ENG 103:01 Group 1

Just before the movie Thank You for Smoking was released, Charlie Rose (PBS) interviewed Christopher Buckley (the author of the original book), Jason Reitman (the script writer and director of the movie), David Sacks (who produced the movie, his first), and Aaron Eckhardt (the actor who played Nick Naylor). I find this interview interesting for a variety of reasons, some of which I will detail here. 1.  Buckley notes that Reitman had been screening the movie at college campuses across the country. Reitman recalls one particular showing at the University of California at Berkeley, which he says is an intimidating place to screen a "libertarian film" (more on that later).  During the Q & A session (after the film), one older lady stood up and starting berating him for not going after Big Tobacco for doing such evil things.  And the students starting booing her until she shut up.  Reitman is quite pleased with that response.  Why? 2.  Elsewhere in the interview, bot

Let’s admit it: Coronavirus has changed everything. As I type this, on a Sunday evening, I am laying at home in the same clothes I’ve been wearing for three days. My hair is disheveled and I haven’t shaved or seen anyone else in at least a week. It sorta sucks. And it’s totally not normal. So, what does this have to do with Eng 103? Well, alot actually.  Despite everything being totally NOT normal, Ball State has asked us to carry on as if everything were. So, like, continue to treat class as if we were still getting up and getting dressed to go to class. Which we are totally not. I guess what I am trying to say is that it’s really difficult right now to pretend everything is normal when we all know it’s not. It’s hard on the teachers. It’s hard on the students. And I’m sure it’s hard on all the parents who have to come pick up their kids after all residence halls are closed down.  And right now, to be honest, it’s hard for me. Really hard for me. I’ve recently l

Well, I am sure by now you all are aware of the word 'Coronavirus'. The outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China late last year has reuslted in mass-shutdowns in the United States, including institiutions, schools, government offices, and places of work. With now 12 confirmed cases in the state of Indiana,  this week Ball State University announced all classes were to be moved online by March 16th -- resulting in an immediate rush of questions, panic, and uncertainty. Amidst the miasma of doubt surrounding COVID-19, the disease attibuted to the solar-structured Coronavirus, the United States government has seemed to be stumbling to prevent or mitigate further damage from the illness. With now more than 1,000 cases in the U.S. and a death rate surpassing Italy's (which just last week was entirely quarantined ), many critics have suggested President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have done little to help the situation. Many on the right insinuate that t

I believe that group projects are the best way to get an assignment done for the majority of people. The reason? The majority of people will enter the real world and work in groups of people, or at least be required to report to others. Having the ability to communicate not only your opinion but your thoughts on others work is vital in real world settings. At the same time they can drive me crazy like most. Getting a partner who does nothing or does work that needs to be fixed is worse than just doing it yourself. However, it creates experience and forces you to learn how to work with others to get to a goal. It is also important to be able to communicate to someone if they aren't doing their part or at least giving effort. Especially if you seek a leadership position later in life. This goes along with criticism. Maybe you are the one who isn't doing your part, can you hear someone tell you to pick it up without getting aggravated? You must listen and at the same token learn t