Multiple Truths – Poland’s Holocaust Law

When discussing the idea of multiple truths or multiple identities, we can also include the idea of different histories. As we heard in On the Media last week, Poland’s new law that outlaws blaming Poland for any crimes committed during the Holocaust, is just another version of this. Additionally, what makes this interesting is that it is an official governmental attack on the historical narrative of a country and a worldwide tragedy.

This “Holocaust Law” essentially creates different versions of a country and a history. It changes from some portions of the country that were complicit in the atrocity, to one that denies any kind of wrong-doing from anyone in the country. It raises concerns on how the government will decide what is “truth” and what is not. This reshapes the narrative and creates multiples truths and experiences.

Within this problem of re-writing history with multiple versions of truth, there is an identity crisis for Poland and its citizens. It is necessary to point out that Poland was a victim during WWII, but that does not mean that all citizens in the country were victimized in the same way. To separate the suffering of the Jewish Poles is to act as these Poles are not as tied to the national identity than Polish gentiles. If the national identity is separated in a way, then they become multiple selves with different perceptions of the truth.

To say that not one single Pole participated in any Nazi activities against Jews, would be disrespectful. And to restrict what people in the country say, believe, or research is legitimization of Antisemitism and xenophobia within the government.

– Katherine Matuszek

Multiple Truths and Multiple Self’s

In the world today we have so many different ways to communicate and so many different people who use these forms of communication differently. I find as a college student who grew up in the age of this continuous growth of technology that people’s communication has slowly gone down the drain. I find that it is very hard to have a conversation with someone in person if their phone is in front of them because they are so invested in the conversation on their phone, they can’t have the conversation literally sitting in front of them. That is definitely something I struggle with when I am home because I’m so worried about talking to my friends at school, that I can’t have a conversation with everyone at home.

 

Looking at the term of “multiple self’s” I think about how I talk personally online versus how I talk in person. I believe that over phone or words on a screen I am a lot more scripted and confident in the words coming out of my “mouth.” I think this is because I don’t see the person’s actual reaction to the words I am speaking and I don’t have to portray them with expressions, they are just words behind a screen. Even when it comes to school, I would rather be online writing a message than sitting in class and answering questions. Why? I think it is because I am worried about embarrassing myself in class maybe by making a comment or answering something that isn’t right or people don’t agree with. I also think it could be just because being behind a computer screen you don’t have to worry about people’s reactions or responses because they aren’t actually saying anything to your face.

 

~Danyela Swidler~

Florida Shooting Blog Post #2

In class discussion today we talked about the unfortunate invent that happened last week in a Florida School. Nikolas Cruz opened fire on his class mates and murdered more then 15 student. Many Parents, Students, Educators etc. are upset and concerned, that yet another school shooting has happened and nothing had been done it fix it. This recent Florida School Shooting makes the 22nd School shooting that has happened recently. Why is it the 22nd school shooting but not the 2nd. What is going on with the student body and what exactly can be the solution.

Many critics argue that Nikolas Cruz is suffering from Major depression and has a mental illness. Because of the day and age we live in today, many parents are upset with their “reasoning” behind Cruz shooting rampage. If I was a parents who’s kid has just been shot by one of his peers, I would want justice to be served. Parents send their children to school with the mentality that they are in safe hands while they work to provide food for the table. No parents wants to think that they will not be able to see their child after school. One thing I find very strange about this case is why wasn’t Cruz Stopped or spoken too. Cruz has not had an easy road in life, he lost both his adoptive parents in a matter of a year and now he has to stay with other relatives having to adapt yet again. I have so many question, Did cruz reach out for help?, if he reached out for help was he ignored because many believed he was bluffing?. Was Cruz being bullied, or was this school shooting a payback?

