Finding a Middle Ground
(Written October 30th, 2008)
The desire to help those less fortunate than one's self should be a trait present in all people, but some people have found reasons to not support charity. Author Garret Hardin presents a case against helping the poor in an essay he dubbed “Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against Helping the Poor.” Hardin's view was that if the rich attempt to help the poor survive, both parties would end up suffering as a result. Hardin described the Earth as a 'lifeboat' adrift in the ocean, with the rich safely onboard and the poor struggling to stay above water. According to Hardin, the Earth only has enough resources to support a certain amount of it's population. If the rich help the poor by allowing them on the lifeboat, it would exceed capacity and all of the occupants would drown. Hardin completely ignores the concept of a middle ground, a means for both the rich and the poor to keep their heads above water. If the concept of a 'social mobility' is introduced to Hardin's metaphor, it would result in 'lifeboat ethics' losing much of its footing. Hardin's belief that helping the poor would only result in the mutual destruction of the poor and rich is both myopic and defeatist.
Almost half of the Earth's population is below the poverty line, the minimum level of income necessary for an adequate standard of living. The poverty line can serve as a demarcation between the 'haves' of the world, and the 'have nots.' Ever since the rise of early civilizations, there have been the rich and the poor, with little room for anyone in between. Only in relatively recent times has the emergence of a 'middle class' taken place. The middle class is a group of people with greater income than the poor but are not considered wealthy to be called 'rich'. This middle class would have difficulty finding a spot in Hardin's 'lifeboat' metaphor. If there only exist two possible positions for people to be part of; either struggling to stay alive or living comfortably, the introduction of a third party would not work. The people of the middle class often have difficulty staying above the poverty line and sometimes descend below it only to once again rise above. If these people were to be included in Hardin's metaphor, it would be in the form of people who are falling off the lifeboat or struggling to stay on. Hardin never accounts for such a concept, as it would throw his entire metaphor into question. These people would upset the delicate balance established within the 'lifeboat' metaphor, allowing for the line between the rich and the poor to become blurred.
In addition to not allowing for a middle class, Hardin's metaphor leaves no room for social mobility. “...each rich nation can be seen as a lifeboat full of comparatively rich people. In the ocean outside each lifeboat swim the poor of the world, who would like to get in, or at least to share some of the wealth... We could take them all into our boat, making a total of 150 in a boat designed for 60. The boat swamps, everyone drowns.” The wealthy of the world do not always remain so and may end up losing their position as 'lifeboat' passengers. Likewise, the poor do not always remain as such and it is possible for people to succeed in becoming wealthy. Where would these newly rich people go? The lifeboat metaphor does not allow for anyone besides those already rich to survive.
Similarly, if the countries of the world are lifeboats in an ocean, how are new countries developed or the rich able to reproduce? If there are only enough resources for a certain number of people to stay on the lifeboat and no room for any additional members, how can the rich reproduce? All of these questions serve to cast doubt on the metaphor that Hardin has established. There are too many variables for such a complex problem like world poverty for it to be changed into a simplified metaphor. Lifeboats are not designed for the sustained support of people. Lifeboats are a way of temporarily sustaining life until rescue can be acquired. Hardin's metaphor doesn't acknowledge the fact that lifeboats are only a means to an end, rather than a permanent habitat.
There are many problems with Hardin's metaphor, and they don't all involve helping the poor. Not only does the 'lifeboat' scenario not account for the middle class, social mobility, or the fact that a lifeboat is merely a stop-gap rather than a permanent solution. When the metaphor is broken down and analyzed, it becomes clear that Hardin cares less about supporting his beliefs with metaphors and more about keeping his wealth. Helping the poor should be something that is done without thinking about getting something in return. The act of giving without expecting anything in return is called charity, and Hardin does not acknowledge this.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Silenced Slope of Slienced Speech
Slippery Slope of Silenced Speech
(written October 14th, 2008.)
The right of all American men and women to practice free speech is in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights because it is one of the cornerstones of American democracy and is paramount to all other rights. When student Doug Hann was expelled from attending Brown University, his First Amendment rights were violated. Doug Hann had directed racial epithets towards other Brown University students on multiple occasions, and the Undergraduate Disciplinary Council ruled that Hann be expelled from Brown University for the rest of his life. With the Brown University community punishing Hann for his speech, they start to traverse down a slippery slope of censorship that could lead to further restrictions upon what is deemed as acceptable speech. Hann was expelled due to his speech, and not his behavior as according to Brown University President Vartan Gregorian. There is a large difference between actions and speech, but Brown President Gregorian has failed to see the distinction.
College campuses are one of the few places left for free speech and for people to discuss their ideas freely. With The Undergraduate Disciplinary Council’s expulsion of Hann for his speech, their actions open the door for further restrictions of free speech. Speech that is considered acceptable today may be deemed unacceptable tomorrow. In Brown University’s Codes of Conduct, it is stated: “(The University’s Code of Conduct) [sic] prohibits not speech, but actions… which deals with inappropriate, abusive, threatening or demeaning actions based on race, religion, etc…” These words, “inappropriate,” and “threatening,” are subjective. Those in charge at Brown University may one day deem words or sayings that are socially acceptable today as “inappropriate”. Writer Nat Hentoff explores this further in “Should This Student Have Been Expelled?” where he quotes a letter written by Brown University President Vartan Gregorian and comments: “Gregorian emphasizes that “The Rules do not proscribe words, epithets, or slanders, they proscribe behavior.” Behavior that “shows flagrant disrespect for the well-being of others or is unreasonably disruptive of the University Community.” Consider the over breadth and vagueness of these penalty-bearing provisions. What are the definitions of “harassment,” “inappropriate,” “demeaning,” “flagrant,” “disrespect,” “wellbeing,” “unreasonably”?” These rules are too subjective and allow for the outlawing of a wide variety of words and behaviors.
