A Cog in the Writing Machine
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Rhetorical Reminds Me of Rhino. Does That Make It Cruelty Free?
So I'm a big proponent for cosmetics not tested on animals. I mean, seriously, you're supposed to be wearing the makeup, not them. Rabbits don't care if they have the right shade of plum lipstick. Anyways, I decided to go ahead and google cruelty free products and see what I come up with. I honestly just go to Target and Clinique to buy all my cosmetics so this was interesting to actually see what a "cruelty free" website would look like.
Ok so first off, the title of the url alone makes it seem like a link EVERYONE can click on. C'mon, Caring Consumer, that doesn't seem offensive at all! It sounds inviting to the entire population and people aren't hesitant to clicking on it as if it could possibly be some sordid link. A lot of people probably associate "cruelty free animal products" to very high intensive pro-active groups, which is definitely true in some cases but I like the fact that this website is trying to be nice about everything. No screaming at your face about poor animals being tested on, animals aren't even in the url. So I think the website is trying to be open to the general public.
Now actually looking at the website makes me go "Awww" in a very "So cute!" way. The color palette is comprised of Easter blues and pinks, soothing colors and the font is very soft font for headlines before going in to the articles which also have a lot of colorful links. There is a picture in the top left hand corner of a cute little white mouse peaking out and then a caricature of a bunny with large ears is placed in between of Caring and Consumer. Already, there's been a huge usage of cutsey stuff. Total abuse on the emotional scale. This website is trying very hard to make everything it's talking about seem honest and true and non-offensive in any form or fashion. They're appealing to compassion.
Caring Consumers, however, was created by a certain group. Three guesses and the first two don't count. Yeah, PETA created this website because they know being out right in your face all the time doesn't exactly roll for everyone. This website has jewelry that says "I <3>
There are tons of websites and links on the page to show you companies who do animal testing and companies that don't. You can get a smart buying book to tell you what companies are cruelty free as well as coupons for signing up. There are articles on up and coming fashion and makeup that is cruelty free and the advantages of buying such items. How cruelty free items can make your life better. Not only do they use pretty colors and pictures to make you feel safe but they appeal to your logical and ethical side with all the websites. I mean if Shampoo A and Shampoo B cost the same, why shouldn't you buy Shampoo B if it was Cruelty Free? By buying B you didn't give money to Company A to further fund its testing which is unnecessary. Appealing to logic and ethical behavior in one fell swoop.
I could go on for days and days at a time about how this site is one huge argument but I think I've described it enough where you're curious to go looking for yourself. We're all well educated people, I'd like to see what you deduce.
<3,
Audrey B
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
In Class: Rhetorical reminds me of Rhinoceros
Alright so Rhetorical is one of those funny words that always make me smirk. ALYWAYS. Seriously, it reminds me of The Hunchback of Notre Dame when Phoebos tells his horse that it was "just a rhetorical question" when he aksed how many times he had really been wrong about smething and the horse started to count off the ways...or click or tap, whatever horses do with their hooves.
Anyways, so rhetorical question is when you know the answer...you're just asking someone the question to make it obvious that you know what's going on...well, I think. Alright, so I was readign over our prompt and I'm like "oh! I know what I want to do!" and then I get to class and I' m like, "Crap...why would I want to talk about animal testing for six weeks" I mean honestly, I think I might want to commit seppuku from just having to read about that and talk about it for weeks on end...not fun.
So what, what does Rhetorical mean to me? It means searching for answers you know that are already out there to state your case...basically. I mean, you know of the stuff, the ideas that are floating around in society, well maybe yu don't know all of them but you know a lot of them or else you wouldn't make the statements you do. So with this paper it's trying to back up a decision, a statement with events and trigger/heaps (cause/effects in tehatre speak) that makes you look all the smarter because hey, not only can you play devil's advocate but you can play devil's advocate to your cause and win...well of course you'd let yoruself win but that's besides the point.
