Are you entertained, yet?

Hunger Games was a book that kept me on the edge of my seat, and those are the types of books I enjoy reading and I’m not in any way much of a reader. At first, I dreaded having to read another book, but this book was by far one of the better books we have read so far in class. Every chapter left me hanging, which made it hard for me to put the book down because I was always left curious as to what was going to happen next. It surprisingly only took me two days to read which isn’t normal for me because I never get excited to pick up a book, sit there, and read it, but this book I did get anxious about it. I wasn’t expecting it to be so similar to the Lottery, where picking a person to die was totally normal in a society. Both of the readings were so shocking to me, Hunger games especially. Not only did one person die every year, but twenty-three. It’s horrible that an audience would enjoy watching the death of someone. This ties into why we get so excited about watching reality TV shows filled with drama. Why do we enjoy it? I can understand watching reality TV, but not the hunger games. It’s not nearly the same thing- watching someone die in real life. I don’t think that’s normal.

I was very nervous for the twenty-four that had gotten elected to enter the games. I couldn’t imagine how terrified it would be to go through with it. I had a lot of respect for Katniss when she volunteered herself and rather put her life at risk than her sister’s. She loved no one more than Prim, who obviously she would have done anything for- even dying. When she heard her sister’s name being called, she was terrified. She instantly volunteered herself without hesitating to be the girl tribute for their district rather than her twelve year old sister. I felt very highly of her for doing that. I think anyone would have risked their life for someone they loved. Katniss was a very responsible, caring, and tough person. Throughout the whole book, she kept her emotions together, not something most people would be able to do if they were in her situation. Katniss held a bundle of responsibility for her family. Every day, Katniss would find a way to scavenge for food to put on the table for her sister and mom and she would work very hard to make sure of it. It must not have been easy for her, but it was normal in her town to not have enough food. I felt sorry for them because it seemed like a daily goal to find food to keep them alive. It didn’t seem like an enjoyable life, but Katniss fortunately had Gale on her side. Katniss always relied on him and it seemed as though they had a very special connection. I was happy she had someone to relate too and be there for her. 

As I was reading, I was surprised to notice how quickly all of the events took place. It’s like Katniss couldn’t even prepare herself for what would be the worst day of her life. The time it took from reaping day to the games was so fast. There were so many emotions going through her head, and I felt so bad for her. Katniss would get mad at multiple times during the pre-game process because of Maymitch constantly getting drunk, Effie always having a bad attitude, and Peeta kept pretending to be Katniss’ friend which made her very upset. Many times, Katniss would get discouraged and believe there was no way she could win the games. During training, the panel wasn’t even paying attention to her. I felt horrible that these people were taking her life so lightly. She ended up blowing them out of the water by aiming the arrow at them, shooting the apple in the pig’s mouth, and pinning it to the wall. I was happy to hear she received a high score, which would have hopefully made her chances higher for surviving. I thought the games were unpredictable, which made it interesting to read about. Peeta and Katniss’ relationship was hard to figure out. They’d sometimes get along, and at others absolutely despise each other. During training, interviews, and the actual games I was scared for Katniss. At any moment, she could have died. Lucky for her, she had Rue and Peeta to help her through the game. I was so happy for her and Peeta –when they announced that they could both win the games, being from the same district. They both had feelings for each other and it was very exciting, except Katniss was only acting. I was very disappointed when I read that, because I feel Katniss and Peeta were perfect for each other, especially since they almost experienced death together.

Something I was really amazed at was how the tributes that were in the arena wanted to put on a good show for the audience. Katniss and the others helped the gamemakers out by trying to put an act on. I was so surprised that they were even concerned about this with their lives at stake. It wouldn’t be something I would care about if I were in an arena of death. It was bad enough that the gamemakers were making it harder for them to survive in the arena by the smoke, bees, fireballs, etc. The gamemakers would have done anything to make sure their audience was entertained and to make sure they were enjoying every minute of it. I don’t think they were considering the tributes suffering through it. That made me very mad. I was constantly responding to the tributes, especially Katniss. The whole time, I was actually worried for her.

This book works in conversation with 1984. I think they both share in the common the idea of watching every minute of real life. They are different in a sense that, in 1984, Big Brother wasn’t broadcasting each person’s life to the world like they were in The Hunger Games. Big Brother, as well as the government, is a lot like the Capitol in this novel. They have very strict rules and they are very obnoxious rules at that. The thought police and the gamemakers controlled your every move. The characters in 1984 would be very careful about what they said or thought to prevent serving the consequences. The gamemakers would control the show and make the tributes time miserable as well. Overall, The Hunger Games was a very good book. I felt many emotions while reading it, but it only made me not want to put the book down.

I chose a clip from the movie “The Truman Show”. This movie is about a man who, from birth, had his life caught on video to display to the world as entertainment. He did not know this was going on until the very end. He is in his “own world” created by the director which acts as a stage just like the arena in The Hunger Games. Everyone in this created world of his are the actors and he is the main character. The director of the show makes it entertaining to watch because of the effects he adds just like the the gamemakers added to the games. People from all around the real world tune in to watch this show that is aired 24/7. This show goes as far as watching Truman sleep and catch on video his every move. There are hidden cameras everywhere. This movie goes along the lines of 1984 and The Hunger games. Take a look.

Reality + TV= Entertainment

“If the basis of storytelling is the surprise of what's going to happen next, reality can be better than fiction because no one, not even the protagonists themselves, can predict the outcome” (Gabler).  In our generation, reality TV is very popular. Most of the people I know have a particular reality TV show that they watch religiously. People will basically block out the world when their favorite reality TV show comes on.  What makes reality TV shows entertaining? Everyone has their own drama going on in their lives; it makes it interesting to watch someone else’s. It’s entertaining to watch people who have worse drama, or maybe even better. Every week, when our show is on we tune in and get excited to see what is going to happen next because it’s always surprising. Most people love not knowing, others can’t wait to know the outcomes. Reality TV can be so entertaining because it’s a show that can reveal real life issues that we don’t have to go through. Reality can be very educational and we don’t even know it. For example: “The Biggest Loser” teaches us about obesity and healthy habits, “Teen Mom” teaches us the consequences of pregnancy at an early age, and “Survivor” teaches us about basic survivor skills in the wild. But do we watch this reality shows for educational purposes? Not really. Most of the time we watch reality TV as entertainment at the cost of others.  As the fans and viewers of these shows, we promote the ratings which control the longevity of the show. We influence these “games” because we keep watching for our entertainment. We look forward to the “news” each show brings along with the drama that goes along with it.

I don’t watch reality TV shows often, but this past week, I watched Teem Mom 2. There are four girls who found themselves in trouble at an early age. They didn’t plan on getting pregnant and now they have to suffer the consequences. In this particular show, four “new” moms (Chelsea, Leah, Jenelle, and Kailyn) are dealing with several problems. Chelsea is dealing with the father of the baby who isn’t paying child support and who already has a new girlfriend. She also is struggling with school and obtaining her GED. She prevents the father from seeing their daughter because of his irresponsibility. Leah is strongly concerned with her one twin daughter who is going through tests to see what is wrong with her. She is also planning a wedding with the father at the same time and has concerns. Jenelle has issues with her mother who is taking care of her son. She also has financial issues and stole her mom’s credit cards and lost her job. Kailyn, is struggling to get her dental hygienist degree while taking care of her son. Her and the father don’t get along so well and would like joint custody over their son. The people in this show are very real. It’s entertaining because these girls have a lot going on and it’s interesting to see what’s happening in their lives. They each have a lot on their plate and it’s entertaining to watch them sort through it all. Most people that watch it might laugh at their situation, have sympathy for their situation, or are going through their situation and can relate. I couldn’t relate to any of their issues, but that is partially the reason of why it was so entertaining. Many people enjoy this show and that’s what keeps it going! There are many teen moms in the world and it is interesting to pick a few out and see what their lives are like, raising a baby before they are prepared to. It makes me feel thankful that I don’t have those issues, but feel bad for them.

