Prior to participating in prom I thought of Prom as something very hyped up. That is exactly what it was. This is not too say I did not have a great time or enjoy myself. However, prom as a transforming moment in someones life? not so much. Maybe this was because I did not follow all of the special tradition one is supposed to for their prom. However, there were a few things I noticed that seemed stupid at first that was much more understandable through experience. The entire reason for dressing up and buying all these luxury things for one night was something I did not understand too much. I had no real personal desire for this but in the spirit of prom and spending it with my classmates and close friends I followed many of these expectations. After 4 years of school work and knowing most people on a school centered basis, it is nice to have pure social time and feel like youhave worked hard to enjoy yourself. Basically although it is spoiling yourself, it would be a lie to say it isn't enjoyable. There i a certain feeling of accomplishment that is present at prom, and when people speak of the "magic" of prom, this was what most closely resignated with that for me. However, knowing all the hype around prom and in partiulare the different traditions of prom takes away someof the immature and exaggerated "special-ness" of prom.
Our thoughts and discussions on prom prior too the actual prom did have some sort of affect on people. It seemed like towards the beginning of prom people were pretty laid back and not dancing much. Maybe people saw some stupidity in the idea of prom. However, after a while people realized why prom is viewed at in the way it is and maybe although there is a lot of BS around it you should still enjoy yourself the most you can. Thats exactly what people did, everyone was dancing and having a good time. SOF also doesn't do prom king and prom queen, which also relieves alot of the traditional stress one may get at other prom's where traditions are more closely followed. By removing the traditions of king and queen it made prom less of a big deal, it simply did not feel like the social climax of my highschool epxerience, whcih is what it has been played up to be time and time again.
I definitely had a bit of cynnicism towards prom prior to it and actually experienceing it made me change my views in favor of prom a bit more. Although I was never against the idea of prom in anyway I saw it as stupid event put on by the school that people go to because, as is said with many things prom related, it is tradition. My views of prom changed slightly because the experience didn't feel so fake, as it is so often described or portrayed. The mixture of the way SOF held prom and actually eperiencing it made me think about the positives of prom, this was in contrast to my thinking prior to prom which was mostly focused on criticisms of the event.
All in all, while prom may not be some magical fairy tale experience, it is a fun time. The traditions maybe silly but following them isn't so bad. It is a somewhat serious somewhat silly type of fun. Seeing everyone dance together and laugh and simply talk was nice. School is always full of so much drama and while prom might not be the best thing to alleviate drama, this prom was fairly drama-free and was definitely a nice change of pace from everyday school life. The appeal of prom, for me, grew through the experience; however, my thoughts on the event of prom and how it is viewed in our society have not changed much.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
hw 57
Prom is supposedly one of the most enjoyable and special night in the life of a highschool student. How is it that this came to be though? There are so many traditions surrounding prom that people follow. It is obvious a big cause of stress, wheter it be making sure you have clothes, money, or a date for that matter. It's a day where material goods are highly valued. It follows so many shallow societal misconceptions of success.
However, no matter how concious someone participating in prom may be of the situation, it seems that we are stuck in a black hole of inevitable cliche-ness. Wheter you are trying to go against the norm or follow it, the decision is based upon and in response to what's expected of you. Prom really does mock a flase sense of success. Flaunting, excessiveness, and luxury are all components of prom and as many people fail to realize have little meaning now or later on in life.
So my questions so far are:
Is it possible to participate in prom with out following all the stupid cliches?
Why is it that prom is supposed to be a turning point in a highschoolers life?
How does someone who has money idea of prom compare to that of someone less fortunate?
However, no matter how concious someone participating in prom may be of the situation, it seems that we are stuck in a black hole of inevitable cliche-ness. Wheter you are trying to go against the norm or follow it, the decision is based upon and in response to what's expected of you. Prom really does mock a flase sense of success. Flaunting, excessiveness, and luxury are all components of prom and as many people fail to realize have little meaning now or later on in life.
So my questions so far are:
Is it possible to participate in prom with out following all the stupid cliches?
Why is it that prom is supposed to be a turning point in a highschoolers life?
How does someone who has money idea of prom compare to that of someone less fortunate?
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
HW 58
Interviews (younger than me)
For the interview with a younger person I decided to interview one of my friends little brother. He is in the 9th grade and 14 years old. I started off by simply asking him what he knows about prom. His answer was pretty standard and basically covered most of the typical prom traditions. He said it was important to dress up and find a date and buy her a corrsage, etc. He then talked about getting a limo and all the other things associated with prom. I then asked him why he thought all those things were neccesary for prom. He seemed stuck on the question and had no real answer. The best he could come up with was because that's what people always do for prom. Pretty simple answer, but I can't blame him it is not a simple question to answer. Basically our talk consisted of pretty standard answers but when asked for explanations of why the answers became much less clear.
