Deep Dive- Why Should Anyone Care?

PART ONE

1. Pollan’s essay is as much about the problem of problem-solving as it is a proposal for dealing with climate change. What do we do with the feeling that as individuals there is little we can do to influence really big issues such as homelessness, hunger, war, or climate change? Who wants to be just a drop in the bucket? Explore this dilemma by having a conversation in writing with an imaginary companion on a big issue you care about. First explain in writing what problem you think needs to be solved and why. (You might want to write about your potential research topic, if you want.) And then respond to your companion’s first question: You don’t think you could ever really do anything about it, do you? Carry on the conversation with your skeptical companion as long as you can.

Problem: The effect of the mental health crisis on Minnesota students' academic performance.

    In the recent years, I've noticed that overall academic performance from my peers has gone down greatly. What I've also noticed is a spike in severe mental health cases. There has to be a correlation, because mental health issues can seriously affect our ability to focus, retain information, and perform well academically. If we don't do anything about this, we'll continue to see this downward loop.

- You don't think you could ever really do anything about it, could you?

    I can see why some may think that. We're dealing with a very pressing issue, but even the smallest actions can make a difference. For example, simply raising awareness about the issue can lead to more support for mental health resources and facilities in schools.

- How can awareness really change anything?

Awareness is the first step towards change. If more people can understand the detrimental effects that mental health could have on student performance, then they can advocate for better policies and more funding towards mental health programs.

-How can you ensure that raising awareness will actually lead to change?

I mean, it's less about raising awareness and more about pushing for action. Being able to discuss these issues can lead us to take steps in the right direction.

- What if nobody cares enough to do anything?

That's pretty much almost a guarantee. Even if people don't care, it's still worth it to at least teach them how to help. If we give them the means, it can at least motivate them to take some sort of action.

2. Test your understanding of Pollan’s argument. After reading “Why Bother?” Compose a fast paragraph that summarizes how Pollan answers his own question: Why bother? What is the core reason and what are other compelling reasons?

     Pollen answers his own question by emphasizing that individua action is what leads to change and not waiting for someone else to do it for you. Personal responsibility is what leads to larger shifts in society. Another argument made is in regard to the practice of living more sustainable.

3. Use both the “believing game” and “doubting game” to evaluate this claim from Wendell Berry and from Pollan: “the deep problem standing behind all of the other problems of industrial civilization is ‘specialization,’…the disease of the modern character." What will help us become healthier as a society?

    Our focus is too narrow. We only focus on our areas of expertise and fail to really look at the bigger picture. On the other hand, we have to question whether specialization the sole reason we're failing as a society, as it can bring about some pretty great advancements and achievements. If we want to become a better society, then we have to find balance. We can foster collaboration and use what we know to advance ours and others' knowledge.

4. Take a look at the Persuasive Research Proposal Assignment. What can we learn from Pollan's essay about our own upcoming assignment? (Note that there is no first person allowed in our essay, which must be fully objective.) Will you make sure to clearly define the problem and provide essential details about how your solution will address the problem you are writing about?

The biggest thing I can take away from Pollan's writing is engaging, yet informative style. He provides a strong call to action and is able to back up a lot of points. I fully understand now that it's important for me to be clear with my info and only provide essential details.

PART TWO

Write a proposal—just around a page--to help resolve a problem that you care about. State how the problem impacts the reader and why the reader should care. Then, describe the solution and how it will make the world a better place. Make sure your proposal does the following: 

• Addresses a problem that is of consequence and of a manageable scale, including the problem’s causes and effects.
• Provides evidence for the seriousness of the problem and for ways to solve it, justifying these solutions over alternatives. You can draw on your own experience but try to find one source that helps a reader understand the issue.
• Is appropriate in both form and content to your purpose and audience.
• Includes one graphic .

THE PROBLEM

Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress are becoming increasingly present in Minnesota students. According to the Minnesota Department of health, in 2022 alone, 29% of students reported long term mental health issues compared to just 23% in 2019. It may seem like a small number, but with the over 425,000 students enrolled in public school each year, about 123,250 of them are experiencing some sort of mental health problem.

 Seeing as these problems have the ability to impair one's ability to learn, there's good reason to believe that mental health is strongly correlated with the drop in Minnesota's education ranking. This can be solved with one simple solution and that's introducing comprehensive mental health programs into our schools. Reasearch by the National Association of School Psychologists has found that students who receive mental health support are way more likely to achieve higher grades and show better attendance records. A focus on mental health can also create a more connected school environment.

