Medium's "Six Reasons Young Adults Think The News Media Is Dividing Our Country" and "Big Tech Could Break Democracy," were very interesting reads.
"Six Reasons Young Adults Think The News Media Is Dividing Our Country" provided some very fascinating statistics to consider. I don't think any of the answers people gave came as a shock to me. Most of us, regardless of political affiliation, will generally admit that our favorite sources are biased. It is good that we know and recognize that. However, it does say something about the state of the mainstream media in this country. Being partisan only becomes an issue when a media outlet presents their partisanship as bipartisan. One of the biggest dangers to the field of journalism in my opinion is presenting opinion as fact. This is part of the reason many Americans don't trust the mainstream media anymore. "Big Tech Could Break Democracy" presented some good questions for the public to ponder. Regarding hate speech and social media outlets controlling content, I don't think this should be allowed. One of the biggest problems here in deciding if the company can control speech on its site is if the site is defined as a publisher or a platform. If the site is a platform (such as YouTube), they have no right to censor the material that people place there. It is particularly important that we refrain from censoring hate speech as well. I know what you're thinking, why wouldn't we want hateful things censored? What you may have failed to consider is who defines what is hateful. I dislike hateful things as much as anyone, but what is hateful to me may not be hateful to you and vice-versa. Terms such as "hate speech" are slippery slopes to losing our freedom of speech.
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After reading Vanity Fair's "The Coronavirus Fake-News Pandemic Is Very Real" and Buzzfeed's "Here's A Running List of The Latest Hoaxes Spreading About The Coronavirus," I have several thoughts.
First of all, I never thought I would find myself reading Vanity Fair or Buzzfeed for hard news. These are unconventional sources to say the least. Secondly, the outright bias in these articles is atrocious. Are these filed under editorial? Of course not. Caleb Ecarma of Vanity Fair carries an aura of obnoxiousness throughout his "article." He not only spreads blatant one sidedness, but also twists the facts. For instance, he claims President Trump spread misinformation by claiming early on that the virus could die with hotter weather. By mentioning this, Ecarma is trying to scrutinize the president without giving proper context. I was just talking to a nurse yesterday who told me it is scientifically true that all viruses have trouble surviving in hotter weather. How then is the president's conjecture of THIS virus dying in hotter weather nonsensical or misinformed? Ecarma is simply trying to further hate and divisiveness through the country without offering a shred of journalistic integrity. It is safe to say that I will not be following up on his future work. The Buzzfeed article from Jane Lytvynenko was much more informative and neutral. (That is something I never thought I would type.) Lytvynenko gave several instances of hoaxes and scams that could easily be spread amongst the U.S. population. This is an important list especially for Americans who may not be as tech savvy or up on good news sources. The only point I question is the sixteenth. While it's true that there may not be overwhelming evidence that the virus originated in a plant in Wuhan, it strikes me as something that is completely possible. Many other viruses such as SARS also came out of Southern China. However, this very well could just be a result of the wet markets that can still be found there. Yet, one phrase from Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton comes to mind when pondering if this virus could have purposefully been created: "I have never trusted a Communist and I never will trust a Communist. That’s who runs China — the Chinese Communist Party.” All in all, be wary of the sources that you trust in regards to Coronavirus information. Don't be afraid to question everything you read and back it up with another source. Singing is a learned skill. It has been scientifically proven that with the proper training, anyone can sing. Unfortunately, many people give up on themselves before they have the chance to learn this.
