We Are Training Our Kids to Kill by: Dave Grossman

In Dave Grossman's essay "We are training our kids to kill," he speaks about the effects of the media. According to Grossman violent movies and video games impact kids a lot and trains them to learn to kill. Dave Grossman expert in the field of killology explores his beliefs and shares his experiences. He informs us about how the military works and the tactics they use to train the soldiers to kill. Grossman makes a comparison between the training used there and the media because the media is also training kid to kill though at the moment kids do not know it. He explains how in several wars many of the soldiers did not want to kill and many times didn't because it is not natural to kill humans but instead that's why they are trained. Over the years the rates of deaths and crimes have risen not only in the wars but in several countries as well due to the media. It was proven that media is a cause for violence because there was a study where two countries were observed and compared the crime rates, both had the same ethnicity and stuff except one didn't have TVs which was the one that had less crime rates. Moreover Grossman explains the three tactics used for training to kill which is extremely similar to what the media prepares young kids do to. Hence, media highly plays a major role in kids life and if the kids continue to have access to the violent media there won't be a solution to fixing this problem.

At first i thought that this essay was boring because i didn't understand how it would relate to kids and video games but then i realized the big similarity they share. It was interesting to seed what the soldiers have to go trough in the military and the way they are trained to do such a terrible thing "kill". I don't understand if some soldiers don't want to kill then why do they joined or if they are forced to join then i think that is absolutely unfair. I do think video games and all other media train kids to kill and it's sad to think of how big this problem is and nothing is being done instead more and more violent video games are being released for kids to play with. Something should definitely be done about this situation to prevent crime rates and deaths to increase. It's scary to walk out and not know if you might be the next victim of a shooting just like the example of the man in the store. Violent media should be banned or somehow kids should not be allowed to watch it until a certain older age but I'd rather it be banned for good.

How Bingeing Became the New College Sport by Barrett Seaman

In Seaman's essay "How Bingeing Became the New College Sport," the author addresses the problem of pregaming and the major effects of the legal limit for alcohol.  Pregaming is when college students gather in door rooms or apartments and drink as much alcohol before heading to parties (491). According to Barrett Seaman this is frequently seen in young 18, 19, and 20 year old possibly for the reason that they're not allowed to legally drink and feel the temptation and need to do it secretly. Seaman shares some of his experiences with drinking in college and mentions how through some of his visits he saw undergraduate students who had done severe heavy drinking which lead to many alcohol poisning, and even some deaths. For instance, he states he saw a freshman "who had consumed 22 shots of vodka" in a dorm (491). However, the author believes that the actual alcohol isn't the problem but instead the problem is the law of 21 being the legal age for drinking. Seaman thinks that because the underaged kids are prohibited to drink leagally they are more tempted to do it but if the drinking limit where to be lowerd to 18 then yes at first they would drink a lot but eventually they would get bored of it and they'd settle down to get their other priorities straight. Hence, Barrett Seaman hopes that pregamers are allowed to come out so they can begin to learn to have control over alcohol like any adult.

I really liked this essay, I feel like i understand it better because of the discussion we had in class. This topic is always great to talk about because many can relate to it and it's a problem in our daily life's. I agree with Seaman because I think that the age does not matter at all at either age people are going to have the same experience. First, they are going to go all out on drinking but eventually they will learn to control it and not abuse it so much. Like he said "it's a forbiden fruit" and i feel since teens know they can't have it then they are that much more tempted to drink. I think people should be allowed to drink at 18 because all they are trying to do is have a good time and it's only a matter of time till one starts to learn to control their drinking and it won't be a problem anymore. Seaman addressed a really great point and i completely agree with him.

"Our Unhealthy Obsession with Sickness" by Frank Furedi

In the essay "Our Obsession with Sickness" by Frank Furedi, we see several problems involving health all around the world and how it is affecting our nation. The author points out several issues in which many can relate to. First, Furedi mentions "medicalisation" which he refers to as the problems that people face on a daily basis and are reinterpreted as medical ones (484).  He provides example of situations like this, for instance now when people are described as shy the term changes and becomes social phobia. It seems as if by one simple term or condition too many extremes are taken that aren't necessarily needed. Furedi's next point is "a presupposition that illness is as normal as health" which he states that now a days it's completely normal to be ill and everyone is viewed as potentially ill. Moreover, he addresses that health is used to make sense of the human experience and last the issues of politicisation of health. The government takes advantage of the global problem and since illness is increasing they are benefiting more with profits. Frank Furedi presents a lot of interesting points that people need to take into consideration more to prevent each other form getting ill and living a healthy and happy life.

