When I initially stated the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell I thought nothing of it. I thought that it was just another book that we had to read for English class. But because of this assignment I think that there is more to this book then I had originally thought. This book actually is relevant to my everyday life. I realize that Outliers is a book about everyday occurrences. This is why the book Outliers connects to my life. This book connects to my life in multiple ways. I never thought that the way I was raised by my parents would affect the way I act in society. Could my stress induced headaches really be from school? Finally someone who thinks it's actually smart to read in the summer and that accepts the fact that I work from the time I get home until the time I go to bed on homework.
The book Outliers showed to me that the way I am raised can affect how I act in society. Throughout my whole life my parents have told me to ask questions if I want answers. I was always raised to never be shy and I was taught the philosophy being shy gets you nowhere. I use this act daily. During school I ask questions in every one of my classes every day. An example is last week during Biology my class started a new topic. The new topic was on genetics and the structure of DNA. I must have asked at least fifteen questions that day during class. When I graduated kindergarten my teachers put on my graduation certificate that I was the one with a million questions. I love to ask questions because it adds to my intelligence. But other times I hate asking questions because I feel like they annoy my teacher. Outliers told me that I am so quick to ask a question because that is how I was raised. This method which parents teach their children is called concerted cultivation. (104) "Lareau calls the middle-class parenting style 'concerted cultivation.' It's an attempt to actively "foster and assess a child's talents, opinions and skills." My parents are raising me so that I can get the most that I could out of school. So this is normal for me and it should be for everyone. Right? Wrong. Gladwell shares another type of parenting in the book. (104) "Poor Parents tend to follow, by contrast, a strategy of 'accomplishment of natural growth." I have seen this type of parenting through my dad. When my dad was a young boy his parents (My grandparents) didn't have a lot of money. My grandmother taught and raised my dad through discipline and order. But my dad never listened. My dad also never did good in school. All of these factors added together, and I think that I get an example of the "poor (as in money)" way of parenting. My dad never did well in school because his parents never taught him to express his opinions. So when he went to school why would he think that a teacher would care about what he had to say? But what way is the correct way to raise a child? Because I have been raised my whole life to ask questions I think that asking questions is the right thing to do. But in school, why do kids who are obviously not poor sit in the back and never share their opinions or ask any questions? Is asking questions really the right way to learn? Even though Gladwell neglects to share his opinion on which parenting style in his opinion is better, I think that again asking questions is the best way to gain intelligence. Concerted Cultivation is the only way to not become subordinate to other students and to society. Anyway, what is so bad about asking so many questions?
I step in to the familiar sanitized smelling office and I check in for my appointment. After thirty minutes of waiting I get sent to my room for my check up. After another thirty minutes the underpaid doctor steps into the room. Sticking a nasal microscope up my nasal passageway he looks to see if my sinuses are clear or if again I need to go under the knife to remove the unwanted visitors that stay in my nose. I am at a checkup with my ENT. These check ups happens twice a year. The ENT is short for ears, nose and throat doctor. My ENT has to check to see if my allergies are acting up. When I was in seventh grade, they found a mass in my sinuses which was caused by overactive allergies. So I had to go and get it surgically removed. I had known something was wrong because I was getting and have gotten severe headaches my whole life. The ENT determined my headaches were due to allergies such as tree pollen, moss, dust, dog hair exc. But was this really the only thing causing these headaches? (253) "...Tremendously concerned that children not get too much schooling. In 1871 for example, the US commissioner of education published a report by Edward Jarvis on the 'Relation of Education to Insanity.' Jarvis had studied 1,741 cases of insanity and concluded that 'over-study' was responsible for 205 of them." So was Alec James Lee going crazy? No but, I was "over-studying". The ENT had also concluded that I was over stressed. This stress was the other reason I was getting headaches. In school I always stressed out about things like studying and finishing homework. Even right now while writing this essay I have a headache. So reading Outliers made me understand that I need to focus on my studies and that I should do good in school. But I should do it in moderation because really, who wants to go crazy because of school?
