Get an A on Every College Paper 60 Real A-Grade Examples to Study and Imitate

Stefan Diamante Get an A on Every College Paper 60 Real A-Grade Examples to Study and Imitate

Written, Photographed, Designed, and Published by Stefan Diamante First Edition, 2020 eBook ISBN: 978-1-7340268-4-9

Text & Illustrations Copyright © 2020 Stefan Diamante Photograph Copyright © 2020 Stefan Diamante All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including internet usage, without written permission from the copyright holder. Publications are exempt in the case of brief quotations in critical reviews or articles.

stefandiamante.com This book is dedicated to everyone who refuses to settle for anything less than their full potential. Table of Contents

Lower-Level Writing Courses Composition I Untitled Progressive Essay Leonard, Part 6: A Film Review Consultant’s Report: Supermarket Issues The Advantages of Purchasing a Used Vehicle over a New Vehicle. Composition II “Eveline” Prewriting Review The Power of Fear Rebellion and the (Sometimes) Futility of Such Deception Overload Fog: An Analysis Hills Like White Elephants: A Review Speech Eulogy for Patrick Nagel The Worst Automobiles Ever Made Look Beyond Hollywood Technical Writing How to Administer an Intramuscular Injection How a Revolver Works Progress Report Claims and Adjustment Letters Adjustment Letter – Claim Rejected CV, Resume, and Follow-Up Letter Studio Nouveauté Business Plan Core Classes Geography Into the Delta Thinking Spatially From Harrison to Eureka Springs History The Government of Mesopotamia The Expansion of Rome Buddhism and Shinto in Japan The Black Sox Trial Pearl Harbor: What Happened? The Rosenberg Spy Trial Views on Vietnam Philosophy The Good Life Psychology Attachment Theory Marriage Punishment vs. Negative Reinforcement Stress: A Reflection Psychological Disorders Upper-Level Writing Courses Persuasive Writing Critical Analysis Summary The Secret Shame of Middle-Class Americans: A Critical Analysis Secret Shame Reflective Memo Withholding Information Persuasive Writing Campaign Persuasive Writing Campaign Reflective Memo Rhetorical Theory Rhetorical Self-Analysis Synthwave: Fantast Converged into Reality Grant Writing Introduction Letter Grant Proposal Working Agreement Formal Grant Request Political Science Fukuyama Assignments The New Jim Crow: A Thesis Thomas v. Sotomayor National Security Strategy Comparison Classifying Political Regimes: A Reaction The Psychological Impact of Electoral Laws: A Reaction Why America is the Greatest Nation in the World Journalism Social Media is Making Us Lonely Creative Nonfiction Class Introduction Something About Benton, Arkansas Something About Benton, Arkansas Reflective Memo Personal Essay Greater Expectations Greater Expectations Reflective Memo

If you gotta write, get it right. Introduction

DO NOT PLAGIARIZE MY WORK!!! I compiled this collection of college papers so you may study and imitate my writing style for your assignments. Not only do I not want you to get busted by SafeAssign or other plagiarism checkers, but I take the theft of my intellectual property seriously. It’s happened on numerous occasions in the past. And I do not go easy on thieves. It’s said that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. So, feel free to imitate the structure, tone, and other elements of my papers to suit your academic writing needs. And I’m confident that appropriating my rhetorical style will earn you A’s. Not only because of my academic track record but because people who hate the ground om which I walk are quick to praise my mad writing skills when I wasn’t fishing for props. This includes certain instructors I had who, to their credit, graded my papers fairly. Other than running them through Grammarly and fixing a handful of typos, each paper herein is the same draft for which I received an A. This includes those awful semicolons that I no longer use. A sentence that requires a semicolon in two sentences. A few minor grammatical issues may linger. But I’m a writer, not a proofreader. And proofreaders aren’t automatically writers. My inclination towards creativity over bureaucracy also applies to how I cited works in these papers. My technique may leave something to be desired, so let me say right now: full credit everywhere credit is due. Lower-Level Writing Courses

These are papers I wrote for composition I and II, speech, and technical writing. The first three are required courses for most degree plans. Technical writing is a useful course for any major. I recommend it for anyone needing a course to meet core requirement hours. Composition I

Because someone needed to revisit Leonard, Part 6 and review it once more. And no, my remarks on Bill Cosby have not aged well. Untitled Progressive Essay

Although people attending college hail from all walks of life, one common point among most students is the obstacles around which each of us must work in achieving our respective educational goals. I myself am currently confronting obstacles daily on my path to be a college graduate. While the obstacles surrounding my constant travel between Little Rock and Camden, earning money in the present for living expenses, and my move towards applying my course of study in a professional context serve to collectively represent quite the river that I must cross to reach my educational objectives, I possess a few tricks up my sleeve geared directly towards challenging these adversities. For starters, my time is stretched incredibly thin due to the collective demands of school, travel, and the need to earn money. Perhaps the best option I’m pursuing to ease the burden of time restraints is taking all my core classes online. Doing so gives me much needed scheduling flexibility around my other demands. In return, the fact that I pick up work on a freelance basis, as opposed to being employed, allows for better focus upon my studies. This level of freedom comes in especially handy when I need to devote time to projects and exams. The above two points also combine to afford me a reasonable amount of time to devote to my creative pursuits. As creative ability is vital towards not only my degree major but also my future livelihood in this chosen career path, it should go without saying just how important this last point is for me. Since these three items are completely intertwined, there is no way to weed any single one of them from the fold. Overall, however, the practice of stringent time management gets me through each week with all important objectives having been completed. Another obstacle that is inevitably impossible to avoid is the need to earn money in the here-and-now to cover the costs of living. While I would have to do this regardless of whether or not I was attending college, my educational commitments definitely reduce my options when it comes to earning a living. Fortunately, I can drum up entrepreneurial opportunities based upon my skills and experience acquired in the years before I pursued higher education. Through projects ranging from creative to mechanical, I can keep myself afloat financially as I continue my education. As I am seeking out and executing these projects as an independent contractor, I enjoy complete autonomy as to the quantity of work I accept, and when I want to schedule it. Also, the luxury of student financial aid makes this journey easier to undertake. Having said all that, I still have to be very careful with my budget to stretch my money as far as I possibly can. With my constant travel between Little Rock and Camden, along with the current price of fuel, I have to be incredibly shrewd in how I manage my time. Still, money-making opportunities are continuing to show themselves as I continue this way. In the end, anything worth doing is never going to be easy. I was fully aware of what I was walking into when I decided to attend college and have made no complaints or excuses regarding the obstacles I am facing throughout this experience. Rather, I thought extensively about this experience and have done everything I possibly can when it comes to preparation to best tackle the situation. Granted, one can never truly prepare for absolutely every single obstacle that may rear its ugly head in such a scenario, but the combination of critical analysis and thorough planning certainly makes this journey run much smoother than it might otherwise. Leonard, Part 6: A Film Review

In the world of entertainment, only a precious few have achieved successes on par with those of the legendary Bill Cosby. A great comedian who went on to become a gigantic star of stage and screen, he has been long beloved by scores of fans around the world. Cos (as he is endearingly referred to by many) has also deftly utilized his fame in affecting social change and advancement, particularly in the realm of education. Still, he is a mere mortal and prone to missteps of his own, which he proved as the writer, producer, and star of the notorious 1987 box- office flop Leonard, Part 6. For starters, this project was doomed from the start simply due to its incredibly asinine plot regarding a former CIA operative being called out of retirement to save the world from an evil vegetarian. Why the antagonist in this film is such a fervent vegetarian is never actually explained, which can be taken to mean that Cosby was operating under the assumption that the general public assumes vegetarians to be inherently bad people. Granted, this plot device was used quite often in the 1980’s cinema about communists, but at least there was constant mass media sensationalism to make it work, so to speak. Vegetarians, however, make such a dietary choice for a variety of individual reasons, so this plot device fails here. As for Cosby playing the protagonist as a silly and bumbling spy, this was certainly nothing new. Don Adams had already fully explored such territory during the 1960s in Get Smart. The problem lies deeper than that, however, as Cosby fails to be even the slightest bit funny or entertaining throughout the entire film. Ultimately, he comes across as rather tedious and self-indulgent, which is a major issue for what is supposed to be such a lighthearted film, as if he believes he can do no wrong at this point in his career. Ultimately, it’s that sort of phone-it-in attitude that annihilated any chance this film had at being entertaining or even profitable. Even if one sets aside the incredibly insipid plot, there is simply nothing endearing to be found within this film. Along with the aforementioned star, every single performance comes across as flat and uninspired. While Cosby would later attempt to blame this upon the relative inexperience of director Paul Weiland, there’s simply nothing about the script to be made engaging by any actor. It’s hard to remember that this is supposed to be a comedy because every single joke falls so flat that it’s practically nonexistent. And the flaccidity of this film is by no means relegated to the acting or jokes, as it consumes every single aspect of this film. From uninspired shot composition to a restaurant shoot-out that may very well be the most boring action sequence in film history, everything ultimately fails to launch. Given his role as producer, it is Cosby himself who must receive most of the blame for this cinematic abomination, even if his own ego refuses to allow him to admit as much even to this day. Additionally, there were a lot of marketing issues when the final cut of the film was unleashed upon the public. The title of the film itself raised much confusion among moviegoers, as even it was yet another joke that fell incredibly flat. Many people did not want to see the sixth installment of a film series with which they were completely unfamiliar, or so the confusion led them to believe. In fact, once the gag surrounding the title was realized, many found it to be rather off-putting, as opposed to humorous. Once the film was completed, Cosby himself knew he had a real clunker on his hands and began to engage in damage control even before the film hit theatres. He went on to talk shows and advised viewers not to waste their money going to see the film. Despite the high level of creative control he enjoyed with the project, Cosby proceeded to blame everyone but himself for the incredibly lackluster finished product. Needless to say, this film was a huge commercial failure, as it grossed a mere $4.6 million against its $24 million budget. Adding insult to injury, the film was nominated in virtually every category at the Golden Raspberry Awards, winning three. Surprisingly, Cosby personally accepted the awards, but even that revelation fails to provide enough humor to salvage the all-around massive failure of this film. Nearly a quarter-century later, this film is still as universally reviled as it was upon its initial release. While time has allowed notorious flops such as Plan 9 From Outer Space and Xanadu to develop followings in a “so bad it’s entertaining” fashion, Leonard, Part 6 remains as nothing more than an obnoxious and irritating waste of celluloid. If not for its routine inclusion on “worst films ever” type lists, it would be completely forgotten. While the enduring legacy of Bill Cosby is an impressive one, it is certainly not impeccable as a result of this one huge creative misstep. Consultant’s Report: Supermarket Issues

Let’s face it: this supermarket is a spectacular failure. Indeed, the advent of larger chain supermarkets has brought stiff competition into this region, but to blame this one detail alone would be incredibly short-sighted. The fact remains that the biggest problems facing this supermarket are firmly rooted in its lack of product variety, poor customer service, and extremely mediocre standards of general cleanliness. Fortunately, I am here to solve these issues as I make this supermarket once again profitable. First off, the overall product selection leaves much to be desired. When it comes to competing with all these so-called “supercenters”, one easy way to combat their collective presence is by offering customers a much wider selection of items than they could ever hope to find most anywhere else. The absolute vitality of standing out against the competition should go without saying, and increased product selection is certainly a great way to achieve this. Along with an increased variety of more common items, maintaining an extensive selection of specialty items also represents a step in the right direction. By stocking a wide array of organic and ethnic culinary options, this supermarket will quickly endear itself to a new clientele that is both diverse and widespread throughout the city. On top of that, even people from outlaying rural areas will quickly become customers due to this one-stop shopping convenience. Overall, this strategy alone will result in significant word-of-mouth buzz, which is an excellent form of advertising that cannot simply be purchased at any price. The next area of focus is upon the downright lousy customer service that is regularly dished out by the employees. Granted, the customer service provided by the competition isn’t any better, but they can at least afford to sell items for lower prices. Of course, the overall attitude and tone of any organization begin at the top and filter down to the lowest levels; ergo, the supermarket management must be thoroughly trained on how to deliver proper customer service under any circumstances. By extension, management will enforce these policies upon employees daily. Employees must address customers with a warm and friendly demeanor at all times and make sure customers are finding all products for which they are shopping. It is vital that this supermarket establishes a reputation of providing top-notch customer care, and that all current and future customers know that any issue they may have with products or service will be handled quickly and to their complete satisfaction. For customers to shop and continue shopping at this supermarket, they must be confident that they will always be treated with the utmost respect and courtesy. It’s the customers who keep this supermarket afloat, and that fact must not be forgotten. Finally, I must address the dirty and unkempt state in which this supermarket always seems to exist. Between sticky floors, dusty shelves, and grungy shopping carts, the harsh fact remains that too many potential customers are lost due to an understandable reluctance to touch anything in this supermarket, much less eat anything purchased here. Obviously, a strict policy of cleanliness must be enforced from top to bottom for both the supermarket and the employees. Each employee will be responsible for the general upkeep and cleanliness of his/her work area, and this responsibility will extend to management as well. Essentially, every surface in this supermarket must be clean enough off which to eat. As for floor care, it should come as no surprise that the current floor cleaning service is not earning its pay. In this case, this supermarket will begin accepting bids from other floor care providers, and one will be chosen based upon a criterion combining pricing and professional references. Frankly, this supermarket is lucky to even still be in business considering the downright filthy state in which it has been on my few past visits as a customer. However, by implementing the above plan of action, this supermarket will quickly be up to par in terms of cleanliness. Despite the obstacles faced by this supermarket, there is most definitely potential for it to rise above them and establish itself as an enduringly successful option for grocery shopping throughout the city. While large-scale supercenters will continue to take a large chunk of business wherever they are, there are still plenty of customers to be won over by a clean and friendly supermarket providing seemingly endless options of culinary delights. By implementing the three-tiered strategy that I have outlined above, this supermarket will no doubt achieve a rightful status as a crown jewel among local businesses. The Advantages of Purchasing a Used Vehicle over a New Vehicle.

Vehicle ownership provides the freedom to come and go as one pleases and enables an individual to be independent. One of the most important decisions facing any automobile owner- to-be is whether to purchase a new or used vehicle. While the prospect of buying a new vehicle is indeed quite alluring, it’s not always the most financially prudent move for many people, especially in a weak economy. Both new and used-car dealers are feeling the side effects of a tough economy. The positive side of this is that consumers win in a bear market; as dealerships, close prices of large, used SUVs, and even midsized cars are down, and there should be more vehicles on lots due to slowing sales. By contrast, the purchase of a used vehicle can provide the owner with a plethora of options while allowing a greater degree of affordability for virtually any budget. Right from the start, there are numerous economic advantages to purchasing a used vehicle, as opposed to a new one. Executing even the most basic consumer homework shows us that the overall expense of owning a new vehicle has skyrocketed during the past several years. The monthly payments are outrageous, the entire term of the loan can run for as long as eight years, and the cost of maintaining full coverage insurance puts financing a new vehicle out of reach for the more sensibly budget-minded individual in these uncertain times. And while virtually all new vehicles these days come with factory warranties standard, there are still plenty of issues that can arise that will have to be covered by the owner out of pocket. On the other hand, one thing that has made used cars more appealing is their improved reliability. In an analysis of Consumer Reports annual subscriber surveys over the past few years, it was found that five-year-old vehicles in the latest survey had one-third fewer problems than the five-year- old vehicles looked at in 2005. Factor in the necessary collective of living expenses that is already fiscally heady, and one may find themselves working themselves to death with very little to show for his laborious efforts. The value of a new vehicle can depreciate up to several thousand dollars the moment it is driven off the lot. In comparison, the right used vehicle can lose very little of its value depending on several factors, such as length of ownership and the overall quality of the vehicle. This is why the best option for many people in need of transportation is to purchase a used vehicle. There are multiple options available to those seeking to purchase a used vehicle. Although the price of a used vehicle from a dealership has increased over the last several years, the price can still be much more affordable than that of a new vehicle, and a used vehicle can be financed at terms that are far more budget-friendly. There are many locations where an individual can purchase, and even finance, a used vehicle. New car dealerships usually offer used vehicles and often have a wide variety of trade-ins they are eager to sell. Some are fairly new and gently used but can still be expensive. So-called “buy here pay here” lots are another option, as these dealers specialize in financing those with poor credit or even no credit, and they will often work with customers to set the monthly payments down to a reasonable rate and term length. The problem with this option can be finding a reputable, honest dealer with vehicles in good working condition without hidden problems. Used vehicles can also be purchased from private parties who list vehicles for sale in newspaper classified ads, on websites such as Craigslist, or even park them on busy streets with a For Sale sign in the window. Craigslist, in particular, is an excellent place to shop for a used vehicle because, when it comes time to sell a vehicle, no other classified ad service is going to undercut Craigslist's price of absolutely free. It is important, when shopping for a used car, to possess some degree of automotive mechanical knowledge or to take someone with you who does. Used cars are less expensive, and the cost of insurance is normally much less. There are multiple options available to the potential buyer when it comes to where to purchase their vehicle, and there are a wide variety of makes and models to choose from in a wide range of affordable prices that most individuals can afford. Whether financed or purchased for cash, buying a used vehicle can potentially contribute greatly to the financial advancement of many individuals. Simply put, if one isn’t working for his car, he can find himself with increased fiscal options for every aspect of his life. If one is capable of working on his own vehicle and repairing minor, or even major, mechanical issues, a dependable vehicle can be had for any number of years at a minimal cost. Many people are unable to repair mechanical problems and are willing to pay for repair costs and often opt to sell their vehicle for a low price just to get it out of the driveway. Regardless, a truly savvy consumer can indeed purchase a used vehicle that is mechanically sound and will remain as such for years to come. And before one breaks out the "repairs on used cars are too costly" argument goes, consider this: Even if one sinks $1,000 per year into your used car for repairs and maintenance, that's still better than the $4,000 or $5,000 a year one would shell out for purchasing a new car. Despite the irrational fears of certain individuals, it is highly possible to glean years of daily use from a reliable used vehicle without spending a lot of money on the purchase price, insurance, or repairs. For anyone looking to purchase their first vehicle, one is well-advised to investigate the used-over-new option. If one can fight off the desire to have a brand-new car, the reward for such a degree of shrewdness is well with it. The biggest depreciation in vehicles is during the first two years, which means a two-year-old BMW can very well be had for the price of a new Toyota. While there are undoubtedly risks involved with the purchase of a used vehicle, an individual can make an excellent investment provided the right homework is done before purchase and consumer suaveness is applied to deciding upon a vehicle. The financial flexibility that many individuals from all walks of life have achieved through this manner simply cannot be underestimated.

Works Cited “Advantages of New and Used Cars.” cars.com. 16 Aug. 2010 Web. 2 Dec. 2011 Hall, Gregg. “Why to Buy a Used Car Instead of New.” streetdirectory.com. n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2011 Orman, Suze. “Buy ‘New Used’ Instead.” Yahoo Finance!. n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2011 “Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Car.” Consumer Reports. n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2011 Huffman, John Pearley. “Craigslist: Used Car’s Wild West.” MSN Money. n.d. 2 Dec. 2011 Composition II

My comp II instructor was a fan of my writing. She especially raved about my poetry analysis paper. I’d never read poetry until taking this class. Maybe that helped. “Eveline” Prewriting Review

This prewriting review for “Eveline” explains the audience for which I am writing my review, my reasons and purpose for writing my review, the method I will use in coming up with ideas that will work best for my review, and the theme that I believe best fits the story. My target audience for this project will be fellow college students, as many of them will relate to the theme of my review. The reason I am writing this review is to express my personal interpretation of the story, with the purpose of drawing similarities between the theme of the story and issues that many in my audience collectively face today. My method for writing this review will begin with self-questioning as I ask questions regarding various elements throughout the story that further expands upon the theme that I am exploring. This will be followed with directed freewriting as I compile a list of points to be made in support of the theme. Throughout the time I spent reading the story, the one theme that stood out to me was the fear of change. Even though Eveline was unhappy in her life at this point, and a better life with Frank was clearly within reach, she continued to rationalize any possible reason to stay in her rut due to fear of the unknown. As such, my review of “Eveline” will explore this theme and how it relates to individuals in contemporary society who are currently making every effort to break free of their own figurative shackles in search of a better life. The Power of Fear

James Joyce’s “Eveline” is the story of a young woman who, when presented with an opportunity to make a better life for herself in the company of her true love, ultimately decides to pass on this chance and remain in the only life she has known. It is a life that is familiar and without surprise, but hardly beneficial to her own happiness and well-being. Still, despite her odds of achieving self-fulfillment being greatly increased if she were to accompany Frank to Buenos Ayres, Eveline simply cannot bring herself to physically escape her dreary existence no matter how promising this new life may be. Throughout the story, she desperately searches for reasons to stay; each of which she romanticizes in a desperate attempt to outweigh the undeniable bleakness and negativity of her life to date. Is Eveline’s fear of the unknown, no matter how promising it may be, so crippling to the point where she refuses to let go of her pathetic existence to date? The role of Eveline’s family in her life is of no discernible positive consequence at this point. Both her mother and Ernest are dead, and Harry’s work results in his constant near absence from Eveline’s life (5). Eveline’s father, who has always been emotionally distant from her, has become quite abusive towards her since the passing of her mother. Eveline’s father accuses her of squandering money, saying that she has no head. She gives the meager wages earned from her job at the Stores to her father; the little money he did give her was spent on Sunday dinners (5). Along with this, Eveline is charged with keeping house and tending to two young children. For all her hard work, she receives no thanks. In the workplace, Eveline is stuck in a modest job at the Stores. Her position demands hard work from her in exchange for very little pay. On top of that, Miss Gavan is constantly bullying Eveline, especially in front of customers. Eveline herself knows that the Stores would not miss her if she were to quit and that she would simply be replaced quickly. She readily admits that she would not cry many tears at leaving the store (4). In sharp contrast, running away with Frank would provide a chance for Eveline to start anew, free from the burdens of work and home. A kind and hard-working man, he loves Eveline and wants to spend the rest of his life with her (5). Frank’s travels have provided him with a world view stretching far beyond the old country, with him having made a new home in the more exotic Buenos Ayres. Frank has proven he enjoys taking Eveline out for a night of fun on the town, as when they went to see The Bohemian Girl (6). While nothing in life is guaranteed, Frank has certainly gone a long way to this point in proving his devotion to Eveline’s happiness. Eveline’s rationalisms for not joining Frank on the night-boat are incredibly dubious at best. The fact that she is romanticizing the smell of dusty curtains goes to show how far she is stretching to find an excuse to remain trapped in her drab existence (4). That her father occasionally shows Eveline kindness does not make up for the coldness and abuse he normally directs her way; he has long had ample opportunity to prove his love for Eveline and has failed miserably in doing as such. Her position at the Stores certainly does not offer anything in the way of professional growth, given Miss Gavan’s attitude towards Eveline. Even the promise Eveline made to her dying mother in regards to keeping the family home together, which is perhaps the biggest obstacle keeping Eveline from pursuing true happiness, has certainly become a moot point given both the passing of Ernest and the constant absence of Harry. In the end, Eveline allows her fear of the unknown to prevent her from seizing the opportunity to rise above her dilapidated existence, even as the finish line was clearly within sight (7). In refusing to board the ship, perhaps Eveline has now given herself an even better reason to resign herself to such an unfulfilling experience, as she now has no one to blame but herself when it comes to further questioning the mundane existence she must endure.

Work Cited Joyce, James. “Eveline.” Literature and the Writing Process. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X Day, and Robert Funk. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice, 2005. 3-7. Rebellion and the (Sometimes) Futility of Such

John Updike’s “A & P” is a short story about a young man named Sammy working as a checkout clerk in a New England grocery store during the early 1960s. Sammy’s job is a mundane one, and he has already become rather jaded due to the mass conformity and consumerism he witnesses daily. His position at A & P finally comes to an end when he quits in protest of the treatment three girls shopping in bathing suits receive from his manager, Lengel. While Sammy’s teenage naivety leads him to believe that his quitting will bring him the admiration of Queenie and the other girls, he ultimately experiences no such gratitude as he learns an important life lesson. As such, the primary theme in “A & P” is one of individual rebellion and how it sometimes goes unacknowledged. When Queenie and her friends enter the store, Sammy immediately becomes oblivious to the mass conformity of the other shoppers as he is absolutely transfixed upon these three girls clad in bathing suits. Yes, much of this can be attributed to his being a red-blooded male with three scantily-clad young women in his view, but he is also in awe of the confident manner in which Queenie leads her friends through the store. Queenie herself had allowed the straps of her top to fall off her shoulders and certainly feels no obligation to put them back into place due to any shred of a social norm. According to Sammy, with the store being right in the middle of town, women coming from the beach generally put on a shirt or shorts before they get out of the car. (1) Queenie, in particular, is completely unapologetic regarding how Lengel felt about the attire she and her friends wore inside the store. It’s obvious that Sammy has spent a lot of time observing the dull, conformist nature of A & P’s customers as a whole. Being young and idealistic, he expresses constant disdain for these customers. He goes as far as to bet that someone could set off dynamite in an A & P, and the people would by and large keep reaching and checking oatmeal off their lists. (2) The presence of these girls gives him immense pleasure not only due to their attire but in the way housewives in pin curlers even looked around after pushing their carts past to make sure what they had seen was correct. (3) Ultimately, Lengel’s scolding of Queenie and her friends were catalysts for such a bold act of rebellion on Sammy’s part that was surely inevitable. Despite how Sammy’s family would feel about his quitting, he was at least subconsciously looking for a reason to resign his position; Lengel and the girls finally give him one. The reality of Sammy’s bold resignation is that it does not result in the sort of glory he was expecting to receive. He announces his resignation to Lengel in time for the girls to hear it before they exit the store, but they either do not hear, or it simply makes no difference to them. Sammy looks around for the girls immediately after exiting the store himself, but of course, they are long gone. There wasn’t anybody but some young married screaming with her children about some candy they didn’t get. (4) There is neither affection from Queenie to be won by him, nor any invitations to parties where fancy herring snacks will be served. In the end, Sammy has learned a valuable life lesson the hard way about how certain acts of rebellion indeed go unnoticed or unappreciated. This reality check occurs immediately as he feels how hard the world is to be to him hereafter. (5) While there was certainly no future to be found in his position as a grocery clerk (as both he and Stokesie were well aware), Sammy’s gesture has ultimately fallen flat. While Sammy’s disdain for conformity and bureaucracy is indeed admirable, perhaps he has learned to choose his battles a little more wisely in the future.

Work Cited Updike, John. “A & P.” Literature and the Writing Process. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X Day, and Robert Funk. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice, 2005. 376-380. Deception Overload

David Henry Hwang’s M. Butterfly is a play that recounts the twenty-year affair between a French diplomat and a Chinese opera singer. Rene Gallimard currently sits in prison for passing government secrets to Song Liling, who is actually an operative for the Chinese government. Song, pretending to be a woman, seduced Gallimard by preying upon his obvious insecurity, particularly in the company of women. Even after being arrested, Gallimard refuses to accept the truth about Song’s gender until Song finally strips for Gallimard. Overall, the defining theme of M. Butterfly is deception, and there is plenty of it to be found in this play. The most obvious example of deception in M. Butterfly is Song’s deception of Gallimard regarding Song’s true gender. This deception goes even further than that as Song presents himself as Gallimard’s vision of the ideal woman, particularly as a woman whom Gallimard does not find intimidating in the slightest. As Gallimard himself states regarding Song’s performance in Madame Butterfly, “I wanted to take her into my arms – so delicate, even I could protect her, take her home, pamper her until she smiled.” (1) Song even goes as far as pretending to become pregnant by Gallimard, and procuring a child, to keep Gallimard on the hook. As a Chinese government operative, and despite violating standards of communist morality, Song skills of deception know no bounds throughout the course of his assignment. The deception spans much further than Song’s actions, as Gallimard continuously deceives himself throughout the years by nurturing his private fantasy of Song. After returning to Paris, Gallimard’s fantasy grows even more outlandish, even at the expense of the world around him. As Gallimard tells Song, “My mind, you see – there wasn’t enough room in this hard head – not for the world and for you. No, there was only room for one.” (2) Even after Song finally strips naked for Gallimard, with Gallimard immediately rejecting Song, Gallimard still holds onto his fantasy of his little Madame Butterfly until his dying breath. Gallimard’s acts of deception are by no means limited to self-infliction. He deceives his wife Helga throughout the entire affair, and even afterward, once they have returned to Paris until he can finally no longer keep up his charade and he demands a divorce. Even after Helga asks Gallimard, “You can’t live with her, but you still don’t want to live with me?” (3) he is still unable to see how much he has hurt her. Gallimard has also betrayed his country throughout his entire affair with Song, as he continuously provides sensitive information to Song, who in turn relays it to the Chinese government. Ultimately, Gallimard has deceived everyone and everything around him, which is real, for the sake of his affair with (and fantasies of) Song. In the end, the various acts of deception executed by both Gallimard and Song have collectively destroyed their respective lives, and in Gallimard’s case, it has destroyed any trust either his wife or his country may have ever placed in him. While Song continues working for his country, they have branded him an outcast due to what they perceive to be acts of perversion that he has used to collect confidential information for them, and his operation is ultimately defunded by the Chinese government. Gallimard himself has not only been imprisoned for his treasonous acts, but he has been rendered nothing more than an absolute buffoon by the world at large. Perhaps even more damaging, neither Gallimard nor Song has anyone left in the world to love them back when all is said and done.

Work Cited Hwang, David Henry. “M. Butterfly.” Literature and the Writing Process. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X Day, and Robert Funk. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice, 2005. 847-892. Fog: An Analysis

“The fog comes on little cat feet.

It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.” -Carl Sandburg (1916) At only six lines long, “Fog” by Carl Sandburg is incredibly short, but it covers much ground in its Zen-like brevity. The poem is as fleeting as its depiction of momentary beauty, beginning with the simple lines of “The fog comes/on little cat feet.” (1) In a mere seven words, the entire imagery, symbolism, and tone of the poem are established. We can easily visualize the fog rolling in ever so gently, so stealthily (like a cat), and how breathtaking this sight is held in the eye of a certain beholder. We can see the narrator himself, alone with his thoughts outside one quiet late night/early morning as a fog silently fills the physical space around him. Moving into the second stanza, the fog “sits looking over the harbor and city.” (2) As quickly and quietly as the fog moved into the area, it now entirely dominates the landscape. The feline metaphor is built upon in these lines, as cats are sitting on high ground and looking down upon the world around them. It’s this uncompromising and mysterious nature of the fog that has captured the imagination of the narrator and what he is attempting to communicate to the reader. The fog has consumed his physical space as voraciously as his thoughts have consumed his mind. The fifth line, “on silent haunches,” (3) yet continues with the feline theme. While the fog holds steady, it also maintains its exit strategy for when the time arrives. Eventually, the fog has remained in for ling enough “and then moves on” (4) into the night. Much like cats, the presence of the fog was always temporary; the narrator knows this but still takes special note when the fog exits the harbor and the city. The temporary beauty and mystique of the fog have now moved on, and life soldiers forward. The narrator can now return to business as usual. Having put forth a critical interpretation of this poem, I would like to explore why I chose it specifically for this essay. I am an artist, not a critic; therefore, I’m drawn to any creative piece in how it reaches me on a personal level. More so than the words the author used, I am even more impressed with the words he didn’t use. This latter quality only serves to create an even more attractive visualization in my head that speaks to me. As I looked over the poems that were eligible for this assignment, “Fog”: was the one that captured my imagination more than any other. I can easily relate to the mood in which the narrator finds himself as he bears witness to a natural spectacle that is otherwise dismissed as being unremarkable by the average person. Reading this poem, I completely visualize myself in the narrator’s place. It’s a common practice for me to step outside at night to be alone with my thoughts (of which I always have no shortage) and subsequently take in the world around me at the same time. I myself have observed the appearance of fog in the still of the night, it’s engulfing of the physical world around me, and its silent exit. I have observed its beauty and mystery as my mind was engulfed in a fog of its own. Such nighttime elegance has even provided me with moments of clarity as I search for solutions to issues down by which I am weighed. In that way, “Fog” can easily be viewed as an homage to awareness both of self and of the beauty and inspiration in the world around us. The poem also provides a sense of solidarity among those of us who happen to be questioning and open-minded enough to process such an observation.

