What is celebrating Christmas? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_worldwide Decorating your house with the traditional image of Christmas (Noel, red boots, abundant Christmas tree, candy canes, etc.) Mom cooking dinner for hours and hours for the family. Having baby Jesus figure at the corner of the room. Pretending to be kind and loving with everyone. Exchanging Christmas presents or lying to children about a man leaving presents overnight. Singing traditional songs along with others.
-I think that people are so hypnotized by culture that they are not aware of their actions. celebrating Christmas is not wrong, but is not right either. It is an idea that was brought upon us many years ago for "community" purpose. the importance of Christmas is communicated generation by generation. If celebrating it makes people happy and it is taken as an opportunity to be harmonically with others then how grandiose it turned out to be. But, if throughout the year until this date people has been hating, destroying, and crying and then hypocritically celebrating Christmas... What are they playing at?
They have been playing the same game we all play before and during Christmas. We are all mediocre and hide it, so that other don't know we are. I call it human nature living under culture. After all it is impossible for us not to live under culture.
What happens if we do not celebrate it?
Those who do not celebrate do not "fit in". Those who do not celebrate it are called heretic, loners, miserable. And those who do not celebrate actually believe that is their reality. Even if it is decided not to celebrate it because there is no profound reason found, that person is it identified as someone who opposes this worldwide holiday. If we do not celebrate Christmas, then our house will not be beautifully decorated. We would not have "that" special dinner. We might not receive presents from family or friends. Life would go on.
-I think that it is not right not to celebrate Christmas, but it is also not wrong. It is simply not celebrating because of any reason there might be. For example: "I have no one to celebrate with", "I see no point", "Too much work for a holiday", "the economy is really bad right now", etc. Either way there is always a reason to celebrate or not to celebrate Christmas. But they all apply to their respective culture.
So, what should we do in this holiday?
Once again people are trapped between two or even more alternatives. It is up to them to decide what to do based on whatever is more convenient. At a very young age we were taught right and wrong. Even if our right and wrong did not match others, we would still think, act, and criticize based on our own, because we are right and they are wrong. Someone who decides to celebrate Christmas thinks is the right thing to do, the normal thing to do. Someone who does not, take for instance a Chinese, thinks is the right thing to do, the normal thing to do. So, which one is it? Do we celebrate it or not?
-I personally think that these type of questions are futile. There is free will in this world after all, even if most people have never experimented it. I think people "should" do whatever they want to do, as soon as they do not spread any malice to others. If it is decided to practice or to celebrate any holiday, then so be it. If it is declared that there is a right or wrong in reality relating Christmas, then so be it. Everything is the way it is, will be, and have been. Whatever decision is made regarding Christmas celebration you will always end up being wrong in some one's opinion.
My Christmas this year...
This year I decided not celebrate Christmas for the first time. I communicated this to my family and they respected my decision. My father and my grandparents are Chinese, so they were not against my decision at any point. My sister wondered my sudden reaction, but she did not opposed it. As a family we agreed to celebrate it in our own way or not to celebrate it at all. The way we performed this agreement was by simply having dinner at an Italian restaurant. It is my sister's favorite restaurant, so she was there to have a longed great dinner with us. I went along to have dinner at a restaurant with my family. My father was there to be with his daughters and enjoy himself during this special night. I did not give any presents to family nor received. We did not decorated our house, or cooked dinner. I saw this night as any other.
I could say that my family sees mostly Christmas as an opportunity to be together, and I am very happy they do so. As for me, I do not want to see Christmas or any other holiday as a reason or excuse to be with others. Or to be kind to others and give presents. Or to go to church and celebrate Jesus birth. I now realize that I am and have been a mediocre too, and I did not like it. However, it is not going to change. Regardless of what I do I will still be strongly influenced by what I THINK is right and act according to it. But, even though the circumstances i have no feelings of regret for not celebrating Christmas and I am still living a good life. From now on I will celebrate any holiday because I chose to celebrate it not because that is what I am supposed to do. Everyday is important, everyday is an opportunity, why wait for a holiday to express your feelings?
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Celebrating Christmas
After discussing Christmas in class and considered all the factors that I have been doing, as a result I began doubting my own existence. Every year I have been celebrating Christmas because I was told to celebrate it in order to have a good life. The three aspects, religion, family, and Santa Claus were involved in my celebration of this holiday. Me and my family have been following these patterns like most of the people. We celebrate it because we have been communicated that it is a very important holiday. I never questioned the importance of it until this Christmas.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Response to "Worker dies...Wal-Mart..Black Friday"
After reading this news, I noticed that Black Friday has a way more of an impact on society than I thought. The report is written in a biased way against the hyperactive shoppers. A man named Jdimytai Damour and four other shoppers were described as the victims of the stampede. People could not wait any longer to purchase products at a very low price! Therefore, they rushed into many workers and people in order to save money. One man died and the other four were injured during this incident. One employee wondered, "How could you take a man's life to save $20 on a TV?" He reflected that any of those people could have also stepped on him. Words such as "unacceptable" and "catastrophe" are used on this report. The biased message in this article was basically saying..."Stepping on other people is wrong!"
Taking responsibility. In reality, responsibility does not exist. Therefore neither does right or wrong. Things are what they are. Responsibility is a linguistic phenomenon and it is also a choice. Sometimes people choose it automatically, others decide taking it based on a situation, while others never choose it. Responsibility does exist in a linguistic domain and people are identified as responsible or not based on the definition of being responsible. Right and wrong are also determined by language, and there are consequences as an outcome in either of these cases, making these WORDS reality for many people. Until people understand that being 100% responsible for everything that happens in their lives, are they enpowered to change the course of their lives. How effective is it to blame others for the things that happen in our lives? How effective is it to do nothing when others are responsible for the misery in our lives?
Most people feel so powerless. The people in this report wanted to hold someone into account for the misfortune they were going through. They wanted to express how miserable they were because of others. They were depending on someone else to make whatever they wanted exist. Reading this article does make me sad because the person that died was not acknowledged in any way by the people claiming care about him. The family of the victim showed selfishness to feel a sense of "being" someone people could talk about, because that makes our reality, communication.
When a person in our lives die... We get depressed, we cry, we get hungry, we eat.
In my opinion, I do think that it was reckless to rush into Wal-Mart when there are many people so close together. I also think that those who might have stepped on others did not consider the circumstances of their actions. However, a man died and four more were injured due to other's actions. So what are those people now according to society? Murderers who are unworthy of life?
Indeed there was an accident and it is complicated to hold specific people accountable, but in this situation rather than focusing on what happened and what can they learn from it, people spend more time blaming others and avoid taking any responsibility.
As for this report, it will influence the minds of many, so that they support the families of the victims and the victims against the many people that rushed in, which will be generally known as residents of Long Island. Readers of this report will be taking sides based on how the article is slanted. Specifically, they might think of the poor man that was killed and the pregnant woman that was shoved and develop a complaint of how rotten human kind is.
This is the outcome of what happened: It is not simply that a man died, and four other were injured, and many people got things at a lower price, but the suffering and idiocy of people! This is an example of the meaning people put into whatever happens, even if it's not their business. Most people have the need to be in someone else's life and feel something for it rather than their own. No one in this report took responsibility over anything. The victims were too focused on sharing how tragic their lives were at that point. Another alternative is that this situation could be seen as a strong sense of brotherhood. "I am there for you as you will be here for me" This report could represent the unity and concern people have with the victims and the family of the victims. Even though it is not of our business, humans are very good at sharing pain and anger with each other. From this perspective the article would become something else; it is all based on the way it is communicated.
Taking responsibility. In reality, responsibility does not exist. Therefore neither does right or wrong. Things are what they are. Responsibility is a linguistic phenomenon and it is also a choice. Sometimes people choose it automatically, others decide taking it based on a situation, while others never choose it. Responsibility does exist in a linguistic domain and people are identified as responsible or not based on the definition of being responsible. Right and wrong are also determined by language, and there are consequences as an outcome in either of these cases, making these WORDS reality for many people. Until people understand that being 100% responsible for everything that happens in their lives, are they enpowered to change the course of their lives. How effective is it to blame others for the things that happen in our lives? How effective is it to do nothing when others are responsible for the misery in our lives?
Most people feel so powerless. The people in this report wanted to hold someone into account for the misfortune they were going through. They wanted to express how miserable they were because of others. They were depending on someone else to make whatever they wanted exist. Reading this article does make me sad because the person that died was not acknowledged in any way by the people claiming care about him. The family of the victim showed selfishness to feel a sense of "being" someone people could talk about, because that makes our reality, communication.
When a person in our lives die... We get depressed, we cry, we get hungry, we eat.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Meaningful Celebrations本当か
What is celebrating Black Friday and El Dia de Muertos meaningfully according to popular culture?
People receive contradictory messages about this event. Is up to them to decide. During this event people can contribute into helping the environment; in other words not consuming as much as usual for one day. This event is also known as buy nothing day for the sake of the planet. This event is very popular because of the great sales offered in almost every store. The name itself could be interpreted as a negative event. Usually the color black represents negative aspects, naming it black Friday could show that regardless of what decision is made by a person there will always be a negative outcome from both sides. For example, if it is decided not to purchase any product, then you will be helping the environment (according to media), you will negatively affect the economy by not investing money into anything, or vice versa. Both methods are considerably insignificant as a person, but considering that large groups of people decide one or the other it has an great impact. People consider their actions meaningful and determine themselves based on them. Giving a title to yourself, such as, the good and caring American or the excessive buyer that will look better than others the next day.
For one day people can get closer to a good and meaningful life easily. They will be able to purchase items in a great deal and represent popular culture. Black Friday involves many factors, but in the term of "shopping", women are known to come first. Are women those who are most negatively impacting the world by purchasing what they do not need. But, don't most men like women who look good!? Men also encourage this pattern by providing the money and agreeing. Regardless of these true stereotypes, who is there to blame? There must be always one who is the jerk. Whatever decision is taken he or she will be a jerk at the end to different people. So, why bother following patterns or stereotypes. Why bother working so hard for an entire life when you will never be enough, according to pop culture? Everyone is more concerned about looking good than self express. Then they live repressed because they cannot be who they think they truly are. Popular Culture "forces" the culture into us.
