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Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981)
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Reflect back on the comments other readers have posted on this website. Identify the one (or two?) that you found to be the most thought-provoking (identify the post title, the name of the author of the comment, and briefly summarize what they said) and explain how they got you thinking. This required answer is not a part of your word count.
Hannah Turner's comment on question 181 Unfeminist was a thought provoking comment due to how well put together it was and able to perfectly explain the elements I did not think about. Hannah's comment summarized is that her take is that the narrator is being unfeminist due to how she puts all the blame on Maggie instead of on her ex husband Sam, who was the one who broke the narrator's trust. Although while reading I unknowingly picked up these elements, Hannah's comment made me realize my own thoughts on the topic and is why this comment stuck out to me.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite responses is by Sam Kreis on the post titled, 150. A giant ball of soul string mates. Sam makes the point that people have many soulmates throughout their lives and not all of them are romantic. I think that this is a powerful sentiment that we will have many important people throughout our lives who impact and add to our lives in a big way. I do think that love is work like Sam mentioned, which supports the idea of there being no magical and perfect person for anyone. Especially, since it is exceedingly rare that someone will find someone that completely understands them. I agree with Sam’s point that the string ball metaphor is very realistic, and I think the anecdotal evidence at the end supports their point well. I think the notion that a soulmate can be anyone is a very helpful idea we should promote in our society, since romantic love is often seen as most important relationship in someone’s life. This undermines the value of platonic relationships. Many platonic relationships are just as valuable or more valuable than romantic relationships. This idea that platonic relationships can be the most important relationship in someone’s life could help further the acceptance of people who are on the aromantic and asexual spectrums in society. Many aromantic and asexual people opt for a relationship with a life partner that exists beyond the typical bounds of what we expect as a society. Just because the relationship doesn’t match what is typically expected, it doesn’t mean the relationship is any less valuable.
ReplyDeleteThe comment that I found to be the most thought-provoking is the one that Kalysta Beardsley made on 4. Critics. Kalysta explains the truth-telling habits of children that I hadn't thought of before, as well as the way criticism affects us. It made me realize that sometimes it wouldn't hurt us to be honest like kids, but also could definitely land us negative feedback. It's also funny how criticism can both tear us down and build up our character depending on how we take it.
ReplyDeleteThe response that I found to be most thought provoking was Sam Kreis's to "A giant ball of soul string mates" from page 150. Sam's response to the question talked about how it is common for people not to meet their definite soulmate their first time, or first few times being with somebody. They explain how the future is an open door to find a soulmate, and how breakups don't have to be sad because there are so many chances to find love a different time or multiple times. This was thought provoking to me because it is easy to think of love as having one soulmate and not wanting to miss out on your one chance to be with the person who is made for you. This comment made me think about the future creating an endless possibility and time to find love, and how there can be multiple soulmates for a person through their life.
ReplyDeleteOne comment that really made me think was Sam Kreis’s comment on The Writing/Talking Cure 130. He spoke about his own experiences talking out loud when going through something scary and then venting on Reddit to help with his thoughts. As a writer this one really got me thinking about how I project my own fears into the characters I write and how the author of “Maggie; A Man and A Woman Walk Into a Bar”, probably did the same in the way she wrote the main character. A fear of getting sick, with the possibility of dying, going through a divorce, having no support, and losing herself along the way are all real fears I’m almost certain we’ve all gone through or thought about at some point. In all media, books, vlogs, videos, movies, the fear behind it all has always been something that resonated with me. Take a vlog for example, people filming their everyday lives going to different places or even just a day in what they do. Not only do I think it’s a way for them to show pride, but also a way for them to feel a bit more out of their lives. I could be totally hitting the mark here, but the fear of never being noticed or important seems to be something a lot of us share. Vlogging, videos, movies, writing, are a way to make those fears seem less scary.
ReplyDeleteIn her response to question six, titled ‘Communal Dating’, Liliana Saunkeah wrote a comment that I found intriguing. She states that a woman’s impulse to share information about her suitor with her friends comes “more so from a place of self preservation rather than a place of gossip.” This was a refreshingly insightful take. It reframed the secret screening for compatibility as a screening for safety and comfort, which I think is a necessity many of us find easier to sugarcoat or ignore by dismissing it as mere gossip. For the same reason that women might be more likely to share details about our romantic engagements, we are also more likely to share our location before a date; we treat it as a form of precaution. Additionally, I appreciate that Liliana acknowledges that this prudent habit can turn negative quite quickly. Privacy and communication are both crucial in a healthy relationship, so it’s important to know where to draw the line with what to share.
