FP 3 Reason and Draft

I believe it is necessary to consider all the distractions that are going on around us in the world when discussing today's decline in literacy levels and recreational reading. Now, more than ever, there are ways to go online or see in movies the answers to many things that people use to find in books. If the answer is presented right in front of you, why take an extremely long time to read it in a book? Research is showing that this lack of research and true focus we are holding when reading on something easier, like the internet, is effecting us in very malevolent ways. For one thing, students become less able to focus in long readings, and results show there has been a significant decline in scores on standardized tests. Little effects like this can damage someone's ability to sit down and focus for the rest of his or her life!

Claim: Literacy and Recreational reading is declining in today’s world because of distractions like the internet, news, and movies which promotes conformity amoung the young generation, and discourages individuality.

Reason: Internet allows for quick simple reading and makes us less urged to focus on long pieces of reading, such as a book, causing an overall decrease in education.

Evidence:  “As teenagers’ scores on standardized reading tests have declined or stagnated, some argue that the hours spent prowling the Internet are the enemy of reading — diminishing literacy, wrecking attention spans and destroying a precious common culture that exists only through the reading of books.” (Motoko)

COMMENT

I made a comment on Ms. Channell's blog.

Accepted

Getting accepted to college these days is nearly impossible. I remember less than four years ago, students were accepted into SMU with test scores and GPA's significantly lower than mine and other people who here. SMU's GPA and test score expectations have risen impressively in just a few short years. What used to be a main "backup" college for students at my high school, is now a "first choice" or "stretch" school. While that makes me happy, because it means my degree will have greater value, it scares me for the next generation of kids wanted to go to college. What is this continually greater challenge to get into a good school? Is it because more and more students are expected and want to go to college now? I really do not understand. More importantly, the types of students getting accepted is changing rapidly. No longer are the generic caucasian students getting accepted into Ivy league, or any other top tier universities. I have a best friend from high school who was involved in every activity at school from prom committee to campus republics. She played three varsity sports, had a 4.0 GPA, played the guitar at school functions, and took every AP possible. There was nothing more this friend could have to stand out in the eyes of a prestigous university. However, it seems that because she has blonde hair, pale skin, and her name may be as simple as Alex Smith, she is seen as boring and lacking diversity. If you are caucasian with no connections or legacies at a school, it is apparent that you are the most unwanted type of student these days. I am truly not trying to be rude or stereotypical, this is really just how it is. Another girl from my high school with less than half of what Alex had on her resume and both test scores and GPA significantly lower than Alex's was accepted to every single Ivy League, perhaps because she had moved to the U.S. from China only years ago. Shouldn't diversity be defined by the activities and personalities we stand for instead of our skin color? I feel like colleges' obsession with diversity is so stereotypical and can only make division between races worse in our country. Lastly, even worse than the diversity factor, is the need to have a connection to a university. I'll even admit, if my Father had not gone to SMU and had a very close relationship with his diving coach here, I probably would not have gotten in. It is just ridiculous that students with no legacies or any family friends who work at a college have practically no shot to getting in a certain school. Sometimes the perfect grades, test scores, interviews, essays, and full reseumes are not enough to get you where you want to go if you don't have anyone pulling for you in admissions. I hope that in the future the college process becomes less political and more about looking at what a student has to offer.

The Allure of Facebook

The other night I looked at the time on my computer, and it surprisingly said 2:45 AM. What was I doing? Homework, no. Research, no. Online shopping, no. The answer is that I was looking on facebook. I had been on it for a whopping two hours, for absolutely no reason. I was upset with myself, but then I was reminded that almost every teenager, even people in their twenties, use facebook as a way to pass time. And I mean LOTS of time. What is the allure? No one really can answer that. Yes, its night to be able to communicate with friends that I wouldn’t normally call, just to check up and see how they’re doing. But really, other than that, is looking at other people’s pictures and profiles all that interesting? NO.
I really do not understand why I am falling to the trend of the facebook obsession. I think my generation is so obsessed with appearance, and facebook is the best, most gossip-girl like way to present ourselves. People put up photos of them and their friends having a lot of fun, dressing up and looking cute just so people have a certain perspective of them. I’ll admit I am a victim of the album making club as well. I have put up pictures, not just so the people in them can see them, but also others. While facebook can be useful as sometimes, I believe it is our duty it rid of this nasty habit. In the long run, putting up silly pictures and looking at others profiles is not going to get us anywhere, except for gossiping about others. I am hoping that one day, the allure of facebook will be no more.

He's Just Not That Into You

He's Just Not That Into You
This past weekend I saw the long-awaited premiere of the movie “He’s Just Not That Into You”. The movie, based on a best selling book, is rumored to be a phenomenon for all the young women in the world and their constant struggle to read the minds of men. I sat through the whole film while everyone around me laughed and sighed as they pictured themselves doing similar pathetic strategies to get a man’s attention. I however, did not feel that this movie pertained to me, my life, and most importantly helping me realize what I am doing wrong with the opposite sex. The main character was so exaggerated as a love crazed, pathetic, working woman, so desperate to fall in love that I could not even identify with her. Never in my life have I waited for hours upon hours for a guy to call, or drove by a restaurant because I knew he would be there. This movie not only made me feel enraged in the fact that some women are actually like this, but also it is embarrassing for our gender overall. Any male who sees this will assume that all girls are psycho over analysts, and even worse, expect commitment after just one date. I know for a fact, I have never acted for thought like the main character in this movie, nor has any girl I have talked to. He’s Just Not That Into You is an embarrassment for the female sex and should be taken as a complete joke, because I personally do not revolve my life around men and what they think of me. I would like to think that most women around the world do things for themselves and do not try to fit the role that men want us to be.

After watching the movie, Slumdog Millionaire, I was amazed. I was even more amazed after watching “Slumdog” win 8 out of 10 nominations at the oscars. It is truly amazing that a movie full of never before seen actors can go from nothing to the best actors out there this year. What I enjoyed most about this film was that it is so versatile. It does not matter who you are or where you come from, everyone was drawn in and in the end, adored the film. I have yet to here one bad remark about it. It is one of those films that makes me feel so fortunate for living in America, and so fortunate to be brought up in such a stable life, never having to worry about strange attacks or prostitution or anything of that calibur. It was so exciting to see this film take home best picture. It is obvious that these new found actors are so down to earth and extremely talented, which Is the most exciting thing to see when their little film with a big heart triumphs over all. I think the most important thing about the movie is that it did not seem like they were acting. The characters put so much heart into everything, it did not feel scripted or like they were acting at all. I firmly believe that anyone anywhere can connect with this film and find themselves shedding a tear at the end.

I commented on theblogger2's post called "The Milennials"