BULLYING

Alexandra Wallace had made a video that went viral a few months ago. In the video, she talked about her annoyance with the Asians at her school, UCLA. Complaining that Asian students would bring their whole entire family to the dorms on weekends. Or that it was the Asians who were the ones talking loud on their phones at the library. "Ching chong ting tong ling long," she said mockingly, holding up her finger phone by her ear. Of course, she finishes the thought with saying that it was like they were calling their whole phonebook -checking on the people in Japan. (This was recently after the earthquake hit there.)

I'm not sure what she was expecting, but no one was too pleased with her. Everyone got really upset, and many videos were posted, taking jabs at her. Hateful and distasteful comments were thrown her way. Even videos were posted up making fun of her. And in song too. And yes, perhaps I may have sorta-kinda felt amused with these response videos, but it got be wondering -where do you draw the line?

Since I was young, my Mom has always told me "two wrongs don't make a right". Are people hypocrites for saying rude things about her, just like she did about their ethnicity? When I heard that she left UCLA, I actually felt bad for her. Like another youtuber said, she was just ignorant. Yes, she said some very racist things. But that does not justify the things that people have said about her.

At the end of the day, I really hope she takes this as a learning experience, and that people would get off her back about it. Watching the video, I don't think she was trying to be offensive. A few cheap shots at failed humor, but hey! Happens to the best of us!

Crowfunding

I've never heard of crowfunding, buy it does sound like an interesting concept. I kind of like that people are free to post what they want, and if enough people like it, have the means of publishing their craft. It gives people a sense of freedom and opportunity that may otherwise be difficult for them to accomplish.

Crowfunding works like this: A person is free to propose a story idea. If enough people are willing to invest in these ideas, people will investigate and publish the article. It gives the public a voice. People really see how people are willing the pay money to see these stories published. If it garners enough interest, the story will be published. And if it doesn't, well, there's nothing to lose.

It's kind of an opposite approach -people often read news to find out what is happening (whether in the world, in fashion or even the latest gossip magazine). Crowfunding is doing that backwards, letting the public choose what they want to see in the article. And why not!

Whether or not it will truly work -well, we'll find out in time. Personally, while I do find the idea harmless and maybe a bit fascinating, I'm not entirely sold on it. Of course, that's just my opinion -and the rest of the world may see it differently. I don't see this being anything more than perhaps a moderate success. But with technology and communication quickly evolving, perhaps this may become a thing.

The Reality of Reality Television

Reality television is, without a doubt, an extreme success in the entertainment industry. With shows ranging from American Idol to Jersey Shore, it is reality shows that are constantly being aired in on the screens of our T.V.’s. Just flip on to MTV, a popular channel amongst teenagers and young adults, and it seems that every show that is aired is a reality one. Teen Mom, My Life as Liz, Jersey Shore and The Hills are a few amongst the many shows that MTV airs. Or on a more family-friendly approach, even shows like The Voice and Dancing With the Stars are among the most popular shows. However, if one were to step back and critically analyze the reality in said ‘reality shows’, one would see that the world depicted from these shows are, in fact, very far from the Real World (pun intended). It seems that many people mistake this made-up world for being real, and may, in a sense, admire the lifestyle. 

Lacy Green, host of youtube show, Sex Positive, recently posted a youtube video on her views on the matter: (excuse the language, she was... passionate) 

"Let's get real, since reality TV isn't! Reality TV is all about controversy, ratings and shock value. They'll do anything to stir the pot no matter what the implications are for their millions of viewers."   


Green touches on many valid points. She talks about how popular reality show, The Hills, like many other shows, center around vapid, materialistic privileged people living their 'lives', complaining about tedious things. Yet shows like these are totally compelling to audiences. Green talks about the influence that such shows have on the younger audiences. How there are people who do mistake this be 'real', and, well, admire that life. They may begin to absorb the values -or lack of- that many reality shows promote. Even I had walked into an eighth grade classroom, in which all of them idolized the cast of Jersey Shore. A show that centers around partying, drinking and sex. Is this really the lifestyle that should be encouraged?

