Assignment 10: BOO- Keionna Bailey

You know the "scary" movies where there's some ghost or possessed person, trapped in a haunted house?  That's not scary to me because it's something that most likely wouldn't happen on an ordinary day. But the movies that they call "thrillers" are the real scary movies because it's something that can actually happen. For example if you were kidnapped or someone was to break into your house. That's something that is absolutely frightening to me. I have no clue what I would in that situation. I joke around saying that I would laugh along with the kidnapper or or go along with the robber but in reality I would curl in the corner and cry. The same goes for if a gun was pulled in my face. Usually I would call their bluff but when it comes to that moment, I bet I wouldn't do all the things that I think I would do. I praise the characters in the thrillers like No Good Deed and The House at the End Street  who are able to fight back and think of some clever plan to win against the antagonist but I'm afraid that's not the case for me.

Kimba's Zombie Survival Guide

Against almost all known logic and reasoning, you find yourself in a zombie apocalypse. In between worrying about your loved ones and worrying about the whole of humanity itself, you realize you don't have an actual plan to survive. And so you, along with many people, are among the first to join the flesh-eating horde.

That was you. I am not you.

The first thing that I would do is find a secure location to hold up. A place with food, a decent roof, water, and multiple possible escape routes is best. However, that is long term. If none is in the immediate area, focus on making sure you get to safety at the very least. If you believe your current abode is not sufficient, make sure to take all supplies that you will NEED (medical supplies, food, water, etc.). That $1,000 PC isn't going to help much when a horde is trying to tear you apart. Make sure it's enough to last, but not enough to encumber you. You need to be light on your feet if you plan to survive as agility is always best versus zeds. If they can move faster, then the lighter weight will also make stealth and maneuvering faster and easier.

If you find survivors along the way, be less wary of these. People will be confused and hurting and still trying to piece the world they now live in together. Be sure though that these people look like they can be an asset. Elders, children and the sick/disabled are to be handled at your discretion. Think about how they may benefit you, but be sure not to lean to far on that air. That makes you no better than the creatures skulking around, waiting to eat you. Later on, once life has reached a point where the status quo is established (whether it be roving bands of people or small populations with miles of no-man's land in between), be VERY careful. People who survived up to that point have survived for a reason, whether they be morally wrong or right. That means these people may seem to be lucky , hapless survivors, or they could be part of a group of bandits looking for a sympathetic group to take them in so they can ruthlessly stab you in the back.

Speaking of killing, that brings me to my last point: Weapons. These not only include what you keep on you, but what you use to keep your camp safe. For personal weaponry, as said before, lighter is better. It's much better to be able to sneak past a roving group of zeds than to take them head-on. Your weapons should be used when you have to fight.The best thing to do is to pick something that fits you. For those that are weaker than others, a bladed or small weapon (such as a baton) are ideal. For someone with quite a bit of strength, you can use a hammer or shovel (Note: Bladed weapons are faster to wield, but are harder to kill due to their usual lack of range and reliance on others to die/suffer from bleeding wounds. Best vs. other humans. Blunt weapons are better vs zeds since they break bones. Even a zed will have trouble catching you with broken arms. They are much slower to use on others, so you must also make sure to hit, lest you expose your exposed shoulder to a starving zed or desperate bandit. Think of them as high risk, but high reward.) As far as sidearms go, any will do. Just remember that these are LAST RESORT. Emphasis on LAST. And aim for the head, but that's less important. A firearm will make noise, especially something bigger such as a shotgun or automatic rifle. Use only if you are noticed or if you need to eliminate a threat before it has a chance to get close.

Following these steps are just a base. Random events will happen. Events that very well may force you to change your life and the life of others. Events no one would've foreseen. Don't worry about these actions. They are the past, and looking in the past at a time like this will only bring sadness from loss and unwanted change. Keep looking forward for what you can do from that point and make sure that past mistakes don't happen again.

Happy scrounging!

What is it good for?-Sydney Taylor

War is an ever present occurrence in history and the question arises with each one whether or not it is the right thing to do. While war may seem like an easy solution to a problem, it never seems to end the way most would like it to. Going to war appears to some as a quick fix for a bad situation but in most cases it causes more problems after than it solves. The role of the United States as the world's police is often brought up when the question of our interference in global conflicts arises. More than once, America has crossed oceans to become involved in other countries' issues. While I think it is the responsibility of this nation to help other countries for the sake of the people dying due to violent conflicts, we need to take a look at other options beside war to solve these problems. The governments of these countries need to learn how to solve their problems without violence and without the mediation of the United States and that is what we need to help them with. 

Assignment 10: BOO - Updated

ZOMBIES HAVE ATTACKED. Detail your survival plan.

OR

Explain what scares you the most and why.

OR

Describe a moment in which you were fraught with peril. Tell it as a ghost story.

OR

In the vein of David Sedaris write an observational humorist piece related to your daily life: school, home, social, etc.  (don't be mean)

Happy Halloween!

Minimum of 150 words - due Sunday, November2nd at 11:59 pm

What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!

War. An act we humans have participated since we learned to wield weapons. It is when two or more groups of individuals have differing viewpoints. Who owns this belong to? Why do believe in such a silly thing? Why must you do this? Are you in the right? These are the basic reasons we go to war. I may have left out some facets of it to make it more simplistic, but in essence, that is what it is: people who are not like-minded trying to change each others' views.

And is this something that should be justified? Is it right to kill on another to force change?

I believe it isn't. The reason we try to change others is because we, as a collective whole, are always trying to reach perfection, to evolve to become greater. But what is perfection?

Perfection isn't something we can pin down. We have neither seen it nor given a reference as to what we should do to acquire it. And as history has shown us, no true way is the best for everyone. Take Hinduism and many egalitarian religions as an example. Hinduism is based on the principle that we are not equal. This has led to many feuds to try and convert followers of Hindu, since in religions such as Christianity, all men are created equal.

But are Hinduists wrong? Many seem perfectly content, never complaining, never griping? They know their place and that satisfies them. Is that truly so wrong?

