Mean and Yang

In Tara's essay, we see that she mentions the fact that she fell for the "bad boy" figure, which alienated her from her friends and family. I was curious to see if this was a trend... of good girls falling for bad guys and vice versa, and I found an interesting list of movies where this happens. Is it possible that polarized views on responsibilities lead to great interpersonal chemistry? Are such people simply attracted to each other or is their ultimate relationship doomed for failure or success from the start?

A Response to Kevin

I saw Kevin's post as a thematic as well as a structural collage. I mean this in the way that he seemed to convey a very whimsical personality, as collages often portray. Although he may take action on whims, he was in no way erratic, as I noticed him taking on activities of physical or athletic nature. I could tell he was, and very well may still be, a very energetic and active person who does not mind exploring his interests. In a class where our interests are prodded and our identities inspected, I would enjoy reading more of the essays he has written thus far.

All I can hope for is that you be careful and not try anything that would alter you permanently, as is the case of this person.

A response to Sarah

When reading Sarah's essay, I could not help but notice the common underlying theme of social outliers. Although I have not read the book Outliers myself, I believe it treats this topic very well. Although my father told me many improbable stories talking about the ability to be a virtuoso instrumentalist, it was another book (that I did, in fact, read) which treats the effect on society and on the individual when said individual is an outlier and renounces conformity. This book is called The Selfish Gene and it speaks about the benefits of rejecting the social norm. Although according to the book, such advantageous activity is beneficial to the individual, the group as a whole is somehow hurt. In this way, Game theory is briefly mentioned. I urge Sarah and anyone else interested in evolutionary psychology (if ever there was such a term) to read Richard Dawkin's piece.

Buenos Días!!!!!

Lauren's essay made me think of an issue I've been having lately. I have been attempting to go to my 9am optional chemistry lecture for the past month. Maybe one day if I manage it, it will become easier to wake up. For now, I sport dozens of alarms in my cellphone, each with two minutes of difference around 830am. I shut them all off. This behavior is epitomized by this comedian.

Schmutz

In Steven Katz's essay, we see that appearances mark the "first impression" in his interactions. It takes his friends to tell him that he is doing something wrong, as friends should. Some of us have heard our friends say how we have "something in our teeth". Personally, I am grateful for such honesty, but I know of people who would prefer to not be told anything. I wonder why. Are they embarrassed by the truth and prefer blissful ignorance (while posing a humorous distraction)?

Why bother?

In Alex Jolliet's essay, I find the analysis of the reason behind manners interesting. He basically says that he is always a gentleman, and that the purpose of that is that he generally gets better treatment from other people when he is polite. Although this is no major discovery, I found THIS article on finishing schools in Switzerland, which serve a different purpose: "But today’s students would rather deploy their good manners to land a business contract than an eligible husband, according to the school principal Viviane Néri, immaculate in a skirt suit and Alice band."

There are many benefits from being polite, and there must be an anthropological reason as to why manners emerged in the first place. Did they ensure smooth societal interactions only?

Language Barriers

Personally, I've had issues. Issues regarding the blatant (over)use of sarcasm in American language. People think that I am gullible. Some think I'm dim or something. It doesn't help that they realize that I take things literally too often. So in this sense, I sympathize with Alex and his friend Sebastian. American jokes can be difficult to grasp. Sometimes I feel like this guy right here: