A Farewell to Comp? What?

Junior year has been a struggle thus far. It has been difficult to manage all that stress, homework, drama, dance practices and grades. But we made it. Finally. AP Comp has been a defining aspect of my junior year.  It is odd to imagine the rest of junior year without the jokes, the writing, and Mrs. Cardona. Even though it is a relief to be free from the stresses of that next paper grade, this is also a bittersweet end.

So I guess, this is farewell ( but not for long). 

Is optimism naive?

Happiness. Khushi. La felicidad. Throughout the world we identify this feeling through numerous names. It is supposed to overwhelm us; keeping us cozy and warm. It is the supposed panacea for all your problems. We are supposed to believe that turning on that smile while make your life amazing (supposedly, your life will be filled with rainbows, leprechauns, and unicorns).But if you ask Babara Ehrenreich, the author of Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking Is Undermining America, she will say this is foolish, bogus and simply crap. Ehrenreich believes that America is becoming over-optimistic. I know. You probably are questioning what type of depressed person would want to write a book which attacks positivity (aka the only thing that gives us hope in our large, confusing world).  Well, she isn’t too crazy. We all know those over-optimistic people in our lives who believe that being positive 24/7 is mandatory. Of course, most people find them annoying. These puppeteers yank their strings to make our mouths stretch and eventually conform into a gaping smile-type-expression.  And this is what she is opposed to. Ehrenreich has an overall valid point. Positivity is good. But not when optimism is forced or exceeds its realistic boundaries.

What Barbara thinks

Forced Optimism?

                But then again, positivity and happiness are vital aspects of a successful life. In the documentary Happy positivity and happiness are described as essentials to life. These qualities are not achieved by the material wealth you accumulate. But there is a point where it is important. Once the basic needs, food, shelter, and clothes (for those valley girls this is probably includes a Lamborghini, a mansion, and the handbag pup), are fulfilled, it is truly your own sentiments that counts. The documentary argued that happier people lived better lives. For example, take Japan (aka that country where all the Toyotas, video games  and computers come from). After the Second World War, the Japanese government encouraged its people to improve their circumstances. And within the 50 years they were able to maintain a country with a powerful economy. However, this opportunity came at a high price. The Japanese people turned out to be very unhappy people. Their lack of happiness was attributed to their work ethic. Several people also suffered from karoshi, which is the term they use for individuals who work themselves to death. So, happiness is important in life.

Karoshi

                Many countries have figured this out. The documentary explored other areas where the happiness was the greatest. The Bhutanese people are striving for growth. Unlike their Japanese counterparts, they wish to attain their growth via the spread of happiness. The documentary stated that the government was attempting to increase its gross happiness. A similar situation is occurring in Okinawa, Japan. This island of the coast of Japan is home to a vibrant community of happy people. The Okinawans live in a mass community which enables them to maintain a level of happiness.   Through the spread of happiness, these people are able to continue joyous lives.

                The documentary and the book approached this topic through different lenses. But I believe that both include valid arguments.  Ehrenreich is right that we are at times too optimistic. We are not always rational while trying to achieve that maximum happiness output. But this doesn’t mean that happiness is the root cause of all our problems. Nor does this mean that pessimism is favorable when compared to an optimistic perspective. And as the documentary displays we need happiness to survive. I think the cartoons shown in the movie portray how a mechanical population lacks happiness. Thus, they are unhappy. I enjoyed the various examples in the movie which were able to keep enhancing the book’s argument as it went along. But in Bright-sided I think the argument became weaker as the book progressed.  

 

                Basically I think I have found the purpose of both these pieces. Be happy and optimistic, but never over-optimistic or force your optimism on someone else. 

The vital "So What?"

                As a young girl, I dreaded the big yellow bus. I hated boarding it. I would be welcomed by flying objects, random shouts, and the rude people. It was the only part of my school day that I truly detested. At the time I realized that this was considered bullying. But I was too scared of the “consequences”. ( I thought my prior bullies would mock me as I divulged my feelings.)

                I rarely tell people about this instance. Generally this is only something that people see in movies. But, it happens much more frequently than the average person can assume. Bullying is a terrible cycle and it must be changed. I decided to base my revision essay off of my latest power writing piece called “On the Elite”. The piece included many reference to European History which is a reason why I really enjoyed this piece. But in this rewrite I hope to convey my concise message and fully employ my voice into it.

                So, here is the so what?  (aka the reason why my slow, painful death may be worth it). I want to bring attention to the issue of bullying. I also want to show the effects of bullying, rather than blatantly telling the audience everything. With my essay I hope to drive home, my experience and show (not tell) that bullying can happen to anyone. 

