Talking about writing in low lighting... that rhymed.

Pressing a Button

I have been playing soccer all my life, and so I love just about anything that involves soccer.  One of my favorite games is EASports' FIFA for the 360.  It gives me a simple way to enjoy watching my favorite soccer players while playing at the same time.  It also requires very little effort on my part, which can be a welcome alternative to 90 minutes on the pitch.  The game doesn't replace the real thing, but it's a great simulator, and people can play it regardless of athletic ability or soccer experience.  Scoring a goal is so much easier than it would be in reality, and it gives me satisfaction to be able to score at the press of a button.

Valley of Death

Virtual Reality

           If I tell you what is real, will you believe me?  Do you need proof?  Reality is tricky.  My perception of it can be swayed by many different factors.  The Oxford Dictionary defines reality as “the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.”  But in a world of technology and communication, it’s nearly impossible to overlook all of the opinions and perspectives about our existence. 

When a photograph is posted next to a news story, it adds a specific perspective.  The picture is meant to convey some emotion along with the story.  If we read an article about the disaster in Haiti, we might be moved to sadness.  However, if a picture is posted showing dead children as a result of the disaster, we might be brought to tears or anger.  We have only seen a very small piece of reality through that picture.  For us, the reality becomes the picture rather than the situation entirely.  Our reality is shaped by what we experience with our senses.  It is not possible to truly know the extent of a disaster without being in the midst of it.  And even then, what is to be said of our own thoughts, ideas, and beliefs?

The article we read is biased depending on its writer.  The picture or video we view comes from someone’s perspective.  Anything we experience will be coupled with a thought or opinion of our own.  We can piece together a reality with the media and events around us, but ultimately, each of us completes a different puzzle.  Reality is in the eye of the beholder.

I'm Lovin' It

            This cartoon immediately grabs the attention of nearly any “American” over the age of five.  The unmistakable golden arches and solid red rooftop initiate the taste of two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun.  The artist, Kevin Tuma, assumes the audiences knowledge of many aspects of the McDonald’s corporation.  At first glance, it is clear that he is focused on government spending.  The tall trademark arches sign now reads McCongress, likely to denote the position of control congress is in.  I am sure it was by no mistake that the sign was drawn higher than Ronald and is looming behind him.  It adds to the humor that the usual “Billions Served” was changed to “Billions and Trillions Robbed.”  This could well be a jab at Congress’ use of taxpayer money.  Looking at who we can assume is Ronald McDonald, now called McGovernment, we see a huge clown feasting on a large sandwich labeled “Obama stimulus.”  The clown is preparing to consume the stimulus, reassuring the “folks” that no federal agency will be unfunded during their time of need.  The first thing that comes to my mind while looking at Ronald is McDonald’s corporation’s reputation.  For many years it has entered lawsuits and been the subject of documentaries regarding the fat content of its foods.  Our country is known for excess, especially in food.  Many surveys hold us in the top 10 most obese countries in the world.  This depiction says as much using so much less.  Ronald McGovernment is already pressing the limits of his cleverly named US belt, and now he’s preparing to consume even more!

            This does not bode well for Mr. McGovernment.  I would speculate that Tuma is not at all in favor of the ever-increasing international debt.  He seems to be indicating the effects of throwing money at our country’s problems over and over.  The fundamental structure of the US can barely function now that the government is in such drastic debt, and the US will eventually break and cease to function.  Tuma makes sure to include that Ronald is supersizing “again.”  This reminds us that the government has been spending for years and alerts us to the possibility of continued “supersizing.”  This illustration of a pattern is furthered by the humorous burp at the end of Ronald’s dialogue.  I gather from that little burp that he could very well have just finished his last meal.  One final observation, perhaps not intentional, is in the dialogue font style.  It appears that a certain four words are bold-faced: “Save Federal Agency Need!”  Whether or not this was intended by the artist, it is rather ironic.  Ronald is trying to reassure the people that funding will go to the federal agencies that can help them.  Then we find the underlying message, that the federal agencies in question actually need saving.  In all of this, one thing is sure.  Kevin Tuma recognizes a need for change in governmental funding tactics that seem to continually add to a problem with an expiration date.

a blog about the student

Indeed, I am a student.  This is my blog.  My name is Alexander Carleton Berk; most people call me Alex.  I share that name in the middle with my father, who lives in Columbia, South Carolina with my mother, Luanne, and two younger brothers, Daniel(right) and Michael(center).  I often hear the question “Where are you from?” which is precisely what I keep asking myself.  I was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1990, where we lived for a few years before moving to New Hampshire.  At five, after my brothers were born, I moved to Indianapolis, Indiana.  In 2004, we moved to Canton, Michigan where I completed high school and began attending Eastern Michigan University.  Shortly after I moved into an apartment near campus, my father was blessed with an outstanding career opportunity in South Carolina, whereto they moved that fall.  I intended to transfer to the University of Michigan as a junior, but South Carolina tuition was also available to me, so I applied to Clemson and USC Columbia as well.  I was declined admission to Michigan and with much prayer and planning, moving to Clemson became a reality.  Where am I from?  I suppose I should go with Boston.

  The most important thing anyone should know about me is that I love God.  I became a Christian on September 3, 2006, and my life is devoted to my relationship with Him.  I am a part of Campus Advance, a student organization affiliated with the Clemson Foothills Church.  Our church is one of the international Churches of Christ, of which I have been a member since becoming a disciple of Jesus.  I also love sports.  I played soccer and tennis in high school, and love basketball and football and almost anything competitive.  I enjoy writing some of the time.  To be honest, I tried to get out of taking this course (I had it waived in Michigan) because I did not particularly want to write a bunch of essays.  But alas, I am not a perfect writer, and practice is truly the key to perfection.  I am majoring in Computer Science and have no idea what I want to do with my life.  When I think of computer science, a particular type of personality enters my thoughts.  I have a preconceived picture of a ‘supernerd’ (a term I just coined) who is quiet and antisocial.  Like most stereotypes, this depiction holds some truth, but I am not that person.  I love to be around people and build new friends.  I am looking forward to this first semester at Clemson.  I know it will be fun; the people here are great, and I am ready for an experience I know I would not find elsewhere.