Just like humans different animals can feel a vast varieties of emotions. Whether it's sadness over another animal's death or joy and comfort over finding a meal, animals are just as capable of feeling just as much as we are. This is the reason why dogs can be so loyal so some humans and territorial towards others. The reason certain animals tend to be more loyal is they can express different emotions.

Much like humans animals are capable of attaching emotions to objects and other animals. A study done by RSPCA has recently looked into how animals are capable of forming friendships with each other. For their study they used fish and were able to find that they form bonds with each other. “The researchers discovered that being in a group gives zebrafish a kind of “social buffering” so they are less afraid when confronted by danger”. The “social buffering” the study is talking about is something that humans also do. The effect these fish feel is often what we call strength in numbers.

Our understanding of how animals think and feel was once very crude and reasonably so as we were trying to understand how ourselves work. Over the past 200 years the understanding of the human mind has changed immensely. Over the past 70 years the understanding of animals minds have grown massively yet we continue to treat animals the same way instead of changing. “although captivity is known to cause profound emotional trauma to large mammals such as orcas and elephants, entertainment venues continue to keep these animals on display”. This quote shows us how the understanding of the animal's mind has changed but not the treatment. We are aware that captivity can cause “profound emotional trauma”  yet we continue to keep them there knowing that if something like this was done to a human it would be unethical.

While our understanding of neither the human or animal brain will never be complete and can still continuously learn from them. If we can change the way we treat other humans because of our advancements in knowledge then why can't we change our treatment of animals knowing that they have emotions of their own.

Over the course of english 3 I have written my 2 fer’s on a number of different topics and have had a varying level of success with these different topics. I have tried different methods for writing these 2 fer’s and have always taken my piers advice on editing. The reason I think this would be my best 2 fer is because I took into account all of my peers suggestions and wrote about a topic that I am extremely invested in.

Citations:

Langer, Emily. "Jaak Panksepp, 'rat tickler' who revealed emotional lives of animals, dies at 73." The Washington Post. WP Company, 21 Apr. 2017. Web. 01 May 2017.

Ian Johnston Science Correspondent. "Fish are sentient animals who form friendships and experience 'positive emotions', landmark study suggests." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 31 Mar. 2017. Web. 01 May 2017.

In The taming of the Shrew,  The characters Bianca and Lucentio are the ones who I will mostly be focusing on for my movie Love and Basketball. Lucentio is trying to pursue his love interest who is Bianca, the daughter of Baptista, who is also the father to her older sister Kate who is known to be the “Shrew” in the story. Petruchio is the one who wants to marry Kate, If they marry Bianca is able to marry who ever she wants because she has a lot of suitors. Kate becomes violent with Bianca mainly because she thinks Bianca is stealing away all her potential spouses.

The movie Love and Basketball  stars two people who are in love with each other since they were 11 years old. The movie follows them all through high school, college and the years after that. The two characters Monica and Quincy met each other when Monica moved next door to Quincy and his family. They quickly become friends when Monica joins him and friend for a game of Basketball. They are quick to judge her because she’s a girl who know how to play basketball. Even through high school they both still are very passionate about the sport and they attend each other games. Quincy is well liked ,  but girls see him as a target because he is one of the best players on the team and his father has had successful career with the NBA. If Taming of the Shrew was a movie then there’s a strong possibility that Quincy would be considered Bianca because he is wanted by so many girls including Monica even if she doesn’t want to admit it.

"Quote from Play"

“Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself, To make a bondmaid and a slave of me. That I disdain. But for these other goods-- Unbind my hands”

Act 2/ Sc. 1/1-3, Bianca to Kate.

In this part of the Shrew, Kate has tied up her sister's hands and goes on go tell her that she is basically to blame, Kate thinks that Bianca has stolen all of the suitors and is almost saying that she is the reason that nobody want’s her. Bianca then replies to Kate saying that she shouldn’t blame her and tie her up just because of how she feels. Really it isn’t Bianca's fault that the men in the play thinks that Kate isn’t the wife material. It’s not because she isn’t attractive, it’s mainly because she isn’t kind to anyone around her. But there is one guy that is willing to marry Kate and is trying to change her into the women she can be.

IMAGE GOES HERE

In this scene Monica is at Quincy’s game and one of girls or suitors hands her a note to give to Quincy. Now, the reason why she didn’t want to give it to him herself is because she didn’t want him to think that she’s “fast”.  The note reads something like her thinking that he’s cute and she wanted him to take her to the dance and she was going to leave him “satisfied” after the dance. In the play, Lucentio is with Bianca, not knowing that Lucentio is dressed up as a schoolmaster trying to woo her. Lucentio would be the girl who is trying to make the advances on quincy through Monica.