Reality TV is something many people enjoy watching.  The more people watch it, the more shows they are going to make. There are so many reality TV shows to watch, and people will always continue to watch them because they are entertaining and interesting to watch. Everyone can find some sort of enjoyment in other people’s drama. It’s unfortunate that these people have these kinds of issues, but they are broadcasting it to the world for us to watch and enjoy. It was their choice to go on the show and let everyone in on their personal lives, so they obviously don’t mind. We look forward to tuning in and seeing what’s new each week without having a clue of what’s going to happen each show.  People love not knowing and the suspense draws them to the show each week. Reality TV is very common and it is so darn entertaining.

Freedoms for Safety

The idea of Big Brother is scary and the idea of “being watched” exists in our own lives today. People invade our privacy more than we think. We can be looked up or seen in a variety of different places. Luckily, it isn’t as bad as having a Big Brother to listen in on our thoughts and see every little thing we do. It is, however, disturbing to know that internet websites hold information about a person without them putting it there. I think taking a little bit of our privacy away is fine, because it’s intended to keep us safe. There are cameras in stores and on street corners as witnesses to what goes on. It doesn’t bother me to have those cameras because I have nothing to hide. Other people, however, do and that’s not okay so the cameras come into use. I’d rather have the invasion of my privacy than to be in danger. Personally, I think the cameras and videos that are in public places are important. People that aren’t doing what they’re suppose to can easily be seen and tracked down. It’d be better to feel safe than sorry. In the novel, 1984, Big Brother is excessive and unnecessary. I don’t think it would be ok to have our privacy taken completely. Winston and Julia couldn’t even go anywhere to be “alone” and away from the telescreen. I don’t agree with that. People should be able to feel free and have their right to privacy. I don’t feel like my freedom is taken away because there are security cameras. I feel safer.

A common place people think their privacy is invaded in on Facebook. People can look you up, but it’s the person’s choice to display their page. I don’t think this would count as an invasion of privacy. If people don’t want their page to be seen, they can prevent it. The thing is, people don’t make their pages private and they’ll blame people for “creeping” on their page. Businesses are also able to look at people’s Facebooks if they’re open to the public, but they can’t blame them for doing it because it’s the persons fault for not making it private. Also, in airports, our privacy may be considered invaded but it’s only for the protection of us. If our privacy wasn’t invaded, then people could carry things on the plane and endanger other passengers on board. I don’t see anything wrong with our privacy being invaded a little to protect us. I do believe our privacy still exists. We aren’t viewed on a telescreen 24/7. The cameras or videos are only up in most public places. Our homes are completely private. I think, without protection people would worry more and feel unsafe. The cameras are, in a way, assuring because if something were to happen such as a crime or a motor vehicle accident, it can be monitored and hopefully corrected. I think we need an even balance for having our privacy invaded for our safety and total privacy.

Feed Ads

Subway

Subway would be a frequently played ad on my Feed because it’s my favorite fast food restaurant. I like eating healthy so Subway is the way to go. Me and my friends or my boyfriend will also go there when we can’t decide on anywhere else. Its food we all enjoy! It’s quick and so yummy! Not only is it healthy, but it’s cheap! I don’t really like greasy foods from McDonald’s or Burger King so I’ll usually get a sandwich from Subway. The sandwich is always so fresh and it’s even better toasted! Subway, in my opinion is so much better than Quiznos. I love being able to pick all the vegetables you want on your sandwich and they make it just the way you like it! It’s nice to have a Subway so close to campus and there is also one close to where I live back home. I think more Americans need to eat Subway instead of choosing the “unhealthy” fast food route. Subway is a healthy, delicious, fast food restaurant that I greatly enjoy!

Target

Target is probably my favorite store. I could go shopping at Target any day. They have everything you could possible want for a good price! I can never go in that store and not buy anything. I’ll get anything from electronics to clothes to food at Target. Even if I didn’t have any money, id love going into the store to look at all the stuff I’d want to buy and then go back and get it when I had the money. Anyone could shop at Target. It’s for all ages and it pretty much has anything you need. My bed set, school supplies, bins, pretty much a majority of my things are from Target! My family and friends know how much I shop there so I will get gift cards to there often and they don’t last long!

