Monday, May 2, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Motivational Speeches
Today after my Liberal Arts Undergraduate Elections, my friend Rob and I were talking about our old high school coaches and team captains. Rob talked about how as quarterback of his football team his favorite part wasn’t the games or the big plays but the impromptu pep up talks he and his fellow captains would give to their teammates. I responded with similar feelings about speeches and talking from the heart. I was reminded of y assistant wrestling coach who is an ex Marine and how he always said, “a true speech is never written down, it comes from the heart.”
I thought about this statement and if it applied to all the speeches I gave in high school and will continue to give in college. I decided that I kind of agree. My fondest memories of public speaking were times when I didn’t write down a formal speech and use note cards, but rather just talked.
In the YMCA Louisiana Youth Legislature, my gubernatorial campaign called kids to take action and get involved in their local communities and government. A speech with a message rooted in motivation, needs to be just that, motivational. As a spectator I am more motivated by personal conversation, emotion, and words straight from the heart as opposed to a formal speech.
I thought about this statement and if it applied to all the speeches I gave in high school and will continue to give in college. I decided that I kind of agree. My fondest memories of public speaking were times when I didn’t write down a formal speech and use note cards, but rather just talked.
In the YMCA Louisiana Youth Legislature, my gubernatorial campaign called kids to take action and get involved in their local communities and government. A speech with a message rooted in motivation, needs to be just that, motivational. As a spectator I am more motivated by personal conversation, emotion, and words straight from the heart as opposed to a formal speech.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Rhetoric of Technology
This week when my group and I were putting in numerous hours of work on our media project, I learned a valuable lesson. I do not speak the language and understand the rhetoric of technology. No one in my group really did either, but luckily one of our good friends is fluent. When we had problems or glitches, most groups would fret and sweat, but our solution was only one phone call away.
Our friend Mitchell Smor might as well be Steve Jobs. He takes technological communication, computer programming, and problem solving to a new level. It’s almost as if he is a Jedi and uses “The Force” to get the computer to say and do what he wants. His command over the language of technology, and execution of technological rhetoric is breathtaking. Needless, to say our LA101H project would have been a lot more hectic without Mitch. Sally, Sandra, Liz, and myself all thank you immensely.
As I blog about technological rhetoric I think about how far not only technology has come over the century, but also the rhetoric associated with it. I am amazed to realize my Nana (grandmother) doesn’t know what gigabytes, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet cables are? Heck, my Nana doesn’t even have a computer or a cell phone! This poses the question can the rhetoric of this new technological age be taught, or is it ingrained? Would I learn it faster than my Nana?
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tolkien
One of my favorite memories with my father revolves around JRR Tolkien. After reading the books as a child, I was elated to see the world of Middle Earth brought to the big screen. To my enjoyment my father was just as captivated as me by the fantasy, moral themes, and battle scenes depicted in Tolkien’s tale of friendship and good versus evil. Tonight my RA and I relived these memories (you’re still number one Pops) by watching the second installment, The Two Towers, and I was reminded of why I loved the trilogy so much: rhetoric. Rhetoric is not the sole reason I love The Lord of The Rings, but it adds to the appeal of the series.
In my opinion JRR Tolkien is one of the greatest rhetors of all time. He created languages. Can you create a language? I know I can’t! I can’t even fathom the knowledge and creativity required to write an entire language. What is even better, is the languages of JRR Tolkien sound just as legitimate as English, French, or Spanish. Elven, Dwarfish, and Orc are just a few of the many cultures Tolkien brought to life through the incorporation of rhetoric, fantasy, and storytelling. Rhetoric is a very powerful weapon, and Tolkien wields this weapon with an incredible amount of skill and shows us that rhetoric can be found everywhere, even in our favorite movies.
In my opinion JRR Tolkien is one of the greatest rhetors of all time. He created languages. Can you create a language? I know I can’t! I can’t even fathom the knowledge and creativity required to write an entire language. What is even better, is the languages of JRR Tolkien sound just as legitimate as English, French, or Spanish. Elven, Dwarfish, and Orc are just a few of the many cultures Tolkien brought to life through the incorporation of rhetoric, fantasy, and storytelling. Rhetoric is a very powerful weapon, and Tolkien wields this weapon with an incredible amount of skill and shows us that rhetoric can be found everywhere, even in our favorite movies.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Lobbying
Like most college kids, I benefit from the magical invention that is Netflix. My hallmate Paul’s newest addition to his queue is one of my personal favorites Thank you For Smoking. If you haven’t seen this movie I highly recommend it. The reason this movie is the topic of my rhetoric and civic life blog is because of the main character: a lobbyist.
In this movie, Erin Eckhart plays tobacco lobbyist, Nick Naylor, who smiles talks and argues his way into the hearts and minds of each and every person he meets.
