Daniel Handler, or going by his pen name, Lemony Snicket, is a well-known author who has largely devoted his career in many other areas such as film and music. This article was a humorous read and very different from the other articles. It was a recollection of his experience at one point in his life and with this expeience, came the emergance of a very valuable message.
O ne of the sentences that stuck in my mind the most was, "People know I have a lot of money — there’s no way to hide it, and I’m irritated by those people who have a lot of money but pretend they don’t have a lot of money, not really, not when you compare them to some other people." I have friends who are more well-off than the average teenager, but that's because I'm comparing him/her to my lifestyle. If I compared my lifestyle with someone who lives with his/her parents who have 4 other siblings and one grandparent renting a house in the cheaper parts of the city I live in, they would assume that I was rich. It really all depends on how you compare yourself to others. I have a couple of friends who, in my perspective are more well-off than me. They live in the most weathiest parts of the city and their parents bought them a new and expensive car for university. Or what about my other friend, whose parents own a chain of fast food restaurants, but don't like to broadcast that information to everyone he meets on the streets? Why do some people hide it? Is it because they don't want people to use them for their money, or is it because they don't want people to treat them differently and think that they are rich snobs?
It's funny how society works. Maybe this particular friend of mine did not want others to view hiim differently. "Your parents can buy you anything, why do you need to find a job?" "You're such a spoiled brat," etc. etc. But then there are those of us who WANT to appear wealthy. What about all those fake designer bags? Why do we buy them? Possibly because we want to mimic celebrities who have the money to buy Gucci pouches, Dolce and Gabanna sunglasses or Seven jeans. I think many of us want to create an illusion, a status that reflects a "classy" and "cool" identity to others. And by doing that, it will make us look, and FEEL like a wealthy and glamorous celebrity.
J ust the other day I came upon a facebook group and someone posted a post telling another member to speak to him when he's not poor and to give up trying to defend his "social-economic class" and to wear Burberry. What does this all mean? I was angry after reading his comments. That's how our society works. Class segregation. You're poor, I'm rich there's an invisible barrier between us and you and I know it's there. I think many of us want what we can't have - usually, something we can't afford. And this feeling increases when other people give off that "I'm richer, you're poor. Don't talk to me." It reminds me of when we were little and the bratty bully teases the his/her fellow classmate and says, "na na na na na naaaa, you can't have this." I think this is what makes other people want to create that status, because those who are richer block themselves from associating with those who are poor.
H andler also points out that we aways want others who are more wealthy to pay, "This is why, maybe, there are so many noble causes and so few of them are well financed: we all want other people to write the checks — they’re richer than we are." This was a very interesting point and I do agree with Handler. Money is so powerful in our society and we hoard it like a little kid who doesn't want to share his chocolate bars with his sister, "It's mine, get your own chocolate bar!" I wonder how we can ease this class gap. All I know is that it is a serious issue in many, many directions.
T here is more to Facebook than just networking with friends. It scared me after reading the article, "Facebook savvy-police look to crash the bash" because it emphasized that facebook isn't all what it appears to be. Since facebook is now open to anyone who logs on to the internet, facebook isn't just a place to discover past elemetary friends, but a way for many people - teachers, police officers, even politicans to scrutinize your actions or create awareness.
F acebook shouldn't be taken lightly anymore. After facebook changed its limitations on only letting university/college students join, it has devoured the privacy that facebook gives to many users.
E ven with just creating a private network with your friends, your friends can surveillance your every action. And with the massive influx of new applications, like facebook mobile, users can do alot more to get more reaquainted and connected with old, new, or current friends. "Why did she say that on so and so's wall?" or "Why did she add her as a friend? I don't like her and she knows I don't," and the list goes on. Don't these questions sound familiar? For example, one of my friends, I'll call her Sally, got into a huge argument with some other girl whom she did not know, named Rebecca. Annie is really, really close with Sally, but when Rebecca added Annie, Annie accepted the invitation. What do you think Sally is thinking? Even if Annie doesn't consider Rebecca as a friend, let alone, an aquaintance, it would give Sally the wrongest idea. Problems similar to the one I said above happen all the time. We look so deeply and we watch our friend's moves so closely that it does in fact, scare me - even just a tad bit.