So, this may bring up the question, how much of what we see is fabricated?

Maksim Chmerkovskiy, one of the professional ballroom dancers in Dancing With the Stars, talks a little bit about his experience with the fake in his show. “I think everyone knows how producers pick out story lines for everyone every week,” Even in fun, harmless dance-oriented shows have a different reality that lies behind the camera. Spicing up truth for viewership pleasure seems to be common in TV shows, providing a false entertainment. American Idol is another show that is no stranger to producer manipulation -and a lot more obvious about it o. 


And although I realize all of this, I'm still a sucker for a good reality TV show. I know Laci's shaking her head at me now -but I guess that says something about this generation. Or not, just me. 

                

FIREFIGHTER

Re: When a Hero Is Not a Hero


To me, choosing to be a firefighter is a heroic act in itself. I can't possibly imagine what is is like to put your life on the line in hopes of saving others. In that sense, I feel each and every firefighter is a hero. And I feel that that should be celebrated. When Norman E. Creger lost his life on the job, seeing the public respond with so much apppreciation and gratefulness was great. However, I don't feel that this 'hero' title should be limited to use when people lose their life while on duty. Every time a firefighter throws them self in a dangerous situation to try and save the life of others, they are putting their whole entire life on the line. These firefighters have families -children, spouses, parents- and still are courageous enough to put that all aside, to save other people's lives. 


All of that being said, there is no excuse for being legally drunk when you are on the job -regardless of what profession. But a firefighter especially. They are expected to save other people's lives, and I feel that they need to be with a clear mind when they do. But, does that truly take away from his hero title? Sure, that moment was not heroic, but I'm sure that someone who is willing risk their lives for others is still a hero. His remains to be extremely unfortunate, as he was killed by a collapsed wall. If he was sober, the same thing could have happened.


If I were to handle the story, I would probably use the journalist's own suggestions. "[We] could have prepared the public for the drinking disclosure by a story saying an investigation was underway into Creger’s death, and that he came to the fire from a bar."  I feel that with handling these kinds of stories, personal feelings may need to be separated from the facts. Instead of trying to present it in a certain light -be it positive or negative- reporting what is happening is the idea of it. The public can't expect for the news stories to me glamorized and made better than what they were. That is not to say that it is okay to be disrespectful, respect is key. 

FACEBOOK

As far as Facebook goes, I've always felt that the experience one gains from Facebook depends on the individual and how they use it. Facebook is a great tool that can serve many purposes. Of course, communication and connection are the more predominant roles, but Facebook does more than just that. For instance, I know of people who use it to play virtual games, others who use it to share pictures. Some may uses Facebook to schedule events, or inform people of different events that are occurring. When the people of Egypt were in the midst of overthrowing their government, they used Facebook and other internet outlets to inform the rest of the world of what was occurring. Through that, they were able to gain world support and world attention. 

Facebook is such a powerful tool. On one hand there are people like Carmen Joy King who invest a lot of time and self into creating a virtual image of her that she feels is best presentable, and on the other hand you have people who use it to do something revolutionary and life-changing. At the end of the day, it is truly how the individual chooses to use Facebook that determines the impact it will have on their life.

King used Facebook to make herself a virtual version of herself, one that she felt that she had to invest much time and effort into maintaining. And it was King's decision to use Facebook in this way. 

If my time was spent changing my profile picture on Facebook, thinking of a clever status update for Facebook, checking my profile again to see if anyone had commented on my page, Is this what I am? A person who re-visits her own thoughts and images for hours each day? And so what do I amount to? An egotist? A voyeur? (Carmen Joy King) 

These issues of wanting to constantly impress people, or her spending the time to re-visit her own thoughts and image was not created by Facebook. Perhaps Facebook just made her realize of these narcissistic traits.

