SG# 5 Up Worthy

As I research more on my writing project I am discovering more than I could ever imagine. The Web site Up Worthy is a rare find. I was looking at Facebook and saw a couple of videos from that web site that would have been perfect for my writing project. I am focusing on the medias corrosive effect on girl's and women's self esteem. The one where they create a more perfect model from the template of a real woman is shocking. The effects are so subtle that it appears that the photo is untouched. Nothing could be father from the truth. The model is an attractive woman to begin with, but for some unknown reason the persons filming her felt that she could be improved. The video of Dustin Hoffman shows that women are not the only ones affected by the standard of beauty that pervades our society. Another eye opening video is one where women are asked to describe themselves to a FBI trained forensic artist. The results were astonishing.  I believe that we all have gifts and wonders of our own. The variances in people is what makes them interesting.
   On this site a forensic artist had several women describe them selves to him, without him ever seeing them. The results were surprising and universally much more critical than the description provided by a stranger. It seems to be a sad truth that we are our harshest critics. The women in the video were average looking women, but that was not the way they saw themselves. 

Pink is right,"Change the voices in your head. Make them like you instead." If we don't like ourselves, how can we hope that others will  love and accept us?

AE#5 Media Synthesize

   I've never given much thought to media other than being aware that there was always a product to sale. It is so commonplace that it blends into the background. The bombardment is relentless and ubiquitous. It appears on everything, from billboards to individual cars on the road.  I have begun to pay closer attention to the message that is being conveyed. Sometimes it is hard to discover just what is being sold, like in the Trunk Monkey ad. Funny and memorable but the name of the product being sold is quickly forgotten. I have been a sales person in my life and, that has caused me to look at advertising with a critical, if not skeptical, eye. The advertising method that works best on me is the one that makes me laugh. It may influence my behavior by tickling my funny bone. The method I would use in my sales technique would be to appeal to the person's sense of self interest, they shouldn't be without the benefit of the product that I was offering. I would not sale a product that I didn't want myself. Being on both sides of sales gives me a perspective that some may not have. The surest way to lose me as a customer is to hard sale me. I've been almost bullied into buying portraits of my children at Owen Mills over a decade ago, I will never step into that studio again.
     I have noticed that people believe that they can buy prestige by buying a particular brand. Not that it is better made or superior in any way other than the brand marketing. I am not immune to the influence, I have an affinity to Coach handbags. I know that they do no better job of holding my belongings than one bought at Walmart. I do buy them, but at an outlet store. I comfort myself by saying that I like the looks of the handbags, not that I fell for the sales pitch, although we all know I did.
 I try to be careful in my purchases, I tend to buy at stores that have a component of social consciousness, like Chipotle. The food is delicious, and knowing that the company is serving "food with integrity" is a bonus. The advertising campaign is centered on the concept of social consciousness, I think that is a very successful strategy. I know that it appeals to me.
  I will be a bit more aware, and beware, of the way media tries to persuade me to buy a product or a lifestyle. I will be paying particular attention to how they will evoke emotions and logic in their effort to gain me as a customer.

SG # 4 Modern Day Bank Robbery

 
   I enjoyed the Michael Moore movie  Capitalism: A Love Story.  Like so many of us, I have a story to tell of a modern day bank robbery: the bank was the robber. My sister had a loan with Bank of America. As the economy went down so did her paycheck at the salon where she worked. She began to struggle to pay the mortgage. Keep in mind, when she took out the mortgage that she and her husband, who is a Baptist minister could well afford the payment She contacted her lender, Bank of America, well in advance of a late payment. She was advised that nothing could be done until she was delinquent six months on her payment. At the end of the six months, Bank of America demanded some documents regarding her loan and a brief description of her present circumstances. She sent them in the mail. Everything the bank requested, she provided. At the end of the year, the bank demanded the full amount owed plus fees of over $10,000 or she would face foreclosure. She sent all the money that she had saved and called the bank. She was told that the foreclosure would halt if she had sent the money. The very next week she received notice that her house would be sold at auction in 30 days if she did not bring her mortgage to date. She again called the bank, and was told that they needed more documents. By this time, it was on the news that the banks preferred to foreclose at a loss to be eligible  for TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program). As she struggled with the bank, she sent everything they asked for, and did everything they asked of her. She would be told something different with every phone call. In the end, she contacted an attorney. The attorney was able to negotiate with the bank to save her home; with a new mortgage,with all the money owed including fees and penalties. I truly believe that if not for the work of the attorney, she would have lost her home. Another way of looking at the situation is, her home would have been stolen through the banks misconduct, I do not believe that it was incompetence. It was not even clear if the bank still held the mortgage or if it was sold to another institution. The bank got money but lost her trust. I quickly withdrew my money and joined  Desert Schools Credit Union They have different rules and regulation, and now, my money and my trust. I would place a link to Bank of America, But I would not recommend the institution to any one.
      It was eye opening to see the ordeal that she went through. I would have not believed it had I not been witness to the process. Caveat emptor indeed. It is a shame that banks are now untrustworthy. It certainly is a new twist on the phrase "bank robbery".