I think that many are unaware of this, taking an example from the article where police officials were informed of a bush party in privately-owned territory. Young people, who are the prime users of facebook, should be informed more deeply about what facebook can do if you decide to post a group to a bush party that may potentially involve underage drinkers and illegal behaviours.
E specially with young people, who are a major force in many areas in our society, facebook has allowed many to click into the minds of these hard-to-read bodies. Some who are unaware that there is more to facebook than just networking and creating a private community with friends are in for a surprise when police officials show up at their door. As our society is moving towards a knowledge-based community, and with the internet aggressively being altered to protect the privacy of its users, there is no exception even when it comes to facebook.
I can recall that growing up as a child, I never witnessed any discrimination by atheists on Christians. Incidents like these just never happened in my community.
H e quoted John Fleming, an English professor who is an author of the Daily Princetonian’s encounter with someone who said, “ ‘How,’ asked one interlocutor with a knowing grin, ‘how can such smart people be so Christian?’ This angers me a lot. Many Christians are against homosexuality and there are also those who do not believe in Christianity and say things to undermine their religion. This is wrong and unjust. I believe that discrimination towards certain religions is beginning to be a HUGE problem in this superficial world.
A nderson discusses that a lot of small communities contain a large majority of Christians and their regular Sunday worships marginalize atheists because it is centralized on the church and its events. I don't think this is discrimination if athiests themselves, CHOOSE not to participate. However, Anderson says “that the interviewer who told [him] about the experiences of the atheist families she had interviewed… were evicted from apartments, rejected by friends and neighbors, forced to stand by as the football team prayed before games.” If Christians want Athiests to follow God's Word, then they should gradually try to direct their spirtual faith towards God, NOT by isolating them away from God's Word.
B ut then, what do we do when atheists fight back and want to remove God from the Pledge (see video near the bottom)? This creates a lot of problems, one man said that America is a Christian nation and with homosexuals and atheists coming out from the “closet,” it imposes their lifestyles on them and pressures them to alter their beliefs. However, the another man says that constitution gives you freedom from religion and gives equal rights. And one lady said that America is considered a Christian nation because it comprises approximately 90% of people devoted to Christianity; however, she claims that the nation is still built under a secular government.
C ommunities are powerful and even more powerful are tight-knit groups. Groups all function with the same belief and goal and their reactions to situations are almost the same. That is why I do believe that atheists are beginning to be discriminated against and victims of social oppression, especially if they make up a small population in America. As well, they are beginning to fight back and revolutionalize and change certain aspects of the Christian life because the constitution is built on equality. But the Pledge does not. Where do we go from here? And how do we solve this?
Anderson, Ryan T. "Are Atheists Victims of Discrimination? First Things: The Journal of Religion, Culture, and Public Life. 14 Feb 2007 <http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/?p=632>.
As I looked through the portfolio of the "rising stars" on the Vanity Fair website, it began to hit me again that passion and talent are two very important assests in choosing a career. What drives an artist to making it big on the red carpet? Is it their passion, their drive to succeed and continue to excel no matter what is thrown infront of them? Or is it their natural, God-given talent?
I n today's society, money is everything. We look at a career and say, "I'm doing this because it'll make me rich. Who cares about whether or not you like it." I believe that money can't buy you happiness. Maybe temporarly, but definitely not permanently. I think that often times, our society pushes us away from seeking the passion to do what we like. Or if you don't have the natural talent, then you should give up and find something else that could be something you're good at, but you don't love to do it. It's harder today than it was 50 years ago. Our increasing knowledge and constant desire to seek the "American Dream" have fathomed a Western society based solely on making big money. If you don't have the brains or the money, you are the lower class-the under achiever. I think we should try our best to refrain ourselves from thinking like that.
I don't read Vanity Fair, but just by browsing through the site I can get a sense what this magazine really focusses on and who their audience is. Vanity Fair is all about glamour and seems fit for readers in very elegant culture. Therefore, I do believe that "Vanities Discoveries" is trying to direct their attention towards that old-fashioned, red carpet image and by giving off the impression that glamour and talent will make you an artist destined for stardom.
