Comments...

I left a comment on Britney Spear's blog post titled 15 -year old girl overdoses.  The post is very sad and tragic, but I highly recommend taking the time to read this story.  Too many kids are dying and many of these deaths could be easily prevented.  

Introduction and First Body Paragraph

When is the last time you voluntarily picked up a book to read?  Students tend to take their time while answering this question, because they truthfully do not remember the last time they read for fun.  Students are lacking the motivation to read for pleasure anymore.  Some argue it is because they do not have enough time, while others rather spend their time watching television, surfing the Internet, and mastering videogames.  According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the “average time these children [spend] online on a typical day rose to one hour and 41 minutes in 2004, from 46 minutes in 1999” (4).  This dramatic increase is not benefiting the Digital Natives’ education, but hindering their academic success.  Although all reading, from the Internet to a novel, is valuable, books help students develop better habits of the mind.  Several scholars argue this issue and whether students are in fact reading less or reading more.  The lack of reading amongst our generation is evident through statistics, surveys, and studies.  The information presented in the scholar’s articles explains how the benefits gained from reading novels’ text are far more beneficial than the reading done on the Web.

Students may argue that teachers have made reading miserable and not fun anymore.  In class reading assignments are brutal, difficult, and sometimes plain boring.  The truth is all the reading done in the classroom is extremely beneficial.  For instance, when Mrs. Channell assigns a reading everyone comes to class prepared in order to contribute to discussion.  This interaction and participation in the classroom is made possible by novels.  Students are able to mark up their readings, flip to necessary pages, and connect to the author’s text more effectively.  Motoko Rich, author of several New York Times articles, one including “Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading?”, refers to Ken Pugh, a cognitive neuroscientist at Yale.  Pugh states that “reading a book, and taking the time to ruminate and make inferences and engage the imaginational processing, is more cognitively enriching” (8).  Our minds are being worked while discussing chapters, metaphors, doppelgangers, plots, characters, and much more.  Typically, students reading online are in “30-second digital mode” (8), jumping from webpage to webpage and not understanding the meanings behind the text presented.  Critics such as Mr. Spiro of Michigan State argue that with the Internet a reader is able “to cover a lot more of the topic from different points of view” (8).  Although a reader is able to ‘cover’ more ground, students are not processing the information as effectively.  The Internet is helpful for finding quick facts but is the enemy when it comes to reading.  The Internet is “diminishing literacy [and] wrecking attention spans” (2).  Oftentimes students are spending their time on the Internet unproductively, which is weakening their academic success.  Children spend their time instant messaging and facebooking which involves “minimal reading at best”(3).  The negligible amount of book reading, done by students, is oftentimes represented by their poor test scores or low grade point averages. 

Mind Like Matilda

Remember the movie Matilda? Yes, the one about the young girl born into a family who barely notices her. She is a girl with magical powers which help her get by in her hectic lifestyle. Her family consists of a father who sells cars illegally, a Mom who is constantly getting her hair and nails done, and a brother who sits in front of the T.V. all day. Matilda distances herself from her family. Instead of obtaining their bad and unintelligent habits, Matilda finds comfort in books. She goes to the library as soon as she could walk. Matilda reads everyday at a young age, and enters into school smarter than the rest of the class. As Bauerlein comments in his book, The Dumbest Generation, by reading young Americans (or Matilda) gain “more civic and historical knowledge, familiarly with current events and government actions, a larger vocabulary, better writing skills, eloquence, inexpensive recreation, and contact with great thoughts and expressions of the past” (56). Reading is making us smarter. Because reading for fun is not the norm these days, I think people who are reading on their own time are smart and different individuals. They are set apart from those who are consumed by technological advances.

Sure, Matilda is just a movie about a little girl who has magical powers allowing her to move things with her eyes, but I believe she has another great “power”. Matilda is reading books for fun. This allows her to have a power over the other kids in her class and her family. She creates an intellectual gap between her peers and her family because she is reading, therefore absorbing more information than them. Matilda is reading for fun and reaping the benefits. The younger you start off reading, the easier and better you get at it. Students dislike spending their leisure time reading because they do not see the instant benefits. In reality, reading is beneficial in the long run, so you might as well start somewhere.

The Dumbest Generation- Commenting on Mrs. Channell's Blog

PEOPLE WAITING IN LINE TO GET THE NEWEST HARRY POTTER BOOK!


Let me first off say that this reading took me an hour and a half to complete! Yes I am not proud of this at all. I agree with Bauerlein when he says that "the more you read, the more you can read". Basically, because I rarely read in my free time I struggle to complete reading assignments quickly and efficiently. Usually I get very distracted and am unable to concentrate for awhile. From parents to teachers, everyone is always commenting on the benefits that come from reading. They make you a better writer, more knowledgeable about certain topics, and improve test scores. I disagree with Dyvrsity when she says that students are not reading because they do not want to be labeled as "nerds". When I see students sitting around campus with books propped up on their laps, they are smart in my mind. I am always curious if these "bench readers" are reading for fun or for class. Most of the time, I try to get a sneak peak at the books they are reading. Sometimes they are textbooks, paperbacks, and novels. I figure whether it is for school or for fun, at least they are reading and expanding their minds.


