TOW #3 - Am I Introverted, or Just Rude?

In her article on introversion, KJ Dell’Antonia, a self-proclaimed introvert and writer for the NY Times, aims to show other introverts that they often exhibit that they care more about themselves than others through their border-line antisocial actions. The author chose to write the text after receiving a message from a close friend of hers about a T-Shirt that read, “sorry I’m late, I don’t want to be here”. As a result of seeing this shirt, Dell’Antonia realized that perhaps her introversion affects not only herself, but also those around her. Dell,Antonia is able to achieve her purpose through her appeals to both pathos and logos. She uses multiple statements from psychologists like Susan Cain to show how people do not realize the effects of their actions. In an interview Cain stated, “you have to consider the other person’s point of view instead of getting wrapped up in your own discomfort.” (Dell’Antonia). Since this statement is coming from a well-versed psychologist who actually wrote a book on introversion titled, Quiet, it is quite clear that her word is trustworthy. Cain brings to light that people often do not realize how others are feeling and only think of themselves. She aims to bring this idea forward so that introverts will realize this and think before they act. Not only is this appealing to logos, but also to pathos, as introverts will truly be able to connect with this idea. By considering the feelings of those around them, introverts may feel ashamed of themselves and will want to change their ways. I do believe that Dell’Antonia effectively achieved her purpose as I am a self-proclaimed introvert as well and this was a truly eye-opening experience for me. I now realize that all the times that I have chosen to stay home rather than go out with friends may have upset them. As a result, I will be more conscious of the feelings of those that are important to me instead of just my own.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/25/opinion/sunday/am-i-introverted-or-just-rude.html?ref=opinion&_r=0

TOW #2 - McCarthyism Political Cartoon

On March 29th of 1950, The Washington Post published a political cartoon created by Herbert Lawrence Block, an editorial cartoonist who created hundreds of cartoons on national domestic and foreign policy. The publishing was only a bit over a month after the creation of McCarthyism when US Senator Joseph McCarthy’s speech on the rooting out of communists within the US was given. This cartoon is constructed for the American people, Republicans more specifically, in response to this speech in order to show how unstable his logic for accusing potentially innocent people was. Block is able to effectively achieve his purpose through his repeated use of symbolism throughout the cartoon. The political cartoon depicts four men labeled Garbielson, Bridges, Taft and Wherry. Each of these men were US senators for the Republican party during the 1950’s. The four men are pushing an elephant towards a tower labeled “McCarthyism” which appears rather unstable. The people are represented by the Republican elephant being pushed toward the tower. By the elephant dragging his feet in the dirt and uttering the phrase “I’m supposed to stand on that?” it is clear that the American people were quite unsure of the argument that McCarthy presented and they had to be forced (pushed) into believing and following it. The people felt that the argument was unstable and that they would not be able to “stand on it”. I do believe that Block accomplished his purpose through this cartoon as it only has one line of text written on it, however I was able to discover and interpret a drawn out analysis of such a simple drawing. I was able to see that the people (the elephant) are scared of McCarthy’s ideas and that they were being forced into them. I believe that Block’s symbolism not only proved his purpose effectively, but efficiently as well.

https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/herblocks-history/fire.html

TOW #1 - Headphone Companies: No Headphone Jack, No Problem

On the 9th of September, 2016, popular technology news site, The Verge, published an article on Apple’s choice to disclude a 3.5mm headphone jack from the design of the iPhone 7. The article was written by Vlad Savvov,  a senior editor for the organization, and throughout the reading of the piece it is clear that Savvov is trying to defend Apple’s rather controversial decision to rid the iPhone of the headphone jack by telling tech connoisseurs that this was a choice for the betterment of audio equipment. In many spots in the text, Savvod speaks with executives from companies such as Sennheiser, a popular German audio company, with its CEO stating, "Sennheiser has seen many different connection standards come and go in the audio world over the year [...] Apple's Lightning connector, will offer new opportunities to take a step forward and to further enhance the sound experience for the customer,” (Savvod). Through his use of logos by using the ideas brought to light by the head of an audio hardware company, one that would be directly affected by this great change, Savvod is able to show that companies are being forced to innovate in order to keep with the times. This is not the first time that companies have experienced major technological changes and consumers have no need to worry as these corporations are fully used to adapting. Savvod also compares the change to, “something like the HD-DVD versus Blu-ray wars of the past,” (Savvod). Years ago, a type of DVD known as HD-DVD emerged onto the market, however Blu-Ray turned out yield a higher quality and HD-DVD was phased out. Since the use of the lightning connector will produce a higher quality listening experience, it is likely that other manufacturers will phase out the old connector to provide consumers with the best experience. Ultimately, by showing that companies such as Sennheiser will be forced to develop new technologies to deliver audio on a higher level, Savvod is able to effectively convey that the removal of the headphone jack was actually not a bad idea despite its massive controversy.

http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/9/12859858/no-headphone-jack-iphone-7-reaction

IRB Introduction #1 - Sully (Chesley B. Sullenberger III)

For my first independent reading book of the school year, I have chosen to read Sully, an autobiography written by Chesley B. Sullenberger III with assistance from Jeffrey Zaslow. I am choosing to read this book because I remember hearing of Sullenberger in the news a few years ago and thought that the story was amazing. As a result, I feel quite inclined to hear his story from his own point of view. It focuses on the crash landing of US Airways Flight 1549 into the Hudson River and the events that transpired in the pilot's life afterwards. I believe it will be very interesting to hear Sullenberg's own feelings and description of the event from his own mind. I cannot wait to begin reading!