In class we have focused on one central idea that all sources tie into somehow, which is the question on do people change their minds? And if they do, how do they do so? I believed coming into class that there is a huge array and spectrum of how people can change their minds, and that idea hasn’t changed. But what has changed is how that idea takes form. Previously it just had a general understanding that all humans are…
I think both people speaking bring up strong and believable cases for the point of view and I can’t really bring myself to fully agree with one. Strangely enough, in fact, I feel uncertain about this whole conversation. If you were to ask me to answer some of the questions they asked each other, I would have to say: I don’t know. I feel that maybe my best answer as to why is that it’s difficult to make any overarching…
Amber Tamblyn argues that in these cases, redemption must be earned and that until that “line in the sand” is drawn, the punishments will continue as it has been. Meanwhile, Bret Stephens argues that these knee jerk reactions and punishments that many targets of the #MeToo movement suffers from not being proportional to the crime committed. Meanwhile, I can kinda see where both are coming from. I think that those one-size-fits-all punishments that we see now are necessary for the…
From what I understand, rape culture is a culture that normalizes and excuses topics pertaining to rape and other sexual harassment. Some examples include the excusing and ignoring of sexual misconduct by men in position of power, often focused towards the women around them. Serrano describes the excuse as part of the “predator/prey mindset” which she describes as men being viewed as predators towards women on a societal level while women are also seen as prey towards men. The behavior…
In “Men Explain Things to Me,” the reason Rebecca Solnit describes the situation at the party is to give a real life example of what she talks about within the rest of her essay. The rest of her essay is light on concrete examples of what she is talking about, so her having that personal example at the beginning gives the audience something to keep in their mind as they read the rest of the essay. By and large, I…
The main purpose of the telling of Megan Phelps-Roger’s story seems to be to make a point about how people can change, as well as possibly making a case about the discovery of empathy. While not explicitly making an argument, there’s no actual input from the author, the story is not only a clear example of how people can change fundamental ideas about themselves but also is a prime example of what appiah talks about in his essay. This story…
When Tuckle says we have undergone a “flight from conversation” she means that people today aren’t seeking face-to-face interactions in the same way they would previously. She argues that instead they prefer interactions online over those that we have in real life. In a way, I do agree with her. Especially growing up, I would prefer online games and other technologies over making friends. I still made friends, but nothing solid and nothing particularly strong. However, what I disagree with…
Gladwell’s main criticism of online social activism mainly focuses on 2 main points; its strength, and what it targets. Gladwell argues that the strength of social media is weak because the ties that bind people to whatever cause they are arguing for are also weak. He also disapproves of what it targets, giving examples of a teenager who stole a phone and whom the internet found. In terms of the strength aspect, I don’t see it quite as strongly. We…