Interview(my own age)
For this interview, I interviewed my friend who's little brother I interviewed. He is 18 and is currently a senior. His prom is not until next week. Again, I started by asking him his thoughts on prom. He said he. Didn't think it was too big of a deal to follow all the traditions but prom gives you a day to dress up and spend money and enjoy yourself with your friends. Basically the social situation that prom provides is what makes it worth it. However, the picture of prom portrayed in movies is not as valuable to recreate. I thought this was pretty interesting as I have found that especially in NYC people like the idea of prom yet are not as attached to many of the traditions, or at least don't view them as that big of a deal. However, the essence of prom seems to still be highly valued.
Interview 3 (older than me)
For this interview I decided to talk to a friend of the family who has now graduated college. I asked him what prom was like for him. He responded by saying it was one of the best nights he had in highschool. He got to spend time with his friends, spend time out of school with his classmates and just enjoy himself. I asked him how the people he went to school with values the traditions of prom. He said that people went all out with the limos and suits and such. But there were some kids who did not take it so serious.
Maybe it is a thing that teenagers like to go against traditions more so now than before or that has always been so. Yet there seems to be a trend of that with prom now. However, people are still into the idea of prom and why wouldn't they be, it gives people to live extraordinary for a night(even if its kinda stupid) before they go back to everyday life
For the interview with a younger person I decided to interview one of my friends little brother. He is in the 9th grade and 14 years old. I started off by simply asking him what he knows about prom. His answer was pretty standard and basically covered most of the typical prom traditions. He said it was important to dress up and find a date and buy her a corrsage, etc. He then talked about getting a limo and all the other things associated with prom. I then asked him why he thought all those things were neccesary for prom. He seemed stuck on the question and had no real answer. The best he could come up with was because that's what people always do for prom. Pretty simple answer, but I can't blame him it is not a simple question to answer. Basically our talk consisted of pretty standard answers but when asked for explanations of why the answers became much less clear.
Interview(my own age)
For this interview, I interviewed my friend who's little brother I interviewed. He is 18 and is currently a senior. His prom is not until next week. Again, I started by asking him his thoughts on prom. He said he. Didn't think it was too big of a deal to follow all the traditions but prom gives you a day to dress up and spend money and enjoy yourself with your friends. Basically the social situation that prom provides is what makes it worth it. However, the picture of prom portrayed in movies is not as valuable to recreate. I thought this was pretty interesting as I have found that especially in NYC people like the idea of prom yet are not as attached to many of the traditions, or at least don't view them as that big of a deal. However, the essence of prom seems to still be highly valued.
Interview 3 (older than me)
For this interview I decided to talk to a friend of the family who has now graduated college. I asked him what prom was like for him. He responded by saying it was one of the best nights he had in highschool. He got to spend time with his friends, spend time out of school with his classmates and just enjoy himself. I asked him how the people he went to school with values the traditions of prom. He said that people went all out with the limos and suits and such. But there were some kids who did not take it so serious.
Maybe it is a thing that teenagers like to go against traditions more so now than before or that has always been so. Yet there seems to be a trend of that with prom now. However, people are still into the idea of prom and why wouldn't they be, it gives people to live extraordinary for a night(even if its kinda stupid) before they go back to everyday life
Monday, May 23, 2011
hw 57
The bodies exhibit is one of the most interesting museums I have been to. Reflecting on such an experience after studying the care of the dead unit brings up many different questions and reactions. The bodies exhibit displays preserved bodies in different position assuming everyday tasks such as playing sports, etc. The method used for preserving these bodies is called platination, which is very similar to that used when a funeral director does an embalming. Therefore, on an environmental level does preserving these bodies cause the same environmental effects as embalmings due?
This exhibit, as expected, is quite controvertial. There are two main opposing arguments/controversies. The first one being the pure ethics on an exhibit like this. People have argues that it is simply unethical to display the bodies in such a way. Some people have argued that is disrespectful to the bodies being used and that the exhibit is like a carnival. In opposition to this arguement people stand by the educational value of such an exhibit. The exhibit allows you too see the inner body in a way most people have never been able to before. The structure of bones and muscle is truly fascinating and can be very beneficial as an educational experience.
Furthermore, there has been controversy over where the bodies were obtained from. Gunther Von Hagen, the creator of the plastination method of preservation and the creator of this exhibit has argues that the bodies have all been legitimately obtained. The controversy has arisen as suspicion that the bodies being used were executed Chinese prisoners. China, in fact has on of the highest execution rates for its prisoners. Von Hagen is now saying that all the bodies are from Europe and have been given consent before the people whose bodies are being used died. This switch was made because Von Hagen was afraid that the bodies might in fact be executed prisoners. However, this was not to his knowledge and he made this switch to avoid further controversy surrounding that issue.