In Japan, every year in a popular festival a chosen person is carried by 6-8men. On this day, the person they carry will represent the new person model to follow. Everyone should be that way. For example, if a pretty woman is carried then, that woman will appear in a magazine. Then, she will be recognized by a company, who will then hire her to model. Then she will be on T.V sharing how she changed her life from and ordinary pretty girl to a popular model. Then she will have a great number of fans/followers and become a fashion icon. Then someone else will be carried and her minute of fame is over. Another distinction of how popular culture tell us to be is: Have clothing stores by sections. There is the lady's section, the teens section, the child's section, etc. All of them are considerably different from one another. Teens are supposed to look differently than women. It does not matter if a 45 year old woman wants to dress like a 15 year old, she cannot! Otherwise she will no be accepted in society. If we disobey popular culture, then we suffer the consequences of being an outcast.
According to the movie Pump up the Volume, to live a good and meaningful life you need to "Get happy, get a girlfriend, sell a bestseller". In other words in order to be happy you need to get married to an attractive man/woman and become rich and famous. This movie talks about popular culture from a teenager's perspective who is about to step into the world and begin an independent life. The main character is supposed to have great analysis skills and he shares them with other fellows through the radio. He does not dare to speak up in real life and he is "sick of being ashamed" He does not mind "being rejected and rejected" he wont be ashamed. If everyone had the same ideal as this character then they would not be following the corporate messages given. The black Friday would be just another holiday on which people will not take on account because they do not need to improve anything.
Same happens with other events or holidays that are celebrated, for example, El dia de Muertos. In this holiday people celebrate the dead and pray for them. This is a very typical celebration in November 3 carried on in Mexico. People consider this holiday meaningful because the memory of the dead is important to them. Also they belief in life after death, therefore they pray for peace to the dead and to be looked after by their gone beloved one. There are many distinctions that represent this national holiday, and it is very respected by most of the people in Mexico. El Dia de muertos can be easily misinterpreted by many other cultures. It is thought that this holiday is out of the being normal for celebrating death. celebrating using skulls as a decoration and representation of how those look when they are dead does not mean that people are celebrating death. That is just one more corporate message that is once again believed. At some point in history the image of death became a skull with a black cape that comes for you when you die. Why would people celebrate such thing!?
This image contradicts one of the most influential messages, religion. Somehow people managed to collide Death will religion. Both have their own representative image and both are beyond doubt too influential. People is afraid of their own mortality. They do not accept death. However, in this holiday death is considered as something important that everyone must experience. At the same time they are praying to the death to look after them, so that they do not die. People live contradicting themselves and they do not get confused. They do not spend time on thinking: why am I doing this now? People live their lives following and pursuing at the same time. El Dia de muertos is just one more popular holiday that brings many people together, even the dead, to be part of something.
It is communicated that both events are of great importance and should be carried on by everyone in order to fit in. Whatever meaning is added into these celebrations depends on each person based on their own perspective. Personally I add no meaning to any of these nor celebrate them. In my point of view all celebrations have a purpose that could be seen in different ways. And we can even make a decision of whether go along with it or not. That does not change the fact that it is almost certain that they will be celebrated each year and media will make a big deal out of it.
People receive contradictory messages about this event. Is up to them to decide. During this event people can contribute into helping the environment; in other words not consuming as much as usual for one day. This event is also known as buy nothing day for the sake of the planet. This event is very popular because of the great sales offered in almost every store. The name itself could be interpreted as a negative event. Usually the color black represents negative aspects, naming it black Friday could show that regardless of what decision is made by a person there will always be a negative outcome from both sides. For example, if it is decided not to purchase any product, then you will be helping the environment (according to media), you will negatively affect the economy by not investing money into anything, or vice versa. Both methods are considerably insignificant as a person, but considering that large groups of people decide one or the other it has an great impact. People consider their actions meaningful and determine themselves based on them. Giving a title to yourself, such as, the good and caring American or the excessive buyer that will look better than others the next day.
For one day people can get closer to a good and meaningful life easily. They will be able to purchase items in a great deal and represent popular culture. Black Friday involves many factors, but in the term of "shopping", women are known to come first. Are women those who are most negatively impacting the world by purchasing what they do not need. But, don't most men like women who look good!? Men also encourage this pattern by providing the money and agreeing. Regardless of these true stereotypes, who is there to blame? There must be always one who is the jerk. Whatever decision is taken he or she will be a jerk at the end to different people. So, why bother following patterns or stereotypes. Why bother working so hard for an entire life when you will never be enough, according to pop culture? Everyone is more concerned about looking good than self express. Then they live repressed because they cannot be who they think they truly are. Popular Culture "forces" the culture into us.
In Japan, every year in a popular festival a chosen person is carried by 6-8men. On this day, the person they carry will represent the new person model to follow. Everyone should be that way. For example, if a pretty woman is carried then, that woman will appear in a magazine. Then, she will be recognized by a company, who will then hire her to model. Then she will be on T.V sharing how she changed her life from and ordinary pretty girl to a popular model. Then she will have a great number of fans/followers and become a fashion icon. Then someone else will be carried and her minute of fame is over. Another distinction of how popular culture tell us to be is: Have clothing stores by sections. There is the lady's section, the teens section, the child's section, etc. All of them are considerably different from one another. Teens are supposed to look differently than women. It does not matter if a 45 year old woman wants to dress like a 15 year old, she cannot! Otherwise she will no be accepted in society. If we disobey popular culture, then we suffer the consequences of being an outcast.According to the movie Pump up the Volume, to live a good and meaningful life you need to "Get happy, get a girlfriend, sell a bestseller". In other words in order to be happy you need to get married to an attractive man/woman and become rich and famous. This movie talks about popular culture from a teenager's perspective who is about to step into the world and begin an independent life. The main character is supposed to have great analysis skills and he shares them with other fellows through the radio. He does not dare to speak up in real life and he is "sick of being ashamed" He does not mind "being rejected and rejected" he wont be ashamed. If everyone had the same ideal as this character then they would not be following the corporate messages given. The black Friday would be just another holiday on which people will not take on account because they do not need to improve anything.
Same happens with other events or holidays that are celebrated, for example, El dia de Muertos. In this holiday people celebrate the dead and pray for them. This is a very typical celebration in November 3 carried on in Mexico. People consider this holiday meaningful because the memory of the dead is important to them. Also they belief in life after death, therefore they pray for peace to the dead and to be looked after by their gone beloved one. There are many distinctions that represent this national holiday, and it is very respected by most of the people in Mexico. El Dia de muertos can be easily misinterpreted by many other cultures. It is thought that this holiday is out of the being normal for celebrating death. celebrating using skulls as a decoration and representation of how those look when they are dead does not mean that people are celebrating death. That is just one more corporate message that is once again believed. At some point in history the image of death became a skull with a black cape that comes for you when you die. Why would people celebrate such thing!?
This image contradicts one of the most influential messages, religion. Somehow people managed to collide Death will religion. Both have their own representative image and both are beyond doubt too influential. People is afraid of their own mortality. They do not accept death. However, in this holiday death is considered as something important that everyone must experience. At the same time they are praying to the death to look after them, so that they do not die. People live contradicting themselves and they do not get confused. They do not spend time on thinking: why am I doing this now? People live their lives following and pursuing at the same time. El Dia de muertos is just one more popular holiday that brings many people together, even the dead, to be part of something.It is communicated that both events are of great importance and should be carried on by everyone in order to fit in. Whatever meaning is added into these celebrations depends on each person based on their own perspective. Personally I add no meaning to any of these nor celebrate them. In my point of view all celebrations have a purpose that could be seen in different ways. And we can even make a decision of whether go along with it or not. That does not change the fact that it is almost certain that they will be celebrated each year and media will make a big deal out of it.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thanksgivng & Buy Nothing Day
Thanksgiving...
My family does not celebrate thanksgiving therefore we can discuss about the dominant, marginal or prohibited messages of the thanksgiving celebration without any problem. American culture is made up by many other cultures in the world. America itself is a country where generally people from other countries come to for personal reasons.
Thanksgiving is an American distinction due to the fact that the origin of this celebration took place in America, but this event itself brings upon prohibited messages that would shift the meaning of this celebration. Popular culture does not let us know that celebrating thanksgiving is also celebrating a genocide that took place in American history. Having a good and meaningful life is going along with the traditional celebration, turkey, being with family, football, etc. So, why do people have to concern themselves with the true meaning of celebrating thanksgiving and what it represents?
People confuse this holiday with an opportunity of being together rather than concerning about what they are celebrating. Most americans do not know the origin of this holiday, they just go along with it, for any reason they might have. Me and my family do not relate to others that celebrate it, but we understand the importance of it to others. In my opinion I have nothing to be thankful for in this specific holiday, therefore I see no reason for me or my family to bring a turkey to the table, also because of the genetics of growth and reproduction in the turkey has experienced difficulties through time due to the small controlled population of turkey. This specie is stuguling, but that will not stop a traditional American to celebrate something he is not even sure about.
Buy nothing day...
This event is taken on after the celebration of Thanksgiving. The communicated purpose of this event is for the sake of the world. As stated in the advertistment shown in Life does'nt have to be meaningless class,Americans consume way too much and they are taking the world into death itself. In order to have a meaningful life a true American who is concerned with the environment and the negative impact he is causing by disposing too much solid waste, that person will not buy anything during this event. But, what will happen with all those sales!? We find another contradictory message from the most selling and influencial messenger worldwide, Media. Indeed there is a holiday that provides a "break" to the earth, but stores still have to make a profit of what already has been taken out of resources from the world. So, which one is it? Environment vs. sells; society is once again trapped, and they will end up doing what the majority does.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
How to live a good & meaningful Life draft 4 (Final)
Living an entire life pursuing the meaning of life, then we die.
Pursuing happiness, pleasure, love, with the purpose of discovering the meaning of life will leads a person to be satisfied in his life once he has identified it, or so it is communicated by popular culture. It is believed that living a life meaningfully is one of the toughest tasks to accomplish. It is not complicated to add meaning into something. However, it is when we want that meaning we gave to makes us happy. Even though most of the people live their lives with many meaningful aspects around them, they continue on searching for the meaning of life. People believe that they do not know complete happiness due to all the negative aspects in their families, their neighborhood, their world. Not taking responsibility of how our lives turned out, diminishes our power to make a difference. By feeling limited, it becomes difficult to find "something" that would make a person happy for being alive everyday. Popular culture gives an interpretation on how a person should be living his life. People interpret these messages as a "goal" that must be accomplished in order to live their lives meaningfully. We are being shaped in a certain way by culture as we "live" our lives. It is inevitable to live under culture, but people believe in freedom, but it is only longed for. Therefore, a person lives his entire life along with others searching for the meaning of life. A great amount of time is invested into finding the answer, but in reality, there is no meaning that should be pursued.