The first and most important step in proper singing is breathing. When one breathes, he or she often does so through the chest as the shoulders rise. However, this is not the way to breathe to full capacity. In order to breathe so that the lungs are completely full with air, the diaphragm must be engaged. “The diaphragm is a dome-shaped, muscular partition separating the thorax from the abdomen in mammals. Its contraction increases the volume of the thorax and so inflates the lungs” (Dictionary.com). Since one doesn’t regularly engage the diaphragm, he or she has to train them to be active. There are certain breathing exercises that aid in this. One breathing exercise can be done by lying down with a large book on your stomach. One must try to lift the book up and down only by breathing. Repeating this nightly will result in a strong diaphragm. Once one learns how to breathe through the diaphragm, he or she needs to learn some basic vowel and mouth shapes. Vowel sounds are very important to proper singing. Once one understands the pronunciation of lyrics, their notes become easier to hit. Here are some basic ones you need to know: ah as in mom, eh as in bet, ih as in sit, oh as in no, and oo as in boot. Another thing that goes hand in hand with vowel sounds is mouth shape. The vowels sung affect how one should shape his or her mouth and vice-versa. For instance, when singing the vowel oh, the mouth needs to go as long and skinny as it can. This makes more room for the note to come out clearly. Another step to proper singing is diction. Although it is dependent on the genre being performed, diction should usually be crisp and clear. The last step to proper singing is the stance. How one stands can determine optimal airflow and confidence level. When singing, the feet should be shoulder width apart, pointing straight ahead, and you should lean slightly forward. The hands should be resting at one’s sides and he or she should position the head straight forward. When singing higher notes, it can be tempting to lift the head. One must refrain from doing so. This can strain the neck and vocal chords. One’s stance can also affect his or her confidence level. Standing tall and strong will result in a confident singer. However, swaying and slouching will result in a singer that looks nervous and unprepared. Please note, however, that some of these rules may need be neglected depending on genre of performance and performance style. In conclusion, singing is something that everyone can learn to do well. With hard work and proper technique, anyone can be a singer. According to a survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, “nearly one in five adults in America suffer from a mental illness today.” These mental illnesses include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, behavioral disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders. Mental illness is continually going undiagnosed in the United States due to fear, inconvenience, and stigma.
Mental health is an issue in our society today partially because of the fear it instills in who it affects. Many people are scared to have their problems diagnosed because they dread the diagnosis itself. They know that along with a diagnosis generally comes a treatment. While treatments for mental illness can consist of a wide variety of options, people stereotypically picture medicines. Therefore, a worried potential patient, instead of picturing a therapy session, might only picture heaps of pills with outrageous side effects. In reality, there are numerous amounts of treatment options available for those who choose not to take the medicines. According to Michael B. First, MD, “You can choose behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, interpersonal therapy, psychoanalysis, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and supportive psychotherapy.” Any of these therapeutic options are better treatments for mental illness than no treatment at all. Mental illness can also be a big inconvenience to those who experience it, especially children. Along with a mental illness comes several types of doctors: psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, etc. These doctors do not always cater to school hours. While your child will already be missing several days of school when their illness flares up, they will also be forced to miss days when it comes time for their doctor’s visits. Unfortunately, teachers are not always the most understanding of this. Also troublesome is the amount of paperwork that must be completed in order to allow children with mental illness the accommodations they need and deserve in schools. According to Understood, “there are two optional programs currently in place for children who suffer from mental illness. These are the Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and the 504 plans.” While both are extremely beneficial to those who need the plans, they are very difficult to come by. The paperwork involved in obtaining one of these plans is lengthy and laborious. Therefore, some people would rather deal with the adverse issues they have rather than strenuously seek accommodations. Mental health is still a considerable source of stigma in the world today. According to Dictionary.com, “Stigma is a mental or physical mark that is characteristic of a defect or disease.” People with mental illnesses are generally afraid to speak out and share their experiences for fear of shame. However, is mental illness not brought about the same way as any physical illness? Either can be contracted through trauma, injury, genetics, or other environmental factors. On the other side of this argument sit those who do not believe that mental illness is an issue at all in America today. This side acknowledges the issues that people with mental illnesses face, yet do not believe that mental illnesses actually exist. According to David B. Feldman, Ph.D., “nobody doubts the fact that psychological symptoms are absolutely real and that people are truly suffering. The question is whether it makes sense to refer to these experiences as “illnesses” in the same way we think about HIV, cancer, or even the flu.” I say it absolutely does make sense. When scanning the brains of people with “mental disorders” such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Depression, etc., doctors can see physical differences between “normal brains” and those of people diagnosed with mental disorders. In conclusion, mental illness is on the rise in America today. In order to stop these numbers from growing, we need to help reduce fear, decrease inconvenience, and eliminate stigma in those who suffer from mental issues. We also need to realize that mental illness is a real issue that must be discussed openly.