It is only when we force others to change is when conflict begins. But as long as others are not harmed by your beliefs, and people are happy with it, why change?

Assignment 9: What is it Good for?- Mia Alexander

War is part of this nation almost as much as the citizens are. The moment for war is when a nation (its people and government) feel threatened  by another. For example, if a nation feels another society approaching its borders gratuitously, it is the time for war. War is appropriate when guarding something you are passionate for. Fighting an evil force justifies a time for war. It is morally right when war saves the lives of others. Some instances include the World Wars because part of them was the racial war involving Hitler and the Jews. In that case war was morally right at the time. War is unnecessary when there is a lot more to lose than gain. When the cost is too great, it is best to avoid war at all cost. War for the fun of it is not the right timing because war is serious. Lives are lost. It should not be taken lightly. Country's have a responsibility to go to war when the constituents desire it, when threats are made, and when it is an opportunity to advance in the world economy. It sounds selfish but it is also survival. No one wants to talk. There is no point in trying to come up with alternatives unless positively feasible. But, in most cases, war is the most extreme, yet the most effective solution to a problem. Talking could be more effective if the deals were made involving votes instead of decisions made specifically and exclusively by political figures. War is necessary but not always effective. It is the most effective but it could be just as harmful to the winner as the loser.

Assignment 9: What is it good for? Tora Sellers

In theory, war and other violence is never appropriate, and should be condemned by all people in all cases. To live in harmony with one another should be everybody’s wish. But that vision of harmony unfortunately varies between different people: for example, Adolf Hitler saw harmony in an entirely Aryan world under German rule. Those individuals or groups which others believe to be radical, or in the way of their own visions of harmony, become the causes of conflict. Nations have a right to engage in warfare when their own borders, people, resources, etc. are threatened, and are helpless to defend themselves without it. Nations also have a right when the same goes for another nation which it believes is in need of assistance. This however, does not apply when nothing is truly in an entirely helpless position. Many wars are fought for a gain in foreign resources and/or resources. These, because it would be terrible for the approval of the public when described directly, are instead turned into “prettier” wars for the defense of “our people”, “democracy”, and “freedom” as a massive PR campaign pointed toward the public. These wars are the wars that are unacceptable. 

What's it good for?-- Raiffa

*I had written something remotely put together and goodish but then my computer died and its getting lateish and I haven’t worked on any hw yet so this is me trying to recreate what I said as best I can. Anyways here’s Wonderwall*

I feel like I've answered this prompt of “is war good?” already in one of my previous posts (good vs. evil? Or something?) So imma take this topic on a journey.

A journey into the deeper, long-lasting repercussions of war.

Also I apologize in advance if this starts to sound a bit biased but I have things to say and I feel like I should be allowed to say them.

We’ve been in a war with terrorism for just about as long as we can remember. We’ve grown up knowing terrorism is a terrible, evil thing (which it is, hence the word terror) and we, as Americans, need to try our hardest to eradicate all traces of it from our world. But with this we’ve been subtly programmed to associate “Muslim” and “Islam” with these evil acts which is where I see the problem lies.

After a history of civil wars and concentration camps we still revert to old ways of prejudice and stereotypes. Have we not learned yet? And I’m not saying that anyone is immune to making rash judgments but when we can casually make jokes about going to Saudi Arabia and shooting some Muslims in the head then I think we need to reevaluate something ( and no, I am not exaggerating. I’ve seriously heard someone say this as I was standing next to them).

After global and national tragedies, like the recent shooting in Canada, our thoughts and support should be with those directly affected by these events but I just don’t want to be able to turn on CNN, see a breaking news headline that says “Gunman has ties to Islam” and automatically be afraid of what others are thinking and learning about an important part of my culture. Whenever a tragic event happens you just kinda wait for them to find that tie they have to Islam. Which is half the reason I’m afraid to proudly be who I am. No one sees it as something to be proud of.

And now is getting too deep.

So y’know, just know that yes, those drones you are sending oversees are affecting lives over there and the things you think and say are affecting lives over here.

And don’t just listen to one news source when you’re trying to catch up on what’s going on. Try to find out whats really going on for yourself. Educating yourself is the first step to acceptance. 

What is it good for?

No one really approves of war in general, that just people killing each other is a good idea. They might approve or disapprove of a specific war based on the conditions leading to it, and they might approve or disapprove of a specific war based on the effects of it. War can also be seen as optional or inevitable, depending on peoples perspectives of the specific war. Unless you're like the Joker or something, just killing people without considering the leading up to or the alternatives or the killing, you would not want to. People know and teach it everyday, in children's TV shows, it's often taught that violence can and should be avoided. Can real life conflict be avoided 100 percent of the time? No, probably not, but that doesn't mean no one should give up going out of their way for someone else. If war can be avoided, avoid it. If violence can be avoided, avoid it. Conflict isn't morally wrong, but mass murder is.

Charlie Payne: Assignment 9.

One of my most fundamental beliefs is that war and violence are not moral, necessary, intelligent, or progressive. It pains me to think that people believe the death penalty is just, let alone that the nuclear attack on Hiroshima was necessary, or showed support for the Vietnam War. There is always a peaceful alternative. Take the Civil War for example, and its causes. Were blacks treated fairly by whites in the years to come? It wasn't until Martin Luther King Jr and his nonviolent methods of protest that we came even close to equality. What's disgusting to me is how people not only believe in the effectiveness of war, but that our culture glorifies war as being heroic and unifying, or an affirmation of power. Full Metal Jacket, Apocalypse Now, The Thin Red Line, and slews of other films seem to hit the nail on the head for me: war is foolish, brutal, and barbaric.

