Robust Subjects and Verbs – figure8clementine

Posted on December 2, 2024 by figure8clementine

Original paragraph

There is a huge problem in Vancouver with heroin addicts committing crimes to support their habits. The “free heroin for addicts” program is doing everything they can to stop the addicts. The problem is that there is a large crime rate due to the addicts. It is obvious that addicts have a hard time getting through their day to day lives. Daily activities such as jobs, interactions, and relationships are hard to maintain because of the fact that they are using. By heroin users being addicted, they will do whatever they have to do to get their hands on the drug. The types of crimes committed are those of breaking and entering as well as stealing. There are no limits to where they will go to retrieve this drug so that they can feed their addiction. The problem with this program is that it won’t help to ween these addicts off using heroin. It is only trying to save the city from rising crime rates that they’re up to. By providing the drug, these addicts will be off the streets, which in turn will prevent them from committing minor street crimes. This will also keep the heroin users out of the hospital. It is pointless that the hospitals have to deal with people that want to use bad drugs or unsanitary needles and find themselves being unable to afford hospital bills and hard to cope without the drug. This program gives people free heroin in the cleanest way possible. This will in turn fix the city  but not the addiction that these people face.

Sentence by Sentence Revision

  1. ) There is a huge problem in Vancouver with heroin addicts committing crimes to support their habits.

The Problem: The sentence begins weakly with “There is” and is vague about the specific connection between addiction and crime.

The Fix: Strengthen the subject and clarify the issue.

Heroin addiction in Vancouver fuels a rise in crime, as addicts commit offenses like theft and home invasions to sustain their habits.

  1. ) The “free heroin for addicts” program is doing everything they can to stop the addicts.

The Problem: The phrase “doing everything they can” is vague and does not explain what the program aims to do or how it works.

The Fix: Specify the goal of the program and state it more directly.

The “free heroin for addicts” program aims to reduce crime and help manage the impact on the city.

  1. ) The problem is that there is a large crime rate due to the addicts.

The Problem: The sentence is repetitive and starts with the weak “there is” construction. It also lacks specificity about the nature of the crime.

The Fix: Combine with the next sentence to provide a stronger, clearer claim about the impact of addiction on crime.

  1. ) It is obvious that addicts have a hard time getting through their day-to-day lives.

The Problem: The phrase “It is obvious” weakens the statement and does not contribute meaningful information.

The Fix: Remove the unnecessary qualifier and make a clear statement about the difficulties addicts face.

However, addiction continues to drive a high crime rate, with addicts struggling to navigate daily responsibilities like jobs, relationships, and social interactions.

  1. ) Daily activities such as jobs, interactions, and relationships are hard to maintain because of the fact that they are using.

The Problem: The sentence is wordy, particularly with the phrase “because of the fact that.”

The Fix: Also covered by the sentence above.

  1. ) By heroin users being addicted, they will do whatever they have to do to get their hands on the drug.

The Problem: The sentence begins with “By verbing,” making it awkward and indirect.

The Fix: Reword for clarity, focusing on the actions of addicts.

Their dependence on heroin compels them to commit crimes, including breaking and entering and theft, to secure the drug.

  1. ) The types of crimes committed are those of breaking and entering as well as stealing.

The Problem: This is wordy and redundant with the previous sentence.

The Fix: Included in sentence above as well.

  1. ) There are no limits to where they will go to retrieve this drug so that they can feed their addiction.

The Problem: The “there are no limits” phrasing is vague, and “to retrieve this drug” is too general.

The Fix: Make the sentence more specific and direct.

These actions often disregard boundaries or consequences.

  1. ) The problem with this program is that it won’t help to ween these addicts off using heroin.

The Problem: The sentence begins weakly with “The problem with this program,” and the misspelling of “ween” makes the phrasing unclear.

The Fix: Combine the information with other sentences and remove unnecessary details.

  1. ) It is only trying to save the city from rising crime rates that they’re up to.

The Problem: The phrase “they’re up to” is informal and unclear, and the sentence doesn’t clearly explain the program’s aims.

The Fix: Replace vague language with a clearer explanation of the program’s objectives.

The program’s ineffectiveness shows that city safety takes importance over recovering the addicts. 

  1. ) By providing the drug, these addicts will be off the streets, which in turn will prevent them from committing minor street crimes.

The Problem: This sentence is repetitive, and “By providing” weakens the construction.

The Fix: Combine with previous content to eliminate redundancy and create a more focused statement.

While the program seeks to reduce street crime and alleviate the strain on hospitals, it fails to address the root cause of addiction.

  1. ) This will also keep the heroin users out of the hospital.

The Problem: The sentence lacks depth and fails to clarify how this will improve the situation.

The Fix: Combined with the sentence above.

  1. ) It is pointless that the hospitals have to deal with people that want to use bad drugs or unsanitary needles and find themselves being unable to afford hospital bills and hard to cope without the drug.

The Problem: This sentence is long, redundant, and uses weak phrasing with “It is pointless.”

The Fix: Condense and rephrase for clarity, removing unnecessary qualifiers.

Hospitals are burdened by addicts who use dangerous drugs and unsanitary needles, often unable to afford the medical care they require.

  1. ) This program gives people free heroin in the cleanest way possible.

The Problem: The sentence does not fully address the long-term effects of the program.

The Fix: Combine the idea with related content to explain the program’s harm-reduction goals while acknowledging its limitations.

The program provides clean heroin, mitigating immediate dangers but failing to address the root cause of addiction.

  1. ) This will in turn fix the city but not the addiction that these people face.

The Problem: The sentence is vague, and “fix the city” is an overstatement.

The Fix: Reframe to clarify the program’s impact on crime while acknowledging its inability to resolve addiction.

While the program reduces crime and supports public health, it does not solve the problem of addiction.

The Revised Paragraph

Vancouver faces a significant problem with heroin addicts committing crimes to support their habits. The “free heroin for addicts” program aims to reduce these crimes and address the impact on the city. However, addiction continues to drive a high crime rate, with addicts struggling to navigate daily responsibilities like jobs, relationships, and social interactions. Their dependence on heroin compels them to commit crimes, including breaking and entering and theft, to secure the drug. These actions often disregard boundaries or consequences. While the program seeks to reduce street crime and alleviate the strain on hospitals, it fails to address the root cause of addiction. Hospitals are burdened by addicts who use dangerous drugs and unsanitary needles, often unable to afford the medical care they require. The program provides clean heroin, mitigating immediate dangers but failing to address the root cause of addiction. The program’s ineffectiveness shows that recovering the city takes priority over recovering the addicts.

Posted in figure8clementine, Robust Verbs | 4 Comments

PTSD claims rewrite – Burnbook04

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Burnbook04

On “Is PTSD Contagious?” Brannan Vines investigates the significant and frequently disregarded external consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The essay demonstrates how relationships can be affected by trauma, impacting not only the individuals who go through painful experiences but also their families and communities. This investigation highlights the interdependence of mental health and is essential to comprehending the wider ramifications of PTSD.

