As I think about it, I really could put myself into the shoes of the officers and commanders harassing the boys. Not only the foreigners, but the American men who partook in the actions against these individuals. When you are placed into power over such easily influenced people and you have that military title, you would get away with virtually anything. You can tell yourself you are above the law because as an American officer, who is going to nark on you? Besides your own men? The Afghani men do not care, they probably support you and as you to join. They’re your own allies, so why not just go or it? Especially when you think no one will stop you.
Monday, February 5, 2018
Bacha Bazi
As disgusting as it is, I am highly unsurprised by the culture of Bacha Bazi. For years we have heard about the sex trafficking and molestation of children up to grown adults in foreign countries and during war times. It is absolutely ridiculous as to the fact that American soldiers are not allowed to intervene or protect these young boys who are sexually abused. Though I do understand that it is normal culture to middle easterners. I suppose the reason Americans are in these countries is not to protect these young boys from sexual abuse, but to assist the population as a whole from their enemies.
As I think about it, I really could put myself into the shoes of the officers and commanders harassing the boys. Not only the foreigners, but the American men who partook in the actions against these individuals. When you are placed into power over such easily influenced people and you have that military title, you would get away with virtually anything. You can tell yourself you are above the law because as an American officer, who is going to nark on you? Besides your own men? The Afghani men do not care, they probably support you and as you to join. They’re your own allies, so why not just go or it? Especially when you think no one will stop you.
As I think about it, I really could put myself into the shoes of the officers and commanders harassing the boys. Not only the foreigners, but the American men who partook in the actions against these individuals. When you are placed into power over such easily influenced people and you have that military title, you would get away with virtually anything. You can tell yourself you are above the law because as an American officer, who is going to nark on you? Besides your own men? The Afghani men do not care, they probably support you and as you to join. They’re your own allies, so why not just go or it? Especially when you think no one will stop you.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Lord of the Flies
1) Society is very sneaky and cruel to everyone. There is no mercy on any individual, as in no matter how many good deeds you do in your life, or even bad things…society will still try to tell you, you haven’t done enough, or you did something wrong. I would say this quote is more referring to the nonliteral killing of a persons being by breaking down their spirit, attitude, morals, etc. to eliminate who they really were as a person. If society doesn’t accept you, they will ignore you, they will avoid you at all costs to essentially delete your existence in society as a whole. Without literally killing you of course. But sometimes at this point you’d as good as dead.
2) Well no matter how well and how long a person is taught and trained how to function in society and live, breathe, and think in a civilized manner…we are animals all the same as those that surround us in nature. We are like monkeys, dogs, even lions. We are here to survive and protect our own or even more so ourselves. There is savage in us all whether we believe it or not. We are not ideal beings who are formed by the mindset of equality and following norms. We are always competing for power and wealth and when the situation arises wouldn’t you be more concerned about making sure you have food and shelter for yourself before you try to provide that to a stranger that you have no attachment to?
3) I think civilization is created for those who want the power to lead and direct people, and for the people who want leaders to tell them how to live and provide purpose in their life. People are controlled by society most definitely. There are the far and few who take power and create/change guidelines of society, but in the big picture the majority of those in existence abide by the rules of society. As much as we like to say that we rebel against society’s norms, are we really? We still follow laws and wear our seatbelts, don’t we?
4) LOF is saying that Simon should just give up on his civilized self because the savage in the boys is stronger. LOF does not want Simon trying to push and direct the boys to participate in efforts to get themselves rescued. Simon is not wanted because he is ruining ‘the fun’ on the island by trying to lead the boys and create a civilized society within the group of boys. The boys would eventually kill Simon for trying to take power and tell them what to do because that is how it works in the animal world. If the leader is ‘corrupt’ in the eyes of the people, or someone wants to challenge the leaders power. They will simply eliminate their existence. Simon is the least afraid to put himself out there. Unlike Simon, the other boys conform to the savagery because they are scared and do not want to cause trouble, they are already controlled by the society of the group.