Work Cited Sandburg, Carl. “Fog” Literature and the Writing Process. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X Day, and Robert Funk. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice, 2005. p. 616. Hills Like White Elephants: A Review

Often, what appears to be a rather superficial and mundane discussion on the surface between two people will be rooted in issues far more complex than we know. Such is the basis of Ernest Hemingway’s short story “Hills Like White Elephants” as he presents us with a conversation in a bar between two people filled with various examples of innuendo. While the real meaning of this conversation is obvious in spite (or perhaps because) of is definite ambiguity, the reader is nevertheless drawn into the world of these characters due to Hemingway’s highly effective use of setting, tone, and character. He has created a work in which the sum is greater than its parts, as per the saying. Despite its relatively short length, “Hills Like White Elephants” is quite complex in its execution. We begin with the setting for this story, as we find the two characters sitting in a train station bar in the Ebro River valley of Spain. It’s a hot day in the barren Spanish desert as our two main characters cool off with beers as they wait for their train. The locale even presents a row of hills, of which a character remarks, “They look like white elephants.” (Hemingway, E.) The metaphorical “white elephant” serves as the central component of the theme of this story. The title describes the hills as being like white elephants rather than hills that look like white elephants. (Link, A.) The harsh and unforgiving landscape also alludes to the tough issues the two main characters face regarding each another. The tacky decorations of the bar itself can be seen to represent the cheap superficiality of the conversation, a synthetic oasis of sorts in the midst of a proverbial hell on earth. “Hills Like White Elephants” revolves around two characters who we know only as a man referred to at the beginning of the story as The American and a woman to whom he refers as simply Jig. For the most part, these two characters represent the respective stereotypes of men and women in both speech and mannerisms. The American is more rational and direct in his conversational approach, while Jig is more romantic and emotionally conflicted throughout the story. The first verbal conflict between Jig and The American is over the hills that she compares to white elephants. (Smiley, P.) Up to and including the last line of the story, where Jig states, “There’s nothing wrong with me, I feel fine,” (Hemingway, E.) these stereotypes never waver. Hemingway’s use of gender stereotypes works so effectively because he focuses on the truths of these particular stereotypes. We know via Hemingway’s trademark use of iceberg theory that the plot of the story focuses largely upon The American’s attempt to convince Jig to get an abortion. He constantly refers to the procedure as an operation, although even he admits that this is not an accurate term. The American has no desire to become a father at this time, viewing the potential child as a white elephant that could significantly curb the current lifestyle he obviously prefers. Even his relationship with Jig is quickly becoming a white elephant for him as well, desperate for his train to finally arrive and take him far away from what is quickly becoming a significant ordeal. Jig, on the other hand, is highly reluctant to make such a choice, viewing the prospect of motherhood as a potential means for a more fulfilling existence for both her and The American. Even after she verbally agrees to have an abortion, she only becomes even more internally conflicted not only about this decision but about her relationship with The American as she demonstrates an increasing awareness not only of the gravity of the situation but also of the man’s self-centered and insecure motivation for pursuing the abortion. (Rankin, P.) In any event, it is apparent that both characters can’t wait to get on the train and leave this place. “Hills Like White Elephants” presents an objective point-of-view to the reader, who ends up taking on something akin to an omnipresent and voyeuristic presence to the conversation and events as they unfold. Unless the given reader happens to be a rather nosy type of individual, bearing witness to the conversation between The American and Jig can make one feel a little uncomfortable in being privy to such highly personal information. On the other hand, the reader is also able to sympathize with either one or both of these characters as the issues of romantic intimacy they experiencing are familiar ground for the reader in some capacity, certainly at least where the issue of continuing a romantic relationship is concerned. The contrast the reader perceives in the natural setting between fertility and sterility mirrors the tension between Jig’s desire to have the baby and The American’s wish to continue their relationship without it. (O’Brien, T.) Perhaps some readers can even take solace in the fact they aren’t the only ones who have ever faced such issues. The aforementioned character stereotypes in “Hills Like White Elephants” lend themselves generously to the story’s theme of a failure to communicate. While The American and Jig converse almost non-stop throughout the story, neither one effectively communicates any true thoughts or feelings to the other. Both characters constantly dance around the issues they discuss; as a result, neither character is really any wiser by the end of the story, and life goes on in such a fashion. The gender stereotypes themselves are a theme in the story, particularly as The American is reluctant to make a long-term commitment to Jig as she appears to be strongly in favor of one. Abortion itself and the many situations to which the word can be applied is also a theme as the same objects convey to The American an easy sense of exit. (Kozikowski, S.) In the end, each character wants to be with the other, but under different circumstances. Ultimately, Hemingway covers a lot of ground in “Hills Like White Elephants” through the course of a mere approximately dialogue-filled 1500 words. The reader is quickly rewarded with a strong understanding of each character, allowing one to easily empathize with either or both. The setting and themes of the story serve its plot well, painting a strong visualization within the reader’s mind. From reading this story, it is easy to understand why Hemingway continues to be revered as one of the greatest authors who ever lived.

Works Cited Hemingway, Ernest. “Hills Like White Elephants.” Literature and the Writing Process. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X Day, and Robert Funk. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice, 2005. 321-325. Rankin, Paul. “Hemingway’s ‘Hills Like White Elephants’”. Explicator. Summer 2005, Vol. 63 Issue 4, p234-237, 4p Link, Alex. “Staking Everything on It: A Stylistic Analysis of Linguistic Patterns in “Hills Like White Elephants’”. Hemingway Review. Spring2004, Vol. 23 Issue 2, p66-74, 9p Smiley, Pamela. “Gender Linked Miscommunication in ‘Hills Like White Elephants’”. Hemingway Review. Fall88, Vol. 8 Issue 1, p2, 11p O’Brien, Timothy D. “Allusion, Word Play, and the Central Conflict in Hemingway’s ‘Hills Like White Elephants’”. Hemingway Review. Fall92, Vol. 12 Issue 1, p19, 7p Kozikowski, Stanley. “Hemingway’s ‘Hills Like White Elephants’”. Explicator. Winter 1994, Vol. 52 Issue 2, p107, 3p Speech

A speech is an oral essay, and these outlines demonstrate narrative structure, persuasion, and creative expression. Eulogy for Patrick Nagel

Introduction I. Being a creative-type individual, I have always been on the lookout for artists whose works can serve as a source of inspiration. II. Even if this artist works within a medium that I myself do not, there are still general elements of creative expression that are compatible with any medium. III. Although he was a painter, and I am not, the art of the late Patrick Nagel has inspired me as a filmmaker, a photographer, and even as a musical artist. IV. Thesis Statement: The art of Patrick Nagel has long reached me through its art deco- inspired minimalism and its graceful celebration of the female form. Body I. Patrick Nagel was born in Dayton, Ohio, on November 25th, 1945, although he lived most of his life in Los Angeles. A. He served in the United States Army with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. B. After this, he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton. II. Nagel first worked as a graphic artist for ABC Television, then moving onto freelance work. A. These freelance clients included: IBM, Rolling Stone magazine, MGM, Universal Studios, and Budweiser. B. He is perhaps most famous for creating the cover art for Duran Duran’s Rio album, which represents my initial exposure to his work in the early 1980s. III. Nagel would first shoot a photograph of his model and then systematically simplify the image as he recreated it on canvas, removing elements he deemed unnecessary to his artistic statement and placing great emphasis upon those elements that remained. A. His subjects most often have black hair, white skin, and full lips. Both his subjects and his geometric backgrounds were constructed with clean lines. B. His work was strongly influenced by Japanese woodblock-style printing, in which a subject is silhouetted against a neutral background. Conclusion I. Patrick Nagel passed away on February 4th, 1984, from a heart attack immediately following his participation in a celebrity “aerobathon” to raise funds for the American Heart Association. II. Nearly three decades after his death, his art continues to influence artists of a wide variety of mediums, particularly when it comes to the smoothed over “Photoshop look” of contemporary fashion photography. III. Although his life was rather short, Patrick Nagel still managed to create an impressive oeuvre of distinctly original art, a couple of examples of which are prominently displayed in my home. I know I am not the only artist who owes his memory a serious debt of gratitude for the inspiration with which his work has provided me over the years. Visual Aids Image of Patrick Nagel Image of Duran Duran Rio album cover Three images of his work The Worst Automobiles Ever Made

Specific Speech Goal I would like the audience to understand the difficult time American automakers had in catching up to Japanese technology when entering the subcompact market by discussing three of the worst vehicles to ever roll out of Detroit: the Chevrolet Vega, the AMC Gremlin, and the Ford Pinto. Introduction I. If I were to ask each of you what the worst automobile ever made was, I know I would receive a wide variety of answers and convincing arguments. II. From sports cars to SUVs, domestic to foreign, there have been plenty of lousy vehicles produced since the beginning of automated transportation. III. In the early 1970s, amidst looming fuel shortages, economical subcompact cars made by the likes of Toyota and Datsun became very people in the United States. Thesis Statement In attempting to compete with these subcompact imports, America automakers collectively produced three of the undoubtedly worst vehicles ever made. Body I. The first car on our list is the AMC Gremlin. A. The Gremlin was marketed, albeit incorrectly so, as “America’s first subcompact.” 1. The car was definitely a subcompact in terms of size by the standards of the era, as the base model had two seats and a fixed rear window. 2. There was also a hatchback model with four seats. 3. While the Gremlin’s fuel economy, when fitted with the 3.8L inline six- cylinder engine, didn’t achieve the same numbers as the Japanese imports, it could reach a respectable 28 mpg on the highway. B. For AMC to sell the Gremlin at such a low price (starting at $1,879.00), the manufacturer cut a lot of corners when they designed the car. 1. The windshield wipers, powered by vacuum borrowed from the engine, offered less-than-optimal performance when driving in the rain. 2. AMC skimped on the car’s suspension. This, combined with the heavy weight of the engine, resulted in poor handling. 3. Last, but certainly not least, both the name and the aesthetics of the Gremlin leave much to be desired. In fact, all performance and handling issues aside, it’s the undeniable ugliness of the Gremlin that has given it its reputation as one of the worst vehicles ever made. Section Transition As bad as the AMC Gremlin was, things are only going to get worse from here. II. Six months after the introduction of the Gremlin, Chevrolet threw its hat into the substandard, subcompact ring with the introduction of the Vega. A. Chevrolet division general manager John DeLorean, “Vega will be the highest quality product ever built by Chevrolet.” 1. Indeed, the Vega received numerous praise and awards at the time of its introduction, including being named the Motor Trend Car of the Year. 2. The four-cylinder engine in the Vega averaged a respectable 29 mpg. 3. Initially, the Vega was a commercial success for General Motors. B. Unfortunately, it did not take long before Vega owners began experiencing numerous problems with their cars. 1. The rustproofing substance used on the body was faulty, resulting in rust damage on a wide array of areas on many cars. 2. The Vega featured a reverse hinged hood that would come through the windshield in collisions. 3. The aluminum engine was prone to warping, and some were known to require either a complete rebuild or replacement at only 50,000 miles. Section Transition While the safety issues of the Vega’s hood were certainly of great concern, they were no match for the biggest safety issue facing our final vehicle. III. Not to be outdone, Ford released the infamous Pinto to an unsuspecting retail market one day after the Vega hit the streets. A. Unlike the first two cars, there’s really nothing positive that can be said about the Pinto. 1. The 1.6L four-cylinder engine in early models was fairly reliable, if not particularly powerful or economical. 2. Upon introduction, automotive publications were highly critical of the Pinto’s suspension and braking systems. 3. Much like the Gremlin, the Pinto is widely regarded as one of the ugliest cars ever made. B. The real legacy (so to speak) of the Ford Pinto has to do with the fuel tank. 1. Upon being on the receiving end of a rear-end collision, the filler neck would snap off the tank, while the tank itself would be punctured by the frame. 2. These factors led to immediate and significant fuel leakage, sometimes resulting in fire and even explosion. 3. The ghoulish part of this safety issue is the infamous Ford Pinto Memo, in which Ford was advised to pay out settlements to victims and families of rear- end collision fires and explosions instead of recalling all Pintos to fix the problem because this would be the cheaper option for Ford in the long run. Conclusion I. In the end, the complacency of American automakers caused them to run seriously behind in meeting the demands of auto consumers, allowing for Japanese automakers to infiltrate the American market with a dominance that occurs to this very day. II. Even worse, the careless rush of American automakers to play catch-up resulted in selling vehicles to consumers that were of poor quality and even downright dangerous in some instances. Visual Aids One photo of each car

Resources Neil, Dan. “The 50 Worst Cars of All Time.” Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/0,28757,1658545,00.html on October 27, 2012. Newman, Rick. “The Chevy Vega: The Worst Detroit Car Ever?” Retrieved from http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/flowchart/2008/12/19/the-chevy-vega-the-worst-detroit- car-ever on October 27, 2012. Wojdyla, Ben. “The Top Automotive Engineering Failures: The Ford Pinto Fuel Tanks.” Retrieved from http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/industry/top-automotive- engineering-failures-ford-pinto-fuel-tanks on October 27, 2012. Look Beyond Hollywood

Specific Speech Goal I want to persuade my audience to expand their horizons when it comes to watching films. Introduction I. Have you ever watched a film only to come away feeling as if you’ve just wasted a couple of hours of your life that you are never getting back? II. Sure, there are plenty of films with large budgets and oodles of special effects designed to pack theatres but lack any real thought-provoking depth or even lasting excitement. III. Fortunately, there is a large collection of films out there, both past and present, that can provide real entertainment value to those who take the time and initiative to discover them. Thesis Statement I want to encourage people to look beyond mainstream Hollywood films to discover timeless examples of cinema that make them truly think and feel. Body I. Hollywood films these days are, by and large, pretty bad, and have been that way for quite some time. A. Of course, there is no shortage of people who will flock to see these types of films. 1. But aren’t these films just repeating the same tired formulas? 2. We have superhero action films in which a villain tries to conquer the world, a bunch of CGI-based explosions follows, and the good guy ultimately saves the day. 3. There are also scores of romantic comedies in which some poor and relatively useless nice guy or girl winds up living happily ever after with some amazing person with little to no effort. B. One Hollywood blockbuster in particular that annoyed me was the CGI tornado extravaganza Twister from 1996. 1. I remember being dragged along to watch the film, and that’s pretty much all I remember about the experience. 2. I walked out of the theatre feeling thoroughly disgusted as if I had just thrown away two hours of my life on a stupid film that insulted my intelligence. 3. If someone had told me, at that moment, that I would someday possess a genuine passion for films and filmmaking, I would’ve laughed in their face. Section Transition Little did I know at the time that I was only a few months away from taking a complete 180- degree turn on the subject of cinema. II. American independent cinema is often dismissed as “art-house fare,” yet the label encompasses a wide variety of films, many that are far more intense and entertaining than whatever comic book adaption is currently filling up the metroplexes. A. A few months after suffering through Twister, I watched the film Eraserhead for the first time. 1. Eraserhead is the feature-length directorial debut of legendary avant-garde American filmmaker David Lynch. 2. I had never seen a film so challenging, so visually metaphorical, and I thought about it constantly for days after I watched it. 3. Lynch went on to direct numerous other amazing films, including The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet, and Mulholland Drive, along with being the creator of the early nineties’ television series Twin Peaks. B. Besides David Lynch, there have been other North American independent filmmakers, some of whom have even made their way into the mainstream. 1. Martin Scorsese has carved out an impressive filmmaking career, particularly through gangster films such as Mean Streets and Goodfellas. 2. Other great independent films have been made by filmmakers such as Brian De Palma, David Cronenberg, and Darren Aronofsky. 3. Quentin Tarantino is a more recent independent filmmaker who has become quite successful and well-known, even if a lot of his stylistic trademarks have been absorbed into numerous substandard Hollywood films. Section Transition Of course, America is not the only place where amazing films are being made. III. Foreign cinema has a history that is just as rich and varied as that of Hollywood. A. There are a few European filmmakers who have had an enormous influence upon me. 1. Federico Fellini is one of the most influential film directors of all time and is perhaps the best candidate for the title of Best Director Ever. 2. Ingmar Bergman directed many amazing films including the mind-blowing and influential Persona. 3. While Paul Verhoeven would go on to direct several big-budget Hollywood blockbusters, he cemented his reputation as a talented filmmaker through several Dutch-language films he directed in his native Netherlands. B. Great foreign cinema doesn’t end with those three filmmaking greats by any means. 1. Jean-Luc Godard single-handedly launched the French New Wave Cinema movement with his 1960 film Breathless. 2. Soviet director Andrei Tarkovsky made several legendary films, including his three-hour urban exploration magnum opus Stalker. 3. If horror and suspense films are your thing, the films of Italian director Dario Argento have been compared favorably to those of Alfred Hitchcock. Conclusion I. In conclusion, don’t believe for a second that the only cinema out there is big-budget Hollywood fare hyped to death in the mainstream media. II. If you’re willing to search a little, you can discover an entire universe of amazing films across a wide variety of genres. Visual Aids Posters and screenshots of films referenced

Resources Rau, Chris. “Top 10 Worst Blockbusters in Recent History”. Retrieved from http://listverse.com/2011/03/25/top-10-worst-blockbusters-in-recent-history on November 11, 2012. Toy, Sam; Carty, Stephen; Jolin, Dan; White, James; O’Hara, Helen; Plumb, Ali; De Semlyen, Philip. “The 50 Greatest American Independent Movies”. Retrieved from http://www.empireonline.com/features/50-greatest-american-indies on November 11, 2012. Fear, David; Rothkopf, Joshua; Uhlich, Keith. “The Top 50 Foreign Films of All Time”. Retrieved from http://www.timeout.com/newyork/film/the-top-50-foreign-films-of-all-time- foreign-language on November 11, 2012. Technical Writing

Do you need to write a letter? Step-by-step instructions? A CV and a resume? Or maybe a business plan? All that and more is right here. How to Administer an Intramuscular Injection

An intramuscular injection is the delivery of a pharmaceutical drug into a muscle via a syringe and hypodermic needle by a medical professional. The drug is drawn into the syringe through a hypodermic needle, the injection spot on the patient is sterilized (usually with an alcohol pad), the needle penetrates the skin and muscle of the injection spot, and the syringe plunger is pushed down, injecting the drug into the patient’s muscle. Muscles commonly targeted for intramuscular injections include: 1. Vastus Lateralis (Thigh) 2. Ventrogluteal (Hip) 3. Deltoid (Shoulder) 4. Dorsogluteal (Buttock) *Illustration of injections sites* ITEMS NEEDED 1. Injectable pharmaceutical drug 2. Syringe 3. Hypodermic needle 4. Alcohol pads 5. Band aids 6. Sterile gauze 7. Surgical gloves STEPS Setting Up 1. Make sure the clinical setting in which the injection is being administered has been properly sanitized, particularly the countertop upon which the items will be laid out and upon which the drug will be drawn into the syringe. 2. Lay the items out on the countertop. Be sure to have multiple alcohol pads and band-aids readily available if needed. Be sure to have a waste receptacle specifically for disposing of bio-hazardous materials nearby. 3. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry completely. Put on surgical gloves. 4. If the pharmaceutical drug vial has not been used before, remove the plastic or metal top and metal ring covering the rubber stopper on the top of the vial. Preparing the Injection 1. Clean the rubber stopper on the vial with an alcohol pad. 2. Remove the syringe and the hypodermic needle from their respective packaging and securely attach the needle to the syringe. Remove the plastic cover from the needle. 3. Pull back on the syringe plunger to draw air into the syringe. You will need to draw in the same amount of air as the amount of the drug required for the injection. 4. Leaving the drug vial setting right side up on the countertop, insert the needle through the rubber stopper, stopping just inside the vial. Press down upon the syringe plunger, injecting the air from the syringe into the vial, and hold down on the plunger. 5. While still holding down the plunger, and with the needle still inside the vial, pick up the vial and hold it upside down. 6. Making sure the end of the needle is completely covered with the drug, release the plunger on the syringe. The pressure of the added air into the vial will cause the syringe to fill with at or near the correct amount of the drug. Pull pack on the plunger to draw in more of the drug or push in the plunger to remove an excess amount of the drug, if necessary. 7. Once the correct amount of the drug has been drawn into the syringe, remove the needle from the vial, and carefully reattach the plastic needle cover. *Photo of a drug being drawn into a syringe* Administering the Injection 1. Clean the area of the patient where the needle will go with an alcohol pad and allow the area to dry. 2. Using your non-syringe hand, gently press on the patient’s skin at the area of injection and stretch it slightly. Continue holding the skin just outside the injection spot. 3. Insert the needle into the muscle at a 90-degree angle using wrist motion. Let go of the skin while holding the needle at its 90-degree position. 4. Pull back slightly on the plunger to make sure the needle is not in a blood vessel. If blood is drawn into the syringe, immediately remove and dispose of the needle and syringe (and the amount of the drug within the syringe) and place a band-aid upon the injection site. Prepare a new injection with a brand-new syringe and needle and perform the injection again on the patient’s other side. 5. If no blood is drawn into the syringe, then you are ready to administer the drug by pushing down firmly on the plunger. Do not push down on the plunger too quickly, as this can cause unnecessary pain for the patient. 6. Once the injection has been administered, quickly remove the needle from the patient at the same angle from which it was inserted. 7. Immediately place and hold the sterile gauze upon the injection site. Dispose of the needle and syringe. 8. Remove the sterile gauze and affix a band-aid to the injection spot. *Photo of intramuscular injection being administered* COMMENTS Be sure the injectable pharmaceutical drug being administered has not expired by checking the expiration date stamped on the vial. Check to make sure the drug is the correct color and that there are not any crystals or lumps present in the vial. How a Revolver Works

WARNING: No individual should carry or operate any firearm without having first received proper training in doing so. Misuse of firearms can cause injury or even death, so extreme caution should always be used when handling a firearm. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS A revolver is a firearm that features a cylinder with multiple chambers arranged in a circle. Each chamber is rotated into alignment with the barrel and the hammer one at a time. While there are revolvers with cylinders containing anywhere from five to ten chambers, most contain six. Although revolvers hold fewer rounds than auto-loading handguns, an individual using a revolver has the advantage of not having to manually clear any chamber of an errant round during use. PARTS A revolver contains several distinct parts that work together to release a projectile with speed and accuracy. *Illustration naming the different parts of a revolver* Barrel The barrel is a metal tube down which the projectile travels after being released from its cartridge in the chamber of the cylinder. Cylinder The cylinder contains multiple chambers, each of which holds a single cartridge. On both single- action and double-action revolvers, the cylinder is rotated to the next chamber each time the hammer is pulled back, aligning the next cartridge with the barrel and the hammer. Cylinder Release The cylinder release is a metal tab located just behind the cylinder, and above the grip, on the left-hand side of the revolver. Pushing on the cylinder release causes the cylinder to swing open to the side, allowing the user to load cartridges into the chambers. Ejector Rod The ejector rod is a metal rod that is used to remove empty casings from the cylinder. It is a metal rod attached to the front end of the cylinder, and it rests underneath the barrel when the cylinder is in place. Grip The grip is the handle of the revolver and is typically made of wood or plastic. Since, unlike auto-loading handguns, it does not need to house a clip containing cartridges, the grip on a revolver is designed strictly for ergonomic purposes, making it comfortable for the user. Hammer The hammer is a spring-loaded, metal latch that contains the firing pin. A revolver is cocked when the hammer is pulled back from the body either manually (on a single-action revolver) or automatically (on a double-action revolver). Muzzle The muzzle is the end of the barrel. As this is where the projectile exits the revolver, the muzzle must be precisely machined to ensure accuracy. Sight The sight is a metal tab directly above the muzzle on the barrel. It provides accuracy for the user in aiming his or her shot. Trigger The trigger is a small metal lever that, when squeezed, causes the hammer to strike the primer charge of the cartridge currently in the firing position. Trigger Guard The trigger guard is a metal loop around the trigger that protects the firearm from accidental discharge. HOW A REVOLVER OPERATES CAUTION: Make sure any firearm is regularly cleaned and properly stored to ensure not only its accuracy and reliability but also its functional safety. To load the revolver, press the cylinder release, allowing the cylinder to swing open to the side. If there are empty casings in the cylinder, use the ejector rod to quickly expel them from the cylinder. Cartridges can be loaded individually or more quickly with the use of a speedloader or moon clip. Return the cylinder to its operating position. With one hand firmly wrapped around the grip and the other cupping the bottom of the grip for added stability, raise the weapon to eye level and take aim using the sight. Once aim has been achieved on the target, pull back on the hammer using the thumb of the hand wrapped around the grip. When the trigger is squeezed, the spring is tripped, and the hammer quickly returns to its original position, where the firing pin strikes the primer charge on the cartridge that is currently in the firing position. If the revolver is a single-action, the hammer must be manually cocked again for each subsequent shot; for a double-action revolver, simply repeat squeezing the trigger until all rounds have been fired. Progress Report

Date: April 31st, 2012 To: Wilbur Wormwood From: Stefan Diamante Subject: Current Progress Report of my Film and Video Production Career

FORMAL EDUCATION COMPLETED TO DATE On the eve of my graduation, I have completed all coursework pertaining to the following areas of film and video production: • Shot composition and HD video camera operation • Lighting and grip • Audio production both in the studio and on location • Nonlinear digital video editing and DVD authoring • Computer-generated special effects • Production of a demo reel showcasing my work to date

FILM AND VIDEO PROJECTS OF NOTE I HAVE COMPLETED TO DATE I currently have the following film and video credits to my name (my positions are listed in parenthesis after each title): • LRC (director/producer/writer/actor) • The Crisis (director) • Shattered (director of photography) • Bombs Away! (actor)

WORK TO BE COMPLETED IN THE SHORT TERM

• Complete all classes I have this semester and graduate • Continue to produce narrative short films regularly • Complete writing a feature-length screenplay and commence producing it • Explore all possible ideas for making money with my skills and current equipment • Complete business plan for my proposed film production company • Begin assembling a core of talented individuals on both sides of the camera for ongoing work • Continually increase efforts to network and build relationships with other industry personnel

LONG TERM OBJECTIVE CONSIDERATIONS • Officially launch my film production company • Explore opportunities to produce films with other writers and directors • Continue honing my own craft as a narrative filmmaker • Exploit my own artistic endeavors for high paying commercial projects

DEVIATIONS FROM MY ORIGINAL PLAN My plan to learn more about the technical aspects of filmmaking for artistic purposes remains largely unchanged. The only significant change is that, due to the knowledge I have gained during this educational experience, I now have a much better understanding of how to execute my ideas on an incredibly low budget without sacrificing the overall quality of any given project. This also bodes well for opportunities to make money from producing commercial content, to the point of being able to produce certain types of small-scale projects as a one-man crew.

FEATURE-LENGTH SCREENPLAY DEVELOPMENT One of my top priorities in the early stages of my career as a filmmaker has been to develop a feature-length narrative film project to begin producing and directing by the end of 2012. While I’ve spent the past year sporadically writing a screenplay for such a project, I have recently decided to shelve this project indefinitely for three reasons: the projected budget to produce this film would be far more than I can most likely raise at this time, I’ve been unsuccessful in resolving a couple of logistical issues within the plot, and I’ve admittedly lost interest in the project. While there are a few nice scenes that I could always take and use in future projects, the most rational decision I can make is to cease working on this project and move onto another that is free of these issues. The good news is that I have already begun developing a new feature-length film project that will be significantly cheaper to produce, already has a basic plot outline that is free of logistical issues, and excites me as an artist far more than the aforementioned aborted project. The project is titled Discothèque, and it is a surrealist psychological thriller influenced that I am already half- jokingly referring to as being “Persona meets Suddenly Last Summer meets My Dinner with Andre.” The project is art-house type fare but will possess certain qualities that may allow it to at least dip its toe into the mainstream, so to speak. I am currently finalizing a two-page treatment of the story and will begin writing the first draft of the screenplay as soon as this weekend. CONCLUSION Like most people, I have a lot of money-related issues hanging over my head at this time; as a result, it’s been somewhat difficult for me to really focus on every current and future aspect of my filmmaking career and clearly outline every single step I must take. Still, writing this progress report has aided me immensely in getting a firmer grasp on what I want and need to do in this regard. While I am indeed working on my filmmaking career as I write this, I am also devoting a lot of my time and energy towards ways to relieve my current financial stress. The sooner I can resolve these issues, the sooner I can begin to pay even more attention to the vast quantity of details that abound when it comes to my place in the world of film and video production. Claims and Adjustment Letters

Archibald Leach 999 Zzyzx Rd. Zzyzx, CA 92309

February 30, 2011

Ms. Francis Gumm, Store Manager Spatula Barn 123 Kardashian Ave. Chloride City, CA 92328

SPATULA WITH MULTIPLE DEFECTS

Dear Ms. Gumm: On February 14, 2011, I purchased the Econo-Ninja Budget Spatula from the clearance table in your store as an anniversary gift for my wife. As I made my purchase, I asked Bubba, the cashier, if this was a good, reliable spatula. He responded by shrugging his shoulders and saying: “Who cares? It’s a 99-cent spatula.” I deemed this an acceptable response to my inquiry and left the store with my purchase. When I arrived home, I wrapped the spatula in a brown paper bag and hid it from my wife. The first problem I encountered with the spatula was when I presented it to my wife during our Valentine’s Day/wedding anniversary dinner that night at Pup ‘N’ Taco. When she opened her gift, she first acted with incredible bewilderment, immediately followed by extreme anger as she proceeded to smack me upside the head with the spatula while every last child playing in the ball pit at that moment stopped to point and laugh at my completely undeserved misfortune. The next morning, I attempted to fry some corned beef hash for breakfast, utilizing the new spatula for the task. Not only was the spatula far too flimsy to properly lift or even stir any amount of the corned beef hash, it completely melted in the skillet and caught fire. While my wife is much better at cooking than I am, I could not ask her for help as she is no longer speaking to me. On February 15, 2011, I returned the melted and charred remains of the spatula and corned beef hash stuck to my skillet to your store for a full refund. After informing Gertrude, the customer service manager, of the misfortunes I have experienced as a result of purchasing the spatula, she proceeded to laugh uncontrollably in my face. When her amusement finally subsided after what seemed like an eternity, she told me that she would not refund my purchase and that I should “get a life.” She then promptly took a smoke break, and I returned home in tears along with what is left of both the spatula and my shattered sense of self-worth. I find everything that has happened to me since purchasing this spatula to be completely unacceptable, and I place all blame squarely upon everyone but myself. As a longtime Spatula Barn customer who has purchased upwards of seven dollars in total merchandise overall, I believe I deserve far better service from your store personnel than that which I have received to this point. When I splurge an entire 99 cents upon any item of merchandise, I expect it to not only work perfectly but to endure long enough to be passed down through my family for many generations to come. In conclusion, I would like to discuss the matter with you directly to resolve it to my benefit. Given the significant amount of misfortune that I have experienced as a result of purchasing this spatula, I firmly believe myself entitled to the following compensation: a refund of 99 cents, a brand new replacement spatula, the expense of a romantic dinner for two at Pup ‘N’ Taco, a can of corned beef hash, a new skillet, the phone number of a good divorce lawyer, and for Bubba and Gertrude to be fired. I can be reached by phone at (760) 867-5309 to discuss an acceptable resolution to this matter. Sincerely,

Archibald Leach Spatula Barn 123 Kardashian Ave. • Chloride City, CA 92328 Telephone: 800-GET-SPAT

April, 31, 2011

Archibald Leach 999 Zzyzx Rd. Zzyzx, CA 92309

SUBJECT: Resolution of Econo-Ninja Budget Spatula purchase

Dear Mr. Leach,

I have made multiple attempts to contact you via the phone number given in your letter to me, but I have only succeeded in reaching a woman named Jenny, who claims to have never heard of you. Regardless, I am more than happy to resolve this situation to your satisfaction. After discussing the matter with my superiors, Spatula Barn has decided to refund your entire purchase price of 99 cents, plus you will be allowed to take all the cardboard boxes you can carry from our dumpster. As for your dissatisfaction with the attitudes of Bubba and Gertrude, you will be pleased to know that no other customer will ever endure such rudeness from either of them, as each has been promoted to a seat on our board of directors at our worldwide corporate headquarters in Plaster City, CA. Mr. Leach, we greatly value you as a longtime customer of Spatula Barn, and we hope you will continue to shop at our store for all your spatula and spatula accessory needs. Once again, I sincerely apologize on behalf of Spatula Barn International, Inc. for your recent unsatisfactory experience.

Sincerely,

Francis Gumm, Store Manager Adjustment Letter – Claim Rejected

School Health Equipment 123 Fake St. Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 867-5309 schoolhealthequipment.com

September 31, 2011

Ms. Mildred Ratched, Nurse Bale Elementary School 999 Ninth Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89110

Dear Nurse Ratched: Thank you for contacting our Customer Service Department on September 17th regarding the broken blood pressure cuff on an ADC Advantage 6010 Semi-Auto Digital Blood Pressure Monitor your school purchased from us. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Our company policy, as included on the return paperwork that accompanied all five of your devices, states that our products are only eligible for a refund within 60 days of the purchase date. We are also unable to refund the purchase of all five units just because one is broken. The blood pressure cuff is a delicate part of the unit, and we can’t be held responsible if it is improperly handled. However, our Product Service and Repair Department is more than happy to look at the blood pressure cuff in question and repair it if possible. Your school will need to ship us the part and pay for postage. Please let me know your decision. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely yours,

Jane Doe Customer Service Department Cc: Product Service and Repair Department CV, Resume, and Follow-Up Letter

Stefan Diamante 999 Skid Row Ave. Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 867-5309 [email protected]

September 31, 2017

Ms. Agnes Shrew Human Resources Manager Gravy Boat Warehouse, Inc 000 Fake Blvd. Weiner, AR 72479

Dear Ms. Shrew,

I am applying for the Gravy Boat Ambassador position advertised on Indeed, which I accessed on August 27. After reading the job description, I am confident that my skills and experience are an excellent match for this position. I have over a decade of consistent professional experience performing the functions described. Additionally, I am a self-starter and quick learner who can deliver results with little-to-no direct supervision.

With my years of experience in managing day-to-day business operations in my previous positions, I am proficient in all areas of accounting, preparing forms for a multitude of purposes, controlling inventory, and adhering to general office procedures. I also possess a working knowledge of gravy boat terms and concepts, and I am proficient in Microsoft Office.

I am currently pursuing my B.A. in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, with an emphasis on technical writing, political science, and legal studies. My studies will be completed in May 2019. Previously, I earned an A.A.S. in multimedia technologies from Southern Arkansas University Tech.

I welcome the opportunity to further discuss this position with you. If you have questions or would like to schedule an interview, please contact me by phone at (501) 867-5309, or by e- mail at [email protected]. I have enclosed my resume for your review, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,

Stefan Diamante Encl: Resume Stefan Diamante | 99 Skid Row Ave. | Little Rock, AR 72211 | (501) 867-5309 | [email protected]

CAREER OBJECTIVE Full-time position with a successful company utilizing my education and administrative management experience.

EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Arkansas at Little Rock January 2015 to May 2019 | GPA: 3.5 Areas of Study: Technical Writing | Political Science | Legal Studies

Associate of Applied, Science Multimedia Technologies, Southern Arkansas University Tech August 2010 to May 2012 | GPA: 4.0 Areas of Study: Film & Video Production | Graphic Design

EXPERIENCE Studio Nouveauté, LLC | (Little Rock, AR) April 2004 to Present Owner, Art Director & Event Planner. Overseeing day-to-day administrative operations including accounting and recordkeeping; developing and leading visual and performing art projects for a wide range of clients; training and managing independent contractors.

