Signs...

This week in AiS we discussed why large-scale companies that have extremely identifiable logos on their signs are subdued on the North Shore. It’s something so few people notice and is so seemingly miniscule, but reveals so much about the culture of the North Shore. It’s not that the North Shore simply consists of small, local businesses. Think about the Dairy Queen in Wilmette or the McDonalds in Winnetka. No sign and small sign. So why is it that these signs are subdued on the suburbs of the North Shore, yet extremely obtuse and visible in most other suburbs, say Wheeling?

It is a direct result of the culture and attitude of the north shore. First off, there is a large amount of pride that goes into living on the North Shore. It is a famous, upscale, beautiful community and its residents want to maintain its allure. Having these large, obtuse signs does not mesh well with the whole “local” and “community” feel. It would seem to urbanize the North Shore. In addition, there is a very typical attitude of entitlement and egotism found on the North Shore. Its residents don’t want to scoop down to the level of a typically small, rural American town and have the same large, obnoxious signs. I understand this is a complete generalization and stereotype and not everyone on the North Shore acts like this. However, the ones that do are often the more domineering and get what they want. For better or for worse, these signs do not exist in our community and separate the North Shore from mainstream America.

United We Stand?

As yet another anniversary of 9/11 passed, America paused their lives for a moment to reflect. The day will remain embedded in the minds of all Americans, and with it they remember a day of chillingly cruel terror. It was horrific, in the least. Yet, as we discussed in class, it was a day of unity. Every single American was in the same state of fear, and they came together to grieve. Borders were broken down, and labels disappeared.

Yet, exactly nine years later, this unity has been long lost. It has been replaced by division and hate. It isn’t America anymore, but Americans that want the mosque or Americans that don’t. Americans that blame Al Qaeda and Americans that blame our very own government. Yes, in tragedy does come unity, but it was very short lived. So I ask, how can America achieve lasting unity? How can we break down the invisible borders so obviously impeding our growth?

Living A Lie?

During AiS class, Mr. Bolos asked a very simple question: Why did we go to war in Iraq? There were various answers- Saddam Hussein, 9/11, Al Qaeda. Perhaps it’s due to our youth at the time, but it took quite awhile for someone to come up with the real answer: weapons of mass destruction. That’s what the government claimed, and although evidence existed that disproved this statement, the media and government did not present it.

It brings up a good point. Everyone is born with different levels of intelligence, but, for the most part, everyone can acquire knowledge equally. With the overwhelming presence of the media and the government, the knowledge we acquire is “chosen”. It seems like a form of brain washing, in a way. So, what is real? There could be truths that we will never know.

It sounds like an end-of-the-world, paranoid type of movie. But it’s true. WMD was a lie that could be proven wrong. But there could be plenty of widely known, accepted facts that could be lies as well. We could all be living a lie.

Do "Bad" People Deserve "Good" Obituaries?

While composing the biography of Mr. Bolos, it appeared to me as more of an obituary. As strange as it seems, obituaries have always fascinated me, and I’m sure others can relate. As I browsed http://www.obituaries.com/Obits.asp, I felt oddly happy. It was heartwarming to read about the accomplishments and how meaningful these everyday people were in the lives of others. ‘There really are good people out there’ I thought to myself. And then it hit me. Yes, It’s nice to think that all these people really were great, but that’s just not realistic. I’m sure many had flaws, mean streaks, hidden secrets and crimes. But these people are deceased and it’s morally wrong to acknowledge their wrongdoings, right?

Right. Everyone has flaws. But what about people that surpass flawed, what about people that have committed atrocities, that are inherently evil? For instance, should the obituaries of serial killers focus on their crimes or their life? I googled “Serial killers obituaries” and I clicked on the first entry I found-http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/nyregion/12shawcross.html. While other obituaries detail the life of the deceased, this was almost entirely on the murders and its details. I was split. On one hand, this is a man that coldheartedly killed 11 women. On the other hand, he lived a troubled life and there was more to him than these murders. I concluded that the morally right thing to do is to mention the killings in minor detail but everything included in a “normal” obituary should be included as well. Serial killers are not animals, they are people. And, while acknowledging their wrongdoings, these people deserve obituaries celebrating their lives as well.