Informal Blog # 4: Air Umbrella

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Known as the "invisible umbrella" the new kick starter, the Air Umbrella, has raised approximately $102,000 for their new invention. This invention primarily makes the normal metal, plastic umbrella more advanced and "improved". The air umbrella is essentially a device that diverts the path of rain by using air pressure. There are also different styles of the umbrella which include a men's and women's umbrella. It is meant to be eco-friendly and be more convenient for the user. This Air Umbrella reduces the amount of plastic used for regular umbrellas. Currently this device is now on the market and can be bought for approximately $100 dollars which is much more costly compared to the other competitors. Because it costs a lot it should be more effective and practical correct? In this Air Umbrellas case it has shown to be a waste of the consumers money due to fails in design and in the thought process when making it. 

One flaw that can be inferred when analyzing the design is how will the Air Umbrella affect other patrons located near the device? The amount of water being detoured off the path of the user increase the amount of rain on the peers located near them. In addition the device is powered by batteries which only last about 30 minutes. This seems personally unreliable and not worth my money. Regular umbrellas can last me a lifetime and only cost $10. Personally the umbrella located in this kick starter campaign has shown to be unreliable and ineffective. Due to this realization I would not buy it. It has great potential and can be innovated for customers needs, which shows the design can soon improve the future.  

Formal Blog # 3: "Mass Media"

Age of Reason vs. Contemporary Era

Technological advancement has shown to advance the amount of communication done within the United States. Without technology communications and opinions would be then based on books, pamphlets, speeches, etc. Today we have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snap Chat. With these we can then comment or share our opinion on certain subject. The internet has made it more accessible for us to actually utilize our right of speech. 

During the Age of Reason it was shown that the opinions of the higher ranking individual were the only comments that were taken into account. Lower class were not taken into account mainly because they were not educated like the higher officials. Even it shows that slaves and women that announce their opinion had to be educated in order to be “heard”. But in today’s society it can be inferred and seen that anyone can state their opinion no matter the race, education level, religion, etc. You have more freedom in this era to say what you want. This can be concluded because in the past those who either went against God or even their values were seen as an outcast and their statement or views were not considered by the general public. But though these eras have differences they also had similarities. An example can be the amount a single thought can affect the history of a single nation. “The Declaration of Independence” was purely built on the thoughts of a collective group of individual patriots and because of this so called thought we now have the United States. In addition the whole reason we have media is to share with one another. Without this we cannot grow or advance. The complete point of media is to persuade and inspire. In both eras this was done to help guide us to a better, more defined future. 

Formal Blog # 2: The Declaration of Independence vs. Founding Ideals

America, a country built on five founding ideals democracy, rights, opportunity, liberty, and equality. The ideals are what we as Americans strive for and the reason we are living in the United States. Specifically in The Declaration of Independence it is revealed that their main focus is liberty. Though they do care about the various other founding ideals it mainly is focused on the amount of freedom and independence we have from the British. The tone and rhetoric used in The Declaration of Independence is shown to have a relationship with the founding ideals of America. For example the tone in the document is strong, passionate, intelligent, and very organized. This shows that the authors can be seen as honest and trustworthy. Without this trust the founding ideals cannot and will not be presented by the authors and the document. 

The authors use the words “we” in the document regularly, this is meant to add a connection and to show collective agreement. This also brings the reader in and helps them feel included in the text. In addition to using the word “we” the authors use the word “he”. This shows the authors does not want to speak about a specific person they want to make the reader believe they are talking about anyone. This is important because it shows equality and shows that everyone had a part in the fight for independence. "All men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, an the pursuit of happiness," is stated in the document and is a true example of how they focused on equality and happiness for all. The Declaration of Independence resembles and signifies freedom and equality. Americans gaze upon it as the start of our history so this is why it is important to understand what it is composed of. 

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html

Informal Blog # 3: Suffrage Throughout the World

Why is This Being Hidden From Society?

“The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter.” said in Surah 5:33. They believe that Christian community is threatening the Islam with war. This then puts crucifixion into the picture, which then leads to suffrage and death increase. The link below gives and idea on what is currently happening in the countries of Syria, Iran, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia. It also does provide a glimpse on what is happening, but because the video is so graphic, and terrorizing I did not provide it.

  http://tavernkeepers.com/isis-crucifies-teenagers-in-front-of-their-parents/

Members of the ISIS have decided it is necessary to use ancient ways of torture in order to put fear into the hearts of the Christians. Teenager, children are killed and crucified in front of their parents. Imagine the misery. Imagine how it feels to see your child die in front of your eyes. Someone that you loved with all your heart and soul. The worst part is that the media is hiding this from us. They do not want us to focus on this because it is just too dreadful. These parents and citizens are just lost in their tears and cries. The cries that are not heard by the rest of the world. These executions are being done to innocent individuals because of discrimination. Specifically the situation in Iraq was that the Christians had only twenty-four hours to "evacuate" the country if not they were to be executed. Leaving everything they had, just so they can live! Seeing how our world is handling certain situations amaze me. The hostility. What has our world come to? 