2) Well no matter how well and how long a person is taught and trained how to function in society and live, breathe, and think in a civilized manner…we are animals all the same as those that surround us in nature. We are like monkeys, dogs, even lions. We are here to survive and protect our own or even more so ourselves. There is savage in us all whether we believe it or not. We are not ideal beings who are formed by the mindset of equality and following norms. We are always competing for power and wealth and when the situation arises wouldn’t you be more concerned about making sure you have food and shelter for yourself before you try to provide that to a stranger that you have no attachment to?
3) I think civilization is created for those who want the power to lead and direct people, and for the people who want leaders to tell them how to live and provide purpose in their life. People are controlled by society most definitely. There are the far and few who take power and create/change guidelines of society, but in the big picture the majority of those in existence abide by the rules of society. As much as we like to say that we rebel against society’s norms, are we really? We still follow laws and wear our seatbelts, don’t we?
4) LOF is saying that Simon should just give up on his civilized self because the savage in the boys is stronger. LOF does not want Simon trying to push and direct the boys to participate in efforts to get themselves rescued. Simon is not wanted because he is ruining ‘the fun’ on the island by trying to lead the boys and create a civilized society within the group of boys. The boys would eventually kill Simon for trying to take power and tell them what to do because that is how it works in the animal world. If the leader is ‘corrupt’ in the eyes of the people, or someone wants to challenge the leaders power. They will simply eliminate their existence. Simon is the least afraid to put himself out there. Unlike Simon, the other boys conform to the savagery because they are scared and do not want to cause trouble, they are already controlled by the society of the group.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Barnga
If you could describe the game in one word, what would it be?
a) quiet
What did you expect at the beginning of the game?
a) everyone to get worked up and mad because no one knew the directions
When did you realize that something was wrong?
a) two years ago where it all began
How did you deal with it?
a) I stole paper clips
How did not being able to speak contribute to what you were feeling?
a) i still talked anyways because Reints is partially deaf
Is my title above appropriate for the game of "culture." Why or why not?
yes, you can tie this game to culture
Is a universal language and set of customs necessary for world peace and harmony?
probably but it still won't make a difference
What can a simple card game teach us about our culture?
no one understands each other
a) quiet
What did you expect at the beginning of the game?
a) everyone to get worked up and mad because no one knew the directions
When did you realize that something was wrong?
a) two years ago where it all began
How did you deal with it?
a) I stole paper clips
How did not being able to speak contribute to what you were feeling?
a) i still talked anyways because Reints is partially deaf
Is my title above appropriate for the game of "culture." Why or why not?
yes, you can tie this game to culture
Is a universal language and set of customs necessary for world peace and harmony?
probably but it still won't make a difference
What can a simple card game teach us about our culture?
no one understands each other
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Sociological Mindfulness
I feel as though I am subconsciously mindful in a
sociological aspect because of my background. For example, with my ethnicity, though
in school and in my class, I am seen as equal, it is surprising how many people
discriminate against me for the little bit of Native that I am. Because of this
I feel as though I must constantly put myself in my family’s shoes being that
they are minorities, and then that of those who see me as being different or
lesser and why they feel that way.
With my own family I am always criticizing them and why they
have degraded their own lives to as worthless as what they are. Then I put
myself in their position and you realize, they are not motivated. They have no
drive to get up and be successful in their lives and it is hard to motivate yourself
when you have no one else to drive you. Therefore, they go nowhere. For those
who discriminate against me for being Native, they do not know me, they have
not met me. They assume I am like my family who is like every other scuzzy Native
you meet. But I put myself in their shoes, they will always assume we are all
the same. They don’t are to know me. They have been taught for generations that
we are all gross and worthless. And when I put myself in their shoes… I would
be just as ignorant as they are too.
In the big picture of society, I see myself as being one little
tiny rock in a handful of sand. Nothing special or different or remotely worth
noticing. I will work, I will be married and have my kids. I will never leave
the rural land of Mid-North America because I do not want to deal with those
who try to taint society with their racism and discrimination nor those who
live down to those low standards and provide nothing towards society. I will
not make a difference, I won’t fight for anything but my kids and my right to
be left alone. I won’t go anywhere big and I won’t do anything crazy. I just want
to pay my taxes and health insurance and watch Family Guy every night. In society
I will be like every other stable middle-class American who turns their head
and ignores the big issues that do not affect me.
