"Another Brick in the Wall"

Are you forced daily to swallow the numbing pill of mundane curriculum? Are its contents filled with ceaseless lectures and assignments that leave you with a bitter after taste? Do the pill’s side effects include a common case of senioritis and you’re not even a senior? Or even worse, the mere thought of school brings you to uncontrollable chills. What is more, you blame the change of seasons when in fact the closer you advance towards that excuse for an educational establishment you irrepressibly cough and sneeze, sometimes simultaneously. Yeah, me too—shiver. I’m sick, sick with a chronic illness; an affliction that exacerbates as I age. The malady thrives within the walls I am mandated to attend. Indeed, for twelve incessant years viruses and germs bombarded my being and continue to as apathetic teachers augment, dull futile homework assignments proliferate, and standardized tests stymie a teacher’s imagination. As the federal and state governments inject their impersonal academic standards, creativity in the classroom diminishes. Teachers, notably, lose passion and voice for their subject when they are compelled to manipulate their syllabus to specific requisites. Not to mention, the tests are marginalizing to the learning process and stifle student individualism.

My Grievances

Lately my patience for public school education has taken a nose dive. In English, for instance, my class has been reading The Great Gatsby. For the past week or so my peers and I have received a reading quiz over a chapter we have read independently. The routine itself minifies my interest, but the fact that the quizzes are designed specifically to imitate the Standards of Learning (SOL) format exasperates me further. Not to mention, almost everything my teacher assigned this year means to prepare us for several SOLs. For example, every day before the Writing SOL we corrected grammatically incorrect sentences. Then, we composed persuasive essays that required rigid elements to ensure that we meet Virginia’s standards. Even the atmosphere of each class is subtly suffused with the dry air of preparing for the SOL. All the while, one day I witnessed AP English students in the same grade as myself under the same teacher performing a Socratic seminar about their research and thoughts about the death penalty. Now which class would you rather take?

Oh but that’s not all. History class has cultivated personal resentment as well. Each period is usually and mainly comprised of teacher banter and humdrum power points. And recently, while making notecards for a test, I noticed on the SOL pages of my history textbook that the power points and tests literally copy the standards word for word. Well, I benefited because I knew exactly what letter to choose on multiple test questions. I yearn, however, for more than regurgitation from my education.

The ambiguity of tests and the “choose the best answer” concept, too, have irked me tremendously. To illustrate, on another history test the question had a chart that stated the way WWII veterans returning to America were received and inquired the way Vietnam veterans were received.

The chart stated: 
Veterans of WWII returned to a grateful and supportive nation.

The choices I was caught between were phrased along the lines of:
Vietnam veterans often faced indifference or hostility from Americans.

Vietnam veterans faced universal indifference or hostility from Americans.

I chose the second option because the universal verbalism of the WWII veterans’ return prompted my assumption that the test sought a direct contrast. Unfortunately, to my demise I was found incorrect and my deductive reasoning failed me.

I knew that the Vietnam War was a highly unpopular war and so I automatically eliminated the choices that contradicted that fact; but, I was considered wrong based on the difference between “universal” and “often”. What exactly does universal mean anyways? Everyone including their grandmothers ostracized them? The answers are so vague that there is hardly a distinction between the two choices. And I had to ask, isn’t it more important for me to recognize that Vietnam veterans were treated harshly not the amount of mistreatment they faced, which is uncertain anyways?

By the way, I noticed in the subsequent test that the same question was included with others that were commonly missed on various tests. It, however, was rephrased and made more specific. 

My Point

Anyhow, I intend to convey that non-fact based test questions or answer choices teach students to coincide their thinking with the person who develops the test. In other words, if you interpret information differently you are wrong. Has someone forgotten that we are all human? We have disparate DNA, brains, upbringings, experiences, opinions, and inferences, yet we are expected to align our thoughts with other humans in order to be considered right. That sounds pretty bogus to me.