Assignment 9 - Ian Harrison

War is brutal and savage, and if we claim to be such an advanced and civilized society, shouldn't we have done away with such atrocities long ago? The question itself is flawed because war proves that our society remains flawed and damaged to the point where war becomes arguably necessary. When people can somehow find the justification to attempt to eradicate an entire group of people bound together by ethnicity, religion, race, or country, we cannot claim to be a peaceful society. War could perhaps be considered a symptom of a sickness that still pervades us: hate. Hate that drives us to blindly kill. Hate that tells us one man is superior to another. Hate that brings forward the worst in all of us. In a perfect world, war would be unheard of. Some of the wars we fight may be necessary simply because hate only listens to more hate. There was most likely no other to way to prevent genocide during World War II than to kill thousands in return. This was because one man had enough hate to believe that this genocide was good and right. Unfortunately, it seems as though there will always be people like that, and equally unfortunately, many have the conviction to easily find their way into positions of power. Man is flawed, so despite the consequences, we will probably continue to do hateful and disgusting things on large and small scales. We will continue to fight in tragically unnecessary wars that always result in Pyrrhic victories. So yes, war is sometimes necessary, but it's a tragedy that it ever is.

Lucy Macfarlan

I put this blog off until the last minute and now I am regretting it because normally I could speaks volumes about war, however I just got home from thriller and my hair and skin are still covered in fake blood so this post will be short and likely not so profound. Is war ever a good thing? No. Is war a necessary evil? harder question. I personally don't feel qualified to answer this question, as opinionated as I am, I am so disturbed by the human condition surrounding war that I can rarely bring myself to think about it. However, all my lack of knowledge aside, I will say that war is bad and the suffering that surrounds it is nothing less than truly hellish. Rarely if ever am I able to see the positives of a war. I find it so sad and confusing when people can't see each other as people and simply sit down and talk it out. I understand that this isn't how out world works, but it is excruciating to see families torn apart, children marred by the horrors of war just because people couldn't make a compromise.

What is it Good For? --Kayla Beebout

War is evil, pure and simple.  Humans were not made to kill each other.  The consequences of war are so widespread and so generally awful that there are not many ways one could ever justify it.  However, in some cases, there may not be an alternative.  World War II is an example, I believe.  What Hitler was doing was so obviously wrong that it seemed like war was the only option.  But, at the same time, I would not like to think that it was truly the only option.  If you can’t tell, I don’t know what to think of the subject.  I know that sometimes situations escalate to a point where something has to be done, but is all that loss of life the right answer?  After all, Hitler probably would have kept fighting forever if not for defeats like Stalingrad and Normandy.  How high could the death toll have risen?  I understand that there are things worth fighting for, but is there another way?  If simply taking out Hitler would have resolved the issue, I would not hesitate to say that would have been a better option.  But then take a situation like ISIS in the Middle East.  People in those areas obviously need help, but this time there is no Hitler.  ISIS is a group of people all equally committed to their evil cause, with or without a recognizable leader.  In this case, is there another option?  Or is military action the only way that this can be stopped?  This issue is so convoluted and morally challenging that I don’t know if there is a “right” answer.  In the end, I believe that there are truly some things worth fighting for, and if there is no other alternative, then wars must be fought.  In the end, the words of King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, confirm that there are times that justify it: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… a time for war and a time for peace.”  I just hope war is the less common of the two.

Johnathan Morris- What is it good for?

War can be necessary to better mankind, although some innocent lives may be taken. I'm not saying all wars that have happened were necessary, but some, like the Revolutionary War or the Civil War were needed because there was no other solution that was moral. Without either of these wars slavery in America might still exist and/or we could be controlled by the British. These wars were fought for a reasonable cause, unlike others that were only fought because the two or more sides didn't like each other. Similar to the wars going on in the middle east. When there are terroristic threats to our country. I believe we should defend our citizens. Not like what we did to Japan, because that was unnecessary, but if violent actions are the only solution, then that's what should be done.

What is it Good for? - Keanu Gomez

War is a natural and inevitable occurrence in this world dominated by humanity. It is evident that without certain wars that took place in the past, the present would be drastically altered. We would not be standing here in the United States without the American Revolutionary War. Despite all of this, war is not acceptable, nor desired, in all instances. There is a specific time and place when wars should erupt and certain conditions must be met. Obviously, wars are used to settle large-scale conflicts and disagreements. But with the numerous and devastating aftermaths of war, this method should be used sparingly. They should only be used when the beneficial consequences of the war outweighs its negative consequences.  A country might go to war when their citizens are in jeopardy or are being oppressed by another. Countries are responsible to go to war when they themselves are threatened or an allied country is threatened. But as aforementioned, war must be used sparingly. So, if there is an alternative, and unnecessary bloodshed can be avoided, then by all means take the alternative. Some alternatives in the past that have been used as an alternative to war or to end war were diplomatic treaties or agreements. Although these alternatives are not always effective, truly, wars are not always effective either. They are not always the permanent resolution to a conflict. In the case of the American Revolutionary War, we fought against Great Britain again in the War of 1812, didn’t we?

What is it Good For?- Jessica Nelson

    The word war does not have a good connotation. Nor should it. It is bloody, animalistic, and uncivilized. However, I must acknowledge that war does have an upside, otherwise why would we engage in it? Think of the connotation of a solider, for me the words that come to mind are heroic, brave, and selfless. Now that doesn't sound all that bad does it? It's easy to be blinded by the cloud of gunpowder smoke on such a touchy topic but when the smoke clears and the flag comes down I think there’s a lot hiding in the rubble.

     War is often a result of anger, and anger is not an issue we can fix. It is innate, and in large quantities, uncontrollable. And what relieves more aggression than violence (and what is more violent than war)? But more often than not war isn't a hasty reaction to overwhelming anger. It stems from the cause of the anger. Be it an injustice, an embarrassment, or a threat war is bound to come if the anger associated with it outweighs the anger that war itself brings over the loss of human lives.

     I believe that this is acceptable. No, I don't like war and I think we should avoid it but only to a realistic extent. We cannot allow a country or a dick-tator to bully a group of people simply because we don't want a war. After reasonable measures like diplomatic discussions have been exhausted if the issue still persists then war is an excusable option. A necessary evil. In some cases, although rare, it might just save more lives (or at least the quality of them) than it hurts. After all something has to be worth fighting for right?

