...23 September 2015 Risks Worth Taking? A Reflection on the Effects of Memoirs The primary purpose of my research paper is to present a cross-section of the current conversations taking place around the way memoirs affect the writers who publish them. Based on my research, it appears that the effects tend to involve emotional and psychological consequences, as well as legal troubles in some instances. The discovery of this conversation helped me to refine my research topic into the question, “Do the benefits of publishing a memoir outweigh the risks of their effects for writers?” This research explores the positive and negative effects of memoirs on their writers to determine whether or not the risks are worth the rewards. Although writing a memoir can result in lawsuits and family discord, it more often proves to be therapeutic and can be the starting point of a nonfiction writer's career. What if I told you that memoirs are incredibly important to our society, because they document the human experience in such an honest way? Although they are valuable, they can also be risky. One key issue is that a memoir’s admissions risk causing major drama for writers, including legal trouble. In addition, they can be a catalyst for burning bridges with former employees. They can also potentially destroy long-term personal relationships. In this paper, I work to discover if it is worth all the drama to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. As I began my research...
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...EN1320 9/27/14 Unit 2 Assignment 3 Elliot Hulse Motivation can from a myriad of sources. Mentors, books, movies, and music. For the particular goals I’m working towards, I get my motivation from a YouTube channel named “Strength Camp”. Now I’m not a die-hard social media buff by any means, however I can’t help but to give credit where it’s due. Elliot Hulse is the founder and creator of the Strength Came gym in Tampa, FL. I stumbled across his channel about two years ago, looking for a workout regimen, and the rest is history. Elliot is a pro strong man and strength coach, who provides motivational and instructional video blogs available for anyone with questions about strength and physical fitness. Elliot also pushes a more intellectual approach by fusing the body with the mind, his method is simply train your mind and your body will follow. With any mental and physical balance, a certain eating habit has to emerge, which is simply eat for the body you want. The saying “Athletes are not born, they are made” is especially true for his upbringing. Elliot grew up playing high school and college football, with was and excellent baseline for his true calling. Before Strength Camp, He participated in professional Strong Man competitions and eventually buckled down and opened his own gym. His impulse was not the smartest move financially, but the debt he accumulated with the new gym and a little girl on the way lit a fire under him to make this move a success. What...
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...It can wash away earth; it can put out fire; it can wear a piece of metal down and sweep it away. Even wood, which is its natural complement, can't survive without being nurtured by water. And yet, you haven't drawn on those strengths in living your life, have you?” (Golden, 125) What Separates Sayuri for the Other Geishas During the Shōwa period, Geishas were high-class entertainers that sometimes sold their bodies for money. They strived on perfecting their artistic attributes rather then prostituting their bodies for money. In the novel Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden writes primarily about the life of a nine-year-old girl named Chiyo and her path to becoming a geisha. Golden uses Chiyo’s origins, eye color (destiny) and determination to contrast her with other geishas. However, he does not just narrate her life from another’s perspective. He gives Chiyo herself the role of telling her own story. As Golden introduces Chiyo’s memoir, he exaggerates the hardships in little Chiyo’s life. Coming from a poor fishing village (called Yoroido), she is sold off to a geisha house, separated from her sister, who she finds and tries to escape with (which failed). Later on in life when Chiyo (Sayuri) becomes a geisha, she confesses that she rarely tells anyone about where she was born. Their responses concerning her origin go as such, ‘“You growing up in a dump like Yoroido. That’s like making tea in a bucket!”’ These reactions further recluse Sayuri from telling other men she entertains...
