TOW #3

The Art of Failure is an essay written by Malcolm Gladwell. Gladwell is a well known journalist and non-fiction author, who has worked as a staff writer for the New Yorker since 1996. Throughout the essay, Gladwell furthers his credibility through the mentioning of famous psychologists as well as including information from their studies. The Art of Failure is an essay written about how when people are under stress, they tend to either panic or choke. Through a series of examples and studies, he is able to show that these types of 'failures' are enduced by stress, an occur because that is how the brain reacts to stress. His main purpose is to show that different types of failures happen to everyone, and that they are not necessarily a failure, but a result of their brain's reaction. Gladwell demonstrates this throught the use of famous events in history including famous figures. Along with this, he includes intense imagry and suspense in order to recreate the feelings of stress during each situation. One of the main examples he uses is the 1993 Wimbledon finals. Jana Novotna was winning the match 4-1 and was on her winning point when she choked. For the rest of the game, she could not get a point and her opponent Steffi Graf deafeted her. In order to transfer this sort of pressure to the audience Gladwell writes, "On the sidelines, Novotna wiped her raquet and her face with a towel, and then each finger individually. It was her turn to serve. She missed a routine volley wide, shook her head, talked to herself" (Gladwell para. 1).  By including the example from Wimbledon, with Jana Novotna, Gladwell was able to express to his audience that even pro tennis players can mess up. He explained how the type of failure Novotna was experiencing was a choke, because she resorted back to her primary tennis skills, as if she was a beginner rather than a professional. Along with this, the imagry demonstrated to the audience the extreme pressure Novotna was under. This way, Gladwell's audience was able to understand why she choked without Gladwell having to say, "she was under a lot of pressure." Overall, Gladwell's essay was extremely informative as well as effective. His essay had the ability to appeal to anyone who was able to understand the vocabulary. He was able to explain to the world that failure is inevitable, and it's not always our fault.

Jana Novotna Wimbledon 1993

TOW #2

This political cartoon came from the opionion section of the popular satire website, The Onion. It was published on July 6th, 2015 and titled Stars and Snipes. The main idea of this cartoon is that many Americans have fake nationalim, especially around the time of the 4th of July. Many Americans hang up American flags on the 4th of July to show that they have pride in their country, yet they take it down the day after. The contrasting family, across the street is upset by this. They believe in truly resepcting America, and their flag stays up year round. Three famous Americans, Betsy Ross, George Washington, and Lee Greenwood are seen in the top corner looking down on the situation with tears. It shows that these people worked hard to found our country, and in the 21st centruy the majority of people no longer hold a respect for that. The author dressed the 'fair-weather patriots' and the 'grubby neighbor kids' in dark colors to show they have a negative connotation. The family across the street is wearing light colors, to show that their values are the opposite. Along with this, the license plate of the family taking down the flag reads, "H8 USA," to show by taking down the flag, they aren't demonstrating true respect and loyalty to their country, just because they hung up a flag the day before. This appeals to a audience of any age old enough to understand what his happening, that believes people need to have more respect and nationalism for America. By including the license plate, the famous public figures, the colors of the families shirts, and the contrasting family across the street, the author is able to achieve her purpose. The author is showing her audience that many people pretend to have nationalism for their country by putting up a flag for one day, however true patriots leave their flag up all year around. 

IRB 1

I chose to read the book Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. The book was the #1 New York Times Best Seller, and it has been reccomended to me but many friends. The book is about an American Lieutenant in World War II who survives a crash into the ocean, only to realize he is stranded and alone. I believe I will enjoy this book, because although I don't have a particular interest in wars, I love reading about the personal struggles people experience during the wars.

TOW #1

Mars One: 'It's important what you do before you die'

In February, an article was released by CNN stating the seemingly unrealistic mission of Mars One. CNN, standing for Cable News Network, is one of the most trusted news networks in America. Founded in 1980, they have released a countless number of articles, with educated journalists, such as Sarah Curddas, the one who wrote this article. Mars One is a non-profit with no plan other than to colonize Mars. The mission called for every-day people to volunteer themselves for a one way ticket to Mars. 200,000 applicants applied at the original release of the mission. By February, they were down to 100 final candidates. The finalists will have to go through a series of tests, including an extended period of isolation, before narrowing it down to the four strongest. Starting in 2024, these four citizens will be flied out to mars, and a new set of four sent every two years. The article includes pictures and accounts of two hopeful finalists. Although they admit that what they are doing is terrifying, both finalists agree that they are doing it for the greater good of human kind. They believe they can be the first life on mars, enabling a new world when earth is no longer suitable. Alison Rigby, age 35, shares "I say we are all going to die, but it's important what you do before you die." This article has been released in order to raise awareness of the mission. Mars One needs to gain six billion dollars from various donors in order to be able to complete their mission. Although there are still nine years prior to the initial release date, funding needs to happen as soon as possible.Therefore one of the audiences of this article are wealthy people who may be interested in donating. Along with this, the article is aimed towards people with a special interest in space, or the new development of colonization on other planets. The author's purpose is inform readers on a reality that once seemed impossible, and to get as many people on board with the mars one mission as possible. The author successfully reaches readers through the use of pathos. By including the stories of the two finalists, Alison Rigby and Clare Weedon, readers begin to understand that there are people who truly have hope for this to work. Upon first hearing the mission of Mars One, it just seems ridiculous as well as unethical; sending four people to mars, to never see their families again, and with no possible way of return. However after reading the inspiring stories of Weedon and Rigby, it is easy for one to change their mind. They believe they can truly help the world. Volunteering for this program for them is completely selfless. They believe that this is necessary for the longevity of human life, and that they will be the first to make history. Along with including these stories, the entirety of the article is written with a sense of urgency, creating an environment of necessity for this mission. After reading this article, although it may still seem questionable, it is understandable why people want to give up their life on earth for the colonization of Mars.


Weedon and Rigby's future home