You have two choices for this week’s blog response:
#1: Respond to the following prompt using one of the four methods described in your blog handout: Continue our class discussion of good readers by explaining how your view of a good reader has evolved over the week. Reflect upon the notes you took and the points we discussed in class to provide a detailed response here.
OR
#2: Visit the link below to view a cartoon from The New Yorker. Then, respond to the following questions: 1) How do the details of the cartoon contribute to the humor it evokes? (That’s right—fondle the details.) 2) What comment does this cartoon seem to be making about our society or about an aspect of society? 3) Why might an editor have chosen to include this particular cartoon in the August issue of The New Yorker?
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/issuecartoons/2007/08/27/cartoons_20070820?slide=5#showHeader
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19 comments:
The cartoon illustrates a baseline example of what an excuse oriented culture that has been created in the US. With all of the medication, therapy, and enabling that goes on, are we surprised that the subject of this cartoon proves to be a solid satire?
What about the lack of responsibility that is taken by the driver? The excuse reiterates the fact that people don't take responsibility for their actions. What happened to thinking to oneself: Yes, I was speeding. Yes, I got caught. Yes, that sucks. Yes, I will own up to it? Instead, excuses are made and ACCEPTED so many times that it has become part of the culture now.
Am I getting old? Does this bother any of you?
The cartoon is a profound example of the expanding gap between parents and their children. In fact, in our generation communication has become more of a hindrance than a benefit. Living in a world where peer pressure controls several aspects of our lives it becomes more and more difficult to relate to our parents. They grew up in a different era. Or, at least that's what we keep telling ourselves, when really; all we need to do is sit back and pay attention. Their stories may consist of old fashioned slang and weird clothing, but the main point is that they have experience. We could sorely benefit from even a basic knowledge of their struggles because, eventually we will have to face them too.
And yes Mr. Uebler, you are getting old.
Elysia:)
The cartoon is a perfect example of how today's world doesn't require our generation to do things for themselves. When parents spoil their children, they think they are helping them, when in reality they are making them unable to do things on their own. When these spoiled children are forced to go into the work world they will be disrespectful and lazy, and their parents will be to blame. Having grown up on a farm, I have had a lot of boundaries set for me because if I didn't get my work done I was not leaving the house.
I just think it's sad that parents aren't as involved in their childrens lives. Our generation is very lazy, but just imagine what it will be like in 15 years when our generation has kids...it could be a disater.
Plus, if I ever got a ticket I would get in so much trouble. I think Tyler Sanders has experience this before. =]
In response to the first topic, I feel as though I have gained a great deal of applicable knowledge in the past week. Before reading the articles written by Perrine and Nabokov, my ideas of a good reader were nothing above the normal high school student. I have, in the past, rarely reread any literature on a personal interest basis. I agree with most of the strategies pointed out by both Nabokov and Perrine, such as using a dictionary, remaining slightly aloof, rereading, avoiding preconceived notions, and obtaining both the "passion of an artist and patience of a scientist." From these well-supported ideas, I have gained a much better idea of how to improve my critical reading. I am looking forward immensely to advance in these skills with the hope that they will aid to my intellectual ability overall.
I realized I did not thoroughly answer the question.
While appraising the cartoon for a certain aspect of humor tied with a common day problem I found an embedded philosophy that firmly follows the contours of our society. As I stated before, this cartoon is an illustration of a lack of protocol between parents and their children. What happened to "hey, how was your day?"
The editor must have realized that this phenomenon of interfamilial communication is all but extinct. Therefore, placing this cartoon in the New Yorker was a stroke of genius. His action is a means of unconsciously signaling to society the faults that need to be upended.
This cartoon provides a good example of how must of us are quick to point fingers at others for even our most minor problems. The man in the picture blames his parents for not setting boundries, but at sometime or another reguardless of how someone are raised one must make decisions for themselves. Yes, parents or guardians set one up to succeed, some better than others, but untimately if one is to succeed he or she must look to his or herslef and throw out any excuse to be able to overcome obsticles that stand in the way.
