The America we know today is in no way homogeneous. To be honest, it never was. But to think that such a wide variety of ethnic and religious vices has taken hold of this "Christian Nation". Many different peoples have been integrated into the American way of life while still maintaining. Foreign tradition has become a staple of the American lifestyle, especially Gaming.
Gaming has become an actual subculture. People make a living off of being "Video Directors" of Video Game Commentaries. Companies like Machinima and IGN, which are invested in using and explaining game mechanics, are important contributors to the international economy. There are now multiple conventions and meetings centered around gaming. Even a language, named "1337" (Leet). Gaming has truly expanded from a simple hobby to a Subculture all on it's own.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Blue Tape : The Savior of Education
Blue tape. An object that needs no explanation or introduction. We've all most certainly heard of blue tape, and I for one, can't function without it's presence in my life every waking moment. Be that as it may, I find myself tortured by the grotesque lack of blue tape on white boards all round my school, Fort Lauderdale High. This is why I was delighted to find out that an ever-so-needed resolution was proposed at a recent staff meeting. One of my instructors brought it to my attention that blue tape (which takes space up on a 3 ft by 6 ft board) will be mandated for teachers in my schools social studies department. Imagine my glee when I found out that my already-budgeted school was spending money on something as necessary as blue tape. I was.... ecstatic to say the least. Just think of all the benefits that blue tape can have on our education. Not only will it give students a reason to focus on a board they seldom use, but it will also give teachers more responsibility (applying and removing the tape whenever necessary). It's not like teachers, especially my social studies teacher whose part of an experimental program, have anything better to do than mark the remainder of their limited space with blue tape.
So, now that you've seen how seriously I take my blue tape, I'm sure you'll understand my reaction to this: not only are department heads telling teachers to use blue tape, but teachers who don't will receive punitive measures!! Oh joy! All the horrible teachers who spend their time teaching classes instead of using blue tape can be fired. I mean, if a teacher doesn't utilize their planning time by pressing blue strips of sticky paper onto their boards, they're obviously undeserving of there jobs. They could even be considered criminals
I applaud the god-send who decided that it was a good idea to require the use of. America's in an educational deficit right now, and the only logical way to approach this monumental problem is with a monumental solution, blue tape. Why are we wasting our time transforming educational paradigms when there is a discerned solution? Programs like STEP-UP couldn't compare to a program like TAPE-UP ( Tape Advancing Paradigms of Education with Unparalleled Perfection).
The bottom line is, blue tape is essential to my success as a high school student dealing with college classes. Putting blue tape in the classroom will finally allow my colleagues and I to finally gain an understanding of sociological study, business interaction, SAT test taking skills, and advanced English comparisons. The necessity of blue tape is unparalleled in the education setting.
So, now that you've seen how seriously I take my blue tape, I'm sure you'll understand my reaction to this: not only are department heads telling teachers to use blue tape, but teachers who don't will receive punitive measures!! Oh joy! All the horrible teachers who spend their time teaching classes instead of using blue tape can be fired. I mean, if a teacher doesn't utilize their planning time by pressing blue strips of sticky paper onto their boards, they're obviously undeserving of there jobs. They could even be considered criminals
I applaud the god-send who decided that it was a good idea to require the use of. America's in an educational deficit right now, and the only logical way to approach this monumental problem is with a monumental solution, blue tape. Why are we wasting our time transforming educational paradigms when there is a discerned solution? Programs like STEP-UP couldn't compare to a program like TAPE-UP ( Tape Advancing Paradigms of Education with Unparalleled Perfection).
The bottom line is, blue tape is essential to my success as a high school student dealing with college classes. Putting blue tape in the classroom will finally allow my colleagues and I to finally gain an understanding of sociological study, business interaction, SAT test taking skills, and advanced English comparisons. The necessity of blue tape is unparalleled in the education setting.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Su Drogas Es Mi Droga
The 1920's was a dark time in American history. With the Prohibition of alcohol lifted, everyone started drinking heavily, leaving the United States in a drunken stupor. After this period however, we reverted back to our old ways. Enforcers cracked the whip that was the law one those who decided to drink in public. People were forced to make "bootleg" alcohol, or "Moonshine". The United States developed it's first true fear of drug use.