Anyways, so rhetorical reminds me of rhinoceros because of the rh at the beginning...that and it sounds like a pretty intense word, probably because of the rh now that I think about it. Anyways, rhinoceros you knwo for a fact is big and huge...you can just say rhino and someone invisions this freakin huge grey mass of muscle that can gore a man to death. That's what I kind of think of when I think of rhetorical...when you ask a rhetorical question or make a rhetorical statement, you're so sure about this statement (thus it being rhetorical) that you are a freakin huge grey masso f muscle that can gore a man to death because what do we say when people try to refute what we just stated? "It was rhetorical" as if that statement is the be-all-end-all of the conversation...which it tends to be.
Why is that? When you say "It was rhetorical" and people just be quiet...should that be allowed? I mean there are those people who try to continue to negate teh statement but I don't think that many people actually do you know...? They should try more often.
Anyways, so rhetorical question is when you know the answer...you're just asking someone the question to make it obvious that you know what's going on...well, I think. Alright, so I was readign over our prompt and I'm like "oh! I know what I want to do!" and then I get to class and I' m like, "Crap...why would I want to talk about animal testing for six weeks" I mean honestly, I think I might want to commit seppuku from just having to read about that and talk about it for weeks on end...not fun.
So what, what does Rhetorical mean to me? It means searching for answers you know that are already out there to state your case...basically. I mean, you know of the stuff, the ideas that are floating around in society, well maybe yu don't know all of them but you know a lot of them or else you wouldn't make the statements you do. So with this paper it's trying to back up a decision, a statement with events and trigger/heaps (cause/effects in tehatre speak) that makes you look all the smarter because hey, not only can you play devil's advocate but you can play devil's advocate to your cause and win...well of course you'd let yoruself win but that's besides the point.
Anyways, so rhetorical reminds me of rhinoceros because of the rh at the beginning...that and it sounds like a pretty intense word, probably because of the rh now that I think about it. Anyways, rhinoceros you knwo for a fact is big and huge...you can just say rhino and someone invisions this freakin huge grey mass of muscle that can gore a man to death. That's what I kind of think of when I think of rhetorical...when you ask a rhetorical question or make a rhetorical statement, you're so sure about this statement (thus it being rhetorical) that you are a freakin huge grey masso f muscle that can gore a man to death because what do we say when people try to refute what we just stated? "It was rhetorical" as if that statement is the be-all-end-all of the conversation...which it tends to be.
Why is that? When you say "It was rhetorical" and people just be quiet...should that be allowed? I mean there are those people who try to continue to negate teh statement but I don't think that many people actually do you know...? They should try more often.
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Vagina Monologues
I saw The Vagina Monologues this past Friday night in the BLUU Auditorium. It was life changing, absolutely different and changing. I loved all of the women who played their monologues and the three women who were the narrators. There is so much anger, love, passion, and just power that is radiated from these women. There are facts that are given through out the monologues which made me laugh and become irate. A gambit of emotions bombarded me over an hour and a half; even more so whenever the talk back started. Since it was opening night there was a talk-back with the cast and whoever wanted to stay in the audience. There is where you got to see the actual women behind the monologues and their passion for performing The Vagina Monologues. This is the second year going and I can't wait to see them next year, maybe even perform in them next year. I am a big proponent for anyone going to go see this not just at TCU but anywhere in the nation.
~Audrey B
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Ethical Emotionals Logically Shop at Hot Topic
When I look at Hot Topic, I think of the alternative lifestyles of our culture. This is pretty logical because of the neon red, sharp letters spelling out Hot Topic and the metal grating arch entrance you have to walk through to get in to the store. I don't think of skipping through a field of daffodils or watching The Hills when I see this store. I logically think that people who prefer a "darker" attitude shop at this store. A claim that seems to be undisputed when looking around the malls these many stores are housed in. Walking in, your ideas and thoughts are affirmed with the interior design of the store which compliments the exterior nicely.
