BBC Meet the Artist: Alexander Vedernikov

                In 2009, Russian conductor Alexander Vedernikov left his position as music director at the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, claiming that it was placing bureaucratic interests before art interests. Three years later, he is now conducting the English Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. BBC Music Magazine journalist Elizabeth Davis conducted an interview of Vedernikov before a concert not a short while ago. This “Meet the Artist” interview of Alexander Vedernikov presents a specific rhetoric aimed towards those classically educated or at the very least knowledgeable on Russian composers.

                As with all musicians, Vedernikov has certain opinions on how different types and styles of symphonic music should be played. Throughout the interview, Davis analyzes how Vedernikov is influenced by things such as his nationality, experience with different orchestras, and even the composers of the music. For example, when Davis asked Vedernikov to compare English and Russian orchestras, Vedernikov notes that because the bulk of his performances are from Russian composers, generally the Russian orchestras should be more advanced (obviously) in Russian music- “if they are technically skilled enough”. However, Vedernikov also comments that since arriving to England, he believes that the English are also very technically skilled, and although do not have the knowledge Russian orchestras do on Russian music, they are “very smart- if you have told them something once about one section, they’re able to extrapolate that to other things”.

                Because this was an interview in BBC’s “Meet the Artist” section of the Music Magazine, Davis used specific rhetoric that directly relates to interviews. For example, it is safe to assume that the ethos of Vedernikov is both built up and assumed throughout the interview. Davis provides that Vedernikov was already famous for leaving the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia, and the interview just adds more dimensions to the already well-known conductor. Intended for readers of BBC Music Magazine or simply just classical music adherents, this article certainly was able to achieve its purpose of informing the world a little more about the man who left his home country to pursue his passion.

Cartoon: "Aiee They Got Frank!" (Calvin and Hobbes)

                 In light of analyzing fiction and particularly visual fiction, a cartoon seemed to be the ideal topic for this week’s AOW. Because Calvin and Hobbes stands as a testament to the greatness of comic strips, this strip, drawn by Bill Watterson, is not only one that brings a smile to a reader’s face but also, for Watterson, serves as a medium for delivering his opinions on what normally would be sensitive issues.

                The scene opens up on a typical office setting, where this general setting is quickly made fictional in an instance of role reversal; a group of deer (one of them ironically named “Bamb”) carrying hunting rifles violently shoot and kill an office worker. The comic then displays how this rather unusual depiction is actually the brainchild of Calvin, who, as the smart aleck he is, essentially implies that in the future it will be necessary to do some “thinning of the herds”. Watterson ends this strip with Calvin’s parents dejectedly accepting a (yet another) parent-teacher conference.

                Rhetorically, as both a cartoon and medium for discussion, this Calvin and Hobbes strip stands out as an example of the power of visual rhetoric. What immediately is noticed by the reader is that if one were to take out the “comic” aspect of this, it depicts a violently shot man by angry deer, and a possibly mental child who has consistently displayed similar negative tendencies. What is ironically so powerful about cartoons is how simple and lighthearted they are. Because of “cute” pictures and the notion that Calvin is a smart aleck, Watterson can make a bold statement to readers of usually newspapers and comic strip collections about perspectives people should have about animals and “sports” like deer hunting. Even the fact that Calvin is put in trouble for posing such a topic implies what Watterson feels is unjust about deer shooting, of how poor justification such as “thinning the herds” is not at all appropriate.

                Overall, Watterson’s purpose of making a statement about animal rights through Calvin is achieved. It is also certainly worthy of a grin at the very least. J

3rd MP Independent Reading

Lord of the Flies

William Golding

Section 1: Ch. 1-4 (pg 7-75)
Section 2: Ch. 5-8 (pg 76-144)
Section 3: 9-12 (pg 145-202)

In many of my English classes, there has been discussion of great literature classics. By reading Lord of the Flies, I hope to be able to add something to those discussions. I am aware of the basic plot, of how a group of British boys become barbaric as they spend time further and further away from order/society. What always intrigued me was how true or plausible Golding's interpretation of (young) human nature was. Reading this novel will hopefully give me insight and allow me to form my own opinion. In addition, I have not read too many "classics" before. In an attempt to increase my boundaries related to reading, I'm going to give Lord of the Flies a try!

