TED talks

For some reason, we are comfortable conversing with friends and family but when it comes to talking in front of others our nerves get the best of us.  It is easy to watch speech after speech and criticize them because the elements of a successful speech are common sense. But when our turn rolls around, all of those "common sense" elements are thrown aside as we let fear take control. 

I chose to watch the TED talk "Diana Nyad: Never, ever give up."

http://www.ted.com/talks/diana_nyad_never_ever_give_up.html

I actually had to watch the video twice because the first time through I was so immersed in her story that I forgot why I was watching it in the first place.  The second time around I made sure to focus my attention on the specific elements of the speech.  The fact that she was obviously able to capture my attention so quickly was one of the better aspects of her speech.  Throughout the speech she told the story of how she accomplished her dream of swimming from Cuba to Florida (a 100-mile swim).  Although this is probably not a dream her audience shared with her, she made the story relatable to everyone.  She used her story to relay messages that we have heard many times "chase your dreams" and "never give up”; messages that the audience could take from and apply to their own dreams.  Also, Diana gave a conversational, relaxed speech that did not seem rehearsed.  Her thoughts and ideas flowed as she spoke.  I think Diana's body language also enhanced the casualness of the speech.  She seemed relaxed and used the entire stage to walk around and talk to each section of the audience.  It was obvious how passionate she was about the topic of discussion.  There were moments where she seemed to go back in time and recreate the scene through descriptive words and details so the audience could visualize it with her.  It was clear when she had a specific thought that she wanted the audience to hear because she would pause to gather everyone’s attention then speak in a louder, firmer voice to enhance the importance.  Diana used key elements like a hook, relevance, relaxed pace, and clear description to create an overall successful speech.

Detroit vs. Everybody

I have only ever had one quick glimpse of Detroit, and from that mere glimpse I fell under the common impression that this city was a bad place.  My dad grew up there as a kid before the city fell apart.  He decided to drive my family past his childhood house that he had not seen in over 35 years.  We got off at our exit and that’s when my heart dropped…houses were barely standing, grass was nonexistent, and the neighborhood looked as though it had been completely abandoned aside from the skinny stray animals wandering the roads.  Dad’s face was blank as he looked at the place he used to call home.  We quickly drove down the street as Dad pointed to his old house; it was far too dangerous to stop the car because of all the violence.  From that point on, that was the only experience I had to develop my opinion of Detroit.

            Upon reading the beginning of the article, I completely agreed with Rembert’s statement that the thought of Detroit is “off-putting”. I found myself entirely engaged in his story about his first moments in Detroit because his initial opinions matched my own experience.  But the end of the introduction threw me for a complete loop.  And I thought to myself, maybe I should approach this article free of biases too and learn alongside Browne.  So, I did exactly that and ignored the vague memory of Detroit lingering in the back of my mind; giving Browne the unlikely chance to change my opinion of the city.

            To be honest, the first two sites Browne visited did not impress me at all.  I do appreciate art but I had a hard time seeing the beauty of the Heidelberg Project; perhaps I had not completely let go of my biased opinion at this point.  But as I read further, my opinion actually began to shift a little.  A glimmer of Detroit’s beauty began to shine as I read about Belle Isle Park and the Hart Plaza Amphitheater. Browne’s strong description of these sites shocked me.  He made a smelly amphitheater and an empty 150-acre park sound beautiful. Despite the ruins of the city that surrounded them, Browne was able to see the beauty beneath it all.  These places were once important to people and with time they became abandoned.  I was surprised at how Browne was able to describe this crumbling city in a way that made it feel like a home that any one of us could relate to.  I appreciate Browne’s optimistic outlook on Detroit, although I am still not sure he was able to completely convince me that there is still hope for recovery.  However, I no longer think of Detroit as the dangerous motor city but more as the misunderstood city.

Bodies of the Year

I found Wesley Morris’ argument very interesting.  Although I am not so sure popular culture is transforming as much as he claims; for example, Miley Cyrus’ 2013 twerking outbursts and exposing videos, the annual Victoria’s Secret runway show,  and Beyonce’s scandalous performance at the family friendly Super Bowl.  And this “sexy” image is not limited to just women; men are pressured to look like Calvin Klein underwear models by maintaining a chiseled, tan body.  In my opinion, body image and appearance have become exceedingly more important qualities in the last 10 years. Our culture has grown to interpret a tiny waist and large chest as an ideal women and a thin, muscular image as an ideal man. Consistent exposure to this ideal body image can easily alter our perception of reality.  The pressure to be thin and perfect is inevitable. Emphasis is placed on sexual allure and aesthetics in the world of media now more than ever. 

Also, I think Morris failed to note the aspects of popular culture outside of just movies, Instagram, and TV.  What about video games? I think it’s fair to say many of the women characters are tailored to satisfy the “male gaze”.  I’m not so sure high heels, a tight leather crop top and mini skirt is the ideal combat outfit. How about advertisements? Magazines such as Vogue and Sports Illustrated picture flawless tall women in revealing bikinis and tan muscular men whose wardrobes seem to lack shirts and even pants for that matter.  And lastly what about photo manipulation?  From filters to Photoshop, photo editing has become more common in recent years. Airbrushed tan skin, teeth brightener, body slimming, and color enhancers can be added to photos with the click of a button.  No longer is the natural “you” acceptable.

We all fall into this cultural trap of an impractical standard of good looks…I am guilty too. But I would like to hope that Wesley Morris is right; that maybe popular culture is transforming to accept a more natural, healthy body image.

Link to a Barbie’s proportions drawn on a real woman:

http://www.glamour.com/beauty/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2012/08/what-would-barbies-proportions.html