TOW #24: "Four Seasons in Rome" (part 2)

                Serving as a snapshot of a family’s one year experience living in Italy, Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr is a truly beautiful tale of nonfiction. Doerr, the first person narrator of the story, slowly explains how he and his family get to know the city over time and fall in love with it. Rome is very famous for its beautify, and any tourist can tell you, although likely in a much less elegant way than Doerr describes it, that Rome is “a Metropolitan Museum of Art the size of Manhattan, no roof, no display cases, and half a million combustion engines rumbling in the hallways”. But Doerr goes beyond these well-crafted sentences that state in artistic ways things that are held by many as common knowledge about Rome. He takes the time to stop and fall in love with the little things, the kind of nuances not found in travel pamphlets. He observes, “A travel website says that there are 280 fountains in Rome, but it seems as if there are more:...Remove them and there is no present tense, no circulatory system, nor dreams to balance the waking hours. No Rome”, making beautiful and complex analogies that really help the reader discover the feel of the city that is almost as good as being there themselves. He says to “Look closely and the picturesque inevitably cracks apart and becomes more interesting”. While he is getting to know Rome, Doerr and his wife are also getting to know what parenting is like. Doerr learns that “Watching teething babies is like watching over a thermonuclear reactor--it is best done in shifts, by well-rested people”, but also realizes “Whoever says adults are better at paying attention than children is wrong: we're too busying filtering out the world, focusing on some task or another, paying no attention. Our kids are the ones discovering new contents all day long”. By observing his children, Doerr learns more about himself and humanity. From his use of incredibly artful language to his deep and honest themes, Doerr does an excellent job describing his four seasons in Rome. 

TOW #23: "A Second Language for Every High School Student"

                In an article posted on Stanford News, Cynthia Haven makes a unique argument for language programs in high school. After speaking to Stanford German Linguistics professor Russell Berman, Haven summed up the unconventional argument in “A second language for every high school student”. The idea presented is that students should strive to be bilingual by the time they graduate high school. In order to achieve this, school districts would have to start languages when the students are in elementary school (which is when languages can be picked up more easily anyway), and then continue taking the same language as they grow older with increasing rigor. Although many may see increased focus in foreign language as unwarranted and unnecessary, Berman and Haven justify their conclusions by pointing out how important learning a language is. The article points out that “to worry about globalization without supporting a big increase in language learning is laughable”, and in order for America to be competitive and respected internationally, their citizens must be able to demonstrate that they can speak multiple languages. The article also references European education to refute the counterargument that becoming fluent in another language is too hard and useless. “Virtually all other industrialized countries require second or third language study in the school system”, and some Swedish schools are even looking into advancing programs that will have their students graduate fluent in four languages. If children in Europe can be proficient and even fluent in multiple other languages before they reach high school, it should be possible for American students to be fluent in one by the time they graduate high school. Personally, I think that this is a really good argument that makes a lot of sense in the modern world. Learning another language has made me appreciate a new foreign language and culture, and has also made me admire those who immigrate to America and must learn English quickly. Haven makes a truly well-informed argument, and educators would be wise to listen to the ideas presented in this piece. 

TOW #22: Searching for Immigration Reform

                For his article titled “Searching for Immigration Reform” published in The Virginian Pilot, Ray Tranchant should be given a medal. In one rather curt piece, this sharp-eyed reporter was able to communicate more real facts and solutions to the immigration problem than any presidential candidate has been able to in the past few months. Many Americans did not understand the immigration problem in its entirety, being led by their favorite candidate to see it in their way and ignore the complexity of the problem. The candidates themselves clearly are no better, since as Tranchant puts it, “it’s either all or nothing”. By calling politicians out on their perpetual use of an either/or logical fallacy, Tranchant is able to make  the very logical argument that America lawmakers, and the American people, should stop searching for extreme black and white answers and try to look for a middle road. His argument refreshingly analyses and accounts for both sides of the immigration controversy; seeing the benefits in having open borders as well as a necessity for more strictly closed borders. After looking at both sides, Tranchant provides specific examples to support his analysis of the situation. He says, “Both Clinton and Sanders want amnesty for whomever lands in the United States. Their push is to bring broken families back together, but they both fail to mention how they got separated in the first place. Does the father or mother get deported because of a felony, or does the U.S. government just randomly deport immigrants without considering family circumstances? Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz want the complete deportation of 12 million to 30 million people. That’s a little much, isn’t it?” , to point out the flaws in both sides. Not only is Tranchant right about the foolishness of the aforementioned candidates, but he can prove exactly why they are wrong. By being straightforward and honest, looking at both sides without discernable bias, and using very blunt, to-the-point language, Tranchant is able to very effectively argue a logical argument. 