"Quote from Play"

”That being a stranger in this city here Do make myself a suitor to your daughter, unto Bianca, fair and virtuous. Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me, In preferment of the eldest sister.”

Act 2. Sc. 1 Line 95. This is coming from Tranio as Lucentio

In this scene, as Tranio pretending to be Lucentio has made himself a suitor for Bianca. Although Tranio is the one who is trying to make the advance on Bianca and he is telling her father Baptista that he wants Bianca for his wife. He also mentions that he knows that he is new and Baptista begins to ask him questions about himself.  

IMAGE GOES HERE

In this part of the movie, Monica has just gotten back from the dance and she and Quincy are sitting outside where their house connect. This is the part where she has made a move on Quincy and he now know that she is definitely into him because when he goes in for a hug, she bends over and kisses him. Then they continue to kiss and then a little after they go into Monica room and have sex. This scene is related to the book because she has now made herself available to him, and now he knows that she is one of the suitors and that’s what Lucentio has been doing with Bianca. In the movie Monica is the one that has the greater chance of being with Quincy because they grew up with each other and it seems as through in the book that Lucentio is the one with the greater chance because he is making more moves than the others to win her.

Society views on relationships and things leading up to them is complicated because we tend to make them complicated and in the play and in the movie this is a more simpler case because in both of them made it seem like this was all about which suitor or girl was the right one for each other. I don’t think that either of these stories show how society’s attitude is towards relationships but they do show that there is so many possible ways for some to try to make themselves “available” to each other. It may also show how much a person is willing to work to get to one another.

Kara Lazorko

Ms. Pahomov

English 3

May 1st, 2017

Love at First Blink

Beauty products are purchased by both women and men. From products such as makeup or skincare products, companies produce what their consumers are interested in. The category of makeup has become a career for a lot of youtubers and makeup artist. Kylie Jenner is known for her promoting of mink eyelashes and her lip kits all over Snapchat. Over the past couple of years eyelashes have become more and more popular in the makeup world. Eyelash companies have expanded growth of business, due to the increased popularity of extensions and glue ons used by celebrities and beauty gurus.

Firstly, eyelashes were not a very popular tool when it came to beauty. In 1911, Anna Taylor invented eyelash extensions. It wasn't until an actress named Seena Owen had to have her eyelashes a certain way, and the looked could not be achieved for her film without eyelash extensions. Since makeup has become such a big thing for so many people, faux eyelashes have blown up. According to Business Insider, “They don't come cheap however. a full set of eyelash extensions at Akai’s salon starts at $250 if done by an advanced specialist. The base price for a master specialist who applies the same set is $450 (Brianna Arps).” Consumers pockets are emptied for the trend of longer and fuller looking lashes. With all the potential side effects of lash installations, it lowers the amount of consumers due to the fact that the job has to be the best quality possible.

Consequently, spending hundreds on lash extensions every month has it's downsides to it. The eyes are a very sensitive part of the face, and having products constantly on them irritates them. The cheaper the lashes that are being applied, the worse the symptoms can be. If the lashes are being installed by an artist who is inexperienced, the eyes can be highly irritated.Bustle.com claims “Just like you wouldn't let an inexperienced waxed near your bikini line, you shouldn't let an inexperienced lash-pro near your eyeballs (Zoe Weiner).” Otherwise, it is just money wasted on a job that was not achieved. The more amount of money spent, the better the quality for the application. “ Cheap services tend to use cheap products, which can serious damage to the skin around your eyes (Zoe Weiner).”

Furthermore, there are other options besides getting extensions professionally done for $200-$300. Drug stores and make up stores sell the eyelash extensions that you glue on above your eyelid. There are tons of brands offered and application glue that fits to the consumer’s preferences. The difference between the ones already packaged and ready for application and the ones that are professionally put on is that the ones that are professionally done do not have to be reapplied after one wear. Unlike the ones sold, they can remain applied up until it's time for them to be replaced. Only one is cheaper and has to be redone after each wear, and the expensive way to go last longer.

Overall, lashes have become a huge thing for beauty gurus and celebrities with large social platforms. There are multiple ways to have them installed. While on the other note, there are many cautions that can be taken when deciding on who to get them done by and how they are done. Consumers such as makeup artist have a giant influence on the sales for the different brands and stylist for lashes. For something that started for a feature for a film had turned into everyday wear and trend.

