Blog 4: iLife

https://youtu.be/DZSBWbnmGrE?t=30s

Apple, in their ad entitled, “iLife (2006),” claims that owning a Mac computer increases the consumer’s options in terms of programs, and that using these programs creates a more enjoyable and organized computer experience. Apple supports this by using conversation to point out that opposed to using an iPod with just a PC, Macs deliver a number of other applications, including iMovie, iPhoto, and iWeb, and also uses logical arguments to contrast a Mac with a PC, including the fact that the PC’s only thrilling feature is a calculator. Apple’s purpose is to excite consumers about the options a Mac offers, in order to persuade them to buy a Mac. Apple speaks to all consumers across the spectrum, including both prospective Mac owners and current PC owners, to get all sides to switch to a Mac.

Nicholas Kristof "Refugees Who Could Be Us"

Nicholas Kristof, in “Refugees Who Could Be Us” (2015), blames the global community for not taking earlier actions to solve the problems in Syria. Kristof brings up examples of the suffering that Syrians have gone through, the fact that they have no safe zone, and the fact that these issues have not been fixed by leading countries, such as the United States and European countries, despite the fact that the Syrian Civil War has been taking place for four years. The author brings attention to the vulnerability Aylan Kurdi and other Syrian refugees in order to gain sympathy and help for those wanting to live peaceful lives. Kristof instills a sense of guilt into the reader for not have noticing the issues going on in Syria and encourages them to recognize the issue of not assisting the refugees.

Throughout Kristof’s article, I admired the fact that he decided to take lessons from the past to help persuade his audience to want to help the Syrian refugees. The main issue that Kristof brings up, in regards to the Syrian refugees,  is the fact that people are not helping and are being unsympathetic to refugees who are not being given easy access to European countries. He began his article by bringing up the past of his family and suggesting that readers research their ancestor’s lives as refugees. He also brings up the history of the Jews in the Holocaust that tried to flee to America, another time in history where refugees were ignored and suffered greatly because of it. World leaders, especially the United States which is a country founded as a place where all humankind can live equally, should step up to help the refugees. If nations of the world do not provide homes and care for these people, they are helpless and have no choice but to return to their dangerous home, like the Jews during the Holocaust. I think that it is a great idea for people to reflect on the past to see that these refugees cannot be sent away or ignored, because their lives will be lost if they are not taken in by other countries.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/06/opinion/sunday/nicholas-kristof-refugees-who-could-be-us.html?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2Fnicholas-kristof

Lessons from the Virginia Shooting

Nicholas Kristof in “Lessons From the Virginia Shooting” (2015), implies that the recent Virginia shooting was able to happen because of the lax gun regulations in the United States. Kristof uses the example of what happened in Virginia and other data showing gun violence in the country to prove that having stricter gun laws in America is crucial to the safety and survival of the citizens. Kristof states that there are more regulations towards toys, ladders, and swimming pools than there are towards guns to prove that gun violence is being ignored. Kristof is telling all Americans how crucial it is that we push for stricter gun laws for the safety of everyone in the country.

I agree with Kristoff. Guns are weapons that are made to kill and it is often that they end up in the hands of those that are dangerous. It is understandable that some may want a gun for protection, safety, or hunting, but there need to be strict regulations to make sure they do not get into the wrong hands. There are many solutions to this issue of too many dangerous people with guns. One solution is stricter background checks, especially at flea markets that travel through towns and do not do background checks. There can also be safes or passcode locks on guns, which is an idea Kristoff discussed. I still remember the details of the incident in Sandy Hook Elementary School, that occurred a few years ago. This is also an incident where guns fell into the hands of the wrong person, but this time it was not just a gun, but assault rifles. I can understand that people should have the right to a gun, but I do not understand why it is that peopel are allowed to own assault rifles. It is unnecessary and extremely dangerous and should not have costed the lives of twenty-six people in an elementary school.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/27/opinion/lessons-from-the-murders-of-tv-journalists-in-the-virginia-shooting.html?_r=1