like talking on the phone" by Tannens point that male relationships are heavily based off of time spent on activities together, and talking on the phone was hardly an activity. I thought that was a good point to make. I thought your next paragraph, was even more interesting. I also would think that since one would rather be at an angle and not looking someone in the eye, they would rather have a conversation on the phone. I really liked the personal experience you chose to write about, because similar situations come up with my boyfriend as well. I thought you chose the perfect points to explain why they do so! I look forward to reading future posts.
Whitney Semmens:
He said, she said:
First of all I really enjoy all the pictures you choose in your blogs and I expecially thought this weeks went with the blog perfectly! You and I both have similar situations with our boyfriends where we finish telling them something and feel like they heard nothing, or weren't paying attention. I thought this particular quote from Tannen that you used was interesting, "We also often agree with each others points of views and reassure each other that we have all been in the same place at one point." I found it interesting, because it's true. After reading all of the blog reviews, most of us girls agreed that we've had a similar experience and explain that we can relate. I enjoyed the experience about being stressed out that you shared in the blog, and I know the feeling of just wanting him to sympathize rather then say what you already know. I really like that you concluded the blog by saying that after reading Tannen's work, "I think I might take a breather before I feel so insulted by my boyfriend's responses to my rantings." I felt the same way. I really like this post, the only thing I would say is the paragraphs were a little lengthy and could maybe have been broken up into two seperate ones, but it still had a really good flow and you chose good points from Tannen to incorporate with your experiences.
Til death do us part:
I thought you had a really good thesis statement because it raised a good point. I agree, it isn't too far fetched to say it is more likely to get into a serious car accident then it is to have a successful marriage. I thought you made strong points, especially by saying how Wright makes a point that makes comparisons to humans and other mammals of the animal kingdom. I thought it was a good point, especially since you sort of turned this point into the theme of your post. You made really good points in your concluding paragraph. Saying that since humans are capable of so much more than animals, that they should be capable of a monogomous marriage. I found the last sentence of the post to be especially strong. The post overall had really good organization which made it easy to read and understand your point of view. I really enjoyed reading it!
For better of for worse, until death do us part:
I really enjoyed the title itself, I thought it was really creative. I also thought you made a good point when you said that now rather than "for better or for worse", it seems like “for better, maybe a few fights, but when it gets bad I’m out of here!” I also thought you made a good segway from your introduction paragraph to the body by asking the reader questions such as "Whats the problem" and "...is it something that we should get rid of as a “sign of the times?” I also noticed you chose one main reason for your reasoning which was untimately to have one partner is the most selfless thing a parent can do for the child. I agree. I also enjoyed your concluding paragraph when you make the point that if morality isn't enough, then maybe spoken word is. I really enjoyed your post, it flowed really well, all of your citations were correct and you made some good points!
"I just don't like talking on the phone"
Immediatly when I read the title of this post, it made me think of the same exact situation with my own boyfriend! We both took some of the same points Tannen made and incorporated them into our post. I liked how you kind of gave an explanation as to why your boyfriend used "I just don't like talking on the phone" by Tannens point that male relationships are heavily based off of time spent on activities together, and talking on the phone was hardly an activity. I thought that was a good point to make. I thought your next paragraph, was even more interesting. I also would think that since one would rather be at an angle and not looking someone in the eye, they would rather have a conversation on the phone. I really liked the personal experience you chose to write about, because similar situations come up with my boyfriend as well. I thought you chose the perfect points to explain why they do so! I look forward to reading future posts.
Whitney Semmens:
He said, she said:
First of all I really enjoy all the pictures you choose in your blogs and I expecially thought this weeks went with the blog perfectly! You and I both have similar situations with our boyfriends where we finish telling them something and feel like they heard nothing, or weren't paying attention. I thought this particular quote from Tannen that you used was interesting, "We also often agree with each others points of views and reassure each other that we have all been in the same place at one point." I found it interesting, because it's true. After reading all of the blog reviews, most of us girls agreed that we've had a similar experience and explain that we can relate. I enjoyed the experience about being stressed out that you shared in the blog, and I know the feeling of just wanting him to sympathize rather then say what you already know. I really like that you concluded the blog by saying that after reading Tannen's work, "I think I might take a breather before I feel so insulted by my boyfriend's responses to my rantings." I felt the same way. I really like this post, the only thing I would say is the paragraphs were a little lengthy and could maybe have been broken up into two seperate ones, but it still had a really good flow and you chose good points from Tannen to incorporate with your experiences.