Splash Pools, Spas & More | (Sherwood, AR) April 2003 to April 2004 Assistant Manager. Overseeing day-to-day administrative operations including accounting and recordkeeping; training and managing employees; selling above-ground pools and spas; inventory management and control.

E-Z Auto Sales | (Denver, CO) July 2000 to April 2003 Assistant Manager. Selling and financing used autos; training and managing employees; inventory management and control.

COMPUTER SKILLS Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Collection

REFERENCES Tommy Tutone, CEO Is Jenny There?, Inc. 123 Fake St. Little Rock, AR 72211 [email protected]

Alfredo Garcia, Head of Production Shallow Graves, LLC 999 Made Up Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89110 [email protected]

Bub McScrub, Custodial Artist Spatula Barn International, Inc. 123 Kardashian Ave. Chloride City, CA 92328 [email protected] Stefan Diamante 999 Skid Row Ave. Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 867-5309 [email protected]

November 31, 2017

Ms. Agnes Shrew Human Resources Manager Gravy Boat Warehouse, Inc 000 Fake Blvd. Weiner, AR 72479

Dear Ms. Shrew,

I enjoyed our conversation last Thursday regarding the Gravy Boat Ambassador position. This allowed me to learn more about it and Gravy Boat Warehouse. It was especially beneficial for me to take that tour of the showroom so I could get a genuine sense of the demands of the position, especially in such a fast-paced environment.

As you pointed out in our discussion, my extensive experience in managing day-to-day business operations lends itself well to this position. This is particularly true when it comes to accounting and recordkeeping.

I would greatly appreciate you adding me to Gravy Boat Warehouse’s mailing list so that I may get an even better feel for the company along with its culture and values.

Thank you once again for taking the time to interview me for this position and for your generous hospitality. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Stefan Diamante Studio Nouveauté Business Plan

Executive Summary Studio Nouveauté is an independent film production studio based in Little Rock, Arkansas that produces films and videos for theatrical and online distribution. Studio Nouveauté is owned and operated by filmmaker Stefan Diamante. Studio Nouveauté works with up-and- coming film talent to produce high-quality films that are both artistic and entertaining. With an unlimited amount of creative directions available, Studio Nouveauté can target a wide array of film audiences from project to project. The continuing rise in the overall volume of online film distribution allows for even the smallest of film production companies to reach an international audience with every finished film and at a much lower operating cost than traditional film distribution channels (Parks). This is an important development, as it allows for films produced by Studio Nouveauté to potentially reach a much larger audience consistently than would otherwise be feasible in past eras. As a burgeoning independent film production studio, Studio Nouveauté operates on a much smaller budget relative to Hollywood studios but makes the most of its operating costs through smart and conservative funds management. This operating concept has been thoroughly researched and strategized to ensure immediate and continued success. Market & Company Analysis While there is no true definition for an independent film, an independent film is most commonly recognized as any film that is produced outside of a major Hollywood studio. There are currently six Hollywood studios that collectively command approximately 90% of US and Canadian box office receipts (Bieber). Each of these studios produces and distributes films through a vast collection of subsidiaries, some of which are former independent film studios. Additionally, it is common practice for Hollywood studios to distribute feature films that were independently produced. While this latter point represents a realistic possibility for any film produced by Studio Nouveauté, this is not the only distribution option available.

The rapidly growing use of internet video has prompted the film industry as a whole to create more robust online distribution options (Hansell). Whether it’s movies being simultaneously released for a fee and free or using web apps for content delivery, creators are experimenting with ways in which they can maximize both exposure for their films as well as returns for their investors (Taboada). The ability to sell digital downloads of a film via a website instantly places Studio Nouveauté in front of a worldwide audience and allows the studio to retain 100% of the gross profit from each sale, as opposed to the approximately 20% cut a studio receives as a result of distributing a film through more traditional retail outlets. Several filmmakers have each made more than one million dollars selling their films directly from their websites (Broderick). Along with selling the actual film, additional retail merchandise can be easily tied-in and cross-marketed as well for increased profits.

If Studio Nouveauté is to ever theatrically distribute any of its films, even on a highly limited basis, partnering with even a relatively small film distribution company is an absolute must. The reason for Studio Nouveauté to partner with third-party film distributors is the fact that it will be incredibly difficult to collect profits from theatres otherwise. It is certainly not a wise investment of time or money for Studio Nouveauté to spend years in court attempting to collect money it is owed, so the percentage of profit shared with a reputable distributor is a prudent investment. Fortunately, there are many new domestic distributors, several with deep pockets and wide-open release slates. They must quickly assemble a slate of films to support the distribution infrastructure they’ve assembled (Pittleman). With this up-and-coming crop of distributors clamoring for films to distribute, and with Studio Nouveauté’s emphasis upon producing quality features, there are many options for theatrical distribution at home and abroad.

The Competition In terms of feature film production, Studio Nouveauté is a member of a crowded field of studios, distributors, and filmmakers the world over desperately vying to be seen and heard. The most important quality in producing films is having a balance between creativity, understanding the tools of the trade, and having a keen business sense (Tomaric). While the relatively low cost of digital filmmaking plays a significant role in Studio Nouveauté’s ability to produce quality films regularly (Broderick), the same is true for every other independent film production studio around the world. While these other studios do not necessarily represent business competition for us in the traditional sense of the term, we will have to pull out all the stops to make sure our projects stand out amidst a seemingly endless sea of films being produced and distributed every single year.

From a pure filmmaking standpoint, the priority of Studio Nouveauté is to produce films of high technical proficiency and artistic merit. One of the most basic mistakes our juries see in thousands of entries is the "nervous camera" that really detracts from the film (Todd). From mediocre camera work to poor audio and editing, and many other amateurish techniques found throughout scores of low-budget films, Studio Nouveauté can immediately begin to raise the bar with our productions simply by taking the time to make films with professional production values. By working with promising filmmaking personnel possessing the greatest technical prowess, along with formal education from accredited schools, Studio Nouveauté has already taken a significant step ahead of many of its competitors.

Audience The greatest opportunity for long term growth and success Studio Nouveauté possesses within its industry is the fact that it can produce films for any target demographic, simply because a quality film can always be produced centering upon any subject matter imaginable. While each film produced by Studio Nouveauté will target a specific demographic from start to finish, the target demographic of the studio’s collective oeuvre of film productions can literally be any person who watches films. Studio Nouveauté does not view working with low film budgets to be a liability; to the contrary, working within the parameters of a low budget is viewed as an asset with the right attitude and entrepreneurial spirit. Many film enthusiasts appreciate innovation on a technical level, be it in quality of image, projection, or sound, or range, or experience of the same. It is a mistake to think that only the well-financed have access to innovation; the flaunting of one’s limitations has often led to innovative work. In fact, the lower budget work can afford to take more risks, and it is often this experimentation that leads the way (Hope). Operations & Marketing The marketing of films for theatrical release produced by Studio Nouveauté will be handled by third-party film distributors. The two reasons for Studio Nouveauté to utilize this approach are A) dedicated film distributors have already established numerous relationships with theatre managers both nationally and internationally, and B) they have the clout to ensure that the studio receives in full its share of the profit from each exhibiting theatre (Simens). Because so many people use the Internet to watch movies and learn about them, working with independent movie distributors that use the Internet to promote films is a great way to get attention for your film project. Many of these independent and international motion picture feature film distributors have used things such as Facebook or Twitter, as well as their own company websites, to generate interest in upcoming movie and DVD releases (Davy). Studio Nouveauté will still have to actively market its films to distributors, mostly through entering completed films into festivals throughout the United States and possibly Canada as well. A theatrical release, no matter how limited it may be, for any film produced by Studio Nouveauté, is vital to selling films via online download or having them aired on television, as these two channels of distribution will count for the bulk of each film’s short and long term profitability. The festival phase of any Studio Nouveauté film will run approximately three to four months to allow a positive buzz to build amongst film critics and movie-going audiences in general. From this point, a deal is brokered through a third-party distribution firm for an international theatrical release. While there are a few different models for distribution deals, any deal Studio Nouveauté signs will include an upfront reimbursement of a film’s production and promotional costs up to that point, along with a share of the film’s theatrical gross. It is also highly possible that Studio Nouveauté can secure a distribution deal for a film before commencing production. With a distribution guarantee deal, Studio Nouveauté will receive zero money upfront; however, the guaranteed reimbursement for a film’s production costs can be used as collateral against funding from investors to produce the film (Garon). After a film’s theatrical run, the stage is now set for online retail distribution, along with a variety of tie-in merchandise, which is where potential profit over six figures is a highly realistic possibility (Rajesh). The marketing strategy for online retail distribution of any given Studio Nouveauté film will begin with the critical and commercial success achieved by the film during the festival screenings and limited theatrical release, and that success will serve as the basis for a marketing campaign based largely upon social networking. Studio Nouveauté needs to leverage the power of social media strategies to push its films to international audiences and build sustainable communities around its work (Gooden). Ultimately, this method of marketing is incredibly cost- effective concerning the potential net profit of any Studio Nouveauté film, and it allows the studio to build relationships with audiences, critics, and industry personnel for an unlimited possibility of future considerations.

Management & Finance The purpose of a project management model is to provide organizations and project managers with a structure and format that is common and repeatable (Thom). Studio Nouveauté will utilize project management models for all aspects of its operations, overseen by Stefan Diamante, including the day-to-day business operations of the studio itself and the production process of every film project. The commercial distribution of completed film projects will be overseen by Stefan Diamante in full collaboration with outside film distribution companies. While the day-to-day business operations will be handled exclusively by Stefan Diamante in the short term, additional administrative personnel will be hired as growth permits, beginning with an office manager/bookkeeper who will report directly to Stefan Diamante. Other office employees hired by the studio will report directly to the office manager.

The production of every Studio Nouveauté film will strictly adhere to the traditional filmmaking hierarchy, with every crew member in each department answering to a specified department head. The department heads will answer directly to the film’s director, who, in turn, will answer directly to the film’s producer, with the producer on all early film projects being Stefan Diamante. As the studio’s growth permits, other producers will be brought on board to helm specific film projects, and these producers, in turn, will answer to Stefan Diamante in his role as studio head.

The accounting system used by Studio Nouveauté will be overseen entirely by Stefan Diamante during the early days of the studio’s existence and will involve maintaining its books on an accrual basis and reporting its earnings on a cash basis (Day). Software such as Quickbooks allows for ease of maintaining financial records in such a manner and will be used for recording the finances of the studio and each film project. When the studio reaches the point of employing individuals, payroll accounting will be outsourced to an accounting firm specializing in such.

Works Cited Parks, S. The Insider’s Guide to Independent Film Distribution. Focal Press. Print. 7 May 2007. Bieber, B. “Analysis of the Independent Film Industry”. BRB Productions. n.d. Web. 23 Sep. 2009. Hansell, S. “Forget the Bootleg, Just Download the Movie Legally”. The New York Times. n.d. Web. 4 Jul. 2005. Taboada, E. “How New Digital Distribution Options Might Impact Your Film's Release Strategy”. Nofilmschool. n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. Broderick, P. “Welcome to the New World of Distribution, Part 1”. Indie Wire. n.d. Web. 15 Sep. 2008. Pittleman, E. “New Distributors and Equity are Entering the Independent Film Market”. Research Wrap Blog. n.d. Web. 19 May 2011. Tomaric, J. “Psychology: the Fallback Career for Filmmakers?” Masteringfilm.com. n.d. Web. n.d. Broderick, P. “DIY=DVC”. Sight & Sound. BFI. Print. Mar. 1999. Todd, H. “How to Make Award Winning Films and Videos”. WorldFest Film Festival. n.d. Web. n.d. Hope, T. “32 Qualities of Better Film”. Let’s Make Better Films. n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2011. Simens, D. “Chapter 48: Theatrical Distribution”. Dov S-S Simens Film Blog. n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2008. Davy, R. “Making the Most of Film Distributors”. Business.com. n.d. Web. n.d. Garon, J. “Film Financing and Distribution Deals”. FilmmakerIQ.com. n.d. Web. 15 Jun. 2010. Rajesh, M. “Why Indie Directors Give Movies Away Free Online”. Time. n.d. Web. 26 Dec. 2009. Gooden, J. “How to Market Your Films the Social Media Way”. Zaguto. n.d. Web. n.d. Thom, W. “The Corporate Advantages of a Project Management Process”. ProjectSmart. n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2009. Day, J. “How to Use Both Accrual and Cash Methods Together”. Real Life Accounting. n.d. Web. 19 May 2005. Core Classes

These are papers I wrote for lower-level core classes in the subjects of cultural geography, ethics and society (philosophy), introduction to psychology, US history 1877 to present, and world history I (my world history II class consisted of two exams and a few paragraph-long responses to prompts). Geography

I chose cultural geography as one of the core classes to meet my social studies requirement. It’s a fun course that I recommend to anyone interested in geography who has a few credit hours to fill. Into the Delta

One evening this past January, I drove from Little Rock to Vicksburg, MS via a route that took me through the most southeastern corner of Arkansas. Although I have regularly traveled through much of the state over the past dozen years or so, this was my first time seeing McGehee, Lake Village, Eudora, and the surrounding area with my own eyes. All three towns lay along U.S. Route 65, which I travel regularly in other parts of the states, so it was also interesting to see a completely different stretch of a highway I often travel. While I was already aware of the fact that this particular area has been seriously afflicted by a lack of commerce and prosperity (which helps to explain why I only just recently made it there for the first time), I was still surprised to see just how incredibly depressed these towns really are. Even at night, it was obvious that many of the buildings I passed are closed for good and have been for some time. According to the map on page 65 of Contemporary Human Geography, the counties of Desha and Chicot have a high out-migration rate, further showing just how dead commercially this area is. It definitely stands in stark geographical contrast against other areas of Arkansas I regularly frequent, especially the opposite corner of the state in the Fayetteville area. *Maps demonstrating the location of each city within its respective county* Taking southbound U.S. Route 65, I first drove through McGehee in southern Desha County. Outside of a small University of Arkansas at Monticello satellite campus and (amazingly enough) a country club, there is really nothing of note in this town. It has a couple of motels and convenience stores and a few other small businesses, but that’s it. Historically speaking, McGehee is probably best known as the location of a Japanese internment camp during World War 2, which does serve to attract a bit of tourism. Next up on my drive was Lake Village in Chicot County. Located next to Lake Chicot, this town serves as the burial site of Hernando De Soto, as well as the location of Charles Lindbergh’s first night-time flight. Lake Village also contains several properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the cotton plantation variety. From Lake Village to Tallulah, Louisiana, I passed multiple tourist attractions related to cotton farming and plantations. It’s kind of sad, as some of these people are doing all they can to bring tourism into the area, but none of these places appeared to be doing anything close to big business. Just a few miles before reaching Louisiana, U.S. Route 65 took me through Eudora, also in Chicot County. Between what I saw that night and what I’ve since researched, Eudora has even less going for it than McGehee. Most of what I saw that night consisted of buildings that have been closed for a very long time, along with the prerequisite cotton plantation tourist attractions in and around town. Of all three of these towns, Eudora was certainly the most depressing, and that’s saying a lot. Even while passing through at night, it’s obvious that Eudora has been dying a slow and painful death for decades. Despite (or because of) all their flaws, I would love to visit this area again and explore it a little more thoroughly, especially with my camera in hand. While it’s not always practical for me to jump in the car and drive southeastern Arkansas, I’m seriously considering taking a trip down there again one day soon, perhaps this spring, before the humidity really kicks into full gear. While I’ve known that the southern part of Arkansas has been more or less suffering in terms of financial prosperity (which is why I rarely do business down there anymore), it was truly fascinating to see just how bad that southeastern-most corner of the state has been doing for so long. Thinking Spatially

For this assignment, I have chosen the route I take from my home near Bryant to the UALR campus three times per week to use the school’s fitness center. My neighborhood is a housing subdivision located between Bryant and Alexander and hidden from Interstate 30 traffic by a long bank of trees along the service road. Aside from the occasional petty theft, this neighborhood is a relatively safe and affordable place to live; as such, it continues to expand with new home construction. As I leave for UALR, I have two options for reaching I-30. For the sake of this paper, I’ll take the longer way and stop by my P.O. Box in Alexander. This route brings me to Alexander via a short street named Cornerstone Drive, where a handful of small businesses (mostly of the commercial services variety) are located. The residential growth of this area was not considered when the street was poured, and it was poured on the cheap, which has resulted in a gauntlet of potholes from end-to-end due to the high level of daily traffic the street receives. Many of the towns located southwest of Little Rock have grown considerably in population over the years, and the small town of Alexander is no exception. The municipal building, post office, and assortment of old homes and trailer parks are now augmented with new housing subdivisions and retail stores, including a Dollar General that opened last year. Taking AR State Route 111 out of Alexander brings me to the service road for eastbound Interstate 30. Before reaching the on-ramp, I cross the county line from Saline to Pulaski. Located immediately on the Pulaski side is Red Gate Liquor, as Saline was a dry county until the start of 2015. It will be interesting to see how the new law affects the established liquor stores located just across the various county lines. After entering I-30 east, I quickly pass by the Otter Creek neighborhood, which is currently experiencing rapid commercial expansion with the recent opening of a Bass Pro Shop and the upcoming outlet mall. It was only a few years ago that the land in question was nothing but trees. Personally, I liked it better before, but no one ever asked my opinion. Anyway, all these fancy new stores further prove what I stated above about the rapidly expanding population of communities located southwest of Little Rock. Driving past Otter Creek and the Interstate 430 exit brings me to southwest Little Rock. It’s amazing how abruptly the cultural landscape changes at this point. Until I reach the University Avenue exit, this stretch of I-30 is lined with various businesses that, besides providing the obvious goods and services, collectively serve as a façade, behind which lies a sea of low-income and high-crime neighborhoods. Mostly nothing has changed about this area in the dozen years I’ve lived in Arkansas. Taking the University Avenue exit brings me into the hood, which seems to comprise an increasingly large chunk of Little Rock. Driving north on University Avenue, I pass a large quantity of both new and used car dealerships. Having been in the used car business when I lived in Denver, I know all-too-well the issues these businesses face daily regarding both petty criminals and the homeless population. Reaching the intersection of University and Asher brings me to University Plaza: a once-thriving shopping center that was once filled with various stores and a nightclub. Now, only Big Lots and Harbor Freight remain, with UALR taking over residence of much of the shopping center. I continue driving north on University Avenue until I turn right on 28th Street, where I park near Jack Stephens Center. Although the parking situation at UALR isn’t very student friendly, I don’t mind the walk when the weather is nice. From where I usually park, it takes me about ten minutes to walk to Donaghey Student Center. Over the course of this trek via foot, I often walk past people from all over the world who have come here to study. Physically speaking, the campus is rather scenic; the downside is that the landscape is conducive to muggings and assaults. Not to blame the victims, but I do notice many people walking across campus who are listening to music through earbuds and /or texting while not paying any attention whatsoever to their surroundings. To me, this represents something of a culture clash between UALR students and the criminal element that resides in the surrounding neighborhood. From Harrison to Eureka Springs

A few weeks ago, I drove from Little Rock to Eureka Springs. While I have made this drive before, this was the first time I ventured into downtown Eureka Springs. I also made a few cultural observations on the drive between Harrison and Eureka Springs and did additional research online afterward. Although these two towns are only about 45 miles apart, they may as well be in different time zones given how drastically the cultural geographical landscape changes from one city to the next. It’s also interesting to see the cultural relationships that exist between certain towns on this stretch of U.S. Route 62. Harrison has a negative reputation in many ways, and I have yet to meet someone from Harrison with anything good to say about it. The city’s ties to white supremacy groups (notably, the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan) are well-documented, and it is a known hotbed for crystal meth production and abuse. Aside from this, Harrison is, in many respects, another socially conservative Southern/Midwestern town in which Protestantism looms largely over everyday life. In fact, I was surprised to learn that Boone County is not dry. Traveling west out of Harrison via U.S. Route 62 immediately brings me to Alpena: a town of approximately 400 people that straddles the county line that separates Boone and Carroll Counties. Not surprisingly, there isn’t much of note here, although the dilapidated commercial real estate on the main drag would make for some great photography. Continuing, I reach Green Forest, which is both larger and a little less dead than Alpena. Apparently, Green Forest’s only real claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of longtime Cosmopolitan editor-in-chief Helen Gurley Brown. A little further west and I reach Berryville. In and of itself, this town of approximately 5,400 people is about as interesting as the aforementioned Green Forest, but this is where I made an interesting observation a few weeks ago regarding this town’s cultural and commercial relationship with its nearby neighbor and co-county seat Eureka Springs. In a nutshell, Berryville is home to a significant number of large retail chains that serve not only the town itself but residents of the entire area, including those of Eureka Springs. All this commercial development in Berryville has obviously allowed Eureka Springs to retain its identity as a haven of mom-and- pop businesses and Victorian architecture, as both residents of and visitors to Eureka Springs still have access to all the modern retail conveniences just a mere 20 minutes away. In essence, Eureka Springs is getting to have its cake and eat it too. As for Eureka Springs itself… It’s certainly well known as one of the more socially liberal places in Arkansas, particularly when given its status as a gay and lesbian tourist destination. The town is certainly quite different from Harrison in virtually every way, and it’s interesting to see how drastically the cultural geography changed over the course of only 45 miles. Personally, I didn’t really care for the Eureka Springs nightlife, and I don’t feel like I was missing much at all until now. I found the locals to be rather snobby and elitist, and the streets are flat out terrible. Still, it’s a notable change of pace, culturally speaking, located directly within the Bible belt. History

These are papers I wrote for world history I and US history 1877 to present. The Government of Mesopotamia

Ancient Mesopotamian society was quite groundbreaking in virtually every area of its design, and its legal system was no exception. The Code of Hammurabi, named for the Mesopotamian emperor Hammurabi, laid much of the groundwork for the sort of law and order we see to this very day in many societies. The code was largely concerned with civil laws relating to marriage and inheritance, family relations, property rights, business practices, and financial responsibility. The issue of criminal offenses was also covered herein, with punishment being dispensed with varying degrees of severity depending on the social status of both offender and victim. By contemporary standards, there is much that the Code of Hammurabi both has and does not have in common with modern-day society. Laws in Mesopotamia relating to marriage and property rights were decidedly a byproduct of a blatant shift into a patriarchal society under the rule of Hammurabi. By this time, women were largely considered objects to be ruled by men. While women were free to pursue both employment and small-scale entrepreneurship, this always occurred under the supervision of a male relative. Marriage, regarded as a legal contract, and divorce as its breakup were similarly affected by official procedures. The future husband and his father-in-law agreed on a contract, and if a divorce occurred, the father-in-law was entitled to satisfaction. (Naranjo, R.) Divorce was actually a common occurrence in ancient Mesopotamia, and much like today, lawyers made a good chunk of their income representing clients during divorce proceedings. Marriage often involved bride money being paid by the groom’s family to the bride’s family, while the bride’s family paid a dowry to the groom once the couple began to live together. The husband controlled this dowry throughout the length of the marriage. Should the wife die, the dowry would then be distributed among her children. While concepts such as bride money and dowries are virtually unheard of in modern western civilization, we do learn that commonplace concepts such as divorce (and divorces lawyers) are by no means nothing new, and the dowry inheritance is not too dissimilar to inheritance laws of today. As we see all too often today, it was not uncommon for individuals in ancient Mesopotamia to find themselves deep in financial debt for any number of reasons. While slavery was a significant way of life for many in this society, it had nothing to do with race; rather, the slave class consisted of prisoners of war, criminals, and those who had incurred debt to others. It was quite common for someone in debt to become a slave for someone to whom they were in debt to pay back what they owed. An individual would be released from slavery once he had repaid his debt. As for debts to the state, when Hammurabi died in 1749 BC after a reign of 42 years, his successor, Samsuiluna, canceled all debts to the State and decreed that all tablets should be destroyed except those concerning traders’ debts. (Toussaint, E.) While slavery is certainly not a punishment for debt in our day and age, the concept of debt relief on the behalf of one state to another is one that is championed by many. Criminal law in Mesopotamia was based largely upon social classes consisting of nobles, commoners, and slaves. Punishment was dispensed regarding the respective classes of the offender and the victim, with the individual belonging to the higher social class receiving preferential treatment. An individual could be whipped for striking someone higher in rank than himself - sixty blows with an ox whip. (Ancient) In instances where both parties were members of the same social class, Hammurabi favored an “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” approach to punishment. While our contemporary criminal laws make no official distinction between social classes when it comes to punishment, we still have too many instances in which a criminal of a higher social class receives preferential treatment in comparison to a criminal from a lower social class. In conclusion, while the contemporary legal system in most western nations is vastly different from the Code of Hammurabi officially, there is still evidence presented to us every day that serves to prove that some things never do change. While women enjoy much more freedom in our times, and we have done away with “eye for an eye” style justice and punishments such as whippings and slavery, we still possess a class system that does, at times, result in social inequality at the legal level. While we are far removed from the laws of ancient Mesopotamia, we’re still closer to them than one might initially assume.

Works Cited 1. Naranjo, Roberto. “Marriage in Ancient Mesopotamia and Babylonia”. Retrieved from http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/articles/articleview.cfm?aid=58 on February 13, 2013. 2. Toussaint, Eric. “Debt Cancellation in Mesopotamia and Egypt from 3000 to 1000 BC”. Retrieved from http://www.globalresearch.ca/debt-cancellation-in-mesopotamia-and-egypt-from- 3000-to-1000-bc/5303136 on February 13, 2013. 3. “Ancient Mesopotamia - The Code of Hammurabi”. Retrieved from http://www.criminallawyergroup.com/criminal-justice/the-evolution-of-criminal-justice.php on February 13, 2013. The Expansion of Rome

There is perhaps no civilization in history that has exuded as much influence upon the world as the Roman Empire. Rising from the ashes of the Persian and Greek civilizations in the Mediterranean basin, Rome’s evolution from city-state to vast empire was the result of multiple forces. The Roman Empire came to dominate both the East and the West as perhaps the world’s first true superpower. Still, this expansion did not come without major consequences for civilization at large. While the overall history of the Roman Empire is incredibly long and detailed, several key issues point to both the empire’s rise and ultimate demise. The civilization of Rome began as a city-state in the Mediterranean basin c. 753 BCE. Even in its structure, Rome was not physically reminiscent of the civilizations that preceded it. Instead of being built compactly on and around a single dominating eminence, it sprawled over a tumbled area of small bluffs and intersecting valleys in an amalgamation of earlier village settlements. (Cary, 1949, 123; 130) Through a concentrated focus upon maintaining a collective of ports and roads throughout its geographical location, Rome controlled communications across the western side of the Italian peninsula. Through these efforts, Rome was able to take advantage of the increased manpower afforded to it via its control of communication lines. In turn, these developments allowed the Roman Empire to continue growing far and wide. The Roman Empire was highly successful in cultivating a nationalist sense of kinship amongst its subjects. The Romans are famous as imperialists, not as pioneers in the history of democracy. This is neither surprising nor altogether unfair on them; all the same, they earned their place because the system they operated in the middle and late Republican period (from about 300 BC until the establishment of the Empire in about 30 BC) contained a strong element of popular participation, even if balanced by a still stronger aristocratic tradition. (North, 1994, 38) For better or worse, this instilled within Rome’s citizens a strong sense of national identity and pride, something that appealed greatly to a wide variety of individuals across the class system spectrum. This is a highly successful strategy that we see employed by certain nations to this very day as they cultivate their own global expansion. This leads us to one of the major consequences of Rome’s expansion: the gradual decline of democracy in favor of imperialism. While both Augustus and Tiberius are on record as having steadfastly refused to allow themselves to be addressed as “dominus” (“master”), by Trajan’s day at the latest, “dominus” had become the customary form of addressing the princeps. (Stockton, 2001, 157) Another major consequence of Rome’s expansion was the simple fact that, as the empire acquired new territory, it now had new citizens to feed and tax. As neighbors of these new provinces made threats of taking these acquired lands, Rome would subsequently conquer them as well, adding even more new citizens who it must somehow feed and tax. In short, the Roman Empire began to greatly stretch its resources as it struggled to accommodate the new land and citizens it continually acquired. As long ago as all this occurred, there is no doubt that the Roman Empire set a significant precedent for national conquest witnessed time and time again throughout subsequent history and into the present day. This rapid and vast expansion of land and people brought Rome to the top of the world government hierarchy, yet it also proved to be too much for the ancient Roman government to handle. Add in the eventual imperialistic excess of the Roman Empire, and it’s easy to see how so many citizens from all corners of the empire would inevitably become disillusioned enough to want to break away from the empire. It’s enough to make one wonder what tomorrow holds for those of us living in the here and now.

Works Cited 1. Cary, M. (1949). The Geographic Background of Greek and Roman History (Oxford: Clarendon Press), 331 pp. 2. North, John (1994). “Democracy in Rome” History Today Vol.44:3, pp. 38-43. 3. Stockton, David (2001). “The Founding of the Empire” In John Boardman, et. al, (eds.) Oxford History of the Classical World (Oxford Univ. Press, 518 pp.), pp. 146-79. Buddhism and Shinto in Japan

For better or worse, Japanese culture represents many different things to many different people around the world. Some people instantly wax romanticism over the samurai era, while others zero in on sushi and sake. Some people still think of Japan as an Axis superpower during World War II, and yet others are instantly reminded of economical cars and cutting-edge electronics. But the culture of the Japanese people is rooted far deeper than such superficial images; this is an island nation with a rich cultural heritage. A heritage largely influenced by Shinto and Buddhism, and the love/hate relationship between the two religions. Shinto is the ancient religion of Japan, a system of animistic beliefs and customs. In popular belief, Japan is the land of Yaoyorozu no Kamigami (the eight million gods). Among them is a vast pantheon of deities with well-defined personas. Perhaps most important is Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and legendary ancestor of the Imperial family. (Prideaux, E.) One of the hallmarks of Shinto is that really any entity possessing unusual qualities, from vegetation to bodies of water and more, may obtain divine status of its own. It wasn’t until the sixth century that Buddhism officially arrived in Japan via the Korean peninsula from the kingdom of Baekje. This was not Japan’s first contact with Buddhism, vague word of that had been percolating for some 150 years, but now its time seemed to have come. Emperor Kimmei, according to the eighth-century chronicle Nihon Shoki, “leaped for joy.” (Hoffman, M.) Buddhism posed a genuine threat to the survival of Shinto, as it became hugely influential over Japanese culture, particularly in art, where its influence became omnipresent practically overnight. The shogunate would use Buddhism to maintain control over the entire country. If not for Japanese culture’s long-held devotion for upholding traditions, Shinto perhaps would have been all but lost forever as Buddhism swept across the entire country. Perhaps this can be largely attributed to the fact that Shinto is often seen by the Japanese, due to its long historical and cultural significance, as more as a way of life rather than a religion. It is not amazing how two completely different religions can easily exist together. In Japan, Buddhism and Shinto coexist with each other partly because neither of them makes an exclusive claim to the truth. (Nosotro, R.) This is very much the antithesis of the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam with which are largely familiar in western civilization, in any of which there are clearly defined “rights” and “wrongs” along one only one true path to eternal salvation. In modern times, both religions have lost much of their past foothold in Japanese culture. Yes, various schools of Buddhism (such as Zen) are still practiced by millions, and even Shinto’s imagery is still a staple of Japanese households, but Japan’s religious landscape has changed. With no less than 60% of the Japanese population professing no religion at all, their culture has entered yet another new era. Still, there is no denying the massive impact once held by Shinto and Buddhism over Japanese culture for so many centuries.

Works Cited 1. Prideaux, E. “Japan’s Shinto-Buddhist Religious Medley”. Retrieved from http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/09/04/reference/japans-shinto-buddhist-religious- medley/#.UXTN-6LCaSo on April 22, 2013. 2. Hoffman, M. “Buddhism’s arrival, Shinto’s endurance”. Retrieved from http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2010/03/14/life/buddhisms-arrival-shintos- endurance/#.UXTmPqLCaSo on April 22, 2013. 3. Nosotro, R. “Reasons for Shinto and Buddhist coexistence in Japan”. Retrieved from http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/comp/cw12shinto-buddhism-japan.htm on April 22, 2013. The Black Sox Trial

The infamous Black Sox Scandal erupted after the Chicago White Sox lost to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1919 World Series. Almost immediately, accusations of a fix came to light and were highly publicized in the media. While there is still some debate regarding the involvement of two players, the eight players accused of participating in the fix were Eddie Chicotte, Happy Felsch, Chick Gandil, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Fred McMullin, Swede Risberg, Buck Weaver, and Lefty Williams. These eight players were taken to trial in early 1921; although they were acquitted of all charges, baseball commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis instituted a lifetime ban for all eight players. Despite being one of the best (and, therefore, one of the most profitable) teams in the American League at the time, White Sox owner Charles Comiskey was notoriously cheap when it came to player salaries. He paid two of his best players, Jackson and Weaver, a mere annual salary of $6,000. (D. Linder) Since this was in the days before free agency in Major League Baseball, players were not permitted to shop their services to other teams to sign with the highest bidder. Because of this, players were often easy game for gamblers and mobsters looking to clean up significantly via betting on games. Due to such low salaries, players could be brought in to participate in a fix for a relatively minimal amount of compensation. The idea for a potential fix originated with Gandil and professional gambler Sport Sullivan near the end of the 1919 regular season, with Gandil demanding payment of $80,000 for he and the other players he would bring in as co-conspirators. Gandil invited Cicotte, Felsch, and Weaver to attend a meeting in his hotel room during a trip to Boston; soon after, Risberg, McMullin, Williams, and Jackson were brought into the fold. While Weaver did attend the meeting, he declined to participate in the fix, and Jackson claimed to have not attended the meeting. To bankroll the fix, Sullivan brought on board fellow gambler Sleepy Burns and Burns associate Billy Maharg, with those two subsequently bringing prominent gambler Arnold Rothstein into the fold. As the World Series wore one, the players involved in the fix became suspicious that the gamblers were not going to pay them the entire amount as agreed upon. While Cicotte intentionally pitched poorly in his first two starts, he delivered a shining performance in Game 7. After also pitching poorly in his first two starts, Williams was poised to follow suit in his third start; however, after an associate of Sullivan threatened Williams and his wife, the pitcher intentionally blew it in Game 8, which allowed the Reds to clinch the series. On the other hand, Jackson hit for a series-leading .375 batting average with one home run and made zero errors in the outfield. Weaver batted a nearly-as-impressive .324 for the series and made zero errors at third base. Word of a World Series fix shadowed the White Sox through the 1920 season. Towards the end of the season, a grand jury convened to determine whether there was enough evidence to bring these eight players to trial, as well as the gamblers involved. Jackson, Cicotte, and Williams confessed to the jury their involvement in the fix and the fact that they had received money from the gamblers, albeit a fraction of what they were promised. Meanwhile, Comiskey indefinitely suspended all eight players on the same day as the Jackson and Cicotte confessions. On October 22, 1920, the Grand Jury handed down its indictments, naming the eight Chicago players and five gamblers, including Bill Burns, Sport Sullivan, and Abe Attell. Rothstein was not indicted. (Linder, D.) Jury selection for the trial began in Chicago on June 21, 1921, with the prosecutor’s opening statement commencing the trial on July 18. When the trial wrapped on July 29, the jury took a mere three hours to deliver a verdict of not guilty for each player and gambler involved. While the players celebrated their legal vindication, each was in store for a very harsh punishment from a different authority. The day after the jury's verdict, the new Commissioner of Baseball, Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, released a statement to the press: "Regardless of the verdict of juries, no player who throws a ballgame, no player that undertakes or promises to throw a ballgame, no player that sits in conference with a bunch of crooked players and gamblers where the ways and means of throwing a game are discussed and does not promptly tell his club about it, will ever play professional baseball." (Linder, D.)