Works Cited

Parker, Farrah Penn, Nina Mohan, Macey J Foronda, Lara. "We Got Eyelash Lifts And Our Lashes Looked Insane." BuzzFeed. N.p., 4 Dec. 2016. Web. 01 May 2017. <https://www.buzzfeed.com/laraparker/we-got-eyelash-lifts-and-the-result-was-kind-of-crazy-tbh?utm_term=.bwAAe9zAw#.fjvYjWAYV>.

Arps, Brianna. "Everything You Need to Know before Getting Lash Extensions." Business Insider. Business Insider, 20 Apr. 2017. Web. 01 May 2017. <http://www.businessinsider.com/what-to-know-about-eyelash-extensions-2017-4>.

Weiner, Zoe. "Are Expensive Eyelash Extensions Worth It? Here Are 5 Reasons You Shouldn't Go Cheap." Bustle. Bustle, 21 Apr. 2017. Web. 01 May 2017. <https://www.bustle.com/p/are-expensive-eyelash-extensions-worth-it-here-are-5-reasons-you-shouldnt-go-cheap-43451>.

Siani Wilson

Ms.Pahomov

English 3

April 27th 2017

What’s up?

If someone was to ask a teenager if they believe that teens spend too much time on the internet

or just phones in general, they would say no but other like parents of these teens would have to disagree. There has been a lot of research done around this topic because it actually has become an issue that parents and other legal guardians face everyday with kids. Most of these studies shows the percentage of teens that use their phone nearly everyday single day. Many might say that phones poison the minds of children, and there is proof that it is true in a way.

The site ‘PewResearchCenter’ literally starts off by saying “24% of teens go online almost

constantly facilitated by a widespread availability of smartphones.” This is a extremely true statement because teens are and will forever be on their cells phones, consumed by the screen and social media. Cells phones and tablets have been around for a very long time and so have social media, things like Instagram, SnapChat and Facebook would be the main factors as to what would be why a lot of parents and researches might think that the minds of teenagers are “poisoned”. Teens that are between the ages of 13-17, which is more than half (56%) go online several times a day. About 12% only use the internet to go on social media once a day. 85% of teens that are African American have access to a smartphone. While others don’t have a phone at all.

Other sites like ‘ The Washington Post’ say that they have actually had teens admit that they are addicted to technology. The word addicted is sometimes taken lightly but it is very possible to be addicted to technology. On TV, they may make shows about how teens, adults even become addicted to things like drugs or sex, they also surprisingly show how they can also be hooked on things like video games and all types of things that might influence someone’s action in any type of way. “Digital devices have transformed people’s lives. They are changing everything from parent-child relationships, to human interaction, to our ability to focus on the task at hand.” This is a quote from James Steyer who is the CEO and founder of Common Sense, which is an organization that studies and rate social media intake and technology for children and adults.

People may take this lightly but many will assure teens and adults that this is a serious problem now days because of the dangers that it can cause and it’s possible for this effect your health. When someone visits the doctors, they may say something like you only need 1 screen hour per day. This is actually advice that could help someone who may be too attached to the phone. Staying on you social media sites and things like that can lead to loneliness and weight gain because all of the interaction that people are having is through a screen and that's not good for anyone. The one thing that parents would mostly be concerned about is the grades, too much screen time can also affected that as well.

The moral of the story is teens no matter what they say spend too much time on their phones, and it can lead of serious health problems. So can technology poison the minds of teens? Maybe. But it has been proven and shown that teens aren’t the only ones that can be affected by this adults can be as well. It goes both ways with this one.

Sources:

"Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015." Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015. Pew Research Center, n.d. Web. 2 May 2017.

"Teens say they’re addicted to technology. Here’s how parents can help." Teens say they’re addicted to technology. Here’s how parents can help. Amy Joyce, 3 May 2016. Web. 2 May 2017.

Holmes, Lindsay. "The Dangerous Ways Too Much Tech Can Mess With Teens' Health." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 13 Nov. 2015. Web. 02 May 2017.

In today’s society, education is a necessity. The United States has a system set so that all children have access to school up to twelfth grade. However, the system does not have anything set for students’ education past high school. Even with that, students are assumed that they will pursue their education further, something As it stands today, the pseudo-requirement of going to college in the United States is perhaps one of the most detrimental aspects of living in the United States.