Informal Blog # 2: Look Up

Are We Lost in the Media?

Today it is shown that 74% of the total population in the world are using some sort of social media. This 74% do this with their cellular devices such as smart phones, laptops, etc. It may seem that the world has advance intellectually, but in reality it has regressed tremendously. We have put our focus on what we wear not what we learn. The most important knowledge we gain are from the words of people we don't even know.

The video above shows the effect of social media on the general public and our social interactions. His poem inspires his audience so that social media doesn't run their life. We are all so clueless and we have not realized that we spend too much time on our smart phones. This then shows the phones are not too smart for our own well-being. We may believe that social media isn't a significant part of our life, and this is soon becoming false. Many people post either images, comments, or videos that may affect their “real” life. Thus this affects how people see them as a person. This is why having the most friends or likes is the goal for many adolescents. They feel a sense of satisfaction when given praise by their “audience” or so called friends. We then are blinded by the fact that we barely even interact with half the people we “speak” to on the internet. We are stuck in the internet world and because of this we are lost. Lost in the lies, pictures, and videos we seem to praise.  

Informal Blog # 1: The Perfect Image

Who Are We Trying to Prove?

In the past the main focus was to gain knowledge and to thrive and survive. Today in the new technological world it is to feel accepted. The main focus of our population is to obtain a large amount of likes on our Instagram pictures or to have the best selfies on the internet. Though this goal may seem to show that our generation has become “selfish” or even arrogant, it actually is proven to represent how insecure people connected in social media actually are.We post these photos in order to gain compliments or respect to help us obtain confidence.  

Social media has provided the world with various ideas. For instance the idea given in all modeling, magazines, television shows, movies, etc. is the so called “perfect image” concept. An example of a “perfect image” can be shown in the video titled Body Evolution. This specific women in the end is shown to be tall, skinny, beautiful, and proportionate. The “perfect image” concept is also shown in men for instance men should be masculine, courageous, confident, active, and well structured. But in our world nothing is perfect. It is just an image in our brain that is hurting our self-confidence. Like in the video they make a women who is beautiful something she is not using the power of Photoshop. This then deceives the whole world. Making them feel as if they are ugly, fat, short, or even worthless.

Humans are creatures that live on each other’s approval and without this our confidence is lost. This is why when many get their influence from social media many fail to comprehend that these images are not natural. It is natural to be yourself and to accept who you are and how you look like! Do not live by other peoples’ idea of perfection! 

Formal Blog # 1: The Heretic's Daughter

Overall Impression on the Book.

An initial reaction to The Heretic's Daughter written by Kathleen Kent, outrageous, astounding, shocking, or even painful to some readers. This specific text personally was very thought provoking and it showed one particular endeavor that many women dealt with in the past. Witches were seen as “devil worshipers”, the rebellious, or the outsiders, and because the fear of witches was so common all women who were seen as “different”, were also seen as a threat. This then shows the pressure all women went throughout their lives. They always had a fear that one day they would be prosecuted for an illegal action they have not committed. A single rumor can terrorize not only the accused but the victims loved ones, family members, etc. Martha Carrier was hung due to an assumption! An assumption that was made because she was not "a traditional housewife". Being normal or average should not be seen as unacceptable, people are meant to be unique it is a part of our nature, it is how we as humans are meant to live. People like Martha Carrier should not have been punished. 

Contributions to the Witch Era.

The main purpose of witch trials were to preserve peace and a heavenly atmosphere throughout towns and the colonization. Truthfully the whole idea was built on anxiety and cowardliness. This so called fear lead to the deaths of the women, known as witches. Trials were all based on assumptions there were no facts or true evidence to accuse the victim. This then cause controversy, yet no one had done anything about it. What could they do? Rebel? Who would have the courage to even attempt to rebel? No one the fear of death was too strong. Richard had said," She was brought to trail and convicted they said she was a witch. And she was hanged because they said she was a witch." (202) The key word located in this passage is "said". No one had fought this belief and because of this the witch era had remained. 

Modern Situations

Today diversity and culture are represented in many ways whether that it is through religion, intelligence, ethnicity,etc. Though there is more culture, especially in the United States, it does not mean it is respected. Like in The Heretic's Daughter many are prosecuted for their race or religion. For example Islam is specifically known for terrorism and because of this innocent people are hurt emotional and even physically. This modern world example is one one of many. The world cannot accept the fact that all people cannot be the same and personally this is heartbreaking. The true beauty of the world is represented through its culture and how can we share this beauty when all we do is destroy it.