Contributions to Final Project W.E.B

For the project, I pretty much designed the whole slideshow. I was also in charge of the counter arguments that needed to be addressed. I also helped to come up with a working claim that everyone in my group had agreed on. I was also in charge of posting a video statistic to the presentation which a group member found and sent me, as well as adding examples of our claim from modern media sources. I also added citation sources and created a broad introduction of what the presentation was going to be about.

Here is an HTML link: Project W.E.B

Reflective Essay

Gibran Sheikh

Professor Macklin

English 115

27 November 2012

Reflective Essay

            A writer is unique as can be; there are many different characteristics that may shape his or her own style of writing. A writer can come from anywhere, whether it be a critic drafting his or her review article for a four-star restaurant, or simply a teenager who finds the necessity to blog about the modern world. There are many cases where one can be deemed a writer, but what makes that writing “good writing”? Sadly, I cannot contribute an answer. As far as I know, good writing is influenced by opinions that label it to be “good writing”. For me, I feel that good writing is more of a process that is taken by a unique writer. This process allows the writer to gain knowledge of their own writing style and use that knowledge to better themselves in their composition. In my English 115 class my freshmen semester, I observed my writing style and gained knowledge from peers and my professor on how to become a better author of my works. In building my portfolio for this class, I have found ways to better my use of writing mechanics, and while I use this knowledge beyond implications of an English class, I still find ways to improve my composition.

            In retrospect, my writing was more of an unedited flow of thoughts transcribed into plain text onto word documents. It was simply me blatantly typing what I thought; in other words, my writing was more of a “raw” idea which was not fully developed. Throughout the course of the semester there were several sessions which I attended, some in class, and others at home. It was at those sessions in which I was able to really generate ideas for a more useful way of writing. These ideas allowed me to address certain issues in my writing without seeming too “pushy” about the issues I wrote about. To give an example, in my first essay my title was “Perfection Does Not Exist”. This basically shows how my writing was thoughts transcribed, without revision. Throughout the course I was later helpful to my peers and professor, for their feedback in workshops was beneficial to my writing. I was able to revise in a more careful manner, allowing myself to spot out and identify anything that I felt was unnecessary or redundant. Later in the course I was able to get more advice that was not directed to me. Writer’s workshops went around for everyone in the class, so I was able to get a sense of their writing style and take in feedback from there to incorporate into my own writing. Class workshops in English was always a win-win situation if you showed up, and luckily for me I was there every time, gaining feedback all for the best. Certain strengths and weaknesses in my essay were also improved upon throughout the class meetings. As I began to see, my writing became more and more adapted to an educational style, still implemented with opinions and use of tone.

            Down to the bone of the meat, as my friend once said, writing all comes down to an idea and the way the author presents that idea; through a flow of points and ideas that may be used for future use. Throughout writing papers for the three progressions, a criterion that needed to be met with, I also found the ideas for my writing to be useful outside of the subject of English. As it was, the assignments in one class, English, helped in other classes: psychology, and biology are just a couple. My style of writing, as I have learned this semester, will continue to adapt to more comfortable settings for appropriate audiences, and I will always find ways to learn from my mistakes, as will others.

Works Cited

Sheikh, Gibran S. "Perfection Does Not Exist" Diss. California State University Northridge, September 2012.

Progression 3: Essay 3 - Final

Gibran Sheikh

Professor Macklin

English 115

14 November 2012

Technological Advancement and Human Dalliance

As human beings, one could only have so much with technology. We love to explore the vast field of technological discovery; whether it is receiving news via e-mails, webcam chatting with old friends, or venturing into the world of a video game. There comes a time, or many times, when we as human beings become so susceptible to the silver platter which holds all wonders of technology. Some individuals may ponder and stir questions about the effects that are caused by the endless creations of technology. Some may argue that technology, such as laptops or smartphones, subliminally harm an individual’s process of learning, especially in the school setting. However, as society progresses, the use of smartphones and laptops in school settings hold student success in the long-run; it just seems that in the short-run there is a little bit of laziness produced in part of the students. Laziness seems to be the only real, negative aspect created by technological advancement and introduced to the younger generation, but it is shadowed by the abundance of positive results that this advancement has created. The use of modern technology, such as smartphones or laptops, allows students in the technologic generation to succeed in the school setting, even if they experience a little laziness in their success.