PTSD can be “contagious,” according to one of the article’s main assertions. According to research cited by Vines, those who are close to someone who has PTSD, like family members or close acquaintances, may also experience symptoms of the disorder themselves. This emphasizes the social aspects of mental health and challenges the conventional wisdom that PTSD is only an individual disorder. Trauma’s psychological and emotional effects can ripple outward, causing a network of pain that impacts a large number of people.

The context of PTSD is the subject of another important assertion. According to Vines, cultural misunderstandings might discourage people from getting treatment, leading to a vicious cycle of suffering and silence. This influences how their loved ones deal with the aftermath of trauma in addition to the individuals who are directly diagnosed. To overcome these obstacles and promote a more encouraging atmosphere for individuals impacted, the essay emphasizes the necessity of greater knowledge and comprehension.

“Is PTSD Contagious?” by Brannan Vines explores the nature of PTSD and its wider societal ramifications. People can interact with the content more fully and add to conversations about mental health by recognizing important statements and comprehending how they relate to one another. Understanding how trauma spreads not only increases empathy but also emphasizes how critical it is to provide supportive environments for everyone impacted.

Posted in Burnbook, PTSD Claims | Leave a comment

Definition rewrite – Burnbook04

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Burnbook04

Comparative Religion, makes me wonder if religions should be divided and how they all relate to one another. I shall concentrate on the Christian and Islamic faiths rather than arguing for the unification of all religions for the day. The majority of people would think that they are entirely different, which may be the case, but I will highlight all of their commonalities and demonstrate how they are nearly identical. Muslims read the Quran, while Christians read the Bible. Both volumes are meant to serve as guides and sources of wisdom.

The idea of monotheism, or the conviction that there is only one all-powerful God, is central to both the Bible and the Quran. The assertion of God’s unity (Tawhid), which emphasizes that there is only one god, Allah, opens the Quran. As summed up in the Shema, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one,” the Bible, especially the Old Testament, affirms God’s unity (Deuteronomy 6:4). This fundamental idea creates a sense of solidarity among believers and lays the groundwork for moral behavior and responsibility. All things considered, there is a greater correlation between the Bible and the Quran than one might think. Muslims hold that Jesus (Yahweh) is merely a prophet who is sharing the message and serving as a conduit for the Lord, not the Messiah.

Christians, on the other hand, continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. There are some parallels between the ways Muslims and Christians conduct themselves. Both religions place a high value on modesty. Muslim ladies cover their bodies with long dresses and hijabs. Additionally, Christian ladies dress in long robes or other clothing that covers their bodies. Christians participate in vailing, which involves covering their heads like that of a hijab, but they do not wear hijabs.

Another similarity between the two religions is that they both have a period of fasting during which they focus entirely on God. Christians fast during Lent or as directed by God, while Muslims observe Ramadan. The customs of fasting and humility have existed for many years. Considering everything, I believe it is reasonable to conclude that there are more parallels between the two religions and that there shouldn’t be a separation of them. Together with the Christian and Islamic faiths, the Bible and the Quran can coexist.

References

“The Noble Quran – the Holy Book of Muslims.” QuranOnline.net, quranonline.net/.

‌“Matthew 1 | NIV Bible | YouVersion.” YouVersion | the Bible App | Bible.com, 2015, http://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.1.NIV?parallel=116. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.

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Posted in Burnbook, Definition Rewrite | Leave a comment

Research- Starfire.04

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Starfire04.blog

Racism in the American Education System

Racism in the education system is still very active in our society today, despite the efforts of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Students are still segregated in a sense and not everyone gets to experience elementary school, middle school, and high school the same way. Unfortunately for some, the experience is quite disappointing. This problem has much to do with systemic racism and poverty. Systemic racism is especially seen in private education. The majority of private schools are made up of white students and very few minority students.  In these circumstances there is a lack of equality amongst students in the private education system. Equality is when fair treatment and access to opportunities is given the same to all. However, no matter how much the issue of equity between white and minority students is addressed, nothing ever seems to come to resolve this issue. In fact it is often dismissed, overlooked, or just completely ignored. 

There is a very wide achievement gap between white and minority students. A lower achievement rate especially among black students in urban and suburban neighborhoods. The most recent statistic on the graduation rate of black students from universities is only about forty percent, whereas the graduation rate of white students is about sixty four percent. Again, this brings us back to the topic of equality. Minority students, especially black, are not given or even offered the same opportunities that white students are. Some of these examples include a lack of support from teachers/ professors, resources, and the quality of education they are receiving in the classroom. These factors can play such an important role in the motivation of the students and the desire for students to learn and achieve big goals when  it comes to schooling. This goes even outside of the classroom. 

Disciplinary actions are evidently different amongst white and minority students. The punishments disproportionately affect minority students. Black and hispanic students are often given a much harsher punishment than their white counterparts. School authorities are very quick to suspend or expel black and latino students whereas their white counterparts get a “slap on the wrist” for performing the same defiant behaviors. This again goes back to equality. Why is it that black and latino students receive much harsher punishment than their white counterparts and both parties are performing the same behaviors? Why isn’t there a sense of equity when it comes to punishing students? These unfairly distributed forms of punishment also play a very large part in the perception minority students have in school and their future success in education, according to the research that was studied by the American Psychological Association. Not only does it affect their perception of school but also negatively affects their perception and relationships with teachers and other school authorities. It can perpetuate negative stereotypes against racial and ethnic minority students and even affect how they’re treated by their white peers.This unequal treatment can start as young as pre-k, ages three and four. 

Public schools in urban areas with a high percentage of minority students tend to lack the necessary resources that are needed for a good quality education. Old, worn down, and outdated textbooks, no computers, and no access to advanced courses. Even the teachers lack the resources they need in order to provide their students with the proper education they need in order to move forward in the future school years. The schools themselves are even run down, old, and dirty buildings.These schools are overall underfunded and neglected by the state. Schools in areas of poverty need more attention and investments from the state they’re in. Lastly, many of these schools contain teachers who are not very experienced in the field of education. This is not to say that these teachers don’t try their best or are completely unsuccessful, but having teachers with more experience and qualifications could help the students achieve more in their academics. What also does not help this case is the fact that the student to teacher ratio is much higher, causing the schools to contain very large classes without the correct amount of teachers needed to support these classes. 

Students can see when they’re being invested in. Going to a run down building, with overcrowded classrooms, and lacking essential materials everyday only wears down the students’ motivation to want to succeed. Many even drop out very early on before getting the chance to receive a high school diploma. These are the young kids that often turn to a life in the streets, risking their life and freedom everyday just to barely get by. Those who do receive their diploma feel that high school was enough and would rather step right into the world of labor instead of getting a college degree in something that could make their lives much more comfortable in the long run. 