A kid who doesn't have time to eat dinner because of school work. Who has heard of that one before? I have because I do this practically every weekday. Here is an example of an extremely busy day... a typical Thursday. I get up at 5:00 every morning, catch the bus at 6:40, go to school (not that bad!). Straight from school I go to my bowling match which if it is home ends at 5:30 and if it is away I usually get home around 6:00- 6:30. When I get home I eat (If I have time), change out of my bowling outfit then I'm right out of the door again. From 6:30 to 8:00 I have Chamber choir practice (Chamber choir is the top singing group at GHS.) Then from 8:00 to whenever I do all of my homework. Sometimes I am done with it at 10:00 (I prefer to go to bed at this time) and other times I am up until 11:00. I have a cram packed schedule so like the students at the KIPP middle schools, I have had to cut out leisure time and activities. (266) "... (At a friend's house) So I would be at her house and I would be doing my homework...And she was so discouraged because we stayed until five and we had a lot of homework, and I told her that us having a lot of homework helps us do better in class. And she told me she didn't want to hear the whole speech. All my friends are know from KIPP." I can relate to this girl named Marita. I mean I have friends that aren't from GHS and I don't do my homework at their house. Instead though I have given up my time. I don't have time anymore to relax and watch TV with my family. I'm too busy to watch TV by myself even. I used to love to watch all of my shows like American idol, national geographic, man vs. wild and more, but like Marita I have given up my personal time in order to become a successful person. (266) "...To become a success at what they did, they had to shed some part of their own identity." My identity was family and the wildlife channel but now it is an overachiever who doesn't stop until the work is done.
Stress, concerted cultivation and a packed schedule. All part of my life as Alec lee and a part of the lives of the people in the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. This book is not like others. Although I have said to other people that this book is horrible, it is all a lie. I love this book. Outliers made me feel like I was not so strange. That I'm not the only one that thinks too much school can become overwhelming. I'm not the only one courageous enough to ask twenty questions in one eighty minute class. It allowed me to realize that I'm not the only person who gives up part of their identity for the reward of intelligence and success. And who knows...Maybe I'm not overachieving but everyone else is underachieving.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Shoe Poetry Prompt
A New Silver World
I walk down the abandoned street,
The only one in this new world to not have a hovercraft.
As I push open the heavy platinum door, I see the silver girls.
Their skin stained the only color left in the world.
I forget that I planned the models to come early for the runway.
It's a new beginning for me, in a way it is a risk.
A new color for the world to see.
The history books called it...red.
Defying government laws, I dress the girls in their red lace.
The blaring techno music starts, I send the first girl out...
Nothing, not a sound wave in the air.
My show ends and I walk out to accept my applause.
When I walk out, I take shape of my color, defying, free, out of the ordinary.
I see every camera snap at once, everyone wanting a piece of my red shoe.
As I walk home I think to myself: Blue tomorrow?
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Microfiction: Everyone in the classroom turned and stared.
Everyone in the classroom turned and
stared. Of course, what should I have expected? They all thought that I was
dead anyway. It was 2359. The world changed after the disease-orfog- started to
spread around the world. Scientists had created a vitamin which could supposedly
cure anything. But all it did was start a catastrophe. The leaders of our world
took the top specialists in everything with them to a safety bunker. I was one
out of three doctors chosen to go with them. When we emerged from our bunker,
no one had expected to see what they saw. All was gone. Few trees were in
sight.
This had been five years ago and now our
new village is stable. We go to class everyday to learn from the other
specialists. But recently people have noticed people have gone missing. I overheard the leader of Romania anxiously
telling the leader of Serbia that there was only on doctor left… me. As I walk
to my biology class in the school of medicine, an odd person pulled me aside.
We walked down a long silver hallway going deeper into the school than I have
ever gone before. When we reach the door I notice it was made of glass, which is
funny because we’ve been running low on it. When we entered there was a
circular table with the elite leaders of the world. They told me to sit and
listen with urgency. They started to tell me that I was chosen. I was doing phenomenal
in school. My job they say was to go out of town to look for resources that
will help make our life simple and ordinary again. They chose me because I had
excelled in hunting, gathering and electricity. I knew this is was no easy
task. Everyone who had gone before me never returned. This I now realize is why
all of my fellow doctors are gone.
Before I know it I return to the gates
which only a month ago I had left. I found the one thing that we needed the
most…electricity. I had entered a department store and saw a rack of light
bulbs and batteries. That’s why I was back so quickly. I ran passed everyone in
the village, I see them stare with amazement at me because I am the only one
ever to return. I run down that long hallway which I so long ago had entered. I
had so much information to tell the leaders- I saw the dead bodies of the
others sent out to do the quest, I had electricity, and I counted 534 new
trees. But just as I entered the classroom I heard the leaders whispering “…
Good, another one to cross of the list. We need to have the intelligent ones go
out so they can die and so that they don’t find out we were the ones that
started orfog.” The door shut and everyone in the classroom turned and stared.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
My T-Shirt Vote
So I didn't know if you wanted me to post the picture up here, but blackboard said put a description of the shirt that you want to vote for. I wanted to post the picture but it would not copy, so I decided to just put a description like you had originally said on blackboard. I vote for the shirt that says " The world today doesn't make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do? It also had a drawn picture on the shirt!
-Chocolate chip
-Thanks!
-Chocolate chip
-Thanks!