ReplyDeleteBraylie Paxton made an excellent remark to the question “Unfeminist” on page 181. She explains how there is a high likelihood that Maggie already knew Sam was married. If Maggie and Sam had been dating for at least six months, surely during that time Sam had told her he was married because him being gone all the time would’ve been considered strange. She was not oblivious and deserves joint blame therefore the narrator is not unfeminist in her hatred towards Maggie.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I appreciated the understanding that the narrator has poor coping mechanisms (a strong viewpoint I held throughout the entire story and was glad to see someone else observed) and a lack of sharing the blame between both Sam and Maggie, which was, as Braylie put it, disappointing. I like how this comment pinned the narrator as a human being with poor human tendencies in an awful situation rather than a misogynist picking out an innocent woman to hate.
The comment I found most interesting was posted under the question “Begin/End” by Avery Ryan. In this comment, Avery states that she believes there are beginners and enders in life, and she identifies more with the beginner category. Her affinity for beginning new things comes from a certain excitement she gets from starting something new, and she believes that enders are motivated by a similar feeling, an excitement at finishing something. This made me think that, as humans, even though we are very different, we are, for the most part, motivated by the same things. Pleasure, compassion, love, etc. These things motivate billions that otherwise have very little in common.
ReplyDelete63. Love Languages by Noah Nnochirionye.
ReplyDeleteNoah's comment helped me look at marriage differently. I grew up Catholic and what is so important in the Catholic church is that marriage is seen as one of the holiest and unbreakable acts that a man and woman can do together. When Noah spoke about committment, it reminded me of the same kind of love that Jesus had for those who beat him mercilessly. His committment to love those regardless of what they did is somewhat similiar to marriage.
My favorite comment would have to be Kailen Lee's from the question "Waiting Rooms," page 53.
ReplyDeleteThis comment was so impactful to me because of the way she said, "The main character's assertion of 'Every room is a waiting room' is the reality that she's in a sort of limbo," and,"To me life is an entire planet with a hovering lifespan of about 85 years if everything goes well. You have the flowers that are like cells, the hills are the adventures you take, so on and so forth. Looking at life as just a waiting game seems like a dull way to exist." These lines felt like the best way possible to answer the question. The words were both impactful and profound. They fully encompassed exactly what the question was asking for. The narrator is waiting for this news, and she feels trapped in this waiting game or limbo for just the prospect of good news about her cancer. When you are told that you have an illness that could put you at the cusp of death, it truly makes you think about life in a whole other way.
The comment that stuck out to me was by Ivan Guerrero on question 63, “Love Languages”. In his comment, he says that no two people are 100% compatible and compromises must be made. He says that love languages are important, and it is important for your partner to learn your love language so they can love you on a deeper level. This comment stuck out to me because this is how I've always thought when it comes to love and relationships. If you don’t learn to love them the way they want, they will never truly feel fulfilled in the relationship. Learning what makes others happy and comfortable is how to keep friendships and relationships lasting a long time.
ReplyDeleteI really liked Noah Nnochirionye’s response to Love Languages (pg. 63). To very briefly summarize, Noah states that relationships are built upon commitment, not compatibility, so both partners make sure that their love is clearly conveyed to the other and that they appreciate the love given to them by their partner.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a very refreshing take on relationships. I feel as though so many people simply seek the “spark” in a relationship, that initial excitement, the ‘Honeymoon phase’, and don’t think in the long term. Like he said, ultimately, relationships cannot last without commitment from both parties to work through their relationship together.
Compatibility is still important in relationships, but not over commitment. The way I see it, compatibility is what is needed to start a relationship, and commitment is what’s needed to have it continue and grow. Just because two people are 100% compatible on paper does not mean they’ll have a successful relationship. Relationships take work, but at the end of the day, its worth it.
Noah Nnochirionye's comment on "Goldilocks" describes how as a child, they never really associated the main character's skin color with their interest in the book and that it never really had an impact on them as a child.