My own perspective on having a good life is by being present and unreasonable while living as possibility. I believe that we, people are perfect just the way we are, so there is nothing to improve. Taking responsibility for everything that happens in my life allows me to change it anytime. My perspective on how to have a good life was shared to me through an education that does not associate with media. Therefore in my opinion, popular culture is the opposite of how to be in order to live happily. My interpretation of life allows me to life happily, in other words there is no suffering in my life, from my past or my current life situation. There is no meaning in my life. If something "positive" happens, like my brother agreeing on sending time with me, or something "negative", like my boyfriend going away to Germany for three months, it has no negative impact on me. In other words, I choose to only have positive feeling about anything that happens. I became to accept my life and who I am. I have no problem accepting others and accepting circumstances. I am simply not interested into being miserable nor fighting popular culture. It was asked to me, what was my reason to live? My reason to live is to live. I am catholic, and I have huge respect to my church. I believe in God and Jesus Christ. I never depend on God to make my life happier with miracles. I create my own miracles everyday. I just thank God for allowing me to live my grandiose life.
There are approximately 6.8 billion people in the world with 6.8 billion different opinions and perspectives. There is no right or wrong answer to the question of how to live a good and meaningful life. It is very subjective matter and if anything does work for someone to be complete in life then so be it. I personally found a way of living powerfully in this world, but I do not intend to enforce it into anyone. However,I intend to share some of what those around me, that share a similar point of view, have to say about how to have a good life to compare it to what popular culture says on the same matter.
"I dont't let anything stop me, I do everything I say I would, and If I don't I ll come back to it to restore my integrity in the world" -Kitty McMillen
"Have great relationships, specially with family and speak your mind which is a great relief"-Rula Aslanis
"Honesty with themselves, be present to inauthenticity, share with those around them, go beyond any place they've gone before that brings fear and discomfort, take risks!"-Olivia Ascencio
People feel also limited because of the problems in their lives. The cannot achieve happiness with so many negative aspects. People think that having problems is wrong, therefore they have the need to solve them. Problems are part of our lives. They have been, are and will be always present. Problems will be over until the day you die. Having problems is not wrong nor right, it is just what is happening. When we experience a situation that does not go according to plan, then it is a problem. It could be from: my father used to beat me to what should I order?
An example of a marginal message is the way women are supposed to look according to media. I have analyzed the song "Lip Gloss" by Lil mama to represent this idea.
"This song is an example of what Popular Culture tells us what is to "look good" and be part of "the popular group" I found this message directly to young women who, in my opinion, struggle the most to stand out or be noticeable. "my lip gloss is poppin, my lip gloss is cool" is a constant message in the song that could be interpreted as a method of being the center of attention. This could be a commercial or advertisement of beauty products, so that women feel motivated into purchasing cosmetics. The message given by pop culture is that if a person does not look good (looking good as the girl in the video, that is the definition of looking good in pop culture) he/she will not fit in society. In the video the girl appears as the center of attention as the other students follow her for looking so attractive. The lip gloss was a way of her having a "break-through" in her school, because before having it she did not have what it takes to be part of the popular group, as she described. The song says "what you know bout me, what cha, what cha know bout me" and what we know about her is that her lip gloss is popping and that she is cool. The lyrics do not mention anything about personality or any feelings relating to what she is experiencing. In other words we know nothing about how a person that looks good is supposed to "be or feel" rather that being the center of attention. The lyrics contradict itself with the video. In the video the girl is portrayed as an inspiration and has many followers that support her change. However, the lyrics describe her as an individual that is outstanding and the "followers" in the song are those who are attracted to her with sexual purpose. In conclusion the specific message of this song is "I can upgrade you show you how to use nice things with nice flavors" People need "upgrade" to be somebody in this world, according to popular culture"
According to the movie Pump up the Volume, to live a good and meaningful life you need to "Get happy, get a girlfriend, sell a bestseller". In other words in order to be happy you need to get married to an attractive man/woman and become rich and famous. This movie talks about popular culture from a teenager's perspective who is about to step into the world and begin an independent life. The main character is supposed to have great analysis skills and he shares them with other fellows through the radio. He does not dare to speak up in real life and he is "sick of being ashamed" He does not mind "being rejected and rejected" he wont be ashamed. If everyone had the same ideal as this character then they would not be following the corporate messages given. The black Friday would be just another holiday on which people will not take on account because they do not need to improve anything.
Pursuing happiness, pleasure, love, with the purpose of discovering the meaning of life will leads a person to be satisfied in his life once he has identified it, or so it is communicated by popular culture. It is believed that living a life meaningfully is one of the toughest tasks to accomplish. It is not complicated to add meaning into something. However, it is when we want that meaning we gave to makes us happy. Even though most of the people live their lives with many meaningful aspects around them, they continue on searching for the meaning of life. People believe that they do not know complete happiness due to all the negative aspects in their families, their neighborhood, their world. Not taking responsibility of how our lives turned out, diminishes our power to make a difference. By feeling limited, it becomes difficult to find "something" that would make a person happy for being alive everyday. Popular culture gives an interpretation on how a person should be living his life. People interpret these messages as a "goal" that must be accomplished in order to live their lives meaningfully. We are being shaped in a certain way by culture as we "live" our lives. It is inevitable to live under culture, but people believe in freedom, but it is only longed for. Therefore, a person lives his entire life along with others searching for the meaning of life. A great amount of time is invested into finding the answer, but in reality, there is no meaning that should be pursued.
My own perspective on having a good life is by being present and unreasonable while living as possibility. I believe that we, people are perfect just the way we are, so there is nothing to improve. Taking responsibility for everything that happens in my life allows me to change it anytime. My perspective on how to have a good life was shared to me through an education that does not associate with media. Therefore in my opinion, popular culture is the opposite of how to be in order to live happily. My interpretation of life allows me to life happily, in other words there is no suffering in my life, from my past or my current life situation. There is no meaning in my life. If something "positive" happens, like my brother agreeing on sending time with me, or something "negative", like my boyfriend going away to Germany for three months, it has no negative impact on me. In other words, I choose to only have positive feeling about anything that happens. I became to accept my life and who I am. I have no problem accepting others and accepting circumstances. I am simply not interested into being miserable nor fighting popular culture. It was asked to me, what was my reason to live? My reason to live is to live. I am catholic, and I have huge respect to my church. I believe in God and Jesus Christ. I never depend on God to make my life happier with miracles. I create my own miracles everyday. I just thank God for allowing me to live my grandiose life.Those around me are powerful people that live as an inspiration and do not live their lives according to popular culture. It all begins on taking responsibility. Then you honor your word to keep integrity.
"In reality, responsibility does not exist. Therefore neither does right or wrong. Things are what they are. Responsibility is a linguistic phenomenon and it is also a choice. Sometimes people choose it automatically, others decide taking it based on a situation, while others never choose it. Responsibility does exist in a linguistic domain and people are identified as responsible or not based on the definition of being responsible. Right and wrong are also determined by language, and there are consequences as an outcome in either of these cases, making these WORDS reality for many people. Until people understand that being 100% responsible for everything that happens in their lives, are they empowered to change the course of their lives. How effective is it to blame others for the things that happen in our lives? How effective is it to do nothing when others are responsible for the misery in our lives?"
"In reality, responsibility does not exist. Therefore neither does right or wrong. Things are what they are. Responsibility is a linguistic phenomenon and it is also a choice. Sometimes people choose it automatically, others decide taking it based on a situation, while others never choose it. Responsibility does exist in a linguistic domain and people are identified as responsible or not based on the definition of being responsible. Right and wrong are also determined by language, and there are consequences as an outcome in either of these cases, making these WORDS reality for many people. Until people understand that being 100% responsible for everything that happens in their lives, are they empowered to change the course of their lives. How effective is it to blame others for the things that happen in our lives? How effective is it to do nothing when others are responsible for the misery in our lives?"
"being responsible starts with the willingness to deal with a situation from the view of life that you are the generator of what you do, what you have and what you are". That is not the truth. It is simply a place to stand. No one can make anyone responsible, nor can anyone impose responsibility on another. It is a grace to give yourself- an empowering context that leaves you with a say in the matter of life.
There are approximately 6.8 billion people in the world with 6.8 billion different opinions and perspectives. There is no right or wrong answer to the question of how to live a good and meaningful life. It is very subjective matter and if anything does work for someone to be complete in life then so be it. I personally found a way of living powerfully in this world, but I do not intend to enforce it into anyone. However,I intend to share some of what those around me, that share a similar point of view, have to say about how to have a good life to compare it to what popular culture says on the same matter.
"I dont't let anything stop me, I do everything I say I would, and If I don't I ll come back to it to restore my integrity in the world" -Kitty McMillen
"Have great relationships, specially with family and speak your mind which is a great relief"-Rula Aslanis
"Honesty with themselves, be present to inauthenticity, share with those around them, go beyond any place they've gone before that brings fear and discomfort, take risks!"-Olivia Ascencio
People feel also limited because of the problems in their lives. The cannot achieve happiness with so many negative aspects. People think that having problems is wrong, therefore they have the need to solve them. Problems are part of our lives. They have been, are and will be always present. Problems will be over until the day you die. Having problems is not wrong nor right, it is just what is happening. When we experience a situation that does not go according to plan, then it is a problem. It could be from: my father used to beat me to what should I order?
Why is it that people do not get why they want? They want a better house, a better body, more money! It is not happening because they do not want it to happen. To want is something that can change overnight. To be committed is different than to want. If somebody is committed into achieving something, such as gaining more money, then he would earn it. Being committed also brings problems, but they are problems that are worth your life. For example, president Obama took on a problem that is worth his life when he became president. He did not want to become president, he was committed to become president. Popular culture is committed for us not to know about this. We are not supposed to know that we have absolute control of our lives. We are not supposed to know that our suffering is our own cause, but someone else's since we turned 5 years old! We are not supposed to know that we can actually make a difference in the world that would benefit others than ourselves. Media ensures this by being careful with the messages that are sent.
Popular culture sends dominant, marginal and prohibited messages that impact society in how to be. Corporate media indeed contributes greatly into whats we believe or think is right or wrong. We are taught that we need to improve so that we get accepted into society. We have representations on how a beautiful woman is supposed to look or how happy and complete we can be with money. People live their lives "trying" to become better, wealthier or skinner so that one day in the future they can achieve happiness, and if they don't they keep on "trying" until they die. What is the meaning of this?
