Blog 10

1. http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/03/01/should-college-be-for-everyone/the-working-class-gets-little-support-for-training

"But for now, white- and blue-collar workers and their families must pull together to provide equal opportunities for alltheir children to live the American dream." My first reaction was that there isnt an equal starting point for all children. The American dream is becoming harder and harder to reach because of the cost of a higher education. Also this article made an interesting point that we are getting enough money, we just arent spending it correctly.

2. http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/16/why-go-to-college-readers-weigh-in/?scp=2&sq=high%20school%20dropout&st=cse Steve Jobs and Bill Gates also dropped out of college at a young age but the probability of success is very narrow. Although a select few might not be meant for college, it is the gateway for opportunity for most of the population. My point is not that you couldn't learn more possibly outside of college, rather that a college degree sets you up for more opportunities.

3