Work Cited Linder, Douglas. “The Black Sox Trial: An Account.” Famous American Trials. n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2015. Pearl Harbor: What Happened?

December 7, 1941 is a date that will forever remain infamous in American history, as it was on that morning the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack upon the US military base at Pearl Harbor, located in what was then the Hawaii Territory. The significant carnage resulted in 2,403 Americans killed, and a further 1,178 wounded. This military strike resulted in the US entering World War II, and ultimately fighting the war in two separate theatres. To many Americans, the Pearl Harbor attack is viewed as unexpected, but even as being unprovoked. In the ensuing decades, however, numerous arguments have been made that the US government, and then-President Roosevelt himself, knew that the attack was coming. Due to the overwhelming evidence presented through a vast quantity of documents from various sources, I argue that the US government did indeed possess advanced knowledge of the attack on Pearl Harbor. There are scores of significant military communications that document Japanese naval activity of note up to one year prior to the attack. Since the 1920s, Japan had been highly active in the South Pacific as it invaded numerous territories to seize natural resources, such as oil and rubber, and to expand its empire. An intelligence report dated December 28, 1940, states that, according to Dutch Consul sources, Japan is set to invade the Dutch East Indies, New Guinea, and Java the following month. (Grunert, M.) A December 30, 1940 letter to the Chief of US Naval Operations lists details of what to expect should the Japanese Navy launch an attack on Pearl Harbor. (Bloch, C.C.), while an additional letter to the chief on January 7, 1941, discussed the current ability of the local military force to immediately respond to a surprise attack. (Richardson, J.O.) Intelligence reports regarding Japanese military activity continued to be received throughout 1941, such as this bulletin dated June 28 that details that 25,000 Japanese troops had received parachute training in Japan and China. (Grunert, M.) This list of letters and reports goes on right until the attack, with additional intelligence being discussed internally in the immediate aftermath. Evidence that President Roosevelt possessed prior knowledge of a Japanese attack against the US is suggested in a memorandum from December 1, 1941. In it, the Japanese ambassador states that the Japanese people believe that the United States wants to keep Japan fighting with China and to keep Japan strangled. He said that the Japanese people feel that they are faced with the alternative of surrendering to the United States or of fighting. (Ballantine, J.) In a follow-up memorandum on December 2, FDR is quoted as stating to the Japanese ambassador: “The stationing of these increased Japanese forces in Indochina would seem to imply the utilization of these forces by Japan for pur¬poses of further aggression since no such number of forces could possibly be required for the policing of that region.” (Ballantine, J.) The Japanese Emperor may not have been thrilled with FDR’s questioning of Japanese military action in French Indochina, with the President going as far as to ask Emperor Hirohito to remove troops from the region just one day before the Pearl Harbor attack. (Roosevelt, F.) Whether this was a last-ditch effort by the President to half-heartedly thwart an attack on Pearl Harbor or to provoke the Emperor to attack (thereby giving the US government nearly full public support to enter the war) can be debated; still, there is little doubt that US intelligence was fully aware that Japan was about to make a significant move at the expense of America. The “Magic” documents, so named for the internal Japanese messages coded in MAGIC cryptography, which were intercepted and decoded by US intelligence in the days and weeks before the attack raise several red flags. A message sent to the Japanese ambassador on November 4 has the Japanese government makes the following thinly-veiled threat of aggression towards the US: “It is to be hoped earnestly that looking forward to what may come at the end at the last day of Japanese-American negotiations-the Government of the United States will think ever so soberly how much better it would be to make peace with us; how much better this would be for the whole world situation.” (Tokyo) A message on November 11 detailed how the Japanese government had informed the German ambassador that there is a good chance that it would be more effective under the present circumstances, for us to present a determined attitude rather than to merely make representations to the United States. (Tokyo) In the week leading up to the attack, Tokyo sent forth numerous coded messages that instructed recipients in the proper procedures for destroying coded messages and decoding equipment. With the negotiations between Japan and the US having reached an impasse, and Japan’s ever-increasing military aggression in the Pacific Theatre, I see no reason to not be extremely suspicious regarding a possible attack against the US. Take into consideration as well Japan’s insatiable hunger for expanding its empire, its close alliance with Germany (a nation also heavily bent on conquering new territory), and the mounting tension between Japan and the US over each nation's constant military actions in the Pacific, and there are plenty of objective reasons to see the above documents (and many more) as implications that Japan was preparing to attack the US. Corporations always stand to profit handsomely from war, and FDR had already proved via the New Deal that he was quick to pander to big business. Perhaps he knew that entry into World War II would immediately snap the nation out of the Great Depression, which it did, thereby securing the legacy of his Presidency and his deal.

Works Cited Grunert, M. “AG 380.3 (12-28-40) M.” Communications of Military Significance. 7 Dec. 1940. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. Bloch, C.C. “Situation Concerning the Security of the Fleet and the Present Ability of the Local Defense Forces to Meet Surprise Attacks.” Communications of Military Significance. 30 Dec. 1940. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. Richardson, J.O. “Situation Concerning the Security of the Fleet and the Present Ability of the Local Defense Forces to Meet Surprise Attacks.” Communications of Military Significance. 7 Jan. 1941. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. Grunert, M. “AG 380.3 (6-26-41) MC.” Communications of Military Significance. 28 Jun. 1941. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. Ballantine, J. “Memorandum [91] Regarding a Conversation Between the Secretary of State, the Japanese Ambassador (Nomura), and Mr. Kurusu.” International Chronology, 1941. 1 Dec. 1941. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. Ballantine, J. “Memorandum [92] Regarding a Conversation Between the Under Secretary of State (Welles), the Japanese Ambassador (Nomura), and Mr. Kurusu.” International Chronology, 1941. 2 Dec. 1941. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. Roosevelt, F. “President Roosevelt to Emperor Hirohito of Japan [94].” International Chronology, 1941. 6 Dec. 1941. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. Tokyo. “Trans. 11/4/41 (S).” The Magic Chronology. 4 Nov. 1941. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. Tokyo. “(D) Navy Trans. 11-12-41 (S-TT).” The Magic Chronology. 11 Nov. 1941. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. The Rosenberg Spy Trial

The espionage trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg arose from charges that the couple had sold classified government information to the Soviet Union; in particular, information regarding the development of the atomic bomb. British intelligence reports led to the uncovering of a Soviet spy network in the US that consisted of numerous individuals who subsequently received prison sentences. The Rosenbergs were implicated by fellow spies of atomic espionage. Upon conviction, the couple was sentenced to death and executed. In the ensuing decades, there has been much controversy regarding whether the Rosenbergs passed atomic knowledge to the Soviets and whether or not they should’ve been sentenced to death. While there is little doubt that Julius Rosenberg was a Soviet spy regardless of whether he traded nuclear secrets, it’s quite possible that Ethel Rosenberg wasn’t involved in any espionage herself. The criminal conviction and execution of the Rosenbergs was the climax of a chain of events that began when British intelligence identified physicist Klaus Fuchs as a possible atomic spy for the Soviet Union. Although the evidence against Fuchs was relegated entirely to transmissions decoded through the Verona Project, and unusable in court, he gave a full confession in which he fingered American Harry Gold as his courier. (Trial) Although initially denying any involvement in espionage, Gold ultimately made a full confession and began naming names, including that of David Greenglass, who also chose to divulge information regarding additional Soviet spies. Julius Rosenberg, Greenglass’ brother-in-law, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit espionage shortly thereafter. Studying the details of the Rosenberg’s trial produces zero concrete evidence that the couple was definitively selling nuclear secrets to the Soviets, aside from the overwhelming evidence that Julius Rosenberg recruited Greenglass for the spy ring due to the latter’s work on the Manhattan Project. Even so, Greenglass (who served ten years in prison for his involvement) was certainly no less guilty than the Rosenbergs. The most damning evidence against the Rosenbergs came as hearsay many years after their execution, with alleged co-conspirators claiming that any nuclear secrets sold by the couple were ultimately useless to the Soviet nuclear program at the time. While Julius Rosenberg certainly played a vital role within this spy ring, there is no serious evidence that his wife was involved in his espionage activities, aside from being aware of them. The best proof of Ethel Rosenberg’s innocence, as confirmed in the Verona files, is that she was never issued a codename. (Ethel) Despite her small role in the espionage ring, David Greenglass’ wife Ruth was issued a codename for use in secret cables. In fact, the only reason for the criminal indictment of Ethel Rosenberg was based on a statement given by David Greenglass to the FBI, to which he freely admitted after the fact doing so to protect Ruth from federal prosecution. In 1997, former Soviet intelligence agent Alexander Feklissov gave an interview to The Washington Post in which he claimed that none of the Soviet agents ever met Ethel Rosenberg and that she was completely innocent. (Greenglass) Perhaps the biggest motivation behind sentencing the Rosenbergs to death was the rise of the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union and the early days of the Red Scare in America. Given that the Rosenbergs (as well as the Greenglasses) were known communist sympathizers, and all were affiliated with a variety of pro-communist organizations, they were the perfect targets of whom to make a political example in regards to the American fears of communists working to undermine the nation’s freedom. One of the more prominent figures in the Rosenberg’s espionage trial was prosecutor Roy Cohn, who would soon after go on to become Senator Joseph McCarthy’s right-hand man during the latter’s communist witch-hunt of the 1950s. As the chief prosecutor’s assistant, Cohn questioned David Greenglass regarding Ethel Rosenberg’s direct involvement within the spy ring. (Trial) As the Rosenbergs were certainly communists, and Julius was directly involved in espionage on behalf of the Soviet Union, having them sentenced to death was certainly an important achievement for the staunchly anti-communist clique within the government. In the end, there was no objective reason for Julius Rosenberg to receive a sentence any more severe than that of his co-conspirators. He was definitely a spy on behalf of the Soviet Union, but there is no concrete evidence that he sold to them any nuclear secrets or, at least, any “secrets” that Soviet physicists hadn’t already deduced on their own. There was no objective reason to charge Ethel Rosenberg for any crime, much less convict her and sentence her to death, as there is simply no evidence that she committed any crime.

Works Cited Trial. “The Trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.” Spartacus Educational. n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2015. Ethel. “Ethel Rosenberg.” Spartacus Educational. n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2015. Greenglass. “David Greenglass.” Spartacus Educational. n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2015. Views on Vietnam

“Are you really thinking of running off to Canada?” Wilbur stares quietly at his half-eaten Big Shef burger as Octavio waits intensely for a response from his lifelong friend. Just as Octavio begins to grow impatient, his attention is temporarily hijacked by a pair of attractive high school girls in pastel attire who, like our two friends, have entered the Burger Chef restaurant as much to escape the already-scorching heat of Phoenix in May as they have to grab a bite to eat. Suddenly, Wilbur looks up at Octavio. “Yeah, dude. I really am.” Octavio is immediately snapped out of his late-pubescent trance and pulled back into the conversation. “How could you even consider doing such a thing? The communists hate our freedom, and our country needs us now more than ever.” Wilbur chuckles slightly as he shakes his head in disagreement as Octavio continues. “Look, I know that LBJ really made a mess of things, but President Nixon truly understands not only the importance of fighting this war but what it will take for us to win it.” Wilbur stares with bemusement as Octavio continues to make his point. “He stated it perfectly in his Silent Majority speech: ‘For the United States, this first defeat in our Nation’s history would result in a collapse of confidence in American leadership, not only in Asia but throughout the world.’ Come on, man. This is Nixon we’re talking about here. He’s a groovy President, and he would never do anything to disgrace the office.” Octavio catches his breath as Wilbur finishes his burger and lick the Big Shef secret sauce from his fingers. After washing it all down with a generous swig of Tab, Wilbur smirks as he stares directly at his friend. “Have you heard of an American soldier by the name of John Kerry?” Octavio shakes his head, and Wilbur continues. “It’s okay. I’m sure this is the last we’ll ever hear of him. Anyway, he recently returned home from his tour of duty in Vietnam. Last month, he testified before the US Senate regarding foreign relations of something, and he revealed some interesting things regarding war crimes committed against the Vietnamese people by American soldiers.” Octavio grabs his French fries and hurls them across the dining area to the surprise of everyone else inside the restaurant, then turns his attention to Wilbur. “Let’s get something straight, Wilbur. I’ve turned a deaf ear in the past when you’ve bad- mouthed a lot of wonderful things, such as Spirographs and Herman’s Hermits, but I will not sit here and listen to you talk trash about American soldiers. Especially since I’m about to be one myself.” Wilbur continues smirking at Octavio. “So, you’re really going over there?” Octavio musters up all the faux stoicism he can as he glares at Wilbur. “That’s right. I’ll be serving my country while you’re hiding in Canada.” Wilbur laughs. “Dude, I won’t be hiding. I simply refuse to be a part of any form of genocide, especially against a group of people who have done absolutely nothing to me. If you feel the need to go over there, then more power to you, but you can count me out on this.” Octavio is strangely calm and collected as he stands up from the booth and faces Wilbur. “Do you know that the Vietnamese communists have murdered over 50,000 people and that hundreds of thousands more have died in slave camps?” Wilbur throws up hands. “That’s what our government tells us, and I’m even willing to believe it. I’m am definitely not a communist sympathizer to even the slightest degree, but this is not our fight. This is Vietnam’s fight, and theirs alone.” Wilbur pauses, then continues. ”Octavio, the Vietnamese are not a free people now under us. They are not a free people, and we cannot fight communism all over the world, and I think we should have learned that lesson by now.” Octavio responds to this by grabbing Wilbur’s Tab and pouring it over Wilbur’s head. Wilbur and everyone else in the restaurant watch in silent amusement as Octavio turns around and practically goosesteps out the front doors. Once outside, Octavio walks to and gets inside his recently received high school graduation present: a brand-new Chevrolet Vega. After some hesitation, Octavio’s prized car weakly sputters to life as “Give Peace a Chance” by the Plastic Ono Band blasts from the radio speakers. He looks at himself in the rear-view mirror as he puts the transmission into drive and nods approvingly at his reflection.

Works Cited Nixon, Richard. “Nixon’s ‘Silent Majority’ Speech.” Watergate.info. n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2015. Kerry, John. “Vietnam War Veteren John Kerry’s Testimony Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, April 22, 1971.” University of Richmond. n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2015. Philosophy

This final paper was the only significant writing assignment I had for my ethics in society course. The others were single paragraph responses to prompts. I considered including one that shares my thoughts on Lady Gaga, but it’s nothing that hasn’t been said a gazillion times. The Good Life

At the beginning of this semester, I stated that my definition of the “good life” was essentially the concept of live and let live, and the unadulterated right to pursue one’s personal and professional desires, provided that any such pursuit does not infringe upon the basic human rights of others. As this class quickly draws to a close, not only do I still apply to the “good life” this same definition, but my devotion to it is perhaps even stronger. This is an entirely subjective stance, but the entire nature of ethics and ethical life is subject from agent to agent, despite any argument to the contrary. I have yet to encounter in my life an individual who will not readily bend the rules of his or her own self-proclaimed code of ethics to serve personal or professional interests. I too can be slightly flexible on my beliefs as needed, but I make no public claim to the contrary. I define my criteria of the Right as follows: An action A performed by person P is obligatory if and only if (and because) P’s performing A would produce a higher agent utility than any other action P could perform instead, providing that P’s performing A does not infringe upon the rights or freedoms of others. An action A performed by person P is wrong if and only if (and because) P’s performing A would produce a lower agent utility than some other action P could perform instead, and/or because P’s performing A infringes upon the rights or freedoms of others. An action A performed by person P is optional if and only if (and because) P’s performing A would produce at least as much agent utility than would any other action P could perform instead, but there is at least one other action P could perform that would promote at least as much agent utility as would A, providing that P’s performing A or any other action does not infringe upon the rights or freedoms of others. I define my criteria of the Good as follows: Something S is good if and only if (and because) it provides a higher agent utility and does not infringe upon the rights or freedoms of others. Something S is bad if and only if (and because) it provides a lower agent utility and/or infringes upon the rights or freedoms of others. Something S is value-neutral if and only if (and because) it provides neither a higher or lower agent utility, and it does not infringe upon the rights or freedoms of others. My ethical worldview is entirely at odds with the principles of divine command theory, in which the right and the good are based entirely upon what God commanded or did not command. My ethical worldview is entirely free of the influence of faith or spirituality, as I do not believe either is required to define right and wrong, good and bad. Somewhat similarly to natural law theory, my worldview allows for the recognition of basic human rights, and I believe such rights to be tangibly recognizable without the need for faith in a higher power. Additionally, my philosophy shares certain traits with utilitarianism, egoism, and the ideas expressed by Nietzsche, as it is very much rooted in individualism, albeit while recognizing and respecting the rights and freedoms of others. Obviously, a moral conflict or dilemma for me is going to be a scenario in which an opportunity for me to produce a higher agent utility intrudes upon the rights and freedoms of another individual or individuals. My own principle of double effect takes into consideration the overall “quality” of the individual in question. Is this person known act honestly and ethically when executing his or her own actions? If I know this person to not act honestly and ethically, then I may be inclined to go ahead and pursue my higher agent utility; if this person has crossed me in the past, then I’m definitely going to pursue my higher agent utility at his or her expense. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s still more moral than what a lot of people have. *** As personal freedom, and respect of such, plays an important role in my personal worldview, I thought it would be fitting to tackle the subject of euthanasia. In the article “Active and Passive Euthanasia”, James Rachels makes an excellent case in favor of legal, physician- assisted euthanasia. If the patient is terminally ill, then being “allowed to die” will result in a slow and painful death, whereas being administered a lethal injection is a quick and painless procedure (Rachels, J.). I believe that there is a lot of value in both quality of life and the right to die with a degree of dignity. First and foremost, the higher agent utility of the terminally ill individual should be respected above the opinions of all others, even if these opinions are rooted in religion or the policies of the American Medical Association. The argument against the belief that a higher power is the only agent allowed to take a life is complimented in the Kantian argument built upon respect for others and the school of thought that accords all people equal respect (Cohen-Almagor, R.). From what I’ve read, I believe that, outside of divine command theory, an argument in favor of an individual’s right to die with dignity could be made using any school of moral theory. Getting back to my personal worldview: Forcing an individual to die a slow and painful death, and one that is void of dignity is most certainly infringes upon this individual’s basic rights and freedoms.

Works Cited Rachels, James. “Active and Passive Euthanasia”. University of Arkansas at Little Rock. n.d. Web. 29 Apr 2015. Cohen-Almagor, R. “The Right to Die with Dignity: An Argument in Ethics and Law”. Academia.edu. n.d. Web. 29 Apr 2015. Psychology

Introduction to psychology was an interesting class that afforded me a sizable opportunity to flaunt my writing skills. Attachment Theory

Abstract This reflection provides a concise overview of attachment theory; specifically, it explores the concepts of secure attachment and insecure attachment between infants and their mothers and what causes an infant to develop one form of attachment or the other in relationship to the infant’s mother. The reflection concludes with my personal assessment of the importance of both mother and father in the early social development of a child, partially based upon my own insight and life experience. Essay The terms secure attachment and insecure attachment arose from a strange situation experiment performed by Mary Ainsworth (1979). This research has shown that approximately 60 percent of infants display secure attachment (Myers, 2013). In this instance, such an infant feels comfortable interacting with new people and exploring new surroundings while in the mother’s company; conversely, the infant will exhibit symptoms of anxiety in the mother’s absence, subsequently seeking her affection upon her return. According to the theories of John Bowlby (1988), a child is securely attached if she is confident of her caregiver’s support (Dewar, 2014). The mother (or attachment figure) provides a secure foundation from which the infant can easily explore and interact. The infant who displays secure attachment is the result of the parenting actions of a mother who is loving and nurturing. Consequently, Ainsworth’s research shows that the other 40 percent of infants display signs of insecure attachment. Such an infant is more unlikely to interact with strangers or explore new surroundings in the mother’s presence and will act indifferent or upset upon both the mother’s departure and return. Insensitive, unresponsive mothers who attended to their babies when they felt like doing so, but ignored them at other times, often had infants who were insecurely attached (Myers, 2013). These caregivers are unavailable either physically, psychologically, or emotionally and tend to be insensitive or unpredictable in their response to attachment needs (Goldberg, 2010). There is also much consideration given to the idea that attachment style in infants may also be influenced by genetics, with some infants being noticeably more difficult than others immediately following birth. I don’t think it can be understated just how important a mother’s role is in the early development of her child. To put it in layman’s terms: knowing from an early age that someone always “has your back” no matter what is vital to a person’s ability to explore the world and interact with others around them. As for the importance of the father’s role in early childhood development, I can personally attest to how equally important trust in one’s father is to the same trust in one’s mother. Having a father who has continually failed to fulfill his parental responsibilities can and will leave a huge gap in a child’s development, particularly when it comes to entering the world outside the home on an increasing basis over time. While one should always proceed with caution when it comes to placing trust in new people regardless of how one was raised, it’s hard to not be overly suspicious of all strangers when one parent has proven themselves to be habitually dishonest and insincere. I believe it is absolutely essential for every child to know that both mom and dad can always be depended upon no matter what. This allows people to eventually move out into a wider range of situations, communicate with strangers more freely, and stay emotionally attached to loved ones despite distance. (Myers, 2013).

Works Cited Myers, D. (2013). Psychology (10th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers. Dewar, G. (2014). “Is Your Child Securely Attached? The Strange Situation Test”. Parenting Science. Retrieved from http://www.parentingscience.com/strange-situation.html Goldberg, S. (2010). “Attachment Part Two: Patterns of Attachment. About Kids Health”. Retrieved from http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/en/news/series/attachment/pages/attachment-part- two-patterns-of-attachment.aspx Marriage

Abstract This reflection explores the institution of marriage, along with both the positive and negative aspects found within its confines, and the qualities that can contribute to a strong and successful marriage. The added stress of children being introduced to a marriage will also be explored. Finally, I will weigh in with my own opinion on the subject, based upon my personal observations of marriage. Essay The institute of marriage is as old as mankind itself and is still as widely practiced as ever. Worldwide, reports the United Nations, 9 in 10 heterosexual adults marry (Myers, 2013). Marriage comes with both positive and negative aspects, and achieving a successful and lasting marriage is dependent upon certain qualities. Marriage brings about specific stresses as well, especially the stress involved when a married couple reproduces. Overall, opinions and ideas on marriage and what makes for a successful marriage varies from person to person. Marriage is said to bring about many positive attributes to one’s life. Better physical health and longer lifespan are considered to be positives that result from being married. Simulations based on such research show that, other factors holding constant, nine out of ten married women alive at age 48 would still be alive at age 65; by contrast, eight out of ten never- married women would survive to age 65 (Waite and Lehrer, 2003). On the other hand, a bad marriage can pose detrimental effects on one’s health. Negative marital quality (e.g., spouse criticizes, spouse is demanding) has a bigger effect on heart health than positive marital quality (e.g., spousal support); in other words, a bad marriage is more harmful to your heart health than a good marriage is beneficial (Liu, 2004). An unhappy marriage can also have a damaging effect on children. Unhealthy marriages characterized by substantial parental conflict pose a clear risk for child well-being, both because of the direct negative effects that result when children witness conflict between parents and because of conflicts indirect effects on parenting skills (Berlin, 2004). If marriage is to have an implied positive effect on children, then the parents must be committed to maintaining a strong marriage, and the long-preached benefits of the nuclear family structure are not an automatic given. Money issues are guaranteed to place a lot of stress upon any relationship, married couple or not, and there is no bigger financial drain on a family than the cost of raising children. This is to say nothing regarding the amount of time and energy (physical, mental, and emotional) that children require at all times. When children begin to absorb time, money, and emotional energy, satisfaction with the marriage itself may decline (Doss et al., 2009). To combat the stresses caused by children and other matters, a married couple must work hard to make the marriage both sustain and flourish over the years. The couples who make it are more often those who refrain from putting down their spouses (Myers, 2013). Marriage, like any other personal commitment, is much like a professional one in that its players must be willing to give 100% effort at all times to make the venture a happy and successful one. As I have never been married and only have one very long-term relationship (that did not include children) to use for a firsthand perspective, I must use my outside observations of married couples when tackling the subject of matrimony. There is no doubt in my mind that a marriage requires a lot of hard work and unwavering commitment from both parties to be a happy and successful one. I do believe that social norms (especially in the south) cause too many people to rush into marriage and parenthood well before they are emotionally and financially ready to assume such massive responsibilities. I agree with the textbook that a successful marriage can produce many positive benefits for people, but the keyword here is “successful,” and that success is by no means a given.

Works Cited Myers, D. (2013). Psychology (10th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers. Waite, L. and Lehrer, E. (2003). “The Benefits from Marriage and Religion in the United States: A Comparative Analysis”. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2614329/ Liu, H. (2004). “Bad Marriage, Broken Heart?”. MSU Today. Retrieved from http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2014/bad-marriage-broken-heart/ Berlin, G. (2004). “The Effects of Marriage and Divorce on Families and Children”. MDRC. Retrieved from http://www.mdrc.org/publication/effects-marriage-and-divorce-families-and- children Doss, B.D., Rhoades, G.K., Stanley, S.M., Markman, H.J. (2009). “The Effect of the Transition to Parenthood on Relationship Quality: An 8-Year Prospective Study”. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19254107 Punishment vs. Negative Reinforcement

Abstract The reflection covers the difference between punishment and negative reinforcement. The effects of punishment upon behavior will be explored, and examples will be given. I will also touch upon my own personal experiences regarding both punishment and negative reinforcement and how I would have done things differently if I were in the parental role. Essay The line that divides negative reinforcement and punishment may appear rather thin at first glance to some, as there are many adverse stimuli included with both, but there are distinctive differences between the two. The easiest thing to keep in mind when distinguishing between them is punishment tells you what not to do, while reinforcement tells you what to do (Myers, 2013). From my own observations throughout my life, I have noticed that parents fall into two camps when it comes to disciplining children: those who punish bad behavior and those who reward it through negative reinforcement. Additionally, in either instance, the parent’s reaction smacks as being more of a “quick fix” than being a long-term solution to aid the child in growing up to be a solid human being. While punishment might, on the surface, immediately appear to be the correct approach, how a given punishment is executed ultimately determines its long-term effectiveness. As alluded to above, the major difference between negative reinforcement and punishment is that the former tells a child what to do (for better or worse), while the latter tells a child what not to do. The confusion is understandable because both forms of control have aversive stimuli embedded within them. In other words, something that the organism wants to avoid (Schreiner, 2015). For example: say a child continues to cry for and demand an object that has been deemed “off-limits” by the parent. Should the parent relent and give the object to the child, this is an act of negative reinforcement that teaches the child that said behavior will be rewarded; consequently, should the parent smack the child, then it is an act of punishment in which the child learns that such behavior will result in physical discomfort and humiliation. From an entirely superficial viewpoint, the act of punishment in this example will appear to be foolproof. The ultimate effectiveness of punishment upon a child’s behavior in the long run cannot truly be gleaned from such a simple hypothetical scenario as the one given above. Like reinforcement, there are different forms of punishment that can be clearly defined as being either positive or negative. In theory, punishment should suppress inappropriate behaviors totally, but this is rarely the actual result (Morrisey, 2015). Corporal punishment, as popular and widespread as it may be when it comes to stopping bad behavior at the moment often comes with a myriad of adverse and long-term psychological effects for the child. Even when parents “spare the rod” in discipline situations, negative punishments (often in the form of threats) can also have negatives effects on children. On the other hand, more positive forms of punishment (i.e. those that reward good behavior) can greatly assist children in growing up to be well-balanced and productive adults due to their educational value. As I have no children (nor do I ever want to have children), my personal perspective on this topic comes from my continued observations of how children behave and how their parents respond to such behavior. Going back to the opening paragraph, most of the parenting I witness falls into either negative reinforcement or negative punishment utilized as a quick-fix solution. This does not surprise me, given the sheer amount of incompetence found in contemporary society; it’s to be expected that such incompetence spills over into parenting. As far as what I’ve observed that seems to work, a positive form of punishment appears to yield the most effective and long-lasting results. This approach effectively prepares a child for the outside world, the importance of which cannot be understated as this is essentially how the outside world works.

Works Cited Myers, D. (2013). Psychology (10th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers. Schreiner, M. (2015). “The Difference Between Negative Reinforcement and Punishment”. Evolution Counseling. Retrieved from http://evolutioncounseling.com/difference-between- negative-reinforcement-and-punishment/ Morrisey, B. (2015). “The Effects of Punishment on Children”. Kids’ Development. Retrieved from http://www.kidsdevelopment.co.uk/effectsofpunishmentonchildren.html Stress: A Reflection

Abstract This reflection explores stress and the different types of stressors that result in such. The ways we respond and can adapt to these stressors will be discussed. Finally, I will divulge my experiences in dealing with major stressors in my life and what I’ve done to cope with them. Essay Stress is a phenomenon that nearly every human being on the planet faces at one time or another at various frequencies. It can harm our mental, emotional, and physical health and hold us back from achieving greatness. There exists a variety of events that can easily cause stress in one’s life; however, one can learn how to compose a more rational response to many stressors that may arise. Stress itself is the process of appraising and responding to a threatening or challenging event (Myers, 2013). It is vital to distinguish between stress and stressors (e.g. events that trigger appraisal and response) to acquiring the ability to better manage and eliminate stress in one’s life. Three main categories of stressors exist, and they run the spectrum from everyday tasks to epic disasters. Daily hassles include dealing with issues such as dealing with obnoxious coworkers, waiting in line at the DMV, or trying to stay afloat financially. While these problems may seem rather mundane to the other types of stressors, research shows that daily hassles affect our longer-term health and mood (Greenberg, 2014). Significant life changes represent another form of stressor, as major life events such as marriage and divorce, losing a loved one, and developing significant health issues can easily trigger stress in individuals. Catastrophes comprise the third stressor category, with natural disasters and military conflicts resulting in a variety of stress-related ailments, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Regardless of the scale of any given stressor, any resulting stress experienced can have a profoundly negative effect upon individuals from all walks of life. All is not lost in any of these scenarios, however, as there are multiple ways by which one can successfully deal with any stressor and live a happy and fulfilling life. Problem-focused coping allows one to either control a stressful situation or at least adapt to it accordingly. This approach stands in stark contrast to emotion-focused coping, which is one cannot (or believes he or she cannot) change a stressful situation. In general problem-focused coping is best, as it removes the stressor, so deals with the root cause of the problem, providing a long-term solution (McLeod, 2015). Additional methods of effectively dealing with stress include social support, relaxation and meditation, and even exercise. I have certainly experienced my share of stressors over the past 37 years, and it has always taken much effort on my part to deal with them. A significantly major stressor for me occurred right as the Great Recession began to rear its ugly head, as the successful business I had built from almost nothing (and was fully dependent upon the disposable income of our target demographics) was instantly affected and saw a drastic drop-off in revenue. Related to this, the next major stressor I faced was the dwindling of my sizable nest-egg during this time as I financially supported not only myself but a girlfriend who (along with her family) constantly voiced criticisms of me and my professional struggles during this period. In the short-term, I coped with all of this through my tried-and-true devotion to weightlifting and by enrolling in college to earn my first degree in a field that had always fascinated me. Long-term, I pushed myself to finally clean house by ridding my life of everyone who harmed it, making plans for an all-new business venture built around my personal interests, and setting the ambitious educational goal of earning a law degree. Stress, and the precursory stressors, do not discriminate; anyone is prone to stress and the negative effects it can impose on their lives. Stressors make their way into our lives in a wide range of sizes and can be quite damaging in a multitude of ways. However, there are ways we can successfully combat stressors and not allow them to destroy our lives. While fighting stress can be quite the battle for all of us, what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger.