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...Orient is not a property of bodies or something originally existent in human beings; rather it is the social construct. Specifically, it is the product of the society’s dominant class – the Whites, the master- narrative. Racial differences have been used as a basis for racial stereotypes, for instance the White “norm” versus Non-white people. It is clear that racial identity is marked on skin. It is undeniable that some stereotypes do/might have a basis of truth, however such stereotypes do not take into the account of differences among the Orient. It is out of fear and apprehensiveness that lead to the birth of such unjust stereotypes, the film “Memoirs of a Geisha” directed by Rob Marshall highlights the irony of the stereotypes resulting in fragmentations of identity. “Memoirs of a Geisha” (Marshall, 2005) offers an interesting twist to our typical story-telling, the women are no longer silenced, and the story is told through the voice of a woman (though written by a male writer). It highlights the death of the master- narrative, as it highlights the differences among the “other” women, the presence of “Geisha” debukes the stereotype of women as “Angel of Home” perception (diversion of the master-narrative). Identity crisis is a major theme in the film, at first glance, audience is introduced to Sayuri as an innocent 7 year old and seems like...
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...Discoveries can often mean people need to change their views and create new understandings of the wider world around them. The Documentary GBTWYCF directed by Ivan O'Mahoey is one such documentary in which is able to manipulate not only the audience but participants as well. This uncut 'Social Experiment' is able to highlight these Facts which challenge their sense of self as well as their ethics and morals. The memoirs 'A Doctors War' written by Dr Rowley Richards explores a similar version of discovery when a young man is faced to live in a Japanese prisoner of war camp or die. This decision has a profound impact on both the reader and the protagonist. Both Richards and O'Mahoey use a vast amount of Documentary and literary techniques to show how discoveries will quite often mean that an individual will have to change their perspective and create a new understanding of the world in which they live in. An over whelming experience can be a catalyst for an individual to discover a previously unknown inner-strength as evident in GBTWYCF. Adam a 26 year old life guard from Cronulla who openly admit to his hatred towards Asylum-seekers. “ we should send them all back”. Adan can be seen as a very strong individual with quite firm beliefs at the beginning of the series. The viewer clearly understands Adams view point and is able to stereotype type him. However once adam visits the Villa Wood detention centre, Adams firm believes are shattered. A visual change can be observed with...
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...at a Forensics Oral Interpretation Competition, where I experienced a moment of empowerment. I read a passage from Portia de Rossi’s memoir about her struggle with anorexia, ‘Unbearable Lightness’, in which I channeled the author’s loss of self-control as she strove for perfection and acceptance. While reading, something took over. Perhaps I connected with her sense of powerlessness, or her temptation to hide from the eyes of society. Even though I was vicariously channeling another person’s words, I felt completely empowered. I discovered the art of unbridled self-expression. Several months later, at a summer program at the Peabody Institute, I experienced a similar feeling—except this time, the roles were reversed. I had just finished writing my first song “Light,” and it was about to be performed live before my peers. I was accompanying the singer on the piano and I couldn’t have been more nervous. When we started the piece, however, I listened as the melody rose above the gentle harmonies. Suddenly, I could hear my own voice through that of the singer. The moment was magical. I discovered a new avenue for self-expression. These experiences allowed me to realize my ability to express myself through written words and through music. I discovered that cogent self-expression delivers the ultimate sense of immovability. Though my sense of self may gradually develop over the years...
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...of the perspectives of others. Depending on what you decide can lead you on a road to success or failure, but it is the most crucial and important. Starting from your hygiene, eating habits, school, work, keeping your body in shape to just simple hobbies may have a big impact on your life's longevity and social aspect. The first step in building good personal responsibility, is by first realizing the flaws and mistakes that you have made, because although it is not an addiction we tend to create bad habits. From our early school years up until your set in your career we must have a schedule to keep us on track and at the same time develop self confidence and motivation to better our selves. Creating a physical work out routine will not only maintain your physical shape, but also provides more energy to the body acquiring more self motivation to keep active. Also while exercising your relieving stress from the body and the brain, establishing more space for knowledge and social view point, therefore, make it is easier to become more educated.When we think about how personal responsibility can be related to education we acknowledge that in order to succeed as a student one must form schedules to study and listen to the advice given to us by our teachers, hard work pays off. As a student eager to succeed in high school as well as college must know that asking for help when in doubt is also allowed. Building a foundation to communicate and interact with other people. Accepting...
