Ethos, Pathos, Logos

My last blog post was about how marriage is stressed too much in the BYU environment.

Ethos: An example of using ethos in this argument is that I am a BYU student and have experienced this environment. I shared my own personal experience with new student orientation and how they were stressing meeting other people, specifically people of the opposite gender.

Pathos: I tried to appeal to the emotions of other people by sharing my feelings when people were taking bets then explaining why I feel this way.

Logos: You might be a little more convinced if I had looked up the exact number of people that meet and get married at BYU compared to any other university. I had just used an estimate to get my point across.

Global Warming

As many of you read in my last blog post, I thought that meal cards are a rip off. I still do believe that, but I think that it would be easier to debate but I think a more dire issue is at hand. The over use of the phrase global warming.

Global warming is not as bad as the press and all of the environmentalist make you believe. There are in fact many scientists who agree with me, but the environmentalist simply look over their studies and state that their way is the only way.

Ethos: There are many of your "trusted" environmentalist who show CO2 graphs where it starts at about the level of 280, and shows "how much" the CO2 levels have risen over the last thousand years, when in fact they have only fluctuated about to the level of 100 above the base level of 280, but it looks incredibly scary because the graph starts at the level of 280 and where most other points on the graph are around 300-320, the increase up to 380 seems incredibly freaky and scary. So why can't these environmentalist come up with things better then tricks to fool our eyes? It is simply because there is too much information on both sides of the global warming topic to be completely true.

Pathos: I know for a fact that everyone of you has seen at least some commercial on how the polar bears are dying, and how all of the ice burgs are melting near the North and South poles. You have probably also seem pictures of ice burg "calving" this is a completely natural process that occurs when an ice burg grows too large and moves out of its temperature patterns where it can remain the same spot, making it drift into warmer water and letting it go down a more normal size. This is completely normal and there is no need for alarm even though the hype now is that Florida and other areas of the world are going to be flooded because of the amount of ice that is melting. Have any of you even watched ice melt into water? Water is one of the few elements in the world that expands when it forms a solid, thus when it melts it shrinks. The influx of water based on the melting of ice burgs is nearly obsolete.

Logos: Everyone knows about how the environmentalist love to say how bad greenhouse gases are. It just seems that they never tell you what good they do. Because of the greenhouse effect from the ozone layer, we actually are able to live on this wonderful Earth. If we didn't have any greenhouse gases out planet would be like Mars. If you don't believe me simply go talk to Brother Platt in the Geography department. We spent about an hour talking about this in class today. It is fascinating, the greenhouse effect is what allows our home to be warm to have any fluctuation in temperature. Also the hype about the sudden rise in CO2 levels should not be alarming, the earth goes through cycles where the solubility of CO2 in water fluctuates, this has been tested and is proved by many scientists through looking at different CO2 levels in the ice caps in Antarctica and Greenland and areas such as that. This is nothing to be alarmed about.

Diversity

Coming from a very culturally diverse city in California, my first reaction to BYU was the lack of diversity of the school. The campus overall should be more accepting to diversity and people from different backgrounds. When you take a stroll along campus the overwhelming majority of the student population is Caucasian. The study body as a whole should become more welcoming and open minded of other cultures and views. Sometimes I feel that students are often too quick to judge and make assumptions about others because of how they look and where they come from. We should bring individuals from other backgrounds and cultures in order to make the student body as a whole stronger. We can learn and grow from other’s experiences that may be different from ours to help strengthen the campus. By being more aware and accepting of others cultures, and maybe even accepting those of different backgrounds into the campus more, the student body and atmosphere of the campus will benefit. 

Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

I argue that the MTC drop off policy should be changed. For those who don’t know, the up and coming swine flu has hit pandemic proportions all over the world. Because of this, the MTC, or missionary training center, has decided to have a three minute drop off session for all reporting missionaries.
Ethos: I have seen two of my bothers dropped off at the MTC. Friends and other family members have spoken to me about their experience with the MTC and dropping off a missionary. Also, my roommate currently has swine flu and I see no lasting effects it has on me.
Pathos: consider for a second that the next time you see your mom could be the last. What would you say? What would you do? Now, imagine that you’re only given three minutes to spend with her. Overwhelming right? This thought, that you may never see her again, is not only true but most defiantly can happen. I am a witness to that because a little under a year ago my brother left on his mission. When dropping him off it was hard, but we all knew we would see him again and he would see us. Unfortunately months later my mom was diagnosed with cancer and passed away soon after. The devastation that our family went though seemed irreversible. If my brother were too only spent three minutes with my mom before he went into the MTC I know that the wounds that occurred from this tragedy would have become more sever.
Logos: I understand that the MTC is just trying to take precautions but how bad is the swine flu anyways? Yes there are some cases in the United States of deaths occurring from this illness but to the amount of deaths per year caused by the regular flu makes this so called “swine flu” seems small and insignificant. Also, men at there age of nineteen to twenty one have a higher immune system then that of any other humans.

Hip-Hop: Ethos, Pathos, Logos

At BYU I've noticed that hip-hop music is generally looked upon as an inferior, immoral, and unintelligent art form that has nothing positive to impart to its listeners. This mindset concerns me. Hip-hop music has a lot to offer in the way of new and intelligent ideas and shouldn't be looked down upon in the way that it is at BYU.

Ethos: President Barack Obama has stated that he feels that hip-hop has the potential to bring people of different generations and mindsets closer together. He admits that hip-hop has deserved its bad reputation in some cases, but he also recognizes its ability to bridge gaps between people and make a positive influence in society. Speaking of the gap between the young hip-hop fans and the older critics feel that hip-hop is an inferior art form, Obama said, "I've met with Jay-Z; I've met with Kanye. And I've talked to other artists about how potentially to bridge that gap. I think the potential for them to deliver a message of extraordinary power that gets people thinking (is massive)."

Pathos: Isn't it one of our religious duties as Latter-day Saints to seek out the truth? Hip-hop has a bad reputation, but that doesn't mean that we should be so quick to dismiss the whole art form as a negative influence. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also has a bad reputation among many people. Obviously, we wish that people wouldn't judge us so quickly, but instead, learn more about our beliefs before they make their judgement call. We should give the same respect to all other organizations, genres, and individuals.

Logos: The truth is that there are many hip-hop artists out there who have amazing minds and great values. Check out artists like: Common, Lupe Fiasco, Nosson Zand, Talib Kweli, Matisyahu, and Mos Def. There are many more artists out there that have great morals and ideas that are just misunderstood because people only hear the few curse words when they listen to their songs. One rapper, Lupe Fiasco, even raps in one of his songs about how he used to hate hip-hop because he felt that it degraded women and used too much profane language. He then realized that not all hip-hop was that way and that he could help hip-hop lose its bad rep by writing lyrics with good morals and intelligent ideas. This sounds like the kind of music that people in search of becoming cultured and intelligent should listen to.

Youtube Anyone? Ethos, Pathos, Logos

So my argument is that we should be able to access youtube on campus because currently it is blocked to students. I fully understand the reason it is blocked, because most people are aware of the questionable content that fills the internet. There is inappropriate material everywhere pretty much. However, I'd say there are some things that have not been considered in the blocking of youtube.com. As a student living on campus I have first hand knowledge about the ways this affects the students who are living in on-campus housing. Emotionally this could affect students negatively because of the wide range of music content on the internet. Music can provide a necessary release from pressure and stress in the midst of classes, work, and homework. If there are no other ways for students to listen to music when they want to in order to destress it can be frustrating. Also, aside from the music on Youtube, there are many videos that can provide much entertainment and enjoyment for all students. Watching or listening to funny videos can be so much fun and lift any stressed or unhappy spirits. As far as the logic goes, there are so many other videos on Youtube that besides funny ones or music videos that are posted for the purpose of education, uplifting others, and encouraging others. For example, the church has recently sut up and account on Youtube that has conference talks, firesides and addresses from General Authorities so that those resources are easy to access. Another example of educational purposes has to do with actual school lectures. I have had many teachers, especially science teachers for some reason, record and post lecturse online so that not only can the student have notes but also the lecture as well. Even the lectures from my high school biology class are useful to me now so that I can review, but I can't access them on campus.

All Soft Drinks are NOT Created Equal

Ahem...