Works Cited Myers, D. (2013). Psychology (10th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers. Greenberg, M. (2014). “Find Relief From the Stress of Life's Daily Hassles”. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201410/find- relief-the-stress-lifes-daily-hassles McLeod, S. (2015). “Stress Management”. Simple Psychology. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/stress-management.html Psychological Disorders

Abstract This reflection discusses what constitutes a psychological disorder. Major depressive disorder will be explored, as will my experiences from observing the recent epidemic of individuals suffering from depression and anxiety due to excessive social media interaction. Reflection Psychological disorders result in the behavior of a sufferer that deviates from that of the majority. Deviance in and of itself, however, does not a psychological make. Deviant behavior is displayed by individuals who rise above the masses through actions that are either positive or negative. To be considered disordered, deviant behavior usually causes a person distress (Myers, 2013). The diagnosis of a disorder is dependent upon the recognition of a harmful dysfunction that impairs one’s life. While it might be quite common for people to experience feelings of despair in certain situations, the point at which such feelings become a detriment to one’s life may indicate that a psychological disorder is present. Major depressive disorder is a psychological disorder that can strike nearly anyone due to it potentially being triggered by any one of a wide range of life events. For some individuals, it is a singular event; however, many people experience recurrent major depressive episodes during their lifetime (Lane, 2015). Depression is rooted in past and current loss and often prompted in an individual who has recently experienced a significant loss in his-or-her life. Characteristics of major depressive disorder include feelings of sadness and hopelessness, irritability and angry outbursts, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, sleep disturbances, lack of energy, changes in appetite, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death and suicide. These symptoms must not be related to substance abuse or another illness, and they must cause impairment or distress in the sufferer. While there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for depression, the most common treatments are medication, therapy, or a combination thereof. While I don’t have a significant experience with one individual who experienced a psychological disorder of which to speak, I have long observed a sizable amount of people acting out on the internet as a result of depression and various anxiety disorders. I once authored an essay for a college class that detailed the extent to which social media was making people distressed due to desperate attempts to express themselves and feel superior to others. The overuse of social media and the underuse of real-world skills has resulted in difficulty for many to socialize meaningfully, hindering their ability to make connections and new friends, and ultimately leading to feelings of loneliness, social anxiety, and depression (Kang, 2015). The so- called “fear of missing out” has established itself as a legitimate form of social anxiety, as many individuals are spending far too much time online out of fear that they might miss something important. These people may feel compelled to embellish their own lives for social media audiences, or they may lash out verbally at others from the safety of their own keyboards. For any individual who has arrived at this point, I believe it would most definitely be wise for such an individual to seek medical attention and follow any treatment as prescribed by a qualified mental health professional. Due to the wide variety in and the spectrum of variety at which they can present, virtually any and every human being is susceptible to suffering from a psychological disorder at some point in his-or-her life. While some of the stigmas regarding these disorders have been lifted in recent years, there is still a long way to go when it comes to encouraging people to recognize that something is not right and to readily seek treatment. The brain is one of many vital organs present in the human body and treating psychological disorders should be viewed no differently than treating any physiological ailment.

Works Cited Myers, D. (2013). Psychology (10th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers. Lane, C. (2015). “Major Depressive Disorder”. PsyWeb.com. Retrieved from http://www.psyweb.com/mdisord/MoodDis/majordepress.jsp Kang, S. (2015). “Overcoming Social Anxiety in a Social Media World”. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-dolphin-way/201509/overcoming- social-anxiety-in-social-media-world Upper-Level Writing Courses

And now we’ve reached the main course. This is where I pulled together everything I’d done over the prior sections and took it to new heights. Included herein are assignments covering creative and persuasive writing, rhetorical theory, journalism, grant writing, and more. Persuasive Writing

The art of persuasion in full effect. Making arguments based on ethos, logos, and pathos. Critical Analysis Summary

For my critical analysis summary, I will be exploring “The Secret Shame of Middle-Class Americans” by Neal Gabler as published by The Atlantic. While I personally agree with the author’s general premise and argument, I will be examining the individual components of his statement. My objective with this assignment is to see whether each point of Gabler’s argument can be further solidified with additional outside data and testimony. Any point that cannot be validated in this manner will be additionally scrutinized, and valid counterarguments will be considered. Because this is an argument that is important to me and one I’ve made myself on numerous occasions, my goal is to ensure that Gabler did not cut any corners in putting forth his own statement on the matter. The Secret Shame of Middle-Class Americans: A Critical Analysis

Abstract This paper is a critical analysis of “The Secret Shame of Middle-Class Americans” by Neal Gabler, as published by The Atlantic. Specifically, my objective is to determine whether the author’s argument can be further solidified with additional outside data and testimony. Because the author relies heavily upon personal anecdotes to make his argument, I will also be utilizing my own life experience in this analysis. While I personally agree with the author’s general premise and argument, I will scrutinize both the argument and the author himself for the sake of the premise itself. Any point that cannot be validated in this manner will be specifically addressed, and valid counterarguments will be considered. Because this is an argument that is important to me, and one I’ve made myself on numerous occasions, I seek to ensure that America’s middle-class is fairly represented by Gabler and his article. Essay Through writing the article “The Secret Shame of Middle-Class Americans”, Neal Gabler argues that contemporary middle-class America is largely cash-strapped and all-around fiscally challenged. To be more specific, Gabler’s case is not so much an argument as it is a plea for understanding. This approach makes sense, given the Atlantic’s primary readership of upper- class Americans, many of whom have perhaps been shielded from feeling the full economic brunt of the past decade. While Gabler’s argument is incredibly long, repetitive, and a bit self- serving at times, there is no questioning his knowledge of the topic or his sincerity in wanting to see it remedied. For these reasons, he is on the right track in putting forth an account of contemporary middle-class plight, even if his execution is dubious at times. Gabler wastes no time in getting down to business in his opening paragraph, as he lays out figures gathered via a survey by the Federal Reserve Board. According to the information that Gabler has gathered, “49 percent of part-time workers would prefer to work more hours at their current wage; 29 percent of Americans expect to earn a higher income in the coming year; 43 percent of homeowners who have owned their home for at least a year believe its value has increased. But the answer to one question was astonishing. The Fed asked respondents how they would pay for a $400 emergency. The answer: 47 percent of respondents said that either they would cover the expense by borrowing or selling something, or they would not be able to come up with the $400 at all.” I was able to confirm Gabler’s claims by accessing the Federal Reserve Board’s Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2015 myself and comparing these figures. I also had no reason to doubt these figures due to firsthand life experience and conversations I’ve had with many different people over the past several years. While I believe that many readers of the Atlantic are also no strangers to such tales of economic struggle, these statistics still bear repeating clearly and immediately, which Gabler has done. Following his no-nonsense opening, Gabler boldly declares himself to be one of the 47 percent of Americans who does not currently have $400 to spare for an emergency. This self- declaration allows him to connect with readers who share his plight and helps to garner sympathy from those who don’t. As someone who regularly goes back and forth on having an extra $400 on hand, I can see how this strategy will work on both sides. In taking this approach, Gabler has framed his entire piece to serve as a plea for understanding the plight that he and millions of other Americans face every day. While he acknowledges the overall economic differences between specific races of Americans, he is quick to point out that no group of Americans is immune to this “shame.” Gabler further builds upon his initial statistical claims by presenting the results of a survey performed by Bankrate, a consumer financial services company operating since 1976. According to this survey, “nearly one-quarter of households making $100,000 to $150,000 a year claim not to be able to raise $2,000 in a month.” Just on paper, the massive discrepancy between these figures serve to catch the reader’s attention to just how serious the situation is, and a bit of quick and simple math further drives home Gabler’s point. While I was unable to locate this specific survey online, I did come across similar Bankrate surveys that essentially produced the same results. One of my two major complaints with this article is the absence of hyperlinks to cited source materials, although I have no idea if Gabler, the editor, or the tech department is to blame for this. It won’t matter to every reader, but some (including me) lend more credence to articles that allow us instant access to the author’s sources. Regardless, Gabler is quite thorough in calling out the common arguments made by economists for the financial struggles of middle-class Americans, namely credit card debt. He proceeds to deconstruct such arguments with more surveys and analyses courtesy of finance- based organizations. He invests far more text into his counterarguments than into explaining the initial arguments, and he digs nearly 50 years into the past to produce data that backs up his overall argument. This is not to say that he is incomplete or misleading in his responses to such claims; rather, he is taking a methodical approach to debunking each claim, that aims to inspire confidence in the reader. Gabler has sought to frame himself as an authority on middle-class financial woes by virtue of both statistical knowledge and life experience. Speaking of Gabler’s life experience as yet another cash poor, middle-class American brings me to my second major complaint about his article, which is the sheer volume of personal anecdotes on the subject. While I sympathize with his plight, I don’t need to hear what seems like his entire adult life story. I understand his objectives of relating to his fellow struggling Americans and reaching out to Americans who are better off financially, but this long confessional comprises a significant portion of this 6,000-plus word article. This becomes an issue as Gabler puts forth additional survey data following his long detour into what appears to be false appeals to emotion – “I don’t ask for or expect any sympathy” – and self-affirmation. By this point, I’m so worn out from reading his sad story to even care about additional data at the moment, regardless of how eye-opening it may be. My research for this analysis has led me to discover a media backlash against Gabler for this very article. Nathan Timmell of the Huffington Post wrote an article titled “Neal Gabler Is Not a Voice of the Struggling Middle Class”, while Helaine Olen at Slate accuses Gabler of committing “financial rubbernecking” in his article. While I personally put zero stock into either of these publications, each author does make a strong case that Gabler is too upper-middle-class to truly understand the plight of working-class Americans; the fact that he sent his daughters to private schools and Harvard University lends itself to this argument. Gabler himself has been vocal in his disgust not only for President Donald Trump but for the mostly middle-class Americans who voted for him, stating after the election, “Those of us who love democracy and fear for it when we have, as we do now, an authoritarian leader and one-party rule, may be tempted to woo the other side.” Regardless of what one may think of President Trump, it’s in poor taste of Gabler to attack so many of the very people he claims to represent in his article, and that is why such information is relevant in analyzing his rhetoric in this piece. Is the motive behind sharing his long personal story of financial hardship ultimately a defensive one? Returning to the rhetoric itself, Gabler has relied heavily upon self-disclosure to speak on behalf of the shame and frustrations of millions of Americans. He may have oversold his argument, but it’s hard to say. While we know who the Atlantic’s broad demographic is, it is both illogical and unfair to assume that much of this audience is blissfully unaware of contemporary middle-class struggles. While I am but an occasional reader of this publication, I am certainly aware of the problem that Gabler has laid forth. Is he perhaps virtue signaling to some degree? In the end, I believe that Gabler is sincere in what he wrote in his article, and this is what caused it to gain so much attention, both positive and negative. This is not to overlook the fact that his article starts out strong, only to devolve into a personal tale of woe or the public remarks he has made that serve to undermine his credibility on the subject. Yes, he most likely earns significantly more than the average middle-class American; he also has probably stretched himself too thin financially at times, if mainly to give his family the best life possible. Gabler’s rhetoric, for all its flaws, does paint a serviceable picture of the financial struggles facing millions of Americans every single day. If his true objective was to land talk show appearances and stir up controversy, then there is no doubt that his rhetoric in this article was successful.

Works Cited Gabler, N. (2016, May). The Secret Shame of Middle-Class Americans”. The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/05/my-secret-shame/476415/ Larrimore, J., Dodini, S., Thomas, L. (2016, May). “Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2015”. Retrieved from https://www.federalreserve.gov/2015-report-economic- well-being-us-households-201605.pdf Timmell, N. (2016, April). “Neal Gabler Is Not a Voice of the Struggling Middle Class”. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nathan-timmel/neal-gabler-is- not-a-voic_b_9802810.html Olen, H. (2016, April). “All the Sad, Broke, Literary Men”. Slate. Retrieved from http://www.slate.com/articles/business/the_bills/2016/04/neal_gabler_s_atlantic_essay_is_part_o f_an_old_aggravating_genre_the_sad.html Johnson, T. (2017, January). “Liberal Author Neal Gabler: Trump’s Election the ‘Fort Sumter’ of America’s ‘Cultural Civil War’”. NewsBusters. Retrieved from http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tom-johnson/2017/01/19/liberal-author-neal-gabler- trumps-election-fort-sumter-americas Secret Shame Reflective Memo

In preparation for writing this critical analysis, I was surprised that I had been unfamiliar with this article until now, given the amount of media attention it received. Then again, there was so much being covered in the media during 2016 that a few things were bound to fall through the cracks where I was concerned. When thinking back to my first reading of Gabler’s article, I can see why it attracted a significant amount of media attention. The author was certain to grab attention with such a provocative headline and hard-hitting lede. Although I immediately found Gabler’s extensive self-disclosure to be longwinded and tiresome, I initially appreciated his argument. However, as I reread individual sections during the composition of this analysis, I liked it continually less. While I stand by my closing statement that Gabler was generally sincere in championing this cause, his rhetoric leads me to believe he was doing a lot of virtue signaling at the same time. Combine that with remarks he has made outside the confines of his article – and I do believe such statements matter when critiquing someone’s argument – and I never again want to read his thoughts about middle-class Americans. Then again, maybe I’m just sick and tired of rereading this article and need time away from it. Withholding Information

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is aware that daily use of an over-the-counter drug can reduce the risk of suffering a fatal heart attack. The effect is most profound in patients who smoke and/or are overweight, although daily use of this drug is not a proper alternative to quitting smoking or losing weight. While this drug can produce mild side effects in some patients, only 1 in 300,000 patients will experience more serious side effects. As the drug in question has not been government-approved for this medicinal application, it cannot be advertised as such; however, some physicians are already recommending it to individual patients. A few of these physicians want NIH to announce the benefits of the drug while holding back the true extent of potential side effects, as to encourage patients to use the drug. Conversely, some at NIH do not want to market this knowledge to the public at large, fearing that patients with unhealthy lifestyles will see using this drug as a proper alternative to making lifestyle changes. Because it is a government agency, and because the public has a right to know both the positive and negative attributes of a potentially life-saving drug, the NIH has an ethical obligation to launch a public campaign disclosing both benefits and risks of using this drug daily. In principle, the United State government and its various agencies operate on behalf of the American people; the reality may sometimes be different, but that’s an entirely different discussion. For the purpose of this ethical dilemma, this principle sets the foundation for my thesis. Our constitution guarantees the right of every citizen to live one’s life the way one sees fit, for better or worse. If a federal (read: taxpayer-funded) agency possesses knowledge that could potentially save American lives, then that agency has a moral and ethical obligation to share that information with the people, along with all known associated risks. While the withholding of information may not technically be a lie, it is still a negative action that undermines persuasion and trust. The importance of trust is currently two-fold, as a significant number of Americans are now distrustful of both government and the healthcare industry. Distrust of the federal government by its citizens has been an issue for the past half-century. Elving (2015) writes that only 19 percent of Americans — about 1 in 5 — say they trust the government "always or most of the time," per a study released by the Pew Research Center. Likewise, according to McCann (2014), American consumers have deep enough concerns about the privacy and security of electronic medical records that some even withheld information from care providers. While the latter point has nothing to do directly with health information being withheld, it does tell us that the relationship between Americans and the healthcare industry is currently strained. There is no fairness in persuasion if there is not equal access to information resources for all. This means that the American people are not only entitled to the health benefits of this drug, but they are entitled to information regarding every known risk of using this drug. This is the only option if the NIH’s persuasion is to be in line with free and democratic processes. There is nothing wrong with the concerns expressed by those at NIH regarding those patients who will see this drug as an equal replacement to embracing a healthier lifestyle. However, the free and democratic process demands that adult citizens indeed behave like adults and take responsibility for their individual actions or lack thereof. The knowledge that obesity and smoking are unhealthy is now as widespread as the knowledge that water is wet, and those who refuse to make lifestyle changes will be at risk with or without the drug in question. Ultimately, it is ethically wrong for a federal agency to withhold knowledge that could potentially save the lives of some Americans because others will use this breakthrough as an excuse to reject reality and substitute their own. Should this information be withheld partially or entirely for any reason, the truth is highly likely to come out eventually. Once that happens, Americans will only distrust medicine and the government even more. This makes it harder to persuade Americans to consider options that may be of benefit to them in some form. It is also in direct contradiction to the values upon which this nation was founded and has thrived. It is a nation built upon both freedom and the free will of man, for better or worse.

Works Cited Elving, R. (2015, November). “Poll: 1 In 5 Americans Trusts the Government”. NPR. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2015/11/23/457063796/poll-only-1-in-5-americans-say-they-trust-the- government McCann, E. (2014, November). “ONC Finds Consumers Distrust EHRs Enough to Withhold Information”. Healthcare IT News. Retrieved from http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/cms- finds-consumers-distrust-ehrs-enough-withhold-information Persuasive Writing Campaign

I. TOPIC - EXIGENCE & INVENTION

A. Exigence

I propose the implementation of a campaign to provide education and resources on the wide variety of entrepreneurial options available. This campaign will specifically target college students and provide them with the knowledge and confidence to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities upon graduation. The job market for recent graduates has been bleak for many years now, nor does it currently show signs of improvement; even if it should improve, it will not do so overnight. Heidi Perlman of ABC News writes that the job market for college graduates is tougher than ever, with fewer corporate recruiters visiting campuses. There is a definite need to introduce students to new ways of viewing the higher education experience and inspiring more of them towards professional autonomy. The enthusiasm and personal empowerment to be gleaned from this campaign will have serious appeal to a broad range of students. Now is the perfect time to launch this campaign, given the current state of the job market. America has not replaced the entire number of jobs lost due to the mortgage crisis in late 2008, and many of the jobs that have been created since then lack the same amount of pay and/or hours as the jobs lost. Additionally, an increased cost of living is seeing many baby boomers not looking to retire any time soon. For recent college graduates, it is more important than ever to help them broaden their horizons regarding all the professional possibilities available to them post-graduation. At present, recent college graduates are already pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities at a higher rate than previous generations. According to Denali Tietjenn, writing for CNBC, 27% of millennials are self- employed, and 51% plan to start a business in the next five years. Subsequently, this revelation will require students to begin thinking outside the box as per their respective majors. For example, the knowledge gained from a political science degree can be implemented and capitalized upon in any number of industries and positions that have absolutely nothing to do with politicians or governments. Entrepreneurship certainly isn’t for everyone, but it would be a benefit to society if enough recent graduates had the confidence to strike out on their own and know how to do so with little startup capital.

B. Invention

I have three key arguments on which to sell this campaign:

1. It will encourage more college graduates to start their own businesses. From my own personal experiences, I know that many people (college-educated or not) have a passion or idea they would love to turn into a business venture of their own. By having recent graduates go into business for themselves, this reduces the supply of prospective employees and unemployment, just for starters. The bigger picture shows these students creating jobs as their businesses grow, with small businesses generating 64% of new jobs in the United States, per the Small Business Administration.

2. It will teach college students how to start a business on any budget. While the campaign will educate students on the various means in which to secure capital for launching a new business, it will also acknowledge that this may not be an available option – or even the right option – for some soon-to-be entrepreneurs. Many of them will begin as home-based, one-person operations. We will teach students that such a business is perfectly valid and has the potential to go as far as any business with less humble beginnings.

3. Entrepreneurship can pay off in more ways than one. A business venture doesn’t necessarily have to be a full-time or long-term project, and the campaign will cover this. A home-based side business can not only provide a higher source of income than a typical part-time job, but it will allow a recent graduate – who may be working full-time in a position unrelated to his or her degree – to stay sharp while doing something they enjoy. And whether it’s part-time or full-time, operating a small business for a period can not only provide the real-world experience necessary for a college graduate to eventually land a job in their chosen field but might even land them a higher position than they may have gotten straight out of college.

II. AUDIENCE ANALYSIS

A. Demographics

The college students for whom this campaign is targeted are generally of a working-class background. This makes UA Little Rock an ideal school at which to implement it, as opposed to an Ivy League school. For students attending a school such as UA Little Rock, the availability of information on alternative ways to earn a respectable living after graduation is indeed relevant. The job market in Little Rock and throughout much of the state is one of the weakest in the nation, so this campaign will be central to the attitude on the topic of many students. The proactive-ness of what the campaign will teach these students is relevant to their general behaviors of working to make a better future for themselves. Accordingly, the message of the campaign meets the needs and motives of its target demographic, as it provides them with much-welcomed options following graduation. These college students possess the mental sophistication to understand and take advantage of this campaign’s message. Even for those students who are just arriving at college straight from high school, they have enough life experience to appreciate its message. They have spent their entire adolescence seeing many people, perhaps including their own families, struggle financially. For many of them, the message of this campaign immediately hits close to home. In his piece for The Atlantic, Derek Thompson chronicles just how dire things are for millennials: “Many came of age in the longest economic expansion of the 20th century and graduated into the worst recession since the 1930s. The abrupt contraction of opportunity has left a mark. Unemployment among 18- to 24-year-olds was 16% in 2011, twice as high as the national average. Median earnings fell more for the young than any other cohort, and college debt, most of which is held by 20- somethings, is at an all-time high.” Additionally, the campaign will provide sufficient reference for targeted students in exploring their entrepreneurial options. There is far more to this campaign than telling students to go out and start a business after graduation. The regular offerings to students from this campaign will include weekly meetings, plus the availability of one-on-one sessions with mentors in the form of local business people volunteering their time. There will also be special events with keynote speakers and various training workshops. The students will have both these mentors and each other available for encouragement and support at any time. Much of these key dimension points can be applied to the targeted demographics for contributors to the campaign. They will have a genuine concern for the professional prospects of future college graduates and will want to do their part to help the economy in some fashion. These dimensions are certainly important for their individual interests as well. For those who are entrepreneurs themselves, they will be eager to impart their experience and wisdom to the next generation of business owners. There’s also the likelihood that some of these volunteers will be looking for future considerations for employees, and this campaign will attract students who are self-starters. B. Specific Segments

1. Students: Freshmen who are sold on the benefits of the campaign will enjoy the advantage of having four years to prepare for starting their own businesses. On top of that, being involved in the campaign will give some of them more confidence to major in a subject they truly enjoy and not choose one solely for the perceived job prospects. As I mentioned previously, the skills and knowledge gained from many majors can be applied to a variety of industries. The real-world application of a political science degree is by no means limited to working in government politics or writing about it. Given all that the campaign will offer, it’s likely that some who begin as freshmen may wind up successfully starting businesses before they’ve graduated.

Seniors can also benefit greatly from the campaign in multiple ways. There is still plenty of time over the course of a senior year to gain valuable entrepreneurial knowledge. The program will offer students the opportunity to network with each other and with established business owners in the community. Business partnerships can be formed, and there is the possibility that involvement in the campaign – through regular networking – could lead to an employment opportunity after graduation. While I am proposing a campaign that is officially about promoting entrepreneurship to college students, it is still worth mentioning the possibility of employment opportunities presenting themselves. This is still within the spirit of entrepreneurship, which is about creating opportunities that otherwise would not have existed.

2. Volunteers and Donors: This demographic category contains those individuals who will be contributing to the campaign in any number of ways. Such individuals include local business owners, as well as campus faculty and staff. Contributions can be made in the form of mentoring, event management, monetary donations, and more. This demographic will receive personal satisfaction from helping current students to discover and prepare to pursue alternative options for after graduation. For local business owners, participation in this campaign can help them to discover and hire new talent for their own businesses.

3. Campus: This campaign gives the campus another amenity to pitch at prospective students. Additionally, the campaign can generate positive media attention for the school.

III. PRELIMINARY STRATEGY

A. Goals

There are three specific sets of goals for this campaign, one set for each broadly- defined target demographic:

1. Students: Our campaign seeks to educate and empower students to recognize post-graduation professional opportunities that extend beyond seeking employment. More specifically, it is a goal of this campaign to encourage participating students to be pro-active not just for future considerations, but in the present as well. This will be achieved by providing an environment for students that is conducive to both independent thinking and networking with others. The success of individual students in this campaign will inspire them to promote it to other students, and some of them will be our volunteers and donors in the future.

2. Volunteers and Donors: Our campaign depends on the generosity of university faculty and staff, as well as people in the community, who are willing to contribute to our campaign via time and mentoring, as well as through tangible forms of support including monetary donations, use of physical space and materials, etc...

3. Campus: The UA Little Rock campus is our top candidate to provide meeting and event space for our program. Overall, it will serve as the campaign’s base of operation.

B. Obstacles

The most likely obstacle I see is for this campaign is indifferent attitudes towards it by our target demographics. A less likely obstacle that I don’t foresee occurring at a campus such as UA Little Rock, but is possible nevertheless, is someone taking our message and twisting it to mean something it doesn’t: i.e. “You’re telling everyone that they’ll never get a job after graduation!” In either instance, the solution is the same, in that our approach to pathos must be perfectly balanced. The first potential obstacle can be avoided by expressing genuine enthusiasm in our campaign marketing materials, and the second by not crossing the line into preachiness. If we always remain focused on our objective to help college graduates discover alternative ways to earn a reasonable living in this economy, then we will project our campaign appropriately.

Works Cited Perlman, H. (2017, March). “Recent College Grads Face Tough Job Market”. ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=88523&page=1 Tietjenn, D. (2014, February). “Jobs Scarce, College Grads Go Into Business for Themselves”. CNBC. Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/2014/02/07/jobs-scarce-college-grads-go-into- business-for-themselves.html Thompson, D. (2012, February). “Adulthood, Delayed: What Has the Recession Done to Millennials?”. The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/02/adulthood-delayed-what-has-the- recession-done-to-millennials/252913/ Persuasive Writing Campaign Reflective Memo

The persuasive writing campaign project came at a time when I’ve been even busier than usual. I’m now pulling double-duty and playing a significant role in two separate (yet related) business ventures, and I’ve done a significant amount of technical writing for each over the past month. Choosing to create a mock campaign around promoting entrepreneurship was an obvious choice for me. Not only is it a concept that is of great personal importance to me, but it allowed me to stay within largely the same mindset as I went back-and-forth between writing this campaign and taking care of real-world business. While I barely touched on this in my campaign, because addressing it more so would’ve gotten the project off-track, one of my motivations behind my choice is the need to have people rethink what pursuing a bachelor of arts degree can and does entail. I constantly observe the attitude that one should pursue a specific major to land a job that is the literal employment equivalent of that major. For example, as I alluded to in my campaign, a person will pursue a degree in political science to work directly in government politics, and there’s a notion that this person has a useless degree if he or she lands a job in any other field. In evaluating liberal arts majors, we have forgotten the historical definition of the word liberal (as an adjective) itself. The underlying motivation of pursuing any liberal arts major is to broaden one’s knowledge and way of thinking. This attitude should not end at graduation, and most definitely should be applied to considering professional options, whether working for one’s self or someone else. Rhetorical Theory

This is one of the college courses that had a long-term impact on me. The study of rhetoric reaches far beyond writing and applies to all forms of communication. It made me a master of reading between the lines. Rhetorical Self-Analysis

It was during the Fall 2017 semester that I took a course in nonfiction writing. While I had picked up useful information from other rhetoric courses in the past, this one took my overall writing ability to a whole new level. One area in which I gained new and improved insight was the rhetorical stance, and this introduced me to a new world of persuasive possibilities. For my final project, I authored a multimedia piece (text and photography) titled “Something About Benton, Arkansas” that aimed to persuade the audience on the untapped cultural and commercial potential of the location. In this analysis, I will explain my process in exploiting rhetorical stance to write a persuasive nonfiction narrative to achieve that objective. Synopsis “Something About Benton, Arkansas” is a real-time and meta account of my visit to downtown Benton to shoot additional photos for the project. Interspersed among my foot journey are my personal musings on the neighborhood as I romanticize what it could be. Along the way, I utilized Wayne Booth’s three essential elements of rhetorical stance: Speaker: Unlike the academic voice I’m taking here, I used a casual and sometimes irreverent voice in “Something About Benton, Arkansas” while also referencing my own experience in the hospitality industry as I posed suggestions for the future of the neighborhood. Argument: In making my argument, I considered and shared a few different ideas for a commercial and cultural revitalization of downtown Benton. Additionally, I discussed potential current and future roadblocks in achieving this hypothetical goal. Audience: When I’m an audience member for an argument on such a topic, I value sincerity and forthrightness from that speaker. Not only did I write to an audience that appreciates entertainment, culture, nightlife, architecture, and history, but I wrote to an audience that is as imaginative and daring as I am on this subject. The inclusion of my ideas was not only to showcase my vision but to encourage my readers to let their imaginations run wild as well. Narrative “Something About Benton, Arkansas” was completed in two distinct phases. The first phase is represented in the rough draft, which isn’t so much a draft as it is a gathering of the different pieces I wanted to include along with a vague sketch of a narrative. Along with already having shot many of the photos featured in this essay, I had also previously conducted research and written anecdotes that I inserted into this project. The second phase commenced with my return to downtown Benton to shoot additional photos and create the autobiographical narrative found in the final draft. The return trip was vital to this essay because the experience ultimately pulled everything together into a focused storyline. Along with rewriting my preexisting anecdotes to fit into this new narrative, I decided to go meta and write about writing the argument within the argument itself. This provided me with a solid opening paragraph, which I didn’t have before. More importantly, it quickly established the informal and sincere voice that I needed to express throughout the piece. I also went bold with the ending, for which I wrote about commencing writing on the final draft. This was influenced by Ingmar Bergman’s Persona, which self-references being a film production at the film’s conclusion. This allowed me to eliminate any figurative barriers and maintain a personable connection with my audience from start to finish. All of this was done with the rhetorical stance in mind, as I considered my voice, the expectations of my target audience, and the argument I needed to serve as the bridge between us. This is an approach I’ve always taken instinctively, long before taking my first college writing course. Rhetorical Stance The meta narrative wasn’t so much a stroke of creativity as it was an honest depiction of a situation in which I existed at that moment. Not only did I have to meet the rubric of the final project for my class, but I also needed to produce something that would further enhance my writing portfolio. Additionally, my schedule was incredibly full at the time, and I did not have much time to invest in a project. It was convenient for me to take my preexisting words, images, and ideas on the subject and add to them in building a strong argument. Having stated that, efficiency was not my only motivation. I wanted to see if I could take a subject matter that might not normally intrigue people and manage to capture their attention with it. I’ll admit that downtown Benton, in and of itself, isn’t all that fascinating; however, I was certain that I could get readers interested in it to some degree by exploring its history and architecture in conjunction with my ambitious perspective on it. Achieving this objective required balance. This falls in line with Wayne Booth’s thoughts on the rhetorical stance and its dependency upon “discovering and maintaining a proper balance among the three communicative elements at work: the available arguments about the subject itself, the interests and peculiarities of the audience, and the voice and implied character of the speaker.” (23) To accomplish this, I always made a conscious effort to inject myself into the narrative. Even when delving into the history of a given landmark, I’m still hanging out in the periphery. If I’m going to sell readers on the idea that downtown Benton A) has charm and B) could be more than what it currently is, that sales pitch must come from a human place. I chose to deliver my argument in a voice steeped in swagger and irreverence because that is who I am, and I cannot persuade my audience if I am not sincere. Simply compiling a list of facts and figures, no matter how compelling they may be, is not enough to close any deal. I had to take Booth’s approach and imply a definite character in my voice. I know that my audience for this piece is at least willing to believe my statements, and those who are familiar with downtown Benton have themselves likely considered at least some of my points beforehand. For those latter audience members, downtown Benton in its current state does embody a public problem in the sense that it logically could be more than what it is right now, both culturally and commercially. According to Hauser, “ownership refers to the ability to create and influence the public definition of a problem.” (79) I took ownership of this public problem throughout my argument, which further contributed to the ethos of the project. Overall, I saw an opportunity to take a rhetorical stance, and I ran with it. Aftermath While not many people have read “Something About Benton, Arkansas” to this point, it has made a positive impact on those who have. My professor for the nonfiction course awarded the project a grade of 100%, so I achieved my objective with that audience.

