Material World

One can't help but think that a kid who spends most of his time online playing video games is wasting his life. Hence, when an adult married man spends his time playing online games, one must question his ability to sustain his marriage. According to Hall, Second Life is a game that allow a person to escape the harsh reality of the real world and live a more friendly and controllable virtual life. The notion of living a in a virtual world is mentally and physically unhealthy. It is agreeable that it is healthy to escape the real world into one's own fantasy world sometimes. However, living in that fantasy world for 30 hours a week is absurd. That is almost as much time as the average adult spends working a week. Thus, if an adult spends 40+ hours a week working and 30 hours a week in an online game, he or she has little time for rest, a social life, and most importantly his/her family. When an individual allow a game to deprive them of sleep, he/she is dwindling his or her mental and physical capacity.
Haas makes a good point when she states that computers' transformation of communication means a transformation, or a revolutionizing, of culture. Technology has, indeed, revolutionized culture, especially when it comes to writing. Phones allow people to text message one another rather than speaking verbally. Text messaging can be used as a way to enhance one's writing skills. However, since texting is more popular in the younger generation rather than the old, writing and speaking have been revolutionized into a bevy of abbreviations, acronyms, and code words. It is safe to agree with Haas's philosophy that writing is technology. Technology can be defined as tools used by humans that aid them in ameliorating life. Hence, even ancient civilizations created or used tools to communicate and write, whether carving sculptures, drawing or writing in the sand with a stick or using rocks to make symbols.
Raschke is correct about technology enhancing knowledge. However, technology plays a huge role in reducing some of the American society's decline of knowledge. Technology presents so much entertainment that all kids want to do is watch television or play games rather than read a book or do homework. As demonstrated in Halls piece, even a married adult can't help but fall for the entertainments and amusements offered by technology.
Our use of computers in ENC 1101 has enhanced my learning rather than hindering. With the ability to view images and videos on the spot, the class is not left to wander what the professor intends when she speaks of a particular piece. Additionally, when critically analyzing an image, every student is able to pull the image from his or her own computer, which prevents commotions and setbacks. With the use of computers, I can research any concept in which I am skeptical immediately rather than going through a series of books or word of mouth. The use of technology will continue to enhance knowledge, as long as individuals have enough poise to use it for learning rather than games and amusement all the time.

english b

Who am I? What am I? I look in the mirror yet my reflection conceals itself from me. When someone asks me to tell them something interesting or unique about myself, I become a deer caught in the headlights. Last week, I spotted an attractive young lady on the other side of the dance at Club Static. I smoothly made my way towards her, with my eyes on her the whole time. When she noticed me walking towards her, we exchanged a faint smile. I walked up to her and asked for her name. She responded Lisa. She later began to tell about herself, her likes, dislikes, favorites and a bevy of information about herself. When she finished she asked me something the one thing that I dreaded, "tell me a little about herself?" I was dumbfounded. My confidence dropped severely and I began stuttering. All I could tell her was my name, again, and basic information that you can find on my birth certificate. My sudden lack of confidence became very evident and I could sense her being turned off. She stared deeply into my eyes and said, "You seem to not know who you are and where you come from. I cannot be with a lost soul. When Patrick Taylor is ready to come out and spill his insides out to me, then we can talk."
I was, and still am bothered about that situation to this day. Here I stand in my bathroom, staring at the mirror for the past hour and a half, not realizing that I have an appointment in less than thirty minutes. I threw on a Polo shirt and grabbed a strawberry and chocolate bar on my way out. As I make my way towards the elevator, I see Lisa to my surprise. I feel pessimistic as I work my way towards her. Suddenly, I begin to think of the empty mirror that I stood before prior to me stepping out of the door. I filled with a determination not to impress Lisa, but to let her know that I will find my reflection and when I do, I'll never lose it again. I move towards her with my chest out and head high. I began, "Hey my name is Patrick Taylor and I'm a newspaper editor. I enjoy listening to slow music and having intimate conversations with the lights dimmed. I have no favorite food because I pretty much eat anything. I look to be quite an interesting individual so I would like to spend more time with you, learning more as time goes by." I look into her eyes and I notice my reflection in them. She has become a part of me. Some stranger from the club who I decided to speak to played a role in me finding who I am. She snapped out of her surprise and gave me a smile sweeter than the strawberry chocolate candy bar that I held in my hands and said "It's nice to finally meet you Patrick Taylor, I'm Brittany Essence. I too am interested in getting to know. How about we meet up tonight at seven thirty at The Café. We can call it a date minus the slow music and dimmed lights plus the intimate conversations." She smiled at me and I smiled at her all the way to the main floor and out the door while conversing about our love for strawberries and chocolate. On my way to work, I realized that I too am a part of her as she is a part of me. I reached the doors to my job and thought… this is the beginning of a great day… Then again, this is the beginning of my life.


The images posted reveal that Patrick is an invisible man that eventually found himself when he is able to reveal who he is to Britanny and realize that they are one of a kind. Although he had the confidence to go up and speak to Lisa/Britanny, he was not able to tell Britanny much about himself, therefore, making him a very hollow man. He did, indeed, have an identity. However, he does not know how to call forth this idenity and express himself or as Lisa stated, "spill his insides out." In similarity to Hughes poem, Hughes also seemed lost as to how to express himself. However, as he outlines his day and speaks on his likes and dislikes, he comes to the conclusion that everyone, no matter what race he/she belongs to, are alike.

Journal 6

On the index page of my portfolio, I try to present pictures of individuals who I admire and pictures that attract me in a way that tells my audience about me. I used basic, rather than fancy, text in order for my viewers to be able to navigate easily through my portfolio. On each page, there is a different paper. I add pictures that correspond with my each essay to give my viewers an idea on what subject my paper will be touching on. However, I don’t believe I have done a very great job at organizing my text in a way that my viewers will easily understand what is going on. Additionally, my navigation keys are not well presented. I need to make the font bigger and put the letters in bold or underline them. Moreover, I have not done a very good job at using headings which is another reason why my e portfolio will confuse my audience.
In the beginning, I was wondering why we couldn’t just create a standard portfolio including a binder full of the essays that we have written. However, I realized that an e-portfolio is more efficient. It is easier to access and navigate. When going for a job interview, having an e-portfolio will probably be an advantage. It saves the employer time by not having to flip through an abundant amount of papers. In addition, it shows that you have some skills in web designing which can open additional opportunities for you the facility you are looking to work. Many people are now going green, meaning that they are trying to preserve trees by using less paper. Showing up with an e-portfolio reveals that you are reluctant to use paper as well, giving you and the employer something in common, which is also an advantage.