And your emotions are definitely played upon whenever you walk in to the store. The music is loud (whether it's Rob Pattinson or Korn, it's loud), the walls are faux dark red bricks, and the shelving/hangers for everything are black. The clothes are hardly ever white and if they are they have bright graphics all over them. Most of the retail is either darkly colored or a gross reminder of the 80's color pallete. The sales attendants look fresh off the cover of TattooZine or some pop/punk album. All of this gets you in to a different mood. It's edgier to be in there, or at least you feel edgier. This isn't Abercrombie and Fitch or Victoria's Secret. This lingerie has skull and crossbones on it or it's zippered, for that more hardcore relationship. I definitely feel a little bit more of a bamf when I walk in to the store. Logically I understand that this is hardly unique in any form or fashion and most of this stuff is mainstream, chinsy stuff that anyone could walk in and buy but still there is this sense of being a little bit more hardcore whenever I go to pick up my black fingernail polish or lipstick.
And when it comes to Ethical, that's an interesting point. Things in Hot Topic are made to push the envelope of society. Wearing whatever the heck someone wants to wear whether or not it's been accepted by the Average Joe the Plumber. So if you're thinking in terms of staying within that given status quo of society, it isn't too ethical. Because who all trusts a person dressed in all black, with blackened nails and lips? Who has many piercings and tattoos? But for the average person, this store is full of understanding. No one judges you when you're in Hot Topic. Those are the sweetest retail attendants I have ever met. I know the store back home treated my mother with the utmost respect whenever she goes to buy me gifts and my mother is the kind of woman who shops at Chico's. So...not exactly the same store. But they can be trusted with your self esteem, your tastes, your ideas...of course we're all going to argue over the point of whether Barbie is that great of an icon for girls and should be popularized again but we're going to be honest about it. No glances down the nose at anyone who walks in.
I believe the ethical and emotional appeals are strong resonaters and I think I will have to continue looking at the Logical reasons from Hot Topic.
<3,
Audrey B
And your emotions are definitely played upon whenever you walk in to the store. The music is loud (whether it's Rob Pattinson or Korn, it's loud), the walls are faux dark red bricks, and the shelving/hangers for everything are black. The clothes are hardly ever white and if they are they have bright graphics all over them. Most of the retail is either darkly colored or a gross reminder of the 80's color pallete. The sales attendants look fresh off the cover of TattooZine or some pop/punk album. All of this gets you in to a different mood. It's edgier to be in there, or at least you feel edgier. This isn't Abercrombie and Fitch or Victoria's Secret. This lingerie has skull and crossbones on it or it's zippered, for that more hardcore relationship. I definitely feel a little bit more of a bamf when I walk in to the store. Logically I understand that this is hardly unique in any form or fashion and most of this stuff is mainstream, chinsy stuff that anyone could walk in and buy but still there is this sense of being a little bit more hardcore whenever I go to pick up my black fingernail polish or lipstick.
And when it comes to Ethical, that's an interesting point. Things in Hot Topic are made to push the envelope of society. Wearing whatever the heck someone wants to wear whether or not it's been accepted by the Average Joe the Plumber. So if you're thinking in terms of staying within that given status quo of society, it isn't too ethical. Because who all trusts a person dressed in all black, with blackened nails and lips? Who has many piercings and tattoos? But for the average person, this store is full of understanding. No one judges you when you're in Hot Topic. Those are the sweetest retail attendants I have ever met. I know the store back home treated my mother with the utmost respect whenever she goes to buy me gifts and my mother is the kind of woman who shops at Chico's. So...not exactly the same store. But they can be trusted with your self esteem, your tastes, your ideas...of course we're all going to argue over the point of whether Barbie is that great of an icon for girls and should be popularized again but we're going to be honest about it. No glances down the nose at anyone who walks in.
I believe the ethical and emotional appeals are strong resonaters and I think I will have to continue looking at the Logical reasons from Hot Topic.
