Mundane Object: CELL PHONE

A mundane object that I feel has influenced my thought process through logos, ethos, or pathos is the cell phone. For one, I find the cell phone a mundane object because it is extremely common and it is not unusual to see nearly everyone with their cell phones 24/7. I believe that cells phones have influenced our world tremendously they have taken over writing in the simplest text. How many people sit down and write handwritten notes? Not many. How many 7thgraders are pros at texting? I’m sure the number is extremely high. Cell phones have changed the world we know with instant gratification. People can now know 24/7 current sports scores, check their e-mail, stocks, the weather, and are always in contact with whoever they need to reach. The cell phone has effective my ethos because of character. When I see teenager texting under the dinner table I do not only look down on the character of the kid but the parents as well. When people have trouble putting their cell phones down for 2 minutes there is a problem. I believe many peoples character has dropped because of cell phones. This summer I backpacked through Europe and did not have a cell phone, and it was wonderful! I hate the feeling of being connected to the world 24/7. I do not only see cell phones affecting character but the ethos, and logos also. Bottom line cell phones effect people’s character levels.

Do I think that all of life is about persuasion?

I am sitting here, at my computer desk, pondering the idea the idea that language is persuasion as rhetoric suggests. This idea is complex and thought-provoking all at the same time. First off, in the scholarly definitions of rhetoric that we read prior to class, I especially enjoy two of them: “The duty and office of rhetoric is to apply reason to imagination for the better moving of the will” Francis Bacon. Secondly, “Rhetoric is the art, practice, and study of human communication” Andrea Lunsford. I find those definitions interesting and I believe they both apply to our class discussion this morning.

First off, do I think that all of life is about persuasion? The more I ponder this question I believe that life is about persuasion. Even persuasion in the smallest sense, for example: the water bottle Mr. Garrison always has in class. Well I see the water bottle and think: 1. He recycles and/or (he is cautious about the environment and wants to make a change) and by using that water bottle it makes me think about recycling. He might have the water bottle to save money, to show the water bottle brand, to evince people to save on plastic and reuse a bottle. There are many different reasons why he uses that water bottle and why he might subconsciously want us (“the world”) to see him with that water bottle.

Now, We have and are currently being persuaded with everything we see, do, hear, think. I also agree with this statement. The reason we wear things, do things, say things, is because the “world” told us. The “world” tells us when things are socially accepted and we are then persuaded to “be” like others. Even people who think, “I’m different from everyone else, I’m not like society” well in trying to be different this is also a persuasion. Everything can relate back to something else as a form of persuasion which is all a part of rhetoric and language being connected.

All humans are Cannibals...at a genetic level

I agree with the idea of humans being innately cannibalistic. If humans are genetically 99% similar to Chimps, then why do most humans not practice cannibalism? Most humans do not practice cannibalism because of the society we live in today. I believe that without the laws of man, society, ethics, morals humans would eat other humans. Without the laws that ever human has been taught I believe cannibalism would be a natural part of life.

Moreover, cannibalism is not part of our life because of language. Communication is the key to relationships, interaction, emotion, and many more aspects humans come in contact with everyday. Through language humans share feelings, thoughts, ideas, and understanding. Without language humans would be just life animals, trying every way to survive. Survival of the fittest has existed since the dinosaurs roamed the earth. Due to language, many people try to help others and do not practice in survival of the fittest and everyman for himself. Language creates a barrier from barbaric to civilize.

Many question why there are some humans who participate in the act of cannibalism. I believe those particular individuals are wired differently from many people living in society. Another idea to ponder on is what about people who could be born and never introduced to society, language, morals, reasoning, logic. How would these people live? Would they create their own language and civilized society or practice the saying every man for himself?

The question that all humans are cannibals at some sort of genetic level is interesting and most diffidently an idea that has and will continue to be debated.