Personally, I feel that Cruz should serve time to make justice for those lives taken. Cruz may be mentally unstable but it enrages me that it took 18 calls to 911 and a massacre to just blame it all on mental illness. Nikolas Cruz should be punished and be made an example for many of those students who feel the need to hurt others and create another school shooting. Before sentencing Nikolas Cruz, I feel like he should go through a series of test proving his mental illness or mental instability. Nikolas Cruz should be made aware of all the damage he has done. They Should give Nikolas Cruz a chance to explain his motive, all thought I feel there is no valid reason to kill another. After examining Cruz he should serve time in jail, while getting treated for mental illness. I feel that students will mental illness who create a crime should be punished by serving time in a jail not a mental institution where they get special treatment and are technically free. By serving time in Jail the will serve Justice to the families hurt by this tragic event and help himself because he will be able to get the attention and treatment he deserves.

Possible Solution:

Since there has been an on going pattern of School Shooting, I feel that all Schools should bring in Random Mental Detectors to school. Growing up in Brooklyn NY, metal detectors in my high school were a thing of the past. There were times we couldn’t even bring our phones into the school and had to pay the nearby bodega $1 to hold it for us throughout the day. Many parents do not want mental detectors because they feel like they are criminalizing their children and can bring a bad cogitation. In reality I feel like this is the best solution because you will be able to find anyone who has a weapon and/or drugs. This tactic can intimidate any other possible school shooters and possible make this last School shooting the LAST ONE. Another solution is heavily educating our students on open-fire safety and Mental illness. I feel like the generations of today are too strung up on their technologies and not educating themselves with it for the right things. Many students were snapping the event, yes 911 was called but instead of recording students should of aided in helping those who needed it and protecting themselves.

Because of this tragic event,  recently students have been coming together to try and advocate for safer schools in order to end this vicious trend, It is nice to know that there are still bright people in the generation willing to make a change and express their feelings to the public and our government, thats the type attitude needed to shine the light and one day end such an epidemic in this country.

Question to Class:

What are your opinions on Mental Illness and a Criminal living in the same body? Should he be sentenced lightly because of mental illness? Should he be convicted like a regular criminal?

 

-Taide Acevedo

The “True Crime” Podcast

Rather than focusing on different styles, I’ll be looking at three podcasts, Serial; S-Town; A Very Fatal Murder, that follow similar formats of investigation and have a focus on crime. These interested me because of their style, topics, and production value. The amount of work that goes into these long form documentary series (in podcast format) is extremely impressive. These podcasts are also scripted and a thought provoking. As I have an interest in writing as well as journalism, this format is really intriguing, and I tend to get invested in the series.

These podcasts take real-life stories of people and delves further into their lives, the event, or the location. They also commonly have their host doubling as an investigator in whatever case they are discussing. The shows are also serialized, so they are published in regular installments and listeners tend to listen to a whole series rather than just specific episodes.

I first listened to the first season of Serial in high school and was immediately hooked. Like many others during the height of its popularity, myself and my class became invested in the story. The host, Sarah Koenig, and her team investigate the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee, an 18-year-old student at Woodlawn High School in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. in season 1.  Lee’s ex-boyfriend, Adnan Masud Syed, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. After two trials, Syed was found guilty of Lee’s murder and given a life sentence. At the time, Syed still maintained his innocence. Throughout the 12-episode season, Koenig tells the story by alternating between history of the couple, interviews with Syed, and interviews with other students and family. Throughout a year of investigation Koeing tries to uncover what happened the day Lee was murdered and if Syed is guilty.

https://serialpodcast.org/

S-Town is a similar podcast and produced by the same team as Serial. Released in 2017, S-Town also gathered a large following. The show is hosted by Brian Reed and was triggered by an email he received from John B. McLemore in 2012 asking them to investigate an alleged murder in his hometown Woodstock, Alabama. McLemore hated the town and cited supposed misconduct in the police department and other problems within that lead him to believe that the crime was not being properly investigated. After a year of talking, Reed traveled to “Shit Town,” Alabama. This investigation continues for a few more years and eventually attempts to tackle the idea of the lives of people and of a town, perspectives, and time with broader and more artful framing. This piece is extremely well done, and I quite enjoyed it.

