Caroline Casey: Looking Past Limits

Following this video I wish to delve into the connectivity of disability and happiness. Most with disabilities must learn on their own how to soar like eagles because most of their peers simply shun them.  I want to go into the history of how disabilities have been viewed, and I want to compare different types of disabilities.  Then I want to refer back to Caroline Casey's points concerning the way her disability affected her and how she overcame it.  I like the way she referred to "normal" people; we all feel the disgrace, shame, and loneliness which a disability of any kind can bring.  It is exhausting to try to be perfect when you are not and to act like someone you will never be.  How can you be yourself if you are so caught up on being someone else?  Casey brings up the point that “It’s not about disability; we’re just people.”  This is true, for if you think about it, we all are trying to reach a norm which does not exist.  Everyone has a quirk which they do not like and believe everyone hates to be exposed to.  However, all quirks have a story behind them, and all quirks can lead to an inspiration.  Caroline Casey, for instance, has been able to use her testimony of trying to hide from her quirks in order to encourage others to view disability in a different light; to look past the limits of this world.  I want to use her argument to begin a research paper on the way we view ourselves, and how that view can change the way we view others.

Comments on "Kind of Bloop"

Miles Davis raises good points concerning fair use and the blurred line of copyright’s proper definition.  Fair use is vague, and these guidelines are not recognized legally.  However, many abide by these rules and get away with the legalities of “borrowing” someone else’s work.  While many make an original work their own by changing minor diction elements or other details, this changes the meaning of the work as well as the intended effect it has upon the audience.  However, this is still not their personal work; it is legally considered to be stolen property.

It is interesting to compare the way copyright has evolved over the last few years.  It began as a serious issue which all paid attention to.  No one wished to have their works taken, and copyright laws were strictly enforced.  However, as time as passed, less people have been as anal concerning whether or not someone uses their original works.  This has caused the line between what is good and bad usage to blur.  The blurring of this line causes unfair  usage to be generally useless, for it allows people to feel that they can get away with any type of copyright infringement they wish.

This ignorance of the law keeps people happy as far as how they spend their free time by watching mindless entertainment or listening to their favorite music all for free.  However, there are artists of all types who wish for the copyright infringement law to be enforced, for they are hard-pressed to make a living when people take their works without permission or proper compensation.  In this way, they are also taking the artist’s time and talent.

"Daisy"

While scare tactics had been used in political campaigns throughout history, the intensity of this ad in particular caused many critics to scratch their heads in wonder.  If Lyndon B. Johnson wished to state his national defense plan, he could have simply stated that he was willing to do anything to protect all citizens; especially those as young as the child portrayed here.  However, he chose to attempt to trick American citizens into believing that if they were not diligent in voting for him in the November election, a slippery slope of occurrences would begin, and American children would be endangered.

Knowing his audience, LBJ was aware that this scare tactic would work, as no one wishes for their children to be put in the realm of danger.  His use of pathos allowed this commercial to work.  While it would likely be neither proper nor practical in the modern election, it is a great example of how politicians are able to manipulate their audiences.  Without the proper knowledge and use of rhetorical appeals, politicians would not be able to climb the corporate ladder as well as they do.  The analysis skills they have gained are inspirational to those who wish to learn how to rhetorically analyze pieces of literature.  Johnson’s careful combination of rhetorical appeals as well as visual rhetoric allowed his crazy commercial to influence many voters.

Thankfully, more people are now able to recognize many of the superfluous tactics which politicians use, and are able to dodge the manipulative tactics.  While politicians are still able to talk their audience into believing anything they say, most listen more intently to what is being said.

"The American Patriot"

This political cartoon, entitled, “The American Patriot,” takes the hilarity of the American transformation to a next level.  All are aware that as time has passed, Americans, as well as most other countrymen, have become lazier than their earlier counterparts.  This cartoon uses rhetorical devices such as an allusion to Patrick Henry, the visual difference of the physical make up between the two characters, as well as the diction used in both speech bubbles.  All of these things work together to form an argument concerning the way our attitudes as Americans have changed within the last few decades.  The ever-changing morale we view in ourselves and others concerns many of us from time to time, and this political cartoon addresses the growing fear that we will one day be nothing as a country.

I have chosen this cartoon specifically for its appeal to each persuasive strategy; logos, ethos, and pathos.  Each strategy works together to form a properly put together argument concerning the way Americans react to governmental issues today.  As a whole, this cartoon properly addresses each strategy and forms a proper argument.  The argument is indeed effective, as it addresses not only the change of direction America has brought upon itself governmentally, but also socially.  The cartoon brings forth things such as weight gain and indecisive reasoning to put forth the argument that if things do not change soon, America will be no more.

My hope is that through a more careful observation of this cartoon as well as a biographical study of its author, I will be able to properly assess the argumentative structure of this rhetorical vision.

Copyright Introductory

This video is not only a creative way to teach others the definitions and uses of copyright laws, but it also forms a visual representation of how those laws work.  The use of Disney clips allows the audience to connect with the information in such a way that they are able to understand the deeper meaning behind the definitions, and they are able to see the inner workings of fair use.  This use of psychology creates an enjoyable learning experience, and allows for creative thinking.

The video consists of both good characters and evil characters from various Disney works.  This strategic move emphasizes each point presented in the video concerning each specified chapter.  By using commonly known clips from a generation’s childhood, the creators of this video approach an audience who is beginning to write papers concerning serious topics, and who are likely to be tempted to violate copyright law policies.  This strategic use of pathos to connect one’s mind to the presented subject matter helps insure that the important information is properly retained.

Lastly, the author of “A Fair(y) Use Tale,” concludes his ten minute, fourteen second explanation of copyright with a list of sources from which he borrowed his information.  This shows that the author follows through with the advice he presents his audience.  The way in which he demonstrated the proper way to borrow ideas without committing the act of plagiarism was done at the end of the movie, giving the audience a moment to retain the given information.