<3,
Audrey B
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
In Class: Candy Cig
My attention is immedietly drawn to the girl's face. She looks absolutely depressed or just tired like no little girl her age should. There are bags under her eyes and her lips turned down in a frown and her eyes are just...sad and empty. There is no real spark in her eyes even though there should be because of her age. Her hair is disheveled as if she hasn't been taken care of recently, it's all mussed about as if she were in her twenties and ready to go out on the night of town or maybe she didn't go to sleep at a decent hour and just didn't have the time to take care of it. That'd explain her eyes. Honestly though, her face is just so depressing.
The girl's face is so old. She looks as if she's in her late twenties. The way she is holding herself with her body and the way she's holding the candy cigerette looks as if she's a model waiting for her go-to to call her back. The other girl, whose face we cannot see, has herh ands on her hips as if she is upset about something and the girl looks like she doesn't really care. The other girl does happen to look like a girl whereas the the girl holding the cigarette is around the same age but looks tremendously older. Her dress doesn't exactly look like it's on right that it's a bit skewed. The background is blurred completely, it's hard to make anything out of it as if it's confused like the little girl probably is. Confused with how young she should be and how old she has aged. Her pose is only that a seasoned smoker would obtain. The nonchalant little slingback, hand under arm reminiscinet to the Silver Screen Sirens back in the 20's/30's who made smoking look sexy. So not what this girl should be looking like.
This image is about the heavy pressure society puts on children for them to grow up. Their clothes, their television, and the things that are just shown in every day life on billboards and commercials are aiding young children to grow faster, mature faster than they should so that they no longer have a childhood. I've heard people my age boast about how they started drinking and smoking when they were twelve years old. That's not cool! I was out playing with my dog and running through my acreage when I was twelve. I starting to become interested in boys and I was scraping my knee climbing trees...not getting a nicotine fix.
The purpose of this image is to be a striking realization that children are learning bad habits at a young age and we're enabling those bad habits. No young child should have a candy cig! That's just bad first off because that glamorizes smoking which is completely horrible for you! Second off, she's just a child and she no longer looks liek a child because she has no childhood. Results of growing up too fast in a very adult geared world. People are aiding their children in growing up to fast, people aern't aware of what is happening to the children of our society. This is a blunt reminder to let children be children and to nip bad habits in the bud.
The girl's face is so old. She looks as if she's in her late twenties. The way she is holding herself with her body and the way she's holding the candy cigerette looks as if she's a model waiting for her go-to to call her back. The other girl, whose face we cannot see, has herh ands on her hips as if she is upset about something and the girl looks like she doesn't really care. The other girl does happen to look like a girl whereas the the girl holding the cigarette is around the same age but looks tremendously older. Her dress doesn't exactly look like it's on right that it's a bit skewed. The background is blurred completely, it's hard to make anything out of it as if it's confused like the little girl probably is. Confused with how young she should be and how old she has aged. Her pose is only that a seasoned smoker would obtain. The nonchalant little slingback, hand under arm reminiscinet to the Silver Screen Sirens back in the 20's/30's who made smoking look sexy. So not what this girl should be looking like.
This image is about the heavy pressure society puts on children for them to grow up. Their clothes, their television, and the things that are just shown in every day life on billboards and commercials are aiding young children to grow faster, mature faster than they should so that they no longer have a childhood. I've heard people my age boast about how they started drinking and smoking when they were twelve years old. That's not cool! I was out playing with my dog and running through my acreage when I was twelve. I starting to become interested in boys and I was scraping my knee climbing trees...not getting a nicotine fix.
The purpose of this image is to be a striking realization that children are learning bad habits at a young age and we're enabling those bad habits. No young child should have a candy cig! That's just bad first off because that glamorizes smoking which is completely horrible for you! Second off, she's just a child and she no longer looks liek a child because she has no childhood. Results of growing up too fast in a very adult geared world. People are aiding their children in growing up to fast, people aern't aware of what is happening to the children of our society. This is a blunt reminder to let children be children and to nip bad habits in the bud.