Monday, January 15, 2018
Freaks and Geeks
What are the groups and what functions do they serve? Are there negative influences from any of the groups (dysfunctions)? This is functional theory. It was developed by Emile Durkheim.
A. Parents/teachers: they keep the young people in check. Freaks: they’re intimidating and they represent ‘bad choices.’ Geeks: they’re innocent, less attractive and not masculine. They are always facing some sort of conflict they must solve on their own. Bullies: they give the geeks issues. They try to intimidate others even though they are physically not intimidating,
Who has power in the episode? How or why do they have power? How do they use it? This is conflict theory. It was first developed by Karl Marx.
A. The bullies. They harass the geeks and create constant conflict. They use this power to intimidate the geeks and take their anger out on them. Lyndsey’s counselors and parents. They are adults and she isn’t. they use this to prevent her from hanging out with the wrong crowd.
What are the important symbols in the episode? Note that the symbols might be an object, but also might be an idea, an event or something else. How do the characters act based on the symbols they find important? This is symbolic interactionism. You can connect it to Max Weber.
A. Lindsay's army jacket. Everyone notices that she is wearing it, including her brother. It represents her individualism and her rebellion. It also shows that she is questioning who she is as a person at this point in time.
Can you relate any of these theories to your own life? How can the things you do be interpreted through one of these theories? For example why do you wear what you wear or why are you going to college or why do you stress yourself out to get "good" grades?
A. I don’t feel as though I experience any of these theories in my life right now. I wear what I wear because it’s cold out. I’m going to college because I’ll be bored if I don’t. I’m too young to be a housewife and have kids, so you know. I don’t care about good grades, I show up to school because it’s a state law.
A. Parents/teachers: they keep the young people in check. Freaks: they’re intimidating and they represent ‘bad choices.’ Geeks: they’re innocent, less attractive and not masculine. They are always facing some sort of conflict they must solve on their own. Bullies: they give the geeks issues. They try to intimidate others even though they are physically not intimidating,
Who has power in the episode? How or why do they have power? How do they use it? This is conflict theory. It was first developed by Karl Marx.
A. The bullies. They harass the geeks and create constant conflict. They use this power to intimidate the geeks and take their anger out on them. Lyndsey’s counselors and parents. They are adults and she isn’t. they use this to prevent her from hanging out with the wrong crowd.
What are the important symbols in the episode? Note that the symbols might be an object, but also might be an idea, an event or something else. How do the characters act based on the symbols they find important? This is symbolic interactionism. You can connect it to Max Weber.
A. Lindsay's army jacket. Everyone notices that she is wearing it, including her brother. It represents her individualism and her rebellion. It also shows that she is questioning who she is as a person at this point in time.
Can you relate any of these theories to your own life? How can the things you do be interpreted through one of these theories? For example why do you wear what you wear or why are you going to college or why do you stress yourself out to get "good" grades?
A. I don’t feel as though I experience any of these theories in my life right now. I wear what I wear because it’s cold out. I’m going to college because I’ll be bored if I don’t. I’m too young to be a housewife and have kids, so you know. I don’t care about good grades, I show up to school because it’s a state law.
Monday, November 13, 2017
Summary: What Genius and Autism Have in Common
This Time magazine article looked at prodigious individuals, and their similarities to those diagnosed with autism. They study was placed on eight people with different skills such as math, music, science and art. Each of these individuals showed very prominent abilities they developed at very early ages. For example, one began speaking at three months old. Another was programming computers at three years old. Not your average kids I would say.
One thing these individuals had in common was their immense working memory. Not only in their ability to remember long numbers, but more so the quantity of information in general. Like writing down the notes of a piece of music they’ve only heard with their ears. Strangely enough though, not all of these individuals had insanely higher IQ’s by any means. Though they were above average, they were not high enough to be classified as out of the ordinary.
