The Truth is in the Details :: Comparative, The Naturalist

When I received the assignment of comparing and contrasting the â€Å"Naturalist† to that of â€Å"Landscape and Narrative†, admittedly I was a bit dismayed at the idea of analyzing two writings I seemed to comprehend very little of. Upon reading them over and over, jotting down idea after idea, and crumpling up paper after paper, I came to the conclusion that I may or may not be over-thinking the assignment. My interpretation, though a bit underdeveloped, is this: Barry Lopez, in â€Å"The Naturalist† explains what it means to be a naturalist, the expectations a naturalist, and the modern naturalist’s ideology. He speaks of how knowledge is best gained, which he believes is through â€Å"enormously time-consuming† (â€Å"The Naturalist† 122) firsthand experience; by â€Å"immersing yourself in its milieu† (â€Å"The Naturalist† 116), or environment. He uses the example of the caracara, in the â€Å"Naturalist.† He says, â€Å"if you wish to understand the caracara, you need to know a great deal about exactly where the caracara lives; and what the caracara’s relationships are with each of the many components of that place, including its elevations, its seasonal light.† (â€Å"The Naturalist 116). This fits in nicely with the point he makes in â€Å": Landscape and Narrative†. He defines two landscapes: external, â€Å"the one we see†¦the land†¦its plants and animals†¦its weather, its geology, the record of its climate and evolution.† (â€Å"Landscape and Narrative† 5). The other is the internal one, which Lopez describes as â€Å"a kind of projection within a part of the exterior landscape.† (â€Å"Landscape and Narrative† 7). More or less, I think he’s saying that one’s mindset, feelings, and purpose are determined by nature; the world around us. Lopez mentions that â€Å"those fresh to a task†¦are the ones most likely to give themselves a deadline†¦which will challenge themselves to know all there is to know† (â€Å"The Naturalist† 122) about a particular thing. But, as he points out, â€Å"lack of end points† (â€Å"The Naturalist† 122) conflict with â€Å"the short-term demands of modern life.† (â€Å"The Naturalist† 122). He refers to the fact that he still goes down to the river and always feels like something new will reveal itself. Putting oneself on a deadline never works. Those opposed to, or believing differently than naturalists, or â€Å"tyrants† (â€Å"The Naturalist† 122), â€Å"aim to silence the naturalists† (â€Å"The Naturalist† 122), to avoid having their beliefs called into question or contradicted. Lopez fears those people; some in a position of political power, and with an abundance of confidence are â€Å"ready to tell the county commissioners what the river is† (â€Å"The Naturalist† 122).

Super Size Me

The movie starred and was directed by independent filmmaker Morgan Spurlock[1].   Spurlock undertakes to explain the rampant obesity in America as a function largely of overdependence on convenience food and dining in quick-service restaurant chains. Spurlock strove to make his point by undertaking to consume only McDonald’s products for a whole month.   His stated goal was to investigate the impact of fast food, of which McDonald’s is the archetype, on the epidemic of obesity (and associated diseases such as hypertension and diabetes) plaguing America. Prior to starting the experiment, Spurlock was physically fit but in the end, he had gained considerable weight and was showing early signs of health problems.   The film presented its thesis in stark fashion: eat excessive fast food, get sick. â€Å"Super Size Me† employs the documentary format that â€Å"The Blair Witch Project† and â€Å"March of the Penguins† made famous. Basically, a camera followed Spurlock around wherever he went, chronicling his activities and feelings every so often. The film followed a chronological format that showed Spurlock’s descent from fit and bright-eyed to miserable and overweight. Also included were interviews with nutritionists, doctors and other people who helped shed light on the question; â€Å"Why is America obese?† The device of eating nothing but fast food may seem unrealistic.   Or perhaps not; how many of us would rationally avoid convenience foods if there was no one to cook breakfast or dinner?   Do parents know what children eat all day long when they are away at college? Spoofing the fast food habit this way does serve to compress the timeframe, create shock value and teach by entertaining.   One doubts that the audience would be as attentive if a physician had delivered a lecture on video about the ill effects of eating fast food for 20 or 30 years. Spurlock essentially consumed over 5,000 calories per day of nothing but obviously fattening McDonald’s staples: Big Mac’s, French fries and soda. In his defense, Spurlock[2] said he was mimicking the diet of a â€Å"super-heavy user†, Marketing lingo for an avid patron. At the same time, Spurlock satirized the slothful habits of many Americans who do not care to exercise. Even if they did not consume McDonald’s foods in the amounts he did, it is unlikely that they eat a balanced, nutrition-dense diet anyway. Despite the criticism level against it, â€Å"Super Size Me† remains shocking and relevant. Millions of Americans are undoubtedly ‘addicted’ to a diet of fast food that contains unhealthy levels of sugar and cholesterol. As shown by Spurlock’s own transformation, such relaxed eating compounds the problem by lowering the desire to exercise and be active. Naturally, the most shocking scene in the movie is when a complete physical examination reveals the extent of his physical deterioration. The domino effect does not stop there. Obesity and lack of activity causes numerous health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. Already, a largely overweight generation of â€Å"baby boomers† has begun to overwhelm the health care system. For a nation built on the industry and creativity of its people this truly bodes ill. [1] Super Size me Directed by Morgan Spurlock Spurlock, in audio commentary track [2] Spurlock, in the movie, and again on the DVD commentary track

Parents Guide Dos And Don Ts Essay - 897 Words

Parents Guide - Dos and Don ts By Laura Kaine | Submitted On December 05, 2011 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest Expert Author Laura Kaine As parents, we often think that we don t need a parents guide, that we should instinctively know how to discipline our kids, end tantrums, etc. The reality is that the great majority of parents do need a parents guide because parenting has to be learned! In this short but hopefully helpful parents guide, I m going to give simple but essential dos and don ts that any parent should know and apply. These guidelines will not only help you strengthen the bond with your child but will also help you teach respect and discipline in order for your child to obey the rules and understand them. The dos and don ts of this parents guide are the basics of a good parenting style. Dos Do talk in a quiet voice. Raising your voice is never effective and pushes your child to yell back. It also shows your child that you have no real control over the situation. Do tell your child you love him as often as possible, especially when you punish his bad behavior as children tend to think we love them less when we punish them. Make clear it s his behavior that isnShow MoreRelatedTeenage Moms That Are Still In High School Get Pregnant1391 Words   |  6 Pagesparticularly vulnerable to becoming teenage parents. 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Legalise marijuana. 4 October 1996 Copying this book was a megamission that took about 3Read MoreAssignment on Roles and Responsibilities of Project Manager9779 Words   |  40 Pagesoccupational series 15 4. Chapter 4 4.1. The Role and responsibilities of the Project Manager 16-28 4.2. Top 10 Qualities of a Project Manager 29-32 4.3 Advices from Project Managers 4.3.1.What to do 32 4.3.2. What not to do 33 4.3.3.Being the best 33 5.Chapter 5 5.1. conclusion 34 Report proposal Introduction The use of projects and Project Management continues to grow in our society and its organizations. We are able to achieve