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.
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