The dumbest generation

I really liked this article. The facts that it brings up are sad, but I find them to be very realistic. We, as Americans, are so blind to the things happening around us. In general we could care less about what is going on. Out of the questions in the first two paragraph, I only got 1 out of the 6 right. It is interesting because the older generations is astonished that we don't know the answers to the questions, when it could be because they didn't teach it to us well. Or since we are multitasking more, we truly can't pay attention to one thing while doing something else, while getting the maximum amount of information out of both. I was surprised when the adults thought that a kid would give up all digital technology for years. I don't think that anyone could do that. I would never be able to do that, and I don't have a cellphone or watch TV that much.

I agree with the article, writing off any generation before it's 30 is dumb. All people slowly change their habits over time. When people are young they may not have an interest in the things around them. They may not care who the vice president is, what the biggest lake is, who was the US's ally, or who was the Supreme Court Justice. As I keep getting older, I learn more about past important figures in society and geography, and slowly got an interest in it. By the time you're 30, you should be interested in the things around you because they affect you. Who gets voted president affects you. You realize that what happens in other countries has an effect on you and those around you. The newer generations also learn a different kind of knowledge.

Why Americans are often so restless - 2, 5

2) Why does a society devoted to equal opportunities weaken each individual?

A society devoted to equal opportunities weaken each individual because it would be a lot harder for an individual to strive forward. Tocqueville states, "When men are more or less equal and are following the same path, it is very difficult for any of them to walk faster and get out beyond the uniform crowd surrounding and hemming them in" (167). This is saying if everyone was equal and had equal opportunities, then it would be very difficult for anyone to take the next step and become the leader. No one would have the extra help of knowing how to lead or take control of a situation. No one would know what to do because they would all have the same experiences.

5) Does Tocqueville think Americans are restless because they don't know what they want or because what they want in not attainable?

Tocqueville thinks that Americans are restless because what they want is not attainable. Most Americans know what they want and how they want to get it, but they rarely do attain what they want. Tocwueville declares, "That is a quality which never retreats before them without getting quite out of sight, and as it retreats it beckons them on to pursue. Every instant they think they will catch it, and each time it slips through their fingers"(168). This is stating that when we know what we want, we chase it with enthusiasm, but we never reach our goal. Something happens along the way that screws things up. Tocqueville also states, "they see it close enough to know its charms, but they do not get near enough to enjoy it, and they ill be dead before they have fully relished its delights"(168). We know everything about what we want, and yet, still, we can't get what we want. Also that we will always want it, but we will never be able to get it.

How appeals are dealt with in AT0TC

The aristocracy doesn't really listen or care about personal appeals. When the boy is run over, the Marquis does nothing, but hand a coin to the father, and drives off. He doesn't care about the peasants problems at all. All he cares about is himself and his wealth.

The revolutionaries are just as bad as the aristocracy. Because they hate the aristocracy so much they don't listen to their appeals. When Darnay travels back to France he is arrested, and when he let out he goes back to court the next day. The peasants have such a hatred for the aristocracy that Darnay can't get out the second time.

A tale of Two Cities question #1

1. For how long has the man in Jarvis Lorry’s thoughts been buried?
He has been buried for 18 years.

2. What else do we know of this man who has been “buried”?
He is forty-five years old, was buried alive, was in a wasted state, had a white head had abandoned all hope of being dug out, was recalled to life.

3. What are the two conditions concerning Dr. Manette?
He doesn't know his own name. He was thought dead, but isn't.

4. Who are the proprietors of the wine-shop?
The proprietors are Monsieur Defarge and Madame Defarge.

5. Why does Defarge show Dr. Manette to the “Jacques”?
He is her father.

6. What is Dr. Manette doing when they enter his room?
He is making shoes.

7. What does Dr. Manette say his name is? What is the significance of what he says?

He said that his name was One Hundred and Five, North Tower. This is significant because One Hundred and Five is the house he was brought to after being held in prison.

