Portfolio

I spent the past semester becoming acquainted with the presence and function of "rhetoric" in civic life.  Through LA 101H, I've learned that rhetoric, "the art of language used persuasively," is the driving force between every choice we make and every attitude we adopt.    As a psychology major, I am particularly interested in the ways rhetoric functions in the social world as a medium of communication.  This portfolio compiles some of my works from this past semester that demonstrate the ways rhetoric can be used to convince, to argue, to solve problems, to prompt thought, to evoke emotions, and to motivate.  As my college career progresses, I will update my portfolio with further compositions.  

A link to my E-portfolio...

http://catherinebrettportfolio.weebly.com

Social Media vs Face-to-Face Interaction

Blog groupies - I know this is the 2nd time you've heard me rant about this.  Hang with me. :)

Technological advancements are constantly giving us new ways to "socialize." I remember in elementary school when I had to call my friends on a landline when I wanted to say, "What's up?"  Gee, have times changed!  Now, if I care to say hello to somebody, they’re simply a text away.  Don’t have their number?  No problem!  Facebook/Twitter apps make it possible to send a message straight to nearly any person’s iPhone.  For convenience’s sake, social media is a godsend.  I mean, does anyone really like to make phone calls?  One might even say that technology has allowed us to become more active in our social world, and in many ways it has.  Through Facebook alone, I’m able to keep up with the personal lives of over 500 people, many of whom I would never have the chance to interact with otherwise.  But it’s impossible not to wonder how much social media affects our ability and opportunity to socialize with others in person, face-to-face. 

The advancement of social media makes it incredible easy to avoid face-to-face contact, and it some ways, this is quite unfortunate.  Gone are the days when friends got together to tell stories or share pictures of vacations and events.  Conversations to get to know someone are a thing of the past--now it’s as simple as pursuing their “About Me” section on Facebook.  Showing a friend support or encouragement is no longer making a phone call, sending a card, or paying a visit; it’s a click of the “Like” button.  As Facebook and Twitter become omnipresent in society, more and more social “interactions” take place through a computer screen in solitude. 

I wouldn’t go as far as to say that social media affects our ability to interact with others (it very well could, but I think further time/research is needed to prove this hypothesis), but it definitely diminishes the amount of time we spend communicating with others face-to-face.  I think many people would agree that this is unfortunate, but the numerous benefits of social media make change unlikely.  I think it’s important, however, to make a conscious effort to meet people and converse in person, to call loved ones to hear their voices, and to get together with friends and acquaintances often.  If genuine interactions are prioritized, then (hopefully) we can reap social media’s merits with no serious consequences.

Equal Rights?

You know what really annoys me?  Feminism.

Young, opinionated females really love to make their voices heard about this issue.  They want the same employment opportunities and salaries as their male coworkers.  They want to see women in government offices.  They want their husbands/boyfriends to split the household chores.  They want to be able to play on male sports teams if they so desire.   They want men to stop objectifying them.  Basically, the want equality. 

This argument doesn’t quite make sense to me.  I mean, it’s 2012 now, ladies.  They let us out of the kitchen decades ago!  As far as I’m concerned, I’m not lacking in my “women’s rights.”  A feminist will correct me.  The problem isn’t solved yet, they will say.  Yes, we’ve come a long way, but we won’t stop until men and women are equal.  Completely and totally equal.

I don’t think a lot of feminists realize what they’re asking for.  100% equality with men would mean that women should be required to register for the draft and be expected to contribute to half of the dinner bill.  In a equal world, we should hold doors open for guys and let them go first.  We should ask them out and even propose to them.  It should be acceptable for them to hit us… I  mean, they hit each other, and we want to be just like them, right? Now I don’t know about you, but that’s not the kind of world I want to live in.  I like it when a guy offers to carry something heavy for me or walks me home when it’s dark out just because he’s a guy.  Women have exponentially more opportunity now than they did in the past, and I’m so glad that we do.  But we cannot whine for equal rights only when it suits us and then reclaim our subordinance when it doesn’t.  We cannot have our cake and eat it too.  

When feminists argue for women’s rights, they are debating an issue that really isn’t much of an issue anymore, at least not in today’s American society.  Men, at least the good ones, actually do respect women.  No, things aren’t perfect.  But in 2012, we don’t need women to tell the world that they can do what men do--We need them to do what men do.  And if we’re going to complain about equal rights instead of just taking the responsibility and initiative to accomplish whatever we want in life like men have been doing all along, then maybe we really are the lesser sex.

Rhetoric in Popular Music

Music is intertwined with culture and daily life all over the world.  As our most beloved art form, music has many functions beyond simple entertainment.  Music rekindles memories.  It pumps us up and it soothes.  Music inspires us to feel a certain way or to take some sort of action, and can be at times almost more persuasive than any other form of rhetoric.  The 1960's and 70's were marked by an explosion of music with political meaning, sometimes masked under seemingly meaningless lyrics and other times much more salient to the listener.  Although much of our music today has reverted back to predictable songs about love or sorrow or having a good time, the existence of rhetoric in popular music in still undeniable.

Consider these well-known tunes and the meanings behind them:  "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry. "Big Yellow Taxi" by Counting Crows.  "Waiting on the World to Change" by John Mayer.  "You are Beautiful" by Christina Aguilara.  "Born this Way" by Lady Gaga.  Whether endorsing a positive view of homosexuality or environmental awareness, inspiring change or promoting self-acceptance, the persuasive purpose in each of these titles is explicit.  I would imagine that implied rhetoric can be interpreted in nearly every song we know.

Music can be incredibly powerful as a rhetorical device for many reasons.  Songs tend to have simple themes embedded in lyrics written at an elementary level.  Being influenced by their verses is as effortless as turning on the radio.  Music is also readily accessible (and increasingly so.)  We involuntarily listen music in the car, at the gym, at the supermarket--nearly everywhere we go, and our favorite songs can be attained on Youtube or iTunes with the click of a mouse.  Perhaps music's greatest rhetorical strength is its ability to take root within us--there is just something about adding melodies and rhythms to a message that evokes intense emotion when heard.  Add that to a refrain's infectious tune, and suddenly that message is playing over and over in our heads, planting itself into our subconscious.  A belief presented in a song has a different effect than an idea conveyed through a speech, essay, or advertisement.  Music is immensely pleasurable and sinks into a deeper realm of our being, making it incredibly persuasive.