Ialso believe that the profiles written on the website should contain a deeper message. For example, including details about the actor/actress' progress to making it on the red carpet. Vanity Fair creates illusions by making it appear as if it is an easy shot to become a "rising star," neglecting some of the hardships the actor/actress may have endured before "hitting it big." The term "rising star" is very misleading. I think that even though Vanity Fair is all about the glamour, a popular magazine like Vanity Fair, should display more meaningful substance into their sections so that people refrain from being naive. I'm 100% sure that you and I know that ordinary people do not just appear out of thin air and suddently become famous artists.
D uceppe’s inadequacy to decide whether or not he should run for PQ Quebecois, conjures up questions about his ability to be a confident political leader. In one article, Duceppe’s reason for resigning to run for PQ was based on the notion that he didn’t want to put a strain on sovereignitists, “ 'The significant and rapid support gathered by Pauline Marois — not only within the Parti Québécois but within the Bloc Québécois and among the general public — means it's my duty to avoid a clash that would divide and therefore weaken the sovereignty movement" (CBC News). I think there is more to his reasons for resigning. According to the article from Globe and Mail, “Mr. Duceppe's PQ leadership campaign lasted only 29 hours, however, at which point he figured he had no hope of winning and pulled out” (Leblanc). In my opinion, by resigning after not having a pleasing campaign creates assumptions that he was afraid to lose and face ridicule. I think that being a leader means trying to conquer and face battles no matter what happens. It means perserverance, and not being afraid to give up. I began to realize that the PQ did not need a coward who is afraid to make his voice heard to lead them in the next political campaign.
A nd we wonder why he decided to run for PQ after claiming that, “I almost decided not to go [last week]. But I was obsessed with a question that was asked by my opponents and journalists: ' He didn't go in 2005, he is not going now, … what does it mean?' " Mr. Duceppe recounted. "I stopped looking at objective facts — I had numbers at hand — and said, ' I am going for it.' It was a mistake” (Leblanc, Globe and Mail). Doesn’t that statement pin point to the notion that he didn’t want to face ridicule and by justifying his actions by calling it a mistake? It wouldn't be right to settle for someone who realizes his actions are mistakes only after being brought to the stake of embarassment. I understand that mistakes are a part of human nature because it is human nature that we make these mistakes and then learn to fix them. However, in Duceppe’s case, I can say otherwise.
It isn’t enough to base your opinion on just one article, as almost 99% of the information we read on the Internet is biased. Applebaum is a renowned columist for New York Times and has been cited as having written many articles on government policies as well as policies from foreign countries. After visiting her website, I became aware that she IS a knowledgable writer. However, I believe the content of the article by shooting quotations may not have been a strong opinionated piece of literature. It wasn't enough to sway my opinion to match that of Applebaum's, so I had to look elsewhere for more information.
L ooking at Jacques Chirac’s overall span of about 10 years as the president of France, we can get a general sense as to why he was elected as president for the second term. It means he’s doing something that the people of France are patriotic about. However, according to Applebaum's article, I do not agree with some of the things he said, as stated in Applebaum’s article. For example, “On Britain: ‘The only thing they have ever done for European agriculture is mad cow disease. … You can't trust people who cook as badly as that.’” (Applebaum). I don’t believe that as a leader in a democratic society, that it is proper to make these statements, since he is an influential person in politics.
I did some research and came upon an article that discusses the situation in Iran with their work on producing enriched uranium. From that article, Chirac gave his opinion on the hot debate about Iran’s attempt to manufacture a nuclear bomb. He says, “I would say that what is dangerous about this situation is not the fact of having a nuclear bomb,” he said. “Having one or perhaps a second bomb a little later, well, that’s not very dangerous. “But what is very dangerous is proliferation. This means that if Iran continues in the direction it has taken and totally masters nuclear-generated electricity, the danger does not lie in the bomb it will have, and which will be of no use to it” (Sciolin and Bennhold). However, according to that article I found online, France and the United States as well has other countries are pushing Iran to stop producing enriched uranium.