Why is it difficult not to care about what others think of you?

It is difficult not to care about what others think of you because their feedback affects what we do and how we do it. It is in our human nature to be the best that we can be. If other people think negative thoughts about you and you hear them, most people will want to change to please them. We have to have constant companionship with friends and family. If others don't think highly of you and treat you in that manner, you won't be a happy person because you need them. Most humans can't bear to be alone for a long amount of time. Also we as humans want input. We don't like doing bad things, so we need people to tell us when we do something bad or inappropriate.

No, we do not control the way other people see and think about me. I may influence them, but never control what they feel toward and about me. No one can make anyone do anything. Our actions and thoughts are our own. Our actions and thoughts may be influenced by the media, such as family, friends, TVs, radios, magazines, etc..., but they don't make us see and think differently. When you said something that stirs a memory in someone else's past, they chose to bring that memory forward instead of blocking the memory. That memory may be a deep hatred or annoyance, but we did not cause them to feel that way or how they will feel about us.

Which is more important - freedom or survival?

I believe that freedom is more important than survival. There are very few reasons why anyone would want to survive if they were not free. Such as your with and around people that you care and love about. Or you just like where you are taking orders from someone else. When you're free you can make your own choices and not have to worry upsetting a host. Surviving is also important, but not as much. When you die you'll go to one of two places. Heaven or Hell. Since I'm a Christian, when I die I'll know I'll go to Heaven. For that reason surviving isn't that important to me because when I die, I know that I'll have eternal life.

Freedom allows you to do what is right no matter what others think. You can still survive, and live in a world of pain and suffering being forced to do things that you do not want to do. If you are free at least you can decide for yourself if you want to do something or not to do it. People will fight to be free and in process some will die. If you fight for freedom and win, you survive and can live your life the way you want to live it. If you fight to survive and win, you are still alive, but your life can end up being terrible because you can't make choices for yourself. Freedom gives people what they want.

War

War cannot be a good thing. If you go to war simply to conquer or to shed the blood of your enemies, then war is a bad thing. It is fought because you were selfish and wanted to gain more land, raise your self esteem, or simply to prove that you are the best. However, if you go to war with another county who threatened you or is posing an attack, then war is a better thing, but still not a good thing. The outcome of a war is never good. It might be good for one side, but what about the other side. Men lose their lives because someone couldn't settle a dispute.

I would like to think that there would be a few causes in which I would go to war. If the war was started by the right reasons, I would go. I would go if the people I care about were threatened or in considerable danger. I wouldn't want them to suffer, so I would go to try and stop the suffering. This is always easier said then done, when you know your life isn't on the line, but I would hope that I could put myself in that situation. I would hope that I could put myself in harm's way to save the ones that I love and care about.

I know that wars are fought to try and gain peace, but they shouldn't be fought at all. I don't see why people in general can't put grudges behind them and make a peace treaty. Some people think that they are better then others and that they should be a leader, so they fight for it. Everyone should be honest, fair, and respecting, and if that were so we wouldn't need to have wars.

Where do you belong?

I belong with my family.  Where they go, I will follow.  I also belong with my friends.  They make me feel like I belong with them.  I am American, and I feel a great tie with them.  Even though I have European blood in my veins, I would call myself an American, because I was born and raised here.  I feel that I am more American than European.  My family is Christian and so am I.  I definitely feel a tie toward the church and its people.  I do not belong in someplace where it is cold.  Even though I can withstand the temperature, I'd much rather prefer a warm place with mild temperatures.  I wear shorts all throughout the winter.  I like colder weather, but I don't belong in a place where it's cold.  I like the view and the feel of water.  You can't swim in places where it is cold, and I love to boat and love to swim.  It is very difficult to swim in water that is frozen or really cold.  The difference is having people that care and love you.  Friends and and family make all the difference in the world.  They give me hope and encouragement.  You belong in a place that you can call home.  If you don't have a place that you can call home, then how can you belong.  You need people that care for you, in order to make it through each day.

