http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/05/science/05tier.html?_r=1
I really liked everything about this article, titled “Ear Plugs to Lasers: The Science of Concentration,” by John Tierney. The topic was truly intriguing; the article discussed how the brain concentrates, how scientists are trying to help people concentrate by creating laser treatments and how author Winifred Gallagher suggests simpler, less scientific ways to concentrate everyday. This article I think would be especially relevant to teenagers here at NHS because we are constantly being surrounded with all types of distractions, from Facebook to TV shows to music and so on, when we should be doing our school work. I really enjoyed how the article broke down the way the brain concentrates in an easy to understand way and example of this would be when the article tells of why it’s hard to focus on anything but TV when it’s on, “ ‘It takes a lot of your prefrontal brain power to force yourself not to process a strong input like a television commercial,’ said Dr. Desimone, the director of the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at M.I.T. ‘If you’re trying to read a book at the same time, you may not have the resources left to focus on the words.’” Along with other strategies to put this concept in real world terms, “…a feat of neural coordination a bit like getting strangers in one section of a stadium to start clapping in unison, thereby sending a signal that induces people on the other side of the stadium to clap along.”
Additionally, after just reading a piece discussing what makes a good lead, I saw that this article utilizes many of the aspects the chapter discussed. The lead is attention grabbing and states the general idea of the article in a unique and creative way, “Imagine that you have ditched your laptop and turned off your smartphone. You are beyond the reach of YouTube, Facebook, e-mail, text messages. You are in a Twitter-free zone, sitting in a taxicab with a copy of “Rapt,” a guide by Winifred Gallagher to the science of paying attention.” This lead not only gracefully merges into the discussion of Gallagher’s book and therefore into the scientific portions of the topic, but the lead also puts the topic into the perspective of the reader, utilizing terminology such as “Imagine that you…” and “You are…” this makes the topic relevant to the readers, making them interested because they feel what the article is saying affects them.
I would recommend that everyone read this article if they’re interested in the science of concentration and what a good and well rounded article looks like.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
New Works by Photography's Old Masters
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/arts/design/30capa.html
This article, “New Works by Photography’s Old Masters,” written by Randy Kennedy, is a really interesting piece written about the recently discovered negatives from famous photographers Robert Capa, Gerda Taro and David Seymour. The pictures are from the Spanish Civil War and until their recent discovery the negatives were thought to have been lost somewhere in Mexico City .
I really liked this article because it included both a slideshow of the pictures found and also relevant and interesting information regarding the discovery. I think it could have been easy to just write a boring article and let the pictures be the focal point, but Kennedy was able to make the writing just as attention-grabbing as the photos. The writing added to the depth of the topic, the journalist informs the readers of not only how the pictures were discovered but how they had to be handled (“…one of the first things a conservator did was bend down and sniff the film coiled inside, fearful of a telltale acrid odor, a sign of nitrate decay.”), how they made their way to the International Center of Photography, how and when they’ll be displayed and just how incredible it is that these pictures were found.
As the article states, “…a number of previously unknown shots by Capa, one of the founders of the Magnum photo agency and a pioneering war photographer, and by Taro, his professional partner and companion, who died in 1937 when she was struck by a tank near the front, west of Madrid. But more surprising has been the wealth of new work by Seymour …” I think it’s really incredible that these negatives were found and how they were in such good condition for being neglected for years on end. This article offered a lot of insight into the lives and importance of the photographers mentioned and how these new images of theirs will add to their legacy.
This article, “New Works by Photography’s Old Masters,” written by Randy Kennedy, is a really interesting piece written about the recently discovered negatives from famous photographers Robert Capa, Gerda Taro and David Seymour. The pictures are from the Spanish Civil War and until their recent discovery the negatives were thought to have been lost somewhere in Mexico City .
I really liked this article because it included both a slideshow of the pictures found and also relevant and interesting information regarding the discovery. I think it could have been easy to just write a boring article and let the pictures be the focal point, but Kennedy was able to make the writing just as attention-grabbing as the photos. The writing added to the depth of the topic, the journalist informs the readers of not only how the pictures were discovered but how they had to be handled (“…one of the first things a conservator did was bend down and sniff the film coiled inside, fearful of a telltale acrid odor, a sign of nitrate decay.”), how they made their way to the International Center of Photography, how and when they’ll be displayed and just how incredible it is that these pictures were found.