In Class: I'm Missing Some Logos
Alright so I'm reading the Logos chapter last night and excitement it's only 22 pages! I love easy reads, they make me interested in the topic material. Gosh that makes me sound so flippin' lazy. I'm not! I swear! I just really hate when writers becoem really verbose and can't find their point amongst all the pointless ramblings.
Anyways, so here I am reading and I swear I can't understand/connect with the first half of the chapter! The Stats and polls and itnerviews, all of this stuff is just not clicking with me. Now whether or not this was because it was freakin' late at night because it was, I can't seem to sleep at a decent hour anymore, or what I just didn't understand. Or I udnerstood but it definitely took my brain a bit of time to process it all.
Because honestly, you're like "Just the facts, Ma'am" and you understand Logos. There isn't any way to nt understand logos! We alll grew up having to tell our moms what happened whenever the vase broke. It was facts to help save our skins for our argument. Who knew we'd be such good argumentors...not a word but now it is...when we were little?
So yeah, I'm trying to really figure out as to why I couldn't just connect with the first pater of the ...part of the chapter. I know why I could connect with the second half of the chapter starting on page 93 because I think it was more natural to me. The first part of the chapter, here we go, wasn't as natural to come by. I mean interviews and editorials are arguments of logos, right? Well, I just hadn't thought of them that way I guess! Now I get it...wow, apparently I need to get more sleep.
The common sense part as wel as the precedents and analogies and all that jazz definitely worked/clicked with my brain. I was an amazing SAT taker when it came to the math common sense part. That and analogies are my fave, total nerd , I know.
So yeah, how about those claim and support and facts and stuf? Ok so I was never a big law person either. I love NCIS, CSI and all those kidns of shows but not for the scientific part or whatever but because it's like a big puzzle and you have to figure it out before they do, the people on t.v., or else you lose and have to do all the chores for you sister this coming weekend. But I guess I never really thought that even as a puzzle it's an argument. An argument of facts on trying to place the proper blame on the proper target.
Well, now that I'm gald I have this free write to actually figure out what the heck the first part of the chapter was talking about...I feel so much more intelligent.
<3,
Audrey
Anyways, so here I am reading and I swear I can't understand/connect with the first half of the chapter! The Stats and polls and itnerviews, all of this stuff is just not clicking with me. Now whether or not this was because it was freakin' late at night because it was, I can't seem to sleep at a decent hour anymore, or what I just didn't understand. Or I udnerstood but it definitely took my brain a bit of time to process it all.
Because honestly, you're like "Just the facts, Ma'am" and you understand Logos. There isn't any way to nt understand logos! We alll grew up having to tell our moms what happened whenever the vase broke. It was facts to help save our skins for our argument. Who knew we'd be such good argumentors...not a word but now it is...when we were little?
So yeah, I'm trying to really figure out as to why I couldn't just connect with the first pater of the ...part of the chapter. I know why I could connect with the second half of the chapter starting on page 93 because I think it was more natural to me. The first part of the chapter, here we go, wasn't as natural to come by. I mean interviews and editorials are arguments of logos, right? Well, I just hadn't thought of them that way I guess! Now I get it...wow, apparently I need to get more sleep.
The common sense part as wel as the precedents and analogies and all that jazz definitely worked/clicked with my brain. I was an amazing SAT taker when it came to the math common sense part. That and analogies are my fave, total nerd , I know.
So yeah, how about those claim and support and facts and stuf? Ok so I was never a big law person either. I love NCIS, CSI and all those kidns of shows but not for the scientific part or whatever but because it's like a big puzzle and you have to figure it out before they do, the people on t.v., or else you lose and have to do all the chores for you sister this coming weekend. But I guess I never really thought that even as a puzzle it's an argument. An argument of facts on trying to place the proper blame on the proper target.
Well, now that I'm gald I have this free write to actually figure out what the heck the first part of the chapter was talking about...I feel so much more intelligent.
<3,
Audrey