Favorite character

My favorite character in "Of Mice and Men" would have to be Slim.  Slim is my favorite character for many reasons.  Slim and me, I think, share many of the same attributes.  Therefore I find him easy to relate to, and can understand where his "view" is coming from.  One reason why Slim is my favorite character is because he he very kind.  It is very hard to live through life if you are not kind.  He helps people when they are in need.  He is a mentor like figure to the rest of the workers on the ranch.  It is great that he has that leadership role.  He has all of the qualities that make up a good leader.  And he's good at doing and saying what is right in a moment of time.  Slim is also a really good listener.  You can tell him anything and everything.   He will sit down and listen to your problems and help you through your problems.  He is also very trustworthy.  You can tell all of your secrets to him, and you know that they won't be told to another sole.  Lastly Slim is very wise.  He knows what to say, how to say it, and when to say it.  He is just a really great guy.  Slim is a very good role model for younger kids.  Because no one wants to be around someone who you can't trust, who doesn't listen, etc.  Overall Slim is my favorite character in Of Mice and Men.

Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma, or a mercy killing.  It is commonly used on animals.  I both agree and disagree with the practice of euthanasia.  I agree with it if the doctor has the patient's consent.  If a patient is suffering enough that they want death, because they know that they won't get better, and if the doctor offers euthanasia as a choice and the patient agrees, the doctor should have they right to perform it.  If the patient is in a coma, I don't see the damage of performing it.  The doctor could do it if, and only if, the patient wants it done to himself/herself.  If they want to die because they can't withstand the pain, fine, it's their life.

I am also against it.  It is just like committing murder.  The patient doesn't know what the next day will bring.  A miracle could happen and they could be cured.  It would be a shame it that person had chosen to die.  I couldn't say kill me, no matter how much pain I was in.  I would like to die naturally and not because I had asked a doctor to kill me.  It is just so wrong on so many levels.

I wouldn't want it done to me, but I can see why people would want that performed.

Why do dreams fail

Dreams fail for many reasons.  One reason is that people have very little control over what will happen to them and when it will happen.  Your dream could fail because something terrible could happen.  You could get struck by lightning, die in a car crash, get robbed, or lose your job.  If those things happened your dream could epically fail.  Another reason is that you could exceed your dream, and therefore your dream failed because you went above your dream.  If your dream is to get a "B" on a Language Arts test and you get a "C" your dream technically failed.  Dreams could fail because of a stupid choice you made when you were younger.  You could have gotten drunk and started driving, and when you did you crashed.  You could have died or lived and that would be on your permanent record.  Or you could have gotten involved with a gang or have done drugs.  That would just mess up your life, and prevent you from any dream you could have had before you started doing drugs.  If you had terrible parents that always yelled at you or made you feel worthless.  You could actually think about committing suicide.  That destroys any dreams you had because you would be dead, by you own stupid actions.  These are many reasons why dreams could fail.

Where humans belong

It is very important for humans to have a place where they belong.  I couldn't imagine not having a place to belong.  It is also very important to have people that know and love you.  These go hand in hand.  Having friends make you feel that you have a place to belong.  If humans didn't belong anywhere, why would they talk to another.  They don't belong with that person.  Since, we belong we talk and are able to fun with each other.  Also since we belong we have a family.  If we didn't belong we would all be a lone doing our own boring thing day after day.  Humans have to be around people who know them and love them.  Whether that be family or friends.  They make you feel welcome and cared for.  Where you're cared for and loved is where you belong.You need people that care for you and people that love you in order to live life to the fullest.