The bodies exhibit is very interesting and donating ones body to science may be a very reasonable and more appealing option for some people. The bodies exhibit has many educational benefits and the arguement of ethics is based upon tradition of care of the dead which as proven through the care of the dead unit hold very little reasoning.
This exhibit, as expected, is quite controvertial. There are two main opposing arguments/controversies. The first one being the pure ethics on an exhibit like this. People have argues that it is simply unethical to display the bodies in such a way. Some people have argued that is disrespectful to the bodies being used and that the exhibit is like a carnival. In opposition to this arguement people stand by the educational value of such an exhibit. The exhibit allows you too see the inner body in a way most people have never been able to before. The structure of bones and muscle is truly fascinating and can be very beneficial as an educational experience.
Furthermore, there has been controversy over where the bodies were obtained from. Gunther Von Hagen, the creator of the plastination method of preservation and the creator of this exhibit has argues that the bodies have all been legitimately obtained. The controversy has arisen as suspicion that the bodies being used were executed Chinese prisoners. China, in fact has on of the highest execution rates for its prisoners. Von Hagen is now saying that all the bodies are from Europe and have been given consent before the people whose bodies are being used died. This switch was made because Von Hagen was afraid that the bodies might in fact be executed prisoners. However, this was not to his knowledge and he made this switch to avoid further controversy surrounding that issue.
The bodies exhibit is very interesting and donating ones body to science may be a very reasonable and more appealing option for some people. The bodies exhibit has many educational benefits and the arguement of ethics is based upon tradition of care of the dead which as proven through the care of the dead unit hold very little reasoning.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
COTD 3 (extra credit)
The bodies exhibit is one of the most interesting museums I have been to. Reflecting on such an experience after studying the care of the dead unit brings up many different questions and reactions. The bodies exhibit displays preserved bodies in different position assuming everyday tasks such as playing sports, etc. The method used for preserving these bodies is called platination, which is very similar to that used when a funeral director does an embalming. Therefore, on an environmental level does preserving these bodies cause the same environmental effects as embalmings due?
This exhibit, as expected, is quite controvertial. There are two main opposing arguments/controversies. The first one being the pure ethics on an exhibit like this. People have argues that it is simply unethical to display the bodies in such a way. Some people have argued that is disrespectful to the bodies being used and that the exhibit is like a carnival. In opposition to this arguement people stand by the educational value of such an exhibit. The exhibit allows you too see the inner body in a way most people have never been able to before. The structure of bones and muscle is truly fascinating and can be very beneficial as an educational experience.
Furthermore, there has been controversy over where the bodies were obtained from. Gunther Von Hagen, the creator of the plastination method of preservation and the creator of this exhibit has argues that the bodies have all been legitimately obtained. The controversy has arisen as suspicion that the bodies being used were executed Chinese prisoners. China, in fact has on of the highest execution rates for its prisoners. Von Hagen is now saying that all the bodies are from Europe and have been given consent before the people whose bodies are being used died. This switch was made because Von Hagen was afraid that the bodies might in fact be executed prisoners. However, this was not to his knowledge and he made this switch to avoid further controversy surrounding that issue.
The bodies exhibit is very interesting and donating ones body to science may be a very reasonable and more appealing option for some people. The bodies exhibit has many educational benefits and the arguement of ethics is based upon tradition of care of the dead which as proven through the care of the dead unit hold very little reasoning.
This exhibit, as expected, is quite controvertial. There are two main opposing arguments/controversies. The first one being the pure ethics on an exhibit like this. People have argues that it is simply unethical to display the bodies in such a way. Some people have argued that is disrespectful to the bodies being used and that the exhibit is like a carnival. In opposition to this arguement people stand by the educational value of such an exhibit. The exhibit allows you too see the inner body in a way most people have never been able to before. The structure of bones and muscle is truly fascinating and can be very beneficial as an educational experience.
Furthermore, there has been controversy over where the bodies were obtained from. Gunther Von Hagen, the creator of the plastination method of preservation and the creator of this exhibit has argues that the bodies have all been legitimately obtained. The controversy has arisen as suspicion that the bodies being used were executed Chinese prisoners. China, in fact has on of the highest execution rates for its prisoners. Von Hagen is now saying that all the bodies are from Europe and have been given consent before the people whose bodies are being used died. This switch was made because Von Hagen was afraid that the bodies might in fact be executed prisoners. However, this was not to his knowledge and he made this switch to avoid further controversy surrounding that issue.
The bodies exhibit is very interesting and donating ones body to science may be a very reasonable and more appealing option for some people. The bodies exhibit has many educational benefits and the arguement of ethics is based upon tradition of care of the dead which as proven through the care of the dead unit hold very little reasoning.