Til death do us part:
I thought you had a really good thesis statement because it raised a good point. I agree, it isn't too far fetched to say it is more likely to get into a serious car accident then it is to have a successful marriage. I thought you made strong points, especially by saying how Wright makes a point that makes comparisons to humans and other mammals of the animal kingdom. I thought it was a good point, especially since you sort of turned this point into the theme of your post. You made really good points in your concluding paragraph. Saying that since humans are capable of so much more than animals, that they should be capable of a monogomous marriage. I found the last sentence of the post to be especially strong. The post overall had really good organization which made it easy to read and understand your point of view. I really enjoyed reading it!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Preservation of Monogamous marriages
On the surface, the basis of evolutionary psychology seems simple. Wright claims, " the human mind, like any other organ, was designed for the purpose of transmitting genes to the next generation (Wright 280)." The feelings and thoughts the human mind creates was best described as relating to how the feelings of hunger, no less than the stomach, is here because it helped keep our ancestors alive long enough to reproduce and rear their young (Wright 220). In this article, he explained the importance of having such feelings, because ancestors who would have lacked them, would essentially not have became ancestors due to their inability to survive. When referring to evoluntionary psychology, terms like 'sexual strategy' also come into play'. This term, like the examples Wright provided, refers to preferences for a particular mate, feelings of love, desire for sex, and jealousy, as psychological mechanisms.
Perhaps evolution of humans beings and sexuality, is actually the cause for the rise of failures in monogamous marriage, or marriage itself. The world has so greatly evolved, that the principles that Buss discussed, such as sexual strategies I discussed previously, or the process by which selecting a mate is sought out is no longer based off of their own personal need for survival. Although one may select a mate based off of their income and ability to support a family, it is not essential to their own survival. Another challenge with preservation of monogamy in the modern world lies in movies, billboards, and magazines (Wirhgt 286). In the long ago world, their was no photography that basically shaped the male mind. In the deep level, a male may respond to such photos and if they were possible mates alluring alternatives to dull, monogamous devotion (Wright 286).
If heterosexual monogamous marriage is not preserved then it very likely that is will permit social inequality. Practicing otherwise will lead them to believe they have more power or social status than the average Joe (Wright 286". Again, considering an alternative to monogamous marriage, such as polygyny, Wright says " it lets powerful men grab extra sexual resources (women) leaving less fortunate men without mates, or atleast without mates young enough to bear children. Thus, the divorce rate would not only end the marriage of some men but also prevent marriage of others, and possibly lower the possibilties of reproducing. People in all cultures experience love and have coined specific words for it (Buss 262). The fact that love has pervaded, convinces us that love, within the important components of commitment, tenderness, and passion, is inevitably part of the human experience, within the grasp of everyone (Buss 262). Monogamous marriages should not only be preserved for issues like social order, reproduction reasons, gender roles and organization, but for this key component of human experience- love.
Perhaps evolution of humans beings and sexuality, is actually the cause for the rise of failures in monogamous marriage, or marriage itself. The world has so greatly evolved, that the principles that Buss discussed, such as sexual strategies I discussed previously, or the process by which selecting a mate is sought out is no longer based off of their own personal need for survival. Although one may select a mate based off of their income and ability to support a family, it is not essential to their own survival. Another challenge with preservation of monogamy in the modern world lies in movies, billboards, and magazines (Wirhgt 286). In the long ago world, their was no photography that basically shaped the male mind. In the deep level, a male may respond to such photos and if they were possible mates alluring alternatives to dull, monogamous devotion (Wright 286).
If heterosexual monogamous marriage is not preserved then it very likely that is will permit social inequality. Practicing otherwise will lead them to believe they have more power or social status than the average Joe (Wright 286". Again, considering an alternative to monogamous marriage, such as polygyny, Wright says " it lets powerful men grab extra sexual resources (women) leaving less fortunate men without mates, or atleast without mates young enough to bear children. Thus, the divorce rate would not only end the marriage of some men but also prevent marriage of others, and possibly lower the possibilties of reproducing. People in all cultures experience love and have coined specific words for it (Buss 262). The fact that love has pervaded, convinces us that love, within the important components of commitment, tenderness, and passion, is inevitably part of the human experience, within the grasp of everyone (Buss 262). Monogamous marriages should not only be preserved for issues like social order, reproduction reasons, gender roles and organization, but for this key component of human experience- love.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Battle of the Sexes
This article pointed out a number of ways that miscommunication plays out. Even starting as children, the sex-seperate groups have different organizational structures. As Tannen says " For women, as for girls, intimacy is the fabric of relationships and talk is the thread from which it is woven." "Bonds between boys can be intense as girls, but they are based on less talking, more on doing things together."
