Blog Assignment #8 Definition

    Despite having been told definition essays are the easiest to write, I would have to disagree. I feel like I would never be able to choose a topic or know what subjects and topics to introduce while writing it. However, the essays in this chapter are very well written and definitely explain the main idea very clearly. My favorite was "Caring for Your Introvert" by Jonathan Rauch.
    Many people who are around me a lot would say that I am an extrovert because I talk a lot and I like people to pay attention to me. I check my phone every two minutes (Rauch suggests that this indicates extrovert-ism --is that a word?) and I often feel energized by people and dread being alone. At other times, though, I cannot wait to get away and just be by myself. I often find myself anxious in groups and at parties and long to just go home and read a book or do anything alone. I do agree with his idea that introverts' motto is "I'm okay, you're okay-in small doses." I couldn't agree with that anymore. I hang out with friends a lot and a lot of the time, they ask me to have sleepovers with them or tell me we should hang out the following day, or just "soon" and all I can think is that if I see them within the next two weeks, I might kill them from the high dose of their company. (Haha, this is making me sound like a horrible person!)
     I'm probably an introvert with extrovert tendancies that I've learned from the way I was raised. I liked that Rauch addressed whether introverts are arrogant, oppressed, and misunderstood. Of course they (we) are. Many people see them as arrogant because they keep to themselves in most situations and stand by, just listening. Sometimes we silently judge, but you'll never know because we're introverts. *insert evil laugh here* Rauch is definitely a good representative for introverts. He understands the way they are, but has found a way to get his thoughts out in public. He clearly explains the way introverts work, but doesn't stop there. He also suggests how to support introverts: to recognize that it isn't a choice, people don't choose to be this way, they just are; when they're lost in thought, not to ask if something is wrong or treat them like victims of depression; and to just shut up. Let people be how they are and stop judging them or making assumptions.

Blog Assignment #7 Responding to the "In Your Journal" Assignment

The most interesting essay in Chapter 9 was Web of Risks, because, like many people all over the world, I waste my time on a social networking site. Despite all of the negative aspects of Facebook, I actually believe that it's a good way for people to interact with each other. Years ago, it was so hard to keep in touch with high school friends and people that one may have met while traveling or when they moved, but now it's easy...as long as they have Facebook too. It has only been about six months since I graduated, but I already miss my best friends from high school, and because of Facebook, we have been able to easily contact each other and plan for parties and reunions. There are definitely better ways to interact with people on campus, however. I would not suggest only interacting with people through social networking sites. They can be dangerous when trying to make new friends, and it's just better to meet people in person rather than online. Our ability to communicate with each other is going down the drain because of texting and "Facebooking," and we're forgetting how to talk to people face to face, so other forms of connection with one another, like going to parties and activities on campus, even if it's just a get together, is the best way to meet new people and get to know them. I have had plenty of experience when it comes to the way these interactive websites are, and although they are very helpful, we should use them as infrequently as possible and get out and aquaint ourselves in all sorts of ways.