Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Global Warming

I would title the first article “Key or Fork” and in my intro explain that we need cut back on these things because they are contributing to global warming. My audience would be from the ages of 20-40 because I think they are the drivers of this nation as well as meat buyers. My tone for this article would be pretty relaxed but filled with facts. I would also try to make my audience laugh a little bit while reading. My introduction would be one with a couple of statistics for back up as I argued how global warming will one day take over our world. I would want my article to appear in a national newspaper such as the Washington Post, or the New York Times.

My title for the second essay/article is gong to be “Greenhouse vs. You”, and my target audience would be a large age group, 20-60 years of age. Just in the picture alone there are awesome stats that can be used in the essay. My tone would be “logos”, mostly because I think a scholarly approach is the best kind strategy to use in an article. Again, my intro would include statistics and facts that would bring my side of the argument to recognition. Also, by using these facts and stats in my introduction, the reader will automatically start to side with your comments, unless he/she is already opposing the view strongly. I would have this article show up in the most popular magazines possible such as “TIME.”
I would have to title my essay “NO JOKE” and use the comic with the sharks reading. Because the cartoon almost picks fun at global warming, I think by titling my essay “no joke” it will make my audience realize the seriousness of the matter rather than laugh it off. My target audience would be people in my age group, so from the ages of 16-20, targeting the younger side of the scale because not many adolescents know about global warming. The tone of my essay would be a scholarly, and a casual one. I would want my audience to read my article/essay and not have them think they were just being lectured about another current event. Along the way, I would slip in interesting and necessary facts, so while they are reading, they will have great information and not be bored with the content. My introduction style would be one that used a significant quotation or a startling fact or statistic. I believe that the reader will automatically be intrigued by a fact or statistic, especially if he/she cares about the topic at hand. My intro would include information that warns the audience about global warming and its harmful effects. I would argue the side of trying to save the environment. This introduction strategy would be the most effective because right off the bat I would be hitting the readers with facts that cannot be argued against. I want my article/essay to appear in adolescent magazines such as “Seventeen”, for girls, and “Men’s health”, and “Sports illustrated”, for guys. Although a sporting magazine, so many people read Sports Illustrated that I think my point would be able to get across to the intended audience.

Please read everything before discarding

Hey Mom,

I hope you have been having a great week so far. Everything is going smoothly here. I’m writing you not only to say hello, but also to talk to you about this summer. We have already agreed that I am going to need a summer job, which I am all for. What I am asking, is that you get a car for me so I can get to and from this job, without interfering with your schedule. There is a car on the market now called the Toyota Prius, which is a hybrid vehicle. I have done some research, and this car is able to get up to 45 miles per gallon, which means gas will not be as expensive either. But, the thing that makes this car so great is that it is extremely affordable at 21,000. The major issue we have discussed is the money and I know this is expensive, but that is the price for a brand new 2008 model, which means we can find another Prius for much cheaper. Also, the insurance cost. With a job where I can work anytime, and get there anytime with this car, I will be able to pay for the insurance or most of it each month.
Joe,
I appreciate you concern with interfering with my schedule, but right now, there is no way i even have the money to buy this car, or a car in general. So there really isn’t anything I can do. I’m sorry about that. Again, I appreciate your concern, but I have no problem with changing my schedule somewhat to accommodate you. You are my son, and I love you. Take Care.
Love Mom

Mom,
I was expecting that so no harm done. But I was wondering if there was any way we might be able to compromise on this situation. Would it be possible to work out a schedule, where a couple of days a week, you could take the bus to work, so I could have your car for the day and to get to work. Another compromise I wanted to ask you about is if I save up my money from this summer, could you put money towards a car for next summer along with mine from this summer? I don’t need an expensive car, just need to get from point A to point B. All for now, think about it and get back to me
Love,
Joe

Thursday, February 21, 2008

"The Shot"
First, before an in depth analysis of this magnificent photograph, I find it important that we understand that this won a Pulitzer Prize for its majesty. Although harsh-looking, this photograph by Eddie Adams can tell so many different stories depending on how you look at it. In this photograph, General Nguyen Ngoc Loan, is seen executing a Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. This photo makes the General look like a terrible and violent person. But what has to be understood, is that this in reality is what war is and was. General Loan is only doing his job. In fact, the Viet Cong in this photograph is about to be executed because he killed American soldiers. Also, it is said that the General took this action after he told one of his men to do it and his soldier was too afraid to do it. After taking this still picture, Adams felt terrible. He’s stated “The general killed the Viet Cong; I killed the general with my camera.” He realized after this photo was taken and published that he ruined the life of this Lt. Colonel.
As far as me wanting this photo published, I suppose it depends on the time and place. If I was for the Vietnam War, I would publish this picture in a magazine, mainly due to the fact that it shows how violent wars can be. I would want this published so we could maybe have soldiers sent back home from overseas. If I was the man doing the execution, I would not want this photo published in any newspapers and/of magazines. Although common in war, this is a violent act that I, even though necessary, would feel terrible about.

