Junior Theme #2

After researching my topic very thoroughly this week I think that I have gathered all of my information for my Junior Theme. I have read multiple articles as well as two books and I think that I finally understand my topic critically. The two books that I have read are The Body Project, by Joan Jacobs Brumberg and Am I Thin Enough Yet? by Sharlene Hesse-Biber. I have also sent both authors emails asking about an interview, however I have not heard back yet. With an introduction due on Monday, this weekend I will be outlining all of my quotes/facts/statistics and drafting my intro with my current why question being: why is the current physical ideal for women dangerously thin? I am planning on talking about the history of women’s body image by examining all of the social, cultural and popular aspects during a specific time period. Let me know if you have any other ideas!

Junior Theme #1

This past week in American Studies we were assigned the dreaded Junior Theme. The age-old myth of Junior Theme is crazy and Mr. O’Connor and Mr. Bolos are trying a different approach to break the myth. At first when the paper was assigned I immediately wanted to do something with science and genetic engineering in order to create a ‘perfect society’. After talking to Mr. Bolos I changed my topic totally to how the media influences women to be perfect. Then I talked to Mr. O’Connor and I fine-tuned my topic even more. He helped me to create this why question: Why is the current physical ideal of women dangerously thin? I really like this topic and after I rejected so many of my previous topics it is nice to finally have a topic to research that I am interested in. I think that I am going to talk about how the ‘ideal’ model and celebrity are too thin. This is causing many American women to want to look exactly like this when in reality almost no one is born with the physical traits to look like the models. This is foundation for plastic surgery and eating disorders. If anyone has any other ideas, let me know!

$1.8 Million Dollar Dog Collar

This past week while I was on Spring Break I was watching some T.V. There was a show on the worlds most expensive…they showed most expensive drink, bath, massage, car, hotel, dog collar and many other things that celebrities and millionaires are spending on. It shocked me that someone would spend over a million dollars for a diamond studded dog collar or a back massage with diamonds. Many of the most expensive drinks would come with a gem or jewel in the bottom running the bill up to thousands of dollars. It is crazy that somebody would spend so much money on such trivial things, especially when we are in a recession. This got me thinking about how celebrities can spend massive amounts of money on one little thing while the rest of America is barely holding on during this long recession. It made me wonder about Mr. Bolos’ question, “can you be free if you are not economically free?” Can you? Celebrities are “free” but what about the rest of American citizens who are struggling economically? Are they free, too?

Role Models

Last week I was listening to a radio show in the car with my mom while they were talking about Rihanna and Chris Brown. The radio show hosts said that Rihanna had decided to get back together with her boyfriend, Chris, after he had hit her. They brought up a good point about celebrities being role models, and I immediately thought of the class discussions about Michael Phelps and Michael Vick. We had talked about how children and teenagers look up to celebrity role models and what happens when they set bad examples. All of these things got me thinking about role models and celebrities. Should famous people be conscience about their actions because many people look up to them? What do you think?

Propaganda Posters in Schools

Today in class we discussed how our school’s ‘visual environment’ of posters and signs represent our student’s successes. This also relates to the World War II propaganda posters that we analyzed today as well. After leaving AIS class today I was walking down the stairs and I noticed for the first time all of the signs. I especially took note of the Boy’s swimming and diving state meet results posted on the second floor. It really struck me that after breaking state and national records the results were posted. We talked earlier today in class about how New Trier is so competitive that getting 2nd place in state is something to be upset over when in reality it is a major accomplishment. Posting the results of the meet show how accomplished the students are at New Trier. Swimming is not the only sport to be recognized through posters around the school. In fact, almost every sport will get a sign/banner that recognizes their athletic achievements. Having all these visual successes throughout the school promote propaganda that makes other want to achieve a high level of success so that their team/sport can be recognized on a banner as well. AIS has taught me to be a critical thinker and to take note of my surroundings, however, why is today the first time that I am noticing all of the signs around school? Did anyone notice any other types of signs/posters today?

Airplane Industry

For a few years the airline industry didn’t have one crash. Recently this all changed. First the United flight had an emergency crash landing in the Hudson River and another plane crashed into a suburban home in Buffalo, New York. However, with the first crash nobody was injured or killed, but the second crash was completely fatal. The third crash was just this past weekend on Friday night. A small plane was flying in central Louisiana when it landed in a heavily wooded forest. All three people aboard the plane were killed. Why are so many planes crashing all of a sudden? After years without any problems in the air, there have now been three crashes within the first two months of 2009. Do you think that with the global financial crisis the airlines are not spending the money do check everything completely before take-off?

Oscars!

Every year on a Sunday in February the Academy Awards are on. This night is a yearly tradition and millions of Americans watch the show. The academy gives out Oscars for best picture, director, screenplay, best actor and actress in both a leading and supporting role, as well as many others. Held at the Kodak Theater, stars walk down the red carpet and through the doors for an awesome night. This year the nominees for the best picture are: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Frost Nixon, Milk, The Reader and Slumdog Millionaire. Which movie do you think will win? Which movie do you think will win the most awards?