He also states that, “It is obvious that this bomb, at the moment it was launched, obviously would be destroyed immediately,” Mr. Chirac said. “We have the means — several countries have the means to destroy a bomb” (Sciolin and Bennhold). He notes that Iran can influence other neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabi and Egypt to follow in its footsteps and claims that we should also be worried about that.
I extremely agree with Chirac’s opinion and insight onto this subject. Humans learn through imitation, which can advocate problems like this one. Our environment is responsible in ways that helps us to decide on how to react in any given situation. Conformity is easy for a person to engage in because it allows that person to conform to the behaviour of another if they know that that person is committed to completing that form of action. For example, Bob knows that running away from home is a form of deviant behaviour. Nonetheless, if he had an older sibling who woujld run away with him, Bob would feel less reluctant to do it.
Iwas pleased with how Chirac handled this discrepancy in Iran and despite some of the bad decisions he's made about other people or countries, I cannot doubt that he took the power of President and a leadership responsibility without loving his country whole-heartedly.
Chirac's Farewell Speech: (In French) Below the video are English translations to the video
My esteemed fellow French citizens in France, the overseas territories, and abroad,This evening it is with heartfelt love and pride for France that I appear before you.France is an impassioned and independent nation. France is a nation committed to justice and peace. France’s voice rises above partisan interests.My dear compatriots, I love France passionately. I have put all my heart, all my energy, all my strength at her service, at your service. Serving France, serving the cause of peace, that has been the commitment of my life.I would have loved, of course, to shake the foundations of the old ways and partisan interests even more, to respond more quickly to the difficulties confronting many among you. But I am proud of the things we have been able to accomplish together. Proud to have worked with you to restore the fundamental values of the French Republic, including the principle of secularism. Proud to have helped bring about important reforms, to protect your retirement pensions and better see to the needs of senior citizens and the disabled. Proud to have fought the good fight against crime and to have reduced delinquency. Proud to see French women and men on the road to innovation and progress. And especially proud to have demonstrated that we are not powerless against the scourge of unemployment. Even though we have far to go, unemployment is lower now than it has been in a quarter of a century. France is living up to its responsibilities. France is asserting its position in the world.All that is true thanks to you, to your talents and your creativity. Thanks also to the hard work you have been willing to do, and which I do not underestimate.My dear compatriots, as the term as president you have accorded me comes to an end, the time has come for me to find new ways to serve you. I will not be a candidate for a third term. In new ways, but with undiminished enthusiasm and a passion to act in your interest, I will continue the struggles that have been ours, the struggles that have always been my priorities, for justice, progress, peace, and the greatness of France.On the subject of the current presidential election, I will have other opportunities to reveal my personal choices. But this evening, and in the name of the confidence you have placed in me, I would like to speak on several other subjects.First, I want to urge you never to go down the road of extremism, racism, antisemitism, and exclusionism. Historically, we have seen extremism threaten our very existence. It’s a poison. It divides. It perverts and destroys. Everything in the French soul says no to extremism.France’s true calling, France’s glorious mission, is unity and solidarity. Yes, our values have meaning! Yes, France is enriched by diversity. Yes, honor in politics requires working for equal opportunity for all, and making it possible for everyone, for every young person in France, to have equal opportunity. This struggle, despite all obstacles and the long road we have ahead of us, is under way. We must stay united to succeed. It is one of the keys to our future as a nation.The second thing I want to say is that you must always believe in yourselves and believe in France. We have so much going for us. We must not fear change in the world. Instead, we must embrace a changing world. We have to continue to make our mark. And we must never sell short our French political system and model. It defines us. And the French system is right for today’s world, as long as we continue to adapt and modernize it.We must continue resolutely down the road to reform, with an emphasis on hard work, innovation, and initiative.My third point has to do with Europe.In the 2005 constitutional referendum, you expressed your doubts, your worries, your expectations. It is vital that we continue to build Europe. Nationalism has done such damage to our continent and could resurface at any moment. Alone, we would be less able to withstand the economic dislocations of today’s world. France must reaffirm the need for a strong European union. A political union. A European Union that will protect our social model. Our future is at stake. Let us not abandon this ideal, nor our will to succeed.The fourth thing I want to say is that France is not “just another country.” France has special responsibilities that we have inherited from our