A New Mount Rushmore

 When prompted to create a new Mount Rushmore, I immediately knew what five faces I'd use:

1. Dwayne Johnson: He really is the voice of a generation. His rise from humble beginnings to a successful athletic and acting career is inspiring. He embodies the growth and resilience that our nation needs.

2. Steve Irwin: His legacy still serves to inspire the people of today. We can learn a thing or two from his passion for wildlife conservation and dedication to educating the world. Him and his approach to environmentalism is something that needs to be memorialized.

3. Ryan Reynolds: His charming humor and philanthropic efforts stand the test of time and will continue to if he's immortalized. His actions serve to connect people, and I think that's worthy of a spot on my ideal Mount Rushmore.

4. Harrison Ford: If there's one thing that really represents the US, it's Hollywood. When I think movies, I think of Harrison Ford. His career has spanned decades, and he's left a ginormous mark on the film industry. From a pop culture perspective, he represents the evolution of film and that's something that should be recognized.

5. Chadwick Boseman: He's a cultural icon. His portrayal of characters- both fictional and non-fictional- inspired a lot of young black Americans, and that's something we need to recognize in times like this.

OLD v. NEW: What's the difference?

The original Mount Rushmore's main focus is on political leaders whereas my new one includes a wide array of entertainers, athletes, and activists. I think this really emphasizes how much our values have changed as a society, especially in regard to our values. I haven't gotten the chance to look at my peers' concepts yet, but I' sure that if I did, a decent majority of them would feature a much greater representation of race and global influence like mine. I feel like this really highlights the shift to modern values like inclusivity and multiculturalism, as opposed to the politically centered ideas of 100+ years ago. At the end of the day, however, both mountains feature a strong set of figures who have had a profound impact on our country and whose lives and ideas deserve to live on in some way, shape, or form. That's what should be learned from the idea of "Mount Rushmore".

Deep dive on The Coming of John

PART ONE

 •     What is the danger of a single story according to Chimamande Adichie?

According to Chimamande Adiche, the danger of is single story is that it talks about one very general narrative/perspective which often leads to conclusions that aren't entierly accurate (stereotypes)

•    Discuss how what she calls “nkali” is part of the danger. What is the truth and problem of stereotypes in her words?

In Adichie's words, nkali is a noun that loosely translates to "to be greater than another." The basic principle of it is that stories are defined how they're told, who tells them, when they're told, or how many stories are told. Stories are dependent on power, and one slightly altered story told by the right person can lead towards the creation of certain stereotypes. The truth and problem of stereotypes and a single story is that "it robs people of dignity. It makes our recognition of equal humanity difficult."

•    What’s the most important idea you’ll take with you from this talk?

When learning about someone, it's important to collect a balance of stories. A story that covers only one perspective isn't terribly reliable and can lead you to make rather harsh assumptions.

PART TWO:

Read “Of the Coming of John” by W.E.B. DuBois in your class textbook, The Creative Composer. “Of the Coming of John” comes from W.E.B. DuBois’s seminal work, The Souls of Black Folks, originally published in 1903. The story is set during the era of Jim Crow in the South and features two main characters, one white (John Henderson) and one black (John Jones).
•    Compare and contrast the two lives featured in the short story.

Despite sharing a first name, the two main characters' lives are very different, especially in regards to education. John Henderson is given the opportunity to enjoy all the doors that are opened for him because of his race and social status. John Jones, on the other hand, is a black man that experiences quite a bit of trouble and outside doubt in his pursuit of education and teaching others. Even though they used to be playmates, race has become a dividing factor when it comes to both Johns' lives. In the end, John Jones was able to kill John Henderson just as easily as John Henderson was able to have John Jones thrown out of the concert hall.

•    Why do you think W.E.B. DuBois chose to write this as a fictional story rather than drawing upon a real life example?

Fiction gives you more creative liberties. It allowed DuBois to create a sharper contrast and really highlight the broader issue that he wanted his story to cover. Fiction also allows you to take a collection of real stories and mix them together to create something more meaningful.

•    Discuss the role of education in the life John Jones particularly. How does his education change how he sees his society and how he sees himself? Do you think that education, beyond preparing a student for a future career, can also change a person?