https://stownpodcast.org/

A Very Fatal Murder produced by the Onion, pokes fun at podcasts like Serial and S-Town.  There is a bit of critique on the fact that these hosts are taking it upon themselves to solve murder cases, like they are the obvious choice and that other organizations are incompetent. AVFM also lessens the serious or preachy tones that the other podcasts can fall into. It points out qualities in these podcasts, like out obsession with the murders of young women, the fetishism these small towns, the complexities of ethical journalism, and even using the stories to bolster their own careers. AVFM is extremely funny and surreal. The satire tackles the format of true crime well.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/panoply/a-very-fatal-murder/e/53150292

As a fan of both the actual and satire, I think it is interesting how these work in conversation with one another. Serial and S-Town were so popular during each of their releases and both pose interesting questions to their audiences about themselves not just about the case. Additionally, because of how culturally significant the podcasts are, AVFM acts as a great commentary on what we as a culture find intriguing and how in a way we glamorize murder.

– Katherine Matuszek

Instagram vs Reality

I want to preface by saying that I’m not entirely sure if I’m answering this question correctly but I’m going to try. I think our identities are altered without us even realizing they are being manipulated. Recently I have seen this happened through Instagram and the bloggers who produce the content. I love Instagram just as much as the next person and I follow a lot of wellness accounts but I have started to see a pattern in some of the accounts. I think there is a moment where Instagram and their “real” life starts to blend. It begs the question of who they really are. They spend hours a day behind their screens advocating products and tips on how to live a healthy lifestyle. Most of the time they aren’t even promoting products and instead of updating followers about their lives. Where does one draw the line between Instagram Blogger and a Real Person’s life? I have even heard one blogger describe herself as taking on the Instagram “voice” one gets when speaking in videos. While I see the benefits of storying on Instagram and posting about various topics I think it can morph a person’s identity. Many bloggers post multiple times throughout the day because they feel pressured to compete with other accounts. It makes me wonder if the pressure to produce content for their blogs changes who they are as a person because their lifestyle as a blogger becomes so demanding.

Podcasts of Choice: Adult Sh1t, How I Built This, and Bad With Money

Anyone who really knows me may know that I am not good with technology or remotely up to date with “current” social media. My siblings make fun of me because I’m always months behind what is currently popular. One of my younger sisters loves to watch Buzzfeed videos and happened to show me some of Kelsey Darragh’s video’s over winter break. One video was all it took. Her videos were hilarious. I soon discovered her podcast, Adult Sh1t, which she co-hosts with Kate Peterman. Each week they talk about topics/problems women face daily but are embarrassed to talk discuss. Kelsey and Kate are very candid about their own experiences as women enduring love, heartbreak, and adulting. A weekly podcast is released on Thursdays on itunes, soundcloud, and youtube. There are many ways to access the podcast but I personally like to listen to it on youtube. I love to have it on in the background while I’m getting ready or working on something else. While it is primarily a podcast the personality of Kelsey and Kate predominantly comes through the youtube video. I love watching the dynamic of Kelsey and Kate throughout the podcast mostly because they express their expressions on screen. I love this podcast because every week for an hour or so it feels like I’m sitting down with two of my close friends to have a chat. Kelsey is the loud-mouth friend who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and will no doubt tell you when you to order another drink. Kate is who I closely identify, she’s reserved and quiet but doesn’t let anyone take advantage of her. Next time you find yourself in a lull listen to an episode of Adult Sh1t and I’m sure you will wish you were a part of their friend group. I know I do!