In japan, festivals that celebrate certain holidays or people are well known by everyone in Japan. In these festivals there is something called Mikoshi. Mikoshi is when a group of men carry one chosen person and that person becomes the "human model" that everyone should follow. As the popular culture television show, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, communicates: "Before you dance, verify the truth with your own eyes". Once Mikoshi is carried on everyone gets excited, but they do not decide to do so, it happens naturally. We eventually get brainwashed by our own culture, and without knowing we are already following others. People having no freedom is not popular culture's fault. That is a mere excuse that happens to explain our lack of self expression better than anything else. However, many people do not know under what they are living. Humans are easily drawn away from the main point. For example, when watching a football soccer match, we focus more on what the player's t-shirt says than him playing. We focus on the weird position of the character in a movie rather than the conversation he is having. It comes naturally to us, but as a consequence we have no idea of the main point. That is why we seem not to have "the answer". Also people learn not to acknowledge anyone for what they are doing due to the fact that they are more focused on something else. Such as, their own world filled with problems and expectations. People complain about the effect of media, but not realize that they are actually supporting it day by day. We are the ones that keep media alive, and we do not even think about it because taking responsibility is not normal according to popular culture. "One day I woke up and opened my eyes, I was carrying a Mikoshi
In most magazines, articles' only purpose is to sell. So, they would invent many ideas that would bring a person to identify himself with the article and purchase the item. For example, -House keeping magazine- How to make delicious meals with Circulon Elite!- The ultimate problem solver. This magazine article was determined to make the pan look good and efficient, so that people purchase it. However, throughout the entire magazine there were constant advertisements on underwear or beauty products presented by skinny and beautiful women. It is commonly known as a fact that eating excessively is a method of gaining weight, depending on metabolism and exercise done. Corporate media is communicating that looking good is the ultimate problem solver, but also a pan used to cook, specially cake, is also the ultimate problem solver where food cooks evenly!
An example of a marginal message is the way women are supposed to look according to media. I have analyzed the song "Lip Gloss" by Lil mama to represent this idea.
"This song is an example of what Popular Culture tells us what is to "look good" and be part of "the popular group" I found this message directly to young women who, in my opinion, struggle the most to stand out or be noticeable. "my lip gloss is poppin, my lip gloss is cool" is a constant message in the song that could be interpreted as a method of being the center of attention. This could be a commercial or advertisement of beauty products, so that women feel motivated into purchasing cosmetics. The message given by pop culture is that if a person does not look good (looking good as the girl in the video, that is the definition of looking good in pop culture) he/she will not fit in society. In the video the girl appears as the center of attention as the other students follow her for looking so attractive. The lip gloss was a way of her having a "break-through" in her school, because before having it she did not have what it takes to be part of the popular group, as she described. The song says "what you know bout me, what cha, what cha know bout me" and what we know about her is that her lip gloss is popping and that she is cool. The lyrics do not mention anything about personality or any feelings relating to what she is experiencing. In other words we know nothing about how a person that looks good is supposed to "be or feel" rather that being the center of attention. The lyrics contradict itself with the video. In the video the girl is portrayed as an inspiration and has many followers that support her change. However, the lyrics describe her as an individual that is outstanding and the "followers" in the song are those who are attracted to her with sexual purpose. In conclusion the specific message of this song is "I can upgrade you show you how to use nice things with nice flavors" People need "upgrade" to be somebody in this world, according to popular culture"
Another example would be the movies shown in Life doesn't have to be Meaningless class. The movie "She's all that" is another representation of how women are supposed to look in order to be accepted. The story line of this movie is based on High school life, and the typical well known social groups are shown. Among the popular group (the cheerleaders and the football players) there is a guy that began a relationship with a girl from the outcast group. This girl was consider a loser and it was until she went to the salon and wore make up that she was first recognized by those around her. The guy eventually fell in love with her after she "exposed herself". This distinctions make society follow specific examples of how to look and be in order to be accepted.
According to the movie Pump up the Volume, to live a good and meaningful life you need to "Get happy, get a girlfriend, sell a bestseller". In other words in order to be happy you need to get married to an attractive man/woman and become rich and famous. This movie talks about popular culture from a teenager's perspective who is about to step into the world and begin an independent life. The main character is supposed to have great analysis skills and he shares them with other fellows through the radio. He does not dare to speak up in real life and he is "sick of being ashamed" He does not mind "being rejected and rejected" he wont be ashamed. If everyone had the same ideal as this character then they would not be following the corporate messages given. The black Friday would be just another holiday on which people will not take on account because they do not need to improve anything.
This is however a prohibited message. In my point of view popular culture has no interest in allowing us to reach our full potential. We are raised to de-tune ourselves in order to fit in, believing that it is necessary to improve everything about us.
Popular culture communicates how to live a good life, but no one is having a good life while living according to what was communicated. It is never enough. For example, The unreachable Hollywood stars, such as Angelina Jolie, Oprah, Tom Cruise, etc. The struggles or tough situations famous people go through are always exclusively communicated by popular culture. Magazines such as Life&Style, provides articles of how miserable the Hollywood lives are living. So then, according to who, who is having a good life?
Our role models are struggling on being complete. They had everything media was communicating to have in order to have a good life. Because of the fact that their interpretation was not working they added more. For example, "Have a great body to be happy!", "Be rich, there is nothing like it!", "Have children, family comes first!", "Get divorce and marry your true love to be happy!" In conclusion media communicates how to live a good life according to how the example lives (famous people) are living.
There is nothing that can be done about the impact we have received from the culture we live under. We learn whats right and wrong and act according to it. We do what we need to do to survive our lives from imaginary threats. Then we wonder why are we living the way we are living? why did my life turn out this way? why am i here?We are living machines that automatically want to improve among society or complain about society. We live under the strong influence of our culture and we are expected to be in a certain way.We involve our senses, logic, feelings, thoughts, etc. into life situations.
These contradictory messages demonstrate the media is not focused on one single perspective on how to live a good and meaningful life. Popular culture is presented by many people, with different opinions and different products to SELL. Therefore, of course there will be contradictory messages given that become to a point confusing by everyone. How am I suppose to look?, what am I supposed to eat? what am I supposed to wear? This is where dominant messages come in. People will be attracted and influenced by majority and adopt it as reality. It is up to society to decide to how to live a good and meaningful life under their culture and it's beliefs.
There is nothing that can be done about the impact we have received from the culture we live under. We learn whats right and wrong and act according to it. We do what we need to do to survive our lives from imaginary threats. Then we wonder why are we living the way we are living? why did my life turn out this way? why am i here?We are living machines that automatically want to improve among society or complain about society. We live under the strong influence of our culture and we are expected to be in a certain way.We involve our senses, logic, feelings, thoughts, etc. into life situations.
These contradictory messages demonstrate the media is not focused on one single perspective on how to live a good and meaningful life. Popular culture is presented by many people, with different opinions and different products to SELL. Therefore, of course there will be contradictory messages given that become to a point confusing by everyone. How am I suppose to look?, what am I supposed to eat? what am I supposed to wear? This is where dominant messages come in. People will be attracted and influenced by majority and adopt it as reality. It is up to society to decide to how to live a good and meaningful life under their culture and it's beliefs.
It is human nature to feel unsatisfied. For most people there will be always something that is missing in their lives, which keeps them from being complete. Corporate media happens to communicate what is missing in our lives. Media is the best way of communicating an idea according to some one's perspective. We feel powerless against this strong worldwide influence that runs most of people's lives. As previously mentioned there is no way of chaining what media has inflicted in us. There is nothing that can be done about it, so what can we do, esle than accept what is so, in order to have a good life.
We ask philosophical questions, such as why am i here? or why is does the human mind react this way? in order to find the meaning in life. We are here because we are here. The world turned out to be this way because it turned out to be this way, there is NO answer but that in reality.In reality there is no meaning in life, and that is a fact. So then, what is right or wrong is nothing but a invention of some one's interpretation on life and we happen to follow it. We believe what we believe, but that does not mean that what we believe is reality.
I have only one thing to say to corporate media. Thank you for your opinion.
"Life is a tale told by an idiot -- full of sound and fury, signifying nothing"-William Shakespeare
My paper contains...
My paper contains...
-Introduction to meaning of life, popular culture and the relationship between these.
-My own perspective on how to live a good life.
-Good and Meaningful life discussion (right/wrong/reality)
-How my perspective and other's prespective relates to pursuing a meaningful life. (Taking responsibility/blaming others/Problems)
-How my perspective and other's prespective relates to pursuing a meaningful life. (Taking responsibility/blaming others/Problems)
-Popular culture and it's effect on us. (messages-dominant, marginal, prohibited-/interpretation/opinion)
-Represention of messages' main idea using examples(lyrics/movies/festivals/magazines/T.V shows)
-Represention of messages' main idea using examples(lyrics/movies/festivals/magazines/T.V shows)
-Analisys on living a good and meanigful life, corporate messages' outcome,and interpretations and opinions.
Monday, November 17, 2008
How to live a good & meaningful Life draft 3
Living an entire life pursuing the meaning of life, then we die.
Pursuing happiness, pleasure, love, with the purpose of discovering the meaning of life will leads a person to be satisfied in his life once he has identified it, or so it is communicated by popular culture. It is belived that living a life meaningfully is one of the toughest tasks to accomplish. It is not complicated to add meaning into something, but it is when we want that meaning we gave to makes us happy. Even though most of the people live their lives with many meaningful aspects around them, they continue on searching for the meaning of life. People believe that they do not know complete happiness due to all the negative aspects in their families, their neighborhood, their world. By feeling limited it becomes difficult to find "something" that would make a person happy for being alive everyday. Polural culture gives an interpretation on how a person should be living his life and people interpret it as a "goal" that must be accomplished in order to live their lives meaningfully. We are being shapped in a certain way by popular culture as we "live" our lives. It is inevitable to live under culture but, people believe in freedom and search for something around them that would make them happy even if it contradicts culture. Therefore a person lives his entire life along with other people searching for the meaning of life. A great amount of time is invested into finding the answer, but in reality, Is there even a meaning that must be pursued?
My own perspective on having a good life is by being present and unreasonable and live as possibility. I believe that we, people are perfect just the way we are, so there is nothing to improve. We being perfect makes everything around us perfect so we can be present of everything we have and live happily just with whats so. My perspective is very unfamiliar in popular culture. My perspective on how to have a good life was shared to me through an education that does not associate with media. Therefore in my opinion, popular culture is the opposite of how to be in order to live happily.
There are approximately 6.8 billion people in the world with 6.8 billion different opinions and persepctives. There is no right or wrong answer to the question of how to live a good and meaningful life. It is very subjective matter and if anything does work for someone to be complete in life then so be it. I personally found a way of living powerfully in this world, but I do not inted to enforce it into anyone, however i intend to share some of what those around me, that share a similar point of view, have to say about how to have a good life to compare it to what popular culture says on the same matter.