"For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23
Maybe you are similar to me. Maybe you grew up in church, got saved at an early age, and continued with the faith. If that's the case, this article might hit close to home for you. I have recently been reflecting on a commonality within the Christian faith. Why is it that the people who are Christians or consider themselves to be are the ones most often turning people from God? This seems antithetical. Naturally those who know the joy of salvation should be the best at introducing it to others, right? Unfortunately, you and I have heard plenty of stories. Maybe the stories lie within members of our families, our friends, or just strangers we read about on the internet. We see things and think, "that wasn't a very Christian way to respond to that situation," or, "I hope someone doesn't take that person's actions as a reflection on Christianity as a whole." I know I've said these things. I write this article partially because of those stories. There are stories like these in my family's and friends' experiences with Christianity. Some of them fell away from from the faith because of what they witnessed or experienced at the hands of a Christian. I also write this article because I was recently in a situation where I had to remind myself what my most important and influential role was: being a Christian. At a table of eight, surrounded possibly by one other Christian, I engaged in a political argument. It wasn't helpful that the entire table was of a different political background than me, either. Regardless, the debate continued. The Bible I carry in my purse was taken out, opened up, and readied for answering questions. However, in the midst of my quoting scripture, I was shocked to hear one of those kinds of stories I mentioned earlier. A person involved in my conversation saw something horrific happen at the hands of Christians; this was the barrier between them and the faith. I immediately stopped what I was doing and re-evaluated the situation. I was not leading with love in this scenario. I hadn't taken the time to consider why these people weren't Christians. In that moment, I failed to recall that first and foremost I am a Christian and that no other role in my life will matter in the end. I want to exude the love of Jesus Christ by my very presence in a room. After thinking for a moment, I knew I wasn't doing that. I knew I wasn't helping these people become Christians. I realized that how I was applying the scripture wasn't in a loving, kind way. Rather, it was argumentative. I was only pushing these people further away. I then stopped and contemplated what Jesus would do in this situation. I realized that I needed to step back and show some compassion. I offered prayer and loving kindness from that point on. Isn't it sad how one turn of events or change in environment can change our behavior as Christians? However, these behaviors can be momentary lapses, or lifelong attitudes. I suggest that we all evaluate how we're living our Christian lives. Is it with love, like Jesus, or with judgment and condescension? "Jesus, Friend of Sinners," released by Casting Crowns in 2011, sums up this narrative perfectly. We as a Christian body, need to take in sinners and love them. We don't need to condone their sin, but it is not our place to judge it either. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. God will ultimately judge us one day. Do you want to be the Christian that tried their hardest to love like Jesus did, or the one that was so holy they couldn't be bothered to see past sin? I know which one I want to be. "Fine Line," the second solo album from singer Harry Styles was released December 13th, 2019. Let's analyze the album song by song and see if it lives up to Styles' first album.
