TOW #7- Sheikhs Vs Shale

This year, The Economist published an article featuring a political cartoon on the topic of United States oil industry. Famous for their articles dealing with domestic and international affairs, the magazine used this image to highlight their main expose about America’s waning reliance on Oil form the Middle East and the implications this competition has on the future economy and political tensions.  

As shown, the cover shows two men, standing back to back with one another. Within their hand is an oil dispenser- held almost as if a weapon. With narrowed eyes and cold expressions, the positioning of men is analogy gunfights one would see in a Wild West movie. The author clearly wanted to emulate on of these duels as a way to express to his audience how the battle for dominance within the energy field will cause strife and the hostile nature of the countries relations.

In addition, each man appears to follow broad generalizations of the country they are from. The Sheikh is drawn to be a  stereotypical Arab, with the traditional thoub and beard. He most likely works in the oil industry considering the title of the piece as well as the fact most sheikhs are involved the oil industry. The American, on the other hand, is wearing what appears to be a uniform with the patch that says, "Keep On Fracking." This patch indicates that, unlike the Arab, the American is working in the field of natural gas- a growing alternative source of energy. By drawing these men back to back also allows the audience to compare the two, and see how both of them are extremely different except for the fact they both look irritated. This juxtaposition shows how the nations share completely different cultures, and with the fact they both are championing a different energy source, implies how different their ideal goals are.  

TOW #6- How not to say the wrong thing

  An opinion piece from the Los Angles Times, clinical physiologist Susan Silk tells readers about an interpersonal strategy referred to the 'Ring Theory' of kvetching.  It is meant to work in all kinds of crises- with the idea that by following the rule, people can react to other hardship in socially appropriate.  The 'ring theory' is based on the idea of comforting those who are most directly affected by a problem, and 'dumping out', or complaining to those who are even less affected then you by the event. To demonstrate this idea, Silk uses detailed instructions to show the principle. Using her close friend Kate as an example, she carefully explains the reader the process of creating the ring. “Draw a circle. This is the center ring. In it, put the name of the person at the center of the current trauma. For Katie's aneurysm, that's Katie. Now draw a larger circle around the first one. In that ring put the name of the person next closest to the trauma. In the case of Katie's aneurysm, that was Katie's husband, Pat. Repeat the process as many times as you need to.”  By providing these instructions, she helps the audience understand how to put the theory into everyday use.
Silk also uses anecdotes to provide examples of when people disregard the theory. Again, using her friend Katie as an example, she says, “She was in intensive care for a long time and finally got out and into a step-down unit. She was no longer covered with tubes and lines and monitors, but she was still in rough shape. A friend came and saw her and then stepped into the hall with Katie's husband, Pat. "I wasn't prepared for this," she told him. "I don't know if I can handle it." As a result of failing to follow Silk’s rule, the coworker looks inconsiderate and extremely self-centered. Through the use of these stories, the reader is able to see what happens when the rule isn’t followed, which further adds credibly to Silks claim of the validity of the idea.

TOW #5- North Korean Parade

This weekend, Kim Jong Un, the leader of the hermit kingdom of North Korea, hosted a giant military parade. It appears to be one of the largest military parades the country has ever thrown, according to The New York Times. The author of the article, Lydia O’Conner, received the images via press release from the North Korean government. The procession was held in Pyongyang's main Kim Il Sung Square. The festival marks the 70th anniversary of the nation's ruling Workers' Party and featured military processions and colorful dance performances, all in immaculate synchrony. The elaborate celebrations occurred for two days in row, with the second day hosting a dolphin trick show.

Many photos were taken from the event- ranging from stark-faced military personal to traditionally dressed women crying in sheer joy. In all of those photos captured, they all use the idea of imagery to manipulate the world’s perception of the nation.One photo the North Korea press released was an image showing the soldiers marching down the square. Carefully choreographed, the North Korean photographer only captured images of healthy citizens. The soldiers within the photo are all wearing matching outfits, and all of them walk completely in an unformed fashion. In addition to the matching soldiers, all of them are carrying heavy weaponry. This blunt display of firepower, combined with the sheer number of soldiers obviously is a way for North Korea to display their military superiority to the rest of the globe.

 While the celebrations in Pyongyang were ornate, human rights groups say that most of the country's citizens are harshly repressed and suffering under horrific living conditions. By using these series of images, the government tried to change this perception, but to little available. In such an obvious power display, it will take more then extravagant events to convince the globe of North Koreas ‘prosperity.’

TOW #4 - Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls

Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls is a collection of essays written by award winning author David Sedaris. The essays stand independent from one another, with topics meant to explain different aspects of his life, ranging from his experiences with his dentist, to his relationship with his parents. Throughout the essays, Sedaris often uses humor to generate ethos and entertain his audience. When he talks about serious issues such as his relationship with his previous ex-wives and his dynamic with his current boyfriend, he often makes light of the situation by throwing in irony. During his first marriage, he often forgot many important events but remembered other meniscal aspects of his life. He informs the reader that he during the birth of his first child, he, " remembers what I was listening to on my Walkman, but as for the actual kid coming out-nothing. I can't even tell you if it was a boy or a girl, but that's natural for a first marriage. " (Sedaris. 221) By joking about forgetting the birth of his first child not only reveals the Sedaris attitude towards his family, but also helps connect him to the reader on a more personal level. In addition to using humor, he also uses anecdotes to explain his complicated childhood and reveal aspects of his strained relationship between himself and his father. As a child, Sedaris father always compared him to others, and would belittle his accomplishments. As a result, he resented his father. Instead of blatantly explaining their relationship, he tells the audience the story of when he did swim team. Unimpressed with David, his father would go on and on about how amazing his fellow teammate, Greg Sakas, was. He would tell David that, "Greg is magic. Success is written all over his face, and when it happens I'm going to say, "Hey buddy, remember me? I'm the one who first realized how special you are."  (Sedaris. 34) Through this story, he realizes the nature of his relationship as well as the origin of where his anger started. This, along with humor, allows the reader to gain a better understanding of Sedaris all while capturing their attention.