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...and nibble on nuts apply potions and lotions, don helmets and hats: All at the behest of my skin. Drinking too much, sleeping too little, lying too long in the sun and I am compelled to feel guilty. Connor says ‘the skin is not a part of the body’ (Connor 2002, 4) and indeed, my skin is like a domineering despot. It petulantly exposes my neglect by painting dark circles under my eyes, smudging the glow and scattering blemishes. It is the reflection of my soul, separate but inseparable from myself - my ‘body’s twin’ (Connor 2002, 5). It is this ‘twin’ (Connor 2002, 5) or my ‘immaterial, ideal, ecstatic’ (Connor 2002. 5) imagining of my skin that constitutes what Cooley described as a ‘looking glass self’. (described by Coser 1997) This concept states that ‘an individual’s self-conception result(s) from assimilating the judgments of their significant others’ (discussed by Mikala, 2012). What we see in this mirror is not our carefully considered actions and the complex thought process that leads us to take them; We only see this ‘shadow’ (Connor 2002, 5) which becomes more than simply the living tissue. It is branded with our outward identity. And so, how we perceive others to view us in turn influences how we see ourselves. This attitude is present without an actual witness though. The...
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...vector of Chickering and Reisser’s theory “Establishing identity.” While one could argue the development of student identities takes place during the creation of a profile, the development of the students’ true identity is something that a profile is likely dependent upon. A student’s Facebook profile will not stay the same throughout the duration of a student’s career, but instead grows and changes with the student as they move along a path of self-discovery. It is through the assimilation of friends, relationships, activities, experiences, education and other factors that a student truly defines a sense of self that can be reflected both corporally and digitally. It is in this vector, among others, that the cyclical pattern of Chickering and Reisser’s developmental process stumbles. As most of the vectors concern processes that are ongoing throughout a student’s collegiate or university career and beyond, the development of identity is itself an ongoing, likely never-ending process students will not cease until some point of complete self-actualization....
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...M. Washington OMM 612: Managing in Social Change Experiencing Work as a Meaningful Activity Dr. L. Flegle December 2, 2012 Experiencing Work as a Meaningful Activity Why do people work? A person may work for various reasons. For some work is fun and full of meaning. For others there may be instances where work is viewed as a burden or an end to a means. When there is a lack of satisfaction, work will not be fun, fulfilling or meaningful. As stated by Harper and Leicht (2011), work is never experienced as a neutral activity. However, according to Budd ((2011), work can be viewed as intrinsically rewarding and not just as a source of income. When individuals have the tools to seek and achieve work as a personal fulfillment, we can better understand how people view and experience work as a rich and meaningful activity. There are no people in my immediate circle of friends and co-workers who view work as a meaningful activity. The most common reason people work is to support a lifestyle. A person works in order to provide for themselves as well as their family with the basic essentials (shelter, clothing, and food). According to Harper and Leicht (2011), a question that often gets asked is whether or not the American economy can make jobs available that allow employees to afford a middle-class lifestyle and the consumer components of the American dream. The recent recession that the American economy has faced adds to the doubt. More people are being laid off...
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...Individualism is the idea that the sense of self is greater than the community. It urges its supporters to explore the depths of their psyche, even if it challenges accepted doctrine. To moral criticism, individualism is its greatest enemy. At its core, moral criticism finds its strength through the community over all ideology. This desire for communal uplift allows the people to serve a common purpose when advancing the community. But because of this, the voices of the individual are lost to the wind. During the Age of Romanticism, the people had had enough of being silenced; they sought to wholeheartedly explore their inner self. Through their writings, Washington Irving and Herman Melville were two men fighting for the people’s individuality; much to the dismay of moral critics. Washington Irving, famous writer and individualist, sought to bring individualism to the forefront of society’s progression. He believed the exploration of one’s self was more important than seeking communal prosperity. Irving wanted the people to see the world through lenses untainted by God, religion and the established doctrines. For him, the world’s morality was meant to be created by the individual. This way of thinking was quite scary to the moral critics of this era. The sense of community was being lost in novels centered on individuals. These novels allowed the people to play God, and by doing so, they were able to concoct their own morality. Irving’s writings continued to propagate the...