Not to bash the teachers because they are just products of this standardized test culture. And there have been moments in those classes where I have enjoyed myself. But those have been when we have open discussions or watch interesting videos that go in depth about what we are learning about. Why can’t there be more of that? History and English are my favorite subjects but the emphasis on SOLs and the stale learning environment it produces has fueled my bitterness towards the classes.

Ultimately my frustration is rooted in that questions that are based on opinion are treated like there is a right and a wrong. Or the answer choices may be partially right or wrong, which then assumes that the only person's opinion that matters is the test creator’s. I, on the other hand, find it marvelous that we all perceive and conclude diversely. That is what fundamentally distinguishes us from each other and makes this a beautiful world. The educational standards implemented by the government, however, suppress the foundation of humanity in conforming us to an ideal concept.

Consequently, students resort to working the system. We formulate strategies and adhere to the doctrines of the authority in order to make the grade. Thus, we lose our individuality and become grotesquely alike in our thinking and beliefs. We then agree with the authority, never questioning them. Therefore, like in the movie The Wall we, as students, fall into the meat grinder of education and evolve precisely into the uniform student we ought to be. Somewhere people have confused indoctrination with education.

The Solution

Instead of emphasizing tests schools should be fostering creativity, instilling a love for learning, and encouraging individuality. Educators can do this by utilizing their curriculum to harness essential skills that can be applied throughout life or more specifically any career path. For example, skills like communication, accepting failure, overcoming challenges, listening and respecting different viewpoints, collaboration, thinking logically, and promoting honorable character. Overall, schools should focus their intentions on presenting mechanisms by which students can apply their knowledge and proficiencies.

Moreover, teachers shouldn't shun or dismiss ideas that can be substantiated with evidence. In areas that are opinion based a teacher should declare that an idea is plausible, or not plausible. That then permits a student to either provide better or additional proof or explore different ideas. Telling a student they are wrong just because "I said so” or “they said so" instills inadequate feelings, belittles their ideas, and forces them back into the meat grinder.

Tests are critical to many subjects but in matters of opinion the right or wrong concept is simply perverse. Often times the questions and answers are confounding, murky, and lack clarity. As a result, tests become not a mechanism to determine one's comprehension, but to determine one's ability to test. Understanding testing strategies and the ability to read questions fast and bubble in answers will never serve a purpose in entering the workforce or general life application. In addition, this accentuation on testing just intensifies student stress and foments cheating. Ultimately, this communicates that the end justifies the means. Integrity is forgotten in the pursuit of an ‘A’. How's that for spawning conscientious citizens?

What is more, if a student learns differently or cannot handle the amount of work that a higher level class entails they should not be subliminally punished. Meaning, they should not be penalized with drier curriculum, worse teachers, and more standardized tests. I would love to take AP classes in order to reap the academic perks that I am lacking in honors classes. I, however, wasn't prepared to take them this year because I struggle with anxiety and my learning style is often slow and meticulous. Regardless, all levels should be promoting critical thinking--that doesn't have a right or wrong, and employs student zealousness for learning.

My ideas may be a bit idealistic but if schools were allowed more freedom, there was more school competition, and better teachers were rewarded with better pay, the possibility of implementing these notions seems significantly more attainable. Unfortunately, the money in standardized tests is more attractive to many schools and unions continue to put the teacher's needs before the student's. Change, therefore, will require someone to oppose the lures of easy money.

As students age more begin to hate school and resent the inevitable pressure it creates. We can have both challenging coursework as well as engaging, interesting material but it will necessitate ingenuity on behalf of the educators. Fostering individualism, an avidness for learning, and enterprising attitudes is obtainable, but educators must actualize it. Chiefly, students embody the future so educators must inquire, “Are we championing individuals or manufacturing another brick in their wall?”  

Want to contact me? Email me at oliviascott97@yahoo.com
Haven't seen The Wall? Watch the education scene HERE

Why Literally Everyone Should Have a RapGenius

            I'm sure you wouldn't expect a writing tutor of all people to be big into rap music – I mean, those clowns just butcher the language, right? Well, maybe some “rappers” do                                                                           

 

                                                            

                 (Cough Cough)









but there are a lot of true artists in the hip hop genre, and I'd argue, a lot more artists than, uhm, whatever these guys count as. One of my personal favorites, Milo, for example, is a philosophy major and to open the first song of his most recent work, Cavalcades samples a talk by Ludwig Wittgenstein about the source of meaning in language in the song “Geometry and Theology”. Doesn't sound like a bunch of idiots banging on drums and shouting nonsense anymore, huh? Good, because it's not, and RapGenius is a great way of exploring and understanding hip hop.