TOW #21: GMO Debate Cartoon

                Published on a liberal (and obviously anti-GMO) website, this cartoon makes a clear, and somewhat humorous case, against companies allowing and promoting GMO crops. Humor is used the make GMO promoting companies such as Montesano sound both stupid, and like liars to the public. The cartoon portrays them as clueless, greedy businessmen who want to make a profit over something that is harmful to the population. They want GMOs to seem harmless, but the cartoon clearly depicts that they aren’t.  This cartoon is admittedly clever in some aspects, but ultimately uses little solid evidence to back up its bold and hyperbolic claim. Many people jump on this bandwagon of fearing genetically modified products because they do not understand what they are. Liberal groups and health blogs spread untrue rumors about how GMOs are made and tested. In reality, humans have been genetically modifying crops such as corn and wheat for thousands of years through selective breeding and trait manipulation. The vast majority of GMOs have been tested extensively before being sold to consumers, and must meet very high standards to be allowed out to the public. In addition, GMOs actually help the environment by eliminating the need for farmers to use pesticides. Farmers can grow more food and sell it for cheaper prices. As the technology develops, GMOs could even make farming efficient enough that world hunger is ended because such a surplus can be produced. Cartoons like this are too shallow and uninformed to take other sides into account. Those who blindly argue against GMOs without bothering to educate themselves on exactly what they are chose to completely ignore the advantages. Therefore, while this cartoon is a little funny and does make a point about how some companies are only using GMOs for their own selfish purposes, it should not be taken seriously. 

TOW #20: "Four Seasons in Rome" (part 1)

When Anthony Doeerr is awarded in a writing competition with a chance to work in a studio in Rome for a year he, along with his young family, flies across the Atlantic to live in a place he had never been to before. In his vivid account of the experience, Four Seasons in Rome, Doeerr takes his readers to the ancient city as well on the exciting journey. To an audience that may never be as lucky to win a year in war themselves, Doeerr allows them to see through his eyes. Through his detailed anecdotes and delightful humor, the audience is able to feel like they are going with him and experiencing Italy themselves. Before leaving on his trip, Doeerr recounts that Rome remind him of a coloring booked he received when he was young “seven years old, Christmas night, snowflakes dashing against the windows, a lighted spruce blinking on and off downstairs, crayons strewn across the carpet”. It is true that everyone usually has some kind of expectation of a place they have never been before, either because of pictures they have seen, things they have read, or information they have heard. It is interesting to see how Doeerr first felt about Rome and the evolution of his feelings. A big part of traveling to somewhere new is all the nervous uncertainty. As he was going to a foreign country that did not speak English, Doeerr was worried, of course, about how he would communicate with the population. He explains his worries in a hilarious, relatable way that allows the audience to understand exactly how he feels. Doeerr flipped through an Italian to English dictionary before getting on the plane to Italy wondering, “Is "Here is my passport" in there? Is "Where for God's sake can I buy some baby wipes?". This humor not only endears Doeerr to his readers, but helps them feel part of the authentic experience like it really was. For these reasons Four Seasons in Rome, is really a fun, enriching book to read. Doeerr is an excellent writer, painting normal days and events in such a colorful way that they are all beautiful. 

TOW #19: Drunk Driving Ad

                This image, depicting a shocking fact in an unconventional way, recently went viral on twitter. Users retweeted this message with the very obvious intent of swaying others to never drive drunk. The picture incorporates elements of ethos and pathos to speak to its audience, as most ads such as these do. However, this picture makes an unusually compelling argument by looking at the facts from an unconventional perspective. Instead of showing a crashed car, injured victims, or other depressing and graphic photos that usually characterize anti-drunk driving campaigns, this ad takes a different approach. It focuses on the true tragedies of drunk driving; the long term effects of the accidents. Telling a person that “every 48 seconds, another person becomes handicapped because of a drunk driver”, most likely would not have a lasting effect on them. It would certainly shock and sadden them, but it would be almost impossible for anyone to truly be able to understand this fact if it is stated as such a dry statistic. By incorporating the fact into a handicapped parking space, something we all see every day and do not usually give much thought to, the fact becomes less of a dry statistic and more of a profound truth. Old and young drivers alike can understand this kind of statement, allowing all drivers to understand the message on a deep level. This image presents something that will truly stick in a driver’s head and make them stop and think. Later, if they are about to make a bad decision, they have a much better chance of choosing to be safe if they remember this simple ad. 

