Final Blog Post

I’m writing this as my final English project for Composition 1213. In order to begin the process of reflecting on my own writing for the past term, I suppose that it’s necessary for you to understand me, and where I, both as an individual and a member of the larger human species, am coming from.

Pismo Beach- one of the closest beaches from my house in Santa Maria, CA

As a kid I moved between various parts of California and Oklahoma, ultimately spending the most time in central California along the coast. Family vacations occurred every summer, beginning with my parent’s belief that we should explore and learn about different people, places, and things. I would like to think that as a result of a fairly liberal upbringing and exposure to people with differing views that I am an individual who is accepting of other people simply because they are individuals free to make their own decisions, but I’m not sure if I am the most accurate judge of it because growing up in an individualistic society I believe that we’re taught to see ourselves in the most positive light that we can.

Upon taking this course I’ve gained a better understanding of defining ethos. Initially I believed that ethos simply referred to the credibility of a speaker or writer, and that ethos was constructed at an individual level, maybe growing up in an individualistic society is what prompted that view. However upon reading "Ethos as Location" by Nedra Reynolds, I now understand that ethos is constructed not only at an individual level, but also at a communal level, influenced by the habits formed as a result of socialization.

Image from: letitflow.com

I know that socialization is a basic block in defining in what makes me me and you you. Technology is changing how we socialize, and as a result is changing how we can define ourselves. In an essay I wrote this term about flash mobs, I noted how flash mobs are a direct product of our modern information communication technology and illustrate how ICT’s have changed social interaction by creating a broader basis in defining collective consciousness.  Reynolds in “Ethos as Location” stated that the construction of ethos are habits, and that habits can’t physically be created in absence of interaction with others. Flash mobs, then, could be defined as the creation of a new form of habit, one which questions and explores new possibilities for change within the community.

Change, I’ve decided is slow, to emerge. People like to know where they are today, and where they’ll be tomorrow, but without change we would collectively die, so it must occur. In writing this, sitting in at my kitchen table, I definitely notice the change that has occurred outside. The leaves have largely fallen off, the flowers from the Crape Myrtles have gone, and the grass has died. But I like this change, even one as simple as the seasons, partly because it is a way to measure the passage time.

This past year has been extremely monumental regarding change at national level due to the reelection of Barack Obama. I think that it will be interesting to mark the change that will occur at the national level which will then trickle down to the state, and eventually local levels.  As the election race was reaching its peak of fevered frenzy beginning in about September, I know that people in many states (including my relatives in Colorado Springs, Colorado) were bombarded with political advertisements on both the TV and radio. These commercials largely didn’t focus on the issues, but instead were more concerned with the appearance of the candidates.

Image from: politico.com

Image from:
fblog.futurebrand.com

Candidates from both sides attempted to evoke the better man look, based on character, accomplishments, and showing a personal interest in your problems. In an essay I wrote about two commercials (Obama’s Determination, and Romney’s Can't Afford Another Term), and in writing about them, I was sort of surprised to learn how image based advertisements have become largely due to the increased usage of the TV. A candidate’s image on campaign commercials, coupled with an emotional message and theme are some of the most important factors in determining the effectiveness of commercials, even more so than the issues. As our culture is becoming more image based and certainly effective in motivating people to vote, I wonder if it is better for our nation as a whole.

We’ve each been socialized to act in accordance with our family values, and with the larger culture. My writing is uniquely me, based upon my experiences and habits that I’ve been socialized to as a kid. Reviewing what we’ve written this term I can say, according my definition of ethos  (a person’s individual character which is influenced by the habits formed as a result of socialization), that my writing style has remained consistent throughout what I’ve written this term, as have my grammatical errors (I hate to admit it, but I dislike editing, and don’t review it as much as I should prior to submitting it.) I like to think that my writing is reflective upon my views, but I know that my views aren’t uniquely me, but a combination of the values instilled in me, as well as my own opinions, so perhaps there is nothing that is uniquely me, but things which are a combination of me and others.  I like to think that in both of the papers this term, aside from my writing style, what illustrates me are the questions that I have, and want to share, at the end of my papers because I am genuinely curious with the change that will or could occur if these questions are answered.

I hate to end this assignment with something so clichéd as a question, but in defining yourself and your views, where do you think you live in existence to others?

ipad

I recently obtained an ipad as part of an event give-away within the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education (JRCoE). The event is part of a pilot program at OU (One University digital initiative) to encourage teachers to incorporate technology into classrooms because technology is becoming a domineering factor in most people’s lives. The JRCoE hopes that by instructing future teachers in how to use technology in a classroom, that they’ll be better able to reach their students.

image from: theregister.co.uk

Being eligible to receive one I was naturally excited, and still am, even though it isn’t something that I would spend my own money on. The consumer in me liked being able to call a touch-screen product my own, and opening the heavy cardboard box, as a group at one of the giveaways, only increased my excitement. In fact, initially I thought that it had to be a scam- who would give away over 500 ipad’s to undergraduate students?

