blog #5

A) What is a tool? A tool can be defined as an implement used in the practice of a vocation. (wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn)  I think this definition can fit to my theory of Pollen's quote. Pollen states "Men have become tools of their tools." I believe that the first time he mentions the term tool refers to a new definition in our society known as being useless or a slacker but the second time he uses the term tool refers to that vocation.  Vocation is also known as a call or promise.  In this case as if the term was being used to mean a calling.  I think that men have a calling of being strong and powerful as in being a leader.  I also think that a tool can mean an instrument, for example leadership.  People view man to provide a leadership rather than woman.  So replying back to Pollen, my opinion is that he means that men have become useless of their strength and leadership and perhaps are not using it for things that are important.

B) Majority of people are concerned about their diet and body image.  Those who aren't concern have thought about their body image before.  A lot of reasons to these people's concerns are because they care about what others think.  No one wants to be judge on a negative appearance.  Being fat is considered negative for reasons like the media displaying that being fat is not good looking.  As well as women, men also have concerns towards diet and body image. Although the male concerns differ from a woman's concern.  Males are known to be fit or muscular.  Having a muscular toned body is considered manly and is a goal for some.  Guys like to look muscular as well because it gives them a trait of being strong compared to someone who is small and weak.  They relate to women because even though some are sloppy, some present their self neatly and work on their bodies to achieve an image that will attract women.

blog#4

Asimov and Sedaris share with us their own personal experience.  Both of their stories are similar.  They both compare themselves to other people.  Asimov speaks about how he thinks he's real intelligent until he goes to his auto-repair man.  His auto repair man shows him that, he is too educated and book smart to even relate to a joke.  The communication (language) was not understood by Asimov.  Sedaris's experience is about himself and an actual foreign language that is he in school for.  He has a hard time speaking French and also his teacher is hard on him and the whole class.  Sedaris's end point shows us that speaking a language and understand it is completely different.  Both show that knowing different languages helps you communicate better and also an easier way to connect with others.

blog #3

A) "... women nuzzle children but men apparently do not." (Goffman 79)  I think that Goffman tries to show the point that women nuzzle children through an example as a mother with a newborn baby or any baby.  Majority of advertisements or commercials show a woman nuzzling with an infant.  This gives you the idea that the infant might be the offspring of the woman or real close like family.  I find this significant because it is true that you never see men nuzzle.  No ads, pictures, nor commercials show a man nuzzling with an infant or a woman.  Women do also nuzzle with men and objects.  Men also do not show affection or a public display of it more than woman do.  I believe women show more because of the attention from it.  Goffman believes that men can show theirs by a different tactic.  For example, men could lay their hand to show a woman support, they can use verbal interaction, parent-like affection by laying of the hand and etc.

B) "When did "perfection" become applicable to the human body?" (Bordo 151)  Bordo puts the point across to ask why do people associate perfection with the human body.  I find this appealing because it is most certainly true.  Majority of the population has issues that pertain to this topic.  I am not just saying this for women but for men also.  The media portrays some type of imagine where we believe is "perfect."  But what is perfect?  Why is this term being associated with humans?  It is sure that the media started their own definition of perfect where many try to live up to an expectation of perfect.  This "perfection" also plays a big role when we are talking about appearances.  Magazines, movies, television, news, internet, and etc. show an example of what is "in" and how they think we should look.  Everyone now has a way of living up to this perfection level that has been set for them by expectations of others.  People care too much about what others think.  Therefore society is also to blame for this perfection.

C)Goffman's analysis is true for the most part.  You are more likely to see women than men nuzzling with an infant or object.  When shopping around I do see men nuzzling a child in a photo but only when the photo consist of the man himself and the child.  Goffman's view is right though because men do show protection and concern over the family by being on the outside of the picture.  It also shows this power that the man has and that this is his family.  As for the women Goffman's idea of that this is the way women can show their affection is true.  Ladies are more gentle and show more passion when on the topic of feelings.  Bordo's analysis seems so modern day with the quote I've picked.  His analysis is definitely correct and does hold up today.  The visual images in advertisements have of men and women have not changed.  According to both, both analysis would hold up today. 

blog #2

A) "You know you smiled because your trusted this mask called your face respond! But the face you see in your mind is not the same as others see." (McCloud 206) I like this quote because it can relate to daily experiences.  People everyday go through this.  McCloud's meaing of this quote is that our face and the emotion we give off to people can just be a front guard and that's a disguise for them to see but really the true image and feelings or emotions is gathered in our head.  There are so many examples you can use for this quote.  A simple example is when you have a child who doesn't want to be rude.  On a birthday or holiday celebration, gifts received from family and friends, you are able to use this "mask" as a disguise to hide your true feelings in side.  You fake a smile, this is what McCloud means by trusting the mask.  People tend to believe that they have fooled others by using their mask for a facial response to all and hiding what they really feel.

B) Logical fallacy is an argument that provides poor reasoning to the conclusion.  For example someone saying "All boys are lazy."  This argument is logical fallacy because it has poor reasoning.  Not all boys are lazy.  Everyone has their own interests.  Some boys like sports and some boys don't like sports.  Some guys like to be active while others are lazy, but not all.  It's also logical fallacy because the statement is based on a poor piece of reasoning.

C) If ever there was an idea custom made for a Jay Leno monologue, this was it: The economy today. Isn't that like the biggest problem today? Whatever happened to stability? I happen to sympathize with everyone, though perhaps because we are in a large debt.

blog#1

a) Foss first defines rhetoric.  In defining rhetoric, she defines it in three different ways with different explanations for each.  Foss states that the term rhetoric is commonly used to mean empty, bombastic language that has no substance.  “… rhetoric is defined as the human use of symbols to communicate” (Foss, 4).  The definition given contains three primary dimensions that consist of humans as the creators of rhetoric, symbols as the medium for rhetoric, and communication as the purpose of rhetoric.  Another primary concept in addition to rhetoric is that it involves symbols rather than signs.  Symbols must be something that represents something by association or a relationship.  Foss uses the example of smoke being a sign that fire is present.  This explains that there shows a relationship between the fire and the smoke.  A third definition to this term is that the purpose is communication.  Foss says “in some cases, we use rhetoric in an effort to persuade others---to encourage others to change in some way. (6)” Self knowledge and discovery can be obtained from rhetoric.  I feel that rhetoric has many definitions.  I most understand rhetoric when it is being used as persuading someone.  Recently I had to pick out colleges to apply to and I went to many open houses where they use a dialect of language that is pleasing to hear and supposed to persuade you to have interest in their university.  I think this could be an experience along with the current renovation of my room.  I have been to a furniture store where their speech has to be effective in order to make a sale.  I ended up getting two beds when only planning on leaving with one purchase or nothing. 

b) 

rhetoric: 

1 : the art of speaking or writing effectively 

2. using language effectively to please or persuade

definition sources:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhetoric

http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/rhetoric