ReplyDeleteAs a non BIPOC, I know that my experiences are not as impactful on the BIPOC community, but I also grew up with the same mindset of Noah when it came to reading books. The main character's skin color never seemed like it was a big deal for me, and I honestly didn't register their being an importance to it until I was about 10, when I read the Baby-sitter's Club series and it made a deal out of Jesse being a POC. I do feel like there should be more media with BIPOC represented though, however, I believe that children are not usually as sensitive the subject as adults are and only begin to see the struggles once they are a bit older unless fully immersed in a situation where is has an impact on their everyday life.
The response that stuck out to me the most was on question 46. "Truth Pollution" by Malachi Cortes. In his comment he talks about the circumstances in which it is okay to lie or tell the truth. He talks about it being inconsequential to lie about simple things like Santa, but when addressing more serious things, it might be better to alter the truth. Malachi's comment really got me thinking because it is deeper than just lies versus truth. There is much more to consider than just the decision to lie or tell the truth, you must weigh the consequences of either side and you must also recognize the gravity of the situation.
ReplyDeleteThe comment that stuck out to me was Aden Reeves' comment on 151. wealth gap. H estates that while most of the differences stem from money that not all differences come from money or lack thereof, he also says that in most instances a person raised in a low-income household may be more grateful than someone who has never had to worry about where dinner is coming from that day.
ReplyDeleteI really liked Nevaeh Chandler's comment on "102. I am the roles I play?" where Nevaeh explained that "masking" is when people hide or alter parts of themselves to fit in by pretending to be interested, copying how others act, or suppressing their real reactions. I liked how Nevaeh compared this identity to a geode, as people show an outer "rock" made of social expectations, while the "crystals" stay hidden unless someone takes the time to look deeper. This comment made me ask the question of whether or not I am being myself, or if I am being the version of me that feels the safest from the judgment of others.
ReplyDeleteKailen Lee's comment on page 53's question, "waiting rooms," really stuck out to me. She said that looking at life as a waiting room to die is a dull way to live. She pointed out that life is something meant to be experienced fully and not just something that happens to you. The part I like the most is when she said, "sometimes you don't have any other choice but to wait, but there are always games or books in the waiting room." This made me think deeper. I've never been in a waiting room where there weren't games, books, magazines, a television, etc.. If we are all just in a waiting room for our turn to die why not experience something while we wait. Life is for living. We should all take the trip, or read the book, or eat the pasta, or whatever living means to you. Don't just sit around waiting for life to happen to you, make something happen.
ReplyDeleteHannah Turner’s comment on “181. Unfeminist” really stuck out to me. Hannah talks about how the narrator’s attitude toward Maggie stems from misogyny and how the blame should instead be placed on Sam. I think that, as women, we are often pitted against each other and encouraged to be competitive, especially when it comes to men. This is unhealthy, and I think Hannah perfectly expresses this idea in her writing.
ReplyDelete- Nina Benton
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ReplyDeleteNevaeh Chandler's comment on 102. Am I The Roles I play? really provoked my thoughts. The question has to do with whether or not the roles you have today, like being a brother, mother, or whatever your job is, have to do with who you truly are. This question had me asking myself, and I wasn't sure at first. She simplifies your roles and your true self as a geode. The roles we have are what you see on the outside and are the rocky, bumpy layer. Our true self is the crystal you see after looking past that outer layer. If people look past that bumpy outside, you truly know their true self and not the roles on the outside some only glance at.
In question “102. I am the roles I play?,” Keira Miller gave a well-written, thought-provoking answer. The first sentence in the reply amazingly explained an interesting perspective on identity. To paraphrase, “People have different identities or personas depending on the people or environment around them, but each version of themself still contributes to their overall identity.” The comment made me contemplate if I have multiple identities, and if they are a part of one core identity, or completely separate. I came to the conclusion that I do have many identities that relate to one. People have many identities, that can be a student, co-worker, partner, friend, and many more. All of these identities have different responsibilities and in turn, different actions, and in turn seem like an alternate identity. All of these identities also have commonalities that form someone's core identity.