There is so much that has to be fixed in the American education system. The many advantages given to and taken away from students is completely unjust and hypocritical to what this country stands for. Urban schools deserve to have better funding and better resources. Students who attend urban schools deserve to have much better education quality and effort from their authoritative figures. Minority students attending both public and private schools deserve better treatment. In fact they deserve the same treatment as their white counterparts. Lastly they deserve to be given the same opportunities. Having no opportunities or even being given a chance to actually have access to advanced education is beyond unfair when it is all given to the white students. The sad part is, there are so many smart students that have the brains to do so many great things, things that could possibly impact the whole world and the chance is wasted solely because of the systemic racism and poverty this country still enforces on the minority community. We have a long way to go, but it does not mean that the day equal treatment isn’t even a question won’t ever come to be. 

In the real world there is a cause and effect to everything. Racism in the education system here in America is the result of historical factors that have been institutionalized and structured over a long period of time. From slavery to Jim Crow, education was extremely hard for an African- American to gain in this country. Education was built on systemic racism and only gave great academic opportunities to white students. The cause and effect factors are  the main focus. Focusing on the embedment of racial inequalities and disparities, and how it affects minority children today when attending schools and trying to gain a better education. Looking further into the long term effects of systemic racism in education inside and outside of the classroom. Even the watered down teachings of history in modern day education help point out the institutionalization of racism in schooling and show the lack of representation of minorities in history. 

When black people could finally attend schools and receive an education after the abolishment of slavery in 1865, the schools were then segregated. White schools were well funded and given the best materials and books with qualified teachers, while black schools were underfunded, if even funded at all, and dilapidated, lacking the proper materials for a good education, and underqualified teachers. Even now we see the same occurrence. Many schools in urban neighborhoods contain predominantly black and hispanic students. The schools are run down, under prepared, and underfunded by the government. Private schools, which are predominantly white, are well funded by the government, given the best materials available, and well prepared to give a good education. Many of the negative impacts on modern day education stems all the way back to the times of slavery. 

  During slavery slaves were not allowed to have any kind of education, not even learning how to read and write. In fact if slaves were caught learning how to read and/ or write they were brutally beaten or even killed. Gaining any kind of education was nearly impossible. Many enslaved children attended an underground schooling system inside the homes of the African Americans that were educated and lived close to them. Enslaved African Americans would also secretly spread the lessons they had learned to the slaves that were unable to attend the “schools”. Many of the enslaved people risked their lives just to be able to receive an education. 

Right after the abolishment of slavery we then began to see the Jim Crow Era and its horrifying effects on minorities, specifically black communities . This era lasted all the way up until 1964 when the Civil Rights Act was passed. The Jim Crow laws had an extremely negative effect on African Americans around the country for almost one hundred years following the end of slavery, hindering black students from receiving any academic advancements and opportunities. The Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court case in 1896 established the “separate but equal” doctrine that made these laws standard practice.  These laws gave young black students a completely different experience in education. We still see the negative impacts of this court case on black students today, shaping their experience in modern day education systems. Segregation in schools would finally come to an end in 1964 after the famous Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education. Although segregated schools were no longer legal, we still see segregation in schools today, hence the private and public school example. Private schools are predominantly made up of white students, where there are more academic advantages and opportunities offered to students. Public schools, specifically in urban communities, are predominantly made up of black and hispanic students, where there are barely any academic advantages and opportunities for a higher education. 

Due to the lack of proper resources and academic opportunities, black students are limited to going any further in having a chance of receiving a higher education and an advanced career causing them to be more likely to drop out of school early on. This then continues the cycle of living in struggle and having limited opportunities to receive a well paying job and also holds back any chance of improving poor minority communities. Also lacking representation in school curriculum only further diminishes a minority student’s confidence and faith in schooling. School curriculums often water down the horrific and racist history of this country and completely ignore the achievements people of color have made that helped advance the world we live in today. Only teaching about oppression instead of teaching the achievements and success minorities have had in the past that still matters to this day. 

We cannot just ignore the fact that systemic racism has such a negative impact on minority students’ achievements here in America. Its awful consequences are still in effect today. Many minority students are dropping out of school and turning to a hard life in the streets just to survive. We often like to point fingers at family dynamics and social factors but never want to look at the real causes of these outcomes. Many minorities are suffering the repercussions their ancestors had to endure. We must go through a curriculum reform and contribute better funding for schools in urban areas in order to help address and “ fix” these issues that are still here. Re-evaluating the education system and pointing out the flaws is a good start to ending the inequality of education in America.

There is an ongoing debate about racism here in America. Racism in the American education system results in the unequal treatment of minority students compared to white students. Many disparities are often manifested and have an effect on the academic achievements of minority students, the disciplinary actions taken upon minority students, and even the graduation rate of minority students in high school. The root of this issue dates back to the dark age of slavery that lasted over four hundred years in America and only had been abolished not even two hundred years ago. Despite the facts and statistics of the issues racism in the American education system causes, there is still a large argument that racism is not an issue in the American education system. Many feel that racism is used as an “excuse” for minority students, and that it doesn’t negatively affect them in any aspect. Many people will argue that we should just “move on” from slavery, essentially leaving it in the past. However, if the effects of slavery still remain to this day, can we really just leave slavery in the past? It is a fact racism is still very much alive today, can we just leave racism in the past if it is still here? 

I would like for us to sit down and take a minute to look at the socioeconomic status many minority children are raised in. Taking a dive into socioeconomic status and the part it plays in institutional racism can help us further examine that racism is in fact alive and well and a huge problem within our education system in the United States. Often low income families (alot of the time consisting of single parent households), poor/ dangerous communities, lack of resources, goods and opportunities for success. Even trying to get a decent paying job is hard. Many parents will work multiple jobs at a time just to ensure everyday necessities for them and their children to survive. Due to all of the negative impacts of living in a lower socioeconomic status, many children lack the quality schools that they need in order to receive a good education. The schools low income students attend are run down/old buildings. As a result of these factors, low income students do not perform very well in school. They have no motivation to want to do better in school, and often see attending school as nothing more than law. We must acknowledge that this still causes a sense of segregation within the school system. 

To further argue against the fact that racism is not an issue in the American education system, let us now look at the funds for schools in urban areas with a large minority population compared to schools in suburban areas with a large white population. High income students are often white children whereas low income students are often minority children like Black, LatinX, Native American, etc. High income students have much greater access to excellent schools that provide a multitude of opportunities and extracurricular activities while low income students obviously do not. Underfunded schools in urban areas lack quality resources for good classroom experiences such as new textbooks that are up to date, computers/ tablets, extracurricular activities, and even the teachers. Well funded schools in suburban areas have up-to -date textbooks, high technology like computers and tablets, and quality teachers. All of these factors cause a separation of races in the education system in this country. This is still a form of segregation. 