To show how much of a requirement it really is that a person attends college, one simply needs to take a look at the numbers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2013, the median annual wage for an occupation that does not require at least a 4-year degree in college is about $28,000. The living wage, or the amount of money a person needs to spend to live comfortably, for a person living in Philadelphia is $59,384, according to the Huffington post. Those are two very different numbers, with the amount of money needed to live comfortably being over double the amount a person would usually be making if they had a job that did not require a college degree. This should lead one to the conclusion that in order to live comfortably, they cannot have a job that does not require a college degree, and therefore they must get a college degree.

Now, examples can be drawn to those such as Bill Gates, who is one of the richest men in the world and did not complete college. However, Gates is a genius, with an above average IQ. The average person would not be able to create Microsoft, and that is why there are not very many enormous companies with billionaires at the top of them. It simply is extraordinarily rare and requires a specific person to make it happen.

Now, the reason this is such an issue is how much it costs. According to The U.S. Census Bureau, the reported median household income in September 2014 was $51,939. According to the College Board, the “moderate” budget for attending a public college averaged at $24,601. That amount of money is nearly half the amount an average household makes in the US, and that’s only for one person attending. Some families send multiple children to study at college, and families simply cannot support it purely on income. Most schools offer financial aid packages to students, but that usually does not cover the total cost, and the rest is placed on families or the person themselves.

The problem with this is that the people that are essentially forced to put themselves into debt. These families have to take out massive loans of over $10,000 just so that one of their children can pursue their education to a point that is considered satisfactory. Sometimes, the families don’t even do it: it’s by the student themselves. That puts them in a place owing a substantial amount of money as soon as they exit into the world and become self-sufficient. It’s an extremely stressful situation for a person looking for perhaps their first job.

That is exactly the issue. A person who is meant to search for a job and make a difference in the world should not have a huge financial burden on them as they try to do this. Perhaps this will happen on occasion, but it should not be a necessity that people are in $10,000 of debt as a starting point in their life.

Works Cited

GOBankingRates. "How Much Money You Need to Live Comfortably in the 50 Biggest Cities." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 19 Apr. 2016. Web. 01 May 2017. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gobankingrates/how-much-money-you-need-t_b_9728876.html

What's the Price Tag for a College Education?" COLLEGEdata. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017. https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2014/article/education-level-and-jobs.htm

"Education Level and Jobs: Opportunities by State : Career Outlook." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d. Web. 01 May 2017. http://www.collegedata.com/cs/content/content_payarticle_tmpl.jhtml?articleId=10064

This is my best 2Fer ever because I really feel confident in what I am writing. I did a lot of research to form my arguments. I also went back and looked at my thesis after writing to make sure my ideas stayed consistent throughout. That was something I struggled with before, so I made sure to pay attention to it to make sure this was my best 2Fer ever.

Hannah Baker’s story from the TV show “13 Reasons Why” broke the internet in a matter of days. Though, did it do so in the right ways? Fan accounts on social media, news articles and awareness were spread across multiple platforms of media. The suicide of the main character Hannah Baker sparked a controversy about a topic that was longing for conversation. Although the creators of the show say that “13 Reasons Why” was to spread awareness the show glamorizes the idea of suicide.

In an article published by People called, “Why Schools are Warning Parents About Netflix’s Series 13 Reasons Why” it talks about the effects the show has on the “vulnerable youth”. Experts began to worry that the impact of the show can have a greater effect on the teens because of the disturbing and gruesome images of bullying, rape and suicide. The National Association of School Psychologist explains, “research shows that exposure to another person’s suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of death, can be one of the many risk factors that youth struggling with mental health conditions cite as a reason they contemplate or attempt suicide.” Although the show did bring attention to the topics in school and at home, it has brought a larger concern along with it. The show did not take into account that the graphic scenes they included would have an impact on teens who might find these situations relatable. With that said, suicide in the show was depicted as if it was a good thing for Hannah Baker, causing many teens to feel that way as well.

Suicide was shown to be a lot less complicated than it actually is in the show. Given, bullying can play in a role in such a tragic incident, experts argue that the show does not show how complex it is nor does it touch on the topic of mental illness either. In an article published by the New Statesman, it highlights the fact that during the whole entire show there is no mention of depression or any form of mental illness that could have been connected to Hannah’s suicide. The show manages to highlight the actions of her peers and to hammer on the fact that they were the reason for Hannah Baker’s death, but never is able to analyze mental illness.  In the article is states, “The show is right to be trying to provide teenagers with a lesson in compassion and sensitivity, but watching Hannah Baker cut her wrists in High Definition isn’t doing anything for youth suicide prevention.” While the show was trying to make a meaningful message by including Hannah’s suicide scene, it was almost too glorifying.