ReplyDeleteOne comment, posted by Natalie Shrader on 150. 'A giant ball of soul string mates,' stood out to me because it addressed the contradictions the narrator makes with her own beliefs. According to Mx. Shrader, on one hand, the narrator believes that everyone has multiple soulmates to help them along in life. On the other hand, its possible to get the wrong soulmate altogether. This seems to dismantle the belief that soulmates exist at all, as how can one soulmate be wrong for one thing and best for the other? Shouldn't a soulmate compliment your soul? Is that not the whole point of the idea? Mx. Shrader reflects the same way of thinking in their writing, and it has me questioning whether the narrator used to believe in soulmates and she has lost her perception of it, or if she never believed soulmates were a thing and did not have the heart to tell her kids this fact.
ReplyDeleteNatalie Shrader's comment on 150. A giant ball of soul string mates. Her comment talks about soulmates. The part that got me thinking is when she said: "... if she can have multiple, then how did she choose the wrong one?" After thinking, I think you could call Sam the wrong person because of the affair, but it ignores the bond they had before the affair. Their relationship reached the end of its intended purpose. Relationships have grown and taught life lessons. Sam, as the wrong choice, is intended to be thought of as a traditional soulmate. However, the multiple soulmates talked about in the book mean it could have just been the end of a genuine relationship.
ReplyDeleteWhat stuck with me the most was the lack of empathy from the husband in the whole situation. He seemed to not care much at all for the feelings of the woman he once loved enough to marry. Not to mention the mother of his children. I was also shocked at the way she reacted. She did not have as much anger as I feel a lot of women in her situation would. The last thing was the friendship between Maggie and Darlene. It showed the importance of having someone you can rely on in hard times.
ReplyDeleteJohn McVeigh's comment on question 53, Waiting Rooms, stuck out to me the most because of the realistic viewpoint they took on the subject. I liked that they made it a point that while life is a waiting room, people don't usually think of it that way unless they come close to death in some way. Whether it's from a fatal disease or a close call, it causes people to think about how fragile they are as humans. He also makes sure to express that while the mindset of life being a waiting room is sad in a way, it's important to acknowledge that we as humans are fragile while also not letting it consume you.
ReplyDeleteKalysta Beardsley's comment on "4. Critics" was generic until I read her middle paragraph. "Children don't critique people, especially family, in notorious ways most of the time. They say things because it's the truth, to them, and children are taught to tell the truth. It's only until it hurts are they taught to be mindful of the truth, or in this case, how they view or perceive something.". I personally think that was well said because I struggled to say this in my own comment on that question. It stuck out to me, and I think I will keep this in mind because it's a fact made simple. I know it may be a boring comment to some, but this stuck with me through my reading of the whole book. -Zeeva Skidmore-Beaney
ReplyDeleteI found Nina Benton's comment on "75. Tag Team" to be the most thought-provoking. She explained that the author gave the narrator both crises to show that neither a relationship nor an illness should define a person's identity. Her comment made me ponder how many people easily can let a major circumstance in their life become their identity. I especially found her point about the narrator feeling as if she has to "start over" interesting because it implies that losing something important does not mean losing any part of who you are. It also made me consider how circumstances could change within the narrator's life without changing who she is underneath.
ReplyDeleteTrey Backus's comment on "78. Survival of the Chickenest" was really interesting to me. He explained that fear is scientifically apart of humans. He also mentioned " If we were never fearful of the dark we would’ve never invented fire to get rid of it." which made me think how important being afraid is. Being afraid is often a negative trait but what makes it negative is the ability to not act on whatever it is you are scared of.
ReplyDeleteI found Avery Ryan’s comment on question 46. Truth Pollution, very thought provoking. She explained how she grew up sheltered and how too much innocence in adulthood can be ignorant. Hearing her side of being sheltered as a kid was interesting because I grew up the opposite. It made me think about how different everyone was growing up and how sheltering too much can be troublesome as we become adults.
ReplyDeleteJoseph's comment on "131. The heart wants" was thought provoking for me and something I completely agreed with. Essentially, he believes that someone's love for another person develops and fades based on their actions, rather than it being an arbitrary thing. He believes, as do I, that through Sam's vows he made to his wife, he should've tried to repair his relationship with her rather than cheat on her. Like I mentioned in a previous comment, I agree with Joseph that love is and will be hard, but choosing to persevere together means staying true to your commitment with each other.
ReplyDeleteThe comment I found most thought-provoking was “7. Right Behind You” from Sam Kreis. They argue that people avoid looking at things that could upset them or force change. I liked the comparison of ignoring problems to being on a boat, where some people know something is wrong, but refuse to “rock the boat”, and others will convince themselves that everything is okay and it’s simply waves. It highlights how avoiding the truth can be easier in the short term but in the long term becomes unsustainable, and I feel that their comment highlighted this beautifully.