Gilded People

                   I know I portray that girl. That girl is calm and composed, and always attempts to be formal. That girl is a goody-two-shoe and never does anything wrong. That girl who has wisdom beyond her years and is often praised for her maturity. But if people think this is the real me, then they have been deceived by a charade. In fact, I am not this person. First off, the composed personality that I portray is less of a result of my personality than it is a necessity. I have a belligerent temper. If anyone infuriates me (many drivers do so frequently) I start out by verbally abusing them. Basically every dirty-little-thing I know will come out of my mouth. And by the time I have these comments have barely been started, the relationship I had with the given person would have deteriorated. Thus, it is necessary that I keep that composure, for fear of any statement that I regret later on. Secondly, I am not an angelic goody-two-shoe. Instead, I am a teenager. So, I also I make my share of mistakes. It is very irritating when my peers tell me that I could never do anything wrong because I question whether they actually know me. Lastly, don’t picture me as that overly mature girl. I detest it when people think I am so mature. For example, some family friends recently told me that I was like an adult, but I just looked like teenager. Sure, that may be sweet and all, but this is irritating because I definitely am not that mature. Ask my family. They know. Maybe all this resentment is due to my strives to become rebellious. But then again, if that is what I am aiming to achieve, I definitely am not mature. Because of my short fuse, my less- than-angelic personality, and my immature behavior, I get irritated by my pet peeves. Frequently.

                I am a complete introvert. On a psychology survey I received the lowest score for extroversion in my psychology class- a 16. Yeah, it was low. Mr. Johnson stated that introverts were able to observe people well and figure out their personality. And I can definitely do that. As an introvert I am able to understand other people a little more easily. Or at least I think that. But recently, I think I have lost my magic touch. People have just become too confusing for this petite head to handle. And that is why my number one pet peeve is people. When someone asks me, “Are you okay?”, I reply by saying that people are irritating. Why have people become so irritating lately? I guess in an effort to maintain a good relationship with everyone, some persons have just stopped speaking their mind. Maybe they think that sharing their opinion, will make them be judged or will insult someone else. And to avoid that, it is easier to just avoid contact between people. Or so they think. And that is why too many people are gilded. Society is just filled with these gilded persons.  I hope that one day, these gilded persons will see that their mind is just as important as the next persons.   Then, they will become their true selves. And people will be less irritating. 

That time of year

                  Yeah, it is that time of year. It is that time of year where singers spend endless hours in the frigid cold caroling for senior citizens. It is that time of year where the average Joe donates a couple dollars to the Salvation Army.  It is that time of year where children are warmly wrapped in an abundance of clothing. It is that time of year where whole families can join together and give thanks for their peace, tranquility, and safety. Well, at least this is what this time of year is supposed to be out. But this time of year has not been that typical winter season we all imagine. I wish I could maintain that romantic ideal of winter and sing “It’s the season to be jolly, falalalala”. But how can I do so when it is simply not true?

                 A couple days ago my mother and I were blissfully shopping for a New Year’s party dress when we came across a close family friend. We engaged in small talk until he asked “Hey, did u hear about that news story? You know, the gang rape case?” Of course, I was too engrossed in my own little world to realize what was happening in the world. At once I wanted to know what had happened. Our family friend described that a gang raping had happened to a girl. After the rape had occurred, the woman was beaten and left to die on the street. On December 29^th, she passed away at a Singapore hospital.

Gang Rape Case

                After listening to this terrible occurrence, I went back to my state-of-mind that I had a couple of weeks ago. After the elementary school shooting, I somewhat lost faith in society. But then I got over those brutalities, and looked at that period as a bad time. Then, this murder occurred. Despite comparing our status to the treatment of people in history and claiming that we have improved lives, nothing has really changed. Sure, maybe we have more technology and more ease in certain daily tasks. Maybe we have longer life expectancies.  Maybe we have several literate persons in this world. But if these brutalities do not seize, we have not advanced. 

Damini

On Attaining Peace

                The other day, I cried. I cried for those who had lost their innocence. I cried for those who lost their children. I cried for those who had lost their lives, the heroic teachers and the little tykes. I cried for those who have lost faith in society.  But after a week of tragedies, what should we expect?  The world has unleashed a realm of hatred, violence, and grief that we have never known. From the Virginia Tech Massacre to the Fort Hood shooting to the current Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the power of evil-doers has been witnessed. We claim that we have become so “advanced”. We claim that we have become “civilized”. We claim that we have become “modern”. Well, if this is advanced, civilized and modern, then I would like to live in the era before 1364 (the year that this hideous firearm was first used).

                Maybe we could restrict gun ownership. But because people love their hunting “rights” that won’t happen. Why don’t we provide each individual with a firearm for their protection? No matter what their age, age 4 (that innocent young person who shoot his sibling), age 20 (that malicious man who went on a killing rampage through a helpless elementary school) or age 65 (that senile man who “accidently” shot his acquaintance while hunting), everyone deserves a gun. Whenever someone feels harmed or threatened, they will have a gun by their side to protect them. Sure, it may cause collateral damage, but anyways we have a global population of 7 million – maybe we can afford some losses.