Article: Hooked on Chicken Nuggets

                Many individuals are aware of the dangers that surround fast food. However, such fears were increased when British Stacey Irvine, 17, collapsed at work and could not breathe. She had to be rushed to a hospital for emergency treatment. Julian Gavaghan, of Daily Mail UK, writes about this tragedy dated January 27^th, 2012. However, Gavaghan spends more time examining the cause and more controversial aspect of this event: that since the age of two, Irvine has been eating almost nothing but McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets.

                Ever since the age of two, when her mother first fed her chicken nuggets, Irvine has eaten them every day and eaten little else. In fact, after taking tests, doctors forced her onto a vitamin IV where she would receive a huge dose of vitamins; she admits that she has never tasted fresh fruit or vegetables. The addiction to chicken nuggets has left her with anemia and inflamed veins on her tongue. Her mother has been trying for years to stop Irvine, even starving her at some times, but she still reverts back to the unhealthy McNuggets.

                Gavaghan writes in a spatial context about this issue, relating the overall crisis to the problems with fast food in society. Written for readers of Daily Mail UK, citation of experts and Irvine herself add to her ethos as a reliable reporter. The most logos present in her article is shown when Gavaghan stretches out on a limb and analyzes the health (or lack thereof) of McNuggets and brings readers to the conclusion that Irvine is lucky to survive. In the end, Gavaghan’s purpose of not only depicting the event but also raising awareness about the dangers of fast food is achieved.

Youtube: Vermin Supreme for President 2012

                With the 2012 Presidential elections approaching closer each month, most news as well as political stories revolve around the potential candidates. One particular runner in this political race is Vermin Supreme, whose stubborn advocacy of Mandatory Toothbrushing and Free Ponies for Each American acts provide at once comic relief, political jibe at the actual politicians, and also a sense of unusual logic in what seem to be a sea of deceit and doubt that usually follows political elections. From January 2012, this clip from the NH Primary panel from CSPAN provides a glance into the political views of Vermin Supreme.

                In his opening speech, answering of questions, and 30 second closing statement, Vermin Supreme presents himself as nothing less than perhaps the greatest “troll” in US politics today. (A troll is someone who intentionally harasses or messes with others.) His political policies center around primarily three areas of development for US growth: Mandatory Tooth Brushing Act, Free Ponies for Each American, and Zombie Powered Turbines. All of these are made in both a temporal and spatial context, as Mr. Supreme’s plans are reactions to the issues that currently plague the United States such as dependence on foreign oil and gingivitis.

                The greatest part about Vermin Supreme is his utter seriousness when he delivers such contrastingly hilarious and ridiculous ideas. The use of the pun when describing the Mandatory Tooth Brushing Act adds to the utterly “troll” nature Mr. Supreme brings. “Our salivation is at risk; we must brace ourselves…” Mr. Supreme’s greatest rhetorical skill is the calmness and seriousness to which he brings his arguments, attitudes that stand in stark contrast to his ideas and clothing; the man is wearing a boot on his head. In addition, he has an additional purpose of ridiculing the politicians that surround him. By providing a consistently advocated plan and NOT deviating from it, he mocks those who constantly are switching on their positions.

Unit 3 Reflection

Charlie Zhang

Gabriele/Pronko

Unit 3 Reflection

19 January 2012

            Today’s structured societies are watched over by governments of quite literally all shapes and sizes. Depending on the viewpoints of those in power and those under it, these different organizations have varying degrees of success. I know that personally as a libertarian (fiscally conservative but socially liberal), I too have my own opinions and perceptive on the way certain governments operate. However, through the course of Unit 3 in AP English Language, I have gained greater views on the ways that not only governments should be run, but also how their citizens should be expected to respond. Individuals within society have an obligation to abide to their fullest ability to the laws set by the government, yet in return it is the job of the government to dramatically increase its citizens’ qualities of life, and also be open to political and social change. It would seem obvious that individuals within a government would have to obey its rules, but I myself have often questioned the laws of USA.

            As individuals protected by a government, we should obey by its laws set. Adherence to these regulations promotes the necessary and common order of government. This doctrine is best explained by Socrates, whose words were recorded in Plato’s Justice. He elaborates upon the concept of justice, of how between the individuals and the state exists what is known as a social contract. The stipulations of being a citizen are that an individual must adhere to the just laws established by the state. As his disciples fervently attempt to dissuade Socrates’ sense of moral righteousness, Socrates one by one uses syllogism to remove each argument and then leaves one standing moral of justice and social contract. Socrates’ dialogue clearly presents the obligation that an individual has to government: though somewhat simple, the individual must obey by a government’s laws if he is to live in that society. When this order has been established, the government can only then fully carry out its obligations to its individuals.