HW 56
Great post Devin,
You do a very good job of stating the current situation and evaluating the faults. The alternatives you provide are very insightful not only on a very literal level but they say a lot about our society. There are other reasonable option out there for us yet we hold our selves too basically only two. We are so influenced by tradition thee is no progression. I also really like your last paragraph where you talk about in a bigger picture kind of way. The entire post was strong you stated, analyzed, and critiqued the situation. The alternatives were clear your progressive view on care of the dead was also made very clear. Overall, great job
Sharif,
The compare and contrast you did between religion was informative and interesting. Not only did you separate religions and take about how that affected the way people care for the dead but you went even deeper into each religion. Although religion is a very broad topic you did a good job of making it pretty clear and understandable while still staying specific. As done in all good papers you provided new knowledge and explained it competently, you then provided a good analysis comparing all of the religions and comparing the idea of religion to care of the dead. Good job.
You do a very good job of stating the current situation and evaluating the faults. The alternatives you provide are very insightful not only on a very literal level but they say a lot about our society. There are other reasonable option out there for us yet we hold our selves too basically only two. We are so influenced by tradition thee is no progression. I also really like your last paragraph where you talk about in a bigger picture kind of way. The entire post was strong you stated, analyzed, and critiqued the situation. The alternatives were clear your progressive view on care of the dead was also made very clear. Overall, great job
Sharif,
The compare and contrast you did between religion was informative and interesting. Not only did you separate religions and take about how that affected the way people care for the dead but you went even deeper into each religion. Although religion is a very broad topic you did a good job of making it pretty clear and understandable while still staying specific. As done in all good papers you provided new knowledge and explained it competently, you then provided a good analysis comparing all of the religions and comparing the idea of religion to care of the dead. Good job.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
HW 55
It seems as if the funeral business has boomed without any questions to the practices we follow. It is quite obvious why the funeral business is so profitable. People die and people mourn, what better way to mourn then have a ceremony honoring a loved one who passed away. It seems very simple and straight forward, on the surface there isn't much to question. However, the more we explore, the more corruption is found. Our common practices our quite questionable when truly explored. The two most common practices to care for the dead are burial and cremation. Cremation is on the rise due to a few different factors, one of the most significant being it is much more economical then a burial. There are many different factors that go in to picking the type of care for ones family. However, there are also many option that one can choose from. Why is it that the overwhelming population chose a traditional burial. The average american funeral costs approximately 7000 dollars. So why is it that we are so attracted to this option. It is social influence that has caused this. After so many years of burials being the common practice, there have been more and more ways to exploit those paying for a burial and therefore even though it is such an expensive option it has stayed as the most common. So what is reason behind the most common practice being the least economical. As is true with much else in our society, profit is the incentive.
The inevitabliity of death traps people in to being in an easily exploitable situation. It is a very profitable equation: Inevitable fact of life(that being death), very emotional family members who are looking to care for loved dead ones, and funeral industry who is there to help those care for dead loved ones while reaping the economic benefits of their expertise in the field. We live in a society in which convienience is highly valued. This is why a burial is so common in our society. For a family looking to mourn and celebrate the life of a loved one who passed away it is much simpler to pay someone to handle all the aspects of such ceremonies rather then dealing with it themselves. When one takes into account the emotional impact of such an event as death it is understandable why the family would been even more inclined to pay someone to deal with all the technicalities and execution of having a competent funeral.
The situation that a mourning family is in is so easily exploitable and that is exactly what happens very often. This is not to say funeral directors do not have good intentions or are bad people at all. However, the basis of a successful business is profit and the easiest way to profit is to exploit. This is why funeral directors charge for every single action needed in having a traditional funeral for somebody. We are country based upon private business and profit motive. With every major institution corruption is evident; beneath that corruption there lies profit or something related to profit as the incentive for this corruption. We can change our daily lives, we can choose to follows certain social norms or not. However, until a systematic change is in place the same incentive will keep corrupting and exploiting everything it has a chance to.
The inevitabliity of death traps people in to being in an easily exploitable situation. It is a very profitable equation: Inevitable fact of life(that being death), very emotional family members who are looking to care for loved dead ones, and funeral industry who is there to help those care for dead loved ones while reaping the economic benefits of their expertise in the field. We live in a society in which convienience is highly valued. This is why a burial is so common in our society. For a family looking to mourn and celebrate the life of a loved one who passed away it is much simpler to pay someone to handle all the aspects of such ceremonies rather then dealing with it themselves. When one takes into account the emotional impact of such an event as death it is understandable why the family would been even more inclined to pay someone to deal with all the technicalities and execution of having a competent funeral.
The situation that a mourning family is in is so easily exploitable and that is exactly what happens very often. This is not to say funeral directors do not have good intentions or are bad people at all. However, the basis of a successful business is profit and the easiest way to profit is to exploit. This is why funeral directors charge for every single action needed in having a traditional funeral for somebody. We are country based upon private business and profit motive. With every major institution corruption is evident; beneath that corruption there lies profit or something related to profit as the incentive for this corruption. We can change our daily lives, we can choose to follows certain social norms or not. However, until a systematic change is in place the same incentive will keep corrupting and exploiting everything it has a chance to.