My second podcast is something I stumbled upon without even trying. Long Story short, while job hunting the other day I somehow ended up on Gwyneth Paltrow’s website where I discovered the podcast How I Built This with Guy Raz. I instantly fell in love with the podcast and that has never happened with a podcast before except maybe Adult Sh1t. Each podcast is about forty minutes to an hour long and features a rising company or entrepreneur. For example, LinkedIn, Clif Bar, Chipotle, Bumble, Ben & Jerry’s Ben Cohen. I found this podcast largely inspirational because of where I am in my own life. I found it helpful to listen to others share their personal achievement on starting over or from scratch and becoming a successful company or entrepreneur. I’ll graduate in a few months and the prospect of finding a job is looming over my shoulders. Hearing these stories reminds me it’s never too late to do what I love or simply start over at any point in my life if I feel stuck.

The third podcast I chose was one I picked on a whim. I was flustered and wasn’t sure if I wanted to share Adult Sh1t for class. Bad With Money With Gaby Dunn, is a subject that is rather touchy with me. I hate discussing money or how much things cost. Whenever I swipe my debit card my heart beats a little faster and I turn my head to the right and shut my eyes in case my card gets declined. Why I do this? I’m not sure. I work two jobs and get paid weekly. Gabyly Dunn’s podcast was eye-opening for me because it forced me to sit down and listen to her discuss the issues our generation has with money. Each week she interviews a different guest, her father, mother, friends, boyfriend, or celebrities. During the interviews, she discusses how money has affected their lives and how they have approached spending and saving. In the process, she also answers basic questions about money that many are clueless about, me being one of them! If you’re looking for a fun lighthearted podcast to educate you on the value of money I’d definitely take a listen to Gaby Dunn’s Bad With Money and trust me you’re not alone!

Personality in Different Circles

What does it mean to live with multiple truths and multiple online personalities? For me, it seems as if there is  need to fit in with the crowd, more so online than in person, which might be odd for some. I find that when commenting on youtube content or other work by online creators, I tend to match my tone of voice to the creator. I interact with different types of content created by different types of people, but I like them all for different reasons. So, In order for there to be the slightest chance of them recognizing my voice out of all the others, I want to make them feel like I am one of their kind.

Sometimes I catch myself typing messages that I wouldn’t say in person, not because they aren’t true, but because the tone isn’t true. It’s easy to think that people who see my comment on a baking video won’t also get to see my comment on a singing video, so there are no qualms of doing something like that. If I were to try it on campus, soon, people would notice and I would be called out as pretending. But it seems that the internet is almost there for that specific reason. To offer us a wide range of options to escape from our reality. It can be an educational and informative tool for sure, but the amount of different entertainment options makes it a perfect place for escaping to.

Although I don’t know much about gaming, it seems like the perfect way to get immersed into a completely different world is through online games. It’s a great feeling to be able to experience a different world in increasingly detailed visuals, sound, and fluidity along with friends. People get to be whoever they want when they want to.

But for all these advantages, it is becoming increasingly obvious that many more people are having difficulties with face to face interaction, no doubt as a result of these trends. As people become more aware of these issues and eventually become parents, it will be interesting to see how this trend continues with their children. Will parenting styles evolve with parents having a better understanding of the difficulties their children might face in finding themselves in a world with so many options for who they can be? Or will it become more difficult to make human connections and relationships as people become less aware of themselves and who they consider themselves to be.

Surviving the Media Apocalypse. Why Now?

Two podcasts specifically sparked my interest recently. One surrounding the #MeToo movement, and one about surviving the “media apocalypse” which is inevitably coming for us. I’ve decided to write a blog post on both of them.

The media apocalypse is described as an over-saturation of content on the internet that is not original or unique. For example, how every site posts nearly identical listicles that are fueled by clickbait. Companies nowadays are more focused on the amount of clicks rather than the quality of their content. We are seeing many quickly written short articles posted for the sake of grabbing viewers’ attention. This is where facts are often incorrect. For example, if a website is following an ongoing story,  they will race to put out content the fastest rather than providing the most accurate information.