And Uebler you don't look a day past 18.
Whoops sorry on that last one. I meant to say most of us, not must of us. My sincerest english and grammar apologies go out to all that have the burden of having their eyes come upon that disturbing mistake.
Another apology! Someone is raised not are raised. Is there anyway to go back and edit these? I have a feeling I will need it often.
After observing this cartoon from the New Yorker and fondling the details in which it advocates, a reader initially thinks how ridiculous of this grown adult blaming his parents' boundaries. What the harsh realization is that this is what are society has become and is growing more like each day. The simple detail is that an adult figure blaming their own parents for a problem that is their own responsibility and is not a reflection of bad parenting.
Being faced in a similar situation after sleeping too long before a sectional basketball game, of course the mind, including mine, came up with another individual's fault. In my case I immediately called my father and asked him why he did not know there would be a state police officer waiting to pick me up. To this there was no reply. The moral of the story is that our generation has become individuals who take responsibility for their successes but their failures are not our responsibility. Why has this occurred over time and what is causing this mass chaos?
In a serious mind, I truly have no conclusion or reasoning for the behaviors of this generation. We strive for what we want and get it. We refuse to do things and we do not have to. We are spoiled, but is that any reason to blame others? Could it possibly be the fact that in this society we are trying to make everyone think participation is "winning" and that there are no losers?
If you're not first, your last is not truthful, but there is always going to be a person that makes a mistake and everything is not always going to go the right way. What our society needs to realize that people do mess up and it is that individual's fault. This is a clear purpose for the editor to print this particular cartoon. If someone does not take a stand for the good and rights of people then our time on earth is wasted. Printing this cartoon makes people think and hopefully changes the mentality of many people in our society.
I believe that this cartoon proves a great point that in modern society, a majority of people almost never take responsibility for their actions. They feel that everything is ok as long as it is not their fault. When faced with fault, it seems as if the popular thing to do is become defensive and immediately start the blame game. The man blaming his parents shows that a vast amount of people usually blame their guardians for not properly teaching them the rules of the society. Although sometimes it may be the parents' fault for raising their kids wrong, most teenagers should still be able to tell right from wrong. The reason for it being published in August is because school starts back up around this time. High school students must start learning respect for their classmates, teachers, and other authorities. In addition to this, college students are also beginning school. This is their first step into adulthood, so learning to take responsibiliy for their actions is vital.
The cartoon is showing how in our society today people are quick to put the blame on someone else rather than taking the blame and accepting the consequnces. It is an example of how far some people are willing to go to avoid the punishment of their actions.
Chaz I think you should get extra credit for making three posts.
The cartoon is showing how in our society today people are quick to put the blame on someone else rather than taking the blame and accepting the consequnces. It is an example of how far some people are willing to go to avoid the punishment of their actions.
Chaz I think you should get extra credit for making three posts.
It bothers me, Mr. Uebler. It also bothers me that you're posting on section 1 and not section 2, since I'm not really supposed to be posting here, and therefore am technically not allowed to respond to you. Sorry Miss Stump, I couldn't resist responding to him. I'll keep to my own class's blog now.
The cartoon shows a shift that is taken place in society today, especially in our generation. We are so quick to blame someone else for our problems, simply because we can't (or don't want to) take responsibility for them ourselves. It has become America's way of medicating all of our problems. For example, we blame the recession of our economy on gas companies and George Bush, when in reality its due to the irresponsible overspending and debt collecting by us the consumers; we blaim obesity and heart attacks to genes and hereditary diseases, instead of the fact that the majority of the people having these problems eat at Big Macs and ice cream all day; or when kids blame their teachers for their failing grades even though they never show up for their classes to begin with.
The truth is, no one can take responsiblity for their actions, and that is what the cartoon is trying to present.