The difference between speech and behavior has become blurred due to Brown University President Vartan Gregorian’s claim that Hann was expelled due to his actions and not his speech. In writing to the New York Times, Gregorian claimed that he is a steward of free speech and Hann’s expulsion was not a free speech issue. In this letter, “Brown Expulsion Not About Free Speech,” Gregorian wrote: “The point at which speech becomes behavior... is determined by a hearing.” Gregorian also claimed: “Brown University has never expelled anyone for free speech, nor will it ever do so.” These two claims are in direct contradiction of each other. By Gregorian’s own admission, speech is changed into behavior when he (or a committee) feels that it: “Shows flagrant disrespect for the well-being of others.” Hentoff contends that Hann would not have been expelled had: “…he spoken different words while engaging in the same conduct.” If the behavior were truly the issue, then the student would most likely have not been expelled had he spoken different words. Speech and behavior are not interchangeable and there is a demarcation that Gregorian has blatantly ignored in order to appear as someone who believes in free speech.
Brown University and other college campuses across the United States are frontiers of free speech, as well as education. When people like Brown President Vartan Gregorian blatantly disregard the rights granted to all citizens by the First Amendment, they do a great disservice to the University as a whole. Steps like those taken by the Undergraduate Disciplinary Council are the first down a dangerous path of censorship. In order to maintain the integrity of the First Amendment on college campuses, students must be allowed to express their views through speech as long as it does not inflict physical harm upon anyone else.
(written October 14th, 2008.)
The right of all American men and women to practice free speech is in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights because it is one of the cornerstones of American democracy and is paramount to all other rights. When student Doug Hann was expelled from attending Brown University, his First Amendment rights were violated. Doug Hann had directed racial epithets towards other Brown University students on multiple occasions, and the Undergraduate Disciplinary Council ruled that Hann be expelled from Brown University for the rest of his life. With the Brown University community punishing Hann for his speech, they start to traverse down a slippery slope of censorship that could lead to further restrictions upon what is deemed as acceptable speech. Hann was expelled due to his speech, and not his behavior as according to Brown University President Vartan Gregorian. There is a large difference between actions and speech, but Brown President Gregorian has failed to see the distinction.
College campuses are one of the few places left for free speech and for people to discuss their ideas freely. With The Undergraduate Disciplinary Council’s expulsion of Hann for his speech, their actions open the door for further restrictions of free speech. Speech that is considered acceptable today may be deemed unacceptable tomorrow. In Brown University’s Codes of Conduct, it is stated: “(The University’s Code of Conduct) [sic] prohibits not speech, but actions… which deals with inappropriate, abusive, threatening or demeaning actions based on race, religion, etc…” These words, “inappropriate,” and “threatening,” are subjective. Those in charge at Brown University may one day deem words or sayings that are socially acceptable today as “inappropriate”. Writer Nat Hentoff explores this further in “Should This Student Have Been Expelled?” where he quotes a letter written by Brown University President Vartan Gregorian and comments: “Gregorian emphasizes that “The Rules do not proscribe words, epithets, or slanders, they proscribe behavior.” Behavior that “shows flagrant disrespect for the well-being of others or is unreasonably disruptive of the University Community.” Consider the over breadth and vagueness of these penalty-bearing provisions. What are the definitions of “harassment,” “inappropriate,” “demeaning,” “flagrant,” “disrespect,” “wellbeing,” “unreasonably”?” These rules are too subjective and allow for the outlawing of a wide variety of words and behaviors.
The difference between speech and behavior has become blurred due to Brown University President Vartan Gregorian’s claim that Hann was expelled due to his actions and not his speech. In writing to the New York Times, Gregorian claimed that he is a steward of free speech and Hann’s expulsion was not a free speech issue. In this letter, “Brown Expulsion Not About Free Speech,” Gregorian wrote: “The point at which speech becomes behavior... is determined by a hearing.” Gregorian also claimed: “Brown University has never expelled anyone for free speech, nor will it ever do so.” These two claims are in direct contradiction of each other. By Gregorian’s own admission, speech is changed into behavior when he (or a committee) feels that it: “Shows flagrant disrespect for the well-being of others.” Hentoff contends that Hann would not have been expelled had: “…he spoken different words while engaging in the same conduct.” If the behavior were truly the issue, then the student would most likely have not been expelled had he spoken different words. Speech and behavior are not interchangeable and there is a demarcation that Gregorian has blatantly ignored in order to appear as someone who believes in free speech.