The hosts mention that the internet is mostly free of charge and consumers will not pay for something that they can get elsewhere for free. I agree with this, and this is the reason we see people pirating music, streaming it for free on sites like spotify, watching content for free on sites like Youtube, or illegally downloading movies and tv shows on their computers. People have the option to not spend money, so that’s exactly what they will do. People will not pay for something non-original that they can get elsewhere, and that is why many companies are downsizing their staff.

The podcast also talks about AI functions such as Alexa, Google Home, etc. that don’t necessarily make tasks go faster for us. The host details how asking Alexa to turn on a light for him can actually be more complicated than reaching his arm out and turning a switch. The other host says that it depends on the situation, for example if he is driving home, he can just say “Google, order me a pizza” instead of picking up a phone and dialing while driving. Then he could have a pizza at his door by the time he gets home.

Secondly, I was really interested in the podcast “Why Now?” questioning why so many women were coming forward to report sexual harassment and assault, and why people are believing them after they’ve been swept under the rug for decades. So, why now?

The podcast details women’s accounts with a famous elderly playwright who was married with children. Each woman had the same story that he would gain their trust, make them feel special, then isolate them and force himself onto them. Each woman said the same thing, that he suddenly stuck his tongue down their throat and grabbed their breasts, as if he was entitled to their body; that the woman’s body did not belong to them, but to him. The podcast includes a woman who was repeatedly pressured into having sex for an entire summer while she interned at a theater. Another woman interviewed explained that she had known the man since she was 11 years old and they had a great relationship. When she was in her twenties he came onto her and confessed that he was in love with her and made her say ‘I love you’ back. These women were pressured to stay silent for years of ongoing abuse. This woman actually complained to the theater about his unacceptable behavior, but her abuse was noted and systematically ignored. Women were threatened that they would be labeled “hard to work with” and basically blacklisted from the industry if they came forward with their stories because this man was such an established and beloved playwright. The terrible thing is that this man never thought that he did anything wrong, or that he hurt anyone. It is common that abusers are not aware that they have been abusive until the victim speaks up. That is why it was so problematic for these women to remain silent for all these years.

The podcast concludes that women are coming forward now specifically because they are fed up, broken, and ready to prevent this from happening to the next generation. The podcast identifies Donald Trump’s election as the trigger. The world was beside itself when a known abuser was elected president of the United States. It is so insulting for any survivor of sexual abuse to watch this happen. The women previously interviewed recount how the infamous Access Hollywood “grab her by the pussy” tape made them feel. Donald Trump is the ultimate untouched abuser who is rewarded despite his accusers stepping forward. For decades, no one listened. Donald Trump is the embodiment of everything wrong with American society and if the leader of the free world can get away with abusing women, it will continue to get worse. This is the reason women are speaking out in masses. This is no longer acceptable. Men are being exposed for their toxic behavior that has been ongoing for many years behind closed doors. Women are now being commended rather than condemned because their accounts are overwhelmingly true, as people realize just how often this happens in every industry. Once one women comes forward with their encounters with a powerful man, other women realize that their experience is strikingly similar. If no one speaks up, the abuse against women will continue. The abuse must be stopped, and now is the time to stop it.

Links:

https://art19.com/shows/media-unplugged/episodes/3860879d-fc82-44de-b270-1e0af7f2d84d

https://www.npr.org/2018/02/05/582698111/the-psychological-forces-behind-a-cultural-reckoning-understanding-metoo

 

How Judges Can Show Respect

I decided to discuss “How Judges Can Show Respect”  by Judge Victoria Pratt from Ted Talks Daily.  The podcast was recorded live at Ted NYC 2017.  The episode talks about what the judge calls “procedural justice.”  Procedural justice is the concept that says if people perceive they are treated fairly with dignity and respect they will obey the law.  If people see the justice system as a legitimate authority to impose rules and legislation they would follow them.  Procedural justice even says people would be satisfied with the judges rulings even if the judge rules against them if they are perceived that they were treated fairly with dignity and respect.