It is not necessary to prohibit the sale, and consumption of, caffeinated soft drinks on campus. Doing this only deprives one of a potentially beneficial product and one's agency.

Ethos:
Having been active in my LDS ward since before my own baptism, having served a full-time mission to Siberia, and having been at one time the President of a Branch of Saints I feel that I have a good grasp on the beliefs, practices, theology and life of the Latter-Day Saints. I study the scriptures everyday. I watch General Conference. Nowhere, in all of my study and observation, have I seen anything that could validate the caffeine ban that exists on BYU campus.

Pathos:
We've all had one of those days. You know what I'm talking about. You wake up early to get to class after falling asleep late doing that last minute study for the big test. You try your best to be attentive in class and to work hard, but you're honestly feeling a little drained. After class you honor a few commitments to other students, or to your family, until, finally, the time for the test has arrived. But, my friend, you are not whipped you are whooped! You wearily start that long walk south to the testing center thinking, "Man, I could sure use a little pick me up..." But, unfortunately, no such thing exists - at least not on campus. For reasons that you just can't figure out, the authorities of the school have chosen for you: You may not have caffeine.

Logos:
There just aren't any truly logical reasons for this ban. They may argue that caffeine is against the Word of Wisdom: a vital code of health for the Latter-Day Saints. I own the Doctrine and Covenants, and I assure you that caffeine is not listed as a forbidden substance. Also, it has never been officially stated by any modern Prophet or authority. The idea that caffeine is restricted to the Saints is false and assumed. Admittedly, it may be argued that caffeine is addictive, and addictions are forbidden by the spirit and deeper meaning of the Word of Wisdom. This is a point with which I agree. However, the great majority of people I know have no such addiction. They use caffeine as one would use asprin or ibuprofen. when the occasion calls for it. Using caffeine as a medicine when one has a headache, or is fatigued, and not habitually, can in no way be called an addiction. Thus, that argument is devalidated. The ban now serves no other logical purpose than to deprive us of the ability to choose for ourselves what we will drink.

Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

I argued that the Wyveiw housing rules, which limit guests to one person a maximum of three night should be changed.  Wyveiw apartments are large enough to fit more than 1 extra person, but I consider 4 or 5 people to be to many.  Also, I think the 3-day limit should be extended to a week.

Ethos: for ethos I would use the strategy of sharing person information from someone who has been here a while. I haven't yet asked around about this house rule, but I'm sure if I did I could find someone who has a distaste for it as well.

Pathos: for pathos I would use my own situation to appeal to the readers/listener's emotions.  I have 3 friends coming up down from Oregon who wanted to visit me and other friends this summer.  Part of their trip was going to be staying in my apartment (if my roommates were okay with it, which they were) for a couple days.  Because of the rules they could still come down, but now they have no place to stay, which kind of ruins the plans.

Logos: for logos I would point out factors like the size of the room: the couch can fit 2 sleeping people comfortably, and the living room floor is more than big enough for three people; it shouldn't be a big deal of roommates want to have guests of the same gender over to spend the night- not enough  to limit guests and not enough to tack on a $40 fine if said rules are not abided by; if all roommates are okay with it, the housing people shouldn't have a problem with it.

Hip-Hop Hooray!

During my time at BYU I've noticed a few things about the music genres people generally listen to — or rather, don’t listen to. I find that a large percentage of the people that I come across don't have a high opinion of "hip-hop" or "rap" music. Granted, there are some people at BYU that are an exception to this generalization, but not many. This topic is one that has intrigued and vexed me for quite some time. I feel that hip-hop has a lot to offer and I would like to explain why I think people should give it a fighting chance; I'm not saying that everybody needs to like it, because we all have different tastes, but just give it a chance. I find the bad reputation hip-hop has received is generally unwarranted. However, I can understand how hip-hop may have received such a bad reputation. A lot of the most popular songs of the genre have featured a lot of cursing accompanied with base, materialistic, and derogatory lyrics. I, however, would like to point out that these songs don't represent hip-hop as a whole. Furthermore, I find that many of these songs are often misunderstood because that are taken out of the context of the culture or general mindset that created them; some songs' lyrics may even literally be taken out of context by the listener as they turn off the piece or get out of earshot without listening to the whole message the artist is attempting to portray. I also feel inclined to note that hip-hop is not alone in producing profane material. Almost all genres produce material that lacks a certain candor. A good percentage of hip-hop music has a lot to offer in the way of instrumentals and thought-provoking lyrics that aren't profane in the least. However, these offerings can only be recognized by someone willing to be daring enough to look past the genre’s bad reputation and give the music a chance.

