Blog Post #9

http://www.buzzfeed.com/chelseamarshall/what-americans-really-think-about-the-rest-of-the-world

***WARNING: I know that some of the labels on the continents are inappropriate for class; however, I felt there was a lot to say about the other information the map provides about American stereotypes on other parts of the world. Thanks!

            In searching around different articles I would be considered an insider, I came across an article on title “The World According to Americans.” Being an American, I feel I am an “insider” and able to evaluate what the article is saying about the prevalent stereotypes the United States has created about other countries. The idea that Americans have formed general ideas about what the rest of the world is like cannot be denied. According to the article, when we think of Asia, we think of communists, the movie “Borat”, sushi, and even terrorists. When we think of Canada, we think of fur trappers. When we think of Africa, we think of poverty, aids, and African Americans. Those were just a few examples of what the pictures in the articles exposed. Now, as an insider, I can ask myself how true these believed stereotypes are. Unfortunately, this author has a point. Oftentimes, American are uneducated and inexperienced when it comes to other countries. Because of this lack of knowledge, and even lack of a desire to learn, many Americans are subject to the stereotypes created by the American culture and media about other countries. The media is an extremely powerful tool that can alter the minds of people just like you and me. The picking and choosing what the media covers about other countries can drive the stereotype creation. Also, due to the fast pace of society, many people don’t take the time to even question the stereotypes created about other countries, consequently making us vulnerable. This vulnerability can even lead to a smaller scale of stereotypes across different states within the United States. The author, towards the end of the article, narrows from the entire earth, to just the United States. According to the article, when we think of California, we think of fake boobs and oranges, when we think of New York, we think of apples, and the list continues. (The stereotypes can even be deduced from city to city.) It total, what we can take away from what this article exposes in Americans, is that we need to be extremely cautious toward stereotypes because more often then not, they are not a pure and just explanation of an area. We need to be aware of our tendency to fall into these ideas and make a conscious effort to become informed. We do not have to be the victim of what American culture paints the world to be.

Blog Post #8

Easily, the most important improvement I need to make to my paper is grammar and fluidity. I tend to read over common grammar mistakes that cause a disruption in my paper. This disruption in the paper stops the flow of the ideas and distracts from what I am actually trying to say. One way I can help get rid of this problem is through reading the paper out loud to myself. Oftentimes, grammar errors can be more obvious in speech rather then when we read because when we read we tend to self correct, especially our own paper since we already know what we are trying to say.

Second, I need to work on clarity. In my paper, I address the military, the community, and the individual. Oftentimes, I will be talking about an idea of a certain group, however I become unaware that the reader may not be sure which group I am talking about in that specific analysis. In being clearer, it will strengthen my argument through adding to my credibility that I know what I am talking about. When the ideas become jumbled, it would be easy for the reader to become confused and frustrated with the paper, taking away from the claim I am taking on the military.

Third, I need to make sure I am not using to many words to all say the same thing. I find myself using synonyms frequently in my analysis under the impression this will improve my claim. Through the repetitiveness of my word choice, my argument tends to make a redundant impression, however. Being more sweet and to the point will allow me to be portrayed as more confident in what I am saying versus wordy and unsure. Also, getting to the point will guide the readers through my thought process I intended through the organization pattern I intentionally set up in the piece.

Blog Post #7

            In looking around the library database, I found a very helpful article named “Multiple Dimensions to the Application for the Effectiveness of Team Building in ROTC.” This article was centered around teamwork and team building within ROTC programs, an aspect I found very prominent in the ROTC community on campus. The academic journal stressed that “the success team building in ROTC would fundamentally lie in communication.” In my visits to Buell armory, I have been a first hand witness to the communication that is stressed through the leaders as well as the upperclassman. The stress on communication contributes to my claim the military thrives on relationships. The article also talks about how “team building leads to a sense of belonging” and addresses the stereotype of the military as “always [being] thought of strictly regimented units with demanding organizational structures.”  Though addressing the stereotype and further discussing the resulting teamwork, the truth can be seen that members remain in the military for the people around them not for themselves. The article exposes the importance of the relationships that will greatly strengthen my argument about the culture I have observed.

Chen, Yin-Che, Yun-Chi Chen, and Ya-Lun Tsao. "Multiple Dimensions to the Application for the Effectiveness of Team Building in ROTC." 129 (2009): 742-54. Print.

Blog Post #6

When we think about Las Vegas, underground storm tunnels don’t necessarily come to mind. What comes to mind is the flashiness and social aspect of the nightclubs, casinos, restaurants and more that Las Vegas tends to be known for. The speaker, Burke, follows a man named Matt Obrien who gives us an insight into this uncharted, underground world of Las Vegas that he has an obvious passion for. The tunnels create a different atmosphere from the hustle and bustle on ground level. A whole society exists within these storm drains. Obrien even tells us of a time he came across children’s toys leading him to believe that even families with small children find themselves amongst this world. Obrien visits these tunnels frequently, even after the publication of his book about this unexpected society, and touches the lives of the people who live in them through donations of food, clothing, and even a simple conversation to better their day. Obrien’s discoveries draws to our attention the idea that there exits more than what we can see on the surface.

Burke notices the tunnels hold a great importance in the eyes of Obrien and makes the remark that “the tunnels have become a sort of refuge for him too, from the city.” (Burke) This idea of the tunnels feeling as an escape from the large city of Las Vegas truly caught my attention. It is true that everyone deserves an escape from the chaotic lives we live. For Obrien, being among the people and the atmosphere the storm tunnels nurture is this place of escape. The insight we are given into Obrien’s passions for this society creates a deepened perspective of the world around us. Though our education on this unexpected culture we wouldn’t typically consider we are able to take a step back from the pace of life we are unfortunately entwined in. We are able to slow down and appreciate the lives of those who live differently then we do and as a result our respect for different societies of people is broadened.

Blog Post #5

What I believe I did well in my speech was efficiently communicate this unique culture that I found within army ROTC. I felt as thought the organization of my piece was thoughtful in order to aid and enhance my underlying theme of emotion and relationships I discovered. I did find myself getting choked up on my words occasionally but I feel the audience could also tell that I came prepared. There were parts within my speech that made it apparent I knew what I was talking about; however, there were also a couple of transition areas I struggled on. I need to make sure that I practice transitioning my ideas smoothly and confidently. I also should have used more eye contact. In watching myself, I found I was looking at the PowerPoint frequently or hiding my nose in my notecards. I thought I did very well with my tone and volume; however, I could have slowed down my pace at times to add stress to the main parts of my argument. In order to improve for further speeches I need to concentrate on keeping my head up and making sure I am looking at the audience more. I need to avoid looking back at my PowerPoint too many times. Another improvement I need to make for the future could be to incorporate more movement as I am speaking. In watching myself I noticed that I remained stationary throughout the whole speech when I could have displayed a more confident image through moving through the room. Lastly, I could improve my PowerPoint in a way that requires less use of the clicker so I don’t find myself paranoid that slide will not be on the correct point or bullet. In total the speech truly wasn’t as scary as we all thought it would be and despite all of the improvements I need to make I am happy with how it went.