Now that we have looked at the statistics on urban and suburban school funding, we can now understand the wide achievement gap in American education. Black and Latino students are more likely to receive harsher punishments than their white counterparts. Black students are also more likely to be placed in lower academic classes and are also retained in grade 2.2 times more than white students. There is an increased educational disadvantage for minority students and this causes a bigger dropout rate for low income students. If not the dropout rate, then the percentage of low income students attending higher education. 

There are many ways that we can correct these disparities in the education system. Acknowledging the disparities is a step all in itself, and this would make a great first step. Seeing the issue, addressing the issue, and taking action to correct the issue. Urban schools receiving better funding from the government would help low income students to have a much better school experience. Attending a school with the proper resources can give a boost of motivation in wanting to do better in school. Correcting the inequality of disciplinary actions against minority students would help lower the dropout rate. Finding a better way to help the students instead of handing out harsh punishments would give them the feeling that they are cared for and have a system of support in school. Providing access for more extracurricular activities for students to participate in such as sports, advanced classes, and different programs to showcase talents. The point remains that no matter what race or ethnicity we are, we all deserve to have equal opportunities and access to good quality education. We all deserve the chance to do well in school and achieve big careers in life. Socioeconomic status, race, religion, ethnicity, etc. should not be determining factors on whether or not we all get to have good experiences in schooling. Acknowledging and addressing the issues are the only ways we can start rectifying the racism in the education system.  

References

https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2021/10/black-students-harsh-discipline

https://www.gao.gov/blog/racial-disparities-education-and-role-government

https://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2022/08/education-in-enslaved-communities

https://robertsmith.com/blog/systemic-racism-in-education/

https://www.aft.org/press-release/new-report-finds-most-states-have-deprived-schools-hundreds-billions-dollars-2016

https://www.jstor.org/stable/26350078?seq=5

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876285921002783?casa_token=D-gFxZYT4UUAAAAA:gKIkxVff-3l9BWMzXDObOHLD8w_fBE5Y3qUy_8b4e60tre2JgaFzBmxTGcTZ-YqpQRQlEGbqyUc

Posted in Portfolio Starfire, Research Position Paper, Starfire | 1 Comment

Elevator instructions rewrite – burnbook04

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Burnbook04

Press the call button after opening the doors on each floor.

In the order of each call, go up and down.

Call commands should never be skipped due to proximity. Unless a body or object is in the way of the door sensors, elevator doors are supposed to remain open for eight seconds before automatically closing.

If the elevator isn’t called to any additional floors after the final drop-off, it should always return to the first floor.

When fire alarms ring or the elevator rocks violently, it should automatically turn off in an emergency. Before it does so, all passengers should be released as soon as feasible.

Posted in Burnbook, Elevator Instructions | Leave a comment

Robust Verbs (Revised) – yardie

Posted on December 2, 2024 by yardie

Addicts from Vancouver are stealing, participating in prostitution, and committing theft to support their daily dosages of heroin. Addicts have a hard time keeping jobs, interacting with people, and maintaining healthy relationships. The “free heroin for addicts” program says they are helping the issue by injecting clean, fake heroin into addicts to satisfy their hunger for the drug. Although this strategy, done by the “free heroin for addicts” program, may lower the crime rates on the streets and keep addicts out of hospital emergency rooms, it still doesn’t end their addictions. Simply removing the addicts from the streets won’t ever actually solve the problem but continue to feed heroin users’ addictions in a different location.

Posted in REGRADED, Robust Verbs, Yardie | 2 Comments

Research-Goat81

Posted on December 2, 2024 by GOAT81

Artistic Expression vs. Technical Precision:
Striking the Balance in Olympic Ice Skating

Olympic ice skating, one of the Winter Games’ most popular disciplines, captivates spectators with its unique blend of athleticism and artistic beauty. For decades, the sport has effectively combined these two components, challenging skaters to do technically difficult movements such as leaps, spins, and footwork while simultaneously presenting an artistically captivating performance. However, recent score trends have raised worries that the balance between these two components is changing in favor of artistic expression over technical performance. While many claim that artistic qualities boost overall performance and are crucial for success, I propose that the rising emphasis on artistic expression may lead to a loss in technical performance, raising concerns about the future of sport.

Recent research in sports science and figure skating scoring patterns has revealed a substantial shift in how skaters are evaluated, with a higher emphasis on artistic presentation rather than technical proficiency. An examination of Olympic figure skating scoring trends over the last two decades reveals that, while artistic components of skaters’ performances—such as choreography, interpretation, and presentation—have received increasingly higher scores, technical elements such as jumps and spins have not seen comparable increases. In other situations, elite skaters’ technical scores have stagnated or even deteriorated, which is concerning for a sport typically distinguished by a combination of creativity and athleticism.This growing disparity shows that skaters are being compensated more for their ability to express emotion and tell a story on the ice than for performing the technically challenging movements that are key to figure skating.

One of the most visible examples of this transition is the revisions to the International Skating Union (ISU) judging system. The ISU scoring system, which debuted in 2004, splits a skater’s score into two categories: Technical Element Score (TES) and Program Components Score (PCS). The TES evaluates the difficulty and execution of technical components such as jumps, spins, and footwork. The PCS, on the other hand, assesses the performance’s artistry, which includes elements such as skating ability, transitions, performance, composition, and musical interpretation. Over time, the PCS has gained in prominence, resulting in situations where skaters with technically simpler programs but higher artistic marks outperformed those with more difficult technical parts but less emphasis on artistic presentation.

This trend is most seen in the results of recent Olympic games. For example, at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Russian skater Adelina Sotnikova won gold over South Korean favorite Yuna Kim, sparking much discussion. Sotnikova’s triumph was contentious since many viewers and pundits thought Kim’s technical ability and consistency were superior. However, Sotnikova’s program garnered higher scores in the Program Components Score, notably in the areas of interpretation and performance, enabling her to win the gold medal. This instance demonstrates how the increased emphasis on artistic expression can occasionally result in situations in which technically stronger skaters are outscored by those with greater artistic flair.

This rising emphasis on creative expression raises crucial considerations regarding the sport’s evolution and the future of competitive figure skating. While creativity has always been an important aspect of figure skating’s allure, the discipline has historically been based on technical proficiency. Skaters are expected to do difficult leaps, spins, and footwork with grace and poise. As the emphasis shifts toward rewarding creativity more heavily, skaters may focus less on pushing the limits of technical difficulty and more on honing the creative components of their routines.This could reduce the technical difficulty of programs over time, as skaters choose safer, less hard elements to ensure a flawless artistic presentation.