Brown University and other college campuses across the United States are frontiers of free speech, as well as education. When people like Brown President Vartan Gregorian blatantly disregard the rights granted to all citizens by the First Amendment, they do a great disservice to the University as a whole. Steps like those taken by the Undergraduate Disciplinary Council are the first down a dangerous path of censorship. In order to maintain the integrity of the First Amendment on college campuses, students must be allowed to express their views through speech as long as it does not inflict physical harm upon anyone else.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
On Perceptions and People
(Written September 26th, 3:09 AM)
On Perceptions and People
One of the most prevalent flaws in humanity is a person’s tendency to judge others by their appearance. It is impossible to truly know someone by mere observation. Assuming that someone is unrespectable or uneducated because of appearance or behavior is unfair. Most people, upon seeing a man dumpster diving, would consider him a vagrant or uneducated bum. Lars Eighner spent many years dumpster diving, and upon closer investigation of him, one would discover that underneath his rough exterior lies a person who has come to realize his place in the world. Lars Eighner’s writing of his experiences dumpster diving recorded in “On Dumpster Diving” paint a picture of a man who is insightful about the objects he finds in dumpsters and understands the significance behind their presence in the trash. Lars Eighner is an ethical man, who has standards and practices that reflect his respect for others and their property. People who would judge Lars by his appearance will most likely never see the humble, reflective, and ethical person who lies underneath. Judging people by their appearances can rob someone from meeting a person who could enrich their life with wisdom and insightful worldviews.
Lars Eighner is a man who has come to accept his position in life. Lars preferred to call himself a “scavenger” rather than a “dumpster diver.” Lars acknowledged the fact that he lived off of other’s waste, as depicted in his writing when he said, “I live from the refuse of others. I am a scavenger. I think it a sound and honorable niche…” A man uncomfortable with his actions would be ashamed of dumpster diving and perhaps refrain from discussing his lifestyle in detail. Lars Eighner felt that he filled a necessary position in society by using the refuse of others. Lars accepted the fact that it would be difficult for him to live a normal lifestyle after scavenging for so long because he had become accustomed to living in a prudent manner, “…Although if I could I would naturally prefer to live the comfortable consumer life, perhaps… as a slightly less wasteful consumer, owing to what I have learned as a scavenger.” Rather than be ashamed of his status as a scavenger, Eighner embraced his lifestyle and became a man richer in knowledge because of it.
While other scavengers may find an item useful to them and think no further than it’s immediate use to them, Lars Eighner couldn’t help but attempt to understand the significance of the object and its origins during his time as a dumpster diver. Upon discovering a paper bag containing items of a sexual nature, Eighner imagined the reasoning behind the bag’s placement in the dumpster, “Occasionally a find tells a story… a partially used compact of birth-control pills, and the torn pieces of a picture of a young man. Clearly she was through with him and planning to give up sex altogether.” Reading about Eighner’s insights in regard to his discoveries helps to establish that Eighner is a contemplating individual. Without these insights into the origins of the items he discovers, Eighner would come across as a less intelligent person. The act of thinking about why something is rather than just accepting its existence reveals an intelligence and insightfulness heretofore unseen in most scavengers.
One way scavengers can obtain food is by making bogus orders to pizza delivery shops and then retrieving the discarded pizza from the shop’s dumpster. Lars Eighner chose to never do such an act, “I never place a bogus order…” Lars ethics are such that he would rather go hungry than defraud a shop of revenue. On the subject of scavenging through a household’s trashcans, “… my strongest reservation about going through individual garbage cans is that this seems to me a very personal kind of invasion to which I would object if I were a householder.” Eighner believes in a person’s right to privacy, even in regards to their garbage. Eighner also tried to avoid drawing conclusions about the people who dump their garbage in the dumpsters he frequents, “I think it would be unethical to do so.” It would be hard to tell that Eighner is an ethical person just by his appearance because appearances cannot tell all that is important about a person.
Thus it is clear that appearances can be deceiving and that making assumptions based on nothing but appearance can lead to a flawed perception of reality. Without reading about Lars Eighner, it becomes difficult to learn about the intricacies of this insightful, ethical, and humble man based on just his appearance. If the people of the world are lacking the knowledge of intelligent people like Lars Eighner, just imagine what else is being ignored due to appearance.
On Perceptions and People
One of the most prevalent flaws in humanity is a person’s tendency to judge others by their appearance. It is impossible to truly know someone by mere observation. Assuming that someone is unrespectable or uneducated because of appearance or behavior is unfair. Most people, upon seeing a man dumpster diving, would consider him a vagrant or uneducated bum. Lars Eighner spent many years dumpster diving, and upon closer investigation of him, one would discover that underneath his rough exterior lies a person who has come to realize his place in the world. Lars Eighner’s writing of his experiences dumpster diving recorded in “On Dumpster Diving” paint a picture of a man who is insightful about the objects he finds in dumpsters and understands the significance behind their presence in the trash. Lars Eighner is an ethical man, who has standards and practices that reflect his respect for others and their property. People who would judge Lars by his appearance will most likely never see the humble, reflective, and ethical person who lies underneath. Judging people by their appearances can rob someone from meeting a person who could enrich their life with wisdom and insightful worldviews.
Lars Eighner is a man who has come to accept his position in life. Lars preferred to call himself a “scavenger” rather than a “dumpster diver.” Lars acknowledged the fact that he lived off of other’s waste, as depicted in his writing when he said, “I live from the refuse of others. I am a scavenger. I think it a sound and honorable niche…” A man uncomfortable with his actions would be ashamed of dumpster diving and perhaps refrain from discussing his lifestyle in detail. Lars Eighner felt that he filled a necessary position in society by using the refuse of others. Lars accepted the fact that it would be difficult for him to live a normal lifestyle after scavenging for so long because he had become accustomed to living in a prudent manner, “…Although if I could I would naturally prefer to live the comfortable consumer life, perhaps… as a slightly less wasteful consumer, owing to what I have learned as a scavenger.” Rather than be ashamed of his status as a scavenger, Eighner embraced his lifestyle and became a man richer in knowledge because of it.