What is it good for?- Mikaela Gatewood

War is a tricky subject. It's not an issue that can be easily solved, or one that will have a solution in the near future. The wide range of varying opinions make it hard for anyone to reach a consensus. But it always comes down to the question, "Is it morally right?" What situations are worth the killing of thousands to millions of people? In my opinion, there aren't too many settings when it's morally just. I believe that war should be the last, and absolute final option, after all else has failed. There are several instances, like the Iraq War, when further negotiations or research could have prevented conflict in the first place. Without proper investigations and attempts to peacefully resolve the issue with the countries in question, war is, in my opinion, senseless murder. That's not to say that it can never be the solution. There are cases, where war may be the only effective way to end horrifying situations, such as genocide of innocent civilians. World War II, for example, could not have been stopped without outside forces taking down Hitler's regime. It's very plausible to think that Hitler may have continued to murder millions of innocent civilians without armed forces stopping him. But the majority of the time, war isn't as extreme as World War II. It's often preventable and could be easily avoided if the proper precautions are taken. Unfortunately, that's not what often happens, leaving war to continue to be a problematic and lasting issue.

Assignment 9: What is it good for?--Amir Abou-Jaoude

In Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 magnum opus Apocalypse Now, Willard (Martin Sheen), an officer in the U.S. Army, is sent on a mission to find Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando) in the wild jungles of Cambodia. Kurtz was a high-ranking officer in Vietnam. He had honor, respect, and innumerable medals, when he suddenly went insane. He retreated to Cambodia, where he built his own kingdom, causing fear in the hearts of U.S. soldiers and the Viet Cong alike.

The film, based on Joseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness, alleges that Kurtz went insane because he discovered something. Kurtz's revelation forms the core of the film. Through the narration of Willard, we infer that the war took a toll on him. Kurtz learned in Vietnam that there is no good or evil in war. For him, war was stripped of its heroism, and became a sheer expression of human brutality. Kurtz could not live with this revelation. So he retreated into the unruly wilderness, and built a shrine to the bestiality of human nature. All of the gadgets the army utilizes--the surfboards, the napalm, the helicopters that can play Wagner's operas--all of these are lost in the jungle. By the end of the film, Willard, who was initially sent out to execute Kurtz, has become almost as demented. As he murders Kurtz with a machete, the villagers sacrifice a water buffalo. Truly, he is no less animalistic than the people the army set out to civilize. At the end of the film, everything is engulfed in "the horror" of violence and destruction.

I discuss Apocalypse Now because, to me, it is the ultimate war film. It captures the folly and the destruction of war. Yet, at no point does Coppola's film become an anti-war tirade. The film does not propose that war should cease to exist, it merely comments on it. I believe that there are times when going to war is necessary. Wars do not start overnight. Rather, their causes are numerous and complex, and they are motivated by a variety of factors. It is awe-inspiring when change is accomplished peacefully. The civil disobedience movements of Gandhi and King and even the recent Arab Spring give us hope for the future. Still, when situations do become too complicated, we must resort to an incredibly simple, animalistic nature.

War is often the only way to resolve a conflict. For example, I truly do not believe that the issue of slavery could have been resolved in America had the Civil War not happened. No matter how many compromises Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun, and Henry Clay were able to devise, the issue remained decisive in American politics and society, splitting the country into two. The Civil War entailed the loss of thousands of lives. Blood was shed on battlefields across the country, bodies were dumped into mass graves, and at the end of the conflict, a president was assassinated. The war may have been a terrible event, but it ended the institution of slavery and ensured that the American experiment would live on.

Although war may sometimes be necessary, it should never be glorified. War is often portrayed as a heroic activity, as a test of true manhood. Oftentimes, countries are all too eager to get involved in armed conflict, because it will build nationalistic spirit and provide a boost to the country. War should only be the last resort--after all attempts to make peace have failed, after it becomes clear that the differences between the two parties are irreconcilable. War should be seen as brutal, destructive, and foolish. It is only when we see war in these terms can we truly understand the sacrifice of human life that in entails, and only when we see war in these terms can we be grateful for the peace that follows. Coppola's great achievement is that Apocalypse Now is ostensibly a Vietnam War film, and yet, it is not confined to Vietnam--it applies to all wars. Kurtz is merely the expression of the animalistic nature of war. Yet, Coppola does end his film on a slightly hopeful note--after killing Kurtz, Willard sails back toward civilization in his boat, and perhaps he can rescue himself from his own heart of darkness.

Assignment 9: What is it Good for? - Keionna Bailey

I have always been taught that there is a time and a place for everything. There are some things that you don't need to do at a specific time and then there are times when you have exhausted all of your options and you have to do something. War is one of those things. War can be avoided and while I don't like that countries are constantly at war, sometimes there comes a time when negotiating and compromising aren't going to work. It doesn't matter what happens there will always be an unhappy party and someone will be upset. People have their different opinions on war and most saying "stop the violence, its morally wrong". But morals are specific to one individual. They differ from person to person because its the standards that they have set for themselves.  I personally feel like sometimes talking it out doesn't always work you have become physical to get your point across. War can be a war of words or it can be a war with fighting. It is just another way for people or nations to solve their conflicts. Are there alternatives? Yes, of course. But are they more effective? That depends on the situation at hand.

Jesse Konopka: Assignment 9

Personally, I have very mixed feelings about war. On an emotional level, it is completely unacceptable. It is the killing of thousands to settle a disagreement between dozens. However, on a realistic level, you need to realize that these dozens of people represent the ideals of an entire country. And when society is set up in such a matter, war is inevitable. There are many alternatives to war that exist, but none of them are realistic considering the way society and the human nature are set up. War may not be good, but the way things are in the present day, it is to be expected.

What is it good for? Taylor Stewart

"A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace." 

-Ecclesiastes 3:8

Any Christian who calls upon the Bible to defend their belief that war is never justifiable is contradicting themselves. War is disgusting, usually avoidable or unnecessary, and I abhor most everything it entails - but it will never go away. Arguments can be made that war is a natural outcome of accumulated conflict, and maybe it is, but we've taken it far past that. Things that could've been solved though peaceful means have taken thousands of lives instead. I'm only being so vague because this topic is awfully dependent of specifics. Whether acts of war are morally justifiable depends on a melange of factors, and the issues involved are far too complicated to give an all-encompassing declaration.