            We can see on the observable level why smartphones and laptops may be beneficial to students in a classroom. They provide internet access, allow them to write their research papers, and even provide access to applications they may find useful for their class. Now, this particular subject has brought upon a lot of debate, since many feel that the use of these devices becomes detrimental to the student in terms of their academic success. However, a crucial fact that is left out is that our society depends on the use of these devices, especially in the school setting. David Nagel, a reporter for thejournal.com, states that “half of all public schools in the United States are providing handheld devices to administrators, teachers, or students” (Nagel). This report shows that a percentage of roughly half of all public schools in America rely on their instructors and students to create a more simple way of operating within or away from the classroom. It seems that through statistics, the use of smartphones, laptops, and other devices in schools is a key part to a student’s success. It is evident through this report that without the use of technological devices in the classroom many students would be unable to function properly within the classroom. Also contributing to the beneficial use of technological devices in the classroom is Alaina Martini, an avid columnist. In her article she explains how “laptops [are] still important” and how “smartphones can be equally as beneficial,” (Martini), while talking about the advantages that these devices have to offer to college students. She later states that “with the shift in media to Internet, taking a smartphone to college gives the student a definite advantage,” (Martini), overall adding to that claim of smartphones being advantageous to student success. As we see student success granted by the use of these smartphones and laptops, we may also observe the slight effect of overall laziness, but this laziness still is not so strong as to keep these students from achievement.

            As human beings we sometimes find ourselves lost in our thoughts, and sometimes distracted from our current tasks at hand. In a school setting, the same will go for a student. They are only able to concentrate as much as they allow themselves to, and these technological devices serve as little aberrations; however, they are still not so powerful as to overcome the student. More or less these devices serve as a pass time for students, but it does not take from them what is important. Greg Satell, a unique individual who has worked in large scale media businesses, has written an article where he identifies the overall benefits of technologies, some which are indeed applicable to the school setting. Yet, he also states that “what technology does is let us choose the areas in which we want to be smart and in which we would rather be ignorant” (Satell), giving hint to where technology may provoke laziness. He also explains how we as humans tend to excel in pattern recognition, meaning that we as individuals tend to be more lenient to certain tasks we find easy to do. He states that we tend to lean more on the patterns that “we choose to specialize in” (Satell), also claiming that other tasks may seem unimportant to us. What he says on the basic level is that as humans, we choose whether or not to pay attention to certain areas, or subjects. This in the classroom setting may indicate why students become distracted, with their devices; the material they are learning just isn’t interesting to them. So, technically these students choose not to succeed in certain areas; however, they choose to succeed in other areas, and technological devices serve as a gateway away from the uninteresting subjects to the more interesting ones. Laziness seems to be the end-product created by the students’ diversion from the areas that they feel are unnecessary to their success.

            Now, as there are claims from one side of an argument there will always be opposing claims. With technology being so crucial to student success, some individuals may find that technology may actually harm a student in his or her success. A particular individual that has brought upon these aspects is Susan Greenfield, a well-known neuroscientist. In her article “Modern Technology Is Changing the Way Our Brains Work”, she claims that because of technology, teenagers and the younger generation are experiencing “attention spans [being] shorter and communication skills [being] reduced (Greenfield). What Greenfield tends to leave out is what was just discussed; from Satell we see that students only seem to direct attention to what interests them, focusing more on subject they find easy, and in the report from Nagel communication is actually greater than it was before. We can see that in this claim, although powerful and thought-provoking, there is a lack of overall support. Another individual who claims technology being detrimental is Nicholas Carr, a well-known writer through magazines. In his magazine article, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” he claims that it is “in [Google’s] economic interest to drive us to distraction”, meaning he feels that Google and other large companies provoke us as humans to be distracted. However, as discussed before from Satell, our distraction is actually caused by us to leave out what we feel is unimportant. It is observable that this opposing claim created by Carr lacks rationality. Students tend to succeed in areas they find interesting and are not so boring that they may become distracted and access to these areas is granted by their smartphones and laptops. Technically speaking, distraction comes from human choice, not these big companies. Although these claims may prove to be interesting thoughts, there is a definite lack of reason.

            As we have observed, technological devices such as smartphones and laptops allow students to find success in what they please, possibly distracting them from their tasks at hand and creating a sense of laziness. This laziness is overcome by the positive aspects granted by technology and therefore is not an issue on the students’ part. As we see how certain people may claim that these devices serve as detrimental aspects to the human individual, we also see how these opposing claims lack rationality. Overall these aspects of technology that are negative are ultimately overcome by more positive aspects. Therefore, when seeing how claims are made, we find it reasonable to identify with the more acceptable one.

Works Cited

Carr, Nicholas. “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” TheAtlantic.com. Edgecast Networks, July-Aug. 2008. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/306868/>.

Greenfield, Susan. “Modern Technology Is Changing the Way Our Brains Work”. N.p.: n.p., n.d. PDF.

