Post 3- My Speech

It was painful to watch myself as I delivered my speech. Not because of how I said the information, but how I just stood there. I can safely state that for not being as "ready" for my speech I delivered it quite well and spoke with confidence. But I can also state that since I was not entirely comfortable and I wasn't entirely familiar with my speech I did not utilize the space around me nor did I engage my audience. While my information was strong and well said, it will not say much about me if I do not leave a good standing impression on my audience. If there is anything I would most definitely change, it would be to use more space and possibly be more energetic. I seemed to have lacked energy as my speech went on. But, I do think most of the problems would be solved if I better prepared myself, my speech, and I stay focused as I present.

Blog #2 Three Topics

There are multiple topics circulating around the nation and locally at this time. In order to have a variety of topics, I want to choose two topics that are not as common and one topic that is heavily debated. This will help broaden my topic span, while if needed default to one that is comfortable for me.

The first topic I would like to tackle or potentially tackle would be the topic of the same-sex marriage ban. This topic is relevant to me, primarily due to myself being a part of the LGBT community. While that would state I have strong bias, I can contemplate the sides of both parties and offer a bit of justification to my point of view from prior knowledge before I even conduct research, along with a first-hand experience in my affiliation with UK’s, Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), I am able to recount other’s stories, views, etc. as long as I get the written permission or an interview with them. I find that would be an interesting topic for me.

My second topic would be that of the age limit to drinking in the United States. Yes, it has been debated and there are strong opinions on this. My argument wouldn’t necessarily be for or against but state the evidence and see which side proposes the strongest evidence. This would help myself determine my position. It is interesting that we, as Americans, are able to be considered legal emancipated adults at the age of eighteen, but we are unable to drink until we are twenty-one. Would this be disastrous to lower the age restriction?

My third topic would be technology in school and Universities. I have recently been informed multiple times and in multiple classes already this semester that technology is dulling the mind and the “multitasking” is casing a lack of focus. Is it? If it is, this most certainly would impact lower and more localized schools that are implementing the usage of technology in their student’s everyday lives. How would it change the system of the modern age to revert back to pencil and paper as opposed to screens and handhelds? 

Blog Post #1 - Five Arguments

1.             I recently noticed that the computer that I use to simply type for my blog could be an argument. With that being said, Carr makes the point that everything has the potential to be an argument, but why my computer? I believe that my computer could potentially argue that HP computers are better or decent computers to use for everyday mundane tasks that involve a computer. That could be arguing that a Dell, Toshiba, Acer all are worse in the sense of hardware or that they do not perform well enough for their given brand and price. And that leads to an argument to convince; it gets the name out there, but maybe someone won’t buy it. It’s interesting to think about.
2.           When I was thirsty today, I grabbed a bottle of water (Clover Valley brand) and began to drink out of it. Is this an argument? Not only is the brand an argument of persuasion for me because I bought it, but having a bottle of water in the plastic manufactured container can go against people that do not support the waste it produces, the way it is acquired, or for the fact that tap water is just as easily available for you to consume. There have been people to boycott bottles of water and me drinking this one is an argument waiting to happen. Perhaps one of a convincing nature?
3.            One internal argument I have had to deal with many times daily would be the argument to make decisions. One prime example I am currently dealing with is to add another minor and have it be German. I have very limited knowledge of the German language and culture, but the decision stands in my mind of whether or not I would enjoy learning it and expanding my language pool from simply English. To grasp the power of communication in another language is a unique and fascinating path that would open many doors, but I would have to delve deeper into the thought before choosing if it’s right for me.
4.            Something I have thought about as an argument, but I never cared much for is my clothing. It is a compilation of multiple arguments. It can be to convince, persuade or inform. Articles of clothing may have writings on them and that could be a biblical quote, a brand name, or a smiley face. Each one is unique and for example my University of Kentucky hoodie has the UK symbol and the word “WILDCATS” in big white font on the front. That is an advertisement for the school, an argument that I would have school pride, or it could be to inform to someone that the Wildcats are the school mascot.
5.             Another argument and a shallow one at that would be statuses on Facebook. This one is intriguing to me, because who’s to say that anything you post or feel the need to post is important, unique, or worth my time? By posting anything, you are asking for it to be read, judged, and hopefully understood (while there are many questionable statuses out that of whether or not that can be understood for a purpose or not.) This is an argument to convince people to read the status, but to persuade when they finish it entirely. I thought that was an interesting observation to the power of persuasion. 

Three annoyances or irritants

There are always going to be those people in life that you find generally annoying. It is difficult to communicate and sometimes live with those people if you must and what are you going to do to solve the situation? The first step, as with any problem is admittance. Yes, I am talking about YOU identifying the problem and seeing why these people irritate you so greatly. It's the first step of many to overcoming your urge to smack people upside the head when you feel them really get under your skin. Now, how do you do this?

Well, it is simple. You must identify what annoys you the most in people and what your triggers are. To clarify, I have triggers that cause people to instantly annoy the heck out of me. But, mine are just for example and may or may not be similar to those around me. And on the flip side of things, I could potentially be the problem for someone else, but that is another topic for another time.

So, what are some examples of things that annoy me when I am interacting with people? Well first, I get irritated when someone talks only about themselves and then they talk over you. That is just plain rude and unprofessional on many levels. Everyone has an opinion; granted there are some opinions that should not be said, but they all exist. When a person solely speaks of themselves and then they continue to "outshine" you, it displays a sense of narcissism that no one would find attractive, fun, interesting, or all the great things that will progress you in life.

Second, ignorant or "blind" hate. It does irritate me to see someone post something online, or speak in real life about another person's lifestyle, goals, ethics, morals, etc. when they have no idea how that person has come to where they are now, what they have gone through, and who they are. I do feel like it has become common in today's society to simply post what you feel or say what you feel. Is that right? There is truth in all things, and that can help clarify a person's stance on a particular subject, but no it is not right to place your hate in front of even a single person because you feel like you are vindicating a reason.

And lastly, I am annoyed when people are fake. We all have an identity, we all have a personality, face, ideas, and thoughts as a person. That does not mean you should mimic another to the point where you are their carbon copy. Individuality is what makes society beautiful; it makes you, you. If you're afraid of yourself perhaps there is good in that, because you maybe daring, insightful, revolutionary. There is much gained from a new mind and a new way of life that people have not seen yet. And yet, people forget who they are.

Now, the best thing for anyone to do to solve their dilemma is to identify their reasons and why they bother them so. The next step would be to either stop associating with that person if you can, or simple alert them. It's all situational and up to you.