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!