                We could just restrict the usage of guns or remove them completely. Maybe we could model our gun policy after Britain (they have one of the world’s lowest rates of intentional gun homicides at .07 per 100,000 persons compared to the US rate at 3.0 per 100,000). Maybe we could eliminate gun ownership by the general populace. Maybe we could attain our peace. But no, that would be ineffective.  In our society, we value being unique and not following those snobby Brits. In our society, it is a necessity to maintain our “right to bear arms”. In our society, we value our right to murder animals to fulfill our carnivorous diet. In our society, these reasons are more important than saving several lives. I guess restricting or eliminating guns from our society would overall be ineffective. So instead, let us give the populace guns, so we can attain “peace”.

See Articles:

Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting 

The History of the firearm

4yr Old shot his sibling

Cheney's Hunting Incident

Gun Control In the UK

Fort Hood Shooting

What is "hope"?

Hope. Wait. What is that?

Narration: When I travel to India, I frequently see many homeless children attempting to earn a living. Sad, right? Well, my grandmother used to be one of those children. At a young age, about five or six, my grandmother’s family faced a terrible financial situation. Her family was unable to provide for a house, her education, and new clothes. Thus, she was forced to make flower garlands and sell them to pedestrians on the sidewalk. Through her hard work and the gifts of many strangers, her family earned enough money to move into a house. She then had the hope to continue with her life.

Description:  A warm feeling arose in the center of her body. The feeling created the slight lifting of her cheekbones and required the tightening of her cheek muscles.  Her breathing slowed down as this new relaxed sensation took over her body. The smell of relief was omnipresent. As she gingerly closed her eyes and imagined the next day to be filled with success, her shoulders lowered and her muscles became limp, as if she were a marshmallow. She tasted the salty lines which streamed down her face. These used to be streams of pain and unhappiness. Now, the circumstances had changed with a glimmer of brightness.

 Example:  The Dalai Lama once stated, “I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest”. His statement epitomizes the minds of the current Hurricane Sandy victims. These victims have faced the darkest times in this natural disaster, as it has ripped away their daily lives. But with the strength they find amongst their friends, family, and community, they are able to see the greater possibilities in the future. The victims focus on the bright side and the changes in their future. And with this hope, they will be able to achieve great feats.

Comparison/Contrast: There is no fine line between day and night, light and dark, and white and black. They are stark opposites. Similarly there is no fine line between hope and hopelessness. Hope represents the presence of shimmer of optimism, which has the potential to motivate one to continue with life. On the other hand, hopelessness portrays the pit of despair, in which one’s world is dim with pessimism, making it difficult to proceed with life. Therefore, it is impossible to draw any similarities as these two concepts are mutually exclusive.

Process Analysis: Instilling hope in oneself is a long and enduring process. It does not have distinct steps. Rather, it occurs in continuous stages. In the first stage one must experience an unhappy situation. Whether the circumstance is a daily stressor or life-changing event, one needs to experience an event that could potentially be catastrophic (this is very easy if one is a drama king or queen). This phase will eventually (at least we hope) lead into a phase of euphoria. One will be more optimistic in their future. And when a person reaches that brighter outlook, they have attained hope.

Division of analysis: Hope is a complex emotion. It has the potential to lift you towards to sky, as if you are an angel floating in the sky. But if the hope does not come in time, you can be sent into a pit of misery and despair. In order to attain the angel floating in the puffy-clouded-sky sensation, one must have a somewhat optimistic attitude immediately after suffering from a disappointing event. When the optimism is realized, the person will be able to face anything.

Classification: Instilling hope in oneself is a long and enduring process. It does not have distinct steps. Rather, it occurs in continuous stages. In the first stage one must experience an unhappy situation. Whether the circumstance is a daily stressor or life-changing event, one needs to experience an event that could potentially be catastrophic (this condition is very easy to fulfill if one is a drama king or queen). This phase will eventually (at least we hope) lead into a phase of euphoria. One will be more optimistic in their future. And when a person reaches that brighter outlook, they have attained hope.

Cause and Effect: Hope is caused by the optimistic attitudes of those who have faced the terrible circumstances.  Their experiences instill greater expectations for the future. The future, they believe, can only get better. Whether they believe that poverty will change to riches or sickness will change to good health, victims will always foresee a brighter future. This brighter and optimistic side ensures the numerous possibilities for a happier existence. Thus, victims are given the ability to assimilate into their current conditions because they can only improve. Or at least, they think that.

Definition: Hope is not an overly optimistic attitude, which is irrational and unnecessary. Hope is also not the panacea for all pain and should not blind persons of their problems.  Instead, hope provides an optimistic yet, rational view of the future. It enables the person to maintain a positive outlook and take the required steps towards a more happy state, while remembering that the world is not a blissful universe. It requires a balanced state of mind and emotions. And once that balance has been achieved, the idea of hope has the potential to change lives.

Argumentative/Persuasive: Keep an optimistic outlook at all times. Sure, it is common sense. It may even sound banal. But, we often forget to follow this advice. Despite being taught to value an optimistic attitude from age 5, society has now become filled with pessimism as we face the daily toil of life. We even view being rational as the equivalent to optimism. Pessimistic attitudes are even becoming popular through social media and literature, including Barbara Ehrenriech’s novel, “Bright-sided”. It is now up to us to change this pessimistic trend and display that hope and optimism are not outdated. They have just been forgotten.