COTD 1
There is a very small cemetery by my house which is one of the ones I decided to walk around with. It is almost like it is out of a movie scene. I decided to walk around after work one night. There was unexplainable feeling of uncomfort as I walked around the cemetery. Although I like to think of myself as a rational person there is something about the idea of death and being surrounded by it that makes me uncomfortable. Maybe it is my lack of religious faith and my belief that once things come to an end, they simply end. Maybe it is the fact that I don't want to die. As a young man with much life left ahead of me the thought of death seems so distant and unreal that thinking about it scares me. Yet, I took a quick walk around the cemetery and then I stood by the gate and simply sat there and watched. It was such a small graveyard yet the feeling inside of me made me realize how truly influenced by society I was. Even though I am conscious of the fact it had the same effect on me and it was in this that I realized why some many people chose burials and handle the care of the dead int he way they do.
The second graveyard I took a walk in was the greenwood cemetery. It is a huge cemetery going down fort hamilton road in brooklyn. I was walking in this cemetery during the day. This cemetery has many huge tombstones and memorials. In this cemetery I had a completely different experience. I was much less attached emotionally. All I saw was excess. People dying to be remembered one way or another, no pun intended. Or maybe there is a pun intended. We do live our whole lives to be remmebered when we die, obviously there are different extremes and methods of doing so but essentially we are one in the same. The huge funeral and tombstones cements this. We know that we were special to some people and those people remember us and mourn us and celebrate us through these traditions. Although this is understandable, is this the way things should work? Is this the way we should live our lives? Is this the way we should care for the dead? It is hard to say whether our traditions are shallow or excessive, or maybe there are both. Regardless we all have to face death and deal with death, the question is whether the way we do so is truly meaningful.
The second graveyard I took a walk in was the greenwood cemetery. It is a huge cemetery going down fort hamilton road in brooklyn. I was walking in this cemetery during the day. This cemetery has many huge tombstones and memorials. In this cemetery I had a completely different experience. I was much less attached emotionally. All I saw was excess. People dying to be remembered one way or another, no pun intended. Or maybe there is a pun intended. We do live our whole lives to be remmebered when we die, obviously there are different extremes and methods of doing so but essentially we are one in the same. The huge funeral and tombstones cements this. We know that we were special to some people and those people remember us and mourn us and celebrate us through these traditions. Although this is understandable, is this the way things should work? Is this the way we should live our lives? Is this the way we should care for the dead? It is hard to say whether our traditions are shallow or excessive, or maybe there are both. Regardless we all have to face death and deal with death, the question is whether the way we do so is truly meaningful.
COTD 2
The movie Harold and Maude deals heavily with the theme of death and funerals. In fact that is where Harold and Maude meet, at a funeral.Harold has a very strange obsession with death. He constantly recreates different ways to die. It seems to be a hobby of his. I have now seen this movie twice and it still puzzles me why he does so. However, while studying death and caring for the dead I have come to more of an understanding.
Harold seems to be at peace with life. His mother is very snobby and traditional. She follows typical "high-class" cliches of the time period. Harold is a contrast to her personality. For a car he wanted a hearse. On this surface this seems very strange. However, the symbolism of why Harold acts in such a way says a lot about his confrontation of the inevitability of death. His very strange hobby of acting out fake detahs may also say something about his conciousness about death. He is not scared of it and he does not try to shy away from it. He is accepting of death and his families high class lifestyle and material obsession seems to be a cover up to cope with the fact that they to are mortal.
Maude's significance comes in the form of her "free-mindedness." She is very impulsive and "in touch" with nature. Her personality is the exact opposite and we see Harold attracted to this more and more throughout the film. Hence, my analysis of the dynamic of Harold's family and why he tends to rebel in the way he does. His acceptance and appreciation of death go hand in hand with Maude appreciation of life and therefore they attract each other. Life and death are both realities that we all deal with whether we are ready or not. Maybe death shouldn't be seen as such a tragedy since it is inevitable.
Harold seems to be at peace with life. His mother is very snobby and traditional. She follows typical "high-class" cliches of the time period. Harold is a contrast to her personality. For a car he wanted a hearse. On this surface this seems very strange. However, the symbolism of why Harold acts in such a way says a lot about his confrontation of the inevitability of death. His very strange hobby of acting out fake detahs may also say something about his conciousness about death. He is not scared of it and he does not try to shy away from it. He is accepting of death and his families high class lifestyle and material obsession seems to be a cover up to cope with the fact that they to are mortal.