As the article states, “…a number of previously unknown shots by Capa, one of the founders of the Magnum photo agency and a pioneering war photographer, and by Taro, his professional partner and companion, who died in 1937 when she was struck by a tank near the front, west of Madrid. But more surprising has been the wealth of new work by Seymour …” I think it’s really incredible that these negatives were found and how they were in such good condition for being neglected for years on end. This article offered a lot of insight into the lives and importance of the photographers mentioned and how these new images of theirs will add to their legacy.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Communities Printing Their own Money
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2009-04-05-scrip_N.htm
I found this article to be really very interesting. Written by Marisol Bello, I found this article to be short and concise while still being able to share the story of communities with their own currencies. I was surprised that I have never heard of this happening before because, to me at least, it's something I want to know about and learn more about. Communities, such as one mentioned in the article from Mass. with their currency, called "BerkShares," was created all the way back in 2006. I wish this topic got more coverage from other main stream media sources, because I think it shows how some communities are dealing with the economy crisis and how they keep their local businesses thriving. I had no idea anything like this was even legal, so seeing this article and how so many places around the country are doing this really opened my eyes.
I feel like if our town did this, it would really encourage people to spend their money locally and help support our community while the rest of the country is going through an economic. Overall, from this article at least, I get the impression that these new types of currency should be more widespread. There seems to be no real downside besides the restrictions the currency hold (you cannot spend the money anywhere outside of the town where they were made for). Overall however, the currency is cheap to obtain, "Shoppers buy it at a discount — say, 95 cents for $1 value — and spend the full value at stores that accept the currency," and they help both the consumers and the store owners out, " 'it reinforces the message that having more control of the economy in local hands can help you cushion yourself from the blows of the marketplace.' "
I found this article to be really very interesting. Written by Marisol Bello, I found this article to be short and concise while still being able to share the story of communities with their own currencies. I was surprised that I have never heard of this happening before because, to me at least, it's something I want to know about and learn more about. Communities, such as one mentioned in the article from Mass. with their currency, called "BerkShares," was created all the way back in 2006. I wish this topic got more coverage from other main stream media sources, because I think it shows how some communities are dealing with the economy crisis and how they keep their local businesses thriving. I had no idea anything like this was even legal, so seeing this article and how so many places around the country are doing this really opened my eyes.
I feel like if our town did this, it would really encourage people to spend their money locally and help support our community while the rest of the country is going through an economic. Overall, from this article at least, I get the impression that these new types of currency should be more widespread. There seems to be no real downside besides the restrictions the currency hold (you cannot spend the money anywhere outside of the town where they were made for). Overall however, the currency is cheap to obtain, "Shoppers buy it at a discount — say, 95 cents for $1 value — and spend the full value at stores that accept the currency," and they help both the consumers and the store owners out, " 'it reinforces the message that having more control of the economy in local hands can help you cushion yourself from the blows of the marketplace.' "
Making Ends Meet...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/garden/02depression.html?pagewanted=1&8dpc&_r=1
This article, written by Joyce Walder, was really interesting to me. Walder writes about the lives of a few random, completely average, people during the Great Depression. Each person interviewed tells of their life and there are so many small, random, interesting stories thrown in, it make’s what they’re talking about come to life. Especially with the state we are in now, people are warning of another Depression-like era for the US. These stories, of how these people and their families survived, tell of things I can’t even imagine happening in the present day. They all talk about making things themselves, recycling and reusing everything, from old towels to parts of chickens usually thrown out. Today, I can’t imagine a majority of the US’s population knitting their own socks, or leaving food on their door steps for people passing through, as one story tells of.
This article, or rather more of a collection of stories, makes me feel conflicted about our present situation. On one hand, it is reassuring to hear of people surviving a situation that sounds at least worse than where we are right now. Then again, it worries me that I can’t really see anyone I have known to be as thrifty as them, to recycle everything and accept that they have lost so much. I feel like if things do get as bad as they were back then, it will be more difficult to get things back up, because most people now are so accustomed to not having to cut corners or deny themselves, like the people in these stories had to do. These stories were really interesting and offered a great insight to what life was really like back then, everyone had their own little story to share that made them different, yet still similar, to the other’s interviewed.
This article, written by Joyce Walder, was really interesting to me. Walder writes about the lives of a few random, completely average, people during the Great Depression. Each person interviewed tells of their life and there are so many small, random, interesting stories thrown in, it make’s what they’re talking about come to life. Especially with the state we are in now, people are warning of another Depression-like era for the US. These stories, of how these people and their families survived, tell of things I can’t even imagine happening in the present day. They all talk about making things themselves, recycling and reusing everything, from old towels to parts of chickens usually thrown out. Today, I can’t imagine a majority of the US’s population knitting their own socks, or leaving food on their door steps for people passing through, as one story tells of.
This article, or rather more of a collection of stories, makes me feel conflicted about our present situation. On one hand, it is reassuring to hear of people surviving a situation that sounds at least worse than where we are right now. Then again, it worries me that I can’t really see anyone I have known to be as thrifty as them, to recycle everything and accept that they have lost so much. I feel like if things do get as bad as they were back then, it will be more difficult to get things back up, because most people now are so accustomed to not having to cut corners or deny themselves, like the people in these stories had to do. These stories were really interesting and offered a great insight to what life was really like back then, everyone had their own little story to share that made them different, yet still similar, to the other’s interviewed.