"I dont't let anything stop me, I do everything i say i would, and If i don't I ll come back to it to restore my integrity in the world" -Kitty McMillen, Communication: access to power participant.
"Have great relationships, specially with family and speak your mind which is a great relief"
-Rula Aslanis, Communication: access to power participant.
"Honesty with themselves, be present to inauthenticities, share with those around you, go beyond any place they've gone before that brings fear and discomfort, take risks!"
-Olivia Ascencio, Self expressions and leadership program participant.
Corporate media indeed contributes greatly into whats we believe or think is right or wrong. We are taught that we need to improve so that we get accepted into society. We have representations on how a beautiful woman is supposed to look or how happy and complete we can be with money. People live their lives "trying" to become better or wealthier or skinner so that one day in the future they can achieve happiness, and if they don't they keep on "trying" until they die. What is the meaning of this?
There is nothing that can be done about the impact we have received from the culture we live under. We learn whats right and worng and act according to it.We do what we need to do to survive our lives from imaginary threats. Then we wonder why are we living the way we are living? why did my life turn out this way? why am i here?
We are living machines that automatically want to improve among society or complain about society. We live under the strong influence of our culture and we are expected to be in a certain way.We involve our senses, logic, feelings, thoughts, etc. into life situations. So, what?
and we ask philosophical questions, such as why am i here? or why is does the human mind react this way? in order to find the meaning in life. We are here because we are here and the world turned out to be this way because it turned out to be this way, there is NO answer but that in reality, and in reality there is no meaning in life, and that is a fact. So then what is right or wrong is nothing but a invention of someone's interpretation on life and we happen to follow it. We believe what we believe, but that does not mean that what we believe is reality.
My interpretation of life allows me to life happily, in other words there is no suffering in my life, from my past or my current life situation. Those around me are powerful people that live as an inspiration and do not live their lives according to popular culture.
"Life is a tale told by an idiot -- full of sound and fury, signifying nothing"
-William Shakespeare
Pursuing happiness, pleasure, love, with the purpose of discovering the meaning of life will leads a person to be satisfied in his life once he has identified it, or so it is communicated by popular culture. It is belived that living a life meaningfully is one of the toughest tasks to accomplish. It is not complicated to add meaning into something, but it is when we want that meaning we gave to makes us happy. Even though most of the people live their lives with many meaningful aspects around them, they continue on searching for the meaning of life. People believe that they do not know complete happiness due to all the negative aspects in their families, their neighborhood, their world. By feeling limited it becomes difficult to find "something" that would make a person happy for being alive everyday. Polural culture gives an interpretation on how a person should be living his life and people interpret it as a "goal" that must be accomplished in order to live their lives meaningfully. We are being shapped in a certain way by popular culture as we "live" our lives. It is inevitable to live under culture but, people believe in freedom and search for something around them that would make them happy even if it contradicts culture. Therefore a person lives his entire life along with other people searching for the meaning of life. A great amount of time is invested into finding the answer, but in reality, Is there even a meaning that must be pursued?
My own perspective on having a good life is by being present and unreasonable and live as possibility. I believe that we, people are perfect just the way we are, so there is nothing to improve. We being perfect makes everything around us perfect so we can be present of everything we have and live happily just with whats so. My perspective is very unfamiliar in popular culture. My perspective on how to have a good life was shared to me through an education that does not associate with media. Therefore in my opinion, popular culture is the opposite of how to be in order to live happily.
There are approximately 6.8 billion people in the world with 6.8 billion different opinions and persepctives. There is no right or wrong answer to the question of how to live a good and meaningful life. It is very subjective matter and if anything does work for someone to be complete in life then so be it. I personally found a way of living powerfully in this world, but I do not inted to enforce it into anyone, however i intend to share some of what those around me, that share a similar point of view, have to say about how to have a good life to compare it to what popular culture says on the same matter.
"I dont't let anything stop me, I do everything i say i would, and If i don't I ll come back to it to restore my integrity in the world" -Kitty McMillen, Communication: access to power participant.
"Have great relationships, specially with family and speak your mind which is a great relief"
-Rula Aslanis, Communication: access to power participant.
"Honesty with themselves, be present to inauthenticities, share with those around you, go beyond any place they've gone before that brings fear and discomfort, take risks!"
-Olivia Ascencio, Self expressions and leadership program participant.
Corporate media indeed contributes greatly into whats we believe or think is right or wrong. We are taught that we need to improve so that we get accepted into society. We have representations on how a beautiful woman is supposed to look or how happy and complete we can be with money. People live their lives "trying" to become better or wealthier or skinner so that one day in the future they can achieve happiness, and if they don't they keep on "trying" until they die. What is the meaning of this?
There is nothing that can be done about the impact we have received from the culture we live under. We learn whats right and worng and act according to it.We do what we need to do to survive our lives from imaginary threats. Then we wonder why are we living the way we are living? why did my life turn out this way? why am i here?
We are living machines that automatically want to improve among society or complain about society. We live under the strong influence of our culture and we are expected to be in a certain way.We involve our senses, logic, feelings, thoughts, etc. into life situations. So, what?
and we ask philosophical questions, such as why am i here? or why is does the human mind react this way? in order to find the meaning in life. We are here because we are here and the world turned out to be this way because it turned out to be this way, there is NO answer but that in reality, and in reality there is no meaning in life, and that is a fact. So then what is right or wrong is nothing but a invention of someone's interpretation on life and we happen to follow it. We believe what we believe, but that does not mean that what we believe is reality.
My interpretation of life allows me to life happily, in other words there is no suffering in my life, from my past or my current life situation. Those around me are powerful people that live as an inspiration and do not live their lives according to popular culture.
"Life is a tale told by an idiot -- full of sound and fury, signifying nothing"
-William Shakespeare
Popular culture
Popular culture sends dominant, marginal and prohibited messages that impact society in how to be. -House keeping magazine- How to make delicious meals with Circulon Elite!- The ultimate problem solver. This magazine article was determined to make the pan look good and efficient, so that people purchase it. However, throughout the entire magazine there were constance advertisements on underwear or beauty products presented by skinny and beautiful women. It is commonly known as a fact that eating excessively is a method of gaining weight, depending on metabolism and exercise done. Corporate media is communicating that looking good is the ultimate problem solver, but also a pan used to cook, specially cake, is also the ultimate problem solver where food cook evenly!
This contradictory messages demonstrate the media is not focused on one single perspective on how to live a good and meaningful life. Popular culture is presented by many people, with different opinions and different products to SELL. Therefore, of course there will be contradictory messages given that become to a point confusing by society. How am i suppose to look, what am i supposed to eat? what am i supposed to wear? This is where dominant messages come in. People will be attracted and influenced by majority and adopt it as reality, because it is a agreed by a large amount of people. It is up to society to decide to how to live a good and meaningful life under their culture and beliefs.
-My own perspective on how to live a good life
-How my perspective relates to pursuing a meaningful life
-Other people's perspective on living a good life
-How other's perspectives relates to my own
-Relate general idea from both perspectives and connect to popular culture
-Examples to represent main idea (images, videos, lyrics, etc.)
-How other's perspectives relates to my own
-Relate general idea from both perspectives and connect to popular culture
-Examples to represent main idea (images, videos, lyrics, etc.)
Thursday, November 6, 2008
America's Elections 2008
Welcome to Obama for America
Becoming president is something nobody wants. It is a commitment. To want something can change the following day, but to be committed is be willing to take a stand to cause the matter. Becoming the president during this crisis is the biggest problem Obama has ever faced. It is a problem that is worth his life. I personally admire this man.
For the first time in America a man who is considered "black" by most Americans became candidate for presidency and even the president of the United States of America. Being the worst economic crisis in the last century, America is needed for change. Change is seen in every different aspect while voting for the president that will lead America to the right path.
Barack Obama as candidate brought a great non seen before opportunity of change, because of what he had to offer. While his competition, John McCain, represented the typical president of the United States that should be elected. Change was identified more in Obama by most Americans and as an outcome he became president. Even though Obama has remarkable achievements that make him a trustworthy president, most people in both coasts of the country considered his different ethnicity background more outstanding to elect him. The central states overall are more influenced by the "true American culture", in other words John McCain gained their vote.
Becoming president is something nobody wants. It is a commitment. To want something can change the following day, but to be committed is be willing to take a stand to cause the matter. Becoming the president during this crisis is the biggest problem Obama has ever faced. It is a problem that is worth his life. I personally admire this man.
For the first time in America a man who is considered "black" by most Americans became candidate for presidency and even the president of the United States of America. Being the worst economic crisis in the last century, America is needed for change. Change is seen in every different aspect while voting for the president that will lead America to the right path.
Barack Obama as candidate brought a great non seen before opportunity of change, because of what he had to offer. While his competition, John McCain, represented the typical president of the United States that should be elected. Change was identified more in Obama by most Americans and as an outcome he became president. Even though Obama has remarkable achievements that make him a trustworthy president, most people in both coasts of the country considered his different ethnicity background more outstanding to elect him. The central states overall are more influenced by the "true American culture", in other words John McCain gained their vote.
Both presidents had something to offer and bother were seen differently by America. Even one of them was elected and the other one was not, both of them were candidates on taking on a very conflicted country for whatever reason they might have. Both of them got so far because of their achievements on communicating. People will always vote for whoever sounds the best to them.
America has become through many years a country of different ethnicity backgrounds; without mentioning that Europe took over this land hundreds of years ago. So, there is no such thing as being a true American when your background contains European ascendancy and later on Latino, Chinese, etc. ascendancy. I am being bias against McCain because personally I heard greater possibilities from Obama than from him. I am glad that Obama won the elections and he had the support of most of the population in America. Americans have come to realize that it is time for change and to put aside all racial limits that are no longer present since they voted for Obama. However there are still people that believe otherwise and it will take some time for Obama to gain their vote.
I believe that the country will economically improve, It will take many years but, as united as we were on agreeing for change we can make it through the past mistakes we and our leader have done. Someone said before the elections "Never had a candidate brought me to tears with inspiration to go out and make this country a better place to live. Barack Obama deserves to be the next American president" This shows that some people are willing to contribute to this change. Every American can do it, they just need to commit as Obama did and take stand for themselves and one another.
"You proved that change can happen. You built an unprecedented grassroots organization in all 50 states that brought a record number of people into the political process -- many for the first time, many for the first time in a long time".
