Meta-Mega-Blog-Post

I just had a lot of fun re-reading my bog posts-I can't believe junior year is over! My blog really displays the progress I've made in my writing since the beginning of the year. My first blogs were vague, timid,and standard. Now, by really pushing my limits as both a writer and thinker, my blogs are more thought-provoking, daring, and (need I say it) actually interesting.

I think the blog that best demonstrates my growth is A Teenage Dream. I take something we discuss in class, put a creative angle on it, relate it to the material we are reading in class, and ask a thought provoking question. I think it fits one of the main goals of blogging: making the reader look at themselves, America, and the world in a different light. I also included several links and media within the blog, which I have struggled with since day one.

I also think what has changed is the genuineness of my blog posts. I used to make myself blog every Sunday and force myself to come up with a topic. If it didn't relate to class or American Studies whatsoever, I would force it to. These made my posts seemed forced and strained. However, I began to blog whenever an idea came to me. My posts were all derived from class activities or other people's blog posts(such as Doc Oc's White Trash post inspiring my post, Rich). I could have, however, posted a link to his blog. And for that matter, many of my blogs could have used more "gravy." Some of my blogs, such as Rich and So Happy Together had no media at all. This leaves them just sort of "blah" and doesn't incite interest or excitement.

Overall, I'm really glad we had to keep a blog this year. At first I was very apprehensive, but looking back I realized how much I've grown. Although the freedom a blog gives you can be scary, it is also very liberating and by the end completely worth it. (Of course there isn't an end. Everything is just one big cycle right?)

(Tweet/Text/Facebook/Email/Call) Me!

Reading The Kentucky Cycle, I have really been able to immerse myself in various eras of the past. Although at the surface life was so different back then, American history repeats itself. However, one of the things I believe has changed dramatically since the nineteenth century is communication. People were so isolated that they had little interaction with those outside their immediate family and knew very little of what was going on in the world. In Tall Tales which we read today, the Rowens pretty much only interacted with one another and were thrilled at the sight of a visitor. Their concerns were surrounded solely around farming, and they were cut off from the rest of the world. Jed didn't even know a new president, Grover Cleveland, was elected.

Now, things are quite different. With the addition of technology and a new urban era, people can now instantly communicate with anyone around the world. They are aware of news as it happens, and can speak with anyone at any time. However, is this better? On the surface, it sure appears to be. But Americans are now dictated by this technology. Doesn't it seem they are now burdened with the problems of world, causing cynicism and pain. And instead of visiting a friend in person over dinner, they can just text the friend and have a brief interaction. With the ability to communicate so easily, interactions with one another have become less meaningful and deep. So, what do you think? Has the ease of communication worsened the lifestyle of Americans? What is better for America as a nation?

So Happy Together!

Hayley's blog post, 2012, inspired me in many ways. She described the phenomenon of the world ending in 2012 and how people view it. While some don't believe in it, some picture horrors, and others are thinking on a more positive note; most people have formed an opinion on what they believe will become the outcome of 2012. Personally, I don't believe the world will end. But it did make me think about the end, which is imminent. We have been discussing happiness and various graphs associated with happiness in America. But what about something more general? How would the happiness graph look like of the human race throughout the course of history?

I believe, unfortunately, it would be a downward facing curve (like in the righthand corner). It starts out with the very first humans. Living a very animalistic life and without any advanced tools, these early humans lived very difficult lives. And not being as intelligent as modern humans, they would have less capacity to appreciate experiences. As time went on, the happiness rose. People learned to become innovative, interact with the earth, and love each other. Yet beginning with the industrial revolution and the rise of technology, people have lost touch with these simple facts of life that provide happiness. They have become so enfatuated with themselves and their issues for the future t that they have neglected what it is that makes them happy in the future.

So, what would your graph look like?

A Teenage Dream

In class yesterday, we spoke of the graph from Daniel Gilbert's Stumbling on Happiness. It followed the marital happiness of couples throughout their children's age. Most studies indicated that marital happiness was at its lowest when the couple had teenagers. This may be true, but what about the happiness of teenagers themselves?

I found a really interesting article(click HERE) about the happiness of teenagers. It claims that due to the high depression rates among teens, England proposes to "teach" happiness in school, namely positive psychology. This seemed a bit disturbing to me. I don't believe happiness can be taught. In fact, the more pursued it is the more intangible it becomes. Teenagers have this notion that it will all get better in a little bit. Once they graduate, go to college, party...life will all be better.

So what is the American thought behind happiness in teens? Children anticipate their teenage years with great anticipation. And most adults believe teens are angry and miserable. Just think of the term "teen angst." Yet, most adults look back at their teen years in awe. I have met many an adult who is living in their past, just like Gatsby. Gatsby was at his happiest in his early adulthood and the rest of life was left to pursue that lost happiness. Going back to my last blog post, I think it really is all about living in the moment. It seems that people either spend their time looking towards their future for happiness or reliving the past to attain the happiness they once possessed. It makes me wonder...Is happiness itself an American Myth?

Slow Down There Americans!

I had a bit of an epiphany today in class. I realized that our viewing of Citizen Kane in American Studies was one of the few movies I had truly watched in a very long time. We later had a class discussion about this. Americans are so efficiency-obsessed that they can never just watch tv shows or movies without feeling the desire to get something done. I find myself feeling this way constantly. I never watch tv, when I do I feel guilty about spending time for myself. I always think of something more efficient that could be done.

I was recently skimming through a health book that highlight this American phenomenon. By constantly worry, working, and planning; American's are not truly living. We have lost the ability to live in the moment, truly soak up the world around us. Hard work is an American value. But the more American success slips from our hands, the more hard work we put into our lives. This type of hard work is not the answer. For true success(happiness) and to ensure our sanity, we must learn to live in the now. This means doing one thing at a time, slowly, and with purpose.

Rich.

I found the blog post Doc Oc made really interesting. The debate in Winnetka about allowing "affordable housing"(if you can consider $75,000 and less a year low income) and the fact that all these "lower income" people come to claim the old goods of the North Shore dwellers is fascinating. Obviously there is contempt for the lower class among these people. They are jumping to conclusions and assuming this housing could bring "criminals". This brings up a good discussion not just about class, but the attitudes and interactions of different classes towards one another. The Great Gatsby oozes with aristocratic class, but there are also references to the "valley of ashes" where the lower classes dwell. How does the upper class' attitude towards the poor compare in The Great Gatsby ? How have these attitudes changed over time? Has progress been made?

Lets Get Earthy!

Yesterday was one of the most important days of the year: Earth Day. Yes, it is is important because are we are decimating our earth and ourselves in the process. It is important because people take action planting trees, organizing events, and enjoying the beauty of earth. But the real importance is in its principle. It is one of the only days that the world becomes a community. There are no barriers separating people of different ethnicities, religion, gender, and race. It is the one thing, aside from being human, that every single person in this entire world shares and feels the same way about. Nobody, albeit some crazies, wants to see the deterioration of earth. This is why I urge everyone to go the Earth Day website (click HERE), and sign the pledge to act green. You might think that your actions, as an individual, doesn't matter. But just imagine if all seven billion of us humans did an act of green. And for that matter, don't limit yourself to today. Try living everyday consientous of your actions on our earth. Earth will thank ya!