First I would like to start out by talking about my spring break, and then I would like to know how your spring break went. I'm sure we won't have too much time to talk in class about break, so I am genuinely interested in reading the comments. Alright, now, I promise I will be brief!
This spring break: I got my hair chopped off (huzzah!), did a ridiculous amount of homework, practiced some sword swallowing, groomed out my fluff-ball bunnies fur, found homes for the last two (out of 27) rabbits that I had rescued, worked a ton, and watched a concerning amount of Netflix. Since I work at Shepherd in telecommunications, all I do is basically answer phone calls. Let me tell you: There were eleven phone calls today in the six hour time period I was there. So, in exchange, I get a lot done at least.
Yup. That was my spring break. Adult-hood kind of sucks. I work at the University to pay to attend the University. What a vicious cycle!
Now, onto my actual zombie post:
I was delving deep into my thoughts about zombie apocalypses, and about how people would react in violent, chaotic, ways as depicted on World War Z - IF there were such a tragic outbreak. The more I kept thinking about a zombie apocalypse and survival, the more I recognized how many different films and books are focused on the sole destruction of human kind, whether it be from a virus, or from disagreements and violence within packs of survivalists. I had recently watched all four of the Saw movies that came out on Netflix (Yes. In two days. I told you my spring break was sad.), and a Fangora Fest movie called Hunger. Each of these movies shows how people react with each other, and scramble to save themselves, which prompted me to think: Would people really just turn on each other that easily? Would people only want to save themselves in a dire situation? Self preservation is a pretty natural element to human nature, but somehow, I just can't see me saving myself by eating human being, yet I could see myself sacrificing someone if it were a situation where it was either me or a stranger. In the process of having these thoughts, I had begun to watch a show with my absolutely darling parents, called In an Instant. The creators of this show had also produced Final Witness - a short lived season which I HIGHLY recommend. So, In an Instant is a show with actual and dramatized events about survival stories. After I had watched the first three episodes, I began to rethink my position on how people would react in a zombie apocalypse. It seems as if in dire situations, a lot of times, people seem to come together in a higher act of survival, instead of decreasing chances for people as a whole. The media in all forms portrays humans as hungry savages when there are disagreements, but I think after watching all these great survival stories, we may have a larger chance if there was a zombie apocalypse in the future.
Take a peek at this incredible tragedy from In an Instant:
The entire two hours I watched this show, I had the worst chills. Tell me what you think!
Sincerely,
Laura Knock
My spring break was similar. Last weekend and this weekend was/will be spent at all day trainings for my job in Ashburn. Unfortunately, my husband decided he wanted to spend the last two weeks in Afghanistan so most of my spring break was spent staying up until he woke up at 11pm to talk to him and sleeping until my dogs forced me to get out of bed. I spent a lot of time watching Dr. Phil (ie avoiding my homework) but I am pleased to announce that it has been completed. Even the scenting of the thesis proposal.
ReplyDeleteMy question for you, since I am sure you have already done it as well: how long is your essay proposal and was it difficult for you to write the second portion about contributing to the academic argument?
Aw, sorry about your husband. I'm sure the time difference and separation is really difficult. So, my proposal (double spaced) is near two pages. I haven't put my last two sources in yet because I want to do more research. Writing the proposal wasn't too difficult for me; what becomes difficult is refining the proposal after Hanrahan looks over it. As for the contribution to the academic argument, I really had to think that section over. Ultimately, I narrowed down my topic to what George Romero's movie, Night of the Living Dead, and what it says about race during this time period, and how historically, the movie had a profound affect on viewers on how race could be incorporated in every day life. I guess the contribution is showing how Romero's film opened up a whole new world in film. I know Hanrahan had said to search for an argument that is fairly new. From all my research, I haven't seen but three articles on race incorporation in Romero's movie. There's a lot to say about the roles in Night of the Living Dead, and I'm going to say them! How about you, Meghan?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I LOVE Dr. Phil. I'm a junkie.
If you check on one of my past posts I have a link to an article specifically talking about race in Night of the Living Dead. My proposal is three pages but I chose to do the lack of religion in zombie movies and the progression of the topic from Haitian Voodoo to its current state (virus based). I put in my proposal that I haven't decided to focus on if it's because society is intolerant of other religious beliefs or if we as a society have transgressed to only believing supernatural phenomena that has a scientific basis.
ReplyDeleteIn greater words than myself, Meghan hope this helps :
Delete"Religion in the Workplace: Religion is the fastest growing and one of the most confusing areas in employment law. The EEOC has issued extensive guidelines on the topic. Most employers may not discriminate based on religion, must reasonably accommodate religious beliefs and practices, and must protect other employees against the unwelcome religious behaviors of their co-workers or managers. Yet, some companies can openly and legally engage in religious discrimination. What is a “religion”? The answer may surprise you. The courts have even found that Atheists have a “creed” which qualifies as “religion” and must be reasonably accommodated. Employers can be placed in “no-win” situations when the religious-based demands of one person might conflict with the religious beliefs or basic rights of others."
Robert E. Gregg
http://www.boardmanclark.com/reading-room/religion-in-the-workplace/
DeleteThat sounds like a wonderful idea, Meghan! Also, I saw your post from beforehand, I'm pretty sure that we talked about it in class too. For sources, I mean that I'm looking for actual academic journals and things of that nature. There are a ton of opinions out on the web for race and gender roles on Night, but a lot more on gender than race, so I chose to explore it. You could do a lot with religion, especially since that's how the zombie idea came to be.
ReplyDelete