The Orphans of Ireland
http://egan.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/01/the-orphans-of-ireland/
In this opinion piece written by Timothy Egan he writes openly about how Ireland, a country forgotten by many, is suffering greatly in the economics department. I was immediately drawn to this article because many of my ancestors were Irish and one day I hope to visit there. Egan writes about how Ireland has been going through quite a rollercoaster ride in the recent years, going from poverty to wealth in the span of a bit over a decade. As Egan writes, “If the rush to riches was very un-Irish, this country is now back to something more familiar — a state of misery.” I have to say, I myself have excluded Ireland when thinking about how economic troubles are affecting the world. Mainly I think everyone just thinks of the US, China and perhaps England when discussing anything about world troubles. This OP-ED, however, goes to a place that we may not think of, but is hurting just the same. It was also very interesting to read about how Ireland’s people have become wealthy almost overnight, buying nice apartments and driving nice cars when a few years prior, as one comment on this article said, “A mere 15 years ago I was shocked to see children in downtown Dublin begging, “pennies, pennies,” unlike the capital cities of the rest of western Europe. More recently, I was amazed to see how wealthy Irish people suddenly seemed…”
Overall, this article really shocked me, and made me sad. Ireland has been through tough times over the past centuries, with religious troubles, famines and now this. If I had not read this OP-ED I would still be unaware of how our economic troubles are spreading to places around the world, places everyone thought could, “…never fall off those cliffs into the sea; a nation of barely 4 million people could defy gravity.”
In this opinion piece written by Timothy Egan he writes openly about how Ireland, a country forgotten by many, is suffering greatly in the economics department. I was immediately drawn to this article because many of my ancestors were Irish and one day I hope to visit there. Egan writes about how Ireland has been going through quite a rollercoaster ride in the recent years, going from poverty to wealth in the span of a bit over a decade. As Egan writes, “If the rush to riches was very un-Irish, this country is now back to something more familiar — a state of misery.” I have to say, I myself have excluded Ireland when thinking about how economic troubles are affecting the world. Mainly I think everyone just thinks of the US, China and perhaps England when discussing anything about world troubles. This OP-ED, however, goes to a place that we may not think of, but is hurting just the same. It was also very interesting to read about how Ireland’s people have become wealthy almost overnight, buying nice apartments and driving nice cars when a few years prior, as one comment on this article said, “A mere 15 years ago I was shocked to see children in downtown Dublin begging, “pennies, pennies,” unlike the capital cities of the rest of western Europe. More recently, I was amazed to see how wealthy Irish people suddenly seemed…”
Overall, this article really shocked me, and made me sad. Ireland has been through tough times over the past centuries, with religious troubles, famines and now this. If I had not read this OP-ED I would still be unaware of how our economic troubles are spreading to places around the world, places everyone thought could, “…never fall off those cliffs into the sea; a nation of barely 4 million people could defy gravity.”
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Hello Kitty vs. Barbie...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/fashion/05ROW.html?_r=1&ref=fashion
This piece, written by Eric Wilson for the New York Times, discusses the presence of Hello Kitty and Barbie at this years fashion week. The topic is actually intresting, both prominent dolls and cultural icons are being featured at fashion week events alongside some huge names in the designer world. Barbie is having an actual runway show with looks inspired by the doll and hello kitty looks are ebing featured at a party held by the big name is makeup, MAC.
This topic I found was actually intresting, and I believe that the article could have been great with this topic, getting an in-depth look at how two previous figures for children have rocketed to become huge heavyweights in the fashionworld. The journalist could have looked at the affect barbie has had in the brands 50 years of exsistence, and hello kitty with it's 34 years.
Instead of this however, the piece took a rather saterical turn. The fact that the article ends with, "M-e-o-w." probably alone gets my point about being saterical across, but the topic did have a lot of potential. I found this articles attempts at being funny distracting from the true meaning of the topic, though I do see the point of poking fun at two dolls causing such a huge splash at fashion week.
I feel that this article was unique, in both topic and writing style. I really wish more investigation had been done and more of a back story to how these brands got so big was talked about. I also kind of wish the journalist interviewed more people, seeing as many of the quotes basically said,“Hello Kitty is edgier, and Barbie is more sophisticated.” in one way or another. Either way, it was a funny article, with an intresting topic, and with fashion week getting so much coverage, it's nice to be able to poke fun at it a little.
This piece, written by Eric Wilson for the New York Times, discusses the presence of Hello Kitty and Barbie at this years fashion week. The topic is actually intresting, both prominent dolls and cultural icons are being featured at fashion week events alongside some huge names in the designer world. Barbie is having an actual runway show with looks inspired by the doll and hello kitty looks are ebing featured at a party held by the big name is makeup, MAC.
