Do Not Think, Do.

Postman is trying to embolden the need to not conform to modern ways of thinking. We must learn to think thoroughly and cleverly or else we may also fall into the media's trap. Entertainment is becoming more than entertainment; it has started to shape and form our culture and politics. Postman references Brave New World as an example for not being able to comprehend one's actions as a result of entertainment. He states that the poeple did not know why they were laughing and why they stopped thinking. This fear is relevant to Postman's fears; a society ruled by entertainment.

No Talking < Easy 100%

For a day I could not use words, write words, or even talk in any way. At first it was so easy. Then as the day dragged on I needed to ask a question and I could not, or I had to tell someone this, but they could not get what i was trying to say. You have to be so patient in order to act out or draw exactly what you are trying to say, and even then, they know absolutely no details, just the fact.
I never really had a problem that day with portraying anything. Sure I was frustrated that I couldn't talk, but some things can be left unsaid. Not being able to express yourself with words was the one of the toughest challenges I have come across, but when you go through a day of complete withdrawal from others, it gets easier. I simply just minded my own business and was actually super alert during all my classes. Would I do it again out of my own free will? NEVER AGAIN. Was it a great awakening of the importance of speech. Yes young ones, it was.

Ironically I Wrote This On A Computer

In both his book and interview, Neil Postman remains still in his attitude towards the growing need to use machines to communicate. During his interview, he quotes "humans will become pets of computers," showing his concern of the human race not being able to function without the use of new technoligical devices to communicate with. He is afraid people will start to talk more with machines than with other people in general and therefore, due to overuse, culture will collapse. People can adapt, and he claims they will adapt to this bad habit. In his book he also expresses this concern. While lecturing on the importance of communication, he stated, "Culture is a creation of speech." The way people communicate with one another can affect culture, and he is concerned it will not be a cultural growth that will be experienced if humans talk more to machines than other human beings.
Also, Postman describes how the mind is much more depraved than anytime before. Constant entertainment and new technological growth keep ours minds wandering away. This is getting to an extent where we have no self worth; we are characterized by how many friends we have on facebook. Postman speaks of making clones to insure the supply of an extra lung or kidney. We are so caught up in technology, we would not even think twice to allowing this. "All our inventions are but improved means to an unimproved end." We are simply destroying ourselves with new gadgets and such that occupy and entertain use. Postman speaks the truth when he says we are simply "amusing ourselves to death."

Censored

1. Linda Chavez intent of her first six words was to clearly state that she, by all means, completely agrees that acting civil in public interactions is extremely important and her opinion on word choice follows that theory.

2. Bellicose metaphors are intended to start quarells or fights. They have been around in politics since the beginning. Chavez used the word "bellicose" because it perfectly describes the way poeple express themselves with words that when used in literal sense, are opposite in meaning. She states that the phrase "took his best shot" is just another way to say someone tried their hardest, not that they actually shot someone. This displays bellicose, but only metaphorically.

3. Chavez is trying to persuad her audience that public civilty and word use is very important, but when choosing words, it is the intent of the speaker that makes a word civil or not. Bellicose metaphors and other saying are a way that people can more fully express themselves. They are not meant to be taken in a literal sense. One example she uses is the removal of "nigger" and "slave" from the literary classic Huckleberry Finn. She states that the removal of this word takes away the opportunity of students to learn about the racism and social statuses of an earlier time period. Diction is a very important element in literature, and it should be used accurately.

4. I completely agree with Chavez's article. People are always trying to stop the use of certain words, and though they may have a point, word choice is a freedom given that should not be taken away. I agree that it is not the word said, but the tone and intent when saying it. Speaking civily and politely during public discourse is indeed completely neccesary and correct, but certain phrases or saying should not be banned. Words can have a variety of different meaning. Everyone interprets these meanings differently, but that does not mean using simple words is neccesary. Diction is used to fully express thoughts, and should be used skillfully. There are some words though that are not polite to publically state and should be discarded. Thinking before speaking is one skill many still have to learn to master.

Cadaver

Waldemar R. Semrau reveals his point when he says "please consider joining me". When the author speaks of this, he means joining him in donating your body for the good of science and recycling. Through out the essay Semrau reveals a hidden meaning of what he was really talking about. This strategy really helps keep the reader interested and entertained. It may even shock the readers, if revealed to abruptly. The subject of which the author is trying to persuade the reader to do is a very grotesque and touchy subject, but his strategy is very effective in making it a comical and clever way of viewing the situation. It was a definately a successful way of portraying the events. Instead of clearing saying he sold his body for use in disection in medical school, which is pretty unsettling, he instead states that he is attending medical school, at Harvard! This attitude makes the reader think the circumstances may be a good way to give back and "recycle". Overall the author did an excellent job of approaching his subject matter. It was a very tough subject to breach, and his strategy was very successful.

Hymn Analysis

In the hymn Savior of the Nations Come, diction, description, and pathos were used throughout the song. The word choices the writer of the song uses gives the entire song a joyful mood. It helps us more clearly see the point and meaning of the song. Brightly, pure, triumph, and victory, a few words used in the hymn, all give off a feeling of success, which is exactly what the song was meant to do. "Pure and Fresh" and "Though by all the world disowned, Still to be in heaven enthroned" are just a few examples of how the author of the hymn chose to describe the Savior in the hymn. By describing the "Virgin's Son" we are better told of how holy and glorified the main character of the song is. Emotion is very big component of this hymn. Without it, the hymn would have absolutely no meaning. By repeating "Praise to God" we are shown the, overjoyed emotion meant to be displayed through the hymn. Overall, the hymn is meant to produce an uplifting sense of feeling. It is a hymn of praise, and every line shows that it is indeed meant to be a song sang joyfully.

Fear and Hope

1. During his sermon, Rev. Borghardt stated Christ's name in some form 37 times. He used His name as the subject of the verb 18 times.

2. Rev. Borghardt's and Edward's sermon are complete opposites of each other. While Edward preached of the extreme terror and good works we must have and do for our God, Borghardt spoke of the hope, the assurance, that Jesus saved us from hell and all we must do is repent. Edward's sermon was a sermon the made people terrified, and fear was a dominant theme throughout it. Rev. Borghardt spoke much truth when he placed hope in the hearts of those who listened to him. Altogether, the two sermons have two completely different views on God and how His salvation works.