Cyber Gendered Space

Playing online video games since I was 5, I've noticed an undeniable demographic trend; it seems as if 99% of all gamers are male. And in those rare moments when one is spotted, I can't help but cringe as the rest of the lobby goes crazy and obsesses over the fact that there's someone of the opposite gender sending digital information to a server across the country. This serves as a testament to the scale of the problem where it can get to the point where this is a phenomenon. While guys can openly and enthusiastically discuss video game jargon with each other, God forbid that a girl even mention the title lest they are ridiculed and teased by their peers.
There are no regulations or bias put into games that would segregate a certain category of people from playing. In fact, games are usually made "androgynous to the core" or else it would be financially disadvantageous to limit the market to a certain group. Because of this, I have to come to the conclusion that there's no reason for this no other than societal pressures being put upon us. A constant loop of fear between females causes for them to not want to associate themselves with this field. Even if two people did play video games, it would most likely never come up due to the fear of the unknown and the judgement that would be received if the hobby wasn't reciprocated. As a result, this societal norm will most likely stay in place comparatively to all other societal injustices. Fortunately, this firewall has started to break down in recent years and has become less weird. Hopefully, eventually we can tear down this Berlin Wall.

Funny Business

In a world where people are scrutinized for the smallest of judgements, those who are able to safely and effectively deliver real impending problems are key to society. Fortunately, comedians are able to satirically criticize society in such a way that other people aren't able to become upset over. With an invisible shield around their words, people can't take them too seriously lest they are accused of having no sense of humor. However, underneath the surface, their message rings clear for the audience of the injustice or cause being supported. By assuming a persona, one can avoid ridicule as if it's not their own words. For example, in A Modest Proposal, Swift proposes that children be "offered in sale" and be "render[ed]...plump and fat for a good table." If this was believe to be a sane person speaking, they would be immediately sent to therapy and possibly an insane asylum. This can be seen as it parallels the strive for political correctness in politicians since anything that is slightly incorrectly said or perceived as offensive, immediate and severe backlash follows that could potentially be career ending.Luckily, being acknowledged as satire and comedy, it can be received by the audience in a much more civil and analytical way. As for comedians, late night talk show hosts such as the clip of Steven Colbert we saw in class and Saturday Night Live are great examples of how these untouchable comedians can give information with a twist to convey a message. Skits such as pointing out the flaws in the Republican Presidential Debate have been able to both put a smile on the viewers faces and spin a gear in their brains. With millions of viewers, their influence is wide spread which can have an impact on a scene. Since humor always comes at the expense of something or someone else, it is usually a very fragile field in which many people can get offended if gone too far. Jokes alleviate this pressure since the affected side can be more understanding and accepting; but in the end, the damage is done. Comedians are critical in the role of pointing out flaws and injustices ranging from inconveniences to gender equality.

Overdose

There's a new epidemic, and it might not come from where you think. When thinking of epidemics, images of disease and suffering pop into mind as poor and innocent souls are ravaged with devastating symptoms. However, in this age of profound medical advancements, the biggest enemy is ourselves.
In "Body Ritual Among the Nacirema," Miner states that "man's only hope is to avert these characteristics through the use of powerful influences" in this "highly developed market economy." While this piece's main purpose is to satirize the beauty standards and strive to alter the natural body, it also criticizes the ability and willingness for Americans to consume medication at free will simply due to the ability to afford it. Its almost become a "ritual" where even the most minor of symptoms will lead to copious amounts of doctor visits and subsequent medications. It's almost as if "were it not for the rituals...they believe that their teeth would fall out;" and while this may simply seem as a harmless life choice made to the disadvantage of those consumers, it affects us all.
In the counter intuitive game of cat and mouse, the relationship between the mutation of diseases and the need for scientists to develop a cure is a deadly match that results in the downfall to those who didn't cause the problem. As more and more medication is taken, there is a general resistance developed by the pathogens which basically allows them to resist the medicine - also known as drug resistance. The frustrating part of this is that the ones who are responsible for this phenomenon are those who unnecessarily abuse drugs and the ones who are left to suffer the consequences are those doing the right thing. Because it takes a vast quantity of money and time to produce a new drug, we are left with the obsolete drug to take care of the newly resistant pathogen. Therefore, people who are newly and more severely infected with the pathogen are left without options to ease the pain. Meanwhile the source of this problem can blissfully and guiltlessly recline on a couch of empty medicine containers. One of the most ignored problems today, there needs to be a call to action to stop this epidemic.

Tough Love

"Start when you're ready" he'd say as we lined up on the track for our daily run. Although it was just another day of exercise, the pressure of outperforming my previous self and living up to expectations caused immense anxiety as I rested my hand on my GPS watch. Taking a deep breath, I'd try to release these feelings and concentrate on the run ahead. Beep, and we're off. Knowing that I can't let up, my runs would consist of more psychological than physical battles. There would be countless times where I simply could not deliver the standard or keep going; but I did it anyways. The fear of disappointment or scolding from my father drove me forward, and while this only started in middle school, this could easily be seen in my soccer matches from when I was four up until I was fifteen. Practically acting as a sideline coach and "motivator" he would yell at me at the slightest mistakes or misplays and micromanage me on what to do. I remember thinking to myself "ugh can he just stop!? Why doesn't he do this with anyone else on my team?" Uncoincidentally, I would suddenly not look to that side of the field and tend to shift further away from it. And while he thought he was helping, all I wanted to do was shut myself out and go back to the comfort of isolation.
Translated into all aspects of my being, this has been the definition of our relationship; and admittedly, I didn't like it. Similar to Brad Manning's relationship with his father, "I had lost enjoyment" in most of the things I've done and instead ended up being caught up in the pain of the process. I always wondered why my dad was so hard on me and insisted that I do everything to perfection. It wasn't until much recently that I realized started to appreciate it rather than dread it. It turns out through numerous displays of pride and affection in track meets and post game comments that all he wanted was for me to succeed and have the best. Looking back on my life so far, I'm able to see through the veil of initial emotions and can now realize and appreciate what he's done for me. Because of him, I managed to be one of the best runners and players in our city and be the person that I am today. And while he's never directly said so, it's clear that he has and always will love me.