TOW #18: "Arguments in Favour of Genetically-Modified Crops"

                Since the discovery of genes less than a century ago, scientists have been able to achieve incredible things in the field of genetics. Studying gene sequences in any organism is possible in modern science, and scientists are now capable of manipulating genes to change organisms. This ability to modify organisms opens many possibilities for scientific advancements, but many are hesitant to meddle with something as complicated and delicate as genetics. Ben Miflin, Chairman of the Scottish Crop Research Institute and a member of the British Crop Production Council, argues in his article titled “Arguments in Favour of Genetically-Modified Crops” that genetically modified products are advantageous to society. He addresses the skeptical public that is unsure of how modified food products will affect their health by presenting facts and statistics to support his position. Since he is making a highly academic argument, Miflin obviously includes a great deal of logos in his reasoning. However, he also uses unexpected techniques such as humor to sway his audience. Miflin uses sarcasm to address a counter argument when he says, “Critics claim that GMOs may increase use of chemical pesticides and increase the profits of agribusiness. Pigs might fly”. In including such a phrase as a reaction to opposition to his argument, Miflin emphasizes the foolishness of claims against GMOs and makes it clear that these rumors are false. I strongly agree with Miflin’s claim and his thoughts on the subject. GMOs, when created responsibly and studied extensively before being consumed by a populations, should not be feared by society. Utilizing our scientific knowledge to create them could reduce or even eliminate the use of harmful pesticides, and could even help lessen world hunger because more food could be produced. The public and organizations who argue against  genetic modification are often not educated in the field of genetics, and do not understand how farmers have been modifying crops for thousands of years naturally by encouraging cross breeding and practicing selective fertilization. Miflin addresses these areas and more in his article, and makes many interesting points for the acceptance of GMOs into society. 

TOW #17: "America's Complicated Minimum Wage Argument"

                In an article featured in US News and World Report, Danielle Kurtzleben attempts to address the controversial question of raising American minimum wage standards. With her experience as a business and economics reporter for multiple magazines, Kurtzleben presents all sides of the minimum wage arguments to an upper class audience that most likely knows little about the topic and does not understand how it is relevant to them. Many Americans are fed up with the top “one percent” making outrageous salaries while the lower working class cannot make a living off of their earnings even if they take on two or three jobs at once, but others note that raising their wages could have disastrous economic consequences. Kurtzleben realizes that this issue has not clear solution, and cannot be separated into black and white or right and wrong. She remains neutral throughout the piece, choosing to make her argument not about which stance the audience should take, but about why they should care and think carefully about the debate. By using humor, she is able to convince readers far removed from the issue to actually care about it. At the beginning of each of her points, Kurtzleben poses a possible audience statement and then reacts to it. One paragraph begins “I mean, I make $60,000 a year. It doesn't affect me anyway whether the minimum wage is $9 or $19”, to which she bluntly replies “Please try not to be so fantastically shortsighted”. While this has a chance of offending her audience, it does force them to think more deeply of something they previously thought had no importance to them. She concludes her essay by imitating something an ignorant, privileged person would say: “What a drag”, to which Kurtzleben says “tell that to your McDonald's cashier”. Even though she does not include a stance on the issue itself, I wholeheartedly agree with Kurtzleben’s argument that everyone should be aware of this argument and its repercussions in society. Both socially and economically, minimum wage laws impact our country in huge ways that, as informed members of society, all Americans should be aware of.  

IRB Intro: "Four Seasons in Rome"

                Written by Anthony Doerr, a New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner, Four Seasons in Rome describes Doerr’s personal experience living in Rome for a year. After winning the Rome Prize for his earlier works, Doerr is given an opportunity to live in Rome for a Year with his wife and newborn twins. There, he falls in love with the city, its history, and its people. He and his wife raise their babies in a warm culture; learning unique parenting tips from the affectionate locals. This story seems very interesting to me, since I have always wanted to go to Rome and have family from there. 