Satell, Greg. “How Technology Makes Us Smarter.” DigitalTonto.com. N.p., 5 June 2011. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://www.digitaltonto.com/2011/why-technology-makes-us-smarter/>.

Nagel, David. “Mobile and Classroom Technologies Surge in Schools.” TheJournal.com. Ed-Tech Group, 5 May 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/05/05/report-mobile-and-classroom-technologies-surge-in-schools.aspx>.

Martini, Alaina. “Smartphones a Must for College Students?” Fastweb.com. Truste Corporation, 19 Jan. 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/3431-smartphones-a-must-for-college-students>.

Progression 3: Essay 3

Gibran Sheikh

Professor Macklin

English 115

8 November 2012

Technology Just Makes Us Lazy

Intro:

·        As human beings, one could only have so much to do on a computer. Whether it be sending an e-mail, webcam chatting with friends, or playing a video game. There comes a time, or many times, when we as individuals become so susceptible to the silver platter which holds all wonders of technology. Some individuals may ponder and stir questions about the effects that are caused by the endless creations of technology. Some may argue that technology weakens the human mind, hurting the process of learning, but I am here to state that technology does not harm the human brain’s process of learning; it just makes us as individuals a little lazy.

Body Paragraphs:

·        The brain and its process of learning, and how some may seem to think that technology alters the process.

·        Talk about what really ends up making us lazy, what aspects of technology really lead us as individuals to feel a little bit like procrastinators, or a lot like them.

·        Talk about the common uses for technology and why some may be for leisure while others are not. The ones that are for leisure will most likely end up being the ones causing our laziness because of procrastination.

·        Talk about how individuals may feel that my statement is nonsense; explain my main points to back up my stance which in turn will overpower the opposing claims.

·        Why some may find my statement a little uneasy to digest, and why I stand on my point of technology not altering the learning process.

·        Relate all body paragraphs to my main statement and thus close all to a concluding sentence which will transition well into the next

Conclusion:

·        Technology is just something created by man that is supposed to make life easier, but it makes some humans a bit lazier. We are only human when we find ourselves lost in the depths of technology, but that doesn’t mean that we are becoming less and less intelligent as we do so. We may sway from tasks at hand, but that doesn’t necessarily mean our learning pattern suffers because we do so. Technology is only a universal tool, but some who use it may become unfazed of their tasks at hand, making them a little lazy, but all the more human.

Revised Essay of Progression 2 - Due 11/2

Gibran Sheikh

Professor Macklin

English 115

2 November 2012

Modern Chivalry: A Decline to the Gentleman’s Code

            Modern chivalry, the code of male ethics, is one of the abstract concepts in life that some males abide to; and for those clueless as to what modern chivalry is, it is a simple male gesture of courteousness. Modern day society claims it no longer has use for a man’s chivalry and that the concept has ultimately diminished, but in reality, chivalry is an idea that is still presented through modern day media and communication. That is, chivalry may not be as dead as society claims it to be. Presently the concept of chivalry has noticeably disappeared in society because it has been claimed to be “dead”; however, there are many images, modern world factors, and media in general that bring chivalry back from the dead, because they all appeal to it in ways uncertain to others.

            In a blog post by a blogger known as “Precious Pat”, there is an image that displays the decline in chivalry (the creator is unknown and will simply be referred to as “the creator”). It depicts a couple, the man in the couple has his gaze fixed on another woman passing by, while the woman in the couple has a thought bubble; in it she thinks about a princely gentleman with a rose for her at her window. Whether the couple is married, or has children is questionable, but either way the image brings up the concept of chivalry. Messages that the creator of the image wanted to depict are possibly that men aren’t how they used to be and the knights in shining armor simply aren’t there anymore, both relating to chivalry. The creator of the image has certain appeals to the terms that oppose chivalry, and also towards how chivalry is applied into different settings, broadening the concept, and making it more common.

Taking a look at history, in the Encyclopedia Britannica, it is stated that chivalry was the class that deemed a young man a knight. From there the term chivalry changed its definition to what most people in society understand it as today: courtesy (Encyclopedia Britannica). Going back to the image described, it is a princely gentleman whom the woman in the couple dreams of. In this case the male in the couple lacks chivalry, as he is not a gentleman in the eyes of his girlfriend. Modern chivalry, courteousness, seems to be a crucial element in the image, as it is a factor amongst others which radiates from it, and in the case the chivalric decline, it really contradicts it. This image seems to claim that chivalry that sparks a meaningful relationship. In the image’s relation to society, if chivalry had been forsaken, in turn true gentlemen would also be forsaken. As a result the image not only appeals to chivalry as a historical viewpoint that is compatible with modern society, but it also reintroduces chivalry as a lacking, but positive factor, in an unhappy relationship.