Maude's significance comes in the form of her "free-mindedness." She is very impulsive and "in touch" with nature. Her personality is the exact opposite and we see Harold attracted to this more and more throughout the film. Hence, my analysis of the dynamic of Harold's family and why he tends to rebel in the way he does. His acceptance and appreciation of death go hand in hand with Maude appreciation of life and therefore they attract each other. Life and death are both realities that we all deal with whether we are ready or not. Maybe death shouldn't be seen as such a tragedy since it is inevitable.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
HW 53
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/nyregion/13burial.html
In the New York area there is a revival of Jewish practices for the care of the dead. These practices value equality and balance rather then excessiveness and profit. All people are buried in identical pine coffins. This is too have all people be sent to god in the same form. However, not only do they choose care for burial they prepare the dead body for its burial by bathing, dressing him/her prior to burial. It as if they are interacting with the body before they bury it rather than just simply caring for it. It is a much more intimate and humane way of caring for the dead
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/us/21funeral.html?adxnnl=1&ref=funerals&adxnnlx=1305289314-Vt1IIHl/xm2QiW+niBhV7Q
Precis: Home burials are becoming a more popular alternative. Although they are not for everyone they have many upside. One of the biggest upsides is cost, the Roe family for example had a home burial and only spent $250. This is obviously a pretty significant savings, given the cost of a funeral for average american family. Home burials also offer a more natural and intimate experience for the family member participating in help care for a loved after death.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/15/nyregion/in-funeral-industry-womens-presence-grows.html?_r=1&ref=funerals
Ms. Dozier is a female mortician practicing in brooklyn. Females are very scarce in the world of the care of the dead. However, many women like Ms. Dozier have unique perspectives and idea that can be beneficial to a family looking to have a funeral for a loved one who died. Stylistically she can bring a woman point of view. Ms. Dozier has broken into a profession that is male dominated. This an ongoing trend with many different jobs, women are starting to assume more roles of power.
I like that all of these articles give different perspectives on the same topic. For example the first two focus on methods of caring for the dead, and in particular uncommon methods. There seems to be some sort of shift or wave of consciousness in our society as more and more people are turning to alternatives from the dominant social practices that so many of us don't even bother to question. The last article although focusing on a different subject within the greater topic, I found extremely interesting. It made me wonder why is that this profession is so male-dominated? Are people more comfortable with men when talking about funerals, etc?
In the New York area there is a revival of Jewish practices for the care of the dead. These practices value equality and balance rather then excessiveness and profit. All people are buried in identical pine coffins. This is too have all people be sent to god in the same form. However, not only do they choose care for burial they prepare the dead body for its burial by bathing, dressing him/her prior to burial. It as if they are interacting with the body before they bury it rather than just simply caring for it. It is a much more intimate and humane way of caring for the dead
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/us/21funeral.html?adxnnl=1&ref=funerals&adxnnlx=1305289314-Vt1IIHl/xm2QiW+niBhV7Q
Precis: Home burials are becoming a more popular alternative. Although they are not for everyone they have many upside. One of the biggest upsides is cost, the Roe family for example had a home burial and only spent $250. This is obviously a pretty significant savings, given the cost of a funeral for average american family. Home burials also offer a more natural and intimate experience for the family member participating in help care for a loved after death.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/15/nyregion/in-funeral-industry-womens-presence-grows.html?_r=1&ref=funerals
Ms. Dozier is a female mortician practicing in brooklyn. Females are very scarce in the world of the care of the dead. However, many women like Ms. Dozier have unique perspectives and idea that can be beneficial to a family looking to have a funeral for a loved one who died. Stylistically she can bring a woman point of view. Ms. Dozier has broken into a profession that is male dominated. This an ongoing trend with many different jobs, women are starting to assume more roles of power.
I like that all of these articles give different perspectives on the same topic. For example the first two focus on methods of caring for the dead, and in particular uncommon methods. There seems to be some sort of shift or wave of consciousness in our society as more and more people are turning to alternatives from the dominant social practices that so many of us don't even bother to question. The last article although focusing on a different subject within the greater topic, I found extremely interesting. It made me wonder why is that this profession is so male-dominated? Are people more comfortable with men when talking about funerals, etc?
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
HW 52
Precis: The way we deal with the care of the dead in this country is expensive, wasteful, harmful, to the earth, and overall unnecessary. There are more "green" and natural ways of caring for the dead. There are natural cemeteries in which people can be buried with out all the unnecessary extra accessories. There are also simple pine boxes which are bio-degradable, meaning it can decompose over time and thus is healthier for the environment. Alternatively, one can do a backyard burial which gives more freedom to the love d ones to treat the body as they wish and bury them as best fit.