ReplyDeleteNoah Nnochirionye's comment on question 63 "Love Languages" really got me thinking. In summary, he points out the lack of commitment to Sam and the narrator's marriage, how commitment itself is more important than marriage, and how both parties should be held equally responsible in their inability to effectively communicate and get past their issues together. I genuinely never see people stress the importance of commitment over compatibility anymore, with things such as dating apps even focusing more on a compatible approach (such as matching you with people that share interests or hobbies and have the same preferences as you) and pushing aside the concept of committing to and staying dedicated to a relationship, making it work regardless of the differences between partners. He also shares a similar sentiment as me in regards to how it takes two to tango, and thus the narrator and her husband should both have made efforts to change. It is a bit too easy to point fingers at one or the other, to focus on the failings of one person in an emotional lens without taking a step back to consider how, logically, this could've been avoided through simple communication and consistent effort to commit to making their marriage work.
ReplyDeleteThe comment by Jackson Cook on the “Nooses” question for page 181 was the one I found most thought-provoking. He connected the narrator’s comparison of a “neat little bow” to a “noose” with Sam’s way of telling bedtime stories and, more interestingly, with Katie Yee’s own writing style. He pointed out that Sam avoids predictable endings by making his stories strange and unexpected, while Yee does something similar by using unusual memories and metaphors instead of telling the story in a straightforward order.
ReplyDeleteHis comment made me think more about how intentional the structure of the book was. I noticed the unusual storytelling style while reading, but I hadn't really thought about how it could connect to the book's ideas about neat endings and how real life doesn't always have them.
I found Paityn Seiger’s post to question 194A “Your Urn” to be the most thought-provoking. Paityn was prompted to “create a ceremonial way to move forward from a phase that you are currently moving out of or on from”. She was caught in a transitional phase between living at home in her hometown and making her freshly remodeled house her true home. It seemed as though she didn’t feel like she belonged either place because she wasn’t able to settle and dig roots. She is growing up and will soon experience exciting, life changing events and longed for sturdy ground. She spent her precious time decorating her remodeled home, bringing her comfort after having bare walls for far too long. I related to this in the way that I have lived at both my mom’s and my dad’s separate homes since such a young age, but have found consistency and enjoyment from my dorm. I found this to be extremely thought-provoking because she was vulnerable, detailed, and told of a recent, real story.
ReplyDeleteThe comment made by Sam Kreis regarding the questions from the section "Right Behind You" was very thought provoking to me. They addressed how there are times that people choose not to speak up in hopes that they do not create an issue, but there are also times people choose to remain quiet because they view the issue is something that is natural or that is supposed to be happening. This was very intriguing to me, and I can see what they are meaning by this. I too believe that there is a time and place to speak up and advocate for yourself, even if that means that the waters will not always be steady.
ReplyDeleteThe comment made by Braylie Paxton on the "Unfeminist" question (181) was most provoking to me. She brings a new perspective to my thoughts about it and truly made me see Maggie just as guilty as Sam in this situation. It also shows that there isn't necessarily one single person who is completely right or wrong.
ReplyDeleteAlexis Qualls response to "Begin/End" question 181 was very thought provoking for me., specifically where she explains being an ender might not be a choice. instead something one becomes because the responsibility of finishing gets thrown onto them. It was interesting to think that becoming an ender might be a burden, and how peoples expectations of others can influence them into becoming something they wouldn't necessarily choose themselves. It also made me consider how one person continuously starting new projects could create extra work for those who feel obligated to finish them.
ReplyDeleteThe comment I liked the most as I was reading was Liliana Saunkeah’s comment on question 1, “Betrayal?”, and especially her later reply to herself. She mentions the symbolism of the narrator’s place at the bottom of the stairs while Sam reads to the kids, which calls back to the narrator’s feelings of inadequacy caused by seeing Sam as the superior parent. I think this is great symbolism, and I wouldn’t have noticed it without Liliana’s comment.