history and from universal values that we have helped to forge. As a result, faced with the danger of a war between civilizations, confronted by the rise of extremism, and especially religious extremism, France must defend tolerance, dialog, and respect among peoples and among cultures. The stakes are peace and the security of the world.In the same way, it would be immoral and dangerous to let unchecked market forces widen the gap that separates the world of the rich from that "other" world, where billions of men, women, and children live in poverty and despair. The duty of France is to weigh in with all its influence so that the world economy can come to understand that economic development must benefit absolutely everyone.Lastly, the ecological revolution is now under way. If we do not succeed in reconciling the needs of a growing economy and the suffering of a planet that is near exhaustion, we are headed for catastrophe. What is required is a revolution in our thinking as well as worldwide change. We must forge a new relationship with nature and invent a new kind of economic growth. With our scientists, our business leaders, our farmers, and with the progress we have made in the area of nuclear energy and our commitment to renewable energy sources, France is well positioned to live up to this major challenge of the 21st century.My dear compatriots, as you can imagine it is with much emotion that I speak to you this evening. Not for one instant have you ever been absent from my heart and mind. Not for one minute have I stopped working at the service of our magnificent France. This France that I love as much as I love you all. This France rich because of its young people, strong because of its past and its diversity, and hungry for justice and a desire to move forward. This French nation that has not yet finished astonishing the world.Long live the Republic! Long live France!
B ased on the linear model, conveying an opinion to an audience means choosing the proper method that will produce an effective message. Businesses for example are always seeking for new forms of advertisements to attract customers to buy their product(s).
A ccording to the article, blogs have become a significant medium in shaping the economy's success. We are constantly bombarded with the media, be it the television, billboards or even the simplest of just flyers posted outside on a tree. We are aware that those commercials and catchy tunes are made so that we get sucked into spending money and purchasing that product. It works.
On the other hand, when dealing with more interpersonal relationships, it is also crucial to understand what method should be used when wanting to communicate an idea to a friend, family member, or even a coworker. For example, if you wanted to end your relationship with your current boyfriend/girlfriend, a more meaningful medium to send the message would be in person than sending a text message.
I t can be challenging because you have to look into whether or not the message is detailed enough, the time that is needed for feedback, how much information can be conveyed through that medium or how much control you have over the recipient’s attention. We need to be more aware of these details when we encounter any given situation because the right medium can help us improve our relationships with other people and ourselves.
With this in mind, can blogs really "change our business" for the better? The article states that ordinary people, like you and I, are the ones responsible for populating the blogging network. Everyday, millions of people access these blogs around the globe. However, how definite are we to say that these sources are credible? Have you ever played the game, “broken telephone”? We know that the information that ends up at the end of the chain leads to a different message than the original. Therefore, it is imperative that we understand what type of medium will lead to an effective message where the opinion or idea stays intact even through a multiple branching chain of interconnecting channels of messages.
Blogs are so popular now that even people who do not pay attention to politics are propelled to write a blog entry about the elections. In the video, one man says that the most hot topic talked about by bloggers are advertisements. Many are using youtube videos and broadcasting these videos for other users to see. However, the lady in the video says there isn't ONE issue that everyone discusses. Blogs are diverse and it continues to contribute to our information-based economy.
ecollection of his experience at one point in his life and with this expeience, came the emergance of a very valuable message. 
who are more wealthy to pay, "This is why, maybe, there are so many noble causes and so few of them are well financed: we all want other people to write the checks — they’re richer than we are." This was a very interesting point and I do agree with Handler. Money is so powerful in our society and we hoard it like a little kid who doesn't want to share his chocolate bars with his sister, "It's mine, get your own chocolate bar!" I wonder how we can ease this class gap. All I know is that it is a serious issue in many, many directions. 
who are more wealthy to pay, "This is why, maybe, there are so many noble causes and so few of them are well financed: we all want other people to write the checks — they’re richer than we are." This was a very interesting point and I do agree with Handler. Money is so powerful in our society and we hoard it like a little kid who doesn't want to share his chocolate bars with his sister, "It's mine, get your own chocolate bar!" I wonder how we can ease this class gap. All I know is that it is a serious issue in many, many directions. 