TU Tuesday- Editorials
Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, identifying any fallacious reasoning or exaggerated or distorted evidence.
http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion/green-up-%E2%80%A8urban-deserts/16365/#more-16365
I think that the writer of this piece has a good point of view. The writer states that obesity is a problem and his opinion it seemed was to put a tax on sugared goods such as soda. "...idea of a tax on soda and other sugar-sweetened drinks." But the author also shows the reality side. This is that the law on a tax on sugared goods will never go through. So now the solution is to get fresh produce into small supermarkets to try to replace the fattening goods. The author has very good facts showing that action need to be taken to supply small grocery stores with fresh produce. "...Since last March, Capital District Community Gardens has been supplying nine convenience stores and markets with fresh produce under a five-year, $175,000-a-year grant from the state Health Department that also helps underwrite fitness programs. Veggie Mobile Sprout, as this program is called, delivers produce twice a week at wholesale prices, enabling urban stores in Albany and Schenectady to sell fresh food at supermarket rates and offer something better than their typical fare of often fattening and less nutritious processed food. The program’s goal is to become self-sustaining." But this article also has flaws. In the beginning the author says that many people in Albany and Schenectady are living in food deserts. He says that this is a place where a grocery store is less than a mile away and that most of these people are poor. " More than 40,000 people in Albany and Schenectady live in what are known as food deserts — places where a grocery store is at least a mile away. Many are poor. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that about 3,700 of the more than 23,000 people in Albany who don’t live near a large grocer are poor." He says later in that paragraph that for a poor person, a trip to the supermarket is a trek. But I think all of this is confusing and irrelevant. Wouldn't it be good to live a mile away from a grocery store. Also why would it matter that out of these 40,000 people that they were poor. The big dysfunction is how does all of the above information connect to putting a tax on sugared drinks and sodas? There is another flaw that I found. I think that he has a good case pertaining to child obesity and wanting to put fresh food in local markets. The thing is that wouldn't kids and their parents who are overweight just buy the same food that they usually buy at the grocery store. " Here’s one direction: Since last March, Capital District Community Gardens has been supplying nine convenience stores and markets with fresh produce under a five-year, $175,000-a-year grant from the state Health Department that also helps underwrite fitness programs. Veggie Mobile Sprout (the organization)..." I think they (The "obese" consumers) would just past by the new foods and not think anything of it. So I think that this author neglected to include a solution that goes side by side with the fresh produce. I think that you need to educate the consumers on why you should buy the new food. You should show them the advantages of buying a fresh orange rather than a bag of lays chips. This editorial was very good, I just think that the author should have explained and added much more detailed explanations. Sorry, I didn't want to do this black and white thing, but my computer was being crazy so I had to. Sorry- Alec
http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion/green-up-%E2%80%A8urban-deserts/16365/#more-16365
I think that the writer of this piece has a good point of view. The writer states that obesity is a problem and his opinion it seemed was to put a tax on sugared goods such as soda. "...idea of a tax on soda and other sugar-sweetened drinks." But the author also shows the reality side. This is that the law on a tax on sugared goods will never go through. So now the solution is to get fresh produce into small supermarkets to try to replace the fattening goods. The author has very good facts showing that action need to be taken to supply small grocery stores with fresh produce. "...Since last March, Capital District Community Gardens has been supplying nine convenience stores and markets with fresh produce under a five-year, $175,000-a-year grant from the state Health Department that also helps underwrite fitness programs. Veggie Mobile Sprout, as this program is called, delivers produce twice a week at wholesale prices, enabling urban stores in Albany and Schenectady to sell fresh food at supermarket rates and offer something better than their typical fare of often fattening and less nutritious processed food. The program’s goal is to become self-sustaining." But this article also has flaws. In the beginning the author says that many people in Albany and Schenectady are living in food deserts. He says that this is a place where a grocery store is less than a mile away and that most of these people are poor. " More than 40,000 people in Albany and Schenectady live in what are known as food deserts — places where a grocery store is at least a mile away. Many are poor. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that about 3,700 of the more than 23,000 people in Albany who don’t live near a large grocer are poor." He says later in that paragraph that for a poor person, a trip to the supermarket is a trek. But I think all of this is confusing and irrelevant. Wouldn't it be good to live a mile away from a grocery store. Also why would it matter that out of these 40,000 people that they were poor. The big dysfunction is how does all of the above information connect to putting a tax on sugared drinks and sodas? There is another flaw that I found. I think that he has a good case pertaining to child obesity and wanting to put fresh food in local markets. The thing is that wouldn't kids and their parents who are overweight just buy the same food that they usually buy at the grocery store. " Here’s one direction: Since last March, Capital District Community Gardens has been supplying nine convenience stores and markets with fresh produce under a five-year, $175,000-a-year grant from the state Health Department that also helps underwrite fitness programs. Veggie Mobile Sprout (the organization)..." I think they (The "obese" consumers) would just past by the new foods and not think anything of it. So I think that this author neglected to include a solution that goes side by side with the fresh produce. I think that you need to educate the consumers on why you should buy the new food. You should show them the advantages of buying a fresh orange rather than a bag of lays chips. This editorial was very good, I just think that the author should have explained and added much more detailed explanations. Sorry, I didn't want to do this black and white thing, but my computer was being crazy so I had to. Sorry- Alec
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
H=Hokkaido
Hokkaido
Breed description- This dog is known for its strength. They are does that are used for guarding and hunting. "...is known for its strength and was a draft dog initially, but today is used for hunting and guarding. The Ainu is extremely courageous for his size" this dog is sharp and fearless, they arn't afraid to warn off danger. If they had to, they would ward off a 650 pound bear.