ReplyDeleteAs many stood out to me, a certain one that I felt was the most thought-provoking was Hannah Turner's comment to question #181 titled “unfeminist”. I agree that her attitude was unfeminist. Hannah explained why the narrator should direct her pain towards Sam rather than Maggie. Stating how he was the husband that broke the promise they shared when they became married. Maggie should not have been the main choice of hatred, but she was. The reason I chose Hannah's comment was because it led me to having this thought. I believe that the frustration towards Maggie was because the narrator did not want to blame someone she loved. She did not want to blame the person who should have been by her side til the end. Humans get hurt by people they believed would never hurt them. As a way to cope, they push the blame onto a person who they do not know as well. In hopes to forgive and move on without having to understand the mistake in depth.
ReplyDeleteThe comment that stood out to me the most was Braylie Paxton's reply to Landy DeArman, "64. Cartesian Splits." In general, this question has always been on my mind, but reading the replies was really interesting... I agree a lot with Landy and their final question which was "can one live in one's body?"
ReplyDeleteIt was really fun to read along into Braylie's research she dove into for this specific question and or reply! They went over how Buddhism considers the mind the "sixth sense organ" of the body.
It brought me back to when I was in high school and we had an assignment to see how other, less heard of religions function. There was so many with unique names, perspectives, ways of life, and higher powers. It really makes me want to try to experiment in a way- force the mind to really feel the body... Which, I know a military sleeping method that really makes you focus on your body and relaxing it until you feel nothing and, boom! Sleeping! Don't know how Buddhism connects to this, but, that's what my thought process was!
The comment that stood out most to me was Trey Backus's comment on "Survival of the Chickenest." I think that his response highlighted some of the reasons why fear is so important for survival. I love how he says that if man wasn't afraid of the dark then we never would have invented fire. If we apply that logic to other technologies, we can see that innovation can be inspired by fear. For example, people are afraid of dying to chicken pox, so we developed a vaccine. People we're afraid of dying to animals or other people up close, so they invented bows and arrows. Not all innovation is inspired by fear, but if you break down the circumstances around a certain invention, a lot of it can be boiled down to fear.
ReplyDelete130. The Writing/Talking Cure. Sam Kreis.
ReplyDeleteSam talked of how they had to walk down an evil street, and how making noise would help them feel less scared. And their habit of making stories whenever someone wronged them.
Sam got me thinking not only because they gave examples of how language and noise would help their fear and their distress, but also in the incredible way they wrote their experiences with using language to navigate their life. I think the way they wrote their comment showed their outgoing and sparkling personality very well, and made me think about how their use of language helped express that to me. Their comment in general has made me think about the power and intricacy of language and story-telling.
I find Alexis Quall’s comment on 161. Begin/End to be really interesting. I somewhat agreed with the point that being a beginner or a finisher is a mental trait you're born with, but I also strongly believe in a person's ability to change. I was struggling to find a coherent and sensible way of explaining that ability to change, and I think Alexis just put it in an excellent way.
ReplyDeleteI thought that Avery Ryan's comment on question 53, "Waiting Rooms," was very insightful and a great way to evaluate our ability to live, breathe, and experience the precious gift that life is. It got me thinking that instead of doing only what is necessary to subsist and waiting around for our eventual demise, we should yank the reins on our short existence and speed off with the opportunities we have, especially in this time in history and at this particular location. How you choose to move through your life is a matter of the perspective lens which you cast upon it; to simply exist and be content with the minimum would be a tragedy for yourself and an insult to those who never had the ability to live to the fullest.
ReplyDeleteThere were two comments that really stood out to me. One was by Hailey Stites on the thumbs up/down question (163), while the other was by Sam Kries on the giant ball of soul strings question (150). The reason that Hailey's comment stuck out to me was simply because it showed a different side of the question that I had missed. In her comment she mentioned how even if we had emoticons to use in real life most of them just copy real body language that we already use. When I first read the question, I hadn't even thought of that, so after reading her response it got me actually thinking about the question instead of the easiest way to answer it. It also helped me change my answer to something that actually took thought instead of just a generic answer to the question.
ReplyDeleteThe second comment was by Sam Kries and was about soul mates. He talked about how there could be both romantic and platonic soulmates, and how there isn't any one person who is perfect for your, instead that the beauty of a relationship comes partially form the struggle of that relationship. This comment got me thinking about how I've never even considered that my friends could be "soul mates" in a way that's platonic. It also got me thinking about how some of my closest friends are people I never thought I'd talk to, but when I did, we hit it off and are inseparable now.
