The "Green" Image

The other day in American Studies, we discussed the images that companies put forth in order to create a certain reputation that will boost sales. One company that was mentioned in particular was Bp. Bp's logo shows a flower-like object that is colored with white, yellow, and green. This object and its hues give off a natural glow. It is as if Bp is an environmentally friendly company!

However, when researching about Bp I found some data that greatly contradicts the green image the company attempts to promote. Bp was a nominee  for the Greenwash Awards in 2009 because they purposely exaggerated their environmental records. Greenwashing is the term given when companies claim to spend great amounts on being greener when in reality it is a very small portion of spending. For example, to Bp claims be environmentally friendly they only spend 4% on green investments and that was before they closed their London alternative energy headquarters. According to Greenpeace, Bp invested $20 billion in fossil fuels in 2008 and only $1.5 billion in alternative energy.


The thing is, most people don't know this about Bp. You would be surprised how many companies who put forth a certain image of themselves, actually contradicts the reputation entirely. It's all about the image. What people see and hear the most is what they believe. And if most of what they hear is from the company itself, then the consumers will believe in the fictitious reputation. As John Mayer said in "Waiting on the World To Change", "when you trust your your television, what you get is what you got". Americans trust in what they hear on the media, and most often its the company that's whispering the good things.

The Looking Glass: A Reflection Post

When looking back at my many blogs I've written since the beginning of the school year I noticed many reoccurring themes. For the first half of the year I talked a lot about the American dream, hard work, and competition. For the second quarter of my school year it was largely composed of a series on heroism. It was incredibly interesting looking back at the ideas I created from one week to the next. What I noticed in society often had the same underlying themes.

During the first quarter I often noticed how hard work and competition and the American dream interconnected to shape the world around me. As seen in the commercials I watched ("We All Aspire"), what my teachers asked about in class discussion ("Not Quite Conformity" and "Just Can't Resist Showing Off A Little"), and what my classmates discussed ("Patience and Hard Work"). I was soon to define that the American dream is most likely to be achieved through some serious hard work. I will have to defeat my competitors on the playing field and in the classroom. I must be number one. Though I'm not sure I agree with that idea, it's incredible how apparent it is in the area I live in. Where I am "nobody ever set their sights on second best" as seen in the commercial for the new Samsung phone mentioned in "We All Aspire" . That ideal, I have found, has been the motivation behind most of my activities for the majority of my life. It's always there, pushing me, in the classroom, in the boat at rowing practice, on the ice at hockey, and anywhere where there is somebody else who wants the same spot, who wants to win.

During my second half of this semester I have talked a lot about heroism and, more specifically, what makes a hero. I looked at multiple tales of heroism. I found so many reoccurring details. Always a group of bystanders save the day. None have any ties to the victim. But all believe that anything is worth saving the precious gift of life. I noticed in many of my posts that I asked the same question, what makes a hero? Probably aggravating to ask the same question five times in a row, but it was a pressing one. The answer looked so obvious-a hero risks his or her life to save another's. But then why don't firemen get put into the paper everyday? Why don't the soldiers who loose their lives to protect ours have the headline on every newspaper? There had to be something more to it than that. I realized it by the end. In my final post of the series ("Heroism: The Ordinary Being Extraordinary") I finally answered the question, what makes a hero? The people who saved the victim's life, were people just like you and me. It wasn't their job to save people like a fireman's or a soldier's. It was just in their nature to save someone else in need.

I really enjoyed re-evaluating my blog posts throughout the year. I didn't even realize the themes that had been playing in the background throughout every post I had written. Also, it made me smile because I could definitely tell what mood I was in when I wrote each post. I was either tired or upset when I wrote the ones that sounded bitter in my ears and I was having a pleasant day when I read the posts that had deep themes and happy endings. I'm incredibly exited to keep blogging for the rest of the year. There are many themes that I found that I want to develop further, like technology and speed and conformity or lack there of. So here's to an end of a blogging journey and the start of a new adventure!

A New Year's Resolution

It's that time of year again! Time to make a new year's resolution. While this is optional it is a common occurrence in American culture. But why do we make these goals. Goals that we are to meet by the next year. Perhaps its because we have a final deadline-365 days from January 1st. Or perhaps its a way for the non-religous folk to look back on their mistakes and set new goals and make a new beginning. Christians have lent and Jews have Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur to reflect on past mistakes. Perhaps it arose from the convenient new beginning. A new year, a new you.

Making goals is a popular activity in American culture, I've found. Its often said that if you want something done you have to set goals for yourself, make a plan. Maybe we are just an incredible organized people, but I doubt that's why. I think it more arose from the idea that if you want something you have to make it happen. Goals were an easy way to help make your desire come true. 