P.S.- isn't it amazing how I can turn any argument into a political one?
The New Yorker cartoon displays how Americans in today's culture have not only decided not to accept their own responsibilities for actions taken, but also their willingness to take light of what could be a serious situation. It seems to me, in many cases, that when an individual realizes they are in trouble, the try to shrug off the issue with some sort of comment meant to lighten things up. People need to know when to talk and when to shut their mouths.
The other part of the idea, people not accepting responsibilities, seems to be the theme of the blog. Too often a time do people see themselves getting into trouble, and in desperation search for an easy way out. This all begins when the offenders are children and parents were either babying the kid to the point where the child was "perfect" and became a could-do-know-wrong child in the parents eyes. It is my opinion that these are the kids who's parents were too much of whimps to bring out a paddle and get some discipline in their lives... hope that comment doesn't make me seem violent. Moving on, this comment was most likely printed in August because either the average of tickets given is unexplicably higher in august or, like trent discussed, has something to do with kids going back to school. Responsibility is slowly fading in our culture and it is easily seen in the world. Sports, movie, and even political figures are always pointing to someone else when something isn't going the right way. Hopefully our generation will somehow figure out that responsibility is a ginormous issue, because our credibility as people will not last long.
i look back at my post and realize i got to a point where i just seem to be rambling... is that bad???
Unfortunately, the cartoon illustrates a lack of personal responsibility in the people of the this country. Though presented in an entertaining format an illustration such as this holds the pang of truth that bodes ill for the future. In a world where personal responsibility is no longer thought of as a need, but as a hindrance how can a country hope to survive. The visual image within the cartoon is one that people of all ages and walks of life can relate to, almost every one has been pulled over at least once, and it can be a very traumatic expirience. The caption for the cartoon can also be easily related with, every person has those problems in their lives, espcially as younger children, that they blame their parents for, unfortunately, this may carry over into adult life. A combination of a relatable image and caption make this cartoon very effective at getting its point across.
I personally think the cartoon perfectly shows the lack of parenting that many young adults recieve presently. Many parents, but not all, leave the parenting up to everyone else besides themselves. This group includes teachers, coaches, other parents, and in some cases the police as depicted in this cartoon. As the character says, "My parents never set boundaries," showing that the drivers parents lack of responsibility has led to his own lack of responsibility and use of an excuse for being pulled over. It also shows how the officer is becoming the parent and punishing the man for something he has done that he knows is against the law. The cartoon may have been published when it was because the author may have had a similar experience in which they witnessed someone not taking responsibility for their actions.
And sorry for being late, I don't know if this matters but I thought today was Sunday unfortunately.
Here are a few comments for the good of the cause—the cause being your grades as well as your sense of humor. Please note that you may need to use your newly acquired critical reading skills to discern which of these comments should be taken seriously and which should be abandoned after a good laugh.
1.Let us all remember to turn on the spell check/grammar check in our heads. "Know" does not equal "no." Remember, you can write your blog in Word and then paste it into the blog comment box. And now that I’ve ridiculed all of you for said errors, let us hope that my blog is error-free!
2.Asking rhetorical questions—as many of you did—is always a good idea, assuming, of course, that they are written in regards to the topic at hand. Certainly, continue this type of dialogue that many of you created by actually answering others’ questions.
3.Making connections to current events is a great idea—even if your examples are always political ones.
4.Contrary to potentially popular belief, you will not receive extra credit for posting more than once, especially if your second blog is an exact replica of the first!
5.Keep a calendar handy to remember which day of the week it is.
6.Responding to Uebler’s rhetorical questions (and, for that matter, the non-rhetorical ones) in a mocking manner (see Elysia’s blog) rather than portraying yourself as a sycophant (see Chaz’s blog) always gives me a laugh. And, usually when I’m laughing, I’m in a good mood!
7.May we all learn something from creative nicknames such as “Hoss.” What that "something" is, you must decide for yourself.
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