Facebook may be an ego trip for some -King being proof of this, but it does not have to be. Not everyone spends time re-reading their statuses and looking through their pictures on Facebook. It all comes down to how the person chooses to use Facebook. I, personally, use Facebook for the connection factor. A perfect example would be when one of my friends went to Europe, she updated her Facebook frequently of pictures she took while she was there. With a click of a couple buttons, she was able to share her experience in Europe with all her Facebook friends. Or when I went on vacation one summer, I made a friend from the UK. Through Facebook, we were able to reconnect with each other. Facebook does not need to be about creating and maintaining this virtual image at all. It has capable of doing so much more.

I have gone offline of Facebook plenty of times, and it was not too painful for me to do it. Going off the internet, however, is an entire different story. A painful one at that.

CHEATING

Cheating is an unethical practice -this is universally recognized. It is never viewed as a 'correct' way to achieve high grades, but is regarded as an 'easier' way. Little effort is required, and in return one receives higher marks. Though I personally have not partaken or witnessed cheating at Mary Ward, I have heard stories that revolve around cheating from friends. 


Slipping a note in the pocket, the eraser, taping it behind a ruler, sending a text message while writing the test, while in the washroom -cheating is not difficult. It all comes down to the person's  values. Cheating can be accomplished anywhere -and I feel where one cheats is irrelevant. No matter the system, students will find holes. Whether at Ward or at any other school, every student is capable of cheating. It is whether or not they choose to engage in it. 

Why people cheat is fairly obvious. Less effort, a greater result. It has temptation written all over it. As stated earlier, it all comes down to values. Guilt is not easy to cope with, and feeling it from an undeserved mark. Especially when you know your friend studied all week and still scored less than you did. On the other hand, a lot of people just do not consider cheating an option. They have little interest in taking the easy route, and would rather get the grade they deserve. 


Avoiding temptation is difficult. Just like that chocolate-chip cookie you have been craving all day. It is located on that first shelf in the cabinet right beside the stove. But you are not even hungry -in fact, you are quite full. And your doctor has been telling you to eat healthier, since you aren't in the greatest shape. And you have already eaten a bag of chips and drank a can of coke earlier that day. But it was baked chips and coke zero, so it was kind of healthy. So it would be sorta-kinda okay to eat the cookie, right? It's just one cookie after all. Maybe two. Or three. What harm could three cookies do, anyway? 


Thinking of the consequences may help fight the temptation. If one relies on cheating in order to get their desired grade, that probably means that they do not properly understand the subject in which they are studying. Sure, you don't get caught, but what happens after that? Good grades are necessary if one has university or college on their list for the future. As time goes on, it will become increasingly difficult to cheat. Or even if you are successful in cheating your way through your school life, what about your job? You are not going to know enough information about it, and you cannot cheat your way through a career. Then what? You are stuck. 


Cheating is as risky as it is easy. What if one gets caught? Depending on the circumstances, they may fail the test or perhaps the entire course. It that risk really worth getting an A on that history test?

What does one truly gain from cheating? A short-lived satisfaction over something they didn't even accomplish them self? To feel like they have done well in the course? Maybe on paper, but how much knowledge does one actually gain? How great can an undeserved mark really feel anyway? 


At Mary Ward, many students procrastinate -especially towards the end of the year. This creates pressure for the students to complete a lot of different tasks at once. Cheating may be more desirable, but not anymore justified, during this time period. At the same time, I feel that since Mary Ward's test system does reauthorize students when they fail, cheating may be less tempting. They provide a safety net for students to fall on, decreasing the pressure one may feel.


Cheating is wrong, but easy. Although it may grant the feeling of a short-term success (that A you received on that math test), it will not grant a long-term success. One needs to reflect on what cheating actually does before choosing to indulge in it. And perhaps rethink their values while they are one it.