When reading this article, I couldn't help but relate some of the situations to my own relationship with my boyfriend. When Tannen says , " when women tell men " you aren't listening, and the men protest, I am, the men are right". (Beedles 242)This happens all the time with me and my boyfriend. We will be conversating on the phone, or watching TV, and I will tell him a story of something that happened during the day, or some upcoming events, and I am finished and it's silent or he's still staring at the TV, and I, like what Tannen points out, say "You aren't listening!", and he replies " I Am", then casually repeats almost everything I had just said. Tannen points out that the fact that the tendency of men to face away can give women the impression they aren't listening even when they are, and this article, and him quoting me word for word, makes me realize he actually is listening.
Another example from the article that I can relate to is switching topics. "Switching topics is another habit that gives women the imprssion men aren't listening, especially if they switch to a topic about themselves. (Beedles 243)" I will again, be telling him something and the next thing I know he is bringing up his car or something along those lines. I know he hears me, but doesn't respond, which makes me feel like he didn't hear anything I said.
After reading this article, I feel that alot of the 50 percent divorce rate is derived from an "epidemic of failed conversation", and if couples would read some of the points pointed out about the opposite sex, arguments might be resolved much easier. Even within my own relationship, we have been together for two years and no eachother good enough to understand how eachother communicates, but regardless, this points Tannen points out in this article makes me understand a little better why is appears he isn't listening when he really is. I found this article really interesting and was glad I could relate to some of the points she made.
When reading this article, I couldn't help but relate some of the situations to my own relationship with my boyfriend. When Tannen says , " when women tell men " you aren't listening, and the men protest, I am, the men are right". (Beedles 242)This happens all the time with me and my boyfriend. We will be conversating on the phone, or watching TV, and I will tell him a story of something that happened during the day, or some upcoming events, and I am finished and it's silent or he's still staring at the TV, and I, like what Tannen points out, say "You aren't listening!", and he replies " I Am", then casually repeats almost everything I had just said. Tannen points out that the fact that the tendency of men to face away can give women the impression they aren't listening even when they are, and this article, and him quoting me word for word, makes me realize he actually is listening.
Another example from the article that I can relate to is switching topics. "Switching topics is another habit that gives women the imprssion men aren't listening, especially if they switch to a topic about themselves. (Beedles 243)" I will again, be telling him something and the next thing I know he is bringing up his car or something along those lines. I know he hears me, but doesn't respond, which makes me feel like he didn't hear anything I said.
After reading this article, I feel that alot of the 50 percent divorce rate is derived from an "epidemic of failed conversation", and if couples would read some of the points pointed out about the opposite sex, arguments might be resolved much easier. Even within my own relationship, we have been together for two years and no eachother good enough to understand how eachother communicates, but regardless, this points Tannen points out in this article makes me understand a little better why is appears he isn't listening when he really is. I found this article really interesting and was glad I could relate to some of the points she made.
Week 6 Blog Reviews
MARY
Virtual Family:
I really enjoyed how you introduced your blog with personal experiences relating to the subject. I find it funny that my mom has a facebook also! Yet, she takes about 5 minutes to text two words to me. I also thought it was smart of you to point out that there are many different definitions for a family. I also thought your blog had really good organization; you started by relating to the topic, then stated facts and quotes from the book, and then closed with answering the original question. I like your writing style, it is almost as if you were talking about the topic in person. Overall, I thought the organization was good, I liked the personal relations to the topic, and you made some good points!
Disney Gone Wild:
I really liked the title you chose for the blog! I kind of laughed as soon as I saw it, but everything you pointed out in your blog was entirely true and probably applied to more than just Ariel. I never would of thought about that in that way. Again, I saw that you had really good organization, by having an introduction paragraph, a paragraph stating facts which support your claim, and so on. This makes it very easy to read and comprehend. I also thought you chose the perfect quotes to go along with your claims. I enjoyed reading both of these blogs, especially this one!!
WHITNEY:
The Evolution of Family:
I thought you made some really good strong arguments in this blog. I thought you also had a really strong thesis statement, with pointing out how much technology has changed in the world. I liked how you pointed out how different gender roles have chnaged within the family as well, by using the following examples, "The man of the household evolved into the breadwinner while the woman continued to stay home to take care of the children, cook, clean, and accomplish any other homely duties." You, like Mary, also pointed out how there could be many definition in the family these days.
Girl Power:
I haven't watched the movie Anywhere but Here, but after reading your blog, I would be interested in watching it. I really liked how you pointed out that in American fiction, heterosexual marriages are rare, and this could be Hollywoods way of portraying the truth because more than half of marriages are divorced. I also thought it was smart to talk about the daughter contrasting to the mother, both have very different plans, yet stay true to them, which I agree with you, is inspiring. I think that you used perfect quotes to relate to your topic as well. For example, how they both used their sexuality, like Thelma and Louise. I thought your blog has alot of interesting point of views and I liked that you closed you blog with an opinion.