The creator of the image also seems to relate to how the image may depict a man that is defined by having something other than chivalry. A term that has since been manipulated by the internet and the mass media that may be what the creator depicts is the term “swag”. In the 2012 modern day society, it is evident through media that men may choose to live with the so-called swag. Men with nothing but swag, as internet slang defines it, are men who display disrespect, inconsideration of others, and absolute discourtesy. Of course there were original definitions of the term swag; however, modern day media and communication have drastically changed the diction meaning of the word, also giving it a negative connotation. In the image, the man seems to display swag, and therefore his girlfriend or wife appears sad, unhappy, and wishing she had someone else to be with. It is in this image that people can see the appeals towards the comeback of chivalry in the modern world.

The creator of the image also relates it to how chivalry plays a strong part in keeping a marriage, the union of two select individuals. Chivalry can appear as a positive additive in a marriage because not only does a man show respect to his wife, but the two learn to communicate better and learn to care for each other. In some cases there is, amongst other things, an absence in chivalry in some marriages. In this case there is a divorce, a split between the union of two individuals. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) states a divorce rate that is half as high as the marriage rate in the United States. With that statistic, it appears difficult for men and women both to find someone to their liking. Referring back to the image described, the man and woman may be on road to divorce, which in turn presents chivalry as something that would halt that divorce. Marriage and divorce could definitely be a side-factor to chivalry, which brings chivalry up to a new level of audience, like married couples.

In the image, there also seems to be a lack of dependence on the male, something the creator may have touched upon as well. Dependence on men is also a factor of chivalry, which seems to be another part that the image touches upon. Dependence on men can mean anything from being a father or working to support a family. For example, the United States Census Bureau claims that there is an increase in the number of stay-at-home fathers, nearly double that of what it used to be in the past decade. That being said, it is apparent that some men today aren’t the ones in the workplace; however, men are the ones taking care of the children, another important job. It used to be that the men bring home the bacon, the women cook the bacon, and the children eat the bacon; but this idea doesn’t seem to pertain to some families in the modern day society. It seems that in a modern society, dependence on man has changed and therefore possibly chivalry has changed as well. In other words, the man may lack chivalry because he may be unsupportive to his family and wife no matter what job he has. These small aspects of the image are what direct chivalry to the modern world, correlating it with modern day society.

            Another factor of chivalry that is brought up by the image is how the man seems to also lack courteousness; something important to chivalry used in many different places, on many occasions. Taking courteousness to the dining room, it was formerly proper that when men and women dined, women would be served first, and men last, giving the idea that the man was ultimately responsible for the bill. Presently, however, we see that while some restaurants may still follow this basis of servitude, others may choose to serve men and women in matters they choose, and in the end anyone may be responsible for the bill, or they may “go Dutch”. Here is see a reason as to how society may see a downfall in chivalry; however, society must acknowledge the fact that certain situations may not call for chivalry. This doesn’t necessarily mean chivalry has died out; it just simply wasn’t a factor involved. Either way, chivalry is still being a concept discussed therefore it truly has not died out.

            Modern chivalry is a concept that seems to be falling away from modern day society. It is an abstract concept derived by “gentlemen” to serve as a basis for the male code of life. Not all men go by it, but those who do are those who warm the hearts of others; however, it is notable that modern day society has seen a decline and overall “death” in chivalry. It is up to modern day society to look more deeply into certain pieces of media to really realize that chivalry is not such a “dying” concept after all. Society should not be so certain to claim that the abstract concept of chivalry has become obsolete; it has just begun to impact the world.

Works Cited

"2010 Census." 2010Census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau, n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. <http://2010.census.gov/2010census/>.

"Chivalry." Britannica.com. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/113409/chivalry>.

"Marriage and Divorce." Www.cdc.gov. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 Mar. 2012. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/divorce.htm>.

"Modern Chivalry." ChivalryNow.net. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. <http://www.chivalrynow.net/articles/chivalry.htm>.

Williams, Alex. "Just Wait Until Your Mother Gets Home." Nytimes.com. The New York Times, 12 Aug. 2012. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/fashion/dads-are-taking-over-as-full-time-parents.html?pagewanted=all>.Works Cited

Pat, Precious. "The Diary of a Divine Diva: Is Chivalry DEAD? And If So, Whose FAULT Is It?" The Diary of a Divine Diva. Blogger, n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2012. <http://www.thediaryofadivinediva.com/2010/11/is-chivalry-dead-and-if-so-whose-fault.html>.