I agree with Bauerlein when he states that there is a large decrease in leisure reading amongst students. It is not that are generation dislikes reading, but we rather spend our time completing other tasks. A big one is socializing. The a-literate generation is concerned with keeping up with TV shows, such as American Idol and keeping up with all the contestants on the show. We do such things, because we know it will be the hot topic to talk about the next day at school. It is not that we are embarrassed to read, but we rather do things that connect us to our friends. Students get excited about books only if others are excited about books. This is why the Twlight Series and Harry Potter books are so popular. Kids are able to connect and relate to each other through these books, which I might add were both made into movies. Film makers probably figured if the books raked in the doe, the movies (about the books) would do the same. And they were right! Students get hyped up about books and movies only if other students are doing the same. I believe reading is a trend. Students want to read when they feel like it or when they have to. Unfortunately students are not reading for fun as much anymore, and are not gaining the benefits. I agree with Bauerlein when he says “books afford young readers a place to slow down and reflect” but I think because our generation lives such fast pace lives it is hard for us to commit to a book. We hate being cut off from the social scene and some believe reading is like solitary confinement.

Comments...

I commented on kylevb1's blog about "Texas- What I thought it Would be Like". The post is easy to read and humorous. I would recommend checking it out. Although it does not have a distinct argument, I agree with his thoughts.

Skinny Bitch

Today’s media is very focused on body image. Every time I flip through a magazine I rarely see “fat” models. In fact, all of the models tend to be extremely skinny and even look unhealthy. Not only are these magazine ads sending bad messages to young girls across the world, the constant criticism about celebrities and their weight causes girls to second guess their body weight.

For example, Jessica Simpson recently gained some weight. Since putting on the pounds, she has been blasted for the weight gain and pictured in a number of magazines. Jessica Simpson’s curves are being criticized. When teenage girls look at these pictures and realize that this body image is frowned upon by society, they begin to become more self- conscious about their own weight. Whether Lindsay Lohan becomes skinnier or Jessica Simpson becomes curvier, the media concentrates on weight, forcing teenage girls to focus on their body image WAY too much! What really bothers me, is that instead of embracing her weight, Jessica has told tabloids that she “will lose 20 lbs in 8 weeks” in order to get her beach body back. She feels obligated to lose the weight because the media puts so much pressure on her!

Even here at Southern Methodist University, girls compete with each other to look the cutest and the slimmest. Because there is so much emphasis on being skinny, girls are eating less and developing unhealthy habits. Some girls stating that they are “just going to eat fruit for the whole day”. First off, this behavior will slow down the metabolism and not provide enough nourishment for a healthy body. Girls need to understand that everyone comes in different sizes. I believe it is important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Girls can maintain a great body image by doing this, and do not have to starve themselves in order to receive satisfaction.

Comments...

I commented on Bon Qui Qui's blog titled "18 v. 21: The Legal Drinking Age".  The post is easy to read and flows nicely.  I like the fact that it applies to us (college students), making it easier to comment and voice my opinion.  If you had a rowdy Spring Break in Mexico, it would be nice to hear your feedback!  Maybe even provide us with some crazy stories? 

Reaping the Benefits

Mark Bauerlein, author of the book The Dumbest Generation, explains how our generation has a number of benefits due to today’s media. We are using sophisticated technology that was not available during our parent’s generation. It is amazing how children as young as 6 months are familiar with the technological devices being used.  

Bauerlein argues how the “Millennials”, our generation, is flourishing in a Digital Revolution. Our parents did not have half of these advances that are available to us today. The “Millenials” are constantly texting on their cell phones, surfing the Internet, beating the tenth level on a video game, and trying to uncover an unsolved mystery on their favorite TV show. The media allows us to enter a new world, explore, and discover. “Millenials” are learning from the media and understanding more information than their parent’s generation.

I believe we are not the dumber generation but we learn differently. In his book, Baurelin refers to a higher-ed consultant named Richard T. Sweeney. He says, “they want to learn only what they have to learn, and they want to learn it in a different style that is best from them” (86). Students are flourishing and understanding the world through the media’s eyes. Our generation is forced to learn in a unique way.  

The media lets us determine what comes next. While books “involve judgment”, they “don’t allow the readers to determine the next chapter or decide a character’s fate” (88). In gaming, we are learning to make decisions. On the Internet we are able to “pool knowledge and compare notes with others toward a common goal” (84). We are gaining several perspectives opposed to one.  