One of the most troubling parts of this phenomena is how it affects skaters’ psychology. Skaters are under intense pressure to give performances that not only meet technical requirements but also emotionally engage the judges and audience. As artistic expression becomes a more important component of the scoring system, skaters may feel obliged to favor creativity over technical competence, focusing on the emotional storytelling of their routines rather than the execution of challenging leaps and spins. This shift in focus may result in a decline in overall technical quality of performances, as skaters trade technical difficulty for artistic presentation.

The psychological impact of this change is profound. Many skaters endure anxiety and tension when attempting to balance the demands of both artistry and technical execution. The pressure to create a flawless artistic performance can heighten the fear of falling or making a technical error. This mental strain can lead to a decrease in the complexity of technical parts, as skaters may choose safer, less challenging routines to avoid making mistakes that will lower their points. Long-term, this approach may result in a fall in the sport’s technical standards, as skaters and coaches favor artistic expression above technical innovation.

In addition to its influence on individual skaters, this shift in focus raises questions about the judging system’s credibility. Figure skating is unique in that its scoring system includes both objective and subjective factors. While technical elements may be measured objectively—jumps are either landed or not, spins are either completed or not—the artistic components of a performance are intrinsically subjective. Judges’ assessments of a skater’s performance, emotional impact, and relationship to the song might differ greatly, resulting in disparities in scoring. As artistic expression becomes more integrated into the scoring system, the possibility of subjective bias grows, potentially undermining the competition’s fairness and credibility.

My research seeks to shed light on this critical and frequently ignored problem by diving into the subtle interplay of artistic and technical components in Olympic figure skating. Through an examination of previous events, scoring trends, and interviews with skaters and coaches, I will investigate the implications of valuing creative expression and argue for a rethinking of how we assess performance in Olympic ice skating. While creative expression is clearly a significant aspect of the sport, it is critical to strike a balance that keeps technical proficiency at the forefront of competitive figure skating. Only by addressing this issue will we ensure that the sport evolves in a way that respects both its artistic and athletic roots.

In recent times, Olympic figure skating has undergone a significant transformation in its judging criteria, placing greater importance on artistic expression in addition to technical execution. Although this change has enhanced the sport’s visual appeal, it has also ignited discussions regarding its effect on skaters’ technical skills. This essay contends that the increased emphasis on artistry has resulted in a decrease in technical execution among Olympic figure skaters, as athletes devote more attention to choreography and presentation rather than intricate jumps and spins.

The main reason for this decline is the International Skating Union’s (ISU) adoption of the International Judging System (IJS), which assigns considerable weight to artistic elements such as interpretation, choreography, and skating abilities. The Program Components Score (PCS) assesses factors like musical interpretation and the fluidity of the routine, which can overshadow the Technical Elements Score (TES), where challenging jumps and spins receive recognition. This scoring approach motivates skaters to concentrate more on artistic elements to optimize their scores.

Consequently, skaters have adjusted their training routines, spending more time refining choreographic sequences and enhancing musical expression, often at the cost of practicing high-risk elements such as quadruple jumps. As a result, competitions showcase fewer technically demanding routines, with skaters choosing safer, less difficult elements to secure higher artistic scores. This trend is reflected in an analysis of scoring patterns, which indicates a decline in the average number of quadruple jumps attempted per program in recent years.

Critics may argue that prioritizing artistic elements makes the sport more captivating and approachable to a broader audience, thereby boosting its popularity. They suggest that the harmony between artistry and technical skill elevates the overall quality of performances, making routines more unforgettable and emotionally resonant. Nevertheless, this viewpoint neglects the essential nature of figure skating as a competitive sport, where technical excellence should still be a key criterion. By favoring artistry over technical difficulty, the sport risks losing its competitive essence, as routines increasingly focus on performance flair instead of athletic competence. Conversations with elite coaches reveal a rising concern that the upcoming generation of skaters may lack the technical grounding that has traditionally distinguished the sport.

In summary, the heightened focus on artistic expression in Olympic figure skating has unintentionally led to a reduction in technical skill. While the sport’s aesthetic dimension has improved, the diminished emphasis on complex jumps and spins threatens to undermine the athletic spectacle that captivates fans and competitors alike. If this trend persists, the future of the sport may drift away from its foundation as a showcase of athletic prowess, becoming more similar to a performing arts exhibition. It is crucial for governing organizations like the ISU to find a better equilibrium in scoring criteria to uphold the sport’s integrity and competitive spirit.

For years, Olympic figure skating has been caught in a tug-of-war between two competing priorities: technical skill and artistic expression. Athletes, judges, and fans alike have debated which aspect deserves more focus. Some believe that technical difficulty and artistry can coexist in harmony, elevating the sport as both an athletic competition and a performance art. But while this idea sounds great in theory, it doesn’t hold up when you consider the trade-offs skaters face in practice. Striking the perfect balance between the two is far more challenging than many would like to admit.

Critics of placing too much emphasis on technical execution argue that artistry is just as important to the identity of figure skating. They point to skaters like Nathan Chen and Yuna Kim, who are celebrated for their ability to combine breathtaking choreography with jaw-dropping technical skills. For these athletes, artistry is not just an add-on; it’s what makes their routines memorable. Advocates for balance argue that artistry is what keeps figure skating from becoming a cold, mechanical sport like gymnastics or track and field. By prioritizing artistic elements, figure skating can remain a performance-driven art form that connects emotionally with audiences.

This perspective also pushes back against the idea that emphasizing artistry threatens the technical evolution of the sport. Supporters argue that figure skating can grow technically while staying true to its artistic roots. In fact, they claim that artistry makes the sport more accessible and relatable, helping it reach a wider audience. From this point of view, my argument—that artistry should take a backseat to technical execution—seems overly critical and even dismissive of what makes figure skating unique.

At first glance, it’s hard to argue with this. After all, who doesn’t love watching a skater nail a technically difficult routine while also delivering an emotional performance that gives you goosebumps? But when you look closer, the idea of balancing technical difficulty and artistry isn’t as realistic as it seems.

The reality is that skaters are already under enormous pressure to excel in both areas, and asking them to perfect both is simply too much. Take quadruple jumps, for example. These advanced technical elements require hours of grueling practice, intense physical conditioning, and laser-sharp focus. This kind of preparation leaves very little time—or energy—for perfecting the intricate choreography needed to score high on artistic components. The result? Burnout, injuries, and inconsistent performances. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, several skaters who had clearly spent countless hours perfecting their artistry struggled to land their jumps, showing just how difficult it is to balance the two.

On top of that, the judging system doesn’t make things any easier. While official guidelines claim to give equal weight to technical and artistic elements, the numbers tell a different story. Judges tend to reward technically demanding programs more because they’re easier to measure and compare. This creates a disadvantage for skaters who lean into artistry, no matter how beautiful their routines are. Jason Brown is a perfect example. His artistry is second to none, yet he consistently places behind skaters who prioritize technical difficulty.

