I commented on Kelevra's post on burglary and two twins who got away with a big crime.

Fondren, a pleasant surprise

 With deadlines for five finals and a final paper vastly approaching Fondren Library has become my second home.  First semester I would never really leave my room when I wanted to study, but this semester I'm required to have a certain amount of hours logged in for my sorority that I have become a frequent visitor.  And while I try my hardest not to get distracted it is so hard with all of the people around.  It's so easy to watch, and occasionally eaves drop on conversations that go on around me.  When I was growing up I always pictured the library as a silent sanctuary where people went to do work.  But, Fondren is more of a social place than anything else.  It has been my experience that people find a floor or place in the library where they feel comfortable, and thats where they go every time they come back.  I have made numerous friends this semester with people who feel my pain during the nights that turn into mornings.  It's a nice place to go not only to get out of my room, but to get a true sense of community.  Which is kind of ironic because when most people picture the library they picture endless shelves of books.  But for me, the library is place of reassurance.  It is nice to know that I'm not the only one staying in on a Thursday night while the rest of my friends are out having a good time.  I'm sort of bummed that I didn't use Fondren more during my first year.  But, now that I know what really goes on it has been and will continue to be one of my common stomping grounds.

Argument for Final

College students of our generation have forgotten to apply the things they learn in school to their real lives.  We are so caught up in our social networks and popularity contests that we have forgotten the big picture.  Everyone wants to be accepted so no one has tried to make intellectual conversations the "cool" thing to do.  But, eventually our generation is going to have to learn how to break out of our intellectual ghetto and fight back against the "Millenial" stereotype.  That way we can put an end to the alienation that comes from past generations, and finally appreciate reading and learning for all that it has to offer.

I commented on Leah Mitchell's blog about Rhianna's CoverGirl contract and recent altercation with her boyfriend, Chris Brown.  Leah has an interesting take on the argument that I completely agree with.

I commented on Chris' blog Open Your Eyes Uncle Sam! His post was about the terrible drug wars that are taking place in Mexico, and included a very graphic picture to go along with his article.

I commented on Paris Hilton's blog about titled On or off campus? Which is better?  This blog was interesting and definitely relatable as I'm currently struggling with this question, and the solution.

Leave the "Millennials" Alone

While reading chapter three of “The Dumbest Generation” by Mark Bauerlein titled “Screen Time” I couldn’t help but wonder what the big deal was?   The chapter was just was equally jammed with facts and figures from studies that I tried to interpret and understand.  While the facts he included about media access in the homes of 8-18 year olds weren’t surprising (99% of people had televisions in their home and 68% had it in their bedroom) I couldn’t help but get upset at his determination to put down my generation.         His opening few paragraphs about the Apple store and how it gets busy on Saturday afternoons was something that I had experienced first hand.  It doesn’t seem to me to be a big deal?  Children need something to do on the weekends and I think that their desire to learn about and possibly buy the next best thing in technology is a good thing rather than a bad one.  He refers to these people as “The Millennials”(Bauerline 73).   He says that this group is responsible for “not merely [being] passive consumers [but] ‘content creators’ making their own Web pages or posting their artwork, photos, stories, or videos online” (Bauerline 73).  He sees a problem with the sensationalism and technological fixation that the “Millennials” have but I personally think it is because of these children sharing ideas that we have come so far in so little time in the world of technology.  Going back to the way he opened the book, with Alexandra Robbins’ trip to the local high school and their stories of not being able to enjoy school because the drive to be perfect was so overbearing, I think that the best becomes even better when your successes are easy to share.  Especially when sharing can happen so easily, through the Internet makes people want to learn more about the Internet and perfect their blogs, photos, or other things they put online.           I think that Bauerline is denying the “Millennials” the credit they deserve.  I think that times have changed from when he was growing up.  Back then technology was developing and television wasn’t as predominant but today it is.  I started thinking about whether or not Bauerline has a TV in his room, or if he ever frequents the Apple store just for pure entertainment and I think that he definitely does.  I think that he needs to stop looking at all of the hours spent in front of the TV or computer as a bad thing and accept that these hours are spent to help the developmental process that occurs.  Without people’s desire to learn about the Internet or Video Games we wouldn’t be where we are now.  I like where we are now, I like having pretty much everything I need to stay in touch with family and friends or research important topics within an arms length.  I think that as long as people continue to go to school and learn something they shouldn’t be condoned.  Times have changed, reading and writing and arithmetic are still important, but now some people learn it from a television show or computer game.  Either way, knowledge is obtained and our world, I think is VERY well off.