So, what does this have to do with autism? Three of these prodigies scored high with traits that of autism. More specifically towards Asperger’s syndrome. A type of autism more known for attention to detail than anything. The child who spoke at 3 months old, he stopped talking after 18 months and did not begin speaking again until after he was two. Another example of a similarity would be that they’re both more likely to be male.
Also, autism can tend to be the result of difficult pregnancies, it was found that one of these children were affected by uterine issues during pregnancy. It can be found that prodigious individuals tend to show many autistic characteristics, but still maintain their social skills and ability to interact. Essentially, there are many links between gifted children and those diagnosed with autism. Autism doesn’t necessarily need to be looked at so negatively. We need to keep in mind that not all autism is linked to mood disorders and lack of social skills. On the other hand, autism can be connected great abilities and high intellectual qualities.
http://healthland.time.com/2012/07/10/what-child-prodigies-and-autistic-people-have-in-common/
One thing these individuals had in common was their immense working memory. Not only in their ability to remember long numbers, but more so the quantity of information in general. Like writing down the notes of a piece of music they’ve only heard with their ears. Strangely enough though, not all of these individuals had insanely higher IQ’s by any means. Though they were above average, they were not high enough to be classified as out of the ordinary.
So, what does this have to do with autism? Three of these prodigies scored high with traits that of autism. More specifically towards Asperger’s syndrome. A type of autism more known for attention to detail than anything. The child who spoke at 3 months old, he stopped talking after 18 months and did not begin speaking again until after he was two. Another example of a similarity would be that they’re both more likely to be male.
Also, autism can tend to be the result of difficult pregnancies, it was found that one of these children were affected by uterine issues during pregnancy. It can be found that prodigious individuals tend to show many autistic characteristics, but still maintain their social skills and ability to interact. Essentially, there are many links between gifted children and those diagnosed with autism. Autism doesn’t necessarily need to be looked at so negatively. We need to keep in mind that not all autism is linked to mood disorders and lack of social skills. On the other hand, autism can be connected great abilities and high intellectual qualities.
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Who Am I?
I feel like the moment most people are asked this question they immediately want to pick out the negative aspects of themselves. I know that was my automatic reaction to reading this question. Then I realize these negative qualities are something from the past, from a person who wasn’t me. The fact that I find these memories to be so ugly is because of the idea that I thought these things were who I am. When you’re a kid you think you know yourself so well, you’ve got the entire world figured out. What a bunch of idiots we are, I’m sure we’re still clueless at this point in our lives.
To stop rambling on about how I do not know who I am, I’ll give it my best effort anyways. I am loud and opinionated. I do not like associating with most people. I constantly question myself as to why I’ve become such a mellow person. I used to think I had to compete with everyone else, that I had to be better than the next person, I can’t imagine what possessed me to waste my time on something so silly. Some people in this dear class of mind still have this mindset. I am content with who I am and where I am going in life. Even though I will always and forever be an overthinker, I am okay with that. It keeps me alert, conscious of those around me, and I honestly just wouldn’t be me if I didn’t worry about something all the time.
Even though I know what’s good for me and I have a sufficient amount of common sense, I still let myself get in trouble. Sometimes you just have to say what happens, happens, and keep going about your night. I just want to have fun. I just like to spend my time with my best friend because frankly, I’m too concentrated on whose standing in front of me rather than my nitpicky mental conflicts. To feed off the need for my best friend, I have realized I am a very dependent person. I need constant reassurance and motivation because unfortunately I am not good at convincing myself of these things.
I am a good person. I am good at forgetting to think before I speak, I get crabby really easily. I only wish the best for those around me, no matter how much distaste I have for you. We all deserve to be content with ourselves. It’s up to you to decide if you will be the best you can be or tell yourself you aren’t anything much and give up too easily. As much as I want to, I won’t tell you how to live your life.
Who do people think I am?
As much as I want to go to my friends and mom to ask who they think I am as a person, I’ll figure it out myself. There are so many varied viewpoints that people have of me, I can’t even imagine what they could all be. I know my peers see me as a loud laugher, I laugh at everything. There’s Aaliyah with 27 different laughs, why is she laughing? That wasn’t even funny. Some people would say I am a good friend because I keep their secrets, I actually give them my honest opinions and criticism. Others would say I’m a snitch, I am two faced. Depending on my feeling towards you, these things are definitely accurate depictions of me.