The short-run costs of war are grisly and involve losses of innocent lives. Because of this, war is justified only when the long-run benefits will certainly outweigh these short-run costs. As it is almost impossible to predict the long-run benefits or short-run costs with any certainty, war isn't a viable option in most cases. But many people don't think about this; the big picture, and what repercussions or benefits something has for everyone - or maybe they just have some ideological or religious perspective that denies reasoning. Though I personally believe that war is almost always avoidable, it is still an "almost". There are exceptions and caveats and holes that make the issue pretty much make your head explode.

Andrew Hardy-Violence

As a member of one of the historic peace churches,The Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers,  this post speaks volumes for me. From a young age I've been taught that alternatives to violence or any hateful action always exist. Without a supernatural explanation for these beliefs I've come to agreeance with them from what I hope is a rational explanation. The two abstract explanations are Kant's moral imperative and Samudaya Sacca, or the second noble truth of Buddhism, which states that all suffering comes from desire. With the assumption that all human life is precious, it is simple to eliminate any action of willful harm, such as racism or aggressive war, because those are implemented for personal material gain in some way, which I find inexcusable if they are taken at the cost of another person's rights and life. Where the discussion becomes more controversial is when there is a belief that such harm is enacted for the "better good". Not only is this abstract idea of "good" mistaken, but no evidence of violence being used to solve oppression being successful. The Iraq War (which could be argued was also for material gain), in no way reduced the pain and harm of people within the Middle East, where hatred and bigotry exist even now. The Civil War (which could be argued was selfish in nature as well, as the north had tremendous economic gains from it.), did little to end the true injustices of African-American's in this country. It was not until a non-violent approach, almost a hundred years later, was fairness, at least in the law-books implemented. As I finish Ugetsu Monogatari while I write this post, my resolution rings true. Greed, and the moral sacrifices made to obtain your desires, only cause harm for yourself, and all around you.

Assignment 8: "I Never Had to Choose..."-Mia Alexander

Fears: Not being accepted into my dream college, losing my parents, roller coasters

Annoyances: When me and my sister argue and she is clearly winning, being late, chaos

Accomplishments: Exceeding parents expectations, having two jobs and going to school

Confusions: How I am considered "not responsible", politics in general, loving from a distance

Sorrows: Being rejected by a program I wanted to participate in, expecting too much from one person

Dreams: Go to my dream university, either become a pharmacist, a pediatrician, or a special education assistant, buy my own car, get married, be less materialistic, take more risks

Idiosyncrasies: obsessed with organization, Netflix, tell jokes that only I think are funny

Risks: Driving with my parents in the car (did, do)

Beloved Possessions, Now and Then: Necklace (then), my phone (now)

Problems: Control freak, procrastination, ingratitude

I do not know if it is just lately or I have just  noticed it but I have been annoyed with a lot of things lately. But instead of focusing on those pet peeves, I would rather focus on my dreams. Dreams are like an escape plan, they allow us to imagine a better life  I actually get excited when I think about my future now.

 I daydream a lot. But my long-term dreams are so complicated. I have already ranted on being accepted to my dream university so I will not go on about it again. I would like to think that I have at least one back up plan in case I change my mind on my career. I want to be a pharmacist because I am avid about science and pharmacy really interests me. Working with children is essential to me, which is exactly the reason being a pharmacist is a possible career for me, as well as be a special education teacher's assistant.

This may be trivial, however, I want to buy my own car. Yes, I am a little materialistic. Having to pay for my own car is important to me because it will force me to be even more responsible and I can drive my self around, be independent. Being independent is important to me because that is how my parents raised me. I guess a portion of me want to do things by myself just to be able to say I did it.

I hope in the future I can be less materialistic, just because it is a waste of time and is perpetual dissatisfaction.

One of the most important of my dreams is to take more risks. Especially since it is part of the assignment, the fact that I haven't done anything daring is apparent and somewhat annoying. Hopefully, in the next year, I will take more risks, including standing behind my opinions and speaking up more. 

Assignment 9: What is it good for?

Genocide in Sudan

North Korea testing nuclear weapons

Iran creating nuclear weapons
Egypt
Syria

Terrorism

Injustices and threats surround so many lives in this world. When injustices or threats progress to dangerous and harmful levels though, it seems logical for war to come into play as a way to combat the situation. . .or is it?  The conservative Christian group known as the Mennonites believes that war (violence) is never appropriate.

Is there a time for war?

If there is a time, is it morally right and just or is is it the lesser of two evils?

If there isn't a time, why not?

Are there certain times when countries have a responsibility to go to war?

Are there any alternatives? Could they be more effective or less effective?

Due Sunday, October 26th at 11:59 pm

Assignment 8 - Jacob Faulkner

Fears: Being poor
Annoyances: Bad weather
Accomplishments: Being alive
Confusions: Why reality shows are a thing
Sorrows: Reality shows
Dreams: Having lots of money
Idiosyncrasies: I can't smell well
Risks: Doing my blog posts late
Beloved Possessions, Now and Then: Then: Pet bird named Jackie Chan. Now: Laptop
Problems: I talk loud

I really do not want to be poor. I mean, money can't really buy happiness, but it's kind of like a venn diagram. It can buy some happiness and some not happiness. I don't see me becoming a wild hermit guy and not having to rely on money in the future, so I kind of need money. I don't really have a lot of money. A super fear of mine is that I will never get money. However, a big hope and dream of mine is to get a lot of money. Enough to donate to charities, enough to go out with friends, and if I'm really lucky, enough to where I don't have to work. Unless I get a super cool job. Then I would still go to work, but not really for the money. You know, taxes, and bills, and stuff. Entertainment, food, clothes, shelter. All money reliant.

If you're sincere and passionate about it, I encourage you to continue being a republican, southern gentleman. Love, Charlie P.

FEARS

Being boring, being ignorant, being trapped somewhere, being unattractive (physically or otherwise), being alone, running out of time, college.