"Golden" "Golden," as well as many other tracks on the album, has an alternative feel to it. The beat drop hits you to reveal a song you can drive down a coastal highway to. Iconic Lyrics: But I can feel it take a hold (I can feel it take a hold)/I can feel you take control (I can feel you take control)/Of who I am, and all I've ever known/Lovin' you's the antidote/Golden Score: 6/10 "Watermelon Sugar" This song was the second single released from the album and is definitely one of my favorites. It has a chill and beachy vibe to it. However, this song does have a provocative deeper meaning and I have to knock off a point due to what this song is actually about. Iconic Lyrics: Strawberries/On a summer evenin'/Baby, you're the end of June Score: 9/10 "Adore You" This song was the last single released from the album. It came along with a very interesting and creative music video. Iconic Lyrics: Walk in your rainbow paradise (Paradise)/Strawberry lipstick state of mind (State of mind)/I get so lost inside your eyes/Would you believe it? Score: 7/10 "Lights Up" This was the first single released off of "Fine Line." It seems to be a pattern that the first song Styles releases tends to not be a good representation of the quality of the rest of the album. This song is not very entertaining or interesting. It isn't very catchy and doesn't have much vocal creativity. Also, the music video is pretty uncomfortable. Score: 2/10 "Cherry" This song is a breath of fresh air on the album and sounds like driving down a winding country road. The song is about one of Styles' ex-girlfriends and actually samples her voice in the track. This is the point in the album where the tracks slowly transition from fun and random to deep and personal. Iconic Lyrics: Don't you call him "baby"/We're not talking lately/Don't you call him what you used to call me I, I confess I can tell that you are at your best/I'm selfish so I'm hating it Score: 9/10 "Falling" There are hardly words to describe this song. The piano is a beautiful choice which I think Styles should utilize more in his music. This song is raw lyrically and vocally. This is by far the best and deepest lyricism on the entire album. Styles belts this depressing track and you can definitely hear the emotion in his voice. This is the best song on the album in my opinion. Iconic Lyrics: Forget what I said/It's not what I meant/And I can't take it back,I can't unpack the baggage you left What am I now? What am I now?/What if I'm someone I don't want around?/I'm falling again, I'm falling again, I'm fallin'/What if I'm down? What if I'm out?/What if I'm someone you won't talk about?/I'm falling again, I'm falling again, I'm fallin' Score: 10/10 "To Be So Lonely" Okay, so.... This song honestly sounds like a tropical hallucination. Score: 1/10 "She" This song has an interesting concept. It is actually Styles describing his perfect girlfriend as "she." He gives scenarios and descriptions of her in the song. However, he recognizes that these descriptions are simply fantasies about a girl he has yet to find. Iconic Lyrics: She (She), she lives in daydreams with me (She)/She's the first one that I see, and I don't know why/I don't know who she is (She, she) Score: 6/10 "Sunflower, Vol. 6" This is where the album starts to pick back up... with another tropical hallucination. This track, oddly enough, also sounds like it could be off of a children's television show. Score: 2/10 "Canyon Moon" This song feels like an adventure. Dare I say that repeatedly Styles sounds at his best when his vocals are left raw. This song is a longing for home. It's a pure and happy song. Iconic Lyrics: Staring at the ceiling, two weeks and I'll be home/Carry the feeling, through Paris, all through Rome/And I'm still thinking back to the time under the canyon moon Quick pause in conversation, she plays songs I've never heard/An old lover's hippie music, pretends not to know the words/And I keep thinking back to the time under the canyon moon/I'll be gone too long from you I'm going, oh, I'm going/I'm going, oh, I'm going/I'm going, oh, I'm going home Score: 9/10 "Treat People With Kindness" This song was a good try. I think Styles goes a bit too far by including the choir. Trust me, I love a good choir behind a pop song. However, this time it felt forced and unnecessary. Styles could have easily done this song on his own and come up with better results. Score: 5/10 "Fine Line" I think this is a perfect closing track for the album. It has a soothing, somewhat emotional sound to it. The lyricism in this song is definitely better than at other times in the album. The instrumental pickup near the end of the song gives it just enough energy to leave the album feeling triumphant. Iconic Lyrics: Test of my patience/There's things that we'll never know/You sunshine, you temptress/My hand's at risk, I fold We'll be a fine line/We'll be a fine line/We'll be alright/We'll be alright Score: 9/10 In summary, "Fine Line" is a roller coaster of an album. There are definitely high parts and lows. I can say that the album flows together well as a whole. While Styles' general lyricism isn't entirely as deep and complex as some other artists, he can definitely hold his own when we look at songs such as "Falling" and "Fine Line." At times, he is extremely creative with his sound. If you're not used to this, some songs can feel off putting. However, all in all, I think Harry Styles has another hit album under his belt. "Lover," the newest Taylor Swift album, dropped on August 23rd, 2019. Let me first say that as a hopeless romantic, I appreciate this album's dedication to love. However, as was rumored, a few songs did get political. Let's take this album song by song and analyze this star's new releases.