Respect for Others!

I love having a laptop computer. With the fact that I am from a little place called Custer, MI and came out here for the winter semester by plane a laptop computer was the only type of computer that I could travel with. I find having a laptop a great blessing in my life. I love being able to take it to class to take notes if I have to, having it along on campus to work on an assignment in breaks between classes. However, what I don't love is the fact that students missuse the privilege of having a laptop. Sitting in my classes on campus I find myself seeing other students who have their laptops open pretending to take notes actually watching some sports game on their computer, checking facebook, or something like that. I know that some might say that it doesn't matter what they do on their laptops during class because what they are doing only hurts themselves, but I don't agree!!! I find it distracting to continually see all of these different things going across peoples screens as I am trying to take notes. Also I find it very annoying when the teacher just gets done explaining something very important in class, and one of these students who has been playing around on their computers realizes that something important might have been said so they have to interrupt the teacher from moving on and have them repeat what they just said over and over again until all those who have been playing around finally hearing what was said. Do the other students sitting in class, who have been paying attention really have to be punished for others not paying attention? There is something very simple called respecting others around you, and I just don't find that people are doing that when they keep playing around on their laptops! People, when there is time outside of class, I ask you why are you only thinking of your own enjoyment instead of thinking of those around you and the teacher who has prepared the class for everyone there, and not just you.

Restrictions on Visitors

I haven't even been at BYU for a week, and already I have noticed what a pain the restrictions are for visitors in on-campus housing. For instance, I live in WyView, and visitors from out of town are only allowed to stay for a maximum of 3 nights. I have a couple friends from Texas who want to come visit me this summer, and the drive is a very long and expensive one. If they are going to take the time to come out here, I want them to be able to stay for more than a mere 3 days. Also, I think it is very extreme to say only one guest is permitted per apartment. I can understand how 4 or 5 may be a concern, but any less than that should not be an issue. Particulary in my situation, because there is only one other girl living with me, and therefore there is plenty of extra room. I do agree that visitors should have to fill out a form with the signatures of all the roomates. But as long as all the roomates are in agreement, the issues of "how many" and "how long" should not be monitored by the university. We are college students now, and I think that we should be given more agency to make our own descisions, as long as we are following the honor code.

BYU Meal Cards

For any of you who have a Platinum Meal Plan at BYU, where you receive either $30, $40, $50 a week that you can spend almost anywhere on campus, you know how much of a rip off this is. For those who don't have one, which would probably be someone living off campus or in Helaman Halls, you can not accumulate more than $100 on your meal card. If you have not spent that money, it just stops at $100, when you use it after that point, you don't get to gain back the money that you have lost. It is lost forever and you or who ever pays for it, still has to pay for the money that is put on your meal cards. I do not know about you guys, but I already have $50 on my meal card, from last week and this week and I've already finished all of my shopping for a while. I think that it is ridiculous that you can not gain back the money that reaches over $100, but who knows, maybe it's to keep kids from starving themselves just to go and buy an XBox or a laptop from the Bookstore.

Marraige vs. Education at BYU

This is my very first year at college. Yes, i am unfortunately, like most of you, a freashman. When I was first telling everyone in my acquaintance that i would be attending BYU almost right after i graduated high school everyone had the same thing. "Congratulations Adrienne, you are going to be engaged in 6 months!" I found this a VERY disturbing thought. Yes, i have heard the stories of the people who go to BYU just to find the one Mormon boy that they have been looking for all their short little lives, but really now. I've been out of high school for three weeks and people are already taking bets on how long its going to take me to get married? I think BYU should try to eliminate this image. This is a top rate institution, not just a place to meet some man/woman so you can get married.
I know that what they say has some validity. BYU is where half of the adult LDS population met and dated. What i wasn't prepaired for, however, was how much the institution pushes the students to meet others of the opposite gender, to date, and even marriage. For example, most of you probably attended New Student Orientation. The dating game, the two dances, and they even forced you to introduce yourself to at least 15 other people of the opposite gender, need i say more? The first couple of days here at BYU felt more like going back to EFY then it did a college setting.