While other scavengers may find an item useful to them and think no further than it’s immediate use to them, Lars Eighner couldn’t help but attempt to understand the significance of the object and its origins during his time as a dumpster diver. Upon discovering a paper bag containing items of a sexual nature, Eighner imagined the reasoning behind the bag’s placement in the dumpster, “Occasionally a find tells a story… a partially used compact of birth-control pills, and the torn pieces of a picture of a young man. Clearly she was through with him and planning to give up sex altogether.” Reading about Eighner’s insights in regard to his discoveries helps to establish that Eighner is a contemplating individual. Without these insights into the origins of the items he discovers, Eighner would come across as a less intelligent person. The act of thinking about why something is rather than just accepting its existence reveals an intelligence and insightfulness heretofore unseen in most scavengers.
One way scavengers can obtain food is by making bogus orders to pizza delivery shops and then retrieving the discarded pizza from the shop’s dumpster. Lars Eighner chose to never do such an act, “I never place a bogus order…” Lars ethics are such that he would rather go hungry than defraud a shop of revenue. On the subject of scavenging through a household’s trashcans, “… my strongest reservation about going through individual garbage cans is that this seems to me a very personal kind of invasion to which I would object if I were a householder.” Eighner believes in a person’s right to privacy, even in regards to their garbage. Eighner also tried to avoid drawing conclusions about the people who dump their garbage in the dumpsters he frequents, “I think it would be unethical to do so.” It would be hard to tell that Eighner is an ethical person just by his appearance because appearances cannot tell all that is important about a person.
Thus it is clear that appearances can be deceiving and that making assumptions based on nothing but appearance can lead to a flawed perception of reality. Without reading about Lars Eighner, it becomes difficult to learn about the intricacies of this insightful, ethical, and humble man based on just his appearance. If the people of the world are lacking the knowledge of intelligent people like Lars Eighner, just imagine what else is being ignored due to appearance.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thoughts on Literacy.
(Written Sep 12th, 2008 4:21am)
While not as pressing as world hunger or nuclear warfare, illiteracy is an issue affecting many Americans and people all over the world. Illiteracy can result in poor lifestyle choices, lack of a sustainable income, and difficulties in achieving success. The ability to read develops from an early age, and if not properly developed, it can become difficult to gain later. Some might say that a person’s entire life can be determined by the way they are raised, and that humans are shaped by their environment. If a child is raised in a harmful or un-supporting manner, it can result in learning or behavioral problems to develop. Without positive nurturing and education, a person’s ability to succeed in the modern world becomes less than that of someone who was raised in an environment more conducive to their needs. One of the most fundamental aspects of childhood development is learning how to read. Literacy is an essential skill in today’s modern society, and America’s children are falling behind the rest of the world. It is the responsibility of the American school systems and parents to ensure that the future of their children has the proper foundation. Literacy rates can be improved by developing new programs designed to focus on ensuring that children read often and have a wide variety of opportunities available to them to do so. Alternative forms of literature, such as comic books, video games, and the Internet, should be utilized to help establish a strong desire for children to read on their own time and of their own free will.
In modern America, the ability to read and interpret language is absolutely necessary on a daily basis. Children who struggle with reading may have a difficult time in developing the skills needed for employment and survival in their futures. All but the most menial of jobs requires the ability to understand and read. There are few occupations that do not require at least a minimal amount of reading, and many that require constant use of the ability to read. If children are unable to acquire jobs as they reach maturity, their future prospects dim ever so quickly. It would be possible to show that there is a correlation between illiteracy and juvenile delinquency, as the inability to succeed in their education can lead to young adults to drop out of schooling and focus on less law-abiding endeavors. It would also be possible to show a relationship between children who grew up with a strong sense of literary experience and success in business and life, by today’s standards. By establishing the proper cornerstone for literacy in children’s lives, the opportunities and future developments available increase greatly.
While getting a child to read may be a difficult task, there is a more pressing problem to address afterwards. If a child only reads when he is directed to, the probability of that child failing to establish good reading habits is increased. Getting children to read is simply not enough, a child must learn to enjoy reading and desire to read when not directly told to do so. The use of alternative forms of literature, such as comic books and video games, can be a helpful tool in establishing positive reading experiences. Having children move away from standard books and texts is good for establishing diversity in a child’s reading habits. Comic books and video games can be used to help a child to have fun while at the same time learn and develop confidence in their skills. Reading regularly is necessary for not just children, but all people, and should be done accordingly.
While some would argue that illiteracy is not a pressing issue in today’s modern world, many of the problems that we face today can be linked back to how people spent their childhoods. The homeless and poor, who were unable to achieve success, may have had a better chance at doing well in life had they an educational structure to rely on. Not all problems can be solved through literacy, but it’s a step in the right direction. With focus on establishing positive reading habits early on in a child’s development, and reinforcing those habits with diverse forms of literature, the United States has the proper cornerstone to addressing illiteracy.
While not as pressing as world hunger or nuclear warfare, illiteracy is an issue affecting many Americans and people all over the world. Illiteracy can result in poor lifestyle choices, lack of a sustainable income, and difficulties in achieving success. The ability to read develops from an early age, and if not properly developed, it can become difficult to gain later. Some might say that a person’s entire life can be determined by the way they are raised, and that humans are shaped by their environment. If a child is raised in a harmful or un-supporting manner, it can result in learning or behavioral problems to develop. Without positive nurturing and education, a person’s ability to succeed in the modern world becomes less than that of someone who was raised in an environment more conducive to their needs. One of the most fundamental aspects of childhood development is learning how to read. Literacy is an essential skill in today’s modern society, and America’s children are falling behind the rest of the world. It is the responsibility of the American school systems and parents to ensure that the future of their children has the proper foundation. Literacy rates can be improved by developing new programs designed to focus on ensuring that children read often and have a wide variety of opportunities available to them to do so. Alternative forms of literature, such as comic books, video games, and the Internet, should be utilized to help establish a strong desire for children to read on their own time and of their own free will.