           

            Anyone can make an annotation, but a collection of editors and moderators choose whether to accept or reject a suggested annotation so there's not willy nilly misinformation left and right. Plus, any annotation that hasn't been reviewed yet has a little disclaimer saying that “This annotation hasn't yet been reviewed by the ___Genius editors” so you know whether you can trust something that seems a little bit off.

But that's just the tip of this beautiful iceberg, so I'm going to give a slightly basic run down of the full experience. The first step is easy: make an account. You can even just hit the “log in with Facebook” button and never have to worry about it. The next step is to find a song that someone (now that you're signed up, it could be you!) transcribed and uploaded and read through it. You can find anything from rap/Hip Hop, great works of literature like The Great Gatsby and The Odyssey (PoetryGenius.com), news casts and press releases (on NewsGenius.com), to poetry and spoken word (PoetryGenius.com), rock and pop songs, (RockGenius.com and even the King James Bible (PoetryGenius.com). You can read annotations on any part you don't understand or want to learn more on. A single annotation usually covers a specific line or couplet, but often covers an entire verse. Any parts of the work that haven't been annotated, you can annotate!

 If the editors/moderators think what you wrote is quality stuff, it gets accepted for other people to enjoy. Adding annotations gets you IQ points, which you can see on your profile, or if you just hover over your name. This is another way of checking validity – if someone has hundreds and hundreds of points in the subject matter, they're probably more reliable than someone with no points. You can get your own points by adding songs and annotations or by other people saying your stuff is good. There's a guide to points here (http://rapgenius.com/1811112)

With all different kinds of works to analyze and all sorts of tools to do that analysis with, you can use the Genius websites to do so much more than understand songs. You can become cultured and well-read, you can learn philosophy, you can sharpen your literary analysis skills, you can study for English exams, you show off your smarts to your friends and see who can get the most IQ, THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS. If you need any more incentive to become a part of this amazing community, or want to see my work on the site, email me at sammy.branson@gmail.com

Alternative music: adressing a few common observations and debates

Music: a means of cathartic expression (psychological perspective)

Listening to an angry song to let out the negative feelings you may have collected over the course of a day really seems to help some people work with those feelings and “let them out,” as they say. Other ways people “let out” these inner aggressive urges are by punching a bag or screaming into a pillow. However, are these methods really the best way to go? Is catharsis healthy and helpful, or does it simply increase the aggression and negative feelings long term? The answer is………

Let’s do an experiment first. You listen to an angry, sad song and tell me if you feel angrier/sadder or relieved of aggression when you finish, then write down on a piece of paper what you feel so you can fully identify the feeling.

Your choice:
"Her tongue was tattooed on the back of her teeth" by Old Gray: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQY5BokdtpY

"It’s cool we can still be friends" by Bright Eyes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC-6saAHHYE

"I exist I exist I exist" by Flatsound: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNrtbl6ddZM

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Have you done it?

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Okay, I’ll let you in on the secret: catharsis is a lie. Psychological experiments have shown that engaging in a “release” of aggressive emotions (like listening to angry or sad music) will not stop the feeling or mellow it out, it will encourage it further in the long run. This means of letting go of anger or sadness does not work as many think it does.

However, it’s always comforting to listen to sad or angry music when you are sad or angry. Just don’t delude yourself into thinking that it will make your bad feelings go away.

Radiohead and Muse: similar sounds?