Monday, February 18, 2008

I didn't now how to upload the picture on the blog page but I used the picture where the soldiers are holding the american flag above all of the people:

Tragedy


When interpreting this photograph it is obvious that the photographer is against the war in Iraq. The way in which Hiensler took this photograph allows the viewer to recognize many different symbols within. First of all, when he took the picture, he made sure that he captured the mourning and sorrow of family members as well as a coffin and American flag. When broken down into parts, a viewer can clearly determine that this is the funeral of a fallen soldier. Next, we look at how the photo was taken and at which angles. Not only did Heinsler capture these important images, but he did it in a way that symbolizes what the war is truely doing, and what America really is in his mind. He made sure to get under the flag while capturing this photo, all while getting the crying family members in the background. I believe he did this so it seems as if America, sybolized by the flag, is over powering its citizens to the point where it is not in our control anymore. American soldiers are dying everyday, but this photo shows that it is America's fault, or the government.
If I was going to write an arguementative essay on this photograph, I would argue against the war in Iraq. It is apparent that the photographer is making a case against the war, and there are many different things inside the photo that would allow me to go on with his arguement. For example, an easy place to start would be the mourning family members in the background. From there, I could go on about the American flag over compassing the entire picture and what that symbolizes.
My caption that I would put underneath this photograph would be "Are Still For It?" I think I picked these words because not only does it touch on a sensitive subject and may make the viewer feel guilty, but it also makes the veiwer think about his/her stance on this particular situation. My arguement would be against the war.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Steriods

My reaction to the You-Tube video was kind of what i had expected. The only exception to this was that the video talked about the good in steriods rather thatn 90% of the other stories you hear talking about the harmful side of them. I was not as shocked or surprised at the video because have been hearing about steriods for a long time now. Being an athlete, I was constantly reminded about the side effects...good and bad, since about the age of 15. My parents and coaches all shared thier opinions on that subject matter. To the completely obvlivious, I think the video failed to talk about the side effects of steriods, but I also believe that the producers thought most people have at lesat heard what steriods can do to a person. I think the fallacies this video produces is one that says steriods are completely harmless and are more harmless than harmful. the problem with that, is that the people being interviewed are educated geniuses on this certain topic and all of them know how to use them the proper way. As far as being able to use steriods responsibly, I think you can use anything in a responsible manner, so yes, they can be used in a right way. I myself don't trust or think they are worth my time. Even if they were legal in sports, i still am not sure if i would venture down that road. Its almost like cheating your true self out of what your'e capable of.
Some people say that steriods constitutes cheating and some say that they are perfectly fine. But if you look at who is saying what, the bodybuilders and professional weightlifters are the ones that say they are perfectly fine. this is because there is no risk of losing out on something for them. Professional athletes on the other hand, know what the consequesnces of taking steriods or any other performance enhancing drug are. Knowingly still taking them is incompetant and shameful, especially when others are not taking them and still competing with the users. Partaking in any organized sports and any age is wrong and is, in my mind cheating. I think highschoolers should ahve to take random drug tests just liike NCAA students do. If a highschool athlete is taking these drugs and seeing that they cannot use them in college, it will only slow the athlete down when he/she gets to university. They cannot take the risk and use steriods for fear of losing scholarship money. That means when they get to college, they will either get blown away by the other athletes, or completely fail at the expectations that were suppose to be met.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

MUSCLES!!