The show “13 Reasons Why” definitely brought attention to certain issues, but did not execute it successful. Spreading awareness about a topic that is romanticized and not explaining the complexity of it does not represent the real issue. Throughout the show Hannah Baker’s story is never fully understood or talked about, in which in the future shows need to address the real issues and look at the bigger picture. Suicide is not a topic that should overlooked, or represented in the wrong ways because it can lead to a misinterpretation for the youth, especially to young adults who may be experiencing similar things to Hannah Baker. Did it spread awareness? Yes, but did it come about it in the best way it could have? No. Suicide is not a matter glamorizing, glorifying and romanticizing, its a serious issue that is far more complex than the show advertises it.

Why is this my best 2Fer?

This is by far my favorite 2Fer I have ever written. I think I really tackled my weakness by efficiently staying on topic concerning by thesis and finding research that directly applies to what I talked about. I think the flow of my paper goes really nicely, the ideas mesh well together and supports each other really well. The evidence I used was also very helpful, and I think the quotes I used helped my argument a lot, and I didn’t overlap my thoughts. I also tried to include the “so what?” and “why does this matter?” my referencing to change the way things should be done in the future. Overall, I really enjoyed this 2Fer, and think it was my strongest because I targeted to work through what I struggle with most.

Bibliography:

Shah, Neha. "Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why Is an Irresponsible Dramatisation of Teenage Suicide." Netflix's 13 Reasons Why Is an Irresponsible Dramatisation of Teenage Suicide. New Statesman, 11 Apr. 2017. Web. 01 May 2017.

http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/tv-radio/2017/04/netflix-13-reasons-why-suicide-irresponsible

Kimble, Lindsay. "Why Schools Are Warning Parents About Netflix’s Series 13 Reasons Why." PEOPLE.com. Time Inc, 26 Apr. 2017. Web. 01 May 2017.

http://people.com/human-interest/schools-sending-letters-to-parents-about-13-reasons-why/

Baila, Morgan, and Photo: Beth Dubber/Netflix. ""13 Reasons Why" Series Writer Defends Suicide Controversy." 13 Reasons Why Writer Defends Suicide Scene Nic Sheff. Refinery, n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

http://www.refinery29.com/2017/04/150842/13-reasons-why-writer-defends-suicide-controversy-nic-sheff

Intro:
Advertisements are the best way to display a product. The best ads attracts viewers’ attention and gets them to buy the item shown. With the introduction of new technology in the last decade, the advertisement game has change for the worst. With phones, computers and the internet it is easier to get an advertisement to the consumer, but the quality of those advertisements has went down as companies can just spam out ads. This is different from ads back in the day as companies had to make the advertisement count because they will only have a couple ad spots on television. The introduction of new technology has made advertisement lazier and a nuisance than the ones created before it.

Mobile Game Ads:

Advertisements in mobile games are sometimes annoying. They can stunt the gameplay as some game developers do not allow the game to be played for a couple hours until  an ad is watched. These type of ads are called rewarded ads; a video is watched and then the player is rewarded with lives or in game currency. Usually the advertisements displayed would just be a video of the gameplay.These ads are most of the time generic and shows viewers that not much effort was put into them. In order to account for the lack of quality, the advertisement have small X’s making it hard to exit out of ads. This causes people to accidentally click on the ads

Pop Up Ads:

The most hated form of advertisement on the internet is the pop up ad. These ads occur when a person gets on a website and then a random advertisement pops up. The advertisement is not apart of the website, instead it is a whole new tab. Sometimes these advertisement can give out malware and viruses if you click on it. The creator of pop up advertisement stated, “I’m sorry. Our intentions were good.” The Internet allowed advertisements to be forced onto people, so it doesn’t matter how good the ad is. People are going to see them regardless, they may even accidently click on the ads.

Old Advertisement:

    Before the internet, one of the best places to advertise was the newspaper. Newspaper advertisement did not intrude on the articles and conveyed a straightforward message. They did not try to trick people into accidently doing something like mobile game advertisement. Overall, they were a simple and effective way to advertise. Though internet advertising may be more effective now, they do not have the same quality as newspaper ads. With even some mobile games false advertising, making their games look like a first person shooter, when in actuality it is a tower defense game.

