Blog 3

1.   You are a living book; you have chosen to be a living book. You are the last copy of your chosen book in existence. Who are you and why are you that book?

After thinking about this long and hard I have chosen a book title that I would be. Corduroy is the book that I am and for several reasons.

“A winning, completely childlike picture book in which a stuffed bear waiting hopefully in a toy department finds a home with a little black girl. Endearing, brightly colored pictures. – Booklist”

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For anyone who has not read this book, here is a link to an audio version so you can understand the premise:

Corduroy Audio

This books cover alone brings back very fond memories of it being read to me as a bedtime story. It warps me back to my childhood and I'm small enough to be guarded by my grandmothers arms again. Some of the many reasons that I picked this book are, the book teaches children the importance of home, friendship, and love.Through it's kind story and gentle passages, it instills a feeling of warmth. Corduroy also influences powerful and cherished memories to any person that was brought up with it. Corduroy does what many good pieces of literature sets out to do, it takes us away from the problems we are facing into a world with happy endings. 

Corduroy is a book that is timeless. It has not been a book that has faded out, but more withstood the test of time. It has not been changed or edited, but stood strong through the years. Because the lesson is so kind and gentle, it has been just as important for every generation. I believe that more now than ever, people need happy and loving influences on their life.  I believe that many people have fond memories of this book and through being a living version I can keep these memories going.

Here is a link to some positive views, congruent with mine:
Positive Review

As impossible as I may have thought it to be, I did actually find a negative review for this book. In a few reviews that I researched, I found an objection to the race of the little girl that adopts Corduroy. This was the biggest negative I could find but some of the other negatives include simple opinions such as the thought of the book not entertaining all children. While I understand these viewpoints, I do not feel they are strong enough to argue against the positive aspects of this book which is why I brought it up. This class has always been about presenting both sides of the argument, so that is exactly what I did.

Here is a link to a Negative review:
Negative review 1



In conclusion, I believe Corduroy to be a book that is important to many children everywhere and for the childhood memories that adults cling to because of all the reasons mentioned above. Although it may be a simplistic book, that does not overshadow its importance. Being the last copy of this title is another reason in itself, this book needs to last forever and be read to generations to come.

Is it over yet?

Dealing with a horrible class with a horrible instructor, and no not my Medic. class! Is it over yet? Cant wait till it is. sweet picture that comes to mind.

Second blog assignment

1.   "Those who know how work for those who know why"   What does this phrase mean and how is it related to critical thinking skills?

           When I read this phrase the first thing I notice is that it needs a comma to make sense. This is not due to the "intervening phrase" but more due to the intonation of the sentence. I would not say the whole thing together without a pause, as it would not make sense. The variation of tone is what calls for the use of a comma. After that correction I start to think of a worker and foreman setting, or a business C.E.O. and all of his employees under him. In this phrase the "who know how" are the guys or workers that do exactly that, what they know how. These are the managers in a business who answer to the owner, the people who make decisions for their employer, or the guys in the field building a new overpass answering to their foreman. Here's a mental picture for ya.

           I also think of politics when I read over this phrase. The people that are the "know why" in this phrase brings to mind the higher in rank individuals. The ones overlooking the passing of laws or other things of this nature. The ones in these positions have worked very hard to get to the "know why" stage in their career and most likely started in the "know how" area.  I thought this was perfect, this image came up when you Google "know why". These examples below indicate those who "know why" and have many people working for them who are the the "know how".  Despite any contradictions, opinions or Political associations, these two are just an example of some of the "know why" people just as a foreman for a construction crew or the owner of a company. My argument has NOTHING to do with politics!!

How this phrase is connected to critical thinking?
Those who "know why" are able to see the bigger picture, have come from the "know how" positions and are more capable. They have practiced reasoning, communication, and management skills. Although they are not better or greater than the "know how ", they are just more refined and have more practice. It is also a matter of choice to become a "know why" and takes a lot more dedication. They have a greater understanding of why, which takes a greater amount of critical thinking skills.

To different people, this phrase could mean entirely different things. A "know how" person might be convinced that their job is harder, or that what they do takes more patience. All in all, I think that the amount of good critical thinking skills are the very reason the "know why" people excel at what they do.

Some more information on this phrase

First blog assignment

  Could changes in American popular culture make America a better society?  Explain what changes you'd like to see and why.  Looking at your own pop culture inventory, could changing your interaction with aspects of American popular culture bring you closer to where you want to be in life? 

    

 This question sparks a lot of thoughts in my mind. Could changes make America a better society? Yes, of course. Will they most likely happen, no. The changes that I would most like to see are sexual exposure, and the overall status of class that Americans have. I chose these two changes because I believe they possess qualities that have the most negative impact on our society.

Sexual exposure seems to be everywhere, now more than ever. It has been commercialized and used as propaganda, not only in the form of a way to make money, gain power or status but also is even being infiltrated into the education and religious systems of America. This can be seen in the ad above for cologne. Walking through the mall, reading a magazine, or even turning on the television have become nothing more than an opportunity for people to showcase sex. This sexual exposure is affecting our morals, our children, and families. You can see the ripple effects of this through infidelity occurring not only in the home but through the public eye. Such celebrities as Tiger Woods, Brad Pitt or even politician John Edwards have all become victims to our sexual society.

                                                          
Class is something that I think is also very important to our society. Even though much of our culture is full of exaggerated stereotypes, there is also a large chunk of those stereotypes that hold true. Americans are represented as overweight, "redneck, lazy or ungrateful.

                                                          Clarkson on Americans
The link above is from a show on the History Channel that i have viewed for years, the show is all about autos and is a British production aired on American television. The video I posted is only one example of their views on America, and there are plenty more of the same types of clips. It is easy to say that Americans have no class but it is even easier to prove it, the fact that something such as sex can be commercialized further proves my points.

    As far as personal popular culture getting one where he/she wants to be in their life, I feel that it is up to the individual to distinguish the culture that will influence his behavior, decision making, and all around professionalism. If one does not hold the ability to not act like his favorite rap music artist in a job interview, then of course changing that persons popular culture can change where he ends up. On the other hand, people who have that ability to not act like an idol from their popular culture have the ability to go anywhere they want. That person can follow any popular culture and have the maturity to leave it in he appropriate places.

Where does it go?

Time is flying by, fourth week of school already!  School is going good though, holding high grades so far.

Second week of school

Its gonna be a stressful semester, on a positive note, cars painted and looking as good as ever. Took a very nice drive to sedona for the first trip and had my lovely fiance with me, it was a very good weekend surrounded by friends.

I have a blog!

Yup that's right a blog. Do I know anything about blogging? No. Will it get done? Yes, and it will get done well.