In modern America, the ability to read and interpret language is absolutely necessary on a daily basis. Children who struggle with reading may have a difficult time in developing the skills needed for employment and survival in their futures. All but the most menial of jobs requires the ability to understand and read. There are few occupations that do not require at least a minimal amount of reading, and many that require constant use of the ability to read. If children are unable to acquire jobs as they reach maturity, their future prospects dim ever so quickly. It would be possible to show that there is a correlation between illiteracy and juvenile delinquency, as the inability to succeed in their education can lead to young adults to drop out of schooling and focus on less law-abiding endeavors. It would also be possible to show a relationship between children who grew up with a strong sense of literary experience and success in business and life, by today’s standards. By establishing the proper cornerstone for literacy in children’s lives, the opportunities and future developments available increase greatly.
While getting a child to read may be a difficult task, there is a more pressing problem to address afterwards. If a child only reads when he is directed to, the probability of that child failing to establish good reading habits is increased. Getting children to read is simply not enough, a child must learn to enjoy reading and desire to read when not directly told to do so. The use of alternative forms of literature, such as comic books and video games, can be a helpful tool in establishing positive reading experiences. Having children move away from standard books and texts is good for establishing diversity in a child’s reading habits. Comic books and video games can be used to help a child to have fun while at the same time learn and develop confidence in their skills. Reading regularly is necessary for not just children, but all people, and should be done accordingly.
While some would argue that illiteracy is not a pressing issue in today’s modern world, many of the problems that we face today can be linked back to how people spent their childhoods. The homeless and poor, who were unable to achieve success, may have had a better chance at doing well in life had they an educational structure to rely on. Not all problems can be solved through literacy, but it’s a step in the right direction. With focus on establishing positive reading habits early on in a child’s development, and reinforcing those habits with diverse forms of literature, the United States has the proper cornerstone to addressing illiteracy.
Absolutely everything that was on my mind at 5:04 AM.
(Written Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 5:47am)
It's late in the night, morning. As I feel the stress that is evident in my back by the raised bumps of testosterone, the screaming punk rocker in my ears cries about living a lie. I've come to realize that only recently have I stopped doing so, and truly started living. No longer am I stuck, burning in water. No, I find myself afloat in the mostmagnificent ocean of bliss in recent memory. These feelings aren't transitory, they aren't fictitious and I truly believe they are of a supernatural quality. The coincidences and events that have been instilled upon my existence lately are either some grand cosmic joke or merely as I put it, coincidence. I'm not one to question the decisions that are made or the paths that I find myself put upon, but I find myself curious. I find myself with just one question, and I know it won't be answered by who you're thinking of, as the universe does not speak to me in plain English. The question I find myself asking is thus;
What the hell took so long?
I'm looking over the last paragraph that I wrote and I'm seriously wondering what drugs I was on, or what I was trying to come across as. Was I trying to be deep and intellectual, or was it just so I would be able to put my thoughts to text? I feel like a fucking tool when I read back this post, and I'm sure there are a few of you who feel the same way. If you don't, please respond and tell me why not. Should I continue writing this type of stuff? I'm not going to write those typical posts which are only about mudslinging, as it's almost never worth it. Throwing my innermost thoughts on theInternet in an attempt to do, what? Feel better about myself? Garner attention from people who don't give a shit about me, because if they did, they would respond to more than just my notes?
I digress, the point of this post was, I believe, just to write. I haven't written in a long time, since before I graduated from High School. I still can't believe that I actually did that. It seems like just yesterday that I was filling out F.I.G.T.E.S.P.I.N.S., and being sent to the office for misbehaving. I still clearly remember the time where I made my fourth grade teacher cry for no reason at all, just because I was a fucking brat who thrived on causing misery. Looking back, I can say with a firm state of mind that I was a fucking maniac. I caused a mutiny in my kindergarten class, caused dozens of people to cry over the course of 13 years of schooling, talked back to dozens of teachers/administrators/counselors/aides/lunch ladies/faculty. I've gotten into at least five physical altercations, given countless purple-nurples, tripped hundreds of people, insulted the way people smelled, dressed, acted, talked, spelled, danced, walked, ran. I've put a thumbtack on a teacher's stool and had him sit upon it, I've skipped assignments and classes for no reason at all, and I had the time of my life.
Senior Year was an amazing time for me, and I'm seriously regretting that I didn't participate in more activities while I was in High School. Writing for the school newspaper, The Fling. Participating in One-Acts or Drama classes, and preforming on stage. These are the things that I wish I had paid more attention to while I was still in school, and it's a shame that I didn't take advantage of the opportunities I had.