            In a society of order where (most) individuals obey to a government’s laws without change, the government now has an obligation to fulfill its part of the aforementioned “social contract”. One of the government’s first obligations to its individuals is to dramatically increase the quality of life for its numerous citizens. This concept is primarily displayed in John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government, which also deals with the social contract. In addition to an individual’s agreement to obey, which Locke refers to as “giving up certain rights”, the government exists to promote a higher quality of life. At first this concept surprised me, but Locke’s reasoning convinced me of his logic. Locke explains how that a society without a government is known as a “state of nature”; even in this seemingly anarchic society, order and freedom still persists. Locke describes how a government is only formed so that individuals can pool resources and freedoms to improve the general qualities of their lives. Upon speculation, I found this to be true. Common benefits of living in governed societies, such as food and security, allow not only for those guaranteed rights but also the improvement of other aspects of life that would be impossible to achieve. For example, the development of art would be not only impractical but also near impossible if one constantly fears for his life.

            However, this is not to state that individuals who live in a government are free of pressure or unhappiness. Rather, to the contrary, there are complaints that individuals have when problems arise within societies. Thus, it is a reciprocal obligation that the individual and state must share: the individual must honestly present what he believes could be improved or is at fault with the status quo, and it is alternatively the role of the government to not necessarily act upon such requests but at least listen with open ears. History presents numerous examples of individuals who rebelled against the status quo. Elizabeth Stanton, a feminist in the United States, is the paradigm of the rebellious but true-hearted individual who seeks positive change in her government. In her Declaration of Sentiments, Stanton displays powerful rhetorical mastery and skilled use of logic. By using the structure of the Declaration of Independence as a rhetorical basis, Stanton is able to use ethos to simply prove that her arguments make sense. If they worked for a free nation, shouldn’t they work for a declaration of women’s rights?

            Before the awareness that Unit 3 provided me in terms of political diversity and decision, I had a much more narrow view of governments. I thought that the only government that really “worked” in my mind was one that proved to have a flat tax and did not let old traditions cloud judgment on questions of morality and social liberties. However, I now realize that governments in themselves are testaments to the successful relationships that exist between citizens and states. Particularly in America, where democracy can in itself be interpreted as the government’s way of listening to the people,  all the obligations are fulfilled; regardless of whatever political afflictions exist, it is a quintessential government.

Article: "Tatooine" Planet With Two Suns Could Host Habitable Moon?

                In the ever expanding attempts to search for life and gather information in the stars above, astrologists have been constantly searching for new planets and life. “Tatooine” Planet with Two Suns Could Host Habitable Moon?, written by Victoria Jaggard of National Geographic News, discusses a new planet that could possibly be the first Earth-like moon.

                The “Tatooine” Kepler-16b derives its nickname from the fact that it is orbiting around two Suns, similar to the planet in Star Wars. Through use of satellites, astrologists were able to determine its “region of life,” or the area in which based on human standards life could be (somewhat) possible. However, the most interesting aspect about this planet is not the planet itself, but rather a moon in Kepler-16b’s orbit. Not only is it large enough to sustain an Earth-like atmosphere, but it also it falls within Kepler-16b’s “region of life”. Such a discovery would be enormously significant because it would be the first Earth-like moon to be discovered. While there are more than 700 discovered planets, there have been no confirmed moons outside of our solar system.

                Jaggard uses a classification and division structure to appeal to the readers of National Geographic, and to inform them (in a spatial context) about the importance of such a possible discovery. Jaggard divides the article into different sections, first describing the planet itself, moving on to the traits of the moon, and then ending with the significance of such a discovery. To add ethos to her argument, Jaggard cites several experts in the different areas of expertise, such as Billy Quarles, a doctoral student at the University of Texas. There is also evidence of humor or a lighter persona that is adapted; the referencing of planet Kepler-16b as “Tatooine” adds a sense of informality and comfort. Overall, Jaggard certainly is able to inform readers of such a phenomenon, and only adds to the growing pressures to find life on other planets.