ANNOYANCES

People over-categorizing themselves/things, people who are obsessed with fulfilling a specific framework of personality/interests and then telling other people and pretending to be original, bigotry, confederate flags, believing that racism/sexism doesn't exist, entitlement, hate, people being "right" all the time, self-centered people, people who are mean, insincerity, people who yell at their children and don't cry afterwards out of guilt, people who show apathy towards beauty, people who show too much apathy in general, people who care too much about things, people contradicting themselves.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Being the least impressive student of all time.

CONFUSIONS

How can people possibly believe that racism doesn't exist? Why don't people care about the earth? Why are people obsessed with themselves? College.

SORROWS

Death of other people, dogs dying, people dying alone, deforestation, pollution, children with intolerant parents, college.

DREAMS

College, to live in a beautiful place, to create things, to learn forever, to surround myself with art, to take the DMV road test and NOT fail.

IDIOSYNCRASIES

I tend to decide my feelings about things based solely on a "gut feeling," or how I react emotionally to them. I also tend to demand attention in a conversation by filling silences with "um, okay, so like, listen, okay, okay, so, okay, no, like, okay" while I form sentences in my head.

RISKS

Travelling to South Africa when I was younger.

BELOVED POSSESSIONS

Basically everything I own is at least somewhat precious to me, but there are certain things I could name that have special sentiment attached to them.

PROBLEMS

Vanity, Self-control, procrastination. 

     Bigotry and intolerance might be the worst possible traits a human can have. Whether they manifest in racism, sexism, child abuse, homophobia, or even a hatred for a specific person based on something they believe in without knowing them personally, they make the person expressing them idiotic. You cannot convince me to respect somebody's intelligence when they're legitimate racist/homophobe/etc. It's 2014. The civil war ended 150 years ago, so please refrain from sporting the confederate flag in public. Also please don't yell at your child at Kroger.

Here is a photo of my favorite gay rapper and a photo of my favorite old computer model (based on aesthetics only)

I never had to choose my subject - Taylor Stewart

Fears: things not going as planned, becoming disorganized, falling behind academically

Annoyances: the American school system, people going back on their word, pencils 

Accomplishments: persevering through high school with my future in mind

Confusions: when you think about how to spell an easy word too long and suddenly it's a foreign language

Sorrows: not being able to spend enough time with family, lack of commutation skills

Dreams: Spain, teeth, Otterbein (GO CARDS), seeing Nada Surf live

Idiosyncrasies: being in the second seat, having to watch Scooby doo after an especially creepy x-files before bed 

Risks: skydiving oh man I wannnnt

Beloved possessions: music collection (then), music collection (now)

Problems: procrastination sums it up

Here's where it gets deep. 

I know that we've watched a couple videos on the faults of schooling nowadays, so you all probably have a sufficient opinion on the subject, and may be tired of hearing about it. But maybe you're like me and were honestly intrigued and a bit fired up by the subject? I don't know. But I'll rant anyway. 

The American education system teaches one way of thinking. I mean, of course certain classes introduce interesting viewpoints and some teachers really reach out to their students, but as a whole, the system hones in on academic ability. Now, that's not a bad thing by itself, but just the way it's so broadly generalized is horrific. Does anyone really think we can measure the abilities of all different sets of students, and represent that measurement with a simple number? I don't. School is just so confined - you take the classes you need to graduate so you can go to college to graduate so you can get some job somewhere. Even though school, at least high school, barely prepares you for that. They just prepare you to learn calculus, of course. Here's a nice comic for you. 

Andrew Hardy-About Myself

Fears: Being insignificant. Being hated. Not understanding things. My own death.

Annoyances:  People being sef-absorbed and/or not respecting the people around them. People taking things personally and/or attacking when criticized. 

Accomplishments Leadership roles amongst Quaker organizations, Speaking awards at KYA

Confusions: Why people are self-centred and why people are close minded. Waste-Land by T.S. Eliot

Sorrows Hate and violence  in the world. The cost of American colleges.

Dreams To be successful in

Beloved Possessions, Now and Then Then, I had a huge affinity for sticks found in my backyard because they had the potential to be so much. Now. My guitar which is a HH Stratocaster, or my collection of books. 

Problem Self absorption. 

 Part of why I am bothered by insincere and selfish people is because I see that potential within myself. At the current stage in teens' and humans' development, external areas to explore do not exist. I've already crawled through the sewer system around my house and dug through old artifacts from my parents. I cannot explore polar regions now, or would it be true discovery if I could. Now only the internal remains. The massive amount of media I consume is for selfish purposes. I wish to understand emotions and thoughts, both personal and abstract, and I desire to have some degree of talent in any field, so consumption proves as inspiration and learning to gain  the skills I need. An area where I work for continual improvement is my interpersonal skills. My early experiences with connection and relationships with people were painful, so I learned to be self sufficient. Over time I've improved reaching out and building connections with others. This holds a multitude of benefits. I met one of the most extraordinary people I know last year, and that relationships continues to challenge and strengthen me. Where I can still improve is in areas where I feel hurt. When people appear cruel, or careless with other's emotions, I shut them out and become callous. Working  for forgiveness and to create more compassionate relationships is the key to happiness.

Fears: stranded on a deserted island (basically total isolation), drowning
Annoyances: willful ignorance
Accomplishments: turned in this blog post on time
Confusions: how some people can have ridiculous double standards
Sorrows: laziness/apathy
Dreams: become a (artistically and monetarily) successful filmmaker
Idiosyncrasies: constantly making allusions or references
Risks: going to public high school from private middle school (so far so good)
Beloved possessions: car, books, dog (I guess that's a possession?) (now) legos (then)
Problems: obsessive tendencies

Risks- I'm actually pretty proud of this decision. I wasn't a huge fan of the environment at The Lexington School. High expectations, too much hand-holding, and way too much homework made it a very uncomfortable place for me. I never realized I could enjoy school until last year here at Henry Clay. It also didn't help that I was kind of a fish out of water, just a regular middle-class kid among the upper crust of Lexington society. Everyone was pretty much the same person and anyone who was even slightly different was shunned. To say the least, I grew to hate social classes. Coming to Henry Clay was like a breath of fresh air. I met new, exciting, and different people. I had larger classes and quickly learned how to operate on my own. I pursued my interests and met like-minded and interesting people as a result. Granted, some of this is just part of growing up, but I feel like I wouldn't have had the same experience at a place like Sayre or LCA. Sure, there are some obvious downsides to HC, but all things considered, I think I'm in just the right place for me.