Seeing my name in the paper was one of the coolest feelings, and the fact that I wrote perhaps three articles in the 8 months that I was writing for the paper is pathetic. Whether it was a lack of motivation or just sheer laziness, it was unfortunate for myself and everyone else that I was not more involved with the Fling. The few articles that actually made it into the newspaper weren't even that good in my opinion. They were hackwork that I shit out the night before a deadline, and I think it shows. Perhaps I'm just jaded, (and I do mean to gloat here, I think I found the actual point of this article. It's talking about myself. I guessing I'm writing an article now, as that is what I've referred to it as. An article for what? The comic book review website that I have neglected for months? The school newspaper that I can no longer write for? This isn't even the point, I'm still in the parenthesis. I should probably stop soon, or I will have an entire paragraph in between two sentences.) but people have told me that my work is amazing. Thanks for the praise, but I don't really see it.
When I participated in the Senior Auction and Mr. Highland Park, I never felt more comfortable. Being on stage, being in front of hundreds dozens of people, and just being myself (in the case of Mr. Highland Park, I was myself as well as several other people.) was almost an intoxicating experience. The only feelings of nervousness that I felt were before and after the performances. The butterflies and twitching all but disappeared when I went up on stage. For a person who hasn't always been proud of his body, for that person to go up on stage and tear off his clothing, that is truly something. Being able to go up and do my thing at Mr. Highland Park, being able to actually BE MYSELF, and still get applause and admiration was absolutely incredible. Even though I didn't win, ( I refuse to say that I lost. I lost nothing. I gained plenty of things that night.) I came away from that experience feeling like a brand new person. If I had known how comfortable I was on stage when I was just entering High School, perhaps things would have been seriously different. Seeing the performances of 'Crazy For You' made me seriously regret my decisions of not joining Drama in High School.
It's not important now, though. The past is past and the future is now, and the future is looking fucking sweet. I've got a girlfriend who I am crazy about, I'm attending college in the fall, I am on summer vacation and there are almost endless possibilities in front of me. Despite what I said earlier, about regretting my decisions in the past, it's not a big deal at all. I kicked Highland Park High School in its ass, and I'm a better person for coming out of that place. I just need to keep my head up, keep writing, and keep living.
When I started writing this piece, I had no idea it would turn into a giant introspective analysis of my recent life. I never even touched upon the events that I mentioned in the first paragraph. I guess that's a good thing, the fact that my writing can get away from me so quickly. I feel a lot better after having written this, despite the pain in my back (that still remains from the first paragraph.) and the sleep that I will be sorely missing in the morrow.
It's late in the night, morning. As I feel the stress that is evident in my back by the raised bumps of testosterone, the screaming punk rocker in my ears cries about living a lie. I've come to realize that only recently have I stopped doing so, and truly started living. No longer am I stuck, burning in water. No, I find myself afloat in the mostmagnificent ocean of bliss in recent memory. These feelings aren't transitory, they aren't fictitious and I truly believe they are of a supernatural quality. The coincidences and events that have been instilled upon my existence lately are either some grand cosmic joke or merely as I put it, coincidence. I'm not one to question the decisions that are made or the paths that I find myself put upon, but I find myself curious. I find myself with just one question, and I know it won't be answered by who you're thinking of, as the universe does not speak to me in plain English. The question I find myself asking is thus;
What the hell took so long?
I'm looking over the last paragraph that I wrote and I'm seriously wondering what drugs I was on, or what I was trying to come across as. Was I trying to be deep and intellectual, or was it just so I would be able to put my thoughts to text? I feel like a fucking tool when I read back this post, and I'm sure there are a few of you who feel the same way. If you don't, please respond and tell me why not. Should I continue writing this type of stuff? I'm not going to write those typical posts which are only about mudslinging, as it's almost never worth it. Throwing my innermost thoughts on theInternet in an attempt to do, what? Feel better about myself? Garner attention from people who don't give a shit about me, because if they did, they would respond to more than just my notes?
I digress, the point of this post was, I believe, just to write. I haven't written in a long time, since before I graduated from High School. I still can't believe that I actually did that. It seems like just yesterday that I was filling out F.I.G.T.E.S.P.I.N.S., and being sent to the office for misbehaving. I still clearly remember the time where I made my fourth grade teacher cry for no reason at all, just because I was a fucking brat who thrived on causing misery. Looking back, I can say with a firm state of mind that I was a fucking maniac. I caused a mutiny in my kindergarten class, caused dozens of people to cry over the course of 13 years of schooling, talked back to dozens of teachers/administrators/counselors/aides/lunch ladies/faculty. I've gotten into at least five physical altercations, given countless purple-nurples, tripped hundreds of people, insulted the way people smelled, dressed, acted, talked, spelled, danced, walked, ran. I've put a thumbtack on a teacher's stool and had him sit upon it, I've skipped assignments and classes for no reason at all, and I had the time of my life.
Senior Year was an amazing time for me, and I'm seriously regretting that I didn't participate in more activities while I was in High School. Writing for the school newspaper, The Fling. Participating in One-Acts or Drama classes, and preforming on stage. These are the things that I wish I had paid more attention to while I was still in school, and it's a shame that I didn't take advantage of the opportunities I had.
Seeing my name in the paper was one of the coolest feelings, and the fact that I wrote perhaps three articles in the 8 months that I was writing for the paper is pathetic. Whether it was a lack of motivation or just sheer laziness, it was unfortunate for myself and everyone else that I was not more involved with the Fling. The few articles that actually made it into the newspaper weren't even that good in my opinion. They were hackwork that I shit out the night before a deadline, and I think it shows. Perhaps I'm just jaded, (and I do mean to gloat here, I think I found the actual point of this article. It's talking about myself. I guessing I'm writing an article now, as that is what I've referred to it as. An article for what? The comic book review website that I have neglected for months? The school newspaper that I can no longer write for? This isn't even the point, I'm still in the parenthesis. I should probably stop soon, or I will have an entire paragraph in between two sentences.) but people have told me that my work is amazing. Thanks for the praise, but I don't really see it.