AE

American Eagle is where I get most of my clothes so this ad would show up very often on my feed. This is another one of my favorite stores. It could be a bit pricey, but I love all of their clothes so it’s hard not to buy anything. It’s sad to say, but sometimes I’ll spend my whole paycheck on a trip to American Eagle. Every season, I’ll look forward to their new line of clothes they put out. It’s always neat to see what the new styles are and what’s coming “back” in style or what’s going out. Many other people our age like to shop at American Eagle as well, and usually you see people that have the same shirt or pants as you. I’ll typically buy things from American Eagle and somehow make it my own style for that reason. Back home, there is an outdoor mall with an American Eagle that I frequently visit to check out the sales and the new stuff they put out. It’s an awesome store and it’s just my style.

iTunes

iTunes is amazing! I don’t know what I’d do without it. Whether I’m doing work, getting ready, taking a shower, cleaning, driving, running, or pretty much anything, I am listening to music! I have a bunch of iTunes cards that don’t last long when I get them and I’ll download the newest and latest songs. I enjoy listening to a wide variety of music so my iTunes list is pretty long. I love to run outside with my iPod and iTunes allows you to make playlists which is also neat! I make several playlists for the “mood” I may be in. Since I like to stay active, music always pumps me up. In high school, id always listen to my iPod before a softball or field hockey game, and especially before a cross country meet. Music is awesome and it’s great to listen to!

Nike

Nike is one of my favorite brands! Like I said before, I like to stay active so ill get most of my active wear from Nike. They make the most comfortable sneakers and active shorts and shirts than any other corporation (in my opinion). Because I’m a runner, I have a sneaker fetish so I have multiple Nike sneakers as well as active wear. I like to dress comfortably most days so, I’ll throw on some Nike sweats, a Nike sweatshirt, and some Nike sneakers. I’m also a big Penn State fan, and most of their apparel is sponsored by Nike which is also neat. Nike is a great brand!

Thoreau Challenge: It's Over!

It feels so good to be finally done with this challenge! I can’t believe I made it a week without using technology. Thursday and Friday were rough, probably because it was the last two days of the challenge. I was pretty much going crazy without being able to check my Facebook or my cell phone. The silence in my room was starting to get to me and all I wanted to do was listen to my iTunes or turn on the TV. I have been sick all week so the temptation wasn’t too hard because I was bumming around getting lots of sleep, but it still would have been nice to listen to something! It also would have been nice to watch TV while I was lying in bed, but instead I caught up on some more reading. Fortunately, I was getting better toward the end of the week so me and my boyfriend ended up enjoying the weather and went outside to throw some football. Thank goodness for the beautiful days we had on Thursday and Friday because if I were stuck in my room again with nothing to do, I would of cried. My boyfriend and I also went for a walk to McDonald’s to get shamrock shakes! It was a lot of fun. It was nice to get out and actually do something! Towards the middle of the week I was so sick of board games, but since there was nothing else to do we got a hold of the game Life and played. This past week has been very interesting. I didn’t think I could come up with things to do without the use of technology, but I (surprisingly) did. I honestly don’t think I would have been able to do it, if my boyfriend wasn’t doing it with me. I probably would have quit a long time ago! Since he was in this challenge with me, it was a lot easier to find things to do together, rather than just trying to do things on my own.

On Saturday, I finally was able to get my cell phone out and turn it on! It took me about two hours to reply to all the messages I’ve had and reply to all the missed calls that were on my phone! It was so nice to talk to my family and friends from home to tell them about everything that’s been going on in the past week. I also turned on the TV and watched movies all day. Luckily ABC Family and TBS had movies on back to back. I was so happy to be able to do whatever I wanted again with technology. I went online and checked my Facebook and ended up doing multiple things at once on the computer. I was getting a technology overload all at once! It feels good to be “back”. I wouldn’t say I regret doing this challenge, but I don’t think I could easily do it again for a very long time! It has showed me that I do rely on technology more than I thought and it’s possible to live without it for a week, and probably even longer. I personally don’t think I could have gone any longer. Thankfully it’s over and it I can honestly say it was quite the experience!

