Uncovering It All

 * Guy Who Sucks At Being A Person Sees Huge Potential In AI         For this week's blog post, we're mixing it up a little. Instead of sharing my opinions that literally nobody asked for (but you all got anyway), I'm instead going to analyze a piece criticizing the use of AI. Before we begin, I just want to mention that I'm actually in full support of the mocking of AI. The concept itself is very creepy, as depending on some robot for everything seems like the epitome of society moving backwards instead of forwards. Imagine not being able to think for yourself, especially in the world that we live in today.         The article begins by immediately making fun of the subject of the post with a sardonic tone, The Onion delves into direct quotes from the man, James Parker. In the title, they don't mention his name, and I felt that this relates to the idea that everyone who will learn to depend on AI will soon just become a name...

    I'm sure we've all seen the videos of men speaking into a mic with some inspirational music in the background and bold captions displayed across the clip changing with the pace of the words flowing out of their mouths. At first glance, you might think, "Wow, I'm about to hear something really insightful," but no, you definitely thought wrong. Because really, all of these men are just yapping for 60 seconds straight. It's humorous at first, don't get me wrong, but after seeing so many videos preaching the same gibberish over and over, it gets annoying. These men belong to the group that consider themselves "Alpha Males." With this, I will address the group that these men have affiliated into, and the self-coined term of "Alpha Male."      The dictionary definition, and I really mean dictionary, because somehow this term has somehow made it into the  Oxford Dictionary, is " a man tending to assume a dominant or domineering role i...

      Remember when you'd be watching cable TV on your couch and all of a sudden see a colorful and engaging ad advertising the one and only Easy-Bake Oven? I can assure you that you were not the only one, as I would literally foam at the mouth seeing the delicious-looking treats that came out of the beautiful and girly oven. Thinking back on it now though, the food that came from that oven was most definitely bland. In all honesty, I'm surprised my parents even bought me one considering the fire and health hazards that came along with that toy. I mean, you're seriously telling me parents all over the country trusted their little girls with a literal oven? Even thinking about that makes me uneasy, but that's besides the point I guess. As for my health, I cannot tell you guys how sick I became after making and feasting like a king on the chocolate truffles (and yes, I absolutely DEVOURED those things, please keep in mind I was like eight). I feel like we as a society don...

         "You can be anything!" Wrong! You can't. But, we'll feed you these ideas through a colorful show and a line of dolls and then squash all of your hopes and dreams that came from these things when you grow old enough to see the truth!          Barbie, the beautiful doll who can do and be anything is the perfect example of a stereotypical "dumb blond" who was able to make the cruel and unforgiving world seem more welcoming. She was —and still is—the role model to young girls who grew up in the less-than-ideal world that we all live in today.  She made everything seem possible, all while wearing dresses and heels. And, while her message was clear and tempting, it was hard to take it to heart when she was a fictitious character who was perfect, down to her immaculate makeup and pin-straight hair. Still, imagine the world's excitement when the announcement of a live-action Barbie was to be released. And, not just any Barbie, but ...

    Maus,  the comic book series written by Art Spiegelman, is a rollercoaster of emotions. From laughter to horror, the series deep dives into the truly terrifying story of Spiegelman's father, Vladek. The story doesn't spare any details, instead showing the world what really happened behind the gates of Auschwitz. The books contain small details that showcase Spiegelman's intelligence, and overall, is an educational and engaging book that deserves to be shared with the world. So, imagine my surprise when I find out via my English teacher that the book is banned in some parts of the U.S. and Russia. The reason why the books are banned in Russia is because of the swastika on the cover page and how it violates a law against Nazi propaganda. In the United States, the book is banned in a Tennessee school district and in schools in Florida. The reasons behind this action? Nudity, violence and profanity. Let's go over these reasons one by one, shall we?     The first...

       You know the saying, "the eyes are the windows to the soul?” Well, it seems that Art Spiegelman, author of Maus, did, and he used it to convey all of what words could not.      The artist's graphic novel portrays his father's life, who lived through and survived World War II. Drawn in black and white, the comic uses a cat-and-mouse concept to share all of the horrors of what was faced by Jews during the Holocaust. His father, Vladek, spares no details in the recount of his life, and Spiegelman uses this to his advantage when he shades the pages darker and darker as you move through the fast-paced novel. Throughout it all, there are many multiple depictions shown, but the one that stands out the most is the eyes. The eyes of mice—who are used to represent Jews— are apparent in the story, with the lack of emotion and the endless suffering portrayed perfectly despite the eyes just being two little dots, while cats, who represent...

  4. How do the characters' relationships impact their ability to fulfill their dreams and reach their goals? When do the characters support one another and when do they obstruct one another? When friends and family members become barriers to achieving goals, why do you think this happens?       In the play of Sweat , by Lynn Nottage, the relatable and common characters face the harsh realities that come with working in factories. Pay cuts, stress and the physical toll on their bodies are only a few of the issues faced by the protagonists of the play. Unfortunately, these conditions foster negative relationships that carry out of the workplace, and the relationship specific to Tracey and Cynthia is no different. In the beginning of the play, we see two long-time friends who have made it through difficult times in their lives together have an admirable connection that many aspire to possess, but as the play progresses, their once lively and trusting relationship ...