"I Forgot That You Existed" I won't lie, this song is one of my favorites on the album. The song has a clean and fresh feel to it. It's a confident new start for Swift after the Reputation era. If you know me personally, you know I often quote the lyric, "hater's gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate," from "Shake It Off." This song is essentially the equivalent of that one line. However, it goes further in that Swift decides to no longer even acknowledge the haters at all. This is a definite power anthem. Iconic Lyrics: I forgot that you existed/And I thought that it would kill me, but it didn't/And it was so nice/So peaceful and quiet/I forgot that you existed/It isn't love, it isn't hate, it's just indifference Score: 10/10 "Cruel Summer" The beat is undeniably catchy, but this is one of the more provocative songs on the album. It's supposedly about the first summer Swift met her current boyfriend. It describes a tug of war between wanting to be together and it not being the right time. Iconic Lyrics: And I scream, "For whatever it's worth/I love you, ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?" Score: 6/10 "Lover" This is another favorite of mine. This song is about wanting to be with the person you're meant to be with for the rest of your life. Now that's romance. Iconic Lyrics: And there's a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you, dear/Have I known you 20 seconds or 20 years? Can I go where you go?/Can we always be this close forever and ever?/And ah, take me out, and take me home/You're my, my, my, my lover Swear to be overdramatic and true to my lover Score: 10/10 "The Man" Next to, "You Need To Calm Down," this is probably the next most political song on the album. Swift is definitely insinuating that women are held to standards in society that men aren't held to. This is a feminist anthem if I've ever heard one. The song is also a bit insulting to women in that it insinuates that we can only achieve limited success due to our womanhood. However, it is catchy and upbeat which makes it difficult to dislike. Lyrics I Don't Appreciate: I’m so sick of running as fast as I can/Wondering if I'd get there quicker if I was a man/And I'm so sick of them coming at me again/'Cause if I was a man, then I'd be the man Score: 4/10 "The Archer" This song doesn't have the catchiest beat, but it does have some intensely deep lyrics. The song is about being insecure in a relationship. She is both scared of herself ruining the relationship and her partner ruining it. Iconic Lyrics: I wake in the night, I pace like a ghost/The room is on fire, invisible smoke All the king's horses, all the king's men/Couldn't put me together again/'Cause all of my enemies started out friends/Help me hold on to you Score: 7/10 "I Think He Knows" This song describes essentially every girl's crush experience. The lyrics say what we're thinking on the inside, but might be too afraid to admit. It's a blatant and straightforward statement of infatuation with someone. The upbeat tempo and pop feel make this song impossible to get out of your head. (No, seriously.) Iconic Lyrics: He got that boyish look that I like in a man/I am an architect, I'm drawing up the plans/It's like I'm 17, nobody understands/No one understands Score: 10/10 "Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince" This is rumored to be the third political song on the album. At first listen, you might just think it's a tragic high school love story. However, analyzing the title and lyrics give us a deeper meaning. Swift is seemingly comparing the United States to a petty high school. Lyrics I Don't Appreciate: American glory faded before me/Now I'm feeling hopeless, ripped up my prom dress/Running through rose thorns, I saw the scoreboard/And ran for my life (Ah) The whole school is rolling fake dice/You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes/It's you and me, there's nothing like this/Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince (Okay) American stories burning before me/I'm feeling helpless, the damsels are depressed/Boys will be boys then, where are the wise men?