Quotes:
"“He’d been moved, too, by the Jewish funeral rite he read about, in which the dead are buried in a plain, pine box, no matter what their station in life." (pg. 126)
"You'll come across no upright headstone or monument to the dead, no burial plot marked off with stone edging or linked chain. Nowhere will you find vases of perfect plastic flowers, live plants blooming in cellophane-wrapped pottery". (pg. 159)
Analysis: Similar to many of the other books, opposed to mainstream industrialized practices, that we've read this year this book took you through a series of steps. He explained the "nightmarish atrocities" that occur, gave many examples, analyzed and criticized, and the gave alternatives. The more natural way seems to be a much more reasonable, efficient, inexpensive, and more humane way to care for the dead. However, I find that my own "attachment" to the normal practices make me view these alternatives with a bit of uncertainty and uncomfort. Although I understand how these methods are better in many different ways, there is a feeling that is hard to explain of uncomfort. Maybe it is they way we have been taught to deal with death.
Quotes:
"“He’d been moved, too, by the Jewish funeral rite he read about, in which the dead are buried in a plain, pine box, no matter what their station in life." (pg. 126)
"You'll come across no upright headstone or monument to the dead, no burial plot marked off with stone edging or linked chain. Nowhere will you find vases of perfect plastic flowers, live plants blooming in cellophane-wrapped pottery". (pg. 159)
Analysis: Similar to many of the other books, opposed to mainstream industrialized practices, that we've read this year this book took you through a series of steps. He explained the "nightmarish atrocities" that occur, gave many examples, analyzed and criticized, and the gave alternatives. The more natural way seems to be a much more reasonable, efficient, inexpensive, and more humane way to care for the dead. However, I find that my own "attachment" to the normal practices make me view these alternatives with a bit of uncertainty and uncomfort. Although I understand how these methods are better in many different ways, there is a feeling that is hard to explain of uncomfort. Maybe it is they way we have been taught to deal with death.
Friday, May 6, 2011
HW 49
Harry,
You did a very good job at comparing your parents view points through the religious lens. You did a good job at showing how the difference of religion changes certain traditions. What I think you did best however was show a dominant viewpoint of american culture when it comes to post-death care. I have also found similar to your parents that most people pay little attention to or don't put much thought in to their funeral. They just want to have a simple traditional funeral which is pretty common. In general as a society we don't really question these practices.
Tamiko,
Great post. You did a very good job of getting out the answers that were actually insightful. The interview on Jewish practices was very interesting. Especially because they try to keep thr rich and poor's funeral the same. This is an extreme difference from the common American practices.
Dean,
I really like they way your post was organized. It showed a lot of thought went into your interviews. The questions you used also led to very interesting answers. They really allowed you to explore people true thoughts on the care of the dead. You also do a good job of introducing an alternative method, that being the donation to science. Although that is not to common it would be interesting to see what that entails and how it works.
Dean:
Omar,
I liked your blog because it was very similar to mine. I also interviewed my parents and what they said was almost identical to what your parents said. This made me wonder if this was a popular opinion based upon the fact that we are both living in New York City in the year 2011 or if it is just a coincidence that they said same things. I thought that your blog was very well researched and written but it would have been nice if you had interviewed more adults.
Dean
May 1, 2011 5:45 PM
Harry Alderson said...

Omar
Your post was well written and a made a very good point. There is a theme that is common throughout the units which is that the motive for profit screws up different systems in our society. I like the fact that you stated that cremation was also a popular option in the united states primarily because it is cheaper (i didn't know that before).
You did a very good job at comparing your parents view points through the religious lens. You did a good job at showing how the difference of religion changes certain traditions. What I think you did best however was show a dominant viewpoint of american culture when it comes to post-death care. I have also found similar to your parents that most people pay little attention to or don't put much thought in to their funeral. They just want to have a simple traditional funeral which is pretty common. In general as a society we don't really question these practices.
Tamiko,
Great post. You did a very good job of getting out the answers that were actually insightful. The interview on Jewish practices was very interesting. Especially because they try to keep thr rich and poor's funeral the same. This is an extreme difference from the common American practices.
Dean,
I really like they way your post was organized. It showed a lot of thought went into your interviews. The questions you used also led to very interesting answers. They really allowed you to explore people true thoughts on the care of the dead. You also do a good job of introducing an alternative method, that being the donation to science. Although that is not to common it would be interesting to see what that entails and how it works.
Dean:
Omar,
I liked your blog because it was very similar to mine. I also interviewed my parents and what they said was almost identical to what your parents said. This made me wonder if this was a popular opinion based upon the fact that we are both living in New York City in the year 2011 or if it is just a coincidence that they said same things. I thought that your blog was very well researched and written but it would have been nice if you had interviewed more adults.
Dean
May 1, 2011 5:45 PM
Harry Alderson said...

Omar
Your post was well written and a made a very good point. There is a theme that is common throughout the units which is that the motive for profit screws up different systems in our society. I like the fact that you stated that cremation was also a popular option in the united states primarily because it is cheaper (i didn't know that before).