Conclusion:

   Overall, people may think that this is no big deal but they don’t see that this reflects where society is at the moment. Where people value fast advertisement over quality. This is neither a good or bad thing, it just makes advertisement over saturated and harder to make something stand out. Advertising is just adapting, and in return the consumer is adapting as well. Seeing advertisements as a nuisance instead of a pleasurable clip of a fascinating new product.

Work Cited:

Chen, Author Yuyu. "Home." ClickZ Why inapp ads may be the future of mobile advertising Comments. N.p., 27 July 2016. Web. 01 May 2017. <https://www.clickz.com/why-in-app-ads-may-be-the-future-of-mobile-advertising/90711/ >.

"Why Mobile Game Ads Look Nothing Like the Game." Motherboard. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017. <https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/why-mobile-game-ads-look-nothing-like-the-game>.

Why this is my best 2fer:

Lotus Shareef-Trudeau

English 3

Ms. Pahomov

4/27/17

In every language, one can find swear words that are a crucial part of the culture. People often use swear words at times of emotional peaks, when they’re stressed or extremely happy. Though many are taught that the use of curse words makes someone a bad person. Often when someone swears excessively it gives others a negative impression of their character, but the truth is curse words are extremely important to mental health. Swear words are essential to human expression because it is an immediate emotional release.

As people grow older, things like crying to let a build up of emotions out becomes less and less acceptable. Crying when angry, or frustrated, sad, even when overly happy, as an adult is frowned upon not only in America but in many other countries around the world as well, it is considered weak and childish. But people do need some kind of emotional release, and if it isn’t crying, it’s swearing. Most children are taught at an early age not to swear, that it is something bad. This gives people the ability to make a more powerful statement by breaking “the rules” demonstrating that they feel so much that they no longer care to stay within the confines of social etiquette. Geoff Nunberg, a linguist at the UC Berkeley School of Information and the leading linguist contributor on NPR’s Fresh Air, wrote an article about swearing and stated that, “Swear words don't describe your feelings; they manifest them.” He says that, “the basic point of swearing is to demonstrate that your emotions have gotten the better of you and trumped your inhibitions.” By the way Nunberg describes it, swearing is a release of emotions, it acts as a valve to let off the pressure of feelings, that otherwise might build up and be a hit to one’s emotional well being.

In the human brain, curse words have a special place. They are not processed in the usual section of the brain that any other words are, the anterior speech area, or Broca’s area, instead they are sent to the limbic system, “a collection of deep brain regions which are responsible for processing emotions, certain automatic drives and habits, and even aspects of learning.” An article on Northwestern University’s science magazine, Helix, talks about where in the brain curse words are processed and what that says about them. “Swearing has an undeniable emotional component – some scientists argue that swearing is more about expressing an emotional state than articulating an actual linguistic idea. In the same vein, cursing is also considered a kind of automatic speech, as it is often used to fill space between thoughts or ideas.“ Cursing is more a communication of emotion than of ideas. This is evident in the fact that, unlike any other words, swear words live in the same parts of the brain as one’s emotions. Though people are taught to use them scarcely, restricting swearing entirely would be like telling people that they can’t feel frustration, or anger, it is impossible and unhealthy. People will always gravitate towards using words that are taboo in their culture to let off pressure because it helps them to deal with overloads of emotion.

Though curse words get a bad rap, they are necessary. They have always existed and are not going away anytime soon. They relay emotion when used and can convey the serious of a situation or show how much passion a person feels for something. The fact that curse words are considered unacceptable, provides the possibility for them to be used cathartically. If there were not the invisible “rules” put in place in societies against swearing it would not be as powerful when someone broke those rules and therefore it would no longer be as effective a tool to release those built up emotions. Not only is cursing necessary but the reinforced knowledge that one is not "supposed" to curse is also necessary in a society for people to maintain their emotional health.

Works Cited

Clark, Josh , and Charles Bryant. "How Swearing Works." Audio blog post. Stuff You Should Know.

HowStuffWorks, 20 Apr. 2017. Web. 26 Apr. 2017. <http://www.stuffyoushouldknow.com/podcasts/swearing.htm>.

Roache, Rebecca. "Where does swearing get its power – and how should we use it? – Rebecca

Roache | Aeon Essays." Aeon. Aeon, 26 Apr. 2017. Web. 26 Apr. 2017. <https://aeon.co/essays/where-does-swearing-get-its-power-and-how-should-we-use-it>.