I never had to choose my subject-- Raiffa S

Fears: heights, loneliness, uncomfortable public situations, the color combination orange and green

Annoyances: excessive movement (in certain situations), when people won’t listen to you

Accomplishments: having close, fantastic friendships that give meaning to my life

Confusions: life in general

Sorrows: not having the ability to sing

Dreams: that cliché fairytale romance

Idiosyncrasies: I’m bad at being good-funny but I’m good at being bad-funny, I’m also bad at understanding what words mean.

Risks: I don’t

Beloved Possessions, Now and Then: hoodies (then), cardigans (now)

Problems: motivation, being constantly aware and paranoid of what people might think

***

I am quite annoyed by people who won’t listen. Listen like they won’t hear what you say but also won’t take in what they do hear.

Being small, quiet, and just kind of there (i.e. a doormat) basically means none of my words ever reach ears that aren’t my own. This has also lead to my bad habits/problems of not having opinions/not voicing them, not taking risks, not putting myself out there for fear of judgment.

Why would I say things if no one’s gonna listen or care?

But am I also perfectly content to stay silent and let people vent and rant to me as they desire. It makes up for it. People find me trustworthy, friendly, easy to drone on and on to without fear of judgment. I welcome my friends and their baggage with open arms, but juggling my baggage along with theirs gets difficult sometimes.

But who am I if I don’t have them? My petty problems will somehow solve themselves; one day I will find a soul mate and together we will solve the problems of life. So until then I have the time to keep the most important parts of me safe.

…and annoyed with bad puns….

:D

Also I’m surprised bad habits was not on the list. Get on that for next year Mr. Logdon

I never had to choose my subject- Johnathan morris

Fears: Dolls
Annoyances: People who misuse their talents, when someone quits at something they're good at
Accomplishments: Baseball awards and accolades
Confusions: How was universe created
Sorrows: Never having a real relationship with my father
Dreams: Give my kids a good life, become the best at whatever I work toward
Idiosyncrasies: Obsessive, competitive
Risks: Joining the academy
Beloved possessions: My shoes (Now), Video Games (Then)
Problems: Motivation for school

Dreams. If someone were to ask me what I wanted to be when I grow up, my answer wouldn't be a CEO, or Lawyer, it would be happy. Yeah I know that sounds super cheesy, but it's my overall goal. Whether I'm the president or a garbage man, I just want myself and my family to be happy. I have several occupations that I would like to have when I'm older, some would make me a millionaire, others not so much. But no matter which job I end up getting, I want to be the best at it, not average, not good, the absolute best, the GOAT (the Greatest Of All Time in case you didn't know). My dreams aren't very specific, which I think is a good thing for dreams, that way you can make them come true. All I want in life is to be happy and be the best.

"I never had to choose my subject- my subject rather chose me"- Mikaela Gatewood

Writing Territories: 
Fears- dying, failure, the people I love dying
Annoyances- people who try too hard, people rubbing their hands together
Accomplishments- staying in touch with my friends from Colorado, managing to not get lost while wandering around Paris
Confusions- people who aren't ok with gay marriage
Sorrows- moving away from my friends, animal abuse (or generally any abuse)
Dreams- traveling to all the places on my travel bucket list
Idiosyncrasies- flailing around when I dance, squealing when I see a dog
Risks- climbing up onto a very high, very steep, and very easy to fall off rooftop in Paris
Beloved Possessions, Now and Then- a stuffed panda bear named Ling Ling (then) and the scrapbook my best friends made when I moved (now)
Problems- procrastination, lack of motivation (kinda the same thing I guess)

At the end of freshman year, I was given a scrapbook. Normally scrapbooks are pretty cheesy, and usually given or made by older family members who pass them along every so often. But this scrapbook was, in fact, made by a group of 7 freshman girls. It was given to me at my going away party, approximately a month before I was set to move to Kentucky. It's not necessarily a typical scrapbook, as those are usually filled with just pictures documenting a couple years. Instead, this scrapbook had a custom page made by each of the 7 girls, my best friends, who had contributed to the project. The pages contained stickers, jokes, long letters about our experiences together, funny quotes we had said, and of course, some pictures. It meant a lot to me, not only that they had taken the time to make something so special for me, but that I got to see a collection of all the memories and things I loved about my friends, and the time I spent with them. I still look at it quite a bit, mostly when I miss Colorado. It's a great reminder of how much people can still care about you, regardless of if you're there with them or a 1,000 miles away. It sounds cheesy, but it's by far my most prized possession, and something I know I'll keep for the rest of my life.

Lucy Macfarlan

Fears: Losing loved ones, gaining weight, caves, parasites. Oija boards
Annoyances: Racist/sexist/other wise bigoted people, people who don't think, people who try too hard to fit into a specific category.
Accomplishments: Singing in the chapel in Windsor castle
Confusion: How people can think that it's okay to oppress or belittle others, math
Sorrows: There's not enough time in life to do everything, learn everything, people who die alone or unloved
Dreams: To be wise, to discover something that changes human knowledge (archaeology), spend my life with someone who I love
Idiosyncrasies: I'm hypersensitive to things that are often outside of normal perception(feelings of people, energies of places, ghosts-I know I sound like a crazy person), blood makes me pass out
Risks: living in Mexico, giving myself a tattoo
Beloved possessions: Then: Ginger, my stuffed dog. Now: A ring that my boyfriend brought me from Guatemala
Problems: Need to be right, bossiness

Ever since I was a little kid I can remember being afraid of something. It has been a major struggle in my life to get over that fear that would grip me with even the mention of a roller coaster or a spider, but at this point I think that I can safely say that I've gotten over most of those fears. However, there are still a few things that scare the hell out of me. One of these fears, that really I hate myself for being self centered enough to have, is gaining weight. I have always struggled with my weight and the size that I am. Recently I've been much better, but I'm still in a constant struggle with  the voice insides head telling me that I'm not good enough. The other much more significant and much less superficial fear that I have is the fear of losing a loved one, I have long been aware and okay with my own mortality, but being left on earth without one of the people I love is beyond terrifying, often times of I even think about it it makes me sick.