Overemphasizing artistry also comes with long-term risks for the sport as a whole. Figure skating thrives on innovation, especially when it comes to pushing the boundaries of what’s technically possible. But if skaters feel pressured to prioritize artistry, they may hold back from attempting groundbreaking technical elements. Why risk a lower score or an injury for a move that judges might not fully appreciate? This reluctance could slow down the sport’s evolution, making it less competitive over time.

Finally, there’s the mental toll this balancing act takes on skaters. Trying to be both an athlete and an artist at the highest level of competition is exhausting. Many skaters report feeling like they’re never enough—either they’re not technical enough to compete with the best jumpers, or they’re not artistic enough to captivate the audience. This constant pressure can lead to anxiety, injuries, and even early retirements, which hurts both the athletes and the sport as a whole.

The idea of balancing technical skill and artistic expression in figure skating is appealing, but it simply doesn’t align with the realities of competitive skating today. In an ideal world, skaters would have the time, energy, and resources to perfect both. But in the real world, something has to give. Technical execution is what drives the sport forward, and it needs to remain the priority. Artistry should still play a role—it’s what makes figure skating so special—but it must be a secondary, complementary element. If we want figure skating to keep its place as one of the most exciting and dynamic Olympic sports, we need to prioritize what truly sets it apart: its technical rigor and athletic innovation.

References:

International Skating Union (ISU). Communication No. 2315: Single and Pair Skating – Scale of Values, Levels of Difficulty and Guidelines for Program Components. ISU, 2022. https://www.isu.org

McNeil, Roberta. “Balancing Artistry and Technique in Modern Figure Skating.” Sports Review Journal, vol. 22, no. 4, 2020, pp. 451-470. https://doi.org/10.1080/sportsrevj.2020.451470

Hamilton, Scott. The Art of Figure Skating: Beyond the Blade. New York: Penguin, 2019. https://books.google.com

Olympic Channel. “Yuzuru Hanyu: A Champion of Artistry and Technique.” Olympic Channel, 2018. https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/

https://www.skateguardblog.com/2020/04/the-evolution-of-technical-merit-and.html

https://olympics.com/en/podcast/podcast-artistry-vs-technical-figure-skating

https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/en/figure-skating

https://libjournals.unca.edu/OJS/index.php/mas/article/download/23/12/89?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.apnews.com/article/cd17c0a837ff4f26b922940aa9d26643?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_sports_specialization?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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Rebuttal Rewrite—Softball1321

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Softball1321

Cell Phones and Broken Bonds

It is true that the use of cell phones can be a distraction from face-to-face interactions, which can possibly ruin relationships between friends, family, partners, or any person that we have a shared connection with. Although, it is important to recognize that these devices can actually enhance and strengthen our relationships. 

Firstly, cell phones provide us a way in staying connected with loved ones, regardless of distance. In the past, maintaining relationships with friends and family who lived far away required significant effort which made it much more difficult to stay connected. In today’s world, cell phones allow us to communicate instantly through phone calls, messaging, and various apps that are used to communicate all across the world. Keeping in touch constantly helps close the gap created by long distance. For example, a person living in a different country can easily stay in touch with their family or friends back home, and consistently keep them updated on their everyday life. The level of connectivity can strengthen and maintain relationships and bonds we have without having to worry about the struggles of long distance. 

Moreover, cell phones enable us to maintain friendships and relationships through social media platforms. Different platforms provide us to share our experiences and milestones with a bigger audience, including friends and family members. Engaging with each other’s posts can show support, possibly offer encouragement, and also celebrate each other’s achievements. For instance, if a friend moved to a different city, state, or country, sharing their experiences and friends and family liking their posts, or positively commenting on them can give them a sense of belonging and make them feel like they are still connected with their loved ones. 

In addition, cell phones can enhance relationships by using special apps to strengthen bonds. For example, there are apps that offer relationship advice, communication exercises, and ideas to improve relationships. Such tools can help couples navigate challenges and strengthen their relationship skills, which can create a longer and fulfilling partnership. On the other hand, we can find many apps that can help families stay organized, such as shared calendars, task lists, and messaging platforms. By using these different apps, families and people in intimate relationships can improve their communication and coordination, ensuring that everyone feels supported. 

Cell phones can play a crucial role in maintaining relationships during times of emergency. For example, if something happened to a friend, family members, or any loved one, help can just be one call away. Cell phones can be a lifeline. They allow us to quickly reach out to loved ones, check on their safety and offer tons of support. The ability to offer and receive reassurance in situations where it is immediate is valuable to maintaining strong relationships. 

It is also important to know that cell phones allow us to stay organized which is essential in maintaining strong and healthy relationships. Being organized helps us keep track of plans, remember important dates, and generally show that you care. Being organized makes it easier to stay on top of your friends and family’s when they need it. It is a way of showing reliability and respect for their time, which is undoubtedly important to keep a healthy relationship with your loved ones. 

While it is important to recognize the values of cell phones, it should also be noted that we should not rely on these devices on every situation that occurs in a relationship. It is important to acknowledge that cell phones can have a negative impact on relationships if used improperly. Excessive screen time, constant notifications during personal times, the negative uses of social media platforms, and the temptation to check our phones in conversations can all degrade from the quality of our relationships with the use of cell phones. However, these issues have nothing to do with the technology itself, but rather how we intend to use it. By being mindful of our phones usage and setting boundaries, we can minimize the negative effects that the overuse of cell phones can cause and allow us to enhance our relationships, rather than block them. 

When individuals spend more time on their phone, it is easy to neglect in person experiences or activities that you can share with your partner. Experiencing different things together with your significant other, family, or friends is very essential for building and maintaining a strong bond. If we are constantly on our phone and not enjoying the moment with whomever we are with, it can cause an emotional distance between your relationships. For instance, when couples spend excessive time on their phone during shared activities, such as going out to lunch or going to a store, something that is so little yet meaningful, they miss out on opportunities to engage in special conversations or experiences. The feeling of knowing your partner’s phone is more important to them than a conversation with you, can lead to isolation and loneliness. Overtime, the lack of genuine interaction can lead to emotional distance or even dissatisfaction in the relationship. 

As we all know, cell phones are a big distraction. Either when you are at work, in class, or even talking to someone, it is easy to get distracted by a notification on your phone. Specifically when we are having a meaningful conversation with someone we share a genuine connection with, constant notifications, calls, and messages can disrupt that conversation we were having and cause frustration which then leads to neglect and then other negative feelings that person may endure. It can be easily shown if our partner is more interested in their phone then us.