Assigned Entry #4 Capitalism Rhetoric

      I have watched Michael Moore's film Capitalism: A Love Story, and I must say that he was quite adroit in his rhetoric. His use of the rhetorical triangle was masterful. He showed the world the absolute absurdity of the economic crisis. He used near equal parts of logic, credibility and emotion. The film moved along with the help of his humor. The topic would be enough to engender anger with no input of his own. Everyone I know cheered when he went to the banks demanding the money back. We all knew that it would not happen, but it was a symbolic gesture  that spoke volumes. I have always enjoyed his films because he brings to light issues that need to be addressed in a way that is entertaining and not self righteous. I am currently reading The Grapes of Wrath in my Critical Reading class. The similarity in the economy of then and now is startling. In chapter 22 of the book, John Steinbeck mentions the Bank of the West. He writes: "That bank owns most of the valley, and its got paper on everything it don't own." In the foot notes he states that the real name is Bank of America. Steinbeck added: "probably shoot me as it is." It seems that as far as banks go, it is buyer beware, and apparently has been for awhile. I was surprised that a bank would have survived with unethical practices.
       Although, I think what happened was not capitalism at work. True capitalism would have allowed the banks to fail. Too big to fail would not not entered the discussion. What happened was the privatization of profits and the risks publicly shouldered. A few people made large profits while many people lost homes and livelihoods through the misconduct of corporations. The economy works best with a vibrant middle class. It is that very class that is being squeezed out of existence. The gap between the "haves and the have nots" is widening at an alarming rate.The trickle down economy does not work. A bubble up economy does. The anger will continue to build as long as there is a inequity in the income levels like what is seen today.
 Here is a teaser from his movie, Capitalism: A Love Story. I am sure the love story part is ironic. I will watch for the next movie he releases because, I agree with most of his views. He says it better than I ever could hope to.

AE#3: Local Story Respond

  
    As I read the story about Arizona State University offering shorter classes, they would be a good option for many students.  After having taken a couple of the shorter summer course at Glendale Community collage, I will offer one caveat, take shorter courses in the subjects that are not difficult. I took and passed a five week course in English and another five week course in Introduction to Psychology. I, personally, would not under any circumstances take a shorter Algebra course. The shorter courses are accelerated. The work of a whole semester is condensed into seven and a half weeks. Even with the help of several  Math web sites, such as Khan Academy, an Algebra class with the traditional semester would be too fast for me.
     The shorter courses can help nontraditional students if their schedules are flexible. The shorter courses also have the benefit of a decreased cost, thereby saving not only time but, money as well. They can be used as a tool to quickly further students education. The students must be aware that all the work of a traditional course is required and should set aside adequate time for homework. The shorter courses are an option that many students would find attractive and easy it insert into busy lives. Other students may be able to continue their education after a deployment, and not have to wait until the next semester.
  As the delivery of education progresses the variety of the structure of that delivery will be increased to satisfy almost every need.

Self Generated #3 Thoughts on Condensed Classes

   The topic for our assigned entry was Arizona State University offering a shorter class schedule, seven weeks instead of the traditional semester. I have taken two of the shorter summer courses. English for the first summer session, and Psychology for the second session. The classes went by very quickly and I found the shorter course a very good alternative to the regular semester. However, I would not recommend taking a challenging class in an abbreviated time frame. I will always require the full sixteen weeks of any Algebra class. I shudder to think of taking a more condensed course. The sixteen weeks seem rushed to me. It's like going down a waterfall in a kayak, only more frightening. Even with the help of Khan Academy, I had trouble remembering the formulas and applying the correct one to the problem.
   I continued my education after a hiatus of three decades. (Yikes!) My greatest fear was overwhelming myself. I started out slow, and was comfortable with going back to school. When it came to the shorter condensed summer sessions, I chose to take them one at a time. The only time I felt overwhelmed was the first week of English. It was after I realized that I had done the whole weeks homework in one night when I began to feel less stressed about the time frame of the class. Now the homework of the regular classes seems to be a breeze.

