TOW #4 - IRB: "Civilization and Its Discontents" by Sigmund Freud (Part I)

The purpose of religion, functions of our mind and ego, and a human's purpose in life are one complicated questions that have yet to receive a direct, final answer. Sigmund Freud attempts to tackle these delicate topics with a psycho-analytic perspective, one that is equally confusing and difficult to grasp. Yet with the usage of smooth transitions and enumeration, Freud writes about 20th century culture and thoughts in a way that is easy for readers to comprehend.

The essay begins with the description of an “oceanic” feeling religion utilizes, a feeling mentioned by Romain Rolland. Delving into what this oceanic feeling is, Freud explains that this feeling is not, as Rolland believed, a human urge to feel united with the outside world, but "infantile helplessness" (Freud 21). Freud then transitions into man's faith in religion and a God. Concession and refutation is used multiple times as a means of transition. The same structure is used by Freud, which consists of: bringing up a common misconception about the topic, refuting the accuracy of the topic, and transitioning to what his viewpoint is. This constant pattern provides easy understanding for the reader and a layout that is simple and straight to the point.

Methods in which humans escape misery and the ways one receives suffering, are situations in which Freud uses enumeration. One example of enumeration is when Freud describes what causes our suffering: from our own body, the world around us, and from others around us. By pinpointing the three causes, Freud then discusses the methods in which we attempt to escape the three ways, whether it be through alcohol or isolation. The use enumeration acts as a topic sentence and a road map; it guides the reader and helps him reader clearly identify Freud's argument.

I found this book surprising in the way Freud remains steadfast in his simple answers about life. Though I disagree with Freud in some ways, his argument causes me to view some beliefs in a different light. Is the oceanic feeling that religion uses simply a fear of fate? Is a human’s purpose simply pleasure?  

TOW #3 - Coca-Cola's Genius Advertising (Visual)

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"The Coke Side of Life" and "Open Happiness" are the most recent slogans from the #3 Best Global Brand, Coca-Cola. Without the constant, effective advertising of the company's product, would Coca-Cola be a house-hold brand name that people of all ages enjoy? Coca-Cola has had a long history of its slogans and famous ads. Repeatedly in every ad, common traits that can be seen are: an emphasis on enjoying the drink, bonding with loved ones with the drink, and the dependability of the product. Through the simple yet effective layout of the ad, consumers can be persuaded to buy the drink and enjoy it with close friends and family.

This particular ad depicts three young adults laughing and enjoying Coca-Cola at a picnic. Firstly, the boys and girl are all smiling, giving off an atmosphere of enjoying the drink and having a good time. Also, the friends show how the drink is something that can be shared and enjoyed with loved ones. Secondly, in the cooler there are many more bottles of the drink. The large quantity demonstrates the desire to drink more Coke and relish the addicting, delicious taste of it.

Another important aspect of the ad is seen on the far left, where it is written "125 years". This statement illustrates the reliability of the company and how it has been successful and desirable to consumers. Due to its long standing history this adds, in a sense, ethos and logos. Ethos can be used by the statement because the company, who has been serving Coke for 125 years, has credibility and knows what consumers desire in their products. Also, logos can be seen with the use of facts. If one was between Coca-Cola and another fountain drink, one might choose Coca-Cola because of its famous reputation and long history of serving products people have enjoyed for over a century.

An effective statement and an idealistic depiction of a picnic allows Coca-Cola to successfully convince buyers. By opening happiness, consumers can enjoy and share this drink with loved ones. By opening and buying happiness, they can share happiness.

TOW #2 - "The Ethics of Living Jim Crow: An Autobiographical Sketch" (Written)

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1937 was a year full of hatred, racism, and segregation. Richard Wright, the author, has seen and experienced it all. With the untouchable green trees, grass, and hedges to African-Americans, there was a distinct line between the blacks and the whites. Wright's essay consists of personal anecdotes, each one recounting the experience of learning lessons on Jim Crow laws: the hierarchy that puts whites superior to blacks. With the use of the first person point of view, the narrator is Wright. The use of this point of view makes the content seem more "real". Immediately, the author utilizes ethos and pathos with his personal anecdotes. Wright is credible, because he has experienced the unequal Jim Crow laws (ethos), and evokes emotion to today's readers who can only imagine the unjust treatment of African-Americans back in the early 1900's.

Stressing the mindset that color classified someone, Wright writes, "there were black churches and black preachers, there were black schools and black teachers; black groceries and black clerks" (Oates 161). The use of repetition is not only seen with the use of the words "white" and "black" but seen with the ideas of learning "my Jim Crow lessons" (Oates 166) and receiving "my Jim Crow education" (Oates 168). The repetitive idea of learning the Jim Crow laws and the Jim Crow education shows how crucial it was, in the time period, to understand one's place in society. The way Wright writes about his Jim Crow education such as understanding it "thoroughly" and broadening and deepening his education sounds as if it were a feat. Repetition is also seen when Wright describes the trees, lawns, and hedges as green. This recurring idea symbolizes how equality seemed untouchable and impossible at the time. Wright's purpose is to inform the reader and offer a different perspective about the inhumane Jim Crow laws. Showing a glimpse of his own experiences, he brings forth emotion from the reader and a perspective about racism and segregation that can be understood only by a select few. He accomplishes his purpose through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, and personal anecdotes.

IRB Intro #1 - "Civilizations and Its Discontents"

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Psychology is a subject that is fascinating to me. Understanding the way people think, why they think a certain way, and what constitutes their beliefs is something that I enjoy learning and reading about. The human brain is full of mystery and intellect, a topic that has led me to choose Sigmund Freud's book Civilization and Its Discontents. I hope to learn much about the views on culture and our society from a psycho-analytic perspective.

TOW #1: "How to Say Nothing in 500 Words"

Students have all experienced the dreaded announcement of homework being assigned over the weekend. Paul Roberts begins his essay with an anecdote; it is one that especially speaks out to and connects with students of all ages. The reader is able to unconsciously draw connections from the "you" that Roberts is writing about to himself. From the anecdote, the audience reads the anecdote and realizes that the "you" is actually themselves. The same crimes are being committed by the reader, and the anecdote serves as a way of letting one reflect on the common crimes writers commit.

Paul Roberts, who is the writer of multiple textbooks, teaches the reader in an understandable fashion. Using the example of the essay topic about college football throughout the entire essay, Roberts shows how an essay topic can stray away from the common ideas of good and bad, but become a paper that sheds light onto a new perspective. Pointing out re-occurring errors young writers make shows the audience, who are not fully developed writers, how to improve their writing through simple tips such as taking the less usual side, getting rid of fillers (or "padding"), etc. An example of this is seen through the juxtaposition. For example, Roberts writes, “When I was a little girl, I suffered from shyness and embarrassment in the presence of others” (4). To get rid of obvious padding, Roberts shows how the sentence can be changed to, “I was a shy little girl” (4). In hopes of making the audience effective writers, Roberts uses this essay to identify bad errors that most, inexperienced writers make. He then shows how, by following his tips, that the audience can not only avoid a bad grade on a paper, but also mature as writers.

From word choice to an essay’s content, Roberts presents the reader many ways to improve one’s writing. Even myself.  I was able to look at the sub-headings of his essay and point out the mistakes I make regularly in writing. This shows that Roberts successfully accomplishes his purpose of raising awareness of reoccurring errors young writers make.

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