Home Sweet Home?

When my friends from back home (Oregon) found out I would be attending the summer term of BYU, they were a little disappointed I wouldn't be around for our last summer together.  Although I was mostly glad to be moving myself in a new direction, I found I as also let down that I wouldn't just hanging out this summer with my friends.  A couple weeks ago, I found out that 2 or 3 of my Oregon-buddies were planning a road trip down here to visit with friends (which would now include me).  I was pretty excited when I found out and they already planned on staying in my dorm / apartment (I live in Wyview) with me.  However.... when I first moved in a noticed a BYU Guest Registration form that permitted only one guest in an apartment at a time, and a failure to abide by this rule would result in a $40 fine.  I understand the need to register guests staying in your rented apartment so RA's can know when there are extra people and so a person doesn't end up letting someone else live at their house.  I mean, what kind of world would we live in if everyone didn't know what everyone else was doing all the time? (sarcastic).   I don't see the issue with visitors of the same gender staying over for a night, especially when it's less than 4 people, and if roommates give it the okay.  

It's hard being away from people you're use to seeing everyday, and it's nice to check up on old friends / be checked up on.  I would argue that the housing policy should not put a restriction on the number of guests allowed to stay over in your apartment unless there is excessive noise being made.

Youtube Anyone?

This is my first term at BYU and as a freshman I am living on campus in the dorms. One of my roommates made an interesting discovery just the other night: Youtube is blocked on campus. She expressed her frustration because she does not have an ipod, did not get to bring her computer with her itunes account on it, and now, with the abcense of youtube, she has no way of listening to her music. I understood her frustration because, while i have some of my music on itunes and on my ipod, there is a significant portion of the music I prefer that I dont have. My solution to this problem was my youtube account, where I could create playlists of my favorite music. For me, I use music to help me relax and one of my playlists on youtube was solely comprised of hymns from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I listened to this everytime I felt stressed or when I needed to relax. This is very necessary as a college student because it often brings a lot of stress. However, with youtube being blocked on campus I dont have a lot of peaceful music to listen to. While I understand there is some inappropriate material/music videos/content on youtube there are some very good and wholesome videos at the same time. For instance, right before I came this summer, an announcement was made in the Relief Society of my home ward that there is now on youtube a site that has different conference talks and addresses from general authorities. And as far as the bad content goes, it seems that one could find just as much inappropriate material on Facebook as on Youtube, but Facebook is definitely not blocked.

MTC Drop Off

Last week a video was sent to the daily universe online at http://universe.byu.edu/opinion about the recent missionary training center drop off policy. For those who don’t know, the swine flu has hit pandemic proportions all over the world. Because of this, the MTC, or missionary training center, has decided to have a three minute drop off session for all reporting missionarys. Young men and woman are literally being kicked out of the car with little time to say good bye to the family. Being that I have seen two of my brothers dropped off I decided to take a stand on this issue. I understand that the mtc is just trying to take precautions but how bad is the swine flu anyways? Yes there are some cases in the united states of deaths occurring from this illness but to the amount of deaths per year caused by regular flu this so called swine flu seems small and insignificant. In fact, my roommate currently has it and I am in no hurry to get out of the apartment. I believe that the MTC should take on that same attitude and allow familys to spend a little bit more time with their missionaries.

Colter Conway

ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz

I'm not sure how much of an issue it is but throughout campus I have seen an interesting phenomenon. Upon studying for this assignment, I found that it is addressed in the Daily Universe as well.
Just walking around campus for the last day or two I have noticed a surprising number of students curled or sprawled, seemingly without care, on campus lawns and benches. This was new for my and I must admit, some staring occured. In some ways I understand the sentiment behind it as, often, I feel the need to take a break for twenty inutes or so for a quick power nap. On the other hand this usually takes place in my bed or a couch at home. As odd as this is for me, I find it somewhat intriging as opposed to being apalled at the audacity of the matter. In some ways i look forward to trying it.