TOW #16: "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" (part 2)

                As one of the most well-known and influential autobiographies in American history, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou has greatly impacted readers for decades. It presents a vivid first person account on what it was like to grow up as a black female in the South and California during the 1930s and 40s. Through countless moves to different states, living with one relative and then another, and struggling to find a place that really fits her, Maya feels very insecure during her unstable childhood. This story speaks especially to young adults who are trying to find themselves like Angelou did, and who can relate to her awkwardness and insecurity. Angelou’s story is powerful and direct as a result of her choice in diction. She uses simple and blunt language to tell her life like what it was, allowing readers to easily connect to her experiences. When Maya transfers to yet another new school, she says “In the school itself I was disappointed to find that I was not the most brilliant or even nearly the most brilliant student. The white kids had better vocabularies than I and, what was more appalling, less fear in the classrooms. They never hesitated to hold up their  hands in response to a teacher’s question; even when they were wrong they were wrong aggressively, while I had to be certain about all my facts before I dared to call attention to myself” (Angelou 216). Without sugar coating it, Angelou verbalizes all the things teenagers feel deep inside but never want anyone to know about. She fearlessly and simply states her insecurities, leading her readers to connect to and admire her for her candidness. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a book that stands out from others because of the unique style used. Angelou very effectively educated the nation on the challenges she faced and overcame, and let millions of young adults know they could do the same. 

TOW #15: “The Tyranny of the Clock”

“The Tyranny of the Clock”, by George Woodcock, is a very fascinating piece about clocks and how they have effected society over time. As a political writer with many of his works leaning towards anarchist ideas, Woodcock argues in his article that the invention of the clock towards the end of the middle ages has caused much of the human race to be controlled by time. The modern world moves so fast that many people do not have enough time to enjoy themselves, relax, or experience new things. Instead, working adults and even students must give up their time, and subsequently, their freedom, to make a living. Woodcock first includes a great deal of logos in his piece, informing his audience of how the clock has evolved through ancient times, Medieval, Victorian, until it has gained complete control over the lives of many today. His use of metaphors and allusions allow his audience to think about something so common in their lives – watching the clock – in a different way. Woodcock connects the invention of the clock to the ancient Chinese invention of gunpowder in saying “The ancient Chinese, for example, invented gunpowder, which was developed by the military experts of the West and eventually led to the Chinese civilization itself being destroyed by the high explosives of modern warfare. Similarly, the supreme achievement of the ingenuity of the craftsmen in the medieval cities of Europe was the invention of the mechanical clock, which, with its revolutionary alteration of the concept of time, materially assisted the growth of exploiting capitalism and the destruction of medieval culture”. This presents an interesting idea that something humans invented will lead to their own demise. Clocks control our society and lives in ways we often don’t notice, but the truth is that they dictate much of our lives. George Woodcock did a very good job in his article of reminding his audience that human lives were not always controlled by the tick of machine and that, by resigning out lives to keeping to a strict schedule, we are denying ourselves complete freedom. 

TOW #14: On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning

                In his thoughtful short essay, “On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning”, Haruki Murakami captures what it is like to inexplicably fall in love with someone. His creative fiction and nonfiction works have won Murakami many awards in Japan, where his books are best sellers, and all over the world through translated versions of his books. While walking down a street in Tokyo one day in 1981, a woman walking by catches Murakami’s eye for seemingly no particular reason, and he cannot explain specifically why he is drawn to her since she is not outwardly especially beautiful. Yet he knows instantly once he sees her that this stranger is the “100% perfect girl” for him and panics because he wants to talk to her before she gets lost in the crowd. He thinks about what to say to her, but cannot come up with something in time. After she is gone, though, he thinks of a speech he wishes he could have told her before she was lost to him forever. Murakami uses vivid language to describe his experience and artfully expand an intense moment with beautiful details. He uses metaphors such as “Potentiality knocks on the door of my heart” to put into words all the possibilities he was feeling in that fleeting moment. He then narrates his thought process, saying, “How can I approach her? What should I say? “Good morning, miss. Do you think you could spare half an hour for a little conversation?” Ridiculous. I’d sound like an insurance salesman.” In order to emphasis the massive internal conflict and pressure he was feeling to reach out to the woman. The use of rhetorical questions, humor, and reasoning included in his thoughts makes the essay feel very authentic. The audience feels like they are inside of his head, allowing them to understand this rather abnormal and abstract experience that most of them probably have never had. Overall, this was a very deep and romantic piece attempting to explain why people sometimes feel inexpiable connections to strangers.