Somewhere along the line, this has changed. The societal fear of drugs of any kind (cannabis, alcohol, cocaine, tobacco) has diminished significantly. The Music community praises those who indulge in smoking and drinking. This has rubbed of on the teenage / young adult demographic. High school students across the country have fallen into addiction with drugs.
Businesses have flourished around drugs. Selling and buying narcotics is one of the most immediately gratifying commerce hubs to date. Commercial franchises have been built upon the Tobacco companies and the Beer sellers.
So why is this all important? In the past century, the US has gone from fearing drugs to using them as a base. We stitch clothing with cannabis by-product. We make money off of commercializing drugs. We have come to develop a dependency on drugs. And not just the taboo, illegal ones. Even prescription medication has grown to be a threat in our society. So much so that the most recent generation has come to be known as Generation Rx. Never before has America been so candid about drugs as a catalyst in social development. Never before has America been so hooked on drugs.
Drugs are even apparent in our media. We often see the stories of washed-up celebrities making their way through rehab. Drugs are often the butt of comedy. The concept of being intoxicated is romanticized almost to the point where it is a delusion of grandeur. Because drugs are so publicized, they tempt people to try them. The media may have a good intention by raising awareness about the prevalence of drugs in our community, but any publicity is good publicity.
The fact of the matter is, we have become what we feared so long ago. No longer do we have to mix alcohol in our bathtubs; its given to us without much difficulty. The government has hopped right on board with the Tobacco companies, taxing those who purchase cigarettes. There is no more restraint on our use of drugs. Everyone uses drugs. Now you may think I'm a raving lunatic, but think about it. It's taxes off of cigarettes that pay for road work. It's drugs that cause more police men to be hired. It's drugs that cause our politicians to redirect federal-funding. Despite our strong adversity, we have become what we feared so long ago. We have become.... "hooked".
Somewhere along the line, this has changed. The societal fear of drugs of any kind (cannabis, alcohol, cocaine, tobacco) has diminished significantly. The Music community praises those who indulge in smoking and drinking. This has rubbed of on the teenage / young adult demographic. High school students across the country have fallen into addiction with drugs.
Businesses have flourished around drugs. Selling and buying narcotics is one of the most immediately gratifying commerce hubs to date. Commercial franchises have been built upon the Tobacco companies and the Beer sellers.
So why is this all important? In the past century, the US has gone from fearing drugs to using them as a base. We stitch clothing with cannabis by-product. We make money off of commercializing drugs. We have come to develop a dependency on drugs. And not just the taboo, illegal ones. Even prescription medication has grown to be a threat in our society. So much so that the most recent generation has come to be known as Generation Rx. Never before has America been so candid about drugs as a catalyst in social development. Never before has America been so hooked on drugs.
Drugs are even apparent in our media. We often see the stories of washed-up celebrities making their way through rehab. Drugs are often the butt of comedy. The concept of being intoxicated is romanticized almost to the point where it is a delusion of grandeur. Because drugs are so publicized, they tempt people to try them. The media may have a good intention by raising awareness about the prevalence of drugs in our community, but any publicity is good publicity.
The fact of the matter is, we have become what we feared so long ago. No longer do we have to mix alcohol in our bathtubs; its given to us without much difficulty. The government has hopped right on board with the Tobacco companies, taxing those who purchase cigarettes. There is no more restraint on our use of drugs. Everyone uses drugs. Now you may think I'm a raving lunatic, but think about it. It's taxes off of cigarettes that pay for road work. It's drugs that cause more police men to be hired. It's drugs that cause our politicians to redirect federal-funding. Despite our strong adversity, we have become what we feared so long ago. We have become.... "hooked".
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