Have you ever wondered if two bands sound too similar for their own good? There is much discussion over the bands Radiohead and Muse, as many claim that Muse, a contemporarily formed band, has copied the styles of Radiohead, formed in 1985. Let’s first see what you think:

Radiohead:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7bIYSVpYSU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMbNcdoFDRs&feature=kp

Muse:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9LOFXwPwC4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek0SgwWmF9w

My opinion:
I recognize the similarity of the two bands, but I don’t think Muse has stolen Radiohead’s signature sound. The two bands have a lot of differences. Muse is generally more upbeat and in a major key, with more jamming on the guitar. Radiohead is a beautiful, but very depressing band, with lots of slow and minor sounds and lyrics of desparation, heartbreak, and depression. The main difference as I see it is the bands’ different tones. However, Radiohead’s debut album “Pablo Honey” illustrates the same upbeat signature and guitar jamming of a Muse song, so who knows what direction Muse will take next! Maybe they will end up even more similar to Radiohead.

Thom Yorke, the lead singer of Radiohead

Matthew Bellamy, the lead singer of Muse

The Stigma Associated with Visual Self-Expression in the Workplace

The Stigma Associated with Visual Self-Expression in the Workplace

Campaign for equal rights for women
in the workplace

The extensive presence of job discrimination in American society has typically been associated with race and gender rights.  Most notably in the past century, all kinds of groups have been created with the sole purpose of securing greater equality for specific demographics.  And while women on average still make less than men even while doing the same work, and racial stereotypes still permeate American culture and hiring practices, rather recently an increase in a new type of job discrimination based on appearances has emerged. 

Business’ Role

Major businesses and corporations have highly publicized policies regarding external forms of self-expression.  Ranging from restrictions on hair color, piercings, and tattoos, small and large businesses have created regulations and standards that prohibit the extent of self-expression.  Employers can deny applicants jobs if they do not approve of any of the applicants' visible body alterations.  Workers can be denied promotions even if they have proven themselves more than adequate and prepared for increased responsibility.   (For more on legal discrimination based on appearance see http://smallbusiness.chron.com/workplace-discrimination-tattoos-piercings-16708.html.)  Understandably, any offensive or obscene tattoos would be unacceptable in most work places.  Dress codes exist in most workplaces and are established to maintain employee and customer comfort.  But in many cases, candidates who have proven themselves to be trustworthy, capable, and/or qualified are overlooked or discriminated against due to more minor physical alterations.

Pleasing the Masses (and Failing)

Performing artists like Adam Levine
have body art which is considered
socially accetpable because of
their chosen industry

Some people really do consider their work to be their life.  But many do not wish to limit themselves based solely on how their company or place of employment dictates.  Jobs in industries like music and entertainment have been largely accepting of artists and performers with external alterations.  However, sales, finance, and many other professions tend to be less willing to allow for employees to display their modes of self-expression.  In the end, it comes down to image.  Nobody wants to do anything that would even remotely insult or upset anybody.  Because that could never happen if the staff and employees are not allowed to wear or have forms of self-expression and individuality on their bodies.  Right.  There will always be at least one person who does not like or agree with something; pleasing everyone is impossible. 

Express Yourself

This many piercings, while
expressive, would be considered
inappropriate in some work
atmospheres today

If a sales clerk or a banker wants to have, say, a tattoo on their wrist or a nose stud, why should their chosen profession tell them "no"?  Why should a cartilage piercing or a tattoo on an ankle be considered any less appropriately expressive as a patterned shirt or a tight skirt?  Just as someone may have their heart set on a particular outfit for a day, another person may want their hair to be purple for the next few weeks.  Both of these choices can be decisions reflecting personal taste, style, and preference made by intelligent, informed, and responsible adults.  People choose their jobs because that’s what they love; and nobody deserves to be told they have to hide part of themselves in order to do what they are passionate about.

Let’s be clear— I have not had the chance to become a pincushion and have no desire to dye my hair pink, but if any member of society wishes to do so, then they have every right to without having to fear rejection in the professional world.  As America and the world have repeatedly learned throughout history, appearance does not dictate any person or group of people’s skills, abilities, or ethics.  After all the progress that has been made and the battles still being fought over workplace treatment and equality, I would hope that as a society we would be further along.  We cannot accept preconceived notions and stereotypes about any person or groups of people. Whether those notions based on appearance stem from reputations of certain heritages or people with piercings, it is everyone’s responsibility to keep an open mind.  The golden rule, do unto others a you will have them, must be adhered to universally by society, or else unfair hiring practices and employment discrimination (legal or illegal) will continue to plague our society.