The comment I found most thought-provoking was by Nina Benton, made on “75. Tag Team.” Nina explains that although the author gave the narrator two life-altering events, neither of the events defines who she is as a person. She says that losing a relationship can make a person feel like they lost part of themselves or that they need to start over, while having cancer can fully take someone's identity. This made me think about how easy it is to let poor circumstances change how we see ourselves. I also especially liked her point about how even when bad things happen, we still get to choose who we are. It made me realize that we can acknowledge what has happened to us while still continuing to live our lives and decide what comes next for us.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to go with Hannah Turner's post on question 72 The Villain. I think their comment is really well put together and the ladder part made me think a little harder on the situation. They effectively comment on the prompt saying that Sam isn't quite a "Villain" because he isn't entirely evil as he still cares for his children and whats to right ny them however continues on to say that hiding the truth from the kids is unwise as there's a high likelihood they may catch on eventually. While reading over the prompt I never really thought about Noah's age and the fact he is old enough to the point he most likely can and will figure out about what happened. Which will make things even worse meaning even if it wasn't morally wrong or right to tell him not telling them will still have a negative impact. This got me thinking more about the effects, not just the morality.
ReplyDeleteThe comment on the "Tag team" question by Nina Benton had me wondering about how much of self we put on others. They mention that it is easy to build your identity around other people but that is not who we are and when we lose them, we are not losing who we are. However, I think our identity is dispersed among everyone around us. We are different with different people. We are comfortable around our loved ones and when we lose them, we feel as though we are losing the version of ourselves when we were with them, the version of ourselves we probably liked. When or if that happens, we have to find that part of ourselves again.
ReplyDeleteThe most thought-provoking post I read was posted by Kaeli Wilson on the “Love Language" question, where she explains her love languages and the fact that learning how to love your partner takes time. Her post made me think about how a relationship not only requires love, but also intentionality. I think in most circumstances, showing that you’re trying to learn the best way to love your partner will go just as far as getting it right the first time. It also made me think about how thinking of another person's desires is intrinsically attached to the idea of love languages. The narrator didn’t clean something random of Sam’s, but rather something she knew would directly benefit his health and overall well-being. As Kaeli said, learning to love each other takes time and communication.
ReplyDeleteThe most thought provoking comment I have seen was Aubrey Pope’s on 84 secret. The question asked if the narrator had made the right decision to keep the cancer diagnosis a secret and while at first, I did think her decision was correct this comment changed my mind. Aubrey explained very well how the cancer not only affected the narrator but it could easily affect Sam and the kids if she wasn’t able to recover. After I read the comment I changed my mind because it definitely isn’t ok to keep such life altering news a secret even if sharing that news would be vulnerable.
ReplyDeleteI liked Joseph Tyler Powell's comment on "The Heart Wants", which was about the question of whether or not you have control of your heart when it falls in or out of love. His explanation of real love being something that grows and can die if left uncared for tied in great to his argument that falling out of love happens based on decisions you make in the past. He also agreed with my thought, which was that Sam and the narrator had good reasons to divorce unrelated to love directly. Sam cheating was something that deeply hurt the narrator, which isn't something easily moved on from.
ReplyDeleteOne response that stuck out to me was one by Jacob Jolly on 108: Shall remain nameless. His reflection carried a clarity and moral steadiness that I thought deserved praise. He talked about how many people struggle to articulate the way a seemingly small act, like being told to choose an American name, and how it can quietly reinforce the inherent belonging and how people are treating. What stood out to me in his response was his balance between empathy and accountability. I also liked how he talked about his own experiences of friends whose names are frequently mispronounced, which made me think of how cultural identity can be chipped away slowly through daily interactions. His insistence that basic respect requires listening is a simple idea but one that all too many people forget. I also thought that calling intentional mispronunciation a microaggression, gave the issue a good amount of weight without resorting to exaggeration or hyperbole.
ReplyDeleteKaylea Tinsley | Wealth Gap
ReplyDeleteThroughout the post Kaylea illustrates an incredibly insightful observation of the differing reality's and belief systems of children growing up in poverty as opposed to those who came of age in wealth. She compares the two by expressing how often families in poverty are operating in survival mode while those who have an abundance of financial support have an entirely different level of opportunities at there disposal and enjoy the luxury of being able to take risks and just relax.