Thursday, October 30, 2008
How to Live A Good & Meaningful Life Draft 2
Living an entire life pursuing the meaning of life, then we die.
Pursuing happiness, pleasure, love, with the purpose of discovering the meaning of life will leads a person to be satisfied in his life once he has identified it, or so it is communicated by popular culture. It is believed that living a life meaningfully is one of the toughest tasks to accomplish. It is not complicated to add meaning into something, but it is when we want that meaning we gave to makes us happy. Even though most of the people live their lives with many meaningful aspects around them, they continue on searching for the meaning of life. People believe that they do not know complete happiness due to all the negative aspects in their families, their neighborhood, their world. By feeling limited it becomes difficult to find "something" that would make a person happy for being alive everyday. Popular culture gives an interpretation on how a person should be living his life and people interpret it as a "goal" that must be accomplished in order to live their lives meaningfully. We are being shaped in a certain way by popular culture as we "live" our lives. It is inevitable to live under culture but, people believe in freedom and search for something around them that would make them happy even if it contradicts culture. Therefore a person lives his entire life along with other people searching for the meaning of life. A great amount of time is invested into finding the answer, but in reality, Is there even a meaning that must be pursued?
My own perspective on having a good life is by being present and unreasonable and live as possibility. I believe that we, people are perfect just the way we are, so there is nothing to improve. We being perfect makes everything around us perfect so we can be present of everything we have and live happily just with whats so. My perspective is very unfamiliar in popular culture. My perspective on how to have a good life was shared to me through an education that does not associate with media. Therefore in my opinion, popular culture is the opposite of how to be in order to live happily.
There are approximately 6.8 billion people in the world with 6.8 billion different opinions and perspectives. There is no right or wrong answer to the question of how to live a good and meaningful life. It is very subjective matter and if anything does work for someone to be complete in life then so be it. I personally found a way of living powerfully in this world, but I do not inted to enforce it into anyone, however i intend to share some of what those around me, that share a similar point of view, have to say about how to have a good life to compare it to what popular culture says on the same matter.
"I don't let anything stop me, I do everything i say i would, and If i don't I ll come back to it to restore my integrity in the world" -Kitty McMillen, Communication: access to power participant.
"Have great relationships, specially with family and speak your mind which is a great relief"
-Rula Aslanis, Communication: access to power participant.
"Honesty with themselves, be present to inauthenticity, share with those around you, go beyond any place they've gone before that brings fear and discomfort, take risks!"
-Olivia Ascencio, Self expressions and leadership program participant.
Corporate media indeed contributes greatly into whats we believe or think is right or wrong. We are taught that we need to improve so that we get accepted into society. We have representations on how a beautiful woman is supposed to look or how happy and complete we can be with money. People live their lives "trying" to become better or wealthier or skinner so that one day in the future they can achieve happiness, and if they don't they keep on "trying" until they die. What is the meaning of this?
To represent this popular culture's message I have analyzed the song "Lip Gloss" by Lil mama
"This song is an example of what Popular Culture tells us what is to "look good" and be part of "the popular group" I found this message directly to young women who, in my opinion, struggle the most to stand out or be noticeable. "my lip gloss is poppin, my lip gloss is cool" is a constant message in the song that could be interpreted as a method of being the center of attention. This could be a commercial or advertiesment of beauty products, so that women feel motivated into purchasing cosmetics. The message given by pop culture is that if a person does not look good (looking good as the girl in the video, that is the definition of looking good in pop culture)
he/she will not fit in society. In the video the girl appears as the center of attention as the other students follow her for looking so attractive. The lip gloss was a way of her having a "break-through" in her school, because before having it she did not have what it takes to be part of the popular group, as she described. The song says "what you know bout me, what cha, what cha know bout me" and what we know about her is that her lip gloss is popping and that she is cool. The lyrics do not mention anything about personality or any feelings relating to what she is experiencing. In other words we know nothing about how a person that looks good is supposed to "be or feel" rather that being the center of attention. The lyrics contradict itself with the video. In the video the girl is portrayed as an inspiration and has many followers that support her change. However, the lyrics describe her as an individual that is outstanding and the "followers" in the song are those who are attracted to her with sexual purpose. In conclusion the specific message of this song is "I can upgrade you show you how to use nice things with nice flavors" People need "upgrade" to be somebody in this world, according to popular culture".
Another example would be the movies shown in Life doesn't have to be Meaningless class. The movie "She's all that" is another representation of how women are supposed to look in order to be accepted. The story line of this movie is based on High school life, and the typical well known social groups are shown. Among the popular group (the cheerleaders and the football players) there is a guy that began a relationship with a girl from the outcast group. This girl was consider a loser and it was until she went to the salon and wore make up that she was first recognized by those around her. The guy eventually fell in love with her after she "exposed herself". This distinctions make society follow especific examples of how to look and be in order to be accepted.
There is nothing that can be done about the impact we have received from the culture we live under. We learn whats right and wrong and act according to it.We do what we need to do to survive our lives from imaginary threats. Then we wonder why are we living the way we are living? why did my life turn out this way? why am i here?
We are living machines that automatically want to improve among society or complain about society. We live under the strong influence of our culture and we are expected to be in a certain way.We involve our senses, logic, feelings, thoughts, etc. into life situations. So, what?
and we ask philosophical questions, such as why am i here? or why is does the human mind react this way? in order to find the meaning in life. We are here because we are here and the world turned out to be this way because it turned out to be this way, there is NO answer but that in reality, and in reality there is no meaning in life, and that is a fact. So then what is right or wrong is nothing but a invention of some one's interpretation on life and we happen to follow it. We believe what we believe, but that does not mean that what we believe is reality.
My interpretation of life allows me to life happily, in other words there is no suffering in my life, from my past or my current life situation. Those around me are powerful people that live as an inspiration and do not live their lives according to popular culture.
"Life is a tale told by an idiot -- full of sound and fury, signifying nothing"
-William Shakespeare
-My own perspective on living a good life
-How my perspective relates to pursuing a meaningful life
-Other people's perspective on living a good life
-How other's perspectives relates to my own
-Relate general idea from both perspectives and connect to popular culture
-Examples to represent main idea (images, videos, lyrics, etc.)
Pursuing happiness, pleasure, love, with the purpose of discovering the meaning of life will leads a person to be satisfied in his life once he has identified it, or so it is communicated by popular culture. It is believed that living a life meaningfully is one of the toughest tasks to accomplish. It is not complicated to add meaning into something, but it is when we want that meaning we gave to makes us happy. Even though most of the people live their lives with many meaningful aspects around them, they continue on searching for the meaning of life. People believe that they do not know complete happiness due to all the negative aspects in their families, their neighborhood, their world. By feeling limited it becomes difficult to find "something" that would make a person happy for being alive everyday. Popular culture gives an interpretation on how a person should be living his life and people interpret it as a "goal" that must be accomplished in order to live their lives meaningfully. We are being shaped in a certain way by popular culture as we "live" our lives. It is inevitable to live under culture but, people believe in freedom and search for something around them that would make them happy even if it contradicts culture. Therefore a person lives his entire life along with other people searching for the meaning of life. A great amount of time is invested into finding the answer, but in reality, Is there even a meaning that must be pursued?
My own perspective on having a good life is by being present and unreasonable and live as possibility. I believe that we, people are perfect just the way we are, so there is nothing to improve. We being perfect makes everything around us perfect so we can be present of everything we have and live happily just with whats so. My perspective is very unfamiliar in popular culture. My perspective on how to have a good life was shared to me through an education that does not associate with media. Therefore in my opinion, popular culture is the opposite of how to be in order to live happily.
There are approximately 6.8 billion people in the world with 6.8 billion different opinions and perspectives. There is no right or wrong answer to the question of how to live a good and meaningful life. It is very subjective matter and if anything does work for someone to be complete in life then so be it. I personally found a way of living powerfully in this world, but I do not inted to enforce it into anyone, however i intend to share some of what those around me, that share a similar point of view, have to say about how to have a good life to compare it to what popular culture says on the same matter.
"I don't let anything stop me, I do everything i say i would, and If i don't I ll come back to it to restore my integrity in the world" -Kitty McMillen, Communication: access to power participant.
"Have great relationships, specially with family and speak your mind which is a great relief"
-Rula Aslanis, Communication: access to power participant.
"Honesty with themselves, be present to inauthenticity, share with those around you, go beyond any place they've gone before that brings fear and discomfort, take risks!"
-Olivia Ascencio, Self expressions and leadership program participant.
Corporate media indeed contributes greatly into whats we believe or think is right or wrong. We are taught that we need to improve so that we get accepted into society. We have representations on how a beautiful woman is supposed to look or how happy and complete we can be with money. People live their lives "trying" to become better or wealthier or skinner so that one day in the future they can achieve happiness, and if they don't they keep on "trying" until they die. What is the meaning of this?
To represent this popular culture's message I have analyzed the song "Lip Gloss" by Lil mama
"This song is an example of what Popular Culture tells us what is to "look good" and be part of "the popular group" I found this message directly to young women who, in my opinion, struggle the most to stand out or be noticeable. "my lip gloss is poppin, my lip gloss is cool" is a constant message in the song that could be interpreted as a method of being the center of attention. This could be a commercial or advertiesment of beauty products, so that women feel motivated into purchasing cosmetics. The message given by pop culture is that if a person does not look good (looking good as the girl in the video, that is the definition of looking good in pop culture)
he/she will not fit in society. In the video the girl appears as the center of attention as the other students follow her for looking so attractive. The lip gloss was a way of her having a "break-through" in her school, because before having it she did not have what it takes to be part of the popular group, as she described. The song says "what you know bout me, what cha, what cha know bout me" and what we know about her is that her lip gloss is popping and that she is cool. The lyrics do not mention anything about personality or any feelings relating to what she is experiencing. In other words we know nothing about how a person that looks good is supposed to "be or feel" rather that being the center of attention. The lyrics contradict itself with the video. In the video the girl is portrayed as an inspiration and has many followers that support her change. However, the lyrics describe her as an individual that is outstanding and the "followers" in the song are those who are attracted to her with sexual purpose. In conclusion the specific message of this song is "I can upgrade you show you how to use nice things with nice flavors" People need "upgrade" to be somebody in this world, according to popular culture".
Another example would be the movies shown in Life doesn't have to be Meaningless class. The movie "She's all that" is another representation of how women are supposed to look in order to be accepted. The story line of this movie is based on High school life, and the typical well known social groups are shown. Among the popular group (the cheerleaders and the football players) there is a guy that began a relationship with a girl from the outcast group. This girl was consider a loser and it was until she went to the salon and wore make up that she was first recognized by those around her. The guy eventually fell in love with her after she "exposed herself". This distinctions make society follow especific examples of how to look and be in order to be accepted.