Questions?  Thoughts?  Input about job equality in the modern world?  Adam Levine fans?  Feel free to contact me at katnovak1@gmail.com

Everyone's Best Friend

  

 

They are heart broken when you leave, they are overjoyed when you come home, they are always happy to see you, and they love you unconditionally. NO, I’m not talking about children, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, mothers, or fathers; I’m talking about Everyone’s Best Friend. That’s right. Not Man’s Best Friend, but Everyone’s Best Friend.  I have had pets since I was a little girl. I’ve had cats, hamsters, bunnies, frogs, snakes, and fish, but no pet has been a better “friend” than my dog. When I’m sad or angry, who’s there to put her head in my lap and wag her tail in attempt to bring a smile to my face? That’s right, my dog. Who's always the first one to greet me when I walk through the door? That's right, you guessed it, my dog. There’s something special about dogs, something I don’t think anyone can put into words, but I will do my best! Please, enjoy this blog about the one animal that has stood the test of time as Everyone’s Best Friend. 

A Little about My Best Friend 

I was heartbroken when my 13 year old golden retriever Molson died when I was only 7 years old. I didn’t think I would ever get over the pain. She was my best friend, and we had a bond that had been forged in the early years of my life. When it came time for our family to get a new dog, all I could think about was how much I missed my old dog and that no dog would ever compare to her.

However, I accompanied my family on the 45 minute drive to a small house in Reston, Va. The first thing I saw was puppies. Lots of adorable, furry, itty bitty golden puppies. Of course the excitement of the event made me briefly forget the aching hole in my heart. Immediately I spotted the smallest puppy in the litter. She had a blue collar and adorable brown eyes. I picked her up, cradled her in my arms, and she licked my cheek. At that moment, I knew this was the dog I wanted. We went back the next week to pick her up, and that night my brothers and I slept with her in the living room, spending all night just staring at the most adorable puppy we had ever seen. It’s now been 10 years, I couldn’t be more thankful for my Best Friend.

Treat Your Best Friend Like Your Best Friend 

Often times in our busy lives our Best Friends can get left behind. While we’re constantly running around, they are patiently waiting for us to come home just so they can get a few minutes of quality time with their favorite person/people. So please, don’t forget to spend just a few minutes each day petting, playing with, walking, or even just talking to your furry friend to remind them how much you love them too.

When the Weather is Nice, Enjoy it With Your Best Friend!

Now I doubt you love the outdoors as much as your dog does, but come on, “throw them a bone” and enjoy the nice weather with them! I bet you’ll have a “dog gone” good time! You can even make it a family ordeal and drag the “pack” out with you. Tell them they’re doing it for the dog! “It would mean a lot to the dog,” “Come on, how can you say no to that face,” has worked on me, and I know it will work on others! It can be as simple as a walk around the neighborhood to a day at a park. Recently, my family and I visited Great Falls for the day, and of course my outdoors loving dog accompanied us. She turned out to be a better rock climber than me! That’s right. My dog actually climbed up a small cliff. Granted, the “cliff” was more of a gradual incline, but she still got up quicker and more gracefully than me. Nevertheless, spend some time outdoors with your dog. It’s the easiest way to let them know you love them. If you need some inspiration, you can check out a list of Virginia State Parks here.

Get Their Tail Wagging!

Want to give your Best Friend and Sweet Treat? Here are some fantastic websites with pet friendly treats to reward you furry friend.

- http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Peanut-Butter-and-Pumpkin-Dog-Treats/Detail.aspx?prop24=hn_slide1_Peanut-Butter-and-Pumpkin-Dog-Treats&evt19=1

-http://www.thekitchn.com/cookies-for-canines-homemade-d-135078

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to contact me at obxgirrl119@gmail.com!