Ivan G's comment on Love Languages (63) can be summarized to: people are not absolutely compatible, and they should be loved the way they want to be loved. In my mind, this is how I thought love should work. It's not only about compromising; it's also about respect too. I feel like one's partner should not feel like they are unloved or ignored simply because they are not being loved in the way they should.
ReplyDeleteJack Baker's response on Waiting Rooms really got me thinking about happiness. I liked how he talked about human happiness being limited. I think this is a very interesting idea because I think about how I spend my time a lot. I agree that human happiness is limited. Not just in a sense of there is only so much happiness you will get to feel, but also that there are some forms and sources of happiness that you will never get to experience. Time is limited, by doing one thing you are choosing not to do everything else you could do with that time. I think this idea can show us that we need to care about how we use our time.
ReplyDeleteThis was Brayden by the way
DeleteEmily Bernardy's comment on the villain, talks about the nuance of considering Sam to be the villain within the story, she communicates that though he is at fault due to his affair, he still is a loving father. Not guiltless in his marriage but still not a monster.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a rational take on a sticky situation.
Kaeli Wilson's comment on "63. Love Languages" focuses on communication within relationships about love languages to ensure both parties feel seen and loved. It is natural human instinct to lean towards the option that benefits us or makes us feel complete, so learning another human, considering their feelings and wants, and how to deliver that to them, always makes me stop and think. The exchange of affection between two people is such a delicate process that requires so much deliberation and thought, and is so nuanced that the only way to achieve equal happiness from both parties is communication.
ReplyDeleteJackson Cook’s comment under “Nooses”, was very thought provoking to me in the sense that I highly agree with the fact that fairy tales don’t ever truly give you the whole picture, only want you want to see. The pretty side of things. Something that is perfect, which in reality, we will never get. The way he described it in such detail made me really think deeply about it Yee’s comment in the book and how right she was. We don’t see it then as children, but as adults, it’s almost bittersweet.
ReplyDeleteHannah's comment on the Takeaway was the most thought-provoking for me. She described Maggie's way of grieving and coping, pointing out how different it is for each person. She points out that some ways might be healthier than others. As someone who has been through a lot and is in therapy for it, it reminded me of how my siblings and I reacted differently to what we went through. I immediately went into therapy; my brother ignores everything and doesn't let it affect him; and my sister is still involved with that side of our family for the sake of her kids. I really liked her pointing that out.
ReplyDeleteSorry this was Isabella Gaston^
DeleteNoah’s comment on Question 63, "Love Languages," makes a really great point. He says the real problem in their marriage was a lack of commitment. Today, different dating apps, like Hinge or Tinder for example, make us believe that relationships are centered around compatibility, like matching with someone who shares your hobbies or interests. Noah's discussion reminds us that staying committed and working through your differences is way more important. He also points out that it takes two to tango. Instead of just blaming one person, we have to realize that both the narrator and her husband did not put in an effort to mend their marriage. Their marriage did not have to end. They both failed to communicate and lacked the interest to put in the work to stay together and work it out.
ReplyDeleteLandy DeArman, 12. On Sale Now: Another Life
ReplyDeleteHer comment on how writers may change the beliefs of people's children really grabbed my attention and made me reflect on the effects reading might have households where it is not as commonplace. That we might lose our own beliefs as writers deconstruct and build their own is also very interesting. Very rarely do we organize our own thoughts and beliefs as a writer would de present them to the outside world. I feel that this makes the well thought out beliefs of others easy to accept since it walks us through their though process while we ourselves do not often do the same with our ideas.
John McVeigh’s response # 4 to question # 59 was very thought provoking. The question he is responding to is if people in your community are encouraged to date out of their communities. He says that they aren't encouraged because they are fed a “very specific idea of what the ‘ideal relationship’ should be like, and people generally carry these ideas into their adulthood.” what i thought was most thought provoking about John’s comment was how different cultures are in different places and how these ideas are brought into adulthood. Because people who have certain beliefs do usually take them into adulthood, but often these beliefs change and adapt as people move and get into different parts of their lives and world. So, whereas I do believe this comment, I think it depends if someone stays stagnant and doesn’t experienced much change into their adult lives whereas someone who does experience change especially as a young adult will often times have their beliefs molded and changed.
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