2. Read an article from the New York Times.
3. Write a comment on this post in which you think about the NY Times articles you have read since we stopped blogging about individual articles. Answer one or more of the following questions:
a) What do these articles say about our culture in general?
b) What do these articles say about the New York Times in general? What do its editors consider important?
c) What did your choice of articles say about you?
d) Make up your own topic for a comment.
4. List at the top or bottom of your next journal entry the names of the articles you've read since we stopped blogging about individual articles.
5. Due Thursday: think of a game or two that you think would be fun to play with the sages.
"8 Reported Dead In Southest Floods" by The Associated Press
ReplyDeletec) What did your choice of articles say about you
The choice that this article says about me is that I care about the people that are stuck in bad weather, hurricanes, floods, etc. I find it interesting to hear on the news or read on the newspaper about the weather disater around the world.
c) What did your choice of articles say about you?
ReplyDeleteWhile looking through the articles that I chose to read, I noticed that most of my articles were either about fashion or pop-culture. I think that this shows that I like to be connected to what goes on in the material side of the world as opposed to what goes on in the political side. I also think that this follows trend with my personality as well. I know that I would much rather read about the latest fashion shows over something about science or sports. I however don't think this makes me superficial, it just means that I enjoy reading about the glamorous lives some people live.
I've read an article "So Much Food. So Much Hunger."
ReplyDeleteb) It is evident that the foremost job of the editors are focusing on is to convey exact information. Most of the time they make clear point about what is happening, and what major problem, or conflict, there is. Then mostly the editors quote an interview of people involved in that issue, letting the readers to examine different point of views of people. At last, the editors mostly seem to suggest positive predictions of the issue.
c) I was surprised by the fact that articles I read these days are not related to arts. I have examined articles that I am not familiar with: terrorism, economic, ethinic conflict. Mostly they are focused on telling news, rather than making own point and arguing. Also, most of the articles were conveying very desperate situations, which attracted attentions.
I read "Eight people dead in Southeast floods."
ReplyDeletec) The news was shocked me. Because of the bad weather, many people had to get injure or die. Also people had to remove their houses and rebuild their town. This news remind me the flood happening, which was happened few years ago, in Korea. That time, many people lost their houses and their domestic animals. To general people it this happening might seem just general happening, but to them it's a big dilemma. Their mind will be lack of energy. Through this article, I realize many people should help them.
c) I read a very wide range of articles, all related directly to our life as citizens of the US. One of the more interesting articles was about New York considering a ban on outdoor smoking, to coincide with their current ban on indoor public smoking. I think this would be very beneficial to not only the environment of New York, but also to the people within. As it has been said "second hand smoking kills" and although this phrase is very cheesy, it is also true. I have been directly affected by this epidemic for years as many of my relatives have been chain smokers and have died because of this addiction. It is a very serious matter and one I am glad has become more publicly acknowledged as such.
ReplyDeleteC) The articles I have read do not all relate to one topic in particular, but rather all tend to shy away from one topic - politics. In general, I would say that this means that I am not interested in Republican vs. Democrat, or the problems these two groups have with each other. I guess one thing that could be found in common with my articles is that they all are kind of about how people relate to each other (with one or two exceptions). This would mean that I find specific people interesting, as opposed to finding the politics of the country as a whole interesting. Also, I found myself drawn to articles about children, like things about elementary schools, school funding, bullies, etc. This shows my interest in children, which makes sense, as I have considered being an elementary school teacher in the past.
ReplyDeleteA)what do the articles say about our culture?
ReplyDeleteAlot of the articles that I read (not all but alot) were about the lives of typical Americans. Things like raising children, procrastinating on the computer, a muslim drummer on the streets of Brooklyn at 4 AM, the financial crisis, and the new ban on flavored cigarettes. I think these articles all show alot about American culture because they aren't about politics, but just about people lives. The way children are raised varies for just about every country, so it the fact that the article focuses on the use of the phrase "i love you" to manipulate children into behaving well, says alot about american culture. Similarly, it doesnt speak highly of our culture that computer programs are being created to prevent people from using websites like facebook when they should be working, and these websites are still ineffective. Why can't we as a culture just do our work first? These are all personal aspects that describe a culture, more so than a country.
c) I've chosen articles from a very wide range of topic somewhat on purpose but also due to my own curiosity. I find that this diverse range shows that I am easily interested and adjust to my surroundings as fits my mood. I also find that I am easily drawn to a subject that pipes my interest. I am also willing to persevere through articles that may not immediately seem intriguing in order to find gems. For example I found the article about Obama's health reforms rather monotonous and repetitive but I also found it very interesting because the NYTimes was very adamant about not taking a side and therefore staying 'neutral'. I not only found this rather humorous but also found it taught me about how to report with out giving opinion AND how you can appear to be reporting something straight while subtly playing with your readers P.O.V.