Apperance/ size- This dog is a medium size dog. It has small, triangular size eyes. They often have black spots on their tounge. "Also of interest is that, although not particularly desired, these dogs occasionally have a black tongue. This may hint at ties to the chow chow and mainland China." This dog has small ears that stick up. The dogs coat can be red, white, black, tiger, sesame or wolf-grey.
Diet- The hokkaido is an active dog, so it needs a good amount of food. The dogs ashould not eat any foods such as grapes, becasue it can get stuck in their throats. The dog should have a dog food that is high in nutrition but it shouldn't have any maufactured ingredients in it such as man-made meats. A good food to feed this dog based on the sapects I stated above would be Purina!
Temperament - This dog has a history for their faithfullness to their owners. They will protect you. Like I sadi earlier, the dog will fight a bear. A time could be to protect its owner. " This breed has the unusual capability of fighting against the Hokkaido brown bear or Higuma to protect its master." This breed of dogs combines hunter with pet. This dog should not run around with other dogs and they are safe with children as long as they have been raised with them sience puppyhood.
Shedding - This dog has a harsh and straight double coat which needs to be groomed and brushed alot. Daily brushing is recommended. "The harsh, straight, double coat of the Ainu Dog should be brushed and combed on a regular basis."
Health/Allergies/Vaccines - This dog has no imediate health problems or concerns. They are just recommended to get normal vaccines. Such as lyme disease and the meisles.
http://www.woofahs.com/dog_breeds/a/ainu.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hokkaido_(dog)
http://www.pug.com/dog-breeds/hokkaido.html
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/ainu-dogs-6031.html
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/ainudog.htm
Breed description- This dog is known for its strength. They are does that are used for guarding and hunting. "...is known for its strength and was a draft dog initially, but today is used for hunting and guarding. The Ainu is extremely courageous for his size" this dog is sharp and fearless, they arn't afraid to warn off danger. If they had to, they would ward off a 650 pound bear.
Apperance/ size- This dog is a medium size dog. It has small, triangular size eyes. They often have black spots on their tounge. "Also of interest is that, although not particularly desired, these dogs occasionally have a black tongue. This may hint at ties to the chow chow and mainland China." This dog has small ears that stick up. The dogs coat can be red, white, black, tiger, sesame or wolf-grey.
Diet- The hokkaido is an active dog, so it needs a good amount of food. The dogs ashould not eat any foods such as grapes, becasue it can get stuck in their throats. The dog should have a dog food that is high in nutrition but it shouldn't have any maufactured ingredients in it such as man-made meats. A good food to feed this dog based on the sapects I stated above would be Purina!
Temperament - This dog has a history for their faithfullness to their owners. They will protect you. Like I sadi earlier, the dog will fight a bear. A time could be to protect its owner. " This breed has the unusual capability of fighting against the Hokkaido brown bear or Higuma to protect its master." This breed of dogs combines hunter with pet. This dog should not run around with other dogs and they are safe with children as long as they have been raised with them sience puppyhood.
Shedding - This dog has a harsh and straight double coat which needs to be groomed and brushed alot. Daily brushing is recommended. "The harsh, straight, double coat of the Ainu Dog should be brushed and combed on a regular basis."
Health/Allergies/Vaccines - This dog has no imediate health problems or concerns. They are just recommended to get normal vaccines. Such as lyme disease and the meisles.
http://www.woofahs.com/dog_breeds/a/ainu.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hokkaido_(dog)
http://www.pug.com/dog-breeds/hokkaido.html
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/ainu-dogs-6031.html
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/ainudog.htm
Monday, December 5, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Small Poetry Promp
Caterpillar
Inching along a rough terrain,
A monster inside of them: Hunger.
A minuscule thing yearning to grow big
Eventually changing it's state,
Into a something that is a feather in weight.
Rapidly flapping its newly formed wings,
Its goal to lay its babies on a leaf.
Starting just as her,
A miniscule monster,
Eating, yearning, hoping to grow big.
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