Thoreau Challenge: Day 6

Going a week without using technology is extremely difficult. By day 3 I already wanted to quit, but I knew quitting wasn’t what I had signed up for. As I mentioned before, two of my good friends came to Shippensburg to visit me for the weekend. Luckily, they kept my mind of technology and I managed just fine for those two days and then Monday came. It was so hard not to call home to talk to my family about my weekend and ask them about theirs, especially since we passed Valentine’s Day. I really miss talking to them! I can’t wait to finally be done with this challenge so I can catch up with everybody from back home. Not only do I miss using my cell phone, I miss watching TV and using the computer. Monday night was very difficult for me because the Bachelor, one of my favorite shows, was on and I missed out on watching it with my friends. Same happened with Glee on Tuesday night. I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be until I was actually living without it. Another thing that is different is all the silence. I feel like my room is so boring with it constantly being so quiet. It actually allowed for me to catch up on sleep.

As much as it hard to use my cell phone, the computer, etc. I am fortunately getting ahead in all of my classes. I ended up doing a lot of “catch up” reading that I had wanted to get done for upcoming exams.  I didn’t realize how distracting technology could be when you use it. When I just sit down and do work without the TV on or music playing, I get a lot more done. As far as “down time”, I whipped out Monopoly and Backgammon and me and my boyfriend (who is also doing the challenge) played many games of it so far. It’s a shame; those are the only two games we have. Let’s just say, I won’t want to play board games in a long time.  Being stuck in the room without being able to use technology is hard. Me and my boyfriend couldn’t take much more of it so we decided to go shopping. We ended getting goldfish which have been entertaining me the past couple of days. How sad is this? I am extremely bored without using technology! I can’t wait until its Friday and can get back to checking Facebook and getting a hold of everybody. I made it this far, I can’t quit now!

Thoreau Challenge: Day 1

Today I started my “Thoreau Challenge” and it’s going well so far. I do admit, it is hard not to get on the Facebook page while I’m on the computer right now, but I won’t. I didn’t realize how much I used technology until today. I am usually constantly listening to music or watching TV, and without being about to do it is very difficult. I think this challenge will be good for me. It will help me understand that technology isn’t everything and I can surely live just fine without it. I wanted to start on a Friday so it makes it a little easier on me because on weekends I surprisingly use less technology than I do during the weekdays anyhow. It’s also going to help that a couple of my best friends are coming to Shippensburg this weekend so that’ll take my mind of the temptation of texting them or getting on the computer. So far what I’ve done all day is, get ready without listening to music which was very peaceful. Usually I can’t stand the silence and need the TV on or my iTunes playing, but it was nice to actually just get ready in silence. I had already called my family to inform that that they wouldn’t be hearing from me all week because of this assignment. I also told my other friends to try not to text me this week unless it was an emergency so I don’t feel the need to text back. And as for TV, I realized I will be missing some of my favorite shows this week which will be extremely difficult. Every week I get so excited to watch them and this week it will be sad to being playing a board game or something else instead of watching. I will get over it.

This challenge is very eye opening. It’s sad to realize how much technology affects my life. Maybe more people need to take this challenge so they realize the same. I don’t exactly know what I’m going to do with myself all week as far as technology goes, but sometimes it’s exciting trying to figure out how to entertain myself without it. I can definitely catch up on some reading for my classes and start studying for upcoming tests which will help me. This challenge will benefit me in a lot of ways. I can live “normally” without all of the noise that goes on in my life everyday typically. As long as I’m with my friends and visit my family, I’ll be fine. They’re what matters most anyway. It also helps that my boyfriend is on campus and is also doing this challenge. We will help each other and find other things to do that could be just as fun as using technology. This week will be rough, but I don’t have any doubts that I won’t be able to get through it. I think the hardest part will be the temptations of wanting to use electronics or technology or trying to find something other to do that could be fun. With my friends visiting this weekend, I know I will be occupied at least during that time. After the weekend, I don’t know what I’ll be doing. I guess I’ll let you know where I’m at!