Virtual Family:
I really enjoyed how you introduced your blog with personal experiences relating to the subject. I find it funny that my mom has a facebook also! Yet, she takes about 5 minutes to text two words to me. I also thought it was smart of you to point out that there are many different definitions for a family. I also thought your blog had really good organization; you started by relating to the topic, then stated facts and quotes from the book, and then closed with answering the original question. I like your writing style, it is almost as if you were talking about the topic in person. Overall, I thought the organization was good, I liked the personal relations to the topic, and you made some good points!
Disney Gone Wild:
I really liked the title you chose for the blog! I kind of laughed as soon as I saw it, but everything you pointed out in your blog was entirely true and probably applied to more than just Ariel. I never would of thought about that in that way. Again, I saw that you had really good organization, by having an introduction paragraph, a paragraph stating facts which support your claim, and so on. This makes it very easy to read and comprehend. I also thought you chose the perfect quotes to go along with your claims. I enjoyed reading both of these blogs, especially this one!!
WHITNEY:
The Evolution of Family:
I thought you made some really good strong arguments in this blog. I thought you also had a really strong thesis statement, with pointing out how much technology has changed in the world. I liked how you pointed out how different gender roles have chnaged within the family as well, by using the following examples, "The man of the household evolved into the breadwinner while the woman continued to stay home to take care of the children, cook, clean, and accomplish any other homely duties." You, like Mary, also pointed out how there could be many definition in the family these days.
Girl Power:
I haven't watched the movie Anywhere but Here, but after reading your blog, I would be interested in watching it. I really liked how you pointed out that in American fiction, heterosexual marriages are rare, and this could be Hollywoods way of portraying the truth because more than half of marriages are divorced. I also thought it was smart to talk about the daughter contrasting to the mother, both have very different plans, yet stay true to them, which I agree with you, is inspiring. I think that you used perfect quotes to relate to your topic as well. For example, how they both used their sexuality, like Thelma and Louise. I thought your blog has alot of interesting point of views and I liked that you closed you blog with an opinion.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Technology within the family
D'Emilio states, " I have suggested that the relationship between capitalism and the family is fundamentally contradictory. (Beedles, 235)" He says on one hand, capitalism continually weakens the material foundation of family life, making it possible for individuals to live outside the family, and for a lesbian and gay male identity to develop. On the other, it needs to push men and women into families, at least long enough to reproduce the next generation of workers (Beedles 235). I find these same statements to be held true when relating the impact of technology in the family.
Technology, like capitalism, allows even further for individuals to live outside the family and has made it possible for a lesbian and gay male identity to develop. Things like surgical procedures that allow a sex change take lesbian and gay indentities to another level. Contradicting, technology also pushes men and women into families, or allows them to be closer, and when talking about the gay and lesbian community, technology has also made it possible for a homosexual couple to reproduce and develop their own families. New technology has provided lesbian couples or other families with the option of IVF and GIFT and fertility clinics that provide donated sperm. This is becoming a increasingly more common part of society and it allows people who otherwise wouldn't be able to develop a family, have that option.
Our world has changed dramatically due to the impact of technology. There are positive and negative effects, although I believe the positive effects outway the negative. Technology has increased means of communication all around the world. With cell phones, interenet, blog sites, video chat such a skype, and website such as facebook, there are numerous ways to communicate with family members and makes it so much more accesible to keep in touch with family members who may live far away. Some may argue however, that this same technology, keeps us occupied in front of our TV's, on our cell phones, or in front of our laptop, rather then spending time face to face with family members. However, I do believe that this is not the case for a lot of families, and that technology has provided many great opportunies far beyond communication that will allow us to adapt to our constantly altering world.
Technology, like capitalism, allows even further for individuals to live outside the family and has made it possible for a lesbian and gay male identity to develop. Things like surgical procedures that allow a sex change take lesbian and gay indentities to another level. Contradicting, technology also pushes men and women into families, or allows them to be closer, and when talking about the gay and lesbian community, technology has also made it possible for a homosexual couple to reproduce and develop their own families. New technology has provided lesbian couples or other families with the option of IVF and GIFT and fertility clinics that provide donated sperm. This is becoming a increasingly more common part of society and it allows people who otherwise wouldn't be able to develop a family, have that option.
Our world has changed dramatically due to the impact of technology. There are positive and negative effects, although I believe the positive effects outway the negative. Technology has increased means of communication all around the world. With cell phones, interenet, blog sites, video chat such a skype, and website such as facebook, there are numerous ways to communicate with family members and makes it so much more accesible to keep in touch with family members who may live far away. Some may argue however, that this same technology, keeps us occupied in front of our TV's, on our cell phones, or in front of our laptop, rather then spending time face to face with family members. However, I do believe that this is not the case for a lot of families, and that technology has provided many great opportunies far beyond communication that will allow us to adapt to our constantly altering world.
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