I absolutely enjoyed reading this essay. It was informative and i thought that the issues addressed are a wake up call to many because in the end we are the one's who get affected by the issue. I felt like i could relate to the part where he mentions that government benefits from people being ill because I recently had surgery and luckily i had insurance to pay for it other wise it would have been a lot of money needed. I think it's sad they they take advantage of people because their are some people that truly need help and it's sad that the little money earned has to be used for their medical needs. One should be precocious and do anything we can to maintain our selves healthy.

"Homeplace" by Scott Rusell Sanders

In the essay "Homeplace" the author Scott Rusell Sanders points out the issue about how often times people in our culture tend do a lot of moving and exploring rather than remaining in one place and finding the precious value of that land. First, Sanders speaks about the Millers, a family who lived in Ohio and truly saw their home as more then just a house; their home was their life, memories, it was everything to them. Though the family home suffered from three harsh tornadoes they refused to move out and kept rebuilding it every time. He couldn't comprehend why they remained there and didn't flee and later realized why stating, "... it was a particular place, intimately known, worked on, dreamed over, cherished" (339). The determination of the family to stay there shows that people can really learn to appreciate everything about their home and be more familiarized then those who move a lot. He believes that those who stay put in a single location will be more knowledgeable of the world . Though many might argue his point of view he rebuttals by exclaiming," ...to understand your life as woven into the local life does not prevent you from recognizing and honoring the diversity of other places, cultures, ways" (341). Hence, Sanders believe that those who move frequently are harming our world even more because by their leaving their homes, the government takes over to create shopping centers and what not creating bigger problems for people. People should stop seeing their home as just a house but more of a place where they build thousands of memories. Homes are to be cherished.

This essay really captivated my attention. I thought that the points the author addresses are great. It made me think about one of the homes i used to live in when i was small. I remember it was my favorite place to be as a kid, so many memories in that place and sadly we had to leave that place which made me really sad because i loved that home and i was really adapted to it. I think he's right when he says that if you stay in one place for a longer period of time you will be more knowledgeable of it and learn to cherish it more. However, i didn't really like that he included other author's and parts of their pieces and views because it kind of threw me of  bit. Other then that I really liked reading this essay!

"Multi- Colored Families" Tamala Edwards

In the essay "Multi- Colored Families" the author Tamala Edwards introduces the international topic on multi racial families. Edwards shares several stories about families that have adopted kids from different race and she shows the struggles that both the parents but most importantly the children have to deal with everyday. Tamala Edwards provides examples of how the attitudes and rude remarks made from people have a big affect on their lives because it causes their kids insecurity and only creates a big world of wonder for these children. Furthermore, through the great amount of research and statistics provided, some families explain some sacrifices they made in order for their children to feel like they fit it rather then isolated. They mention how some move to certain communities, and go to particular churches simply for their children to feel involved. Also, parent's say that though sometimes they feel like yelling at people for asking absurd questions they learn to respond calmly because they know their children might see this and act the same way. (272) In addition, we see how the issue of bi- racial families is present in many places and how people have tried to change and address the issue because they want everyone to feel equally. Multi-colored families face struggles in their everyday lives, and shouldn't have too, therefore everyone should mind their own business and treat each other equally with no judgement.

This essay was really informative. Until I read this essay, I had really never given much thought to the topic but now I realized how much a person's actions and attitude can affect others. Like mentioned in the article, it is enough that these parents have to explain to their kids why they are a certain color and other people's remarks are really unnecessary. Everyone should mind their business and only worry about their life's because they don't know how it might hurt others. Also, I think it is sad what these families have to endure, I can only imagine how hard it must be. I also liked how the author included many facts like how she mentions all the actors that have adopted children. I think it's great the process for adopting so long and asks a lot of questions to the adopters because it shows that they're really considerate and they want the best for the kids. They want to make sure the children not only receive love but that the parent's are involved in their lives and try to teach them about their cultures, ethnicity, and so on. This was a great essay and really informative. The topic was good because it is widely seen.