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...The third theory have been used is The Self and Symbolic Consumption. Hellerich et al.(1998) states that endeavoring to create the self in contemporary society is inseparable from consumption, which is central to the meaningful practice of our everyday life (Wattanasuwan 2005). However, The Self and Symbolic Consumption theory is focus on the concept that we employ consumption not only to create and sustain the self but also to locate us in society (Elliott 1994 et al, cited in Wattanasuwan 2005). There have two main purposes to consumption of products, activities or beliefs, the first one is to satisfy ours needs, whereas the second one is to carry out out “self-creation project” in a saturated world (Wattanasuwan 2005). “Self-creation project” means that we desire for a sense of meaningfulness in our pursuit of “being” in order to feel “alive” in this world (Gergen 1991,cited in Wattanasuwan 2005). We can symbolically acquire it from our everyday consumption and to bridge the intermediate state between our selves and others in society. Therefore, in relation to our advertisement, a woman desires to have a beautiful and formal coloured hair within a limited time for a ball. Kao Kiese not only satisfy anyone whose demand to have a colour hair within a limited time, but also provide symbolism that a beauty image for female in a special occasion. Brown 1995 et al argue that so as to seduce consumers in a marketing campaign, the more those signs and images are detached from their...
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...literature can be ethically revealing is worth defending. At some level a great work of literature represents a form of human existence, to which we may respond as human beings. That there is a moral dimension to human existence I assume. Hence, it seems clear that literature may represent that dimension. Robert Bolt’s 1960 play can serve as an instance of how literature can stimulate ethical reflection. And, at the same time, it is not the kind of text where ethical themes are only marginally present; to the contrary, they are quite central and accessible. In this paper, my goal is to illustrate the potential of literature to stimulate ethical reflection by analyzing Bolt’s play. I will focus for the most part on three ethical themes: self and society, moral heroism,...
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...social world and how they build relationships/interact with others. Developmental psychologists believe that a sense of self develops at around 18 months and is the starting point when children begin to understand others, they also comment that in order for children to understand others first they must have an understanding of their self. Lewis and Brook-Gunn 1979 conducted a study on a group of mothers and their babies, aged 9-24 months. The aim of the experiment was to see what age a baby recognised itself in the mirror. The babies were placed in front of a mirror and observed to see how they reacted, then the mother would remove the baby and wipe their nose with red blusher (the mother would wipe the baby's face in a way that the baby would just think the mother was cleaning dirt off its face.) The baby was then placed back in front of the mirror and observed again. They found that babies under 15 months tended not to recognise the baby in the mirror as themselves, they may have found the reflection similar but there was no difference in reaction when they saw the red spot on their nose. By 21 months though the babies were actively trying to wipe the red mark off their face, this shows a heightened sense of self awareness compared to the 15 month olds as they recognised that the baby in the mirror was them. Researchers also studied childrens self-awareness to learn about the development of emotions such as embarrassment. Lewis conducted a further study in 2000, he...
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...Academic procrastination in college students: The role of self-reported executive function Procrastination is the intentional delay of due tasks. The term is a known phenomenon in a college setting so I decided it would be beneficial to examine an experiment that evaluated how procrastination hurts different aspects of a college student’s life. The experiment I found was by Laura A. Rabin, Joshua Fogel and Katherine E. Nutter- Upham and they hypothesized that procrastination can negatively impact learning, achievement, academic self-efficiency and quality of life and that understanding the factors that produce and maintain this behavior will improve things overall. In the experiment, 212 college students age 30 and below were asked to fill out a 20-item questionnaire that examines behavior tendencies to delay the start of completion of everyday tasks. They rate various statements on a five point scale (1 = extremely uncharacteristic; 5 = extremely characteristic). An example of this would be “I often find myself performing tasks that I had intended to do days before” or “I usually start an assignment shortly after it is assigned.” After doing that, participants rated the frequency of 75 problematic behaviors over the past month on a three point scale (1 = never; 2 = sometimes; 3 = often). A higher score indicated a greater degree of executive dysfunction. Then finally they filled out something that measured their behavioral regulation or the ability to not act on an impulse...
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