ReplyDeleteIn response to letter c
ReplyDeleteOver half of the articles I read discussed art in the economy, and art in general. This shows that obviously I gravitate towards articles that I can relate to. I go to an arts school and I love art. I find myself wanting to read about things that I understand and have a lot of knowledge about. It is hard for me to get excited about or interested in taxes ad health care. I realize that these are important issues but it doesn't feel like I am currently directly affected by these issues, and I am more interested in things that directly affect me. That may sound selfish and what not, but I think many people may feel the same way.
c) I looked at all the articles I have read over the past few days and they are all quite diverse. Though there is one subject matter that most of my articles tend to cross-human rights. I chose all of my articles from different sections of the newspaper, however I ended up choosing the ones that have a focus on human rights! I believe that this means I am drawn toward that subject, I avoided the politics and religion sections (I get too heated when discussing them), but the features caught my eye, and my interest.
ReplyDeleteI've tried to read article on a variety of topics ranging from NYC thinking about banning smoking in parks and beaches to tourism developing in El-Salvador all the way to Bob Dylan's Artwork being displayed in Denmark.
ReplyDeleteSomehow with each article I still am able to find a piece of citizenship. I think for the most part I tend to be finding pieces that make me think it's more about the larger picture of citizenry, not being a citizen of a country but one of the world. I keep discovering how connected things are even if they don't seem it at first.
I do admit, that some article I choose end up not being that interesting. I usually end up reading two or three different articles before settling on one that I feel gets at a point about citizenry, either in a good way or a bad way. Maybe I'm not taking the news for what it really is, I'm just sorting my way through it to find what I want. But isn't that what a lot of people do? They skim over what they don't want to know about and focus on only what they want to know. I think in order to get a good picture of what is going on you really need to get a sampling from a variety of perspectives and on a variety of issues.
I feel that the NY Times articles I read really show that we as Americans use destruction and demise of others for entertainment purposes. One of the articles that really emphasize this are “Police Seeking Missing Yale Student Find Body ”. In that article, I feel that even though it’s important to know what’s been going on in the world, they spend a lot of time giving personal details about the victim’s personal life, and step by step details of the crime. I feel that the media pays more attention to the juicy violent stories than the ones that aren’t. “The authorities have not identified any suspects, but Ms. Le’s disappearance recalled a disturbing case from December 1998: the stabbing death of Suzann Jovin , 21, a Yale senior whose body was found in a neighborhood not far from campus; that crime remains unsolved.” The way the writer uses his words and expresses the connection really grabs the reader. They try to draw the reader in by using flash backs to past traumatic events and really trying to make an interesting article instead of just reporting facts in a less sensational way.
ReplyDeletec) What did your choice of articles say about you
ReplyDeleteall the topics that I chose, was all about medical issue, killing, and people dying. This tells me that I take careful attention to demographics about people and how the world goes around physically. Instead of being political, looking at people's actions, which causes casulties, is very clear in understanding situations. This tells me that I am very physical in many ways that I like to move and take actions.
Glenn Kim
ReplyDeleteI have read
"China Bars Foreigners From Making Visits to Tibet"
Over half of articles I have read were about people's death. These articles say about me that I am curious about what is going on with the people around the world. When I read these kinds of articles, I'm nervous and feels really bad because people's lives are taken away. In addition, these tell me that I'm emotional and always curious and worried about people around the world.
N Y T 9/11/’09
ReplyDelete‘Remembering a Future That Many Feared’ by N. R. Kleinfield
It’s cool to see that people want to enjoy life even when they’ve been really scared. The people of New York are a good example. “You can’t live in fear.” From a novelty man.
“We have to be one, we have to be together on this.” From a flag painter.
“I’m not going to let the galoots get me.” And, “We’re not hermits. We rise up and move on.” from a dentist.
N Y T 9/ 13/’09
Editorials ‘The Rights of Gay Employees’
The fact that in 29 states it’s still legal to fire workers for being gay is shocking.
If we want to see our democracy working we should not be lazy and tell our representatives that the Employment Non Discrimination Act should be a top priority.
N Y T 9/15/’09
New York Eyes ‘No Smoking’ Outdoors, Too By Sewell Chan
It’s hard to decide if the N Y Health commissioner should be able to ban smoking at parks and beaches. I don’t think I agree, even though I’m not a smoker and I like clean air. At what point does the law cross the line between helping the public and intruding on individual rights?
One of the articles that has left a lasting impression on me is called “A New Meaning for Cutting Classes” by Javier C. Hernandez and I think it struck something within me and my “community part” came out, suddenly to think about community.
ReplyDeleteSo, in a Public school Staten Island this fall, there were many children puzzled or bewildered as to why teachers weren’t teaching at their public school anymore. This is very upsetting to me as a student who for all of my life has undergone a terrible education in Elementary School due to teachers being cut and programs. The school system only kept getting worse and worse and is still going today. When I look at it now, I feel so sorry for the kids and it makes me want to do something. It’s not enough to stop my art or anything, but it gets me revved up and gets me goin’. I want to do something that will improve the community for these poor unfortunate souls. It is not right that they have to go through what I did! I want the community to be better. Something needs to be done.
I believe this article was really something that could and probably influenced others and reminded them of the downfall in public education in our country.
Although, the rest of the NY Times Articles I read did not hit me as hard to the core of my heart or anything like that, I did enjoy many of the others.
Protesters Are Met by Tear Gas at G-20 Conference
ReplyDeleteThe choice of this article say’s that I care so much about all protesters in general and that If I could I would be there supporting each and everyone of them, because I’m a good wholesom Irish Citizen.