Assignment 8: "I never had to choose my subject-my subject rather chose me"--Amir Abou-Jaoude

Fears--being abducted by a stranger, losing my family and friends
Annoyances--people who cheat, people who are closed-minded, people who cannot respect others
Accomplishments--awards for the speech team, straight As
Confusions--I'm not sure I belong at the Academy
Dreams--to become a film director, to inspire and teach others, to change the world
Idiosyncrasies--I drool when I laugh, my reaction to tense situations is to break down completely
Risks--trying out new categories in speech this year, taking AP Physics
Beloved Possessions--books, writing tools, the cinema, my friends and family
Problems--organization, getting to activities on time

I would like to expand on the cinema. It seems to me that cinema is a combination of all the art forms. It combines the artifices of theater, the visual wizardry of painting and sculpture, and the frenzied movement of dance. The words of a writer illuminate the screen, and music can set the tone for on-screen action. Yet, if it is the newest and most complex of all art forms, it is also the most misunderstood. Film is seen by many, not as an art, but as an extremely efficient way to kill time. Audiences flock each summer to an onslaught of comic book movies. While these films are entertaining, they do not contribute to an appreciation of the art of cinema.

In school, each student should develop at least a rudimentary understanding of the arts. Students read plays like Romeo and Juliet and novels like Great Expectations. They learn the basics of  choreography, the works of Mozart, and examine the paintings of Da Vinci. Yet, the arts and humanities do not include the cinema. Why aren't students examining Ingmar Bergman's Persona or Yasujiro Ozu's Tokyo Story during the school day? Martin Scorsese speaks of the need for visual literacy. We need to educate children about cinema in our schools, because a work like Tokyo Story is just as emotionally engaging and as beautifully composed as Romeo and Juliet.

Cinema is made up of two major components--light and movement. Color, sound, music, dialogue, special effects--these are merely extra tools used to tell a story. Great films remain great if the sound is muted, the color is drained from the image, and the music is silenced. Too often, when analyzing films, an emphasis is put on what a work means. Instead of searching for meaning among a horde of images, I propose appreciating the aesthetic beauty of the images before anything else. A great director can tell a story solely through images. An appreciation of the art of cinema begins by recognizing that the compositions of a great film director are just as carefully planned as those of Leonardo da Vinci.

Analysis is a vital part of visual literacy. Choices made by directors are deliberate, and they work to create a certain effect. The colors used, the sound heard, and the shots chosen all are used to exact an emotional effect from the audience. We tend to watch movies in large crowds, as a communal activity, but in actuality, a film is a conversation between the viewer and the director. The director uses all the tools at his disposal to speak to the viewer, and to communicate a unique vision. I value the cinema because it provides different perspectives on the challenges that face our world. These perspectives cannot be appreciated if the extent of our viewing is limited to The Avengers, Avatar, and The Walking Dead. After more than a century of artistry in the cinema, it is time for the art form to be viewed as more than entertainment for the masses. Cinema must be viewed as a personal form of expression.

I never had to choose my subject-Sydney Taylor

Fears: not having the courage to make my life what I want it to be, spiders

Annoyances: melodramatics, being inconsiderate of other people 

Accomplishments: being awesome¿

Confusions: why I have to decide what college and career I want right now when it still takes me twenty minutes to decide what to order at McDonalds 

Sorrows: not joining speech and debate earlier than I did

Dreams: travel, cool job

Risks: joining the speech and debate team 

I guess I will write about how perplexed I am that everyone expects high schoolers to decide what they want to do with their lives when they haven't really lived yet or experienced anything, except school. I think a lot of people feel the same way but sometimes I still feel like the people around me have it together more than I do. I don't want to wake up at forty and realize I chose a job I can't stand and end up bitter and regretful because I didn't make the right choices about my future when I was a teenager. There's so many different things I'm interested and I just don't feel ready to commit to just one yet and be unhappy with one I chose or wish I could go back and choose differently. It's stressful thinking about having to choose a major in just a few years because I'm indecisive, as I already stated it takes me twenty minutes just to order food at a restaurant sometimes. 

I Never Had to Choose my Subject... - Keanu Gomez

Fears: taking tests, music recitals
Annoyances: homework over breaks, siblings (at times)
Accomplishments: being in advanced program since 3^rd grade, becoming proficient at piano

Confusions: Latin (so hard to understand)

Sorrows: upcoming AP Chemistry test, taking 5 AP classes

Dreams: becoming some sort of doctor (Pediatrician?), travel to many countries

Idiosyncrasies: preference for symmetry, always cleaning my phone screen

Risks: rollercoasters, thrill rides

Beloved Possessions: Nintendo DS (then), iPhone (now)

Problems: impatient, constant need for organization and structure

Imagine yourself in a room filled with people whose eyes are fixated on you, intently waiting for you to begin playing the piano. Your hands are sweaty, trembling with fear and anxiety. Your mind is going blank, forgetting half of the piece which took you several months to perfect. All the while, the judges are staring at you, just waiting to critique that first note. This is pretty much me whenever I have to play the piano in front of people who I don’t know. It’s kind of funny because while I play, my mind is completely out of the music. I’m thinking about what the judges will think about my playing and I lose all my sense of confidence. This anxiety-filled sensation has led to my fear of recitals. Maybe it stems from my shy and timid nature, but even after having many, many opportunities to play in front of others, I can’t seem to completely overcome this fear. But the thing that I love about it is the overjoying sense of accomplishment that you get after the performance.