Works Cited Diamante, Stefan. “Something About Benton, Arkansas”. Stefan Diamante. http://stefandiamante.com/something-about-benton-arkansas. Accessed 7 March 2018. Booth, Wayne. “The Rhetorical Stance”. College Composition and Communication. October 1963. p. 23. Hauser, Gerard A. Introduction to Rhetorical Theory (Second Edition). Waveland Press, 2002. Synthwave: Fantast Converged into Reality

Days Gone By Nostalgia for 1980s pop culture has been a widespread phenomenon since the decade ended, gaining momentum as the early-1990s grew ever grungier. Alternative rock and gangsta rap were a far cry from the music of the 1980s; sure, those genres existed back then, but their overall popularity paled in comparison at the time to the synthesized melodies and unironically positive lyrics of many songs that topped the charts. It was outrageous style as substance, as was the fashion and entertainment of the decade. The 1980s were a time of fast living and a work hard/play hard mantra, one that perfectly represented the all-or-nothing economics of the era. Too much was never enough. And, by 1992, it was all gone as popular culture did a virtual 180-degree turn. Terms such as "social obligation" and "political correctness" entered the American lexicon; save for hip-hop, pop culture veered off into a somber direction. The new music embodied introspection and rage with lyrics that ranged from reflective to downright self-loathing, and this extended into fashion and other imagery as depression suddenly became a marketable fad. Even beloved 1980s musical heroes jumped onto this lucrative new bandwagon in droves. For some of us, this period was a living hell where music and fashion were concerned. While things inevitably improved on these fronts by the end of the decade and continued to as time went on, we missed that certain magic of the 1980s and would kill to have it back in our lives. Synthwave Cometh Thanks to a few enterprising electronica artists with a passion for 1980s cultural excess and the artifacts by which it is symbolized, the roots of synthwave took hold in the mid-2000s. Synthwave is an electronic music genre that emerged in French house music circles. Heavily influenced by 1980s soundtrack artists such as Tangerine Dream and prominently featuring analog synthesizer and gated drum sounds, synthwave blends the musical characteristics of that decade with those of electro house and similar electronic music subgenres. Perhaps the most notable pioneer of synthwave is College, with the project’s 2008 releases Secret Diary and Teenage Color perfectly encompassing the above musical description. Although being more minimalist than many of the artists to come afterward, this is where the foundation of synthwave was poured. Other notable synthwave pioneers are Kavinsky and Justice. In the ensuing years, synthwave has significantly grown to include a wide variety of artists, each putting their own unique stamp on the genre. Overall, synthwave has expanded beyond its Tangerine Dream-inspired origins to draw influence from virtually every danceable genre of 1980s popular music. This includes but is not limited to new wave, synthpop, rock, hi- NRG, freestyle, house, Eurodisco, Italo, dark wave, goth, and industrial. Additionally, 1980s- style heavy metal guitars are appearing in synthwave songs with increasing frequency, showing that the genre is not limiting itself and has room to continue expanding. While synthwave music is still largely the product of DJs and producers, vocalists such as Dana Jean Phoenix and NINA have established themselves as popular solo artists within the genre. While synthwave rarely crosses into contemporary mainstream pop culture, it maintains a devoted legion of fans whose numbers continue to grow thanks to a network of websites and YouTube channels. The genre draws inspiration not only from the music of the 1980s, but from the cinema, fashion, vehicles, and nightlife of the decade as well. Each of these rhetorical symbols represents something special for synthwave artists and fans; taken as a whole, they serve as a romanticized indication of not only what was, but what could realistically be. In Rhetorical Criticism, Sonja K. Foss argues that "symbolic convergence theory is based on two major assumptions: one is that communication creates reality, and the second is that symbols not only create reality for individuals but that individuals' meanings for symbols can converge to create a shared reality or community consciousness." (Foss 97) Synthwave fully embraces both assumptions as individuals who share similar tastes for music and imagery have come together and created their own alternate cultural scene that stands in stark contrast to the mainstream. Online alternative media outlets like New Retro Wave not only keep fans updated on the latest news regarding artists but showcase all things - past and present - that are considered part of the synthwave universe as per this shared reality. The community has painstakingly brought together a large collection of rhetorical artifacts to create and define a legitimate subgenre against all odds where mainstream opposition is concerned. The Music In Introduction to Rhetorical Theory, Gerald A. Hauser offers the idea that “creativity is an act of symbolic expression. As an act, it is eventful because it occurs at a particular time and place. Since it is an event, it has temporality that reflects the historical past and the anticipated future. Because it is symbolic, it is referential, drawing on the resources of the world to illuminate the meaning of inner experiences. As an expression, others may respond to it and interpret it through previous individual experiences. The only limitations to creativity are our personal limitations, for the thinkable offers a limitless source of meaning and the world an inexhaustible supply of references.” (Hauser 103) This statement excellently sums up the relationship between synthwave music and its fans. The YouTube comments for virtually any synthwave track are overflowing with personal reminiscences of the 1980s that are highly romanticized as well as laments from younger fans who missed out on the decade. As an act of symbolic expression, the music serves as a catalyst for bringing these individuals together to create a shared reality of glamorous style as substance. The synthesized melodies evoke memories and feelings of the fun and excitement to be experienced in an era that was less socio-politically volatile. The lyrics are equally positive and romantic, generally built upon themes of love and excitement without an ounce of self-loathing to be found. For example, the popular synthwave track “Magic” by FM Attack opens with the following verse set to a haunting synthesizer melody: “The days just fade away I’m thinking of a heart today And time is on our side” Some people may dismiss these lyrics as shallow and vapid, but why has chronic cynicism become the only suitable manner in which to view the world? Plenty of people are still willing to take a chance for the promise of the aforementioned love and excitement; they know all-too-well themselves that they could be hurt, so this isn’t automatically a case of naivety. Synthwave has succeeded in creating a safe community in which fans and artists may be openly optimistic about their individual futures and, by extension, the future of the genre and community. Overall, synthwave music has become something of a cultural deity for its fans as it brings together everyone whose soul has been touched by it. The Imagery If synthwave really were a religion, it would certainly possess enough iconic imagery to give Catholicism a serious run for its money. First and foremost are the graphics: while different artists utilize a wide range of colors between them to promote their respective releases, the genre as a whole has become closely associated with the combination of pink and aqua. These two colors are also heavily connected to the 1980s television series Miami Vice, and this is no coincidence as that show exudes a huge influence on the overall synthwave aesthetic. The city of Miami is also vital to synthwave imagery due to its reputation as a glamorous party town both in the 1980s and today. While New York City and Los Angeles are also romanticized in synthwave circles, their popularity pales in comparison to that of The Magic City. The Miami skyline, Miami Bridge, and palm trees are staples of synthwave graphics. As a rhetorical symbol, Miami appeals to synthwave fans as the epicenter of the fun and excitement they enjoyed in the past and continue to seek. In keeping with the religious comparisons, Miami is definitely the Mecca of synthwave. Not only are 1980s film soundtracks a massive influence on synthwave, but the films themselves are indispensable to the genre’s visual aesthetics. Quintessentially 1980s films such as Scarface, The Terminator, Blade Runner, RoboCop, and Legend are consistently referenced in synthwave imagery. And the cinematic tributes aren’t limited to Hollywood as exploitation films of the horror, action, and science fiction genres are also incorporated into the synthwave aesthetic. The relationship between synthwave and exploitation cinema is further cemented by individuals such as the YouTube film reviewer The Cine-Masochist, whose episodes open with an original musical theme provided by the synthwave act Perturbator. Synthwave’s connection to cinema isn’t limited to the decade of the 1980s. The 2011 film Drive made prominent use of synthwave tracks throughout its duration, and its own visual aesthetics were, in turn, a significant influence on synthwave imagery. The type of films embraced by synthwave’s aesthetic sensibilities have their own instances of symbolic convergence among their fans, so the connection and overlap between synthwave and genre films is no surprise. Synthwave music is designed to excite and titillate its listeners, and the films embraced by synthwave fans serve the same purpose. With the overall synthwave fantasy being fed from so many different directions, its convergence into a shared reality makes complete sense. Today & Tomorrow As Julia Neuman summarized in her article on the genre: “Synthwave’s blending of modern electronic composition with nostalgia makes for an irresistible combination.” (Neuman) This also serves as an apt summary for the exploration of synthwave through fantasy-theme criticism. It is a musical genre that hasn’t been subject to extensive academic or critical analysis; in fact, I failed to come across a single piece matching the scope of what I have written here. This shows just how removed from the mainstream synthwave is and that reality in itself may serve as a rhetorical symbol that further bonds the individuals who have converged to make their shared fantasy a reality. Synthwave isn’t going away anytime soon as it not only continues to grow but inspires offshoot genres such as the darkly cynical vaporwave. The fans and practitioners of synthwave will keep the party going for as long as 1980s nostalgia remains a phenomenon, and it shows no signs of slowing.

Works Cited Foss, Sonja K. Rhetorical Criticism. Waveland Press. 2009 Hauser, Gerald A. Introduction to Rhetorical Theory. Waveland Press. 2002 Neuman, Julia. “The Nostalgic Allure of ‘Synthwave’”. Observer. http://observer.com/2015/07/the-nostalgic-allure-of-synthwave. Accessed 1 May 2018. Grant Writing

Producing a real grant proposal for a nonprofit organization was my most challenging college writing assignment. It wasn’t the persuasive writing itself. Rather, it was meeting the rigid submission guidelines of any given grantor. I’m terrible when it comes to bureaucracy. The museum for which I wrote this grant discovered halfway through the semester that its 501(c)(3) status had lapsed three years earlier due to shoddy outside accounting. This is an excellent example of the struggles faced by small museums supported solely by private donations. It was too late to find another nonprofit for this project, so I completed it anyway. There are gaps in the grant because the nonprofit was unable to provide me with specific information due to limited manpower. Ultimately, I will never write another grant proposal. The name and location of this museum have been changed for confidentiality reasons. Introduction Letter

My name is Stefan Diamante; I am currently enrolled in a grant-writing course at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. This course is designed as a service-learning course in which students put into practice what they are learning about in the classroom. For the grant writing class, this means that students work with a local non-profit to develop and write a grant for a new or existing project. Students go through all the grant writing steps, including fleshing out a project, locating a funder/RFP, writing and revising the grant, and getting feedback from the client. I am highly interested in working with the Brown Springs History Museum and helping to bring it even greater success. In return, I hope that you will consider working with me to help advance my educational goals. What working with me entails for you: In exchange for your participation, Brown Springs History Museum will receive a list of two foundations that fund film festivals and a complete draft of a grant written to the RFP/foundation you select from this list. Please keep in mind that I am a novice grant writer, but I am committed to producing a strong sales pitch as to why Brown Springs History Museum should receive a grant. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not to submit the grant. For regular interaction on this project, this would require from you: 1. Conversing regularly (via email and phone) to discuss progress on the project, exchange information, and provide general feedback. I think we can handle the bulk of our exchanges through email. 2. Creating a working agreement (that focuses on guidelines for your work together) and a client profile (that gathers information about Brown Springs History Museum to better familiarize me with your work), learning details of the project and its budget, and receiving feedback on the grant. 3. Working within the deadlines of the assignment and staying in contact with me regarding your work deadlines, conflicts, etc. (i.e. not disappearing on me, just as I will not disappear on you). This project will run approximately 15 weeks. 4. Having a well-developed and reasonable project for which to seek grant funding. For example, something that would enhance the attendee experience at a future festival. 5. Providing information and financials about the organization and possible projects. This includes but is not limited to: copy of your 501(c)(3) letter, copy of the budget, copy of members of the board, letterhead for the writing of cover letters, and letters of support if appropriate. 6. Choosing a funder out of two possible foundations I have researched and presented to you. 7. Reviewing and commenting on drafts. 8. Submitting the grant, if you so choose. 9. Informing me if you are awarded a grant. While I can’t guarantee that you will receive a grant, this class has enjoyed past success to the amount of over $325,000 in grant monies awarded. I hope that after reading this, you will consider working with me. Aside from seeking the assistance of a non-profit organization for this assignment, I have a personal interest in the preservation of historic buildings. Your willingness to work with me will provide a unique learning opportunity that I would not otherwise receive. If you wish to verify the legitimacy of my offer, you may contact the course professor - Dr. Mario – at (501) 999-9999 or [email protected].

Sincerely,

Stefan Diamante University of Arkansas at Little Rock (501) 867-5309 | [email protected] Grant Proposal Working Agreement

This contract represents and defines the agreement between Brown Springs History Museum (represented by Bob Cobb, Executive Director) and Stefan Diamante regarding the grant proposal that Stefan Diamante will produce and deliver to Brown Springs History Museum during the Spring 2018 semester at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. This working agreement and volunteer relationship will expire at the end of the semester on May 11, 2018. Stefan Diamante will make a good faith effort to provide for Brown Springs History Museum one completed grant proposal and information on a potential funder. These items will be produced and delivered on a strictly voluntary basis. This agreement and the work performed by Stefan Diamante does not guarantee that this grant proposal will be funded wholly or in part by any potential funder. It is the responsibility of Brown Springs History Museum, should they so choose, to submit the grant proposal to the selected potential funder. Contact & Meeting Information Brown Springs History Museum and Stefan Diamante each agree to remain in contact via email from now until delivery of the completed grant proposal and information on a potential funder. Phone conversations and in-person meetings at the Brown Springs History Museum location will also be utilized if and when necessary. Stefan Diamante agrees to keep Brown Springs History Museum updated on all new developments in the grant proposal writing process as they occur, including sharing drafts of the grant proposal for the purpose of receiving feedback to be used in drafting the final version. Brown Springs History Museum agrees to provide Stefan Diamante with any necessary information and materials no later than seven calendar days after the request is made. Ownership & Terms of Use Stefan Diamante agrees to assign ownership of the completed grant proposal to Brown Springs History Museum upon delivery. In exchange, Brown Springs History Museum gives permission for Stefan Diamante to use this grant (with information redacted as needed) as a professional example of his writing. We, Brown Springs History Museum, give permission for any of the documents (drafts, final examples, various assignments) produced in this class to be used as an example of Stefan Diamante’s work. This might mean inclusion of the documents in a school portfolio, professional portfolio, or graduate school application; this is not a comprehensive list. If any information needs to be redacted/altered, please list it here: (e.g. organizational budget, EIN number). Please list any additional restrictions (wait one year after grant submission, etc…). Permission for Dr. Mario to use documents in future work (circle one): Option 1: Please do not use any documents produced in this class as examples in future classes, textbooks, or presentations. (This includes assignments, drafts, and final products.) Option 2: We, Brown Springs History Museum and Stefan Diamante, give permission for any of the documents produced in this class to be used as examples in future classes, textbooks, or presentations. (This includes assignments, drafts, and final products.) To preserve the integrity of the grant and to facilitate the learning experience, names of the group, the executive director, and the organization's address will not be changed. Project budgets will remain intact, but other sensitive information, including 501(c)(3) letters, EIN numbers, home phone numbers, and organizational budgets will be deleted, changed, or concealed for the group's protection. If there is any information that needs to be deleted or concealed in the documents, or if you have any questions, please contact Dr. Mario at [email protected] or (501) 999-9999. “I have read this working agreement and agree to the above terms.” Signature ______Date ______Bob Cobb, Executive Director Brown Springs History Museum

Signature ______Date ______Stefan Diamante University of Arkansas at Little Rock Formal Grant Request

Cover Letter Stefan Diamante 999 Skid Row Ave. Little Rock, AR 72211

May 3, 2018

Bob Cobb Brown Springs History Museum 123 Fake St. Brown Springs, AR 71941

Mr. Cobb:

Please find enclosed the completed grant application for the IMLS “Collection Stewardship 2018 Grant Cycle.” There are several things that need to be completed before the grant can be mailed out.

_ Application for Federal Assistance/Short Organizational Form (SF-424S)

_ IMLS Program Information Sheet and Budget Form

_ List of Key Project Staff and Consultants/Resumes of Staff and Consultants

_ Detailed Condition Reports and/or Conservation Treatment Proposals

_ Information the supplements the narrative and supports the SF-424 project description

In addition,

_ The application must be submitted online via grants.gov by December 1, 2018

Information on how to submit the grant proposal, as well as how to complete the forms listed above is available at https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/fy2018-oms-mfa-nofo.pdf

Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to work on this grant. I look forward to working with you again. Please call (501-867-5309) or email ([email protected]) me if you have any questions or issues.

Sincerely,

Stefan Diamante

Abstract

The Brown Springs History Museum of Brown Springs, Arkansas is requesting $5,000 in grant funding to improve the storage and preservation of historical artifacts that share with visitors the history of Brown Springs, Hot Spring County, and the United States. These artifacts are currently stored in two non-climate-controlled storage units as well as multiple locations within the museum building (including one corner in the main gallery) in a manner that is not conducive to preserving these artifacts for future generations to learn from and appreciate. Funding from IMLS would support repacking/reorganizing these artifacts in a more suitable manner and storing them in a climate-controlled storage unit.

Organizational Profile

I. Purpose

The purpose of the Brown Springs History Museum shall be to collect and preserve and to interpret artifacts particularly pertinent to the history and heritage of Brown Springs, Arkansas. The Museum Board will make the museum’s programs available to, and of interest to, citizens of all ages, with emphasis on educational values. (Adopted May 6, 1984)

II. Service Area

The Brown Springs History Museum represents the people and history of Brown Springs, Arkansas. Located southwest of Little Rock, Brown Springs has a population of 107,000 and is located near the cities of Malvern, Arkadelphia, Donaldson, Caddo Valley, Friendship, and Midway as well as several unincorporated communities.

III. Brief Organizational History

Located inside the historic Brown Springs Building, the Brown Springs History Museum has been operating since 1967. Current Executive Director Bob Cobb, a lifelong citizen of Brown Springs, was appointed to the position in early 2007.

Strategic Plan Summary This will need to be provided once a plan is created.

Narrative

I. Project Justification

A. Project Summary

Brown Springs History Museum of Brown Springs, Arkansas seeks an Institute of Museum and Library Services Museums for America, Collections Stewardship non-matching grant of $5,000 to improve the storage and preservation of the museum’s historical artifacts including photographs, documents, and garments. The goals of this project are to (1) store individual pieces in closed boxes and cabinets as appropriate to protect them from dust and UV damage; (2) to store these closed boxes and cabinets in climate-controlled storage units where all artifacts can be better preserved at the appropriate temperature and humidity settings; and, (3) to clear the museum’s galleries and executive director’s office of stored artifacts.

B. Background Information

Brown Springs History Museum is located inside the Brown Springs Building. Built in 1885 by escaped mental patients on the run from purple unicorns, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1951. Originally serving as an opium den, the building later served as a Mervyn’s before becoming a museum in 1977. It is located next door to the World’s Largest Ball of Mud and a country mile from the site of the infamous Cool Whip Murders of 1946. Permanent exhibits at the Brown Springs History Museum include artifacts related to the town’s history as well as damaged merchandise leftover from the Mervyn’s era. Temporary exhibits have a focus on different eras and aspects of Brown Springs and Hot Spring County history. Other temporary exhibits have focused on sock puppets, fast food wrappers, and Jackie Stallone. Due to the uniqueness of the building, the museum attracts fans of architecture as well as history buffs. There is a special relationship between the museum and downtown Brown Springs, as the board of directors is comprised of local business owners who are dedicated to their community. This museum does an exceptional job, given its limited financial means, of preserving local history and sharing it with the public at large.

The Brown Springs History Museum is located in downtown Brown Springs, a city of 107,000 people about 50 miles southwest of downtown Little Rock. Along with the Brown Springs Building, many buildings in downtown Brown Springs are on the National Register of Historic Places: the Brown Springs Historic Grindhouse Movie Theater, the Roaches ‘R’ Us motel, and a bungalow once owned by the actor who played Schneider on One Day at a Time. Most of the commercial spaces available are occupied; the recent legalization of diet soda in Hot Spring County has created opportunities for new businesses in the neighborhood. After being closed to the public for one year, the Brown Springs History Museum reopened in March of 2007 with a new executive director: Bob Cobb. According to Mr. Cobb upon the reopening of the museum, “Meh… It’ll pay that bills.”

C. Need Addressed

The small size of the building does not allow for on-site storage of all artifacts in the museum’s possession, or proper storage and organizing of these artifacts. Additionally, the museum only has one employee – a full-time executive director – who is responsible for handling all day-to-day operations by himself.

The board of directors has set a budget to keep the museum operating and has continuously raised the funds necessary to make this possible. However, additional funds are required to improve the preservation and storage of the museum’s artifacts to ensure that they can be shared with the public for generations to come. Funds from an IMLS grant would be used to purchase proper storage materials for these artifacts, pay the initial fees for climate- controlled storage, transport the artifacts to the new storage facility, and cover the cost of additional labor as needed. Each artifact must be unpacked, properly stored and cataloged, and transferred to the new storage facility. The museum’s executive director and board of directors will be fully devoted to this project and will invest the time necessary to ensure its timely and successful completion.

*This is where a general breakdown of the types and quantities of artifacts included in this project will be.*

D. Project Beneficiaries

1. The museum’s executive director and sole employee, whose own office is one of several areas in the museum building that is packed with improperly stored artifacts. Given his consistently full workload, a proper and efficient storage system will allow him to swap out rotating exhibits with much more ease and granting him to focus more on teaching visitors about the history the museum shares with the public.

2. Visitors to the museum, as they will be assured to view artifacts including photographs, documents, and garments in the best condition possible.

3. Current and future generations of Brown Springs and Hot Spring County citizens, as these artifacts documenting the history of their community will be preserved in the best conditions possible. The general public will benefit from experiencing both the collections and the unique building itself for many years to come.

E. Advancing the Museum’s Strategic Plan

This project allows the museum to achieve two of the highest priority goals of its strategic plan:

1. Organize and store artifacts in quality archival-grade and climate-controlled systems that will preserve the artifacts for generations to come.

2. Remove storage overflow and clutter from the museum galleries and executive director’s office

This IMLS-funded project will allow the museum to achieve these goals to effectively preserve the visual history of Benton and Saline County. Strategies for raising the funds necessary to maintain the new storage solutions include partnering with the city, county, and local businesses to raise awareness of the museum and its cause to sell additional memberships and solicit more donations. The museum’s executive director has close ties to the economic development director for the city of Brown Springs, and the individual museum board members are highly connected within the community. This helps the museum in establishing and maintaining such partnerships.

F. Alignment with IMLS Goals

This project aligns with goal three of the IMLS strategic plan Creating a Nation of Learners: “IMLS supports exemplary stewardship of museum and library collections and promotes the use of technology to facilitate the discovery of knowledge and cultural heritage.”

This project contributes to the long-term preservation of artifacts and materials through advanced archiving technology, thereby ensuring that the knowledge and cultural heritage of Brown Springs and Hot Spring County is discoverable for generations to come.

*From this point forward, the narrative I’ve written is a general expectation of what the submitted proposal will contain. It requires the inclusion of more detailed information once exact needs and plans are established.*

II. Project Work Plan

A. Specific Activities

This project addresses the need to improve the organization and storage of museum artifacts, protecting them from environmental conditions and overcrowding within the museum office and gallery.

The goals of this project are to (1) rehouse museum artifacts in appropriate archival storage materials to protect them from dust and UV damage; (2) transfer stored artifacts from current locations in non-climate controlled storage units and within the museum to climate-controlled storage units; and, (3) improve the overall organization of the collection as well as access to individual artifacts/exhibitions.

This will be accomplished as follows:

• Have the executive director commit x number of hours per week to the project. • Bring in volunteers to assist with the project. • Purchase archival-grade storage materials for housing artifacts. • Rent two climate-controlled storage units to replace current non-climate- controlled units. • Clean, inventory, catalog, photograph, and rehouse objects. • Use software to inventory and catalog all artifacts as well as generate reports.

B. Potential Project Risks

Project risks are: (1) inaccurate data entry; (2) volunteers are inconsistent in organizing and storing artifacts; (3) the project is not completed within the project year; and, (4) the project does not continue once grant funds are exhausted. These potential risks will be addressed through the following actions:

• The executive director will refresh his knowledge of cataloging software to ensure he is using the system correctly and to the museum’s best advantage. • Comprehensive instructions will be drafted for volunteers on how to properly organize, store, and catalog artifacts. • With one paid employee, this project may not be completed within a single year. The museum is applying for future grants, including the Arkansas Heritage Small Museum Grant in 2019, to ensure that funding continues. • The museum’s board of directors is committed to seeing this project through long-term once the grant project has ended. Along with applying for future grants, the museum and its board will continue its efforts to work with the local community in raising awareness of the museum and its importance to solicit additional donations and paid memberships.

C. Project Planning and Management

The project plan was created by Executive Director Bob Cobb and the museum board of directors. Mr. Cobb will manage the project.

D. Project Activities and Sequence

TBD

E. Financial, Personal, and Other Resources Needed

TBD

F. Progress Tracking

Project progress will be measured by tracking the number and percentage of artifacts repacked, cataloged, and stored. The museum board of directors will oversee the general process through monthly reports.

G. Sharing Project Results

Project results will be shared with citizens of Brown Springs and Hot Spring County, the Brown Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, and other stakeholders through the museum website and social media outlets as well as the membership newsletter. Project results will be shared with local and state press at the beginning and end of the project to generate excitement and engage volunteers and donors.

III. Project Results

This project will result in ensuring that the entire Brown Springs History Museum collection is properly preserved, allowing it to be shared with and enjoyed by the history enthusiasts and the people of Hot Spring County for many generations to come. The artifacts will be easier to access and manage, which will be of great benefit to the museum’s sole employee. Exhibits will be assembled and disassembled much more quickly and efficiently, and artifacts in storage will be suitably protected from light, dust, and extreme climate conditions. The executive director will be responsible for maintaining the new organization and storage system according to museum standards, and museum board members will regularly tour storage areas to ensure these standards are being met.

IV. Schedule of Completion

TBD

V. Key Project Staff and Consultants

TBD

VI. Resumes of Key Staff and Consultants

TBD Political Science

Political science was part of my bachelor of arts major, and I have no problem classifying it as upper-level college writing. These courses required not only lots of writing and research but also pushed my persuasive rhetorical skills as I made strong and compelling arguments. This was vital as I regularly clashed with my professors on political positions. Once to the point that a professor and I stopped speaking to each other with a month to go in the semester. But they (mostly) graded my papers fairly, to their shared credit, and often praised my writing abilities. Fukuyama Assignments

Fukuyama Summary “The End of History?” by Francis Fukuyama is very much a product of its time. By the time it was published in the summer of 1989, the fall of the Soviet Union and communism in Eastern Europe was all but guaranteed in the minds of many Americans from all walks of life. Gorbachev’s perestroika and glasnost ideals in an attempt to reinvent – and salvage – Soviet communism as more democratic socialist in nature had not come anywhere near fruition. Long story short, Western capitalism had triumphed both economically and culturally, while Eastern variations on Marxism-Leninism had been far less successful. It was this outcome that led Fukuyama to declare Western liberalism as the ultimate victor in a worldwide battle between ideologies. Fukuyama’s argument that social and economic liberalism is the logical evolutionary endgame of man and ideology is tied to Hegel’s theories regarding the overall progression of mankind. Hegel himself believed in the coming of such an absolute moment when one final form of government would be achieved. Fukuyama is quick to point out that Marx latched onto this idea for his own socialist ideology and attempts to separate Hegel from Marx since the two have long been intertwined in intellectual circles. Indeed, Hegel himself had considered the French Revolution to be the final triumph of Western liberalism. A good portion of this article is Fukuyama delivering an overview of Hegel and his theories, as Fukuyama bases his entire argument on them. He also dismisses fascism as a “diseased bypath” over the course of history at large. Aside from the inevitable fall of the Soviet Union and the writings of Hegel, Fukuyama attributes his claim to the fact that Red China had abandoned Marxist-Leninist ideals in favor of capitalizing on mass consumerism. This change in direction has allowed China to flourish economically; at the same time, it has led them to all but abandon the worker’s revolution throughout the world. The ultimate point is that the most economically successful communist (at least, on paper) nation in the world became that way by embracing Western capitalism to its own advantage. Overall, Fukuyama draws heavily upon history to make his argument, particularly regarding Hegel’s ideas, and offer preemptive adjustments accordingly. As the ideologies of communism and fascism reared their heads throughout Europe following the French Revolution, Fukuyama predicts an increase in terrorist attacks as a response to the so-called ultimate victory of Western liberalism. He makes no promise of a utopian society; rather, he has declared a logical conclusion of government that will always have its challengers. Western liberalism originated as a direct challenge to monarchism, and additional would-be challengers will always emerge in an attempt to unseat it. Francis Fukuyama Meets Macey & Miller In “The End of History?”, Francis Fukuyama bases his argument heavily on the philosophies of Hegel and makes a point to separate him from the appropriation of his writings by Marx. Following the French Revolution, Hegel himself had concluded that Western liberal democracy was the inevitable form of government, and Fukuyama uses his article to confirm and build upon this notion. Fukuyama is quick to point out the liberal democracy will always face resistance from all directions, but that it is inherently unavoidably due to the cultural evolution of mankind. In response to Fukuyama’s article, Jonathan Macey and Geoffrey Miller authored “The End of History and the New World Order: The Triumph of Capitalism and the Competition Between Liberalism and Democracy”. It begins with a summary of the original piece, then delves into the Hegelian view of history contained within. They write that “when Fukuyama says that history is at an end, he means history in the Hegelian or dialectic sense; that is, history as a clash of ideologies.” Fukuyama made his abundantly clear throughout his article, with his argument being that the all-out war between sociopolitical ideologies and economic models had all but ended with liberal democracy emerging as the victor, albeit one that will often be disputed. Fukuyama confirmed the argument of Macey and Miller in this point when he wrote, regarding Hegel’s views, that “the notion that mankind has progressed through a series of primitive stages of consciousness on his path to the present, and that these stages corresponded to concrete forms of social organization, such as tribal, slave-owning, theocratic, and finally democratic-egalitarian societies, had become inseparable from the modern understanding of man.” In simpler terms, Fukuyama argues that mankind is a product of both the mistakes it has made throughout history and what it has learned from those mistakes. When applied in conjunction with, say, what Jefferson wrote regarding “self-evident truths held by men” in the Declaration of Independence, then Fukuyama’s entire argument becomes crystal clear. Conversely, resistance to liberal democracy will arise because some are inevitably doomed to repeat mistakes of the past. Still, Macey and Miller argue that liberal democracy and capitalism are not one and the same. They chalk up the failure of Eastern European communism to the fact that capitalism is a superior economic system to communism in its overall benefits to the public at large. They point out the capitalism acts as a better redistributor of wealth than communism ever could. Overall, Macey and Miller generally agree with Fukuyama’s article, but they point out specific aspects they believe he either overlooked or ignored altogether. Fukuyama’s Argument & Cambodia’s Democracy Struggle Francis Fukuyama makes clear from the get-go in “The End of History?” that, while he believes Western liberal democracy to be the inevitable end game of any nation, it will not come to fruition without facing resistance. He specifically mentions the Troubles and Palestinian liberation causes as implications “that terrorism and wars of national liberation will continue to be an important item on the international agenda.” Classical liberalism in all its forms may forever be the overall preferred form of government from here on out, but it will never be free of opposition from all directions even after liberal democracy has taken hold in a nation. This is evident given the current state of events in Cambodia. From 1975 to 1979, Cambodia endured one of the harshest totalitarian regimes in history at the hands of Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge party. This was followed by a communist puppet state installed by the Vietnamese until liberal democracy was achieved in the early 1990s with the advent of the Third Kingdom of Cambodia. While the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) that governed the nation under Vietnamese influence since 1979 still exists and remains in power to this day, it officially dropped its support of Marxist-Leninist ideology once democracy arrived. By any casual observation, the fact these developments occurred in such a troubled nation leads credence to Fukuyama’s basic argument. However, Fukuyama was right to cover himself by noting that there would be continued resistance to Western liberal democracy. A look beneath the democratic exterior of the Cambodian government reveals a long-standing strain of authoritarianism that is currently reaching a head. Catharin Dalpino explored this in a 2002 article in which she noted the lingering authoritarian ideals of the CPP after an impressive showing across the board in the nation’s first local elections. She claimed that, “elections are the sole indicator of democracy, which is easily obtained by installing democratically-minded leaders and banishing authoritarian incumbents.” However, she notes the special set of challenges that Cambodia faces considering its recent history of internal turmoil and draws a comparison between it and Afghanistan. She offers that “while Westerners often see elections as a precondition for democratization, Cambodians tend to look first to the improvement of civil liberties in everyday life.” This has led to the source of the issue, which is the enduring rift between the CPP and opposition parties since the arrival of liberal democracy. The CPP – despite its history – has used its status as an established and experienced party to convince voters that it can improve the day- to-day lives of average Cambodians. To be fair, it does have a track record of doing as such, but that owes more to Cambodia no longer being under the extreme oppression of the Khmer Rouge. Still, some point to this as an example of democracy working just fine. As Suos Yara wrote in 2016, “Cambodia has been able to develop major physical infrastructure leading to steady macroeconomic growth at an average of 7-8 percent per annum. The driving force behind economic growth can be traced to many factors, including political and economic stability, openness to free trade, as well as regional and international integration alongside international development aid.” While these are truths, such developments are not inherent evidence of liberal democracy at work. Jumping ahead to 2017, we see that the liberal democracy currently installed in Cambodia is under serious threat. The Cambodia Daily, an independent newspaper established in 1993, was forced to shut down on September 4 due to pressure from the CPP-controlled federal government. Elliot Brennan writes that “press freedom in Cambodia has eroded steadily over the past decade, according to Freedom House rankings. From being judged 'partly free' with a press freedom score of 58/100 in 2007, it is now in the 'not free' category, sliding 12 points this year. As well as the Cambodia Daily closure, last month, some 18 radio stations were told to cease broadcasting. Local broadcasts of the US-backed Voice of America and Radio Free Asia were among those ordered to stop.” These developments do not occur in a nation where liberal democracy is not under threat. Also contributing to this argument is the arrest of Ken Sokha – leader of the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) – on charges of treason. At this point, the CPP regime is making no attempts to hide its disdain for liberal democracy, having also expelled a US-funded pro-democracy group from the country while characterizing American democracy as being “bloody and brutal.” Prak Chan Thul points out that “Prime Minister Hun Sen, the strongman who has ruled Cambodia for more than three decades, has taken a strident anti-American line in the increasingly tense run-up to a 2018 election.” Taken as a whole, there is no doubt that liberal democracy in Cambodia is under legitimate threat and probably has been since the start. Yes, the economy and infrastructure have improved greatly from the days of Pol Pot and Vietnamese interference, but such achievements are not limited to states built upon liberal democracy. All of this brings us back to Fukuyama’s condition that, while Western liberal democracy is an inevitable endgame for mankind, it will not come easily or without resistance. Cambodia is clearly at a crossroads. While its own liberal democracy may be inevitable, what it has had for the past quarter-century may prove to have been a false start if not an outright façade.