When I participated in the Senior Auction and Mr. Highland Park, I never felt more comfortable. Being on stage, being in front of hundreds dozens of people, and just being myself (in the case of Mr. Highland Park, I was myself as well as several other people.) was almost an intoxicating experience. The only feelings of nervousness that I felt were before and after the performances. The butterflies and twitching all but disappeared when I went up on stage. For a person who hasn't always been proud of his body, for that person to go up on stage and tear off his clothing, that is truly something. Being able to go up and do my thing at Mr. Highland Park, being able to actually BE MYSELF, and still get applause and admiration was absolutely incredible. Even though I didn't win, ( I refuse to say that I lost. I lost nothing. I gained plenty of things that night.) I came away from that experience feeling like a brand new person. If I had known how comfortable I was on stage when I was just entering High School, perhaps things would have been seriously different. Seeing the performances of 'Crazy For You' made me seriously regret my decisions of not joining Drama in High School.
It's not important now, though. The past is past and the future is now, and the future is looking fucking sweet. I've got a girlfriend who I am crazy about, I'm attending college in the fall, I am on summer vacation and there are almost endless possibilities in front of me. Despite what I said earlier, about regretting my decisions in the past, it's not a big deal at all. I kicked Highland Park High School in its ass, and I'm a better person for coming out of that place. I just need to keep my head up, keep writing, and keep living.
When I started writing this piece, I had no idea it would turn into a giant introspective analysis of my recent life. I never even touched upon the events that I mentioned in the first paragraph. I guess that's a good thing, the fact that my writing can get away from me so quickly. I feel a lot better after having written this, despite the pain in my back (that still remains from the first paragraph.) and the sleep that I will be sorely missing in the morrow.
The Revised Mid-Term Schedule, or "The Biggest Waste of My Time Since Study Hall"
(Written Friday, March 14, 2008 at 3:19pm for The Highland Fling)
The Revised Mid-Term Schedule, or "The Biggest Waste of My Time Since Study Hall"
An introspective analysis by Ronnie Cacace
In another brilliant decision by the Powers That Be, Highland Park High School's Midterm Exams would keep students in school for the entire day. In former years, the time after the exams was free, with the school day ending early. Students were free to go home and sleep, study, relax, spend time with friends, and basically just unwind after spending over two hours taking exams. Teachers also benefited from this schedule, as it allowed them the time to grade and mark tests, which would otherwise take up their free time. Some people looked forward to Midterms, just for the half-days and opportunities to sleep from noon to midnight.
All these things sound wonderful, don't they? They sound like things that you would enjoy partaking in, perhaps even feel happy about. Would you like to experience these events?
Too bad.
The revised Midterm schedule kept students in class for the full seven hours of the day, (oh hey, we got out ten minutes early! I forgot about that. So it was more like six hours and forty-five minutes.) There were two midterms each day, with two "classes", two "breaks", and a designated lunchtime to complete the schedule. How did this all fare? How did our magnificent school manage to deal with this new schedule?
Quite poorly.
None of the exams that I took required more than half the time allotted, except for one. In almost all of exams, people were left with a good half-hour to forty-five minutes to sleep or study for their next test. I never study, as I find studying is detrimental to my grades. I know that there are some people out there, who do study, and you have my apologies. I can't possibly imagine what it's like to live like that. For the "classes" that students had between exams, absolutely nothing was accomplished. I'm not even trying to be funny, nothing got done in any of these classes. Teachers were busy trying to keep the restless students quiet, while trying to grade stacks of papers. Students were either exhausted from having to get up early to take exams or hyper from the lack of activity. I haven't even gotten to the best part yet, just wait for it, you're going to love this.
During the second fifteen-minute "break", students were told that snacks would be served in the cafeteria. Apparently, someone forgot to carry the two in one of the equations they used that created this excuse of a schedule, because the entire Middle School was using the lunchroom. Do you remember those guys? The same Middle School students who were supposed to have their own lunchroom?
Students were told they had to report to the auditorium, (Let me take a minute here to just say that I could not have made this stuff up. I'm a funny guy, but this is just way beyond even my capabilities. This is million-dollar comedy material, right here.) Upon arriving to the auditorium, students were told once again that the Middle School was occupying the area and that they would have to leave. With nowhere to go, and no one to tell them what to do, the students did exactly what any other teenager with free time would do. Loiter in the hallways, create blockades, form embargoes on communist countries, and start drum circles. The best part about this wasn't the fact that students had nowhere to go, or that the Powers That Be failed to remember that we share our illustrious building with a large amount of preteens. The best part was that I had to go to the main office and inform the people working about what was going on. The administration had no idea, as they were in a meeting and unreachable at the time. I will forever remember these fifteen minutes as the funniest fifteen minutes of my life, even better than that time I got suspended in my freshman year. The next day, students were again left to wander in the hallways, only with supervision this time. Things gradually return to whatever passes for "normal" around Highland Park, and everyone seems to have forgotten about those fifteen minutes. I haven't, and I doubt I ever will.
The Revised Mid-Term Schedule, or "The Biggest Waste of My Time Since Study Hall"
An introspective analysis by Ronnie Cacace
In another brilliant decision by the Powers That Be, Highland Park High School's Midterm Exams would keep students in school for the entire day. In former years, the time after the exams was free, with the school day ending early. Students were free to go home and sleep, study, relax, spend time with friends, and basically just unwind after spending over two hours taking exams. Teachers also benefited from this schedule, as it allowed them the time to grade and mark tests, which would otherwise take up their free time. Some people looked forward to Midterms, just for the half-days and opportunities to sleep from noon to midnight.