There are many tips and guidelines out there about setting goals and, more specifically, new year's resolutions. One can be found the article on CNN by Paul Ferguson: "Why bother with resolutions? Because failure inspires". Ferguson talks about how when he looked back at past resolutions he had made on New Year's Day, he found that many were unfulfilled. He then gives tips on how to make a successful resolution. They have to be within your reach, for sure. Setting goals too high, while it would be awesome if achieved, often result in a downtrodden spirit. 

For example, one year I told myself that, though I was going to take much harder classes than usual, I would receive all A's. It would have been incredible if I had achieved that, but it was really unrealistic. It resulted in a crushed spirit when I received my report card and saw that I had not received A's in all classes. Upon seeing that I had failed I almost wanted to give up and not try for the rest of the year. Afterall if the hard work I had put in before didn't result in an A, why bother?! But fortunately I was able to pick up my spirits and I didn't fail all of my classes. I failed because I didn't set a realistic goal for myself. Lesson is: don't set a goal you know you won't reach.

The Etiquette of Social Media

In the new age of technology photos are shared faster than ever. With phones carrying quality cameras along with access to the internet, it is easier to share moments than ever before. Social media cites like Facebook offer an easy way to share photos with friends and family...and a whole of bunch of people you don't know and might not want seeing the picture. Despite the dangers of being too "snap-happy" people are posting intimate moments more than ever on social media sites. Sometimes we forget to think before we post. You see, while you're sharing your latest and greatest moments with your friends or those who were there, you are also sharing them with people who you may not want to see the photos, like a boss or a college. Many people are starting to see the dangers that teens cannot and are creating an etiquette, for example Anna Post, great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post, co-wrote "Emily Post's Etiquette 18th Edition: Manners for a New World". This book provides helpful tips and guidlines to live by when taking and posting photos to social media sites. Some of her helpful ideas are seen in CNN's article, "The etiquette of constant photos, Facebook".

But the question I would like to ask is what is the driving force behind the desire to take all of the photos. To, as Post puts it, take yourself out of the event in order to capture the moment. The moment you're not even a part of. Is it a desire to show others how much fun you're having? To incite jealousy? Or is it because you genuinely want to tell others that care about you, though are not with you, about your life? Facebook could just be considered an easier way to keep in touch with those you know, but cannot be with. I believe that is how it started, but now it has changed. I certainly don't know six hundred and thirty-six people. And I know that I don't need to keep in touch with all of them. So why is it so popular?

I think its a desire to, partly keep in touch with friends, but to also meet new people. However, at the same time it is there to create what seem like friendships with a whole bunch of people you don't know, or perhaps don't even like.

Heroism: The Ordinary Being Extraordinary

To wrap up the recent series on heroism, I would like to attempt to answer the question: what makes a hero? I've now told five stories that included countless heroes. Everyday people, like you and me, who saved a most precious gift, life. Many were compared to Angels. They were considered a blessing from God. What was so great about their acts that made them Divine?

The first story talked of eight bystanders who saved three children from the icy clutches of a river in Logan, Utah. These were random drivers who came to the aid of a distressed father. They saved the day with their fast action of rescuing the three children, two of whom seemed to have drowned.

The second tale was of many bystanders who rescued a motorcyclist trapped beneath a burning vehicle. The many people who happened to be walking around that road in Logan, Utah, were able to use the strength of numbers to lift the car up while another pulled the trapped boy from beneath the fiery automobile.

The third event was of a teenage girl whose car careened of the Florida interstate and into a canal. People driving by came to her rescue by flipping the car on its side and using a trailer hitch to break open the window and pull the girl to safety.

The fourth tale was of a mother and two children who were imprisoned in a burning car. The neighbors came to their aid by breaking open the windshield and rescuing them all. The two firefighters involved suffered burns to their hands and arms, but they would stop at nothing to save the last boy who was trapped inside.

The fifth tale was the greatest, I think. A man who witnessed a young man falling onto the Subway tracks risked his life by jumping in after him. He used quick thinking to push the young man into the gutter and cover him with his body.

In all the above stories, the bystanders who came to the rescue had no relation to the victims, no desire for recognition, and no super powers. They were everyday folk, like you and me. The only difference is they risked their lives to save another's. That's what makes them heroes. They are ordinary people who did extraordinary acts.

Heroism: The Subway Superhero

Near the beginning of the new year back in 2007, a man risked his life to save another's. In New York City, Wesley Autrey, a navy veteran, saved a young man from being hit by a subway. Autrey saw Cameron H having a siezure by the subway tracks. Cameron while trying to find support on a column fell onto the subway tracks. Autrey immediately took action by setting his two daughters with a nearby woman and jumping onto the tracks. With the train, though trying to stop, coming at him, he attempted to grab Cameron and get him off the tracks. Unfortunately there wasn't time. Thinking fast, Autrey pushed Cameron into the gutter and lay down on top of him to protect him from the subway. Autrey's heroic story was told by CNN's Randi Kaye:


Wesley Autrey wasn't looking for recognition when he saved Cameron's life. He was simply doing a good deed. This is another instance when a random bystander comes to the rescue of a helpless victim. He was dubbed the "Subway Superhero". But what makes him a hero? Was it the way he risked his life, or his quick thinking, or a combination? Though Autrey doesn't know if he was a hero, he knows that what's important is that "any life is worth saving." A powerful message, a heroic one even. Maybe its the preciousness of the life that is saved that makes the hero great. What does make a hero great?