Works Cited Fukuyama, Francis (1989). “The End of History?”. The National Interest. Retrieved from https://blackboard.ualr.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-1233051-dt-content-rid- 14033768_1/courses/201760_POLS_3320_990/EndOfHistory.pdf Macey, Jonathan & Miller, Geoffrey. “The End of History and the New World Order: The Triumph of Capitalism and the Competition Between Liberalism and Democracy”. Yale Law School Legal Scholarship Repository. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.law.yale.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2673&context=fss_papers Dalpino, Catharin (2002). “Democracy Gains a Foothold in Cambodia”. Brookings. Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/democracy-gains-a-foothold-in-cambodia/ Suos, Yara (2016). “Democracy in Cambodia is Working”. The Diplomat. Retrieved from http://thediplomat.com/2016/06/democracy-in-cambodia-is-working/ Brennan, Elliot (2017). “Cambodia’s Dying Democracy”. The Interpreter. Retrieved from https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/cambodia-dying-democracy Thul, Prak Chan (2017). “Cambodia Accuses US of Political Interference, Calls US Democracy ‘Bloody and Brutal’”. Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cambodia- politics/cambodia-accuses-u-s-of-political-interference-calls-u-s-democracy-bloody-and-brutal- idUSKCN1B40F1 The New Jim Crow: A Thesis

In The New Jim Crow, author Michelle Alexander presents her thesis that the racial segregation laws of the past have been replaced by a criminal justice system that specifically targets black men for mass incarceration. She bases her argument around the War on Drugs and its harsher sentences for crack cocaine as opposed to other narcotics as well as her claims that black men generally receive longer and harsher sentences than white men for similar crimes. Indeed, she backs up her argument with many examples of criminal cases that lend credence to her thesis. While she is largely right on the basic statistics, a look below the surface reveals that she often – intentionally or not – ignores numerous key facts, and this makes her overall thesis statement flawed in my opinion. The statistical incarceration gap between white and black Americans is a reality. According to the Pew Research Center, black men were more than six times as likely as white men in 2010 to be incarcerated in federal and state prisons as well as in local jails. This marks an increase from 1960 (at the end of the Jim Crow era) when the ratio of black men to white men incarcerated was five-to-one. While black people comprise only 13% of the American population, they make up 38% of the inmate population at the state level; additionally, the racial disparity is more than ten-to-one in five different states. (Nellis) These are exactly the sort of figures to which Alexander constantly points in making her argument that mass incarceration is the “racial caste system” that she claims exists, and for which she blames notable politicians from both major political parties. To her credit, Alexander does not play partisan politics in assigning blame for the mass incarceration problem facing the black community. I appreciate this as I hold my own long- standing observations of both Democrats and Republicans inflicting damage upon American’s inner cities, although I see the actual problem differently than she. In her book, she takes Ronald Reagan to task for his “welfare queen” depiction of certain individuals who he claimed were a significant drain on taxpayers and the economy. Alexander declares the “welfare queen” phrase to be coded rhetoric for the “lazy, greedy, black ghetto mother.” She may be right, but I fail to see why that would contribute to the mass incarceration of black men, although it is representative of the blind eye I’ve often seen Republicans turn regarding the issues facing inner- city Americans, with Mitt Romney’s “47% of Americans” remark being a more recent example. Alexander has a serious aversion towards Bill Clinton and his tough-on-crime persona and approach, as he advocated a federal “three strikes and you’re out” law and adopted much of Reagan’s stance on welfare recipients for his own administration. This is why she was harshly critical of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election in her article for The Nation titled “Why Hillary Clinton Doesn’t Deserve the Black Vote”. Alexander also calls out bias in juror selection as a reason behind the mass incarceration of black men in America. She breaks down the case of McClesky v. Kemp, for which the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that Warren McClesky had not been subjected to racial bias when the jury in his case recommended the death penalty. Alexander sites the Baldus study, which found that defendants charged with murdering white victims were eleven times more likely to receive the death penalty than defendants charged with murdering black victims. Baldus also found that Georgia prosecutors sought the death penalty in 70% of cases involving black defendants and white victims, but only in 19% of cases involving white defendants and black victims. (Alexander 110) While there are doubts about whether or not McClesky was the murderer of Frank Schlatt, he was the only member of his band of armed robbers to be in possession of the make and caliber of weapon used to murder Officer Schlatt. In any event, the supreme court upheld the conviction as the defense failed to prove – regardless of the Baldus study – any evidence that McClesky had been a victim of racial bias at the hands of the jury in his case. The War on Drugs is Alexander’s primary target throughout her book as she accuses it of being a guise for racial profiling and the tool utilized by the government to inflict mass incarceration among the black community. She points out that this so-called war is rarely used to bring down murderous drug kingpins or large-scale dealers and that marijuana possession accounted for nearly 80% of drug arrests in the 1990s. Additionally, she delves into the effects of the 100-to-1 rule regarding possession of crack cocaine on black Americans and mass incarceration. In making her argument, she cites a court case such as Florida v. Bostick and compares it to the historic ruling in Terry v. Ohio, and stated her opinion that Terrance Bostick’s 4th Amendment rights had been violated by law enforcement officers. The Florida Supreme Court agreed with this upon appeal and overturned the conviction, and I agree that it was the correct decision in this case. I find Alexander at her most effective when she documents the instances of people who were negatively affected by the War on Drugs for no other reason than apparently being in the wrong place at the wrong time. She uses the stories of Erma Faye Stewart and Clifford Runoalds to excellent effect as she rails against the War on Drugs, and it’s an excellent strategy as either of them could be you or me. If Alexander had authored a book attacking the War on Drugs as a whole as opposed to using it to justify her thesis that the era of mass incarceration is indeed a new era of Jim Crow, such anecdotes would make for a powerful argument. This is because Stewart and Runoalds are tragic and sympathetic characters who were unfairly railroaded by overzealous prosecutors desperate to score a huge conviction. It’s much easier to feel sorry for them than the likes of McClesky or Bostick because those two are confirmed criminals, and that brings me to why I disagree with Alexander’s thesis. Ultimately, Alexander is attempting to drum up sympathy for criminals – many violent – who each made a conscious decision to break the law and treats their respective crimes like they are no big deal and unworthy of personal accountability. Terrance Bostick decided of his own free will to transport illegal drugs, as did Edward Clary. If anything, these two individuals make an argument in favor of police profiling because law enforcement was right on the money with each search. While I agree with Alexander that the War on Drugs is a wholly flawed proposition that has accomplished virtually nothing outside of throwing many recreational users in prison, there is no excuse for the actions of Bostick or Clary. I’m old enough to remember the omnipresence of the War on Drugs in the 1980s and the stiff criminal justice penalties that came with it; these two are older than me, so they truly had no excuse. Even more disturbing to me is Alexander’s flippant attitude towards the murder of Frank Schlatt and her martyring of Warren McClesky. Regardless of who pulled the trigger, the fact remains that McClesky and his cohorts – of their own free will – specifically set out to steal the fruits of another’s labor and proved they were willing to kill anyone who dared to stand in their way. Alexander doubles down on her indifference to innocent victims with her hypothetical drug-addicted woman. In this imagined scenario, a woman who is addicted to drugs chooses to burglarize two homes to feed her habit. Years later, with two conviction strikes already against her, she once again consciously chooses to break the law and is potentially sentenced to life in prison. Why is she worthy of sympathy at the expense of those she violated? Alexander ignores the matter of black-on-black violence and the fact that most black victims of violence receive their fates at the hands of other black people. According to the US Department of Justice, black Americans were victims in 15% of all nonfatal crimes and nearly half of all homicides. The epidemic of fatal and nonfatal shootings in Chicago is almost entirely limited to the inner-city areas. Are we to honestly believe that these are all police shootings or that white people are traveling into these areas and murdering people in cold blood because of racism? By her own admission, many in the black community favor mass incarceration and increased law enforcement presence in their neighborhoods because they are sick and tired of the rampant crime and violence. These black Americans are as disgusted by these crimes as many of their national counterparts of other races, and that leads to a flaw in Alexander’s arguments about racial bias, as alleged in McClesky v. Kemp. While some may worry that black jurors might show bias in favor of black defendants, there is just as likely a possibility that some black jurors may be highly biased against black defendants and attempt to make an example of them. From my personal experiences, many black people – including some who came from the ghetto – are not shy when it comes to sharing their thorough disgust with black criminals as they hate seeing their race represented in such a negative way. Their argument is the basis of mine: stop breaking the law. As I pointed out in my analysis of her quote that “Under the terms of our country’s founding document, slaves were defined as three-fifths of a man, not a real, whole human being. Upon this racist fiction rests the entire structure of American democracy,” Michelle Alexander has a penchant for intellectual dishonesty in making her thesis statement. Much like she ignored the fact that counting enslaved black men as a whole for legislative representation purposed would have all but extended the life of legalized slavery in the United States, she conveniently glosses over the free will of those she portrays as helpless victims, downplays the “law and order” inclinations of many inner-city Americans, and shows no concern for the actual victims of violent crime regardless of race. As a critical thinker, she makes it difficult for me to take her seriously.

Works Cited Alexander, Michelle. The New Jim Crow. The New Press, 2012. “Incarceration Gap Widens Between Whites and Blacks”. Pew Research Center. 6 Sep. 2013. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/09/06/incarceration-gap-between-whites-and-blacks- widens/ Nellis, Ashley. “The Color of Justice: Racial and Ethnic Disparity in State Prisons”. The Sentencing Project. 14 Jun. 2014. http://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/color-of- justice-racial-and-ethnic-disparity-in-state-prisons/ Harrell, Erika. “Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report: Black Victims of Violent Crime”. US Department of Justice. Aug. 2007. https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/bvvc.pdf Thomas v. Sotomayor

For this assignment, I’ve decided to compare the nomination and confirmations of Clarence Thomas and Sonia Sotomayor to the US Supreme Court. As I’ve read rumors in recent months that each may be considering retirement from the court in the not-too-distant future, it’s interesting to look back at these two and their respective appointment. Each nomination was met with controversy (with Thomas’ being one of the most controversial in history) and came with a strong element of identity politics attached to it. One process was certainly more “normal” than the other. The nomination and confirmation of Justice Thomas was anything but normal. While President George H.W. Bush had wanted to nominate Thomas to replace William Brennan in 1990, the decision was made to hold onto Thomas as the replacement for Thurgood Marshall instead. While the president was hesitant about saving Thomas to replace Marshall due to not wanting that appointment viewed as a “quota pick,” his advisors believed that it was “too soon” for Thomas to be named Brennan’s replacement and recommended David Souter instead. (Greenburg) All in all, however, the appointment of Thomas appeared as though it would be quite normal. Thomas managed to avoid what Robert Bork had encountered in his own hearing four years prior by deferring to natural law theory as the foundation for his interpretation of the law, repeatedly referring to it as a vital source of constitutional interpretation. (Epstein) That all changed when details of the FBI’s interview with Anita Hill were leaked to the press. Hill, who had worked for Thomas at the Department of Education and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claimed that the would-be justice had sexually harassed her in the past. Thomas, for his part, vehemently denied the allegations: “This is not an opportunity to talk about difficult matters privately or in a closed environment. This is a circus. It's a national disgrace. And from my standpoint, as a black American, it is a high-tech lynching for uppity blacks who in any way deign to think for themselves, to do for themselves, to have different ideas, and it is a message that unless you kowtow to an old order, this is what will happen to you. You will be lynched, destroyed, caricatured by a committee of the U.S. Senate rather than hung from a tree.” The reopening of Thomas’ confirmation hearing in the wake of Hill’s accusations resulted in a media circus of unprecedented magnitude for such a process. Hill testified in the reopened hearing and was subjected to harsh scrutiny by many US Senators including future US Vice President Joe Biden. Ultimately, Hill and her team were unable to provide any shred of significant evidence regarding her allegations, although the entire ordeal resulted in Thomas being confirmed by a razor-thin vote margin of 52-48. In the end, the appointment of Justice Thomas proved to be one of the most vital components of President Bush’s legacy where those in politically-conservative circles are concerned, as Thomas is currently viewed as being the most conservative of the Supreme Court justices at the moment. This stands as quite the contrast to President Bush’s other Supreme Court pick, David Souter: a “prudent” choice who wound up entrenching himself firmly within the more liberal faction of the court, and whose nomination is one of the president’s biggest regrets. The liberal leanings of Justice Souter would provide one of many interesting angles to President Obama’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to replace him. Souter’s judicial “betrayal” of President Bush afforded Obama the opportunity to nominate a potential justice who suited his own legal preferences while also serving as a “status quo” pick. This is not to say that Sotomayor is strictly a darling of the Democratic Party; her legal interpretations earned praise from Republicans as well, and she was appointed to her first federal judgeship by Bush in 1992. At the time of her Supreme Court nomination, she was described as a political centrist with an “attractive life narrative and an even more attractive resume.” (“Who Will Replace Justice Souter?”) The controversy surrounding the Sotomayor nomination centered around her “wise Latina” statement that she made in multiple speeches between 1994 and 2004: "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would, more often than not, reach a better conclusion." Several Republicans seized upon this oft-made statement as proof that Sotomayor lacked the objectivity necessary to be a Supreme Court justice. It highlighted the defining difference between how Democrats and Republicans generally prefer to interpret and apply the law. (Bash, Sherman) Sotomayor, for her part, had come to regret the statement by the time of her nomination. Despite this, the nomination and confirmation of Justice Sotomayor were normal. She was confirmed by a vote of 68-31 in a Democrat-controlled Senate, and the nays were largely a product of partisan politics rather than specific concern over her quote. Although she joined the court with a reputation for being a centrist, she quickly aligned herself with the court’s liberal wing. This, along with her status as both a woman and a minority, lends itself generously to President Obama’s legacy of left-wing policies and his embrace of identity politics throughout his presidency.

Works Cited Greenburg, Jan Crawford. “Clarence Thomas: A Silent Justice Speaks Out”. ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3664944&page=1 Epstein, Aaron. “The Supreme Court – The Natural Law According to Clarence Thomas”. The Seattle Times. Retrieved from http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19910830&slug=1302739 “Who Will Replace Justice Souter?” ABA Journal. Retrieved from http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/who_will_replace_justice_souter Bash, Dana; Sherman, Emily. “Sotomayor’s ‘Wise Latina’ Comment a Staple of Her Speeches”. CNN. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/05/sotomayor.speeches/ National Security Strategy Comparison

National Security Strategy 2010 In his 2010 National Security Strategy, President Obama attempts to build on his standard rhetoric – such as the “New Beginning” speech - that netted him the Nobel Peace Prize a year earlier. There is a recurring theme of a globalized world and how America must change to take part in it, and that our concept of national security must be in step with this view for us to remain competitive on the world stage. This would include creating more opportunities for free international trade. At the same time, the strategy takes note of America’s dependence on foreign energy and proposes developing and implementing plans to minimize this as much as possible, and it addresses climate change regarding energy sources like oil and coal. President Obama also states his desire for a proactive national security strategy that identifies threats before it is too late to effectively deal with them. This seems at odds with the administration’s support for self-determination in the Middle East, where the instability of the region would soon see the rise of ISIS. Additionally, the strategy excluded the term “Islamic radicalism” when addressing the issue of terrorism. Going back to the “New Beginning” speech, perhaps this was a decidedly genteel approach at attempting to defuse the tensions in the Middle East. In other parts of the world, the strategy expressed a need for America to be more engaged with China, India, and Russia. The strategy also explores themes of American diplomacy and our position as leader of the free world. This can be attributed to damage control in the wake of fractured relations with other nations following the foreign policy and actions of the previous administration. Additionally, it covers issues of the cybersecurity infrastructure and nuclear non-proliferation and how they should respectively be addressed. National Security Strategy 2015 President Obama’s second strategy opens with his administration’s ideas on how America will help lead the world towards prosperity and peace, pushing even further the globalist world view of the previous strategy. This new strategy is almost entirely centered around a pro-globalist stance to the point where it’s about what America can do for the rest of the world and not so much what it can do for its own people. That extends into strategies for security by proposing a transition to a global security stance to “keep pressure” on ISIS and al Qa’ida, handling biological threats through the Global Health Security Agenda, and striving for a world free of nuclear weapons. Climate change is referred to as an urgent crisis, and the administration pledges America’s commitment to the Green Climate Fund. This fund is administered by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the same organization that masterminded the Paris Agreement into which we entered in 2015. The US economy is explored within the framework of an open international system that suggests widespread global access to energy sources, which is a departure from the previous strategy’s argument for less dependence on foreign energy sources. The infamous Trans-Pacific Partnership – a pet project of President Obama’s – is pushed as an agenda that will create American jobs while allowing prosperity to be shared internationally. The remainder of the strategy is devoted to concepts of “universal values” and “international order”. While the previous strategy espoused globalist themes, there were still plenty of strategies directed towards benefitting the American people. There is nearly nothing along those lines this time. I keep using the term globalist here because it fits. The Next National Security Strategy President Trump’s upcoming National Security Strategy all but guaranteed to be a radical departure from the previous strategy regardless of how much compromise it may potentially contain. The president campaigned on a platform that was the complete antithesis of the Obama administration and its 2015 strategy, and he has already kept his campaign promise to withdraw America from the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership. On his recent trip to Asia, President Trump reiterated his “America first” stance and referred to the policies of the previous administration as being “America last.” Still, there is much speculation on President Trump’s first National Security Strategy; particularly, when it comes to what influence others around him will have on it. This strategy will perhaps bring the most scrutiny that the president has faced yet from both supporters and detractors as they seek to determine just how “America first” he truly is. While themes of protectionism are expected to appear in this strategy, whether its limitations are noted is another story. Should the president go too far in the protectionist direction, the economy could potentially turn sour for those individuals and businesses who rely on open international trade. In other words: there should be some degree of balance present between protectionism and free trade, and the president must take into consideration those – with working-class people amongst the ranks – who may suffer financially from too much protectionism. Additionally, it is vital that trade is viewed not only from an economic standpoint but from a strategic one as well. (Ahmed & Bick) When it comes to foreign policy, the three things peoples will be paying attention to most in President Trump’s strategy will be Russia, North Korea, and the Middle East. This strategy may attempt to rebuild relations with Putin’s Russia despite Robert Mueller’s ongoing investigation, although it has so far failed to find any evidence of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. The president, since taking office, has been locked in a virtually stare- down with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and it’s probably a safe bet that the strategy will express a hardline stance against the country. Finally, the administration can boast of its victories against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, something the previous administration never came close to accomplishing, while using this success to rally support for its approach to intervention in the region. The president could even suggest (as he did during the campaign) that Russia would make an excellent ally in the further demolishment of terror in the Middle East. (Chhabra) In any event, President Trump’s first National Security Strategy is sure to change the overall course of America from that of the previous administration. As for the question of, “How will this strategy differ from the 2015 strategy on the major points?” The answer is, “In every way imaginable.”

Works Cited Obama, Barack. “National Security Strategy 2010”. Washington DC: The White House. 26 May 2010. https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/national_security_strategy.pdf Obama, Barack. “National Security Strategy 2015”. Washington DC: The White House. 6 Feb 2015. http://nssarchive.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2015.pdf Ahmed, Salman. Bick, Alexander. “Trump’s National Security Strategy: A New Brand of Mercantilism?” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 17 Aug 2017. http://carnegieendowment.org/2017/08/17/trump-s-national-security-strategy-new-brand-of- mercantilism-pub-72816 Chhabra, Tarun. “Crafting Trump’s First National Security Strategy: What It Could Be – And Why It Might Not Matter Anyway”. Brookings. 13 Sep 2017. https://www.brookings.edu/research/crafting-trumps-first-national-security-strategy-what-it- could-be-and-why-it-might-not-matter-anyway/ Classifying Political Regimes: A Reaction

Reading “Classifying Political Regimes” helped to provide me with immediate insight at the beginning of this course. As a study, it takes extensive data about 141 nations over the course of decades and attempts to define latter-20th century political regimes of each nation within a catch-all system of rules. Exceptions to these rules – either random or systematic – were bound to occur, and the authors take such exceptions into consideration by attempting to quantify them within the parameters of the study. While I do not view this study as any sort of “be all end all” account of political regimes, it serves as a thorough general overview of the subject and makes several interesting observations in my opinion. The first part of this study points out how the rise of democracy has both occurred and been challenged differently throughout the world. In Western Europe, for example, the quest for democracy was a long and slow process that hinged significantly on the issue of suffrage. On the other hand, Latin American nations have experienced threats to democracy while operating under the name of this very system be it through voter fraud, suppression of opposing parties, and other forms of corruption. For me, this all points to cultural differences from region to region of the world. While there are plenty of Europeans and Latin Americans who are partial to either capitalism or Marxism, it seems that both right-and-left-wing parties of the latter nations practically flaunt their corruption as the people largely continue to accept it as a way of life. The rules of this study are self-explanatory as most political science laymen would certainly agree that a democracy requires a democratically elected chief executive and legislature as well as the existence of more than one political party. On the matter of political parties, the authors explore what has occurred in Botswana since its independence. It is fascinating to see how, despite at least appearing to be on the up-and-up as far as democracies are concerned, the same party has controlled the legislature since day one as of this study’s 1996 publishing date. Beyond that, the Botswana Democratic Party’s hold on the legislature continues to this day. While this study explores Botswana’s government and parties for signs of corruption and suppression, it fails to consider the influence of outside sources. I bring up this point since the Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Botswana as a “flawed democracy” in 2016 based on such outside forces. This index itself is prone to subjectivity, but it could explain why the BDP has been in power since the beginning. In distinguishing among democracies and dictatorships, the authors utilized a formula that allowed them to identify 109 institutional types of democracies. I’m willing to accept this since I have long noticed the distinctive government traits of individual nations, but I think the authors should have acknowledged the impact of social and economic aspects on a given nation and its political regime. While I understand that taking such matter into consideration for even a single nation is an in-depth study unto itself, the impact of economic and social issues is too great to not at least mention them as a disclaimer at the beginning of the study. I think any attempt to study the causes and consequences of democracy demands a much broader definition of it. Overall, I found this study to be a solid introduction to comparing the political regimes of individual nations against one another. It is certainly not an all-encompassing study that should be referenced when considering all aspects of political regimes since no consideration was given to the cultural influences on individual regimes. Having just begun this course, there’s always a chance that my opinion on this study will evolve by the end of this semester. The Psychological Impact of Electoral Laws: A Reaction

“The Psychological Impact of Electoral Laws: Measuring Duverger’s Elusive Factor” finds Andre Blais and R.K. Carty exploring Maurice Duverger’s contentions and finding them to be true. Duverger’s ideas are rooted in his belief of “a natural political dualism” that causes societies to naturally move towards a two-party system and ultimately succumb to a lesser of two evils approach regarding individual party support. Blais and Carty examine electoral data from multiple Western nations and subject it to mathematical equations that show evidence of political dualism. This is a phenomenon I’ve personally observed for many years, so I find the work of Blais and Carty to be quite fascinating and on point in attempting to confirm Duverger’s beliefs. Additionally, I have my own theories to make that build upon what I read in this piece pertaining to legitimate questions that may challenge what is being argued here. With Blais and Carty utilizing data from Western European nations that typically have third parties more viable than those in the United States, viewing the results of their equations may initially call Duverger’s arguments into question. While support for third parties increased after World War I and the rise of voter suffrage in the region around the same time, the combined electoral successes of these parties still pale in comparison to those of each respective nation’s two major parties. According to the data, the most successful party in an election receives approximately 40% of total votes while the second major party and the combined third parties split the remaining 70% roughly in half. With Western European nations having as many as five viable – as in two major parties and three smaller parties with significantly larger memberships than US third parties – political parties, that’s approximately 10% of the vote each for three lesser parties. Speaking of third parties, I’ve observed alliances between individual third parties and the major party that is closest on the classical liberal spectrum. In Canada, the smaller New Democratic Party regularly aligns itself with the more powerful and fellow left-of-center Liberal Party; conversely, the current major right-wing party in Canada – the Conservative Party – is a merger of the once major Progressive Conservative Party and the smaller Canadian Alliance. In the United States, I’ve encountered many self-proclaimed Libertarians who ultimately chose the lesser of two evils approach and voted for a Republican candidate; likewise, I’ve witnessed the same phenomenon with Green Party members and Democratic candidates. Blais and Carty’s mention of George Wallace’s 1968 presidential run caused me to ponder the rare phenomenon of a third-party presidential candidate (regardless of what, if any, party affiliation) who captures more than 10% of the vote. In the case of Wallace, I’m inclined to see his electoral success as a cultural aftershock following the end of Jim Crow and the rise of the civil rights movement. On the other hand, I look at Ross Perot’s 19% of the 1992 vote and speculate if this showing for an unabashedly populist candidate (which we hadn’t seen in a long time) was an early predictor of Donald Trump’s eventual election – albeit via a major party ticket – on a similar platform. Despite running as an independent candidate, Perot tapped into numerous issues at the time that would become important to Republican voters by 2016. I think Blais and Carty have merely further scratched the surface that Duverger himself only scratched previously. While I agree with the claim that political dualism exists in Western society, this discovery only leads me to more questions and ideas for additional research in a variety of directions. Why America is the Greatest Nation in the World

There are many qualities that make the United States of America the greatest nation in the world, and one of them is a federal government divided into three distinct branches. The existence of a legislative branch, executive branch, and judicial branch puts into action the concept of checks and balances as outlined in the United States Constitution, thereby resulting in a three-way relationship of mutual give and take. This system forms the functioning mechanism that is our federal presidential constitutional republic. No, the United States is not a pure democracy, something that “Father of the Constitution” James Madison described as having “in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths." (“Federalist No. 10”) Having established that distinction, the three branches of government are indeed necessary to make our republic work. If one branch gets it wrong, the other two can rectify the matter. The nominal concept of three branches of government and checks and balances is something taught to students as early as elementary school, but I regularly observe confusion among adults on how these components function to make our republic work. It is a system that allows Congress to create a law, but it must be signed into effect by the President, who has the power to veto that law. Still, Congress has the power to override this veto. Regardless of how this law is enacted, the Supreme Court, in turn, can void it should they deem it unconstitutional. Congress may remove the President from office for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors yet the President (unlike in a parliamentary government) may not dissolve Congress for any reason. While the President appoints Supreme Court justices and federal judges, they must be confirmed by the Senate. And these are just a few examples of the check and balances generated by a federal government divided into three branches. Upon its formation in 1789, the United States government was a truly radical entity on the world stage: an entity that declared all men to be created equal and not merely subjects of a familial lineage of ruling elite. It has not always been perfect, but it was – and continues to be – a step in the right direction. Rome was not built in a day, and nothing good ever comes easily. A new breed of elites such as Michelle Alexander can write a half-truth about the three-fifths compromise and use that as an excuse to vomit forth nonsense on how “upon this racist fiction rests the entire structure of American democracy.” (26) As I have pointed out previously: had male slaves been counted as whole men for the purpose of representation in Congress, the Southern states would have been more powerful, and slavery would surely have lasted beyond 1865. But her seething hatred for the very existence of this great nation shows just how completely blind she is to the bigger picture. Had a ragtag, startup nation that just freed itself from the most powerful empire in the world not had neither the foresight nor gumption to forge ahead with a tri-branch government that paved the way for every citizen to eventually have an equal say in its direction, then perhaps legalized slavery would still exist in the world today. The British abolished slavery in 1833, as its parliament continued to gain authority, after the United States had established itself as a mighty force on the world stage. The three-branch government played a significant role in ending slavery in the United States, although it was always a matter so highly sensitive that it made the Civil War inevitable in hindsight. President Jefferson implored Congress to pass a law banning international slave trade, which subsequently occurred and was signed into law by Jefferson. Despite what Michelle Alexander wants to believe, the Three-Fifths Compromise was a savvy move on the part of James Madison in navigating the division between the Northern and Southern states: he managed to placate these states while withholding from them a significant amount of federal clout. This serves as an example of why Madison and others were opposed to straight democracy because a deal of this nature would not have been possible under such a structure. As Candace H. Beckett wrote, “The Founders were not anti-democratic. They were realistic and aware of man’s cruder nature… Therefore, the framers opposed a system in which all authority could become concentrated in a single branch.” (638) Once again, how does slavery in this country end under a purely democratic system that features a single federal branch of Congress and male slaves being counted in their entirety for the sole purpose of overfilling that one branch with politicians opposed to ending slavery? While the Supreme Court put forth a horrible ruling on Dred Scott v. Sandford, it did serve to further galvanize abolitionists in their cause and finally get the long-brewing war between the states out of the way. Had the Supreme Court been the only branch of government, this decision would have been the undisputed law of the land with no other federal branch to challenge it. By 1861, the executive branch had an occupant – President Lincoln – who was willing to go to war with the Southern states over numerous issues including slavery, with the legislative branch supporting the effort by creating laws such as the Revenue Act of 1861. Between the efforts of these to government branches working in tandem: The Union emerged victoriously, the Southern states were reunited with the nation, and slavery in the United States entirely and officially ended once and for all. The fact that slavery and Jim Crow ever existed in this country is used by some to argue that our entire federal system, including our three distinct branches of government, has been flawed from the beginning and must be torn down and replaced with something else. The something else being an overtly socialist form of government, as socialism is often alleged to be the one system that is truly void of systematic oppression despite the legacy of astronomical body counts at the hands of Josef Stalin, Fidel Castro, and Pol Pot. Our federal presidential constitutional republic has succeeded in shielding us from authoritarian regimes. The closest thing we have ever had to a dictator was President Franklin Roosevelt, and he only receives this dubious distinction for his attempts to pack the Supreme Court with justices who would do his bidding. Fortunately, Congress stepped up to prevent this from happening, yet again proving the power of a federal government in three branches. The three-branch federal government is the key to making a constitutional republic function, which in turn is the best system for a nation consisting not only of a federal government but governments at the state, county, and city levels. As United State Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer wrote: “In addition, constitutional federalism is practical. Those whom a problem affects more directly are more often likely to understand it and find ways to resolve it. Local firefighters, police departments, health officials, and those whom they serve are more likely to understand local conditions, including community needs and resources. In essence, they possess comparative expertise. At the same time, a national bureaucracy, subject to the control of national officials and a national electorate, is needed to deal with issues that are national in scope such as those associated with foreign affairs, war, interstate commerce, and much of the environment. Ideally, constitutional federalism matches the issues with government units that will best handle them.” (122-123) Justice Breyer’s remarks on “constitutional federalism” demonstrate why the system is vital to a nation that is built upon recognizing and respecting the rights of individual states. The federal government can’t possibly understand the precise needs of smaller municipalities; however, if the federal government consisted of a single branch, those in control of it might believe otherwise and act accordingly. Fortunately, we have three distinct branches of government that typically prevent this from happening via checks and balances. Does it fail on occasion? Yes, but not always in a black-and-white fashion. The Supreme Court’s ruling in Bush v. Gore may have impeded Florida’s level of autonomy as a state, but there was an entire nation awaiting an election decision prior to January 20th. This was an instance in which only one branch of government had any place to involve itself within a matter. Conversely, the Supreme Court stepped in and rectified the situation after Congress overstepped its Constitutional bounds with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA); specifically, regarding the bill’s encroachment on state-level governments. This issue was brought to light during the Supreme Court case City of Boerne v. Flores, when the Catholic Archbishop of San Antonio attempted to invoke RFRA in his fight to enlarge a church building located in a historic district within the town of Boerne, Texas. The Court responded to this by striking down as unconstitutional the section of RFRA that exerted authority over non-federal government entities, arguing that it was not the place of Congress to define the Section One rights of the Fourteenth Amendment; rather, the Court holds the sole power to define Constitutional rights. As Tushnet explained in his overview of the case, “Section Five clearly means that Congress can enforce the right to free exercise of religion. But, the Court insisted, Congress can only enforce Section One rights, not define them.” (494) Justice Anthony Kennedy, delivering the majority opinion, was particularly focused on the “remedial” aspects of the law when he wrote that, “legislation which alters the meaning of the Free Exercise Clause cannot be said to be enforcing the Clause. Congress does not enforce a constitutional right by changing what the right is. It has been given the power ‘to enforce,’ not the power to determine what constitutes a constitutional violation. Were it not so, what Congress would be enforcing would no longer be, in any meaningful sense, the ‘provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment.’” (City of Boerne v. Flores) Once again, where one branch of government had overstepped its Constitutional bounds, another branch was there to deliver the necessary check to keep things in balance. The “separation of powers” approach to organizing a federal government is not limited to the United States. The system of legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government is found within such influential nations as Australia, France, India, and the United Kingdom. Hong Kong also uses this government structure, as does Iran. Germany has taken its three branches of government and further divided them into six main bodies, and even the governing body of the European Union is divided into seven different institutions. Clearly, there are many people around the world who recognize the benefits of a government separated into three distinct branches and have applied it to their own nations. The separation of government powers is a hallmark of Western liberalism: an all- encompassing definition that includes federal presidential constitutional republics such as the United States. In his landmark 1989 essay, “The End of History?”, Francis Fukuyama argued that Western liberalism – in all its variations – is the inevitable sociological evolutionary endgame of government. By the time it was published in the summer of 1989, the fall of the Soviet Union and communism in Eastern Europe was all but guaranteed in the minds of many Americans from all walks of life. Gorbachev’s perestroika and glasnost ideals in an attempt to reinvent – and salvage – Soviet communism as more democratic socialist in nature had not come anywhere near fruition. Long story short, Western capitalism had triumphed both economically and culturally, while Eastern variations on Marxism-Leninism had been far less successful. It was this outcome that led Fukuyama to declare Western liberalism as the ultimate victor in a worldwide battle between ideologies. Indeed, Fukuyama addressed the separation of government powers in making his argument, specifically regarding the failure of Marxist-Leninist policies in Eastern Europe: “Nonetheless, the general principles underlying many of the reforms – that the "people" should be truly responsible for their own affairs, that higher political bodies should be answerable to lower ones, and not vice versa, that the rule of law should prevail over arbitrary police actions, with separation of powers and an independent judiciary, that there should be legal protection for property rights, the need for open discussion of public issues and the right of public dissent, the empowering of the Soviets as a forum in which the whole Soviet people can participate, and of a political culture that is more tolerant and pluralistic -- come from a source fundamentally alien to the USSR's Marxist-Leninist tradition, even if they are incompletely articulated and poorly implemented in practice.” (Fukuyama) Fukuyama clearly argues that an important factor in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe was the lack of a government divided into separate branches with one devoted to judiciary matters. Not only does he claim that Western liberalism is inevitably (various roadblocks notwithstanding), but that a separation of powers is and will continue to be crucial for this development. Still, Fukuyama expressed concern about the citizens of Western liberal nations having no other purpose in life beyond chasing material well-being. In response, Macey and Miller argued that “the Framers of the American Constitution implemented a strong system of divided government characterized by checks and balances and separation of powers to minimize the factionalism that can result from interest-group agitation. The Framers were well aware of the tragic histories of Athens, Rome, Florence, and Venice, where the pursuit of narrow self-interest led to decline.” (287) In short, these authors correct Fukuyama when he fails to give the Founding Fathers their due credit for the creation of three separate branches of government. They chose this route because they anticipated not only the concern put forth by Fukuyama but countless others as well. Specific details aside, Western liberalism has made a constant impact on the world since it originated with our Founding Fathers. In its (relatively speaking) short time in existence, it has quickly proven its stability and durability while exuding its influence worldwide to the point that Red China embraced capitalism – the economic system of choice in Western liberalism – to become a global power in its own right. At the core of the influential government that America put into play at its beginning is a separation of powers in the form of three distinct branches of government that provides checks and balances to one another. I state this concept repeatedly because it cannot be appreciated enough. This form of federal government is what has allowed the United States of America to become the greatest nation in the world and spread its influence far and wide to the benefit of people everywhere. It immediately freed Americans from rule by a small circle of elites. A tradition that existed for eons. The separation of powers made it possible for Americans from all walks of life to hold any position in government, from city council member to President of the United States. Growing pains aside, it immediately recognized all men as being created equal, and it is the system of government that ended slavery in the United States. Those who argue that our federal presidential constitutional republic built upon three separate branches of government was somehow flawed upon its creation could not be more wrong. The world before it was wrong, and this new form of government slowly but surely continued to make right the mistakes of the past. America’s status as the last remaining superpower in the world makes this abundantly clear, as does the fact that we have never experienced a dictatorship or coup in our 200-plus year history. That is a remarkable feat, and it could never have been achieved without a clear separation of government powers.

