When I was younger, I thought the Holocaust was fascinating. That sounds really bad, bus from a psychological point of view I was horrified and intrigued: how could people live through those horrors and not become mass murders, or die mentally? How can people, at the same time, sit back and watch? Camps like Dachau were set in relatively residential areas. How did people condone the mass murder and exile of 12 million people? After visiting Dachau and seeing a mural with no black, brown, or pink triangles (the Roma and homosexuals), and finding out that the Jewish group presiding over the camp had vetoed their inclusion, I was left to wonder how those who had been discriminated against could turn around and judge others in the same way, and marginalized their experience.
Frankl answers these questions, and to a lesser extent so does "Life is Beautiful". The Holocaust brought out the best and worst of humanity, and changed people fundamentally. I think learning about it in a book that isn't a textbook, or a book that isn't explicitly about the holocaust is the best way to get some of those answers.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Friday, November 2, 2012
Voltaire/Camus would vote for...
I almost believe that neither Camus or Voltaire wouldn't vote. I think they wouldn't see the point. Camus takes an absurdist viewpoint and seems to think that life doesn't have much of a point. If he thinks this, than of course he wouldn't be for casting his basically anonymous ballot with millions of other people until his voice means absolutely nothing. If economists don't like to vote, than Camus wouldn't.
On the Voltaire front I feel like if he had to vote for any candidate he would probably be a socialist, a party which isn't very strong in America. Throughout Candide he seems to advocate for helping your fellow man, and equality throughout. He chastizes France for its promotion of glitz, glamour, and wealth. He also makes a point to put Candide into the garden where communal work gets rid of the evils of the world. That makes me think that he would cast a vote for the Communist or Socialist party, if we had one.
On the Voltaire front I feel like if he had to vote for any candidate he would probably be a socialist, a party which isn't very strong in America. Throughout Candide he seems to advocate for helping your fellow man, and equality throughout. He chastizes France for its promotion of glitz, glamour, and wealth. He also makes a point to put Candide into the garden where communal work gets rid of the evils of the world. That makes me think that he would cast a vote for the Communist or Socialist party, if we had one.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Meaning in My Life
I find a lot of things in my life meaningless. Homework, video games, watching TV, etc. These are mindless activities that I either use to relieve stress or to further my goals. It is in my personal goals that I find meaning. My goal is to get to college and learn, really learn. Not rote memorization, although I suppose that is a type of learning. Not doing things for a grade that will affect the rest of my life (unless I go to grad school), but learning things that I want to learn. That's part of the reason that I have the list of colleges that I have. They all have very flexible curriculum requirements so that my one activity I find meaning in can be reached sooner rather than later.
Beyond that, I have taken the risky path of choosing an academic path that may not lead to a stable job. I didn't go for engineering or pharmacy, or something solid and well known. I found that my interests led me towards Anthopology and thats where I plan to follow. While people may find meaning in those other occupations, they don't interest me, and I don't enjoy them. I don't believe there is much meaning in a life without a little bit of happiness, no matter how absurd that happiness may be,
Beyond that, I have taken the risky path of choosing an academic path that may not lead to a stable job. I didn't go for engineering or pharmacy, or something solid and well known. I found that my interests led me towards Anthopology and thats where I plan to follow. While people may find meaning in those other occupations, they don't interest me, and I don't enjoy them. I don't believe there is much meaning in a life without a little bit of happiness, no matter how absurd that happiness may be,
Friday, October 12, 2012
Candide's Punishments
For this question I'm mainly going to focus on Candide's first two punishments: his exile from the castle, and his floggings and abuse at the hands of the army.
Of course Candide's first punishment was too harsh. A simple kiss, whether towards your daughter or not, should not warrant you being kicked out of your only home you have ever known. This is especially true since he sincerely did not know what he was doing was going to be considered "wrong" by the Barron. This one incident in his life leads to him living terrible life filled with abuse, broken hopes and dreams, and murder. His punishment also in a way saved him, but as we see several other people survive the ordeal with the storming of the castle. Therefore his punishment was far greater than the crime: greater than I think the Barron intended.