There is nothing that can be done about the impact we have received from the culture we live under. We learn whats right and wrong and act according to it.We do what we need to do to survive our lives from imaginary threats. Then we wonder why are we living the way we are living? why did my life turn out this way? why am i here?
We are living machines that automatically want to improve among society or complain about society. We live under the strong influence of our culture and we are expected to be in a certain way.We involve our senses, logic, feelings, thoughts, etc. into life situations. So, what?
and we ask philosophical questions, such as why am i here? or why is does the human mind react this way? in order to find the meaning in life. We are here because we are here and the world turned out to be this way because it turned out to be this way, there is NO answer but that in reality, and in reality there is no meaning in life, and that is a fact. So then what is right or wrong is nothing but a invention of some one's interpretation on life and we happen to follow it. We believe what we believe, but that does not mean that what we believe is reality.
My interpretation of life allows me to life happily, in other words there is no suffering in my life, from my past or my current life situation. Those around me are powerful people that live as an inspiration and do not live their lives according to popular culture.
"Life is a tale told by an idiot -- full of sound and fury, signifying nothing"
-William Shakespeare
-My own perspective on living a good life
-How my perspective relates to pursuing a meaningful life
-Other people's perspective on living a good life
-How other's perspectives relates to my own
-Relate general idea from both perspectives and connect to popular culture
-Examples to represent main idea (images, videos, lyrics, etc.)
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
ComMents oN otHer's vidEo Analysis
To Bao Lin:
You have a great analysis, i agree with you that popular culture is communicating the idea of hogw are we supposed to be and look. Specially when you said "people are filling the emptiness of their own life to make it meaningful" as an explanation of why people get easily influenced by these advertisments and apply it to their own lives, really cleared up your point of view on Pop culture.
DinLi
To Dylan
I find interesting what you said about "All you need is love" analysis. I do agree with you about the fact that these rich people are constantly singing "all you need is love" in order to be happy. Of course it is ironic if you put it this way, and my perspective on the video is slightly different now.
DinLi
To Andy S.
You give a clear definition on what the video was demonstrating (the girl looking good, the items used, social class,etc). Your analysis on the song's message connects to what you have been lately communticating about popular culture. This assigment was a great example to your lesson, and it also helps practice our analysis on messages given by society.
Lieb
You have a great analysis, i agree with you that popular culture is communicating the idea of hogw are we supposed to be and look. Specially when you said "people are filling the emptiness of their own life to make it meaningful" as an explanation of why people get easily influenced by these advertisments and apply it to their own lives, really cleared up your point of view on Pop culture.
DinLi
To Dylan
I find interesting what you said about "All you need is love" analysis. I do agree with you about the fact that these rich people are constantly singing "all you need is love" in order to be happy. Of course it is ironic if you put it this way, and my perspective on the video is slightly different now.
DinLi
To Andy S.
You give a clear definition on what the video was demonstrating (the girl looking good, the items used, social class,etc). Your analysis on the song's message connects to what you have been lately communticating about popular culture. This assigment was a great example to your lesson, and it also helps practice our analysis on messages given by society.
Lieb
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Messages on the Good & Meaningful Life from Popular Culture
Lil mama "Lip Gloss"
This song is an example of what Popular Culture tells us what is to "look good" and be part of "the popular group" I found this message directly to young women who, in my opinion, struggle the most to stand out or be noticeable. "my lip gloss is poppin, my lip gloss is cool" is a constant message in the song that could be interpreted as a method of being the center of attention. This could be a commercial or advertiesment of beauty products, so that women feel motivated into purchasing cosmetics. The message given by pop culture is that if a person does not look good (looking good as the girl in the video, that is the definition of looking good in pop culture)
he/she will not fit in society. In the video the girl appears as the center of attention as the other students follow her for looking so attractive. The lip gloss was a way of her having a "break-through" in her school, because before having it she did not have what it takes to be part of the popular group, as she described. The song says "what you know bout me, what cha, what cha know bout me" and what we know about her is that her lip gloss is popping and that she is cool. The lyrics do not mention anything about personality or any feelings relating to what she is experiencing. In other words we know nothing about how a person that looks good is supposed to "be or feel" rather that being the center of attention. The lyrics contradict itself with the video. In the video the girl is portrayed as an inspiration and has many followers that support her change. However, the lyrics describe her as an individual that is outstanding and the "followers" in the song are those who are attracted to her with sexual purpose. In conclusion the specific message of this song is "I can upgrade you show you how to use nice things with nice flavors" People need "upgrade" to be somebody in this world, according to popular culture.
Kanye West feat. T-Pain - Good Life
By the name can tell that this song is a representation of what is a good life.
Both singers in the video use an amusing way (colorful and entertaining sentences or images saying "welcome to the good life") to drag the viewer's attention into the pop culture message. The typical well known good life by society; money and sex. The singer's perspective on the people who seems to disagree with his way of life is "Haters give me those salty looks (Lawry’s)50 told me go head switch your style up Ad if they hate let em hate and watch the money pile up" The society is economically divided and this division is strongly supported by everyone in the world, regardless of their social class. This message is direclty to people who is in the state of living their independent life, women and men. For men, the music video" shows how a "good life" is supposed to be. Living life on spree is outshining and gaining money from doing so. Also having possesions that would make a man's life satisfactory (cars, money, expensive clothes, travel to different places). As for women, In the video there is a good looking woman that is being "wanted" by the rich and good looking man. The message from this is that women with, by definition of pop culture, a body like that girl in the picture will get their way in the "world" of the good life. An interesting statement from the lyrics contradicts the video completely, "Havin money’s not everything but not having it is" so then what is having a good life if money is not completing the man who possess it? Once again this is the message that popular culture communicates to society in order to keep the world on a specific way of mind.
All You Need Is Love- The Beatles
This is a different point of view from what Pop culture tells us of what is what you need to live happily. All you need is love is a simple and repetitive song that communicates the message of...
"All you need is love, love, love is all you need" I find this message directly to all people in the world as an encouragement. The video shows the Beatles singing to people with signs that say all you need is love in different languages. The message displays all over the world. Although the video is not representing the song it is a way of showing that by singing to others is a way of demonstrating love. According to the lyrics "There's nothing you can do that can't be done" is to encourage people to leave their comfort zone and have the will of doing something for themselves to live happily. Love is the key to acceptance and acceptance leads to peace, that is a general message given by those who act against the usual and well known way of life that is given by popular culture. Media is a great business and it has succeed into having many people adopt their point of view as reality. What is it that makes people's point of view so different from each other if we all live under the strong influence of pop culture?
As shown in this song there is no description of how you are supposed to look, act, feel, live, be, posses, etc. It is simply saying what everyone can achieve regardless of where they stand in society. As the lyrics say "It's easy", according to this song which contradict the two previous songs, there is nothing that can stop someone from being happy. All you need is love is described as something easy to understand, but not easy to practice. In conclusion pop culture strongly communicates the way of living to people but is up to the people to decide wether they will follow it or not.
This song is an example of what Popular Culture tells us what is to "look good" and be part of "the popular group" I found this message directly to young women who, in my opinion, struggle the most to stand out or be noticeable. "my lip gloss is poppin, my lip gloss is cool" is a constant message in the song that could be interpreted as a method of being the center of attention. This could be a commercial or advertiesment of beauty products, so that women feel motivated into purchasing cosmetics. The message given by pop culture is that if a person does not look good (looking good as the girl in the video, that is the definition of looking good in pop culture)
he/she will not fit in society. In the video the girl appears as the center of attention as the other students follow her for looking so attractive. The lip gloss was a way of her having a "break-through" in her school, because before having it she did not have what it takes to be part of the popular group, as she described. The song says "what you know bout me, what cha, what cha know bout me" and what we know about her is that her lip gloss is popping and that she is cool. The lyrics do not mention anything about personality or any feelings relating to what she is experiencing. In other words we know nothing about how a person that looks good is supposed to "be or feel" rather that being the center of attention. The lyrics contradict itself with the video. In the video the girl is portrayed as an inspiration and has many followers that support her change. However, the lyrics describe her as an individual that is outstanding and the "followers" in the song are those who are attracted to her with sexual purpose. In conclusion the specific message of this song is "I can upgrade you show you how to use nice things with nice flavors" People need "upgrade" to be somebody in this world, according to popular culture.
Kanye West feat. T-Pain - Good Life
By the name can tell that this song is a representation of what is a good life.
Both singers in the video use an amusing way (colorful and entertaining sentences or images saying "welcome to the good life") to drag the viewer's attention into the pop culture message. The typical well known good life by society; money and sex. The singer's perspective on the people who seems to disagree with his way of life is "Haters give me those salty looks (Lawry’s)50 told me go head switch your style up Ad if they hate let em hate and watch the money pile up" The society is economically divided and this division is strongly supported by everyone in the world, regardless of their social class. This message is direclty to people who is in the state of living their independent life, women and men. For men, the music video" shows how a "good life" is supposed to be. Living life on spree is outshining and gaining money from doing so. Also having possesions that would make a man's life satisfactory (cars, money, expensive clothes, travel to different places). As for women, In the video there is a good looking woman that is being "wanted" by the rich and good looking man. The message from this is that women with, by definition of pop culture, a body like that girl in the picture will get their way in the "world" of the good life. An interesting statement from the lyrics contradicts the video completely, "Havin money’s not everything but not having it is" so then what is having a good life if money is not completing the man who possess it? Once again this is the message that popular culture communicates to society in order to keep the world on a specific way of mind.
All You Need Is Love- The Beatles
This is a different point of view from what Pop culture tells us of what is what you need to live happily. All you need is love is a simple and repetitive song that communicates the message of...
"All you need is love, love, love is all you need" I find this message directly to all people in the world as an encouragement. The video shows the Beatles singing to people with signs that say all you need is love in different languages. The message displays all over the world. Although the video is not representing the song it is a way of showing that by singing to others is a way of demonstrating love. According to the lyrics "There's nothing you can do that can't be done" is to encourage people to leave their comfort zone and have the will of doing something for themselves to live happily. Love is the key to acceptance and acceptance leads to peace, that is a general message given by those who act against the usual and well known way of life that is given by popular culture. Media is a great business and it has succeed into having many people adopt their point of view as reality. What is it that makes people's point of view so different from each other if we all live under the strong influence of pop culture?