In the first piece, we see a comic which is advertising Charles Atlas’ secret masculine work out plan. In the comic, we see a skinny teenager making conversation with a pretty girl on the beach. During this time, a “huskier” teenager kicks sand in this skinny kids face. When the skinny one goes to confront the bigger kid, the bigger kid tells him that he will smash his face in. Ultimately, the skinny man says enough is enough, and tries Charles Atlas’ workout program, and with in no time at all, develops a lot of muscle. He then goes to the beach and punches the guy who kicked sand in his face, and the Comic is concluded with the new and improved “man” getting the ladies on the beach, and impressing the girl he tried to talk with before. The second piece is an article that is comparing and discussing the development of action figures over roughly a 25 year span. It shows that when action figures first came out, they looked like normal humans, but as time goes on, these action figures develop into muscle machines. Eventually, these figures become extremely disproportional, and a study showed that they have bigger features than the biggest bodybuilders of today.
The tone of the second piece was definitely more formal and believable, mostly due to scientific evidence. The tone of the first piece was a more playful and fun tone being it was a comic. Also, it is a good way for Charles Atlas to get his program out there, but by advertising it in comics the way he did, I know that I would most likely pass the program by. There is nothing in his article that shows me how me, myself can develop the kind of muscles that he says I can develop. All that is shown is a skinny kid that grows muscles and is the hero of the beach…somewhat of a cliché. This being said, I think the first article, Charles Atlas’, would target a much younger audience, meaning children and teenagers, especially because it was shown in comics. I believe the second piece would have targeted an older audience, maybe 25 years and above.
After reading both pieces, I thought the first to be kind of funny to be honest. The dramatization that was used in the comic was extremely obvious and like I stated above, most of the article was a major cliché. As a young teenager, by parents were reluctant to start to let me work out because if done too soon, it will stunt your growth. I did not start to work out until I was sixteen years old, after my growth spurt. As a young lad, I toyed with some action figures, and yes, I remember them to have an extreme amount of muscle, almost too much to be true. But at the same time, I came to the realization that these action figures were super heroes, and because they had superpowers (which were not real) had huge muscles. I remember having one GI Joe and it looked completely proportional.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Pro - Ana Websites

1.) The fact that websites like the pro-ana sites, are up and available to youngsters makes me sick, and there are many different reasons why they should be shut down. I believe these websites are a major contributor and mjor reason why these young girls think it's ok to be anorexic. Here is a place where anorexics of all ages can sit and talk to eachother about how this disease is good for them. And not only do these sites promote anorexia and bulimia, but they are encouraging 14-15 year old girls that these two illnesses are the answeres to their problems. In fact, on the website anorexia and bulimia are not classified as "illnesses," but a "lifestyle in which they choose to live." Another reason these websites should be shut down, is it potentially takes the control away from parents. If a parent is on their childs case about not eating or not being a healthy eater, all that child has to do is log onto a pro-ana site, and recieve a million reasons why the way in which he/she is eating is perfectly ok for them. If the websites never existed many, many more children and adolescense could have been saved from anorexia and bulimia a long time ago.



2.) Websites such as the pro-ano sites found ll over the internet is a great idea for young children and adults who struggle with thier sef-image. These websites give these poor souls an outlet where they can reach out to others with the same problems. Pro-ana sites give these people a common ground where they can go to in order to feel comfortable with who they are. Everyone else they talk to either try to get them into rehab, shun the idea of, or talk down about anorexia and bulimia, but to the strugglers, these other people don't know them, or what it is like. With these websites, these struggling youngsters can find comfort in thier decisions to take part in pro-ana.



3.) So now the tough question: To abolish the websites in order to save the American youth, or to keep the websites, because in the long run, they actually are helping struggling teens all over this country. Well, i think it's important to not be too one sided on such a touchy subject such as this one. the fact of the matter is, teens do not need to reading material that will in the end, tell them that anorexia and bulimia is the correct decision for them. But, I also understand that when teens do convert to these diseases, the last thing you want to do as a loved one is

Monday, February 4, 2008

Comparing Advertisements

My initial reaction after reading and paging through this ad, was taken aback a little bit. It was almost as if they were telling all people that exercise by using anaerobic exercise that they weren’t right in doing that because it was lazy. And that definitely isn’t the case. I think it’s safe to say that most of the American population exercise by jogging and most of them get a great workout. So ultimately, the ad is telling the majority of exercisers that they are lazy. Elements that stood out were things such as the vocabulary used and how with each turn of the page, a different topic was started, but in the end it was related back to the same theme; running.
I myself definitely do not run for pleasure or self meditation. So when I read this ad, I kind of laughed at how serious the message was that the author and creators presented. Also, when I think of the intended audience of this ad, I think of middle aged men and women, which, may be the reason, it did not appeal to me as much.
After considering both articles for my magazine, I would definitely chose to publish Reebok’s ad of “I am what I am/Run Easy” I not only think, that this ad would appeal to a much bigger audience allowing me to sell more merchandise, and I relate more to it, but I just like how this ad is laid out. I think it is very blunt, but it makes you think at the same time. It’s a simple concept that people would not have to think about when buying products.