   Algebra will remain my challenge, but I will not give up, I am determined to understand it. On the scales of importance to me, Algebra has a mass all it's own. A shorter course will always be attractive to me, in terms of time and money. Well, as long as it's not Algebra or maybe chemistry.                                        
                                                                                                         


                                                                                                           

Self Generated #2 The Descent of Politics.

  It seems with every election cycle, the dysfunction in Washington gets worse. I am beginning to adhere to the notion the Mark Twain  had, "Diapers and politicians must be changed regularly for the same reason." The hate and disrespect for opinions other that the ones held by the person speaking is overwhelmingly unproductive.  The Senators and Representatives where elected to serve the interest of their constituents. The bickering over every issue is not the reason they hold office. Once elected, the focus of the members of congress shifts to getting reelected and off the needs of the people. The name calling and the absolute assassination of the opponents character is unsavory to me. I try to keep my political leanings to myself. People can become quite emotional  about politics, and I hate drama. Our opinions are entrenched in our emotions and they are hard to untangle. I do not want to offend anyone, nor do I want to be considered naive in the ways of the world. I'll give a hint, I will never vote against my own interest. Whew!! I certainly hope that is vague enough. I want to be obscure clearly. I try to hold my bias in check and be aware of it as I listen to others views, although it is difficult at times. Remember, we all all Americans and in this together. It helps no one to cling to the party line at the expense American people. When did compromise become a dirty word? It should be considered a strength rather than a weakness. If the political rivals President Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill could agree to work together for the good of the county, why can't the current members of Congress see a way around the impasse of adhering strictly to party lines. The gentleman's agreement of rules of conduct has fallen by the wayside and the country as a whole is the poorer for it.

President Reagan and Tip O'Neill  

  Two of the most skilled politicians in the art of compromise were President Reagan and Tip O'Neill. The grace has left politics and a coarseness has emerged. The political atmosphere is so toxic, most descent people fear to enter the arena. People must demand the return of common courtesy and common sense to the Congressional members. The ways of doing business in the Congress now is unproductive and damaging to everyone. We need to look past our differences and find our similarities. The nation as a whole will profit greatly from a change of tactics and out look. Let's bring back civility and compromise to the discussion of politics. Respect your opponent (I hate to use that word), if for no other reason than, to keep you honest. I prefer to think of the opposition as complementary; each bringing to the table strengths and weaknesses the other lacks. The parties should see themselves as the two sides of the same coin. Another issue is honesty, how many former legislators and now in prison or under indictment for misconduct in office? We must require a greater level of honesty from our leaders. They should be the greatest among us, not the ones able to sling the most mud. I do not want the best liar or thief to represent me. I want someone who truly wants to make the country better, not one who's focus is on reelection. Term limits may allow for real change to happen. Until then, I will hope that common sense will emerge.

                                                                             
   I couldn't find a flag that says, "Quit bickering or lose credibility". The political posturing that is going on has real world consequences like, a tanking economy and loss of respect around the globe. All just for a few political points, points that are ephemeral at best.

Assigned Entry #2 Slanted Reporting Quest

            As soon as I heard what the topic of the entry was, my mind went to directly to the hate filled world of politics. If there is not slanted reporting there, it does not exist. Make no mistake, both parties engage in slanted reporting, under the guise of "telling what the other guy is really said, while we will tell the truth.". The name calling and general unwillingness to work together is damaging to the livelihoods of all Americans. Throwing around misconceptions as facts are also tools both parties use. As this video shows, bias can be very subtle and not always glaring. What is left out becomes as, if not more, important than what is reported. It is not noticeable that not all of the story was reported, just the snippets that bolster the views of the respective stations. It is important to get the news from several sources to attempt to uncover the bias of only one view. In order to make a truly informed opinion, one must read, or listen to a story from different points of view. Only then can an informed opinion be credible. Fox News is known for the right leaning of the broadcast, while MSNBC is reported to be more liberal in the slant of the reporting. Perhaps if both were watched, a fair and balanced compilation of information can be achieved by most viewers.