Judge Pratt says procedural justice begins with the way judges speak with court participants.  Judge Pratt says “being a judge is sometimes like having a reserved seat to a tragic reality show.  That has no commercial interruptions and no season finally.  People come before me handcuffed, drugs, sick, depressed, hungry and mentally ill.  When I saw that their need for help was greater than my fear of appearing vulnerable on the bench.  I realized that not only did I need to do something but that I could do something.”  Judge Pratt says the principles of procedural justice are “easy” and can be implemented tomorrow, the best thing is that it’s free!  People need an opportunity to speak, even if you aren’t going to let them speak.  Explain to the court participants what you are going and why you are doing it.  “I’m not letting you speak right now, you don’t have a attorney and I don’t want you to hurt your case.”

The next principle is neutrality.  Neutrality is paramount and the judge can not be perceived to be favoring one side over the other.  The judge needs to make a conscious decision not to say things like “my officer, my prosecutor, my defense attorney.”  Judge Pratt explains this is very challenging when we work in environments where you have people assigned to your courts and you have the same people coming in and out of your courts.

The next principle is understand.  It is critical that court participants understand the process, consequences of the process and what is expected of them.  Judge Pratt says “legalese is the language we use to confuse.”  Judge Pratt says many of the people which appear before her have little education and english is often their second language.  Judge Pratt say’s courts across the United State should speak plain english.  Judge Pratt uses the example asking “do you take psychotropic medication?” to “Do you the medication to clear your mind?”  Once people understand the question they can give you valuable information that allows the court to make manful decisions about the cases that are before them.

The final principle is respect.  Without respect, no other principles can work.  Respect can be as simple as “good afternoon sir” or “good morning ma’am.”  It’s also looking the person in the eye’s who standing before you, especially when your sentencing them.  The good thing about respect is that it’s contagious.  People seeing you being respectful to others and they input that respect to themselves.  People are judging you as you are judging them.

These four simple principles are can be implemented anywhere not just the court room.  Being kind and caring to others should be a every day task.  Altering listening to this podcast it made me thing back to what my mom would say “treat others the way you want to be treated.”

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ted-talks-daily/id160904630?mt=2

Video Games- A Microcosm of Reality and Everyday Life

During the class discussion we brought up the discussion of video games, and why we as humans are so hooked.  From an external perspective, or from someone who does not play video games, you might ask, why perform tasks, or chores, in a game when you can be doing almost the same thing in real life? Some gamers might respond simply, “because it’s fun”.  But I believe there is a deeper subconscious reasoning behind our addiction.

For many, playing video games can act as a void, or an escape from the realities and pressures of real life.  When we experience stress, or consider deadlines or other tasks we need to complete, such an easy way to avoid these stressors is to simply begin playing a game.  When you play, your brain is completely locked in, focused on winning the game, as you control a charectar that depends on you to operate it.  All focuses are now on the game, in which you have entered the virtual reality that all senses are locked on to.

Gaming is like gambling.  You win one, you want to play more.  You lose one, you want to play again because last time wasn’t good enough.  This viscous cycle continues until we’ve realized four hours have passed and our eyes have been locked to the tv screen ever since.  For those outside the gaming circle, it can appear infantile and pointless.  Yet to a gamer, this lifestyle can mean so much more.  Gaming, can be expressed as a more fun, carefree spectacle of real life, and can be an escape from one’s self.  With the crazyness that life can bring, sometimes entering the hyperreal can be expressive as a hobby that people need to stay sane in the real world.  Other things such as knitting or gardending can be one’s escape from reality.

Yet video games make it so easy for people to get carried away in the cloud of virtual fun, and video game designers have become more talented in drawing in gamers to play more and more.  I believe video games can be a hobby for people who need to direct their brainwaves in another direction.  However, limiting the amount we play on a daily basis should be considered.  Everyone needs a break from reality by entering the hyperreal, yet we should not be so consumed in the hyperreal in which this becomes more prominent than our reality.

Blake Hagerman