What makes a friend

A friend is someone who you can trust and rely on to be there for you in times of trouble.  A friend should be compassionate and care for you.  A friend is someone you can talk to and listen to.  A friend is someone who may share the same views as you, same religion, or just have something in common with you.  All of these things make up a good friend. A friend isn't someone who lies or yells at you.   We have friends because the world would be a very boring place without them.  We have friends because they're someone who you can talk to and enjoy time with.  Friends help us, they pick us up when we fall.  We have friends because they make us have something to look forward to, and not be lonely.  I look forward to seeing my friends everyday because I like them and enjoy the time we get together.  We have friends to make us laugh.  I laugh every time that I'm with my friends.  Friends also just keep us company when we're lonely.  My friends help me every single day.

Anticipation/Reaction Guide #4

"In today's world, men treat more as equals than as objects."  I disagree with that statement for several reasons.  I'll agree that they are treated more as equals know than how they were treated 50 years ago, but I think that the majority of men in the world still treat women as objects.  Women can vote, and have important jobs in most of the world.  But if you put one bad teenager who doesn't know right from wrong, they are very likely to treat a woman like an object.  Men still rape and sexually abuse women.  I'll say that there is more of men treating women as objects considering every country in Africa and the women that get raped sexually abused there.  Magazines also discriminate against women.  They show nude photos of them advertising a product so that men will want to buy the product.  You see naked women on bars of soap and many other products.  Also men just treat women with disrespect.  If a woman with her hands full is walking behind you hold the door open for her and not let it close in her face.  As much as I hate it more women are treated as objects than as equals.

Romeo and Juliet: three questions

1) "Love and insight is better than love at first sight."  Do you agree or disagree?  Why?

I agree with that for so many reasons.  The first reason is that you won't have problems later on in life with your lover.  Here's a good piece of advice: get to know the person before you marry them instead of after you marry them.  You you claim to see you love at first site and marry them, that marriage could and probably will end in divorce because you didn't know something about your partner.  That is why there is dating, so you can get to know your love before you decide toys could be together for the rest of your life.  If you date then you can decide early on in the relationship if you guys could be together for the rest of you life.  It is so important to get to know the person you marry before you marry them.

2) What do you think of Capulet's orders that Juliet marry Paris?  Was he correct to do so?  Why or why not?

I absolutely hate that order.  No father should ever make their daughter marry someone that she doesn't like.  What he did was wrong on so many levels.  Shouldn't he love his daughter enough to let her be happy for the rest of her life.  No person should be stuck with someone that they hate for the rest of their life.  The daughter should have the right to choose her husband, or at least gets to decline her father's order.  Even more so to marry someone that you have only seen and never talked to before.  I would hate, and sure that other people would also hate, to marry someone that he don't know at all.  I just hate it.  Capulet had no right to force that upon Juliet.

3)Do you think that the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is really a tragedy?  Explain your response.

I think that the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is really a tragedy for many reasons.  The first reason being that by the end of the play 6 people are dead.  That is really sad.  Six people dead in less than a week because of a disagreement between two families.  Also there is so much sadness and distress in the play.  You have the sadness of all the characters mourning for the other characters deaths.  And you have the distress of Romeo and Juliet because of their forbidden love.  Lastly the death of major characters.  Such as Mercutio, Tybalt, Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo and Juliet act 1

I thought that act 1 was really interesting.  After reading it, I have more respect for Shakespeare's writing.  The characters aren't exactly what I expected them to be.  I didn't know that Romeo was in love with Rosaline before now.  Before I read Romeo and Juliet I thought that the families hated each other, I didn't know that they hated each other so much that they actually fought on the streets.  It is hilarious when Romeo first meets Juliet.  When he goes to the party he is so in love with Rosaline, but the moment he sees Juliet he think that she is the most beautiful thing in the world.  The shining light in darkness.  Shakespeare wording is really well-written, but it is hard to read because it has language that we aren't used to saying.  Such as: thee, thou, and thy.  Some of his sentences could be tongue twisters.  Even though some are, it is very beautiful writing.  I like the plot.  I like the fact that Romeo learns that there were other women out there than Rosaline.  I couldn't believe it that Tybalt could recognize Romeo just by his voice.I am looking foward to reading the rest of Romeo and Juliet.