After becoming more aware of racial oppression, John Jones becomes rather bitter and more isolated from his community back home. He told his community of his social projects, but started a bit of a frenzy. Eventually, when asked by Jennie if everyone who studies ends up unhappy, John replies that they do. I think that education can really change an individual. It has the potential to really make or break your ability to make smarter choices, depending on what you take with you. The lessons you learn can really influence your broader outlook on the world and play a key role in the making of important decisions.

•    On a personal level, what connection do you draw between Chimamanda Achidie’s Ted Talk and the story told here?

The one big connection I can draw between the TED Talk and "Of the Coming of John" is the power of a single story. The clearest example of this is in the killing of white John. John Jones killed John Henderson because Henderson was a threat to Jennie. Jones killed as a means of defense, but the townsfolk most certainly didn't know that (not like they would've cared anyways). John Jones was lynched because people assumed the worst of him, just as they did throughout the story.

•  Consider what has changed in America since over a hundred years have passed since this story’s publication. Find the story of one person of color who was killed unjustly, either by police or by other forces in the community. Using research discover their story and tell us what you find out.

    A lot has changed in the U.S. we've been granted new freedoms, new technologies, and achieved great things. One of our greatest achievements (which is still a work in progress) is the granting of rights to minorities. Today, I'm able to say that I go to a very diverse school. Back then, that would've seemed like crazy talk. The thought of being able to mingle with other races seemed unthinkable back then because of how divided we were. Unfortunately, that division would result in some fairly heinous acts. 

    Medgar Evers was civil rights activist based in Mississippi. He worked as the state's field secretary for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people (NAACP). When it came to pushing for civil rights, he was a very hard-working individual. On the night of June 12th 1963, he was returning home from a meeting with NAACP lawyers. As he got out of his car, he was sniped in the back by the white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith. Evers, mortally wounded, staggered a few feet before collapsing in front of his home, where he'd eventually be found by his wife and kids. He'd go on to die in the hospital from his injuries. Evers' assassination shocked the nation and was a turning point for the civil rights movement. His assassin was arrested and put on trial twice in 1964, but wouldn't be properly convicted until 1994.

Week Six: Is My Smartphone Hurting Me?

              Jean Twenge and Sarah Cavanagh have very conflicting views when it comes to smartphones and their effects on the youth. Twenge's primary argument is that smartphones have had a profound impact on the mental and social behaviors of teens. According to Twenge, cellphones have left the teens of today "psychologically...more vulnerable than Millennials were: Rates of teen depression and suicide have skyrocketed." Twenge's data supposedly shows increased rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness among teens who spend a lot of time on their their phones. She also highlights how smartphones have changed the way that teens interact. In today's digital world, we see less in-person communication. This emphasis on online interaction is what Twenge believes to be isolating and harmful, tying back to the whole mental health aspect. 

             Despite the solid evidence, Sarah Cavanagh argues that a lot of Twenge's information is cherry-picked and that the correlation between cellphone use and mental health runs a tad deeper. Cavanagh argues that while there are quite a few cons to smartphone use, there are just as many pros, such as the ability for teens to interact and with others across the globe on shared interests. This gives them a sense of community and helps them "feel embedded in a social network filled with meaning. This idea Cavanagh puts forth highly contradicts Twenge's, which makes it hard to pick a side.

            Taking my own experience into consideration: I find myself falling somewhere in between the two arguments. I understand the addictive, mentally draining nature of the smartphone, but it's hard to imagine where we’d be without them. I met some of my best friends and made a lot of self-discoveries through my electronics. For me, my phone has been a way for me to explore the larger world from the comfort of my bedroom. I rely so heavily on the freedoms granted to me by my devices, that my phone's become an extension of me. Lately, it feels like the well-being of my iPhone has mattered more to me than almost anything else. I feel an unnecessary amount of emotion towards some stupid, miniature electric box and I hate myself for it. If I had to ditch my phone for the day, I don't know if I could. Screentime is like a drug, and I have to take action before I become too far gone. When it comes to phone usage, the one conclusion I can draw is: use smart phones- not too much- for the right reasons. It's so simple, yet I've been doing a sinful amount of doomscrolling lately. Phones are a tool and a privilege, yet we take that for granted.