Nunberg, Geoff. "Swearing: A Long And #%@&$ History." NPR. NPR, 11 July 2012. Web. 26 Apr.

2017. <http://www.npr.org/2012/07/24/156623763/swearing-a-long-and-history>.

"BBC - Future - The surprising benefits of swearing." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2017.

<http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160303-the-surprising-benefits-of-swearing>.

Kloet, Jim. "A Special Place in the Brain for Swearing" Helix Magazine. Northwestern University, 18

Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2017. <https://helix.northwestern.edu/blog/2013/02/special-place-brain-swearing>.

Why this is my best possible 2fer:

Best 2fer Ever

On the surface level, the original Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” conveys the message that kindness could save a life. Since its release on March 31, viewers have taken to various social media platforms to proclaim their love for the show, stressing the importance of acknowledging mental illness in teenagers. Some have even suggested it become required viewing for middle and high school students, even with all  the graphic displays of  violence. Despite its overarching message of compassion and understanding in the youth, this popular teen flick belies a more sinister meaning: Suicide is a tool for revenge.  The show relays the story of Hannah Baker, who kills herself and leaves 13 tapes behind to allocate blame.  ‘13 Reasons Why’ can be highly triggering for teenagers because it glamorizes suicide by portraying it as a means of retribution.

Hannah is the protagonist of the storyline. She commits suicide for thirteen reasons, or rather, thirteen people. She records their stories on cutely decorated tapes and sends them to the first person on her list. Whoever was currently listening  was to pass it on to the next after he or she went through the entire set of tapes. Initially outspoken and confident with her quick wit, Hannah becomes torn down by the bullying and rumors that engulf her social life. By the time of her death, she is self-sabotaging, incredibly insecure, and depressed. She then seeks revenge by killing herself and making sure those who wronged her feel guilt for her death.

In a recent Rolling Stone article, titled “Does '13 Reasons Why' Glamorize Teen Suicide?”,  Alexis Curtis, teen bullying expert, explains that the series lingers on the drama surrounding suicide. She explains that after Hannah Baker died, her story is continued and dramatized. Hannah continues to live through the tapes, and is almost immortalized. In fact, for most of the show, viewers feel as though she is still alive through countless flashbacks of her. This erroneous depiction of suicide romanticizes the trauma and pain it engenders.  “In real life”, Curtis writes, “when someone commits suicide, their story ends there. ‘13 Reasons Why’ failed to end Baker's story, since she lives on through the tapes. We become captivated by the drama of the suicide rather than the actual suicide itself” ”. Baker seeks revenge through suicide, which makes her feel validated and triumphant, which are connotations too glamorous for the bleak reality of someone taking their own life.

Moreover, the way Hannah tries to seek reprisal takes a toll on the mental health of those she leaves behind. For instance, Clay, her closest friend and crush, nearly loses his mind after finding out he is on the tapes. He starts exhibiting characteristics of a suicidal person and even attempts to jump off a cliff after he finally listens to his tape. He felt that by killing himself, he would make up for hurting Hannah when she was alive. Not only did he try to kill himself, but he also tries to make the other people on the tapes feel overbearing guilt. Alex, another close ex friend of Hannah’s, eventually ends up shooting himself in the head because he felt like he was mainly responsible for Hannah’s death. Her vengeful suicide gave a reason to those who fely that hey hurt her,  to become victims themselves.

In 2016,  the Jason Foundation reported that  suicide was the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24. In 2014, 1,668 youth aged 13-18 committed suicide. Because this is the demographic the show targets, it is especially triggering for teens. For instance, President of the Child Mind Institute,  Harold S. Kopelowicz, explains in an interview, “This program is coming into living rooms with attractive kids, who seem cool and with it, and are very witty, and they are giving the message of ‘once you are dead, you can get revenge on the people who were mean to you,’”. This false, but contagious message, does not bring awareness to an important cause, but instead catalyzes teenage anxiety and makes suicide seem fulfilling.

Most teens don't leave tapes informing several people of how they contributed to their suicide. Because of these tapes, viewers were unable to witness the grief that occurs after someone commits suicide. 13 Reasons Why fails to end the last episode with closure. For teens who are battling mental health issues in life, witnessing the end of a life as casually as the show portrays, can be desensitizing to this very serious matter. Teenagers are usually very impressionable and pay attention to trending topics. ‘13 Reasons Why’ is the new teen craze attempting to destigmatize youth mental illness. However, it only exacerbates the issue by conveying a tone-deaf message of hope. This show can be highly triggering for teenagers because it romanticizes suicide by portraying it as a means of revenge and gratification.

