TOW#3: Moon Landing Fakes!!!-Why People Believe in Conspiracy Theories

In the article, Moon Landing Faked!!! -Why People Believe in Conspiracy Theories, by Sander van der Linden, the popularity of conspiring beliefs is analyzed and explained.  In earlier times, those how believed in conspiracies were thought to be suffering severe paranoia and distrust; due to more recent events, conspiracy theories have gained popularity causing the simplistic answers of the past to be reevaluated. Another issue touched on in the article is that not only do people believe these ideas, but also they believe in multiple, which often contradict one another. In efforts to conclude the cause of such interest, van de Linden explained how many conspiracy theories are intertwined with one another as well as cause believers to reject science. These two variables allow people to neglect logic and invest in these conspiracies. He also touches on how these believers’, who often suffer from feeling powerless, reject logic that leads them to become politically and socially ignorant because they often ignore arguments opposing conspiracy. Sander van der Linden has written many articles related to the deception of one’s mind making him fairly well educated on topics such as this one. He, in a sense, attacks and alienates people who believe in conspiracy theories so I believe that he intends for this piece to be read by the general public of nonbelievers to present a greater understanding of their thoughts as well as discouraged any one else to begin to believe in such theories. Overall, I believe that he accomplished this goal very well and did so in a well organized way. He presents multiple examples of theories as well as results to provide readers with a full understanding of what he is talking about. The word choice he uses is very simplistic but still educated so it can easily be understood but does not take away from his intelligence. Content he provides allows the audience to both understand the ideas behind conspiracy theories but see the dangers of it as well. 

Article:  http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=moon-landing-faked-why-people-believe-conspiracy-theories

Conspiring Danger
URL: http://coolinterestingstuff.com/biggest-conspiracy-theories-proved-true

TOW #2: Flying American

In the political cartoon Flying America, illustrated by David Horsey for Los Angeles Times, the idea of extreme mistreatment and inequality between the classes in American society is expressed. The flight attendant, representation of the Republican Party, is waiting on the first class citizen and disrespecting the middle class and poor citizens. Also, the overweight, first class citizen who represents one percent of the population is greedily taking up most of the room and asking to rid of the less privileged.  Meanwhile, the middle class and poor Americans are being crushed into the wall and being looked down upon.  David Horsey is clearly expressing his disagreement in the way the Republicans go about honoring different classes and believes that they do so very unfairly. With this opinion he is demonstrating, his purpose is to inform others of the inequality as well as persuaded viewer to adapt his ideas. With is purpose, the intended audience would be any Republican supporters or first class citizens to bring about a realization of how rude and neglecting he finds them to be, also this image could be directed at less privileged people to look at David as a voice and to support him as well as view even more of his pieces. I believe that he has achieved his purpose because in come ways but not others. He successfully represented the middle class and poor citizens and acted as there voice in declaring more equal treatment as well as calling attention to the cruelty and difference between the classes. However, in appealing to the upper class and Republican Party, I do not think he approached the issue properly. Those whose conduct he is illustrating will find this piece to be an inaccurate exaggeration. In order to get a point such as their mistreatment of lower classes would require factual, undeniable representation. Whether this image perfectly achieved its purposes or not, I believe that it is a strong piece with an honorable message.

Flying American
By: David Horsey
URL: http://editorialcartoonists.com/cartoon/display.cfm/126024/

Tow #1: How to Fall in Love With Math

The article, How to Fall in Love With Math published in NY Times, describes the purpose and enjoyment that can be found in math through an enthusiastic mathematician. Manil Suri is a math professor at the University of Maryland as well as a decorated fiction author. The writing style in this article is very similar to that of Lynne Truss, author of Eats, Shoots & Leaves. Both Truss and Suri are very passionate about their topic and wish to provide a better understanding of their topic as well as display its importance. The one main difference between the two was that Truss blamed technology for the downfall of grammatical accuracy and Suri credited technology for providing mathematics in a fun and unrecognizable way. He uses comparisons to intrigue a more vast audience by using analogies of art, music, literature and magic. Through his writing, he is able to show his engagement in math as well as his desire to spread the love of math. Disappointed in modern schooling of math and students inability to recognize the importance of mathematics; in hopes to compensate for the lack of interest in school, Suri wrote this article to students failing to see the greatness of math along with other math enthusiasts to help to encourage more interest in the subject. I believe that he accomplished his goal to the best of his ability, meaning his purpose is not an easy thing to accomplish. For the most part those who dread math are not likely to read this article and change their outlook more or less, or even read it for that matter. The upbeat tone in the article allowed for the topic to be a bit more playful, however, getting the target audience to read the article is an entirely different task. Writing wise, Suri was brilliant, enthusiastic and got his point across.

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/opinion/how-to-fall-in-love-with-math.html?ref=opinion

Love Math
URL: http://www.math.ucsd.edu/~x2peng/teaching.htm

IRB Intro #1

The Glass Castle: A Memoir, by Jeannette Walls describes the once secret childhood of the MSNBC gossip columnist. She, along with her three siblings, grew up in a nomadic family that moved between desert towns and camping by mountains for a while. Difficulty providing for her family led her mother to concern over her painting more than her children; meanwhile, her father chose to diminish his problems through drinking. In the memoir, Jeannette writes about her struggle as a child and her escape from the lifestyle her parents had set forth. Through the recommendations of many of my friends as well as past teachers I have chosen to read this as my independent book for the marking period. I look forward to seeing how she describes her childhood and experiences and seeing how she came to be a success from an unfortunate situation.

The Glass Castle
URL: http://www.amazon.com/The-Glass-Castle-A-Memoir/dp/074324754X