#8

I use to really enjoy things of mystery. I remember growing up, I use to really like the Cam Jansen series by David A. Adler and "The Hardy Boys" Franklin Dixon. I liked trying to figure out who was the culprit of the crime being solved, which is why I also loved the show Scooby Doo. 

I also really liked fantasy. I remember the first book that turned me onto fantasy was "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis. Reading and watching things of a fantasy genre was very engaging for me because I love allowed my mind to get lost in the story and put myself in the middle of the tale.

After reading the article "The Case Against College," im can understand where Dale Stephens is coming from. I do agree that people go to college to get a degree just to find a job where they may not necessarily enjoy. Some people look for jobs just for the sake of jobs and making money. I am all for making money and becoming successful but, I much rather get there by doing something I enjoy rather than coasting through life bored with my profession. Growing up, I never really saw not going to college as an option because it just was a norm that I was a part of. However, if I had the chance of finding what I wanted to do and I knew I could really enjoy it and make something out of it, actually going to college would be be put into consideration. College is suppose to be more than getting a degree, it is about finding out about yourself and if that does not take all four years and someone can rationally make the decision, college may not be necessary.

My views, however, are not shared by everyone in the world, including employers. This is what makes me so torn about the subject because it seems so hard for someone to get a job these days even with a bachelors degree. What chance would someone without a degree at all have on the job market. Even though I believe college may not be the most necessary thing, it may not be so true in a reality. 

#7

After reading "Essentialism and Experience" by Bell Hooks, what I thinking essentialism is is certain things that separate different groups in the world. Hooks first discussed the use of essentialism in the context of the classroom. He quoted one of the critiques he was referring to and he said that "'those "in the know" commerce only with others "in the know," excluding and marginalizing those perceived to be outside the magic circle.' " He assumes that this other critique is saying that people who find similarities with themselves group together with people like them. This suggests to me that essentialism can be used as gentler term for segregation or selective recognition from individuals. Hooks continues his essay by describing the dangers of essentialism and I agree with his views on the topic because I do believe the world needs to mend together in order to have a chance in a better future. If I were to be asked what is the point of essentialism, I would say there is no point.

It is out of experience that can make essentialism dangerous or not. The critique Hooks was referring to, Fuss, describes that her views of essentialism come from her experience in the classroom. Experience come differently to everyone and Hooks clearly states that his experience in the classroom is different than that of Fuss's. This can be the reason their views on the matter of essentialism are different. To me, ideas of essentialism and generalizing people into different groups based on characteristics is the result of different experiences and environments people lived in. People who lived in different parts of the world experiencing different cultures will have different views on matters than one another and that is inevitable. The thing, in my opinion, to keep in mind is not letting these differences or experiences turn people against one another by grouping themselves together and looking down on other groups.

Genres are different types or styles of a particular art, whether it be literature, movies, etc... Genres are a good analogy of essentialism because these works of art are grouped together based on specific characteristics. People have certain preferences of genres they enjoy like comedies or tragedies. Something like genre preference in art is a suitable way of explaining why essentialism should not necessarily divide people. Although people may have different reasons to like different genres, it doesn't mean they necessary hate everyone who doesn't like their genres.

#6

We got our essays back this week, and I have to say im really disappointed with my grade. I knew after handed it in, it didn't feel quite as right as I hoped it would. I remember sitting there in front of the computer, staring at the screen, and trying to come up with a way to answer the question of the assignment, which was about literacy events. I read my paper over again today, and I realized there were things I could have definitely changed to make it fit the topic of the assignment better. This was definitely not the way I wanted to start things in the class. Hopefully I can make up for my mistake and do better on this next essay and bring my grade back up to my standards.