"The Barrio" Robert Ramirez

"It is a home, but it is more than this." (391) The author Robert Ramirez explains in his essay "The Barrio" the hardships people face from the cold Anglo world. In this essay we are able to see the background of the author's life and his view on the "Barrio." The Barrio is made up by people of low class, people who isolate them self's from the real world and create their town, a place of warmth and unity. Through the author's detailed descriptions of the Barrio ranging from the Tortilleria, barbershop, and the cantina where young men become men, we are able to see more than just than this place. We see the people and the daily struggles they faced . He describes that these families at times were unable to pay up to the standards of the city, and also that kids had to be selling newspaper barefooted to help support their families. However, despite all the struggles they endured, they loved their lives and were happy to be living in a barrio with their families. The Barrio to them was their home and escape from the Anglo world. To them, "the barrios is closeness." (392)

So far this essay has been one of my personal favorites. First, the visual imagery the author provided was great because I felt like i was seeing the barrio and I really enjoy being able to visualize. I like that he touched upon the point of how these people created their own little place of comfort to exclude themselves from the problems of the Anglo world. It made me think of my English class last year because that classroom was a place where everyone knew each other and many memories were kept there. We saw that classroom as our own little escape from the drama of high school. I like that i was able to make that connection.  Also, I thought that his incorporation of the Spanish words was great, it gave it it's own style and again i was able to make that connection since Spanish is my second language. After reading, about the struggles of these people I'm glad and thankful that my life is pretty stable and I don't have to be put trough these situations. I really enjoyed reading this essay!

"Beliefs about Families" by Mary Pipher

In the excerpt "Beliefs about Families" by Mary Pipher, we learn about the different types of families. First, the author mentions that a biological family is a family where you're tied by blood. However, not many people can actually they have biological family members and for that reason, the author mentions that usually people create new family within friends. Those who take the time to visit you when in need, or help you with any small situation are the one's who are your family because even though we all have biological families, they might be absent throughout our entire lives. Mary Pipher also mentions people in her life that she saw struggle and loose their biological families so they as well created their new family with friends or aunts and uncles. In addition, Pipher states that Americans hold two versions of family, the idealized and dysfunctional version. She goes in detail about the various types of cultures and how as years pass cultures and families change more and more but especially Americans. Hence, according to the author we live in a money driven culture which affects family. It is important  to find a family where one can be happy.

I really enjoyed reading this piece because i found it to be really informative to learn about the different types of families. I like that I was able to relate to it a lot because I have biological family who have not been here for me but yet I found a family within friends and those are the people that I see as my family. Also, it was good that the author included some of her personal experiences because I'm sure many where able to understand better her topic and idea of families by creating a connection just like I did. I didn't really understand when she began talking about all these culture and the effect but other then that I enjoyed reading "Beliefs about Families."

Hey Nostradamus! Reg

During the last part of Hey Nostradamus! by Douglas Coupland, the last character Reg confesses and puts an end to many of our questions. Reg expresses his thoughts and feelings on certain aspects, many of which relate to Jason and his bad attitude towards him. While Reg is giving us and insight on his life and thoughts, he appears to be currently writing a letter for his son Jason hoping that one day he comes across it somewhere in the forest. First, Reg mentions events from his childhood, where we discover that the reason why he was so cold and harsh with Jason was because as a kid his father would treat him poorly as well. Though Reg tried to be completely opposite from his father he was just the same cold heartless man. However, Reg did change towards the end and realized how much his attitude hurt his loved one's. Next, Reg reminisces on the important people in his life like,his wife, Kent, Ruth and Jason and how because of his religion and stubbornness, he chased them away. He remembers how insane and weak he was when he received the news of Kent's death leading to one of the reason's he lost Ruth. He says that she left him because he was ashamed of being with her since he didn't want to take her to Kent's funeral and because he refused to divorced his wife. Furthermore, Reg goes in detail about his life and feelings and how he was affected by everything that he experienced in his life, especially knowing that he caused most of the pain. Hence, towards the end Reg says that though Jason remains missing he hopes one day he will appear and find his letter, also that when Jason appears he will go knocking door to door shouting, "Awake! Everyone listen, there has to be a miracle my son who once was dead is now alive. Rejoice! All of you! Rejoice! You must! My son is coming home!" (244) Reg was truly a great man with good intentions who unfortunately hurt many.

Sadly, the book is done! unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed by the ending because i would've liked to know what happened to Jason and whether he died or not. I also wanted to know if the secret of the twins was to be ever discovered. I did like this last chapter though, i felt it brought answers to many questions i had about Reg. Now, I completely understand where Reg was coming from. I completely misjudged him, Reg turned out to be the complete opposite of what I thought he was. He was a loving man, who desired for the best towards his family. I'm sure i will continue to read more books from this author because i truly enjoyed this book. It was a great novel and recommend it to many!