Arguably, cell phones offer numerous benefits. Although, the overuse of cell phones has many negative effects. Miscommunication, distraction, and a decrease in productivity with our partner are just some of the few ways cell phones have negative consequences in different relationships. It is important that individuals need to set boundaries for their use of cell phones, especially in important and meaningful situations. Being fully present in any situation shows respect and appreciation for the experience. Being able to put the phone down shows that we value the time or moment, whether it is a special event, deep conversation, or simply spending time with loved ones. I believe it is important to minimize distractions and prioritize more face-to-face interactions rather than computer-mediated interactions to maintain and build a fulfilling relationship. 

In conclusion, while it’s true that the use of cell phones can have a negative impact on relationships if used improperly, it is important to know that they also offer opportunities to enhance and strengthen our bonds with friends, family, and partners. By providing constant connectivity, communication through social media platforms, offering tools for building relationships, and acting as a lifeline in emergency situations, cell phones can play a crucial role in maintaining and fulfilling long and healthy relationships.

References

“What Is Your Phone Doing to You Relationships?” Roberts―Meredith David and James, Dec. 2024. 

“Cellphones help build stronger relationships.” De Lima, N., & De Lima, N. (2020, September 4). Cellphones help build stronger relationships.

Posted in Portfolio Softball, Rebuttal Rewrite, REGRADED, Softball1321 | 2 Comments

Definition Rewrite–Bagel&Coffee

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Bagel&Coffee

Thesis–Bagel&Coffee

Dark media is better than happy media at making sad people happy!

I was chatting online with two randomly assigned teammates in a Space Marine 2 lobby. All of us knew the overarching story of the franchise and were “nerding out” discussing how elements in the story were depicted in this game. Then someone said something in conversation that immediately caught my attention! The conversation went something like this:
“This game is super dark!”
“It’s awesome right?”
“Yea, I mean Warhammer 40,000 has been exploding in popularity recently.”
“Yea it has, I feel like people like dark stuff like this more as the world around them feel darker!”
“Wow, that was deep!” I said in response before filling in the rest of his implications in my head: What if people really are attracted to darker stories when they feel like the world around them is getting worse? Could people really be happier with darker stories?

For those of you who don’t know, Warhammer 40,000 is a multimedia franchise spanning over 300 novels (and still going), a table-top wargame, multiple genres of video games, CG movie animations and one showing up on Amazon Prime Video this year on December 10th, as well as crossover events in the past with Call of Duty and Magic the Gathering. To underline, its parent company Games Workshop is very profitable from this IP.

It is also one of the darkest universes ever committed to paper. Games Workshop proudly touts that they pioneered a new genre they call grim-dark. However, we will come back to flesh this out this universe later. If I were to make a formal hypothesis from this brief conversation with a stranger I would say:

Dark media is better than happy media at making sad people happy.

That sounds a bit counterintuitive off the cusp, but it is something that makes a little sense in what I have seen in my experience. Now for the next part, to investigate this claim. So, what do I mean by happy or dark media?

Happy media in this particular usage is referring to normal media, the kinds of stories with happy endings. It can include both adult and children’s shows. It can also refer to music that is upbeat and the lyrics are positive. If I were to take a random song on the radio and guess what is about, I would guess “having a good time”, and I would be right most of the time. Other good examples of what I mean would be TV series from those golden years of the 1960s and 1970s. Shows like I Dream of Jeanine (1965), Batman (1966), Star Trek(1966), The Carol Burnett Show(1967) The Brady Bunch (1969), Mary Tyler Moore Show(1970), All in The Family (1971), The Bob Newhart Show(1972), Happy Days (1974), Taxi (1978) were all great entertainment that embodies this happy media style. The characters that despite their shortcomings sometimes, always did the right thing in the end!

There was never any grey areas questions of morality or pragmatism. Most fights were resolved with words and great points, even when tackling progressive topics for their time in small part to great writers! If there was a scene with a physical fight such as in the more action-oriented shows such as Batman or Star Trek, it would end in just in one punch and unusually reasonable bad guys that often see the folly of their ways afterwards.

Dark media refers to movies, music, or art of the dark genre. It’s a genre that usually involves the themes of loss, misfortune, death, suffering, or apathy. It may also involve themes of revenge or justice involving morally gray areas, and sometimes the enjoyment of the suffering or misfortune of others. A tragic song about breaking up with a lover is a common theme in music, after all the happy songs about finding love that is.

Tragedy specifically is nothing new and dates back to “ancient Greece from the late 6th century BCE” (World History, Greek Tragedy). Dark is nothing new and can be found in popular classic literature!

Before the American Civil War, the optimism of Ralph Waldo Emerson who started the Transcendentalism movement made its way into American literature, the most famous of these writers was arguably Walt Whitman. We can look at his famous poem Song of Myself where he displays such a zest for life and a hopefulness for all of humanity.

“I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”
…
“Do you see O my brothers and sisters?
It is not chaos or death—it is form, union, plan—it is eternal life—it is Happiness.”
-Walt Whitman, Song of Myself

He believes in a spirit that we are all a part of and that we can be happy just stopping to smell the roses and become more integrated with nature. He believes we are all good, that goodness lies within us all already, and that happiness awaits us. This is from a larger inspiration and shared by many that were transcendentalist. This happiness directly conflicted with darker works, like The Raven by Edger Allen Poe which we can see after the publishing of The Raven.

“The Raven” brought Poe instant fame, although not the financial security he was looking for. Critical reception was mixed, with some famous writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and William Butler Yeats expressing their dislike for the poem.” (Christine Sarikas, Prep Scholar)

“Gonne shared Yeats’s interest in occultism and spiritualism. Yeats had been a theosophist, but in 1890 he turned from its sweeping mystical insights and joined the Golden Dawn, a secret society that practiced ritual magic.” (Poetry Foundation)

Both the father of the optimistic Transcendentalism and William Butler Yeats who was interested in the occult both did not approve of this dark poem by Poe!

After the Civil war we can see the proliferation of dark literature becoming more common place from this point of history onward. We see the emergence of writers like Emily Dickerson and Robert Frost. Robert Frost was more into Naturalism, though with an existentialist twist. Robert Frost does explore other themes in his works such as the barriers men create in “Mending Wall”, however when you read his works you feel alone in the world though his imagery of empty nature. There is very much a darkness that can be extrapolated from his poetry. Whether it is loneliness in Desert Places:


“They cannot scare me with their empty spaces
Between stars–on stars where no human race is.
I have it in me so much nearer home
To scare myself with my own desert places.” (Desert Places, Robert Frost)
Or the suggestion that one might even stop in a forest in inclement winter weather that would assure death:
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.” (Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, Robert Frost)

Dr. Oliver Tearle of Loughborough University points out “Frost wrote ‘Fire and Ice’ in 1920. This is just two years after the end of the First World War, and a time when revolution, apocalypse, and social and political chaos were on many people’s minds.” (10 of the Best Robert Frost Poems Everyone Should Read)

Once again, we see an implied connection with war and dark literature! One of the scariest wars mankind has waged against itself.

