anna’s blog

The article about the Bluebird Festival, found in Vox Magazine, was very informative. The article was more of a guide than anything. It was four pages long, and included everything you’d need to know for this weekend’s events. The first two pages gave descriptions and information for the multiple bands playing in the music festival. It also included a neat question and answer section with Atmosphere, one of the bands. The last pages of this guide included a very cool map of the Columbia downtown area, with all the venues pointed out. Each venue has a bit of history written for it, along with the names of bands that play there. Also included on the final pages are more artists that are playing (too many to fit on the first two pages!) and a detailed schedule of the whole weekend. This article was very informative, and a pleasure to read. The Bluebird Festival gives Columbia residents and other music fans from all over something to look forward to this weekend.

I recently read an article in The Maneater titled “Keeping taxes low is patriotic.” In no way did the author really answer how this is patriotic. His entire article was a short story that he got from a friend. It was about 10 men who always split their dinner bill, and was suppose to show how taxation works. The story had good dialogue and made understanding easy. What bothers me about this writing though, is that the author didn’t continue to give an opinion or relate how low taxes are patriotic at all. His conclusion paragraph only had two sentences. The conclusion doesn’t conclude. And it doesn’t leave me asking questions either. This article just frustrated me, because the bulk of it was a story he’d gotten from a friend, and the author didn’t have much else to say. 

This week I read an article from VOX Magazine about the WB network, and its availability online. The article was very interesting to me because I used to watch to WB when I was younger. The opening paragraph makes some great comparisons, which really drew me in. The article overall was very informative and gave me all the details I was wondering about. The only issue I had with the article was that the author seemed a bit negative when discussing the minisodes. She contradicted herself a bit by doing this, and didn’t lead into the minisode discussion in a very positive way. In the end though, it was still pretty well written and informative with multiple quotes and references to the website.

This post isn’t from any one reading exactly. I was just thinking as I was browsing online looking for an article to write about. What I realized is how much more I enjoy reading the news when it is on my computer rather than a newspaper. Sure newspapers aren’t as environmentally friendly as my laptop, but it goes much, much further that just a physical aspect. When I read online there are multiple things on one page, usually related in some way to what I am already on that page to read. A simple click of a link can take me to a whole new story that may be just what i was looking for. News articles online are formatted very well, and lead you on and on into more and more topics to fit your preferences. Yes, preferences is the word. A good example: when you search for clothing items online, and find something you like, then you take the time to look at everything else on that page. There may be accessories to go with the dress you are eyeing, or shoes that seem to go perfectly. The internet is smart like this, and as with shopping, everything else online  is done this same way. I especially like when you open your FaceBook and there are ads on the side to take you to your favorite bands’ websites. everything is well thought out and leads me on a certain path of entertainment. This is why I love reading on my computer more than in a newspaper. A newspaper is the product of humans, and can only contain so many pages worth of information. But with a laptop and internet service, I can be guided through infinite pages which interest me, and my path may not be the same as someone else’s, but at least I’m enjoying myself. Internet makes reading personal, and therefore, it it keeps my interest up longer than a newspaper.

This week I read a section by Martin Luther King, Jr. from my Psychology book, Philosophical Issues and Problems. Why did I enjoy this more than any other readings from this book so far? Other philosophers I’d read had been from the 1600s to 1800s. King’s passage was written in 1963, so its much easier to read. King also loved the work he did, and its evident in the way he writes. He provides great imagery, although sometimes its very horrid and tragic. Most of all, I loved the fire in King, and his aggression. The passage I read was his Letter from Birmingham Jail, which he wrote after being arrested in Birmingham for civil rights demonstrations. In his writing, King also quoted the 8 clergymen that denounced him, and quoted another Philosopher, Henry David Thoreau. This makes his writing more powerful, and you can easily point out the premises for the arguments he provides. King points out every hypocritical law, and proves why it is wrong. His writing is so strong that he makes every point clear and obvious.  Mostly I enjoyed this piece because it was more modern compared to the reading we’ve done before in Philosophy. King’s cause was a major part of American History, so the reading has more meaning and is more pleasurable to read.

Tripping on Schwagstock from Move, written by Anton BerkovichWhy does this article draw me in so well? I loved this article because it took be back to Schwagstock. His descriptions were very accurate, and I can revisit the campground in my head as I read. The opening line made me excited. “Happy Schwag” is a very appropriate opening line. The reporter also does a good job describing the festival and the whole setting. He also references the bands that we’re there, as well as the vendors and attractions. He doesn’t make the listing boring like some other writers. He throws in comparisons for the bands, which makes the reading enjoyable. His quotations we’re short and to the point, but reminded me perfectly of the weekend. As soon as I saw “Everybody was expecting rain” in quotations, I was tempted to skip to that paragraph and see what everyone else had to say about the weather. Another thing which drew me into this article were the pictures and captions underneath. Everything looks familiar, and everything seems accurate as I read. 

“Men in Motion” from VoxMagazine. By Evan Lucy This writing was actually interesting to me, and seemed well written. The first two  paragraphs were typical and a bit boring, but the third gets funny. Humor is important when trying to write a good piece, and this funny quote is the only thing that made me continue reading. The middle of the piece describe the band and their history, and drifts to boring a bit. I’m finally revived when the author compares the band to other bands. Since I haven’t heard Motion City before, these comparison bands made me curious. I was thinking, “Hey, i like these bands. Maybe I’d like Motion City Soundtrack!” Then right after listing like bands, the author conveniently drops the date and location of their concert in Columbia. This piece tricked me. It was an advertisement almost, but i was truly interested in the band. I didn’t go to the concert, I read the article after it happened. Now all my glory of finding a new band to go see is gone. Next time i’ll read the paper when I get it, and not let it sit around for a week getting stale.

Wedding at a Funeral Home from Vox MagazineWow! I couldn’t imagine the reactions of guests when this couple was married in a funeral home. The article stated that the groom actually worked there. They must’ve chosen this for the discount I’d assume. That bride really must’ve married a cheap man, and it makes me wonder where they’ll go for the honeymoon. Maybe some famous cemetery? Not very romantic if I may say so myself. The reception was even held at the funeral home. I’d just feel awkward trying to party and have a good time in such a gloomy place. Also, where do you think they put the cake and present tables? Maybe they were laid out where the caskets usually are. This couple must really be odd. No way you could convince me to be married in such a place. And did the bride wear black? These two must not have been kidding about til death do us part. Hopefully they got a wedding and funeral bundle, and save a pretty penny.

From: Philosophical Issues and Problems Second Edition (4.1 Thomas Aquinas: Belief Supported by Proofs) The reading required in my Philosophy class this week was about multiple arguments proving His existence. How could text prove God’s existence? This doesn’t seem right to me, because textual evidence doesn’t make me feel his presence. The text provides Five Ways to prove his being. These are the Arguments From Change, Causation, Contingency, Degrees of Excellence, and Harmony. Let’s take the Argument of Change to explain. One example is motion. This reading states multiple premises to prove the existence of God through motion.  The first premise is that things are in motion. Premise two: everything that moves is moved by something else. Third, an infinite regress of movers is impossible. A final premise states there is a first mover, that is not moved by anything else, and this first mover we call God. Perhaps it’s that I am new to Philosophy, but i just don’t see how these premises actually prove His being. It seems many things are left out, and the gaps need to be filled for a complete understanding. Do you think these four premises prove anything? 

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