Dancing and Smiling Through Life... This I Believe

I “Might” have made a “Mistake”

I have a confession to make; I air quoted during my speech today. Big mistake, I know. In the moment I didn’t even realize that I did it. When air quotes came up on the list of things not to do while delivering a speech, I grumbled and rolled my eyes. I did that. The worst part is my friends brushed off my grumble with, “Yeah… but you do that all the time.” I do not. I cannot. But do I? How can anyone take me seriously if I use air quotes. I realize they are ridiculous. Anyone who passed the eighth grade shouldn’t use air quotes, but I apparently I do. After the teacher demonstrated a speech in class today with an over use of air quotes, I promise I will never ever again use them to drive my point home.

Friends - Ross and Joey always show us what not to do

That being said, how am I supposed to get my sarcastic mocking point across if I can’t use my beloved air quotes to help me out? It’s all up to me and my delivery. It seems like I will have to overcome my speech nerves and improve my tone and inflection. The same idea that is given by air quotes can be given in a more mature way if I use my voice. It’s like telling a little kid not to hit, “Now sweetie, just use your words.”  My mother or any of my friends would be able to confirm the fact that I am sarcastic or, more affectionately, sassy. So why do I have a problem talking like me when I give a speech? All I can hope is by giving more speeches I can become more comfortable talking like a mature human being, who doesn’t have to use air quotes to get her point across. I’m sure it will come in time, but while I wait I’m cutting air quotes out of my casual conversation too.

Admittance is the first step. I, Elizabeth Thorwart, solemnly swear not to use air quotes whether I am talking to my friends or giving a presentation. It stops here. I’m on my way to recovery.

Wasting My Time on the Internet

I’m not going to lie. I started this assignment by visiting dictionary.com and staring a definition I already knew: Rhetoric – the ability to use language effectively. My blank stare then turned to the class page, just to, once again, read the requirements and tips. Still without an idea, I did the next best thing I could think of. Use the internet to procrastinate. Somehow I managed to find the >next blog< button on blogger. I browsed through enough blogs and mindlessly skimming a few entries until I came to a conclusion. People who like to craft, like to blog. I understand why. After finally finishing a laborious and beautiful and handy craft, it must be shared with the world, hence all the blogging. The problem is… THEY’RE ALL THE SAME! Give or take a button here, a scarf there, maybe even a pattern variation or two.
      


What’s the point? Obviously I see the point, I myself will soon have my own passion blog which will, to others, seem to be about absolutely nothing, but I mean the real, deep and meaningful point. This wasted web space isn’t being used to touch souls or dramatically change the course of the world. It’s being used for enjoyment, not that having a place to relax or be entertained on the web is a bad thing, but how much of it do we need? Anyone can pick a random topic and then ramble on and on about it. But it’s the important issues that are missing from my random blogger search. Where are the blogs that are trying to get me to stop polluting? What about the political issues that rile up my own beliefs and make me feel like I should call a congressman? Or anyone? Where are the blogs that make people think?
      


The textbook was right to mention that recent technological advancements haven’t made people more active citizens. The book mentions that people use the internet to see what they want when regarding an issue. Meaning people choose websites that agree with the opinions they already have. Why visit a website that challenges my opinion? That makes me think? But not only is the internet allowing people to avoid contviction, it allows people to completely avoid news, issues, and conflicts. Not only are citizens not active by not speaking out, but it’s possible to completely avoid everything. Google is my homepage, I check my PSU email and ANGEL, get on facebook, and maybe youtube. That’s normally all I will visit during a day on the internet. No news, no politics, nothing that challenges me to think, or changes my life. I’m not an active citizen. I’m closer to 19 than 18, and I’m not even registered to vote. I know I’m not the only teen in this position either. Technology makes it easier for news to be spread around and for some people make their lives as an active citizen easier. For others, technology gives a complete escape. It’s my job as a part the next generation to stop being oblivious and to speak up. Everyone has been taught in class how to use and interpret rhetoric, so why not use it to be an active citizen? Answer: There isn’t a reason not to.