HW 49
Harry,
You did a very good job at comparing your parents view points through the religious lens. You did a good job at showing how the difference of religion changes certain traditions. What I think you did best however was show a dominant viewpoint of american culture when it comes to post-death care. I have also found similar to your parents that most people pay little attention to or don't put much thought in to their funeral. They just want to have a simple traditional funeral which is pretty common. In general as a society we don't really question these practices.
Tamiko,
Great post. You did a very good job of getting out the answers that were actually insightful. The interview on Jewish practices was very interesting. Especially because they try to keep thr rich and poor's funeral the same. This is an extreme difference from the common American practices.
Dean,
I really like they way your post was organized. It showed a lot of thought went into your interviews. The questions you used also led to very interesting answers. They really allowed you to explore people true thoughts on the care of the dead. You also do a good job of introducing an alternative method, that being the donation to science. Although that is not to common it would be interesting to see what that entails and how it works.
You did a very good job at comparing your parents view points through the religious lens. You did a good job at showing how the difference of religion changes certain traditions. What I think you did best however was show a dominant viewpoint of american culture when it comes to post-death care. I have also found similar to your parents that most people pay little attention to or don't put much thought in to their funeral. They just want to have a simple traditional funeral which is pretty common. In general as a society we don't really question these practices.
Tamiko,
Great post. You did a very good job of getting out the answers that were actually insightful. The interview on Jewish practices was very interesting. Especially because they try to keep thr rich and poor's funeral the same. This is an extreme difference from the common American practices.
Dean,
I really like they way your post was organized. It showed a lot of thought went into your interviews. The questions you used also led to very interesting answers. They really allowed you to explore people true thoughts on the care of the dead. You also do a good job of introducing an alternative method, that being the donation to science. Although that is not to common it would be interesting to see what that entails and how it works.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
HW 50
Grave Matters
Precis: Jenny is a young college student who died. Her parents are at a funeral home trying to have a nice traditional, catholic funeral for their daughter. As they are meeting the funeral director he starts to pile on the costs. Everything that could possibly be charged was charged for the funeral. Picking up the body, transporting, embalming, etc. All the tricks of getting people to spend money at funeral homes are explored. The care of the dead is simply another business. Not only are people being exploited financially bt many of the practices cause highly toxic polution that is most times discarded in to the sewage system.
Quotes: "the average funeral in america runs to $10,000."
"Back upstairs, Fielding and the Johnsons come to the final selections. One concerns the "outer burial container," a requirement of Holy Savior (though not of any local, state, or federal law)
"Jenny has been cooling in his basement refrigerator unit since he retrieved her from the hospital last night."
Analysis: It is pretty obvious that the incentive is money, as it is a business after all. However, the amount of exploitation is unbelievable. It is the institutions we need most in this society that exploit us a screw us over the most. The food corporations, insurance companies, hospitals, funeral homes, all places where you think people would be treated with some kind of respect. The money incentive is so blatantly obvious that it is disgusting. The fact that a church requires additional costs with the "outer burial container" although it is completely unnecessary. It reminds me of a commerical is saw for a website called goddate or something along those lines. The website had the slogan "god will match you up." Even though thats pretty humorous it is the same thing that these funeral homes do.. They get you to spend money to have a truly traditional, religious funeral and burial.
Precis: Jenny is a young college student who died. Her parents are at a funeral home trying to have a nice traditional, catholic funeral for their daughter. As they are meeting the funeral director he starts to pile on the costs. Everything that could possibly be charged was charged for the funeral. Picking up the body, transporting, embalming, etc. All the tricks of getting people to spend money at funeral homes are explored. The care of the dead is simply another business. Not only are people being exploited financially bt many of the practices cause highly toxic polution that is most times discarded in to the sewage system.
Quotes: "the average funeral in america runs to $10,000."
"Back upstairs, Fielding and the Johnsons come to the final selections. One concerns the "outer burial container," a requirement of Holy Savior (though not of any local, state, or federal law)
"Jenny has been cooling in his basement refrigerator unit since he retrieved her from the hospital last night."
Analysis: It is pretty obvious that the incentive is money, as it is a business after all. However, the amount of exploitation is unbelievable. It is the institutions we need most in this society that exploit us a screw us over the most. The food corporations, insurance companies, hospitals, funeral homes, all places where you think people would be treated with some kind of respect. The money incentive is so blatantly obvious that it is disgusting. The fact that a church requires additional costs with the "outer burial container" although it is completely unnecessary. It reminds me of a commerical is saw for a website called goddate or something along those lines. The website had the slogan "god will match you up." Even though thats pretty humorous it is the same thing that these funeral homes do.. They get you to spend money to have a truly traditional, religious funeral and burial.
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