John Dewey, image from: dewey.pragmatism.org

I know that OU is trying to educate the “next generation of teachers” in a technologically advanced way. Incorporating technology changes how students learn. Many educational philosophers, such John Dewey, believe that students will engage more in learning if they actively engaged in the learning process. By encouraging students to take on a more active role in their own education, they are more likely to remember it as it will be more meaningful to the students. Although the use of technology isn’t what Dewey had in mind for engaging students in the learning process, students are actively making decisions about how to convey information, especially when the information is at their fingertips what with phones, tablets, computers and the internet.

However there are also concerns about the effects that technology will have in the classroom.  Todd Oppenheimer , a speaker on Digital Nation comments on how he believes that incorporating technology will only increase students want for “instant gratification and that schools will no longer be places of “discipline.” There is a fear that the widespread use of technology won’t instill necessary traits for things such as problem solving, and the social skills necessary for engaging in a group-oriented workplace.

Image from: securedgenetworks.com

I believe that technology will be incorporated into the classroom, regardless of whether people think it is good or bad, because that is the way that we as a culture are heading; technology is becoming increasingly more important to our lives and our way of life is changing to reflect it (i.e. phones that can connect to the internet, cars that have built in GPS systems).  As such I think that it would be more useful to focus on how we want to implement technology in the classroom, not on whether or not it should be implemented.

Bigger Better Best Equates Happiness?

We live in a very consumer oriented society. I think that for the most part we forget that we do because it’s normal for us, and so we have been socialized into thinking that it is correct. I don’t know that there is anything wrong with living in a consumer oriented society, but I do think that we need to be aware of it.

Image from: chrisjhoward.com

In class we watched The Good Consumer, and I was struck how materialistic our society really is. I know that it, The Good Consumer, is exaggerated, but there is definitely truth in the video. Evidence of this can clearly be seen within our society with people always wanting the latest, greatest, and newest phone, or computer, or car; filled with nothing but the best and newest apps, or greater processing speed, or the ability for it to park itself. We’re inundated from a young age to want things that are better, and commercials, even for things like insurance, often rely on tactics which illustrate our desire for the best( notice the use of superlatives), such as this pony commercial from Ally.  

As a society we seem to be dazzled by the prospects of obtaining that item, whatever it may be, because it is obviously the peak of sophistication. I like to try and pride myself with being a step above it. I’ve had my computer for six years, and feel no need to get a better one (it runs a little slower, but it still works), my phone is one of my brothers rejects, and I’m perfectly content with my things. Our society, however, seems to be consistently concerned with out-doing its previous product, and it illustrates a never-ending upward spiral in our culture, even if the next greatest product isn’t really that different from its previous model.

Image from: cashpeters.com

I know, that if being honest with myself, that there are things that I want, but know that I don’t need, such as a touch-screen phone, or a faster computer or tablet. I’ve been able to talk myself out of getting them because they’re” so expensive”, and “how much would I really use it if I had one anyway.” One of my favorite travel writers, a British guy named Cash Peters, wrote a book called Gullible's Travels, and I believe that it offers some insight to our Western consumer culture:

                 

 “…most Americans have staked their whole life on achieving  similar goals: having, owning , possessing, winning, beating  the next guy past the post. What they don’t realize is: Eat lots of  cake and you get full; eat lots of icing and you get sick.”(p. 245)

I think that the icing is our consumer culture. Having the best, and greatest, won’t stay, and if you’re constantly trying to achieve them, you’ll never be happy. According to the Stoic view a good life is one without suffering and dissatisfaction, but we do suffer and feel dissatisfied because the reality of our lives isn’t what we want or expect for ourselves, so we have two options: manipulate the external world so we get what we want; or manipulate our internal world so we want what the external world has. I don’t believe that either option is easy, but I believe that the second option will be more probable in achieving happiness.

Communication

 The ability to communicate, the act of actual communication, is ultimately decisive in our ability to function as humans. From pre-historic pictograms to the modern use of computers and phones the idea to spread word, to record events, to tell a story, to communicate, has been an important motivating factor to our civilization. Communication has allowed us to build countries, forge international relations through the use of treaties and embargos, and  on a personal level it allows us to keep in touch with our friends and family .The methods of communication have changed, the speed of communication has most certainly changed but the necessity to communicate has not.