Article Reading Journal Entry
Monday, March 23: Read: “Facebook Multiplies Genders but Offers Users the Same Three Tired Pronouns” (Baron),
On Monday, February 23, I read Dennis Baron’s Facebook Multiplies Genders, but Offers Users the Same Three Tired Pronouns in the article. The author addresses the issues that revolve around the social media site, Facebook. Baron argues that Facebook has provided people with different genders on the online platform but regard them with the use of gender-based contexts, such as he, she, and they. The author states that Facebook is comprised of enlightened individuals capable enough to understand the contexts of gender as fluid; however, in grammar, their logical connotation of gender rigidifies into aspects of masculinity, feminism, and neuter. Further, Baron contemplates actions taken by Facebook by ridiculing its ability to identify people correctly. The argument presented by Baron in the text is compelling since it addresses the possibilities in gender identification provided by Facebook, although people always fail to apply the concept successfully.
In the article, the author addresses a logical aspect of society that relates to gender identification. His perspectives are driven concurrently with concepts that matter in the current community, where specific individuals do not identify as men or women. The individuals are provided the freedom to relate themselves with either gender. Baron further claims that there is a need for incorporating additional genders in the Facebook realm. He utilizes some aspects of figurative language to engage the reader, and through them, I was able to understand the perspectives the author illuminates upon in the text. For instance, he uses personification, to make emphasis on matters such as ‘grammar is scared’ (Baron, 634). Also, his calm and cynical tone across the text appeals to my understanding, which illuminates a logical flow of evidence to support the claims the author makes. Through the use of credible examples and a personal touch in the article, the author achieves his credibility.
Monday, March 30: Read “When Doctors Make Mistakes” (Gawande).
On Monday, March 30, I read When Doctors Make Mistakes by Atul Gawande, in which the author uses a harrowing personal experience in claiming that mistakes in medicine are not a result of bad physicians, since everyone, regardless of their profession is entitled to making mistakes. After all, we are all human. The author’s arguments are focused on the current malpractices experienced in the medical system, leading to an environment constructed on fear and silence. Gawande further argues that malpractices in the system result in friction between patients and physicians. The author states that responsibilities accorded to doctors entirely up to their training; however, in carrying them out and attending, observe, and control their decisions (Gawande, 653).
Across the article, the author employs concise and relatable language and a bright tone, enabling my ability to understand their point of view. It is evident that in text, even a person such as myself who has no prior knowledge in medicine can easily relate to the terms and flow of thoughts. Thus, interested in fully grasping the context of the author’s narration, which touches on an essential subject in medicine, I was influenced into gaining a scope into Gawande’s point of view. Further, in the text, through the use of various rhetorical questions, the author was able to engage my critical thinking. Thus, as I read through the article, I became more interested in understanding the arguments Gawande aims at delivering.
Gawande presents medical evidence from his knowledge and understanding as a surgeon to make the story flow and form an engaging context with the reader. It is inconceivable in the text that the author is aware of the subject matter and provides adequate evidence to make his claims appeal to the reader, and as a result, agree or disagree with it. As he concludes the text, the author can illuminate on the idea that the flawed system is to blame for inevitable mistakes made by doctors and that they should not always be held accountable for the failures. The author addresses the steps taken to analyze, prevent, and to solve the errors in the experience in medicine. Therefore, by incorporating a personal knowledge and understanding of the concept, the author can establish the claimant’s credibility.
Monday, April 6: Read: “The Case for Animal Rights” (Regan);
On Monday, April 6, I read The Case of Animal Rights, an article claiming that everyone, including animals, has rights and inherent value; as such, it is not ethical to subject mistreatment and torture to anyone with value. The article written by Tom Regan presents an important topic in society on the value of animals and the protection of their rights. The author discusses the rights of animals and why it is not right to exploit anyone of value by using them as a resource. In the text, the use of animals as test subjects, in commercial agriculture, and hunting and trapping them are the interests that have contributed to the author’s arguments. He believes that the abolishment, dissolution, and elimination of these aspects is a commitment towards the protection of animals in society. I was influenced by Reagan’s perception of the moral theory and its implications in facilitating the rights of animals in building my understanding of his point of view on the matter. He applies a concerned tone in the language of the text to fully grasp the attention of the reader. Also, through appealing to the reader’s critical thinking by asking rhetorical questions, Regan appeals to my senses in following the flow of his arguments and perspective on the topic.
The author, through the text, has an eloquent mastery of figurative language, which he keenly utilizes in driving his points across. He wants to make people aware of the importance of valuing and appreciating the rights of animals. He notes animals do not have prior knowledge of the importance of contracts or even the significance of signatures in them, as such, making them vulnerable to mistreatment and exploitation (Regan, 673). The issue of ‘contractarianism’ as the author calls presenting contrasting elements between humanity and animals and, as a result, animals being inferior under the aspects of knowledge. Hence, the author makes generalizations by calling upon everyone to take part in collectively fighting for the rights of animals. Showing animals kindness according to the author, presents the elements of utilitarianism, an approach to morally questioning actions, based on right and wrong, since whet my seem right may be wrong from a different perspective.
The arguments posed by Regan, point out a question on morality in the society, where people need to compare themselves to the animals and regard the vulnerable creatures as animals that need protection. Therefore, by arguing on the importance of valuing animals, and using a personal approach, the author can establish the credibility of the claims he identifies.
Monday, April 13: Read: “A Modest Proposal” (Swift);
On Monday, April 13, I read A Modest Proposal and essay written to satirize politicians in the society and their absurd proposals in solving problems that affect an entire community. Jonathan Swift writes the article as a proposal whose intention is to prevent children from becoming a burden to their parents and society by making them beneficial. However, as I read through the text, I realized that the proposal is anything but modest. The author incorporates his mastery of language and writing skills to criticize political leaders and other authorities in the society satirically. In the text, the lack of sympathy and humanity among individual leaders are the contributing interests and values that engage the author’s argument. The essay follows a solution to food shortages in Ireland through a rational, scientific, and logical consumption of children.
The absurd and illogical claim of the proposal in solving the problem is, in most ways, inhuman. And though the author’s tone in the beginning, which presents the speaker as an innocent and genuinely concerned citizen, sympathetic to the circumstances facing Irish people, strike a familiarity in the misplaced concerned politicians have. This perception is proven as the speaker argues on the advantages of the modest proposal. Reading this text, and identifying these satirical and intonations as well as figurative language used by the author, engaged my interests in understanding the intended point of view.
Across the text, it is evident that Swift makes several assumptions and generalizations on the advantages of turning children into food. These claims indicate a lack of humanity and illogical reasoning that does not fully encompass the interests of society; further, they lean towards aspects of inequality and discrimination. By using elements of figurative language such as irony, implying that the modest proposal as the author identifies it, is nothing but modest; instead it is an insane suggestion that would not sit in well with a community. Therefore, by employing a satirical approach to discuss a topic of concern across society, the author achieves credibility in their arguments.
