Tough Guise

The media is being looked at more closely these days by sociologists. Because of TV, there is a stereotype that is dramatized more and more everyday. Masculinity. You are not a guy unless you are manly, strong, tough, or independent. This is creating more violence , abuse, and crime in the U.S.

I don't really think this is true in the area around me but they also said something about a minority turning mainstream that I agree with. African Americans living in the streets used to be the minority and now media has made everyone, including white people, act black. American is going through an identity crisis and the media is responsible.

The video made me notice that there are many white guys at my school who wear chains, baggy clothes, and talk a certain way. I obviously can't personally relate to this but I see it all around me. It's actually kind of funny.

Buying Happiness

In class we learned about what Americans see as happiness. "Things" are our happiness. Insteading of making a sweater, we buy it. We consume; we buy; we purchase. Except, what no one has told us is that rewarding ourselves with "things" isn't real happiness. It is only a souvenir that showcases the fact that we are workaholics.

It made me realize that I got a job so I can buy things, even though I really don't need one. It takes away time from my family and friends and I only have it so I can get new things. We are conformed to our American society whether we like it or not. On the other hand, getting a job made cut TV out of my life almost entirely. I only watch it once a week and I am a waitress so I am still interacting with people.

Truly being happy is getting your priorities straight. This means putting family and friends ahead of work and money. Money is a temporary happiness. I think I can safely say our family and friends will last longer than your jeans will.

TV Time

The T.V. experiment was very different. I definitely learned some things. First, that watching T.V. without sound makes me feel nauceus. Other then that, I noticed that T.V.'s flash with a bunch of different colors, angles, and technical advances that try to keep the watcher's attention. When I was watching my mom watch T.V., I noticed that she was zoning out from the things around her. She was ignoring the dog and the phone. When I watched the T.V. when it was off, I realized that I basically do this when I watch T.V. any other time. When we watch TV , we are just staring at a box for minutes to hours at a time and it is very pointless. It is confusing that Americans value time so much but they are willing to waste their time watching TV. TV is like our escape from reality but it is taking people away from their lives too much. It made me realize that TV is something that I shouldn't even waste my time on. It is better to spend time with family and friends than fictional characters.

Tuesday's With Morrie

This week in class we watched Tuesday's With Morrie. This powerful movie discusses the touchy topics of life and death. Mitch, a selfish and overworking man, visits his dieing sociology teacher. Morrie teaches Mitch to live his life in a new way, like it's his last day everyday, to look at the "little bird on his shoulder." Love is one of the most stressed topics, "you love one another or you die." This really made me reflect on my life and ask myself many questions. Am I living more like Mitch or Morrie?
Even the strongest of people have their weak moments, like Morrie. This movie has also made me think what society has taught us about life and death. Youth is valued so much in our society. Why? When you are old, you are wise and you can relax, reflect, and look back. In most societies, older age is the most valued and respected, Because of our American values, we are scared of death. Death is apart of life and if we live the life we want to live, it will be a long and interesting journey.

The Average American

The other day in class we had a discussion on what we summarized American culture. We eventually got into what the average American is. Many said we are lazy or competitive or too fast paced or materialistic. Can someone really summarize a whole country into one stereotype? Sure we have advances in our society and obesity, but it doesn't mean that everyone is fat or lazy. Other counrties need to realize that obesity and technology is everywhere. I didn't like how we had to stereotype our culture as something when many of the people, including myself don't even fit in that category. I'm not fat, lazy, and the only reasoning I have to overwork at school is because Stevenson leaves us no choice. I'll admit I'm alittle materialistic; society and it's malls have definitely gotten the better of me but I still believe I don't fit into this American culture status and it makes me mad to think that foreign people see everyone in America that way. There is obese people everywhere, and Japan is full of technology and random and sometimes pointless advances to save time. Maybe we should just eat a burger, jog to the mall, and buy a TV because that is what everyone excepts us to do. Other countries should have sociologically mindfulness and think about how their stereotyping is not always right.