We can also see more examples of classic literature featuring dark stories with the likes of Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, and Grimms’ fairy tales

As time progressed, we can see more pop culture landmarks that show darker tones due to war.

Godzilla was the anthropomorphization of the Atom bomb and the horrors inflicted upon Japan in World War II. Godzilla features giant lizard monster destroys Tokyo. The monster is often referred to as sin or retribution, as it became a monster due to nuclear exposure. It is a way to personify the horror of pandora’s box that has been opened thanks to nuclear weapons. The most recent reboot, titled Godzilla Minus One, won an Oscar in the United States, and 90+ additional awards and accolades after being shown internationally. Godzilla Minus One features a protagonist suffering from PTSD after World War II, and how people in general deal with dark or grim situations. Based off of the positive reviews this dark story has clearly resonated with people!

M.A.S.H. was groundbreaking and was well received during its airing from 1972 – 1983. Rather than a rallying trumpet to charge, it was more reserved, a cautionary series about war, specifically the war in Vietnam going on at the time. It featured a commentary on the war as the characters deal with the situation they are stuck in and dark sense of humor to go with it. “It’s just a war, it is nothing to die over”- Captain B.J. Hunnicutt

Even children’s shows such as Gundam got darker thanks to war. Guman’s creator Yoshiyuki Tomino was given no further instructions then to make cartoon featuring a giant robot so toys of it can be sold. Tomino was heavily influenced by World War II when writing, and therefore unlike other giant robot shows of the time that featured battles of good versus evil and happy endings, Gundam instead featured a daker war story. It stars a teen named Amero Ray who lived in a neutral space colony until it gets attacked and destroyed. Amaro is only able to survive the attack by finding a secret prototype weapon, the giant robot called Gundam. However by taking this new piece of hardware intended to finally break the gridlock of an ongoing war, Amaro is sucked into a war he wants nothing to do with, fighting not for ideology but for his friends’ and his own survival. What is interesting about this show is that it was a slow burn to mainstream popularity. The show’s dark war story did not resonate when it aired at its timeslot intended for children but came into its own much later after being rediscovered by an older crowd. This is an interesting piece to bring to the table, as to what it may further imply that dark stories resonate with adults but not children.

And finally we make our way back to the example of Warhammer 40,000. The setting is bleak, mostly revolving around mankind in the far future of the 41st millennium. Mankind worships a corpse on a throne that they believe to be their god-emperor. To live in this time is to live amongst one of the cruelest authoritarian regimes ever. Forget progress and understanding, knowledge from the golden age of technology has been lost. Everyone is some flavor of xenophobic religious zealot. War rages across the galaxy resulting in the deaths of untold billions. Mankind is assaulted on all sides by mutants, xenos, daemons, and worse. Barely hanging on thanks to the might of the Emperor’s armies and his super soldiers the Space Marines.

“Planets are deemed unrecoverable and are completely destroyed on a whim. Everything sucks, but that’s like the charm of it!” -Bricky

I should mention that there is a good helping of irony and dark humor to balance out such a horrible universe because it would not be “So stereotypical British” otherwise. Everything is so ridiculous, destructive, or horrible, the stories sometimes end up being a metaphorical dark Monty Python skit of jumping over on a nuclear bomb just to land on a banana peel and hit your head on the bomb anyway. Mankind as a result often up killing each other as much as they kill their enemies.

On the other side of the coin, having a grim universe naturally leads to characters performing heroic deeds or just trying to make the best of bad circumstances. There are sacred people of course, but they are used to contrast the people who spit in the face of unwinnable circumstances.

Did I get into Warhammer 40,000 because it was dark or heroic? No, but I could see how others may have. I got into it because it is one of the cleverest pieces of literature I have ever read, that not only inspires the imagination, but is written sort of like a puzzle. Embedded in each book is a bit of lore that when connected to other pieces, recontextualizes entire stories and character decisions!

What if we personify America as a person? One of the most defining movie trilogies of the 2000’s in America was The Dark Knight Trilogy. Recognized inside of theaters for its darker depiction of Gotham, Batman, and the Joker, while being recognized outside of theatres for the tragedy surrounding Heath Ledger’s death and the Oscar he would win posthumously for his performance as the Joker (Express, Heath Ledger’s Oscars). This newer interpretation by Christopher Nolan was not the “Adam West Batman” for general audiences, but instead a darker, morally grayer, and realistic imagining of what Batman would like in our modern world. The interesting part is this trilogy started playing in theatres right around the America was fighting its “War on Terror” in Iraq and Afghanistan (History Channel, War on Terror Timeline). The finally of the trilogy literally involved terrorism, which Batman had to fight against.

Dark is found in our own lives though we do not see it the way we literature. In our own lives we just see it as scary, sad, or as an existential crisis. We see dark when we see politicians or judges make regrettable decisions, but we call it disappointment or outrage. We see dark when we lose hope, but we just call that hopelessness. Perhaps it is because we are unable to see it in our own world that we wish to live it out in a song or movie. And this is where the hypothesis comes into play. What are we looking for in dark media when there are plenty of problems around us already?

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2nd Person – Softball1321

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Softball1321
  1. Taxpayers wonder whether the amount spent on students makes a difference. If we really think about it, yes it does. Ask any parent whose child goes to an expensive school.
  2. There are different types of injuries that happen in each sport.  Would we object if we knew that a surgery performed before any injury occurs could make an athlete stronger?
  3. Imagine our body being consumed by a drug. We would do anything to get this drug and we don’t worry about the consequences that come with it.
  4. By inviting Syrians in, we’re causing more problems than we’re solving.
  5. Does the idea of not actually having our money on-hand sound trivial?
  6. That little green piece of paper in our pocket holds no actual value other than the cost it took to produce it, and yet we will work our whole life just to acquire more of those little green pieces of paper just so we can take them and stick them in a bank.
  7. So just remember the next time we read a bank statement or look at dollar bill that you’re holding a made up value that someone decided to make up. Without it, we might still be having to trade with goods like livestock and produce.
  8. I now understand that a dollar is only worth what we can receive in exchange for it.
  9. Being able to walk around with money without holding the money in our hand brings me back around to the idea of the stone because, just like stone currency, we don’t need to be in physical possession of these Bitcoins to own them.
  10. We hear people talk about the American Dream, which requires that we have enough of these pieces of paper to be financially stable. If we think about it deeply we will realize, that we receive these pieces of paper called money and base our whole life on them.
  11. Money is an adroit concept and its pursuit lasts a lifetime. Our goal from the moment we start school is to join the game of making enough of these pieces of paper to make our life more fun and acceptable.
Posted in Banned 2nd Person, Softball1321 | 1 Comment