Creatures of our Culture

I agree with Benedict to an extent. I do think that we are shaped by our culture but I don’t think that we are limited to it. I think that there is no logical reason why we wouldn’t be shaped by our culture. We grow up a certain way and we end up carrying our childhood into adulthood. I think that in order to “break through the limits” we need to just be open to other things.

We can always add to what we know and embrace new cultures. As we grow up we pick up more crumbs of knowledge and experience and they shape the way our life path goes. It’s okay to be a “creature of our culture,” as long as that’s NOT all that we are. Our cultures don’t limit what we are, they just give suggestions so to speak about what things should be like. If you picked any one culture and looked at all the people, you wouldn’t find that everyone was the same, but rather a mix with the same base.

Judgement

I don’t really think there is a way to perceive others without judging or categorizing them. I do think it is possible to realize you are doing so and put yourself in check a little bit. I think it’s human nature to judge—we judge the good and the bad all the time.

Judging people’s character isn’t always bad. When you walk down a dark street and you judge the creepy looking fella’ who’s following you, you’re using your instincts to tell you to be aware of your surroundings and use them to protect yourself.

When we use our judgments to assume that a customer at work is poor and not going to buy anything so we shouldn’t bother to help them, then we aren’t really doing right.

To make things “fair,” we need to just keep in mind what categories we are putting people in and then we need to make sure that we allow people to change our minds. Maybe that guy who was following you saw that you dropped your keys and he was trying to give them back—so you can be cautious but leave your mind open to change.

post 3 emotions

I liked the concept that we just need to try to make people feel good. I really think that is what people want in life and it should really work when you’re trying to win an argument. It’s really easy to appeal to people’s good emotions because people don’t generally want to deal with the sad, unhappy ones. I see this all the time when I try to convince people to do things at work! Customers or coworkers, nobody wants to think about the bad things and the work. People want to think about the results that will make them happy and the positive emotions that go with that. I think it’s exactly like the saying, “ you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”

Speaking to peoples emotions is really a good way to get them to do something. Although, sometimes it does seem rather manipulative to me, I’m not really sure where the line is crossed. Maybe if your intentions are good it’s okay to manipulate people with their own good emotions!

Post 2

I’m not sure if he’s a speaker in the sense that’s in question, but I would consider one of my past teachers a speaker. My European History teacher for my Junior year in High School was amazing. That was about eight years ago and I still think about his lectures. He was the kind of person that could talk about anything and people would listen. I think what made him so memorable was that he was enthusiastic. When someone is passionate and educated about what they are talking about, it becomes really interesting.

I think the worst speaker I’ve ever heard is my store manager. She butchers speeches and everyday announcements. She messes up her words, sounds awkward, and just generally unprepared. Whether or not she is actually nervous or unprepared, I don’t know. I honestly don’t hear most of what she says because all I can do is correct her grammar in my head. I think her message is mostly about teamwork, but I think it would be better if she could make her message clear.

Week of 13-19th post 1

In our culture we always talk about getting “stuff” and having more stuff. We strive to make money so we can get the boat or the new iPhone or that pair of shoes we really just have to have. It’s so normal for us to think about making money just so we can get new things. In other cultures, like in France, they aren’t thinking the same thing as we are when it comes to money. Yes, they are high fashion and still like having their “stuff,” but what they really save their money for is traveling.

When I was over there and stayed at a few different homes, I found that their homes were surprisingly small and compact. They didn’t have such a big living space to put all the things they bought with their money. After a while I really started to notice this and politely asked a couple people about this. They told me that things aren’t really important and the people of the country (and I suspect a lot of Europe) would rather spend their money on going somewhere and gain the worldly experience. After seeing this it really made me think about what I am doing with the money I make and that maybe people in our culture are just happier having the latest and greatest stuff.

Intro!

I'm just getting back into school after a two year break--I've been looking forward to getting my brain working again! I just moved to Santa Clara from San Francisco. The City has my heart, but it doesn't have any sun.

I was a journalism major and decided to broaden my major to Communications. I'm interested in talking to new people, going new places, and doing new things. I love online classes because I think that it's easier to get know the opinions of classmates more than in an actual class.

Other things I love and appreciate: Ice cream, swimming, cooking, fantastic music, sarcasm, and comedy.