I am full of sarcasm. Frankly sometimes people just don’t know when I am serious or being a smartass. I am hard to get along with in that aspect some days. Just like I’d like to think everyone else is, there are two versions of Aaliyah. There’s loud, happy me. Always wondering how everyone is doing and if they are okay. I’m easy to talk to, and I am apparently funny sometimes. Then there is the ‘quiet’ me. If you see this side of me I probably don’t like you, or you make me uncomfortable. I don’t want to talk to you, I don’t care about what you have to say. I wouldn’t be scared to tell you to go fly a kite either. Frankly you just aren’t my friend and I do not want to waste my time on you.
To really sum it up, people think I am a lot of things. That’s because I am a lot of things. I don’t know if you could accurately pin one personality type on me. I mean, if you don’t know who you yourself is as a person, how could you possibly tell who I am?
I feel like the moment most people are asked this question they immediately want to pick out the negative aspects of themselves. I know that was my automatic reaction to reading this question. Then I realize these negative qualities are something from the past, from a person who wasn’t me. The fact that I find these memories to be so ugly is because of the idea that I thought these things were who I am. When you’re a kid you think you know yourself so well, you’ve got the entire world figured out. What a bunch of idiots we are, I’m sure we’re still clueless at this point in our lives.
To stop rambling on about how I do not know who I am, I’ll give it my best effort anyways. I am loud and opinionated. I do not like associating with most people. I constantly question myself as to why I’ve become such a mellow person. I used to think I had to compete with everyone else, that I had to be better than the next person, I can’t imagine what possessed me to waste my time on something so silly. Some people in this dear class of mind still have this mindset. I am content with who I am and where I am going in life. Even though I will always and forever be an overthinker, I am okay with that. It keeps me alert, conscious of those around me, and I honestly just wouldn’t be me if I didn’t worry about something all the time.
Even though I know what’s good for me and I have a sufficient amount of common sense, I still let myself get in trouble. Sometimes you just have to say what happens, happens, and keep going about your night. I just want to have fun. I just like to spend my time with my best friend because frankly, I’m too concentrated on whose standing in front of me rather than my nitpicky mental conflicts. To feed off the need for my best friend, I have realized I am a very dependent person. I need constant reassurance and motivation because unfortunately I am not good at convincing myself of these things.
I am a good person. I am good at forgetting to think before I speak, I get crabby really easily. I only wish the best for those around me, no matter how much distaste I have for you. We all deserve to be content with ourselves. It’s up to you to decide if you will be the best you can be or tell yourself you aren’t anything much and give up too easily. As much as I want to, I won’t tell you how to live your life.
Who do people think I am?
As much as I want to go to my friends and mom to ask who they think I am as a person, I’ll figure it out myself. There are so many varied viewpoints that people have of me, I can’t even imagine what they could all be. I know my peers see me as a loud laugher, I laugh at everything. There’s Aaliyah with 27 different laughs, why is she laughing? That wasn’t even funny. Some people would say I am a good friend because I keep their secrets, I actually give them my honest opinions and criticism. Others would say I’m a snitch, I am two faced. Depending on my feeling towards you, these things are definitely accurate depictions of me.
I am full of sarcasm. Frankly sometimes people just don’t know when I am serious or being a smartass. I am hard to get along with in that aspect some days. Just like I’d like to think everyone else is, there are two versions of Aaliyah. There’s loud, happy me. Always wondering how everyone is doing and if they are okay. I’m easy to talk to, and I am apparently funny sometimes. Then there is the ‘quiet’ me. If you see this side of me I probably don’t like you, or you make me uncomfortable. I don’t want to talk to you, I don’t care about what you have to say. I wouldn’t be scared to tell you to go fly a kite either. Frankly you just aren’t my friend and I do not want to waste my time on you.
To really sum it up, people think I am a lot of things. That’s because I am a lot of things. I don’t know if you could accurately pin one personality type on me. I mean, if you don’t know who you yourself is as a person, how could you possibly tell who I am?
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