Heroism: Fire is No Match

To continue with the theme of heroism another example is from the summer of 2009. A mother and her two children crashed their car into a tree. The car immediately ignited. Lucky for them the good samartans of the neighborhood saved the mother and her two children. There happened to be two firefighters in the crowd who risked their lives crawling into the burning car to save the four year old boy who was still trapped inside. A bystander was able to catch the whole event on video:



The video depicts the frantic bystanders running to save the family trapped in the car. They broke open the windshield and then had to cut the last boy free. The whole family survived due to the speed and helpfulness of their neighbors. These firefighters and the others who helped became heroes. Why? Their feat was great, but they are no different than you and me. Do we all contain the potential for great acts? Is it the completion of the great act that made all the difference? Perhaps we are all heroes that are waiting for the opportunity to present itself. These great citizens took the initiative to save a family without the hope of fame and fortune. Maybe that's what makes them heroes. What do you think?

Heroism: Break Free

A couple years ago another instance of heroism occurred in Florida. Jasmine Gonzalez's car flew off of the Florida Interstate and into the canal that bordered it. She thought for sure that she would drown. However, lucky for the seventeen year old girl, a couple who was driving by saved the day. Using the only tool they could find, a trailer hitch, they, and a few others, turned the car on its side and broke the window, pulling Jasmine to safety. An interview and explanation of the events can be seen in the interview with the couple:



 The two samaritans didn't even believe they were heroes. "It's just something you naturally do," they said. However, I believe that many would have to differ. Some would have driven by and figured the car was empty. What did those who stopped and saved Gonzalez have that others don't? What makes them a hero. This is another example of random strangers working together to save a victim, is that what makes them great?

Heroism: The Super Strength of Many

To continue on the subject of heroism, I found an article and video from CNN on a car crash from way back in September that also occurred in the Logan area. The crash was from a car pulling out in front of a motorcyclist. The man on the motorcycle tried to get out of the way but it resulted in a crash. The motorcycle spilled gasoline, which soon ignited. The motorcyclist was trapped under the BMW and the ignited motorcycle. However, all was not lost. Some good samaritans came to the rescue. These everyday people gathered all together to lift the BMW off of the poor man trapped beneath. For more information on the crash read CNN's article. A video captured the heroic acts of the bystanders:



The video depicts the courageousness of the many bystanders who came to the rescue of the motorcyclist. The policeman was originally going to get a jack to lift the BMW up, but then he realized that the citizens planned on using manual labor to lift and move the car. Keep in mind that the car was on fire. These are more examples of heroes. They don't have super suits or powers, yet they completed a super act-lifting a car off of an injured victim. Perhaps that's what makes them a hero, the fact that though they have no more capability than you and me they saved an innocent man from a horrible fate. So what is it that makes them heroes?

Heroism: The Eight Angels

This past Saturday in Logan bystanders came to the rescue of a family whose car had crashed into the a river. In the car was the father, one four-year old, and two nine-year olds. To avoid a crash with another vehicle the father put on the brakes. Unfortunately the car slid and rolled down the embankment and into the icy river below, according to KSL's article on the Logan crash. A video of the news was also included,

 The video tells the full story of the crash on Saturday. The heroic acts done by the bystanders made the father of the children exclaim, "I'm confident that there were angels watching over us from above. But I also know there were eight angels in the water with me."

What does it take for one to be considered a hero? Was it the fast action by the helpers. Or was it the fact that though they had no relation to family in the car they were willing to jump in to the river in the middle of winter to save them. Sitting here I believe that I would naturally have come to the rescue the people, but who knows? Do we all have potential to be a hero or are there few who are born to be heroes? Perhaps is what you are taught as you grow up. Instead of an "every man for himself" idea, theses bystanders believed in the value of "putting others before yourself".

"Free"dom of Speech

The other day while I was watching The Colbert Report, "The Word" caught my attention. Colbert was talking about how in Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has issued a new law that makes protestors pay "$50 per hour per Capitol Police Officer". This new law was issued in response to cost of a protest in February of last year. The protesters in Madison, Wisconsin we fighting against collective bargaining rights. Stephen Colbert takes a humourous view on the issue in "The Word-Let Them Buy Cake":

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He plays on the fact that almost everything seems to cost something. As he said, "Freedom isn't free, so it's logical that freedom of speech would cost money." This appears to severely contradict our right to protest. How will people get their thoughts and opinions known if they can't afford to say them. Now Colbert gives the idea that you can advertisements to pay for your right to protest, but realistically...how?  Is it real freedom if we can't afford to take part in it?