Who is going to side with a sleazy grease ball who works for an industry that kills thousands of people daily? Exactly. But what is amazing is that with the power of rhetoric and argument Nick can convince anyone of anything. As the movie depicts the day in and day out of a lobbyist for big tobacco it also paints the portrait of a father compelled to teach his son every thing he knows and to show him first hand the intricate aspects of his job. Essentially everything he knows about rhetoric and argument. Nick tells his son to question statistics and always encourage discussion. As his son travels with him on trips to California and witnesses the not so nice aspects of “big tobacco” he also learns the power of convincing rhetoric and the art of relentless debate. Nick gets excited as he informs his son, “that’s the beauty of argument. If you argue correctly, you’re never wrong.”
Let’s take a look at that statement. “If you argue correctly, you’re never wrong.”
Is that the goal of rhetoric? To never be wrong? As a stubborn person myself, I know that my parents and friends think I take that statement to heart.
Aristotle defined rhetoric as “the available means of persuasion,” but can rhetoric be used as a means to justify stubbornness? Is rhetoric used to force your opinions on others?
Can you be wrong if you argue correctly? Can you ‘win’ and argument but still be wrong?
PS: I highly recommend the movie.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wiz Wit
For those of you from the Philly area you probably have visited or perhaps even frequent either Geno’s Steaks or Pat’s Steaks.
I am blogging about cheesesteaks because yes, there is rhetoric associated with cheesesteaks. You can usually tell who the tourists are (and not by the cameras around their necks or fannypacks around their waists), but by the way they order their cheesesteaks. I’m not a native of Philly, but when I visit I strive to appear to be a local. I know how to order. But, it appears my parents, (who probably actually were wearing fannypacks) don’t know how to order. I explained to my parents there is no need to say, “I’ll have a cheesesteak please,” “I’d like cheese wiz,” or “can I have onions?” Geno and Pat and their local co-workers know you’re ordering a cheesesteak, there is no need for you to say so. And as for saying you want onions? A simple “wit” will suffice. These world famous landmarks in The City of Brotherly Love have a language of their own and have a low tolerance for those who don’t speak it. The culture, rhetoric, and language of the Philly Cheesesteak is almost as important as the steak itself.
So using my knowledge of cheesesteak rhetoric I took it upon myself and ordered “three wiz wit” for my parents and me. Thankfully, rhetoric saved me from embarrassment.
I am blogging about cheesesteaks because yes, there is rhetoric associated with cheesesteaks. You can usually tell who the tourists are (and not by the cameras around their necks or fannypacks around their waists), but by the way they order their cheesesteaks. I’m not a native of Philly, but when I visit I strive to appear to be a local. I know how to order. But, it appears my parents, (who probably actually were wearing fannypacks) don’t know how to order. I explained to my parents there is no need to say, “I’ll have a cheesesteak please,” “I’d like cheese wiz,” or “can I have onions?” Geno and Pat and their local co-workers know you’re ordering a cheesesteak, there is no need for you to say so. And as for saying you want onions? A simple “wit” will suffice. These world famous landmarks in The City of Brotherly Love have a language of their own and have a low tolerance for those who don’t speak it. The culture, rhetoric, and language of the Philly Cheesesteak is almost as important as the steak itself.
So using my knowledge of cheesesteak rhetoric I took it upon myself and ordered “three wiz wit” for my parents and me. Thankfully, rhetoric saved me from embarrassment.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Dominos
If you read The New York Times or keep up with any major news source, you are well aware of the widespread North African unrest, strife, and revolution.
When I think about the North African unrest I draw a parallel between a scene in V For Vendetta and the domino effect of revolution in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. In this particular scene V sets up a massive domino line and tips the outlying domino and watches as they all fall.
How does “The Domino Effect” affect current politics? The Kennedy administration used this title to describe the spread of communism is Eastern Asia in the countries of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Is what’s happening in Africa a domino effect as well?
Did Tunisia realize that their stand against injustice would spark a revolution across almost half a continent?
What was different about the North African conflicts was that social networking was used as the medium of revolution. Social networks and the rhetoric of the free media pushed over that outlying domino. Tunisian and Egyptian youth Tweeting and Facebooking about the events taking place in their own country sparked movements in the hearts and minds of citizens of other African countries and inspired people to join the greater movement.
When I think about the North African unrest I draw a parallel between a scene in V For Vendetta and the domino effect of revolution in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. In this particular scene V sets up a massive domino line and tips the outlying domino and watches as they all fall.
How does “The Domino Effect” affect current politics? The Kennedy administration used this title to describe the spread of communism is Eastern Asia in the countries of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Is what’s happening in Africa a domino effect as well?
Did Tunisia realize that their stand against injustice would spark a revolution across almost half a continent?
What was different about the North African conflicts was that social networking was used as the medium of revolution. Social networks and the rhetoric of the free media pushed over that outlying domino. Tunisian and Egyptian youth Tweeting and Facebooking about the events taking place in their own country sparked movements in the hearts and minds of citizens of other African countries and inspired people to join the greater movement.
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