/Darling, I'm scared (Ah) Score: 3/10 "Paper Rings" This song has a somewhat alternative feel to it; however, it softens up at the chorus. It takes us on the journey of two friends who turn into lovers. It recounts events that led to Swift considering marriage with paper rings. Essentially, the amount of love she feels is worth more than shiny objects. Iconic Lyrics: Kiss me once 'cause you know I had a long night (Oh)/Kiss me twice 'cause it's gonna be alright (Uh)/Three times 'cause I waited my whole life (1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4) Score: 10/10 "Cornelia Street" At first listen, this wasn't one of my favorites from the album. However, as I continued to listen to it more and more, I began to understand the message behind it. It actually is very relatable. It's a girl's desperate hope that she won't lose the man she loves. Iconic Lyrics: I hope I never lose you, hope it never ends/I'd never walk Cornelia Street again/That's the kinda heartbreak time could never mend/I'd never walk Cornelia Street again/And baby, I get mystified by how this city screams your name/And baby, I'm so terrified of if you ever walk away/I'd never walk Cornelia Street again Lyrics I Don't Appreciate: Sacred new beginnings/That became my religion, listen Score: 9/10 "Death By A Thousand Cuts" This is definitely one of the sadder songs on the album. It's about a love that wasn't strong enough to last, but one person is still hanging on. I think most of us have been there. This song has some of the most iconic lyrics on the album. Iconic Lyrics: My time, my wine, my spirit, my trust/Tryna find a part of me you didn't take up/Gave you so much, but it wasn't enough/But I'll be alright, it's just a thousand cuts I take the long way home/I ask the traffic lights if it'll be alright/They say, "I don't know" You said it was a great love, one for the ages/But if the story’s over, why am I still writing pages? Score: 7/10 "London Boy" Let's be honest. What girl has never wanted a British guy? Need I say more? Iconic Lyrics: I love my hometown as much as Motown, I love So Cal/And you know I love Springsteen, faded blue jeans, Tennessee whiskey/But something happened, I heard him laughing/I saw the dimples first and then I heard the accent You know I love a London boy, I enjoy walking Soho/Drinking in the afternoon (Yeah)/He likes my American smile, like a child when our eyes meet/Darling, I fancy you (You) Score: 8/10 "Soon You'll Get Better" (feat. Dixie Chicks) I can identify with this song a lot. This acoustic ballad from the album is about Swift's struggle with her mom's cancer relapse. The lyrics really speak things to me that I've thought and felt before. Musically, it does remind us of songs from her debut album such as, "Teardrops On My Guitar," or, "Tim McGraw." You might cry listening to this song. Iconic Lyrics: I just pretend it isn't real/I'll paint the kitchen neon, I'll brighten up the sky/I know I'll never get it, there's not a day that I won't try And I hate to make this all about me/But who am I supposed to talk to?/What am I supposed to do/If there's no you? Score: 8/10 "False God" This is definitely my least favorite song on the entire album. This song is fueled with sacrilegious lyrics. It is actually quite disrespectful and I somewhat expected better from Swift. Lyrics I Don't Appreciate: But we might just get away with it/Religion's in your lips/Even if it's a false god/We'd still worship/We might just get away with it/The altar is my hips/Even if it's a false god/We'd still worship this love I know heaven's a thing/I go there when you touch me, honey/Hell is when I fight with you/But we can patch it up good/Make confessions and we’re begging for forgiveness/Got the wine for you Score: 0/10 "You Need To Calm Down" Yeah... "Afterglow" Yeah, this isn't one of my favorites. This ballad just doesn't provide as much substance as the others on the album. Score: 5/10 "ME!" (feat. Brendan Urie) This bop was of course the first single to be released from the album. It's upbeat, high energy, and just fun! However, spelling is apparently not fun anymore; on the official album, that lyric was cut. This decision could've stemmed from the pressure of critics saying the line was too childish. However, spelling or not, this song is happy and dance worthy! Iconic Lyrics: I know that I'm a handful, baby, uh/I know I never think before I jump/And you're the kind of guy the ladies want/(And there's a lot of cool chicks out there) Score: 8/10 "It's Nice To Have A Friend" This song kind of instills boredom in me. The beat doesn't change throughout the entire song. Don't get me wrong, the story of growing up knowing the person you'll marry is nice, but the song itself is not very creative. Score: 2/10 "Daylight" This song is one of a few ballads on the album. It really grew on me as I studied the lyrics. It's about giving up past issues and problems, and not being afraid of a fresh start. Swift references her song "Red" in the lyrics. She says, "I once believed love would be burning red/but it's golden." Iconic Lyrics: I wanna be defined by the things that I love/Not the things I hate/Not the things I'm afraid of, I'm afraid of/Or the things that haunt me in the middle of the night/I, I just think that/You are what you love Score: 8/10 In summary, of the 18 songs on this album,12 are definitely certified bops. The only things that hold this album back are its political aspects and occasional sacrilegious lyrics. Go listen to it yourself and tell me your thoughts! I personally think Swift just released another hit album. |