As far as the army goes, they are guilty of the same crime of over punishing poor Candide as the Barron is. Another misunderstanding, another instance of Candide doing something utterly innocent like walking away from the camp to go on a stroll, leads to a punishment that is basically equalled to death. Beyond this his other punishments, such as being flogged for doing well are equally ridiculous.
Of course Candide's first punishment was too harsh. A simple kiss, whether towards your daughter or not, should not warrant you being kicked out of your only home you have ever known. This is especially true since he sincerely did not know what he was doing was going to be considered "wrong" by the Barron. This one incident in his life leads to him living terrible life filled with abuse, broken hopes and dreams, and murder. His punishment also in a way saved him, but as we see several other people survive the ordeal with the storming of the castle. Therefore his punishment was far greater than the crime: greater than I think the Barron intended.
As far as the army goes, they are guilty of the same crime of over punishing poor Candide as the Barron is. Another misunderstanding, another instance of Candide doing something utterly innocent like walking away from the camp to go on a stroll, leads to a punishment that is basically equalled to death. Beyond this his other punishments, such as being flogged for doing well are equally ridiculous.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
How Do I Know What I Know? (Gender Equality)
How do I know that gender equality is something that I believe in? How did I come to believe (or know) that the two genders are inherently equal in mental capacity (physical is another question), and that they should be paid and treated as such?
Before you read my vaguely feminist rant, here's a summary:
Going to a Montessori school with their gender-neutral bathrooms, and encouragement of whatever you wanted to play, I got used to banging trucks around in the morning and playing house in the afternoon. I think my origins in a society (okay, it was only a preschool, but still) where the confines of gender practically didn't exist really shaped the idea that everyone was equal for me.
Life went on, and I learned a little more. I learned that boys and girls are different in their physical parts, but for now, not in their strength. I was a rough and tumble little girl who was as strong on the playground as in the classroom. My mother never bothered to treat me differently than my little cousin (a boy), and family members quickly learned that any effort to push pink on me would relegate their gifts to the very bottom of my closet. Although my family learned to ignore what was "normal" for girls in regards to me, an Afterschool teacher told me that I couldn't play on the monkey bars and wear a skirt since it wasn't "lady-like": I decided not to wear skirts.
Eventually we get to history class and I learn about the inequalities in gender that exist. I learn that because I am female (and a minority at that) I will get certain privileges when applying to college (allegedly), but that other than that my dna has made my life a lot harder. At 70 cents to a man's dollar, this sort of "benevolent sexism" still runs rampant, nearly thirty years after the third wave of feminism. I knew that I was as capable as my male counterparts, and I knew my girl friends were the same. I didn't understand why it exsisted. In questioning this system, my beliefs came about: equal pay for women.
As far as treatment goes, that's even beyond money. The first time I had "Whore!" yelled at me from a speeding car I was wearing zebra print tights, boots, a skirt, and a sweatshirt: not exactly street walker chic. My friends were (sorry!) dressed even more modestly than I was, the majority wearing jeans and sweatshirts. As they complained that they hated when that happened, I started to think about all the obnoxious honks from cars with lecherous looking glances, all of the "Hey babe"s from creepy old men on the sidewalk. Ever since the 7th or 8th grade the bodies of myself and my friends have been treated as objects. Looking at the past few national scandals regarding women's rights to abortions, birth control, and pay, I know that this continued treatment of women as objects to be held on a pedestal is something that will continue for sometime. It will persist in politics, and until everyone (including other women) puts their foot down, it will never stop. That doesn't mean that I don't believe this is wrong.
Before you read my vaguely feminist rant, here's a summary:
- Argument: Women should be paid equally, even if the government has to intervene (no more "Benevolent Sexism!) How I Learned: Experience (Mostly school)
- Argument: Women should not be treated as objects. Experience: Creepy men on sidewalks who think its cute to say "Hey baby" to a 12 year old. Yeah. No. Also other women who inadvertently subscribe to this way of thinking.