Works Cited Madison, James. “The Same Subject Continued: The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection”. The New York Packet. 23 Nov. 1787. Alexander, Michelle. The New Jim Crow. The New Press. 2012. pp. 26. Beckett, Candace H. “Separation of Powers and Federalism: Their Impact on Individual Liberty and the Functioning of Our Government”. William & Mary Law Review. Volume 29, Issue 3. 1988. pp. 638. Breyer, Stephen. Making Our Democracy Work. Vintage Books. 2011. pp. 122-123. Tushnet, Mark. “The Story of City of Boerne v. Flores.” Constitutional Law Stories. Foundation Press. 2004. pp. 494. City of Boerne v. Flores. 521 U.S. 507 (1997) Fukuyama, Francis. “The End of History?”. The National Interest. Summer 1989. Macey, Jonathan R.; Miller, Geoffrey P. “The End of History and the New World Order: The Triumph of Capitalism and the Competition Between Liberalism and Democracy”. Yale Law School Legal Scholarship Repository. Yale Law School. 1 Jan. 1992. pp. 287. Journalism

I took one journalism course in college. It focused heavily on grammatical correctness, much to my disappointment. But I managed to knock out an essay on social media addiction that is aging quite well. Social Media is Making Us Lonely

Over the past decade, social media has become an important facet in the lives of many individuals. Collectively, people are using social media websites for a wide variety of objectives, whether they are personal or professional. It has forever changed the way we communicate with both friends and strangers located around the world. While there are many positives to having such instant access to old and new friends and acquaintances at our fingertips, there is also a dark reality to this convenience. For an alarming number of people, it turns out that social media may be making them lonely. This is not mere speculation, as there are recent studies that lend credence to this hypothesis. A recent University of Michigan study on college-aged adults finds that the more they used Facebook, the worse they felt. The study, published in the journal PLOS One, found Facebook use led to declines in moment-to-moment happiness and overall life satisfaction. (Hu, E.) This research involved text messaging the 82 participants five times per day to see how Facebook use was making them feel, asking them questions regarding loneliness and anxiety. The main root of these feelings appears to be a result of social comparison, as subjects did not feel that their lives were as rich and fulfilling as those of other Facebook users. We can deduce from this study just how easily an individual facing tough times in his or her own life may be become further disillusioned by the apparently happy lives of others, whether the latter may even be true. This phenomenon is by no means limited to either Facebook or recent history. In 1998, years before Facebook was even a thought, Robert Kraut, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, found that the more people used the Web, the lonelier and more depressed they felt. After people went online for the first time, their sense of happiness and social connectedness dropped, over one to two years, as a function of how often they used the Internet. (Konnikova, M.) Even during that bygone era of primitive message boards and chat rooms, internet users were experiencing feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression related to online interaction with others. The issue of social comparison was also in full swing at that time as internet users reported feelings of envy as they continuously browsed the content of other users with seemingly happier and more fulfilling lives. As social media can itself quickly become a highly addictive vice for many users, such feelings of envy, resentment, and self-loathing will only grow over continued use for many individuals. Regular social media use can result in a pattern of behavior that results in a vicious cycle. It's all too easy to become addicted to the instant spark of gratification we get when someone likes our Facebook update, retweets our brilliance, or reposts a pic from Instagram. Social networks appeal to our vanity and play to our vulnerability. (Warrell, M.) Users become addicted to the vague notion that, by regularly engaging in such activity, that they will achieve true happiness. But all is not lost, however, as these issues can be rectified, and it starts with the willpower to step away from social media from time to time in exchange for more one-on-one contact with other human beings. For all its instant gratification, there is much to be said for the sort of visual and physical contact between two or more individuals that no social media website can ever replace. Even regularly engaging in phone conversations gives us far more insight into whom a person truly is as opposed to relying upon what is said in the typed words of social media, e-mail, or even texting. The fact is that no one can truly hope to deduce the truth about anyone else without any form of natural human interaction. In and of itself, social media is not a bad thing by any means. It can serve as a highly valuable communicational tool for both individuals and businesses and as a great way to make new friends and clients from around the world. As with anything else in life, however, too much of a good thing can lead to serious personal issues. Social media should most definitely not be considered a replacement for basic human action, but rather as a complement to it. Having regular communication only with strangers via a website is ultimately no different than having no regular communication with anyone at all. This certainly doesn’t have to be the case for anyone, but it all starts with having the willpower to step away from the keyboard and to venture out into the great, big world outside.

Works Cited Hu, E. “Facebook Makes Us Sadder and Less Satisfied, Study Finds”. NPR. n.d. Web. 20 Aug 2013. Konnikova, M. “How Facebook Makes Us Unhappy”. The New Yorker. n.d. Web. 10 Sep. 2013. Warrell, M. “Seduced by Social Media: Is Facebook Making You Lonely?”. The Huffington Post. n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2013. Creative Nonfiction

This was the course that started me down the path to authoring books. It also made me an award-winning writer thanks to my essay on downtown Benton, Arkansas. Class Introduction

It was New Year’s Eve, but it looked like any other snow-free winter night in Denver. By this point, it had been two hours since the ball dropped, and a new year had begun. I was already heading out of the city for a fashionably early start to some out-of-town plans later in the day. Once I reached the interstate, I put the pedal to the metal in my Eclipse as I quickly shifted up to fifth gear. Electronic music pulsated from the speakers as I raced across six lanes of blacktop on a crisp and starry night. Just as I reached the northernmost edge of the metro area, my cell phone began to ring. I didn’t have to check the caller ID to know who it was. The offer for me to work that night came at the last minute. Given that this is the premier holiday in the nightlife industry, the money was exceptional. Too good to pass up even when times were great and inexcusable for me to ignore after what had been a sluggish month financially. Regardless of that, I had a hunch she would be upset when I informed her of my last- minute change of plans, and indeed she was. While her logical side understood my decision, she made no effort to hide her emotional disappointment. Perhaps I should’ve been flattered; then again, this was never supposed to be a serious thing between us. As I worked that night, I couldn’t help but wonder if she wanted an honest-to-God relationship with me. She had always claimed otherwise, but it wouldn’t be the first time in history someone hadn’t meant what they said. “What’s up?” I asked ever-so-nonchalantly – perhaps a little coldly – as I answered my phone. She proceeded to inform me that she had gone clubbing in downtown Denver with some friends who had inconsiderately abandoned her for reasons unknown and probably idiotic. Of course, the expectation was that I come to her rescue, although she had no idea that I was already heading out of town. Despite everything she had put me through leading up to tonight, she was stranded in a dangerous area for a woman to be alone at night. Besides, there was genuine humility in her voice when she asked me to retrieve her in the night, and I am not that hardened an individual to say no this instance. I told her I was on my way, then turned around right on the empty freeway and headed back towards the city. Before I knew it, I was once again downtown. A light rain began to fall, and steam rose from the depths of the city as I suddenly found myself in a dreamlike setting. There was barely any life left on the streets, as most people were long partied-out by this time. I rolled into one of the city’s most notorious neighborhoods – like something from a Lou Reed song – and there she was on the sidewalk, standing with arms folded tight as she meticulously observed her surroundings. I saw a great relief spread through her when she saw me. After getting into the passenger seat, she struggled to find the appropriate response, but I gestured for her to not say a word as we escaped the night in silence. Something About Benton, Arkansas

It was an unseasonably warm November afternoon. I set out for downtown Benton, Arkansas to shoot additional photos and video for my final writing project – yes, the narrative you’re reading right now – in one of the rhetoric courses I took this semester. As you’ll see, the purpose of this project is to construct an engaging narrative through a combination of words and images. Downtown Benton was an ideal setting, having previously utilized it for practicing architecture and street photography as well as blogged about certain aspects of it. It wasn’t just visual materials I needed, however. Prior to that afternoon, I hadn’t been there in quite some time. Looking over my first draft of this project, which is more a collection of pieces than a focused narrative, it became clear that I needed a fresh perspective on my setting. And it’s a good thing I realized this because there have been some changes to downtown Benton since I was last there. If I’m going to conceptualize on what it could be, I should be up to date on its current state of affairs. Without further ado, I grabbed my camera and hit the road. What is Benton? I’m not going to oversell Benton, Arkansas as being some tiny jewel hidden slightly away from the hustle-and-bustle (so to speak) of Little Rock. With a population of 35,000, Benton is essentially a suburb of Little Rock, although many of its inhabitants act as if the two cities reside in different hemispheres. Local weirdness aside, it’s nothing out of the ordinary, with most of the excitement centered on its growing collection of chain restaurants and retail stores over the past decade. The sort of development that may be economically beneficial yet is culturally boring. Having lived in neighboring Bryant on and off since moving to Arkansas, Benton has come in handy for shopping purposes if I need something that Bryant can’t provide and I don’t have any other reason to drive into Little Rock. Benton’s other saving grace where I’m concerned is its downtown area, which serves as a convenient and ideal location for me to brush up on urban and architecture photography. It’s small, but never crowded, and parking is free. It’s also closer to my home than Little Rock’s ridiculously overrated River Market district. While it doesn’t appear to be anything special, there is a certain charm about it; a charm rooted in remnants of a bygone era combined with the raw potential for a prosperous reinvention. At least, that’s how my imagination sees it. See You in Court It all starts at the Saline County Courthouse, and today is no exception. Like the entirety of downtown Benton, the courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. More importantly, it’s a great place to park. With its unique Romanesque Revival architecture, the courthouse marks the northern edge of downtown. As I sit in my truck and get my camera ready, I notice workers assembling perhaps the most minimalist Christmas displays I’ve ever seen. Although I wanted to get a few shots of this, I know how people can be about being photographed in public even with no reasonable expectation of privacy. Instead, I turn my attention to the red brick building directly across the street that houses a pool hall, law office, and Recycle Saline. The last one is merely the county’s sanitation department, but with a hoity-toity name. They are known for selling $5 vouchers that the county landfill refuses to honor as well as hosting an annual fashion show featuring clothes made from garbage. I’m not exaggerating any of this in the slightest. I don’t care if they get upset over their office being photographed; in fact, I hope they do. Market Street The courthouse is bordered on the west by Market Street. While downtown encompasses more than this, there is a lot of architectural charm packed into this drag just around the corner. As I walked down the street with camera and telephoto lens in hand and rocked a sleeveless t- shirt in late November, I was surprised by how much traffic there was. Overall business downtown seems to have picked up since I was last here; while I was glad to see this, none of it was terribly exciting. There is a pet shop that has seemingly been there forever and a Merle Norman store, which is the sort of brand that has a strong enough following to draw customers to virtually any location. Many of the businesses on this street are of the homewares variety or service-oriented such as hair salons and jewelry repair shops. There’s also a pawn shop and offices for various professionals such as attorneys and financial planners. Although downtown Benton appeared rather busy for a Tuesday afternoon, I couldn’t help but think how these types of businesses are also a staple of dying malls. And in a way, it does remind me of a one-story indoor mall that has seen its best days pass it by. As such, it’s almost fitting that there is a tiny indoor mall hidden in plain sight on the corner of Market and South. The old Gingles department store building now serves as the location of various boutiques selling clothing, accessories, home décor, and the like. From what I’ve just read online, it seems to be doing okay. I would have gone inside if not for having my camera with me. Regardless, I kept walking and shooting photos between passing vehicles. The sun didn’t entirely cooperate with me that afternoon, so I made do as best I could. I have a lifelong habit of accomplishing things while having little with which to work, and I think that’s the primary appeal downtown Benton holds for me. It may not appear on the surface to be much, but I see the potential it has for hospitality and entertainment. When looking at downtown Benton, I can’t help but think of downtown El Dorado in the mid-2000s. At that time, it was home to a small, yet thriving nightlife scene. Two popular nightclubs were The Depot and the split-level live music venue/dance club Einstein’s. These places were oodles of fun, and I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday night in southern Arkansas in those days. I don’t exaggerate when I state that it was an enjoyable scene, and it made El Dorado one of my favorite places to visit as I regularly traveled the state. Royal Treatment Continuing south on Market, I pass a large and unoccupied building that has a large “sold” sign on its façade. Crossing the street brings me to the Royal Theatre. This presents a small beacon of hope that nightlife could work in downtown Benton. It appears to be doing quite well, at least in terms of hosting productions on a regular basis. I’m not a fan of the theatre, and I got my fill years ago when I dated a stage actress. Regardless, it is a cool-looking building with its art deco architecture, signage, and marquee. Like the courthouse, it holds its own spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Immediately next door to the Royal Theatre is a small diner named Burger Shack that is relatively new. Previously, the space was occupied by Jerry Van Dyke’s Soda Shoppe. Yes, that Jerry Van Dyke. Star of everyone’s favorite sitcom, My Mother the Car. Van Dyke also owned the Royal Theatre for a few years in the late 1990s. How’s that for star power? In the past, the absence of a downtown Benton nightlife was a direct result of Saline County being dry. This is no longer the case, but there is still the matter of both city municipal codes and state liquor laws. While I could not locate Benton’s municipal codes online, the general rule in Arkansas is that liquor licenses will not be issued to businesses located within 1,000 yards of a church, school, or daycare. With two churches located downtown, it’s safe to assume why there are no liquor stores in the area, much less any bars or nightclubs. Outside of attempting to invoke eminent domain on not one, but two church buildings, there’s probably no way around this, and that’s a shame. A downtown Benton nightlife scene makes too much sense as a viable alternative for law-abiding citizens who are increasingly wary of partying in Little Rock’s River Market and don’t want to drive all the way to Hot Springs. The combination of an upstanding demographic and the close proximity of the Benton Police Department would ensure that the streets remain safe at night. All the necessary ingredients are present. End of the Line I continued walking down Market to the edge of downtown as I passed a furniture store and a financial planner along with a ridiculously huge Baptist church. Still, it’s worth walking this far to see the Gann House and Museum. The Gann House is one of three related historic sites in Benton, with the other two being the Gann Building and the Gann Row Historic District. All three are named for Dr. Dewell Gann, Sr: an Atlanta-born surgeon who settled in Benton in 1888. Additionally, they are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. When Benton received telephone service, he was assigned the phone number 2. Yes, 2. All in all, that’s pretty easy to remember. The Gann House is a Queen Anne home that was constructed circa 1895. It was later passed down to Dr. Gann’s son, Dewell Jr, who was chief of staff of St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock. The home was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 2, 1976. The current owner is former Arkansas state senator Doyle Webb and his wife Barbara. According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture, the Webbs have kept the house accurate to the period, while adding a 2,063-square-foot addition to the first floor of the house containing various modern amenities. The Gann Building was built in 1893 and is the only known building in existence that is constructed of bauxite ore. Dr. Gann commissioned the building to serve as the office for his medical practice. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 21, 1975, and now functions as a museum. Skid Row Housing The Gann Row Historic District is located a block down from the Gann House and the neighboring Gann Building in a residential area and consists of thirteen middle-class homes commissioned by Dr. Gann. He renovated four existing Folk Victorian homes with Craftsman details and built nine additional homes in the Craftsman style. For all my talk about nightlife, the other (or additional) concept I have for downtown Benton is reinvent it in the vein of Mountain View, Arkansas. For those not in the know, this entails offering a variety of shopping, dining, and cultural experiences in one area. Yes, it’s a bit touristy, but tourism is big business in Arkansas. In 2015 alone, the Arkansas tourism industry generated $374 million in state tax revenue and $137 million in local taxes. How much of that is Benton receiving right now? Since I’m throwing around the concept of eminent domain lightly (because it’s never going to happen), it’s an idea worthy of serious consideration where these homes are concerned. From what I’ve seen, I honestly don’t believe the current occupants would mind moving, provided they were reasonably compensated. Not only can each home be restored and converted into a storefront, but the collective backyard area of this block can be gutted and leveled into a communal space ideal for live entertainment and other events. The Long Walk Back Okay, it wasn’t that long of a walk, but I did ponder quite a bit about my surroundings over the course of those three blocks. More specifically, I indulged my ambitious fantasies for this neighborhood. Is it something that I personally will ever pursue to any degree? Absolutely not. Still, I have pursued some of my other ambitious fantasies over the years. As I walked back to my truck at the courthouse, it occurred to me that I’ve been using downtown Benton to practice more than just photography. I’ve also been using it to practice spotting potential in commercial property and brainstorming ideas to create something both culturally significant and profitable. Is this some unseen professional road I’ve been walking down all these years? Given my existing background in hospitality, perhaps it is. Once I reached my truck and repacked my camera gear, it was time to head home. Before I knew it, I was once again driving along an endless sea of chain department stores and fast-food restaurants. Benton now has both a Petco and a Petsmart. While some people are surely impressed and perhaps viewing it as some form of social status vindication, I could not care less. Upon arriving home, I sat down at my computer and typed the line: “It was an unseasonably warm November afternoon.” Something About Benton, Arkansas Reflective Memo

“Something About Benton, Arkansas” was completed in two distinct phases. The first phase is represented in the rough draft, which isn’t so much a draft as it is a gathering of the different pieces I wanted to include along with a vague sketch of a narrative. Along with already having shot many of the photos featured in this essay, I had also previously conducted research and written anecdotes that I inserted into this project. The second phase commenced with my return to downtown Benton to shoot additional photos and create the autobiographical narrative found in the final draft. The return trip was vital to this essay because the experience ultimately pulled everything together into a focused storyline. Aside from rewriting my preexisting anecdotes to fit into this new narrative, I decided to get meta and write about writing the essay within the essay itself. This provided me with a solid opening paragraph, which I didn’t have before. I also went bold with the ending, in which I wrote about commencing writing on the final draft. This was influenced by Ingmar Bergman’s Persona, which contains self-references to being a film production. I figured since this was a nonfiction writing assignment, to go all out with the nonfiction angle to the point that all the cards are on the table. Of the two assigned readings leading up to this essay, my favorite was easily “Snowfall” despite my complete lack of interest in snow skiing. On the other hand, my fascination with desert settings and tales of wilderness survival went unrequited after reading “Other Side of Nowhere”. For me, “Snowfall” featured superior writing all around from start to finish, and that’s why it captured my interest. On that note, I wanted to see if I could take a subject matter that might not normally intrigue people and manage to capture their attention with it. I’ll admit that downtown Benton, in and of itself, isn’t all that fascinating; however, I was certain that I could get readers interested in it to some degree by exploring its history and architecture in conjunction with my ambitious perspective on it. I made a conscious effort to inject myself into the narrative at all times. Even when I’m delving into the history of a given landmark, I’m still hanging out in the periphery. If I’m going to sell readers on the idea that downtown Benton A) has charm and B) could be more than what it currently is, that sales pitch must come from a human place. Simply compiling a list of facts and figures, no matter how compelling they may be, is not enough to close any deal. It’s something I’ve been thinking about lately as the criteria for the final project in the other rhetoric course I’m taking this semester completely ignores this, but I digress. As with the rest of this course, this assignment provided me with a lot of new ideas for constructing narratives across multiple mediums and for various objectives. I took an ambitious route with this essay, and I’m pleased enough with the results that I may expand on it over the holidays and post it to my personal blog. Personal Essay

Here is one of two personal essays (and its reflective memo) I wrote in college. While the other is superior, I let the expletives fly throughout, and I’m keeping this book clean. But it is available to read as the prologue in my memoir. That said, the following essay was nevertheless an important step forward for me in creative writing and self-expression. Greater Expectations

So many nights were spent driving through various parts of Arkansas. The best occurred during the summer as I raced across state and US highways with the windows down and music blasting, but I digress. Yes, the money can be good, but it’s always been more than that. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t incredibly flattered by the reception I’ve received from nearly every bachelorette or birthday girl and her girlfriends. At some point, however, I lost the plot. Nothing will stop me. I commenced today’s upper-body workout with 45 minutes devoted to pectorals, and I still have four more muscle groups to hit equally hard. My body recomposition project is in full swing as I reduce the excess fat and add a little muscle in the process. It’s not the first time I’ve completed such a regimen, although plenty of fitness-savvy individuals swear it’s impossible. If there’s one thing at which the human race as a whole excels, it’s telling others what they can’t achieve. Like so many other ambitious pursuits, successful body recomposition is a product of hard work, self-discipline, attention to detail, and patience. I have the weight room to myself right now save for the occasional gym straggler who wonders in, performs a set or two of poorly executed bicep curls, and leaves. This relative isolation is cherished as it serves to enhance the physiological catharsis that weight training is for me. Along with the health and aesthetic benefits it provides, the practice allows me to release tension and sharpen my mind. More than ever, it has become a metaphor to represent every other aspect of my life. I’m good, but I could be better. Most importantly, I must get better as I belatedly fulfill the promises I made to myself long ago. It’s been fourteen years since I arrived in Arkansas. The once-mighty economy of Colorado had tanked, and many of my friends and I found ourselves dispersing across the nation to improve our respective financial situations. While I didn’t have particularly great expectations for Arkansas, it’s then-superior economy and lower cost of living provided me with an instant and much-needed respite following my recent struggles in the Centennial State. I was now free of all that Rocky Mountain-sized stress as I cleared my head, refocused, and jumped at immediate opportunities to replenish my coffers. Moving to Arkansas also provided me with a full-blown experience in culture shock. My libertarian-esque sensibilities that come with being born and raised in Las Vegas were sometimes at odds with people in Colorado, but that didn’t prepare me for my encounters with Arkansans from all walks of life. While the Western United States has plenty of devout Christians, faith rarely makes its way into legislation at any level. On top of that, I’d never encountered evangelicals until I moved here. In my pre-Arkansas world, they only existed on television. I also found what I’ve termed “small town narcissism” to be more prominent here than anywhere else I’ve lived. It still amazes me how many Arkansans 1) believe that everyone else knows who they are and 2) believe that everyone else is talking about them. Regardless, Arkansas was a solid place for me to get myself back in the game. It was so incredibly simple: my mom lived here, it was cheap, and I could launch the business venture I originally planned to launch in Colorado. It seemed even better because I would own the only exotic entertainment agency in the entire state. I was already an experienced entertainer and talent manager, and I was sure I could discover some quality male and female talent while quickly building a market presence. After a couple of years, I could expand my agency into other parts of the country or relocate somewhere else altogether. I could survive that. I’ve just completed working my lats through a combination of dumbbell rows and pullovers on a flat bench. While my workouts may seem complex due to their heavy mix of volume and intensity, the exercises I perform are simple and basic. Not only do the old-school exercises yield the best results, but they make weight training a sustainable fitness option due to their straightforwardness. Meanwhile, the weight room is gradually filling with more people. No one appears to know what they’re doing. One guy seems to think he is squatting 225 lbs., yet he is only dropping his torso approximately three inches by bending his knees out sideways. His mannerisms make it obvious that he thinks he’s killing it, yet he hasn’t performed a single repetition. It’s laughable, but also sad because he is spending hours per week cheating himself, and his physique shows it. By no means is he alone, as he is merely one example of an epidemic of gymgoers who are content to put forth a façade of healthy living instead of pursuing the real thing. Perhaps my biggest beef with mediocrity is that it often requires the same amount of time and effort as doing something productive. Why pretend to work out when you can use that time to actually work out? The same thing goes for nutrition. You have to eat regardless. To be fair, a few of us have slipped into the rut of mediocrity without realizing it, and I am guilty of this sin. My speculation that Arkansas had a demand for male and female exotic entertainers for private parties – despite the lack of such an agency before I arrived – was quickly proven correct. The talent pool was even shallower than I’d anticipated, but I gradually accumulated an amazing core of entertainers, and we covered parties throughout Arkansas while expanding into the neighboring states. I was free to experiment and made the male-female duo performance for bachelorette parties a thing. For all the bible belt talk, I learned that many Arkansans were no different from people out west. My two-year plan turned into three years, then four. The money kept flowing, so it made sense to extend my stay. A professional contemporary and vague acquaintance of mine in Dallas saw what I was doing here and decided to get a piece of the action for himself. All would’ve been well had it been a friendly competition; unfortunately, he didn’t see it that way. Long story short, the entire marketing strategy of his outfit was based on slandering me and my business to prospective clients. While I ultimately ran him out of Arkansas by taking the opposite approach and talked only about how great my business was while rarely acknowledging his existence to clients, I had let the experience get to me in a profoundly damaging way. The promise to leave Arkansas was all but forgotten as I became obsessed with holding onto what had become “my territory.” A territory that could only be capitalized upon so much and would ultimately be rendered almost worthless through a combination of defaulted mortgages and astronomical health insurance premiums. A territory that never truly accepted me and whose high society influencers only contacted me when they wanted a favor that would never be returned. I had totally lost the plot as I became arrogant and defensive over a spoil of war that was, in reality, an albatross around my neck. Training deltoids presents me with an interesting dilemma. While many of my joints are prone to experiencing chronic pain, none are more painful than my shoulders. I know that strengthening them will offer prevention against this, but I must be careful to not overdo it; ergo, I focus mainly on volume while carefully increasing the weight over multiple sets to where it just becomes legitimately challenging. I’ve reached the conclusion that my joint issues stem from years of incorporating cardiovascular exercise into my regimen. For decades, fitness gurus far-and-wide have told us that we must do cardio lest we get fat. Prior to beginning my current body recomposition program, I studied photos of myself from over the years and discovered that my best physiques were achieved during periods of time when I did either light cardio or no cardio at all. By contrast, photos from eras during which I religiously ran or cycled show my physique leaving something to be desired. Since I didn’t want to be a runner, I had no business running. I want to build muscle, therefor I lift weights. Now that I’m finally past the glut of misinformation, overcomplication, and irrational thought, I can finally achieve something special. Like cardio, I obsessed holding onto my Arkansas market like an old wedding cake locked away in its own filthy and bug-infested room, and no one could convince me otherwise. Not even Kyra, my longtime professional collaborator, and the last of my excellent core of entertainers to leave. Like me, she was ambitious and driven, and she had no intention of staying in Arkansas permanently. She made every attempt to help me regain the plot, but to no avail. Eventually, she kept her promise to herself and left me behind. From that point, I soldiered on with a business that was a shell of its former self, as was I. I still excelled as an entertainer, but the already-limited talent pool for Arkansas strippers – good ones – had practically evaporated. A few good female entertainers came and went, but it was nothing like before. Gradually, operations slowed as I explored other business opportunities (to no avail) and began attending college. One thing I’ve enjoyed about college is that it’s been a complete escape for me from exotic entertainment, and never – until this assignment – would the two intersect. I’m now on the home stretch as I wrap up today’s workout with tricep and bicep isolations. Biceps have to be the most improperly trained muscle group in the world, and that’s saying a lot, and the weight room is now filled with numerous examples of this phenomenon. A mix of skinny, fat, and skinny-fat guys attempting to curl outrageous amounts of weight as lower backs repeatedly jerk violently, arms flailing wildly, and not a single impressive bicep muscle is to be found. Afterward, they strut around like they own the place, yet not a single one owns his physique. Proper form is truly a foreign concept for these people, yet it is the key to building muscle. Similar to yoga, proper form in weight training is what makes this exhausting practice refreshing and exhilarating at the same time. Every exercise I perform begins with setting its form, then adding weight until near failure. So many gymgoers are quick to overcomplicate their workouts with unnecessary movements and too much weight as they attempt to spark progress instead of trusting themselves to rely on and perfect the fundamentals of muscle-building. Nothing says, “losing the plot” like overcomplicating the process as opposed to streamlining it and focusing on fulfilling great expectations. It took me a long time to realize that the fitness philosophies I had developed through years of trial and error could be applied to other areas of my life but later is always better than never. This has allowed me to recover the plot and resume working to keep the promise I had made myself so long ago by regaining sight of my goals. Subsequently, I have streamlined my day-to-day life down to basics. The agency is technically still in existence, although it barely functions as I continue to diversify my revenue stream through out-of-state sources. My realization that I was back in the game and once again seeing the big picture occurred when I recently lost (and possibly reclaimed, so to speak) the Northwest Arkansas market to a fledgling new outfit, and I simply didn’t care because it’s Northwest Arkansas. What was I going to do anyway? Move there? Not likely. Now that I have my eye on more impressive markets like East Texas, South Florida, and perhaps my hometown of Sin City, towns like Fayetteville and Fort Smith don’t seem worth the time or effort. The attitude has returned. After two-and-a-half grueling hours, today’s workout is complete. It’s time to go home and chow down on a six-egg omelet and a pile of brown rice, and I’m going to need it. While exiting the gym, I can’t help but feel completely rejuvenated; not only physically, but about life as well. It’s never too late to recognize one’s mistakes, learn from them, and move forward, and that’s exactly what I’m doing now. Speaking as my own harshest critic: I still have plenty left in the tank for professional exotic entertainment as an entertainer and mastermind. It’s not a permanent solution, but it’s my best option for a springboard into other opportunities as I seek to further diversify my income. Not only does it have the legitimate potential to move me into other areas of the hospitality industry, but I see a feasible way to parlay my background into a side career as a professional writer. It’s unconventional, but that’s been the story of my life. It’s several hours after my workout, and I’m exiting a hotel in Little Rock’s River Market as I walk several blocks to the parking garage where my truck sits. Although I’m currently a work in progress, I’m still in good enough shape to perform by any standard and even more so by Arkansas standards. Even after all these years, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t incredibly flattered by the reception I’d received from tonight’s bachelorette and her girlfriends. It’s still warm outside at 11:00 pm as I walk down the street in a sleeveless t-shirt and jeans while pulling my rolling duffle bag behind me. My arms are still pumped from the gym, and I’m breaking a sweat as I walk with authority. I know now that I’ve regained the plot, and nothing will stop me. Greater Expectations Reflective Memo

Most of the time I invested in writing “Greater Expectations” was spent on compiling potential story elements and then eliminating many of them. This took some effort as I have enough material for a book (that I may write someday), and it wasn’t easy for me to keep the finished essay within eight pages. The idea to include the real-time workout segments came to me during the actual workout I described in the essay, and I merely documented what happened in the gym that day. With that in place, I alternated between it and the general history of my life in Arkansas from 2003 until now. It’s hard for me to say how long the rough draft took because I wrote it in small pieces over a week or so when I had short periods of free time. The final draft was completed in a single two-hour sitting. I debated a great deal on how much – if any – of my professional background to include in the essay, and I intentionally held back in the rough draft to leave open the option of fabricating an entirely different backstory. Not only would that plan have defeated the entire purpose of writing a nonfiction essay, but I had no inspiration for a fictitious tale. Besides, I’m a terrible liar. As I stated in the essay, I’ve always preferred to keep my professional life separate from academic life simply because I’ve enjoyed the escape that the latter provides me from the former. Also, I get tired of people asking me stupid questions that must be intentionally ridiculous to some degree. Regardless, my involvement in all areas of exotic entertainment comprises the bulk of my professional resume, and it truly is my best route for moving out of Arkansas and into bigger and better opportunities down the road. As the main character in my essay, I represented a “determination of incident” as defined by Catherine Ramsdell. Here I am, after experiencing professional success in what would appear to be an unlikely market for my industry, essentially starting over from scratch in many regards. I boasted of achievements past and present while owning up to the mistakes I’ve made with no excuses. Yes, the culture of Arkansas has always presented me with special challenges, but I was the one who lost sight of the big picture and is now working towards personal redemption. Despite my apprehensions about going into certain details, I still do not see the final product as being a cannibalization of my life as described by Annie Dillard. While my use of college as escapism has now been compromised, my experiences and memories are still the same. Should I ever write that book, this essay will provide me with additional insight on how to approach it. This ties in with Steven Harvey’s opinions on “the art of shaping language being a liberating experience for students.” Other than deciding what to exclude, however, I didn’t take any artistic license with this essay. What I wrote is exactly what happened. I took some inspiration from “Somehow Form a Family” by Tony Earley in describing past events. That no-frills approach seemed appropriate for delivering bold subject matter. His story reads similarly to a blog entry for me, and that was the effect I was seeking to some degree. “Fiction” by Michelle Bliss provided me with ideas for my nonlinear narrative structure, and I also appreciate how she refused to candy-coat anything in her story. After debating how to approach my final draft, I decided to simply put the truth out there and not worry about it. If you enjoyed reading this book, please consider kicking a few bucks my way through my website. I accept tips in USD as well as cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Ethereum. Thank you in advance.

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