All these things sound wonderful, don't they? They sound like things that you would enjoy partaking in, perhaps even feel happy about. Would you like to experience these events?
Too bad.
The revised Midterm schedule kept students in class for the full seven hours of the day, (oh hey, we got out ten minutes early! I forgot about that. So it was more like six hours and forty-five minutes.) There were two midterms each day, with two "classes", two "breaks", and a designated lunchtime to complete the schedule. How did this all fare? How did our magnificent school manage to deal with this new schedule?
Quite poorly.
None of the exams that I took required more than half the time allotted, except for one. In almost all of exams, people were left with a good half-hour to forty-five minutes to sleep or study for their next test. I never study, as I find studying is detrimental to my grades. I know that there are some people out there, who do study, and you have my apologies. I can't possibly imagine what it's like to live like that. For the "classes" that students had between exams, absolutely nothing was accomplished. I'm not even trying to be funny, nothing got done in any of these classes. Teachers were busy trying to keep the restless students quiet, while trying to grade stacks of papers. Students were either exhausted from having to get up early to take exams or hyper from the lack of activity. I haven't even gotten to the best part yet, just wait for it, you're going to love this.
During the second fifteen-minute "break", students were told that snacks would be served in the cafeteria. Apparently, someone forgot to carry the two in one of the equations they used that created this excuse of a schedule, because the entire Middle School was using the lunchroom. Do you remember those guys? The same Middle School students who were supposed to have their own lunchroom?
Students were told they had to report to the auditorium, (Let me take a minute here to just say that I could not have made this stuff up. I'm a funny guy, but this is just way beyond even my capabilities. This is million-dollar comedy material, right here.) Upon arriving to the auditorium, students were told once again that the Middle School was occupying the area and that they would have to leave. With nowhere to go, and no one to tell them what to do, the students did exactly what any other teenager with free time would do. Loiter in the hallways, create blockades, form embargoes on communist countries, and start drum circles. The best part about this wasn't the fact that students had nowhere to go, or that the Powers That Be failed to remember that we share our illustrious building with a large amount of preteens. The best part was that I had to go to the main office and inform the people working about what was going on. The administration had no idea, as they were in a meeting and unreachable at the time. I will forever remember these fifteen minutes as the funniest fifteen minutes of my life, even better than that time I got suspended in my freshman year. The next day, students were again left to wander in the hallways, only with supervision this time. Things gradually return to whatever passes for "normal" around Highland Park, and everyone seems to have forgotten about those fifteen minutes. I haven't, and I doubt I ever will.
Study Hall
(Written Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 6:56pm for the Highland Fling)
One of the more irritating of changes in recent years was the replacement of Free Periods with Study Halls. Study Halls are just another way for the administration to control every movement and act of the students, and just another way to eliminate any illusion of choice or freedom. Gone are the days of signing out for a forty-five minute nap in your car, and gone are the days of talking with friends in the lunchroom. Welcome to the days where you are kept in one room, with nothing to do and restricted from even the most basic of privileges.
Students are not allowed to put their heads down, sleep, listen to music or anything else that might result in a little bit of relaxation. Who benefits from preventing students to listen to a little music while they sit? If it helps them to concentrate, and perhaps even do a little work, where is the problem? If it doesn't bother anyone, and it's not causing a disruption, where is the harm? I ask again, who benefits?
If I may, I'd like to talk a little about what I've accomplished this year in Study Hall. I reached a high score of 10867 in Jetman, which I'm proud to say is the highest in the Highland Park High School network. I've read over twenty-five graphic novels that I received for Christmas, and I wrote five freestyles. As you can clearly see, I've accomplished much in the time given to me.
I'm sure there are some of you out there who actually spend their Study Hall time doing work. That's great, but I'm sure that, given the opportunity, you would do that same work during a free period. But I digress, the chances of this article or anything anyone says actually affecting policy are about equal to any one of you beating my Jetman score. Slim to none.
One of the more irritating of changes in recent years was the replacement of Free Periods with Study Halls. Study Halls are just another way for the administration to control every movement and act of the students, and just another way to eliminate any illusion of choice or freedom. Gone are the days of signing out for a forty-five minute nap in your car, and gone are the days of talking with friends in the lunchroom. Welcome to the days where you are kept in one room, with nothing to do and restricted from even the most basic of privileges.
Students are not allowed to put their heads down, sleep, listen to music or anything else that might result in a little bit of relaxation. Who benefits from preventing students to listen to a little music while they sit? If it helps them to concentrate, and perhaps even do a little work, where is the problem? If it doesn't bother anyone, and it's not causing a disruption, where is the harm? I ask again, who benefits?
If I may, I'd like to talk a little about what I've accomplished this year in Study Hall. I reached a high score of 10867 in Jetman, which I'm proud to say is the highest in the Highland Park High School network. I've read over twenty-five graphic novels that I received for Christmas, and I wrote five freestyles. As you can clearly see, I've accomplished much in the time given to me.
I'm sure there are some of you out there who actually spend their Study Hall time doing work. That's great, but I'm sure that, given the opportunity, you would do that same work during a free period. But I digress, the chances of this article or anything anyone says actually affecting policy are about equal to any one of you beating my Jetman score. Slim to none.
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