Our generation is not dumber but receiving a different education. We are “beginning to mobilize (through the Web)” and we are “forming (our) own ways of learning” (85). The Web and the media is a tool opening our brains to understand and explore new concepts. The “Millenials” have a number of options which are broadening our horizons (opportunities) for learning and becoming smarter.

Comments...

I commented on Dyvrsity's blog about Did She Deliver Her Baby On Stage?  The post was interesting because I was not familiar with what went on at the Grammys.  Apparently M.I.A. is 9 months pregnant and performed on her baby's due date!   I would definitely check out this post!

Alone Time

My roommate and I recently decided to part ways.  Our schedules have conflicted since the beginning of the semester, which has made our living situation difficult.  We made a mutual decision to spilt up.  I would move out of Boaz and my new home would become a single in Morrison McGinnis.  At first I was a little nervous to make this big change.  Then I realized how nice it was going to be to be living in a single.  A room all to myself.  No more getting dressed in the dark and no more late night trips to Fondren.

The whole process seemed to fly by.  My Mom helped me move all of my belongings in a day.  Although it was stressful to have to move all of my things out, it was fun having my Mom here to help me.  She told me that it was probably best that I did not have a roommate because she would probably be annoyed with all the stuff I would bring in.  I was soon settled and began my new life in Morrison McGinnis.

The first night I sat in my single and there was not a sound.  No one running through the halls, no one coming in and out of my room, and no music blaring.  My lifestyle changed instantly.  I stayed up until 2:30 a.m. that night studying for a test.  I woke up the next morning to get in another hour of studying.  I was unable to study this effectively with a roommate.

  I thought moving to a different dorm would cause me to lose touch with my friends from Boaz, but I am always making trips back there.  No one treats me as an outsider but as if I still lived on their floor. 

Kathleen may be my ex-roommate but she is still my best friend.  People are quick to judge.  They think that just because we made the decision to spilt up that we are no longer friends.  This is definitely not the case.  In fact, I believe this change will allow Kathleen and I to become better friends.  She will be able to concentrate on track and I will be able to concentrate on my studies.  Everything works out in the end.  I think we will both benefit from this change, and it will change our friendship for the better. 

Comments...

I commented on Bon Qui Qui's blog about a Cruel Initiation.  I thought the post was well- written and very interesting.  It opened my eyes up to something I was not aware of at all.  I would definitely take a look at this post!

FORGIVE AND FORGET

Michael Phelps, 14 time gold medalist winner, was caught smoking a marijuana pipe.  On November 6, "weeks after his Beijing triumph, 23 year old Phelps surprised students at the University of South Carolina in Columbia by showing up unannounced at a house party" (News of the World).  

After reading this article, I began to feel sorry for him.  He is under such scrutiny.  Although I think it was a dumb decision on his part, I think that he is truly sorry.  I think the public should take it easy on him.  I watched a video on youtube and it brought up a very good point.  CNN is interviewing Eric Hirshberg who states how "this kind of thing is harder for his image to sustain than someone with a bad boy image".  This type of thing would not hurt Kid Rock, it probably would not be thought twice about.  But because Michael Phelps is a "golden boy" this picture could cause him to lose endorsements and hurt his image.  

The poor guy made a mistake.  In the article on News of the World, they are bashing him.  It states how he was drinking a ton of alcohol and grabbed the marijuana pipe with no hesitation.  He knew how to smoke the pipe.  An on looker said, "he looked just as natural with a bong in his hands as he does swimming in the pool.  He was the gold medal winner of bong hits."  All the statements in this article are making Michael Phelps look like a terrible person.  I think we should give him a break.  He is 23 years old and had a slip up, just as long as it does not happen again I think the public should forgive and move on! 

Rowdy or Relaxing Spring Break?

As we enter a new semester and are reunited with all of our friends, the topic of Spring Break is being tossed around. From picking out a hotel to buying a plane ticket, I realize that I am going to have to put down a large amount of cash.
The recent buzz of Spring Break is overwhelming. Everyone wants to get their plans in order, so they can have the most unforgettable, out of control week. At first, I fought my Mom about going to Mexico. I would be with all of my SMU friends. From all the boys to all the girls I have talked to, it seems like it’s going to be the “hot spot”. It would be my first time in Mexico, as a teenager, and I can’t imagine all the crazy things that would be going on. Then I realized that Mexico would consist of booze, bars, and boys and that is not the way I would want to spend my Spring Break.
I realized that instead of having a rowdy Spring Break in Mexico, I’d rather spend that week relaxing. This year I’m headed to St. Thomas with my best friend and her family. I am absolutely thrilled to go because I have never been. After doing some research on St. Thomas I have become more familiar and excited with my Spring Break plans.
Usually, I never want to miss out and love being present at every social function. I am passing up a party for relaxation on a warm beach. I figured I make my Mom happy by not going to Mexico and obviously make myself happy by going to St. Thomas. It is a win win situation. Are you ready to get rowdy on Spring Break or relax?