Citations:

Why is this my best 2fer ever?

Luis-Manuel Morales

05/01/2017

The Final 2Fer

Introverted Extroverts

Subliminal contradictions play a big role in many lives. Most people don’t notice, and may never do so. A person with both introvert and extrovert traits may appear to be conflicting themselves. An outgoing, shy person may sound ridiculous, however this is the case for many. Although it goes against popular belief, can a person demonstrate both introvert and extrovert personality traits?

The definition of introvert is a shy, self conscious person whose actions are often directed towards themselves. The definition of extrovert is an outgoing, expressive individual whose actions are often driven outward.. These antonyms make up for plenty of people's character descriptions, however for some, they carry both traits. Whether it's just for a day or the permanent makeup of a personality. In an article by Life Hack, David Khim goes breaks down what some may see as an Introverted Extrovert, or simply mood change, bad days, and other factors in life that can lead to such perspectives. Sometimes the days exhausting or uncertain, unpleasant circumstances can create an introverted extrovert. Or a person may just simply be born like such, and have those traits all the time. Sometimes a bad day or unforeseen circumstances can change moods and motives, however this does not mean they are necessarily permanent.

The perceptions of introverts, extroverts,have there pros and cons. The two together give more layers and genuinity to a person. In a 2013 article by Belle Beth Cooper for Fast Company, she discusses what businesses think about those with both traits. In one section, she discusses how an introvert gets energy from time alone, whereas an extrovert is able to get energy from interaction. Either way, businesses see benefits in both, however the two can make for a versatile employee. Someone who can be in more than one type of scenario. This kind of employee can tend to have more than one strong point and can be a more powerful asset to a company rather than a one dimensional figure, and this kind of employee is more sought out for.

Some people openly refer to themselves as introverted extroverts. One such person is rapper Kendrick Lamar. On 2017’s DNA off his album Damn, features the line “Antisocial, Extrovert, and excellence mean the extra work, and absence what the f--- you heard”. The idea drawn by Lamar is similar to a theme in his 2016 song “untitled 06 I 6.30.2014” in which the rapper describes both sides of him to be “equally odd” in a line sung by guest artist Ceelo Green. “Both sides of me are evenly odd, it’s attractive, you're intrigued, am I mortal man or make believe” Here Kendrick makes an argument rather than a turn off, the variant in his personality makes him all the more interesting, rather than a plain one dimensional figure. Earlier in the track Lamar says “A Gemini, duality personalities always conflict in me” this line sounds similar to a person with depression and what goes on inside their brains. Kendrick has never shied away from the topic of depression in his albums, especially in 2012’s Good Kid Maad City and 2015’s To Pimp A Butterfly. Reflecting on Kendrick's relationship with depression, this idea of conflicting ideas inside a human are normalized, and the idea of an Introverted Extrovert become more understandable.

Although it goes against popular belief, a person can demonstrate both introvert and extrovert personality traits. Whether its due to current life circumstances, mental state, or that's just how a person was born, it is not uncommon to encounter an introverted extrovert. Some don’t show it, others are open about it. Either way, it’s important to understand everyones differences and personalities, and when that is done, the world is one step closer to some sort of unity and community it longs for.

Why This Is My Best Possible 2Fer

In this 2Fer, I believe I had my strongest analysis and overall structure. I used the sources in different and unexpected ways and also dissected 2 tracks and Kendrick Lamar's overall theme in his music. I tried to order the paragraphs in such a way that the evidence for the thesis got stronger, and the final point was the dissection of an artist who fits the thesis description.

Sources:

• Khim, David. "19 Real Life Examples of An Extroverted Introvert So You Don’t Get Confused." Lifehack. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017. http://www.lifehack.org/297304/19-real-life-examples-extroverted-introvert-you-dont-get-confused’

• Cooper, Belle Beth. "Are You An Introvert Or An Extrovert? What It Means For Your Career." Fast Company. Fast Company, 25 Apr. 2017. Web. 01 May 2017. https://www.fastcompany.com/3016031/are-you-an-introvert-or-an-extrovert-and-what-it-means-for-your-career

• Williams, Abigail. "The Difference Between Introverts And Extroverts, In 1 Simple Chart." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 07 Oct. 2016. Web. 01 May 2017. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/difference-between-introverts-extroverts-chart_us_57f794c2e4b0b6a430316b3a>.