This topic I found was actually intresting, and I believe that the article could have been great with this topic, getting an in-depth look at how two previous figures for children have rocketed to become huge heavyweights in the fashionworld. The journalist could have looked at the affect barbie has had in the brands 50 years of exsistence, and hello kitty with it's 34 years.
Instead of this however, the piece took a rather saterical turn. The fact that the article ends with, "M-e-o-w." probably alone gets my point about being saterical across, but the topic did have a lot of potential. I found this articles attempts at being funny distracting from the true meaning of the topic, though I do see the point of poking fun at two dolls causing such a huge splash at fashion week.
I feel that this article was unique, in both topic and writing style. I really wish more investigation had been done and more of a back story to how these brands got so big was talked about. I also kind of wish the journalist interviewed more people, seeing as many of the quotes basically said,“Hello Kitty is edgier, and Barbie is more sophisticated.” in one way or another. Either way, it was a funny article, with an intresting topic, and with fashion week getting so much coverage, it's nice to be able to poke fun at it a little.
Monday, January 26, 2009
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Review Fails to be Successful or Helpful
Link: http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-button25-2008dec25,0,3522895.story
This movie review was written by Kenneth Turan for the LA Times. I myself have seen the movie in mention, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," and I don't think it deserved the review that Turan gave it. Turan says that this film "...leaves you colder than it should, and it shouldn't leave you cold at all." I disagree that this film was anything close to "cold". Though I do agree with Turan that the movie itself was a bit too long and at times tedious, I don't believe it deserved the criticism that he gave to it in that area. In addition the one section where Turan writes, "While that bit of technical virtuosity is supposed to make us ponder the mysteries of mortality, actually seeing these various Buttons plays as grotesque and gimmicky, leading to speculation that the chance to do something bizarre and unsettling is what attracted Fincher to the project in the first place," I find this phrase completely uncalled for. Though I enjoyed this journalist's including background information on those behind the scenes: the director, the screenwriters, etc., his scrutiny of Fincher's choose to do this film was crossing a line in my mind, going from giving a good review to being unnecessarily harsh using the words "gimmicky" and "grotesque," these are two words that I would only reserve for terrible low-budget movies using obvious prothstetics, not something that other critics are claiming as a visual masterpiece.
Apart from the reviewer's too-obvious bias, The review included good background information. I did not know this film was based on a book prior to reading this review, and I find that an interesting addition to the film, because it is not mentioned in ads that a book is what the film is based on. As a mentioned before the journalist did a good job again at mentioning the director and writers for the film and what they have previously worked on, which was a good standpoint if the reader has seen any of the films.
Though I thought this review was lacking any notable observations about the film (apart from the fact it was based on a book) and that this review lost integrity when Turan decided to pull apart "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and boil it down to a movie, "Hollywood suits have been trying to make it for decades." I believe that this review was also proven wrong and the opinion of one very biased journalist when it was nominated for numerous academy awards. When I saw this movie, it was not my favorite, but it definitely did not deserve this review.
This movie review was written by Kenneth Turan for the LA Times. I myself have seen the movie in mention, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," and I don't think it deserved the review that Turan gave it. Turan says that this film "...leaves you colder than it should, and it shouldn't leave you cold at all." I disagree that this film was anything close to "cold". Though I do agree with Turan that the movie itself was a bit too long and at times tedious, I don't believe it deserved the criticism that he gave to it in that area. In addition the one section where Turan writes, "While that bit of technical virtuosity is supposed to make us ponder the mysteries of mortality, actually seeing these various Buttons plays as grotesque and gimmicky, leading to speculation that the chance to do something bizarre and unsettling is what attracted Fincher to the project in the first place," I find this phrase completely uncalled for. Though I enjoyed this journalist's including background information on those behind the scenes: the director, the screenwriters, etc., his scrutiny of Fincher's choose to do this film was crossing a line in my mind, going from giving a good review to being unnecessarily harsh using the words "gimmicky" and "grotesque," these are two words that I would only reserve for terrible low-budget movies using obvious prothstetics, not something that other critics are claiming as a visual masterpiece.
Apart from the reviewer's too-obvious bias, The review included good background information. I did not know this film was based on a book prior to reading this review, and I find that an interesting addition to the film, because it is not mentioned in ads that a book is what the film is based on. As a mentioned before the journalist did a good job again at mentioning the director and writers for the film and what they have previously worked on, which was a good standpoint if the reader has seen any of the films.
Though I thought this review was lacking any notable observations about the film (apart from the fact it was based on a book) and that this review lost integrity when Turan decided to pull apart "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and boil it down to a movie, "Hollywood suits have been trying to make it for decades." I believe that this review was also proven wrong and the opinion of one very biased journalist when it was nominated for numerous academy awards. When I saw this movie, it was not my favorite, but it definitely did not deserve this review.
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