Blog Entry 5 "Individuals in Groups"

Individuals that take part in groups, often act differently in a group setting than if they were by themselves. They are more responsive when it comes to emergency situations. Those who are alone and witness a disaster or danger tend to call for help, whereas the individuals in groups hold back. For instance, Carol Tavris mentions in her article “Individuals in Group” while conducting an experiment of students by themselves and students in groups of three, the students in the groups of three did not make a move. On the other hand, the individual students hesitated at first but later investigated the problem and made a report. I think every individual in a group serves a purpose because everyone is different and can bring different ideas to the group.

            “The reason has more to do with nature of groups than the nature of individuals” said Carol Tavris, from the article “Individuals in Groups”.  In a lot of movies and TV shows, when someone is choking, everyone is usually standing around just watching and waiting for someone to help, which usually turns out to be an individual that is working in the restaurant or an individual in the group with the person choking. In the movie Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps, while at dinner, Sherman Klump (played by Eddie Murphy) exposes Papa Klump (also played by Eddie Murphy) for being fired, which causes him to choke on his food. Sherman immediately reacts to his father choking and gives him the Heimlich maneuver, saving his life as the whole restaurant watches in shock.

            The larger the group, the lazier each individual in the group becomes. “Psychologists call this diffusion of responsibility” according to Tavris. In some cases this is not true. In my English class I had to work in a group of six people, some of us never even spoke to each other before. Each of us had a specific task to carry out. For example, I had to research how music changed from the year 2005-2010 in New York, while the other five members researched from 1980-2004. We all co-operated with each other and the end result was a B+.

 

 

 

Blog Entry 4 "The Allegory of the Cave"

“The Allegory of the Cave” is presented by Ancient Greek philosopher Plato to compare the effect of philosophy and the lack of it on our nature. It starts off with a conversation between Plato’s brother Glaucon and his mentor Socrates. In his story, Plato describes a cave in which prisoners are chained from their necks to their foot. The prisoners were not allowed to move their heads in any direction. All they knew were shadows on the wall in front of them. These shadows were projected on the wall by things passing in front of the fire. The shadows were the closest thing to viewing reality for the prisoners. The prisoners would play a guessing game and whoever won, all the other prisoners praised him. A prisoner is freed, forced to leave the cave and everything he knows. He is asked to identify some of the objects carried by the people in the walkway. He is unable to identify the objects because he is confused and think the shadows are still real.

 

My position in the cave is walking into the light and discovering a whole new life. I feel my life is slowly changing and it all began when I decide to go back to school. Before starting school, I was a prisoner for many years because I felt stuck in one place without anywhere to go. Even though some things are still confusing I refuse to give up because I know at the end everything will become brighter as the days go by.

Blog Entry 3 "I Know the Truth, So Don't Bother ME with Facts"

Humans are deceived easily by rumors and lies that are spread mainly by other humans. Many people are quick to believe what they see and hear, whether it’s on TV, in a magazine, newspaper, or even talking to someone else.  The article "I Know the Truth, So Don't Bother Me with Facts" by Jeffrey Kluger, states "it is easy to manipulate people's belief systems with insinuating pictures or inflammatory quotes". In a sense you can say we as humans are gullible.

Rumors affect our lives in different ways. It all depends on what is being said, who is saying it, and who they are saying it to. Many lives have been ruined by rumors. For instance in the Kluger mentions in his article, “I Know the Truth, So Don’t Bother Me with Facts”, two assistant professors of communications at Ohio State University, R. Kelly Garrett and Erik Nisbet, “recruited 750 people” who believed “at least one of the rumors about the proposed Islamic cultural center”. The Islamic community has been disrespected multiple times because of 9/11. They were seen as terrorist even though they were not responsible for the attack.

I have fallen victim to many rumors going around but later realized none of that was important. Just a few weeks ago there was a rumor going around that involved me and a guy from the area. When I found out about was being spread about me, I immediately went to the source. He denied starting the rumor and that the individual that spread the rumor was nowhere to be found. At the end I didn’t care what was being said because I knew the truth about myself and that’s all that mattered. I think rumors are started because we are concerned more about what others think of us and many fall for the lies that are being spread. Some people do it just out of hate for another person. Now all rumors are not lies some are indeed true. It depends on who is spreading the rumor.

I feel that people use rumors to keep themselves occupied. Some also strive on others weakness and use it to their advantage. If it wasn’t for rumors going around, there wouldn’t be gossip columns in newspapers and magazines. TMZ is one of the biggest gossip magazines that are out there. They now have their own TV show. The people that work for TMZ gossip mostly about celebrities and their families. I think it is pathetic stalking these individuals and reporting their every move to America.  I think everyone deserves their privacy.

Blog Entry 2 Objective Summary "I Know the Truth, So Don't Bother Me with Facts"

Humans are deceived easily by rumors and lies that are spread mainly by other humans. No one likes to be told they are wrong. The article "I Know the Truth, So Don't Bother Me with Facts" by Jeffrey Kluger, states "it is easy to manipulate people's belief systems with insinuating pictures or inflammatory quotes". I have fallen victim to many rumors going around but later realized none of that mattered.

Blog Entry 1 "Hype"

Advertisements are paid announcements for selling goods and play a big role in marketing in today’s society. They can be seen and heard just about everywhere you go.   According to the article “Hype”, by Kalle Lasn, “every day an estimated 12 billion display ads, 3 million radio commercials, and more than 200, 000 TV commercials” are  being seen and heard in North America. The main purpose of these ads is for companies to sell their products and build their clientele. These ads are placed all over the world.

            Nowadays ads can be seen not only on buses but also trains, cars, and trucks. Lasn said “no longer are ads confined to the usual places: buses, billboards, stadiums.” If you’re taking the subway to work or school, you will see hundreds of ads along your ride. I think advertisements add color to the train. Before I got my car I was on the taking the subway every day to work and school. In the train, I sometimes find myself mesmerized by some of the ads, mostly the art works.

            Advertisements are promotions for a company that is for the general public use.  Ads can be seen while watching your favorite shows and movies on TV or online. Even YouTube plays ads before they play your video, which I personally hate. Ads can be annoying at times, especially while listening to the radio. Every time I listen to the radio and it go on commercial, I switch the station to see what else is playing.