As shown in this song there is no description of how you are supposed to look, act, feel, live, be, posses, etc. It is simply saying what everyone can achieve regardless of where they stand in society. As the lyrics say "It's easy", according to this song which contradict the two previous songs, there is nothing that can stop someone from being happy. All you need is love is described as something easy to understand, but not easy to practice. In conclusion pop culture strongly communicates the way of living to people but is up to the people to decide wether they will follow it or not.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
What do people around me say about living a life meaningfully?
By asking this question to those around me, I identified deep or superficial answers that depended on either positive or negative past experiences in their lives. Their answers also showed an influence from other people and the relationship formed with them, such as family, friends, lovers, etc. One person said that her meaning of life is happiness but another person said that there is no meaning for life, it is just what it is, and it being just that they can create anything that would be meaningful to them. Both answers are valid, even though one answer is more complex than the other one. While 2/3rds of the people I spoke to, indicate that living a life meaningfully depends on emotions, people, moments they enjoy, the other third had a different perspective of “A meaningful life”. People having different opinions and perspectives makes their answers to this questions drastically alternate. There is no wrong or right answer, even if their meaning of life does not complete them. Another pattern I identified by interviewing people that shared a similar point of view, was that life was empty and meaningless.
How is it that a life without meaning can make someone happy? Literally speaking, the word life is just a word. Therefore there is no meaning in the word life. However, they do have meaningful aspects in their lives, such as family, friends, their work, etc., but simply do not relate it with something else. Considering that emotions such as love, happiness, peace, etc. can be the most important factors of why people give meaning to a certain thing is a reasonable pattern that was shown by the people I interviewed. Another outstanding pattern is people's answer was the relationship between their social class and what was meaningful to them. People with low class situation found their families as the most meaningful aspect in their lives. Although none of the three people I interviewd
could answer what was that made their families meaningful they were determined. Another person, owner of a store, claimed that money was the most meaningful aspect because money was used to pay for things he wanted. The lower class people have their family or those around him more present at their situation and act according to it. The other people owning stores or business have a different perspective which involves financial issues, such as debts, rent, etc. Even if their priority is the same or very similar to the other people they did not have their family as present.
One of the people I interviewed said, "Living a life meaningfully makes a life worth living" This statement represents all people with all kind of perspectives. Everyone has something meaningful in their lives and they base their decisions and actions on what they have created.
Friday, September 19, 2008
~Comments & Analysis~
To: Bao Lin
Bobo-chan
First of all i want to adknowledge
your hard work. I loved your video, it is indeed as you say, from an outside pesrpective it is a great experience, but from your own it might change to something you are used to. That happens offtenly with everyone. As soon as we acomplish something we want more and we do not feel satisfied. In my opinion that is GREAT. We should not limit ourselves at all. There are so many things in this world that we could do that would benefit others and ourselves. Do not give up on living BoBo even during tough times. ;)
Dino
As i was reading her blog i noticed that our point of view is not that different. Bao Lin actually thinks the same way about life as i do. Although there are meaningful and meaningless things in her life she focuses more in the present, but the strong emotional aspects of her past still affect her.
To: Jia Min
Jimmy Kun!
Anime is for the win win win. Love your video, and the song sounds somewhat like the main theme of sen to chihiro...doesn't it?By the way i would like to talk to you about your answers. Whenever you have time, let me know.
Cheers
Dino
Jia Min's way of life is understandable. I know sufficient of what she has been through and the source of her opinion in life. Or so i believe i do. I would like to learn more about her personality so i can have a better idea of an American way of life, even if she was not even born in here. So as with Andy. I find it interesting, the statement "american born chinese." In my opinion i do not really like that statement because of my own perspective, but then again it is just my opinion.
To:Julie
Hi Julie I like your video because you showed like random clips and pictures of people in school living their normal lives. In my opinion i see that their actions play a big part in your life so does your family.
cheers
Dinorah
I find Julie's life meaningful in a different way than mine, it is however, significant to her because her daily life affects her even more that what is usually expected making her life meaningfully. I would like to know more about her anaylisis on her own video to make a clearer conncetion.
To: Kyle C.
Hi Kyle
*SC is ftw*
Whoa, you wrote too much ^^
I find your perspective of life really different from mine. Most of the people just wait for something to happen and hope it is something that would positively change their lives without doing something about it.I think you should change your point of view. That will save you so much time you have ahead in your life. You are who you are and that is something no one can take away from you, but if you are not happy with yourself, change your mind.
cheers
Dino
It is common for people to feel limited, but i am willing to make them think differently. I just feel that it is possible to change a point of view completely even my own. I have done it before. Media (pop culture) has a strong influence on society, and society adopt's the "Media's" opinion as their own and live up to Media's expections.
To: Maggie
"Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game" AKA MS...
Maggie!
I like your passion for a certain thing, it will keep you on looking forward. Your video was cool it made me laugh ^^
I also love learning from other people. That is one of the best experiences in my opinion.
Dinos
A Free mind is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.
~After reading other people's blogs...~
I noticed how other people (ages 16-18 years old) have certain and specific people or things that are primarly present in their lives. For example, many of them had their friends and family as the most meaningful aspect in ther lives, which, from my persepective i could easily relate to them. Others have personal entretaiment or hobbies, such as video games or skateboarding that are identified as the most meaningful aspect. For this specific assigment, there was no right or wrong answer, but i could not help to notice that people choose what its meaningful to them based on how they are "shaped". Those who grwe up relatively close to their families and easily grew friendships with people they could identify themselves with have family and friends as their most important aspect. Growing up being "distant" (not necessarily from society over all, but those around you) find personal interests as their most meaningful aspect. These are some of the two examples of where the answer to "what is meaningful in your life?" breaks down into. There are many other conclusions or analysis that could identify other patterns on what people find as meaningful. Also based on the analysis other people made, it shows that their answers are very similar to what their video showed. They stood on what they believed what was the right meaning of life to them, and they would continue on relating every action/decision based on what they believe is important.
One of them said "taking everything that happens to us in daily life as an experience of our life that will help us to "grow up" or learn something new every day"
demontrates that my analysis over how do people come to decide what is meaningful occurs. Most of the people live their daily lives not expecting to "gain" anything new or unusual that has not been experienced before. They do not realize that coming across new people, or reading a new advertisment with change their perspectives from what they originally were. These changes are usually not shown becayse people base everything they SEE on past thoughts, emotions, analysis, senses, etc. that were once shapped as they were growing up. Gaining new information about anything is a change on yourself, but people keep thinking that they are living the same eveyday without nothing happening in their lives.
Bobo-chan
First of all i want to adknowledge
your hard work. I loved your video, it is indeed as you say, from an outside pesrpective it is a great experience, but from your own it might change to something you are used to. That happens offtenly with everyone. As soon as we acomplish something we want more and we do not feel satisfied. In my opinion that is GREAT. We should not limit ourselves at all. There are so many things in this world that we could do that would benefit others and ourselves. Do not give up on living BoBo even during tough times. ;)
Dino
As i was reading her blog i noticed that our point of view is not that different. Bao Lin actually thinks the same way about life as i do. Although there are meaningful and meaningless things in her life she focuses more in the present, but the strong emotional aspects of her past still affect her.
To: Jia Min
Jimmy Kun!
Anime is for the win win win. Love your video, and the song sounds somewhat like the main theme of sen to chihiro...doesn't it?By the way i would like to talk to you about your answers. Whenever you have time, let me know.
Cheers
Dino
Jia Min's way of life is understandable. I know sufficient of what she has been through and the source of her opinion in life. Or so i believe i do. I would like to learn more about her personality so i can have a better idea of an American way of life, even if she was not even born in here. So as with Andy. I find it interesting, the statement "american born chinese." In my opinion i do not really like that statement because of my own perspective, but then again it is just my opinion.
To:Julie
Hi Julie I like your video because you showed like random clips and pictures of people in school living their normal lives. In my opinion i see that their actions play a big part in your life so does your family.
cheers
Dinorah
I find Julie's life meaningful in a different way than mine, it is however, significant to her because her daily life affects her even more that what is usually expected making her life meaningfully. I would like to know more about her anaylisis on her own video to make a clearer conncetion.
To: Kyle C.
Hi Kyle
*SC is ftw*
Whoa, you wrote too much ^^
I find your perspective of life really different from mine. Most of the people just wait for something to happen and hope it is something that would positively change their lives without doing something about it.I think you should change your point of view. That will save you so much time you have ahead in your life. You are who you are and that is something no one can take away from you, but if you are not happy with yourself, change your mind.
cheers
Dino
It is common for people to feel limited, but i am willing to make them think differently. I just feel that it is possible to change a point of view completely even my own. I have done it before. Media (pop culture) has a strong influence on society, and society adopt's the "Media's" opinion as their own and live up to Media's expections.
To: Maggie
"Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game" AKA MS...
Maggie!
I like your passion for a certain thing, it will keep you on looking forward. Your video was cool it made me laugh ^^
I also love learning from other people. That is one of the best experiences in my opinion.
Dinos
A Free mind is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.
~After reading other people's blogs...~
I noticed how other people (ages 16-18 years old) have certain and specific people or things that are primarly present in their lives. For example, many of them had their friends and family as the most meaningful aspect in ther lives, which, from my persepective i could easily relate to them. Others have personal entretaiment or hobbies, such as video games or skateboarding that are identified as the most meaningful aspect. For this specific assigment, there was no right or wrong answer, but i could not help to notice that people choose what its meaningful to them based on how they are "shaped". Those who grwe up relatively close to their families and easily grew friendships with people they could identify themselves with have family and friends as their most important aspect. Growing up being "distant" (not necessarily from society over all, but those around you) find personal interests as their most meaningful aspect. These are some of the two examples of where the answer to "what is meaningful in your life?" breaks down into. There are many other conclusions or analysis that could identify other patterns on what people find as meaningful. Also based on the analysis other people made, it shows that their answers are very similar to what their video showed. They stood on what they believed what was the right meaning of life to them, and they would continue on relating every action/decision based on what they believe is important.
One of them said "taking everything that happens to us in daily life as an experience of our life that will help us to "grow up" or learn something new every day"
demontrates that my analysis over how do people come to decide what is meaningful occurs. Most of the people live their daily lives not expecting to "gain" anything new or unusual that has not been experienced before. They do not realize that coming across new people, or reading a new advertisment with change their perspectives from what they originally were. These changes are usually not shown becayse people base everything they SEE on past thoughts, emotions, analysis, senses, etc. that were once shapped as they were growing up. Gaining new information about anything is a change on yourself, but people keep thinking that they are living the same eveyday without nothing happening in their lives.
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