Continue on.
Going to a Montessori school with their gender-neutral bathrooms, and encouragement of whatever you wanted to play, I got used to banging trucks around in the morning and playing house in the afternoon. I think my origins in a society (okay, it was only a preschool, but still) where the confines of gender practically didn't exist really shaped the idea that everyone was equal for me.
Life went on, and I learned a little more. I learned that boys and girls are different in their physical parts, but for now, not in their strength. I was a rough and tumble little girl who was as strong on the playground as in the classroom. My mother never bothered to treat me differently than my little cousin (a boy), and family members quickly learned that any effort to push pink on me would relegate their gifts to the very bottom of my closet. Although my family learned to ignore what was "normal" for girls in regards to me, an Afterschool teacher told me that I couldn't play on the monkey bars and wear a skirt since it wasn't "lady-like": I decided not to wear skirts.
Eventually we get to history class and I learn about the inequalities in gender that exist. I learn that because I am female (and a minority at that) I will get certain privileges when applying to college (allegedly), but that other than that my dna has made my life a lot harder. At 70 cents to a man's dollar, this sort of "benevolent sexism" still runs rampant, nearly thirty years after the third wave of feminism. I knew that I was as capable as my male counterparts, and I knew my girl friends were the same. I didn't understand why it exsisted. In questioning this system, my beliefs came about: equal pay for women.
As far as treatment goes, that's even beyond money. The first time I had "Whore!" yelled at me from a speeding car I was wearing zebra print tights, boots, a skirt, and a sweatshirt: not exactly street walker chic. My friends were (sorry!) dressed even more modestly than I was, the majority wearing jeans and sweatshirts. As they complained that they hated when that happened, I started to think about all the obnoxious honks from cars with lecherous looking glances, all of the "Hey babe"s from creepy old men on the sidewalk. Ever since the 7th or 8th grade the bodies of myself and my friends have been treated as objects. Looking at the past few national scandals regarding women's rights to abortions, birth control, and pay, I know that this continued treatment of women as objects to be held on a pedestal is something that will continue for sometime. It will persist in politics, and until everyone (including other women) puts their foot down, it will never stop. That doesn't mean that I don't believe this is wrong.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
The Unexamined Life/Modern Day Gadfly
The unexamined life is not worth living? Not exactly.
There is a difference in 'living' your life and simply being 'alive'. To me, if you are not examining your life, at least at the very major turns (graduations, marriages, births, deaths, etc.) then you are not living: you are simply going through the motions of being a person. What makes a life a life is the memories that come from choices, and the consequences of those choices. The 'worth' in life comes from looking back and thinking that you were proud to make (some of) the choices you made, and that you wish you hadn't made some. When your life becomes worthless is when you wake up forty years later, and wonder "How on earth did I get here? and can't answer yourself.
As far as modern day gadflies go, I would pick Banksy. Even though he himself is invisible (to most), he acts as an invisible hand.With the acts of producing his popular artwork he pushes the status quo and poses some real and uncomfortable questions to the public. When does the line between "Street Art" and "Fine Art" begin? When is "Graffiti" Graffiti?
Beyond that, much of his art is also controversial in content. One of my personal favorites has a man in Great Depression era clothes next to a sign that says "Follow Your Dreams" with a giant "Cancelled" symbol over it. With art like this, he acts, in my mind, as an invisible Socrates, causing us to change our beliefs in the system, the government, and ourselves (or at the very least question them.)
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| "Sorry! The lifestyle you ordered is currently out of stock." - Banksy |
As far as modern day gadflies go, I would pick Banksy. Even though he himself is invisible (to most), he acts as an invisible hand.With the acts of producing his popular artwork he pushes the status quo and poses some real and uncomfortable questions to the public. When does the line between "Street Art" and "Fine Art" begin? When is "Graffiti" Graffiti?
Beyond that, much of his art is also controversial in content. One of my personal favorites has a man in Great Depression era clothes next to a sign that says "Follow Your Dreams" with a giant "Cancelled" symbol over it. With art like this, he acts, in my mind, as an invisible Socrates, causing us to change our beliefs in the system, the government, and ourselves (or at the very least question them.)
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Eulogy
Imara was a young woman who wore many outfits. For nearly half of her life she wore a tight pair of spandex, and supported not only her elementary and high school teams, but also assisted in bettering her club team. She attended AAU Nationals twice in a row, but was unable to attend her Junior year due to another national competition: Academic Decathlon. For you see Imara was not only exercised her body, but her mind. Although she didn't take home any individual medals at nationals, Imara always worked for the team, and supported their efforts to bring home a banner.
Imara also knew that all work and no play made a very dull boy (girl?). Once her academics and sports were finished, Imara enjoyed partaking in activities with her friends that included roller coasters (not like the Giant Drop at Six Flags), beach volleyball, movies, or just hanging out downtown, Strawberry Surf Rider smoothie in hand. When she needed some alone time, which those who knew her well understood she required to function, Imara loved to read manga, watch anime, and read whatever she could get her hands on (which recently were books on writing, urban planning, and college applications). Her two favorite books were Welcome to the Monkey House and Bass Ackwards and Belly Up. The one activity she truly looked forward to each year was NaNoWriMo, which she won for three years in a row, and was planning on winning again this year.
Imara was a liberal who was strongly concerned with social justice, especially in the cases of women and minorities, and considered herself an ally to the LGBTQ community. Her favorite political blog was thinkprogress.org, and had she been able to vote for president this year, she would've voted for Obama. Instead she contented herself with awkwardly calling strangers and asking if they would support his campaign. Although she strongly aligns with the left, she also encouraged debate in this arena of her life, like she did with all another areas. She was even known to argue against her own beliefs in order to make a debate more interesting to her.
A quintessential gemini, Imara loved life to the fullest, and hated it equally as much, often in turns which changed like the wind. She is survived by her mother, father, grandfather, grandmother, three uncles, three aunt-in-laws, five little cousins, one cat named Tiger, and her 6th generation Sims 3 Random Legacy (Vivano and his wife whose name I can't remember. Kathy? Katie? I don't know. It was important to her, not to anyone else.)
Imara also knew that all work and no play made a very dull boy (girl?). Once her academics and sports were finished, Imara enjoyed partaking in activities with her friends that included roller coasters (not like the Giant Drop at Six Flags), beach volleyball, movies, or just hanging out downtown, Strawberry Surf Rider smoothie in hand. When she needed some alone time, which those who knew her well understood she required to function, Imara loved to read manga, watch anime, and read whatever she could get her hands on (which recently were books on writing, urban planning, and college applications). Her two favorite books were Welcome to the Monkey House and Bass Ackwards and Belly Up. The one activity she truly looked forward to each year was NaNoWriMo, which she won for three years in a row, and was planning on winning again this year.
Imara was a liberal who was strongly concerned with social justice, especially in the cases of women and minorities, and considered herself an ally to the LGBTQ community. Her favorite political blog was thinkprogress.org, and had she been able to vote for president this year, she would've voted for Obama. Instead she contented herself with awkwardly calling strangers and asking if they would support his campaign. Although she strongly aligns with the left, she also encouraged debate in this arena of her life, like she did with all another areas. She was even known to argue against her own beliefs in order to make a debate more interesting to her.
A quintessential gemini, Imara loved life to the fullest, and hated it equally as much, often in turns which changed like the wind. She is survived by her mother, father, grandfather, grandmother, three uncles, three aunt-in-laws, five little cousins, one cat named Tiger, and her 6th generation Sims 3 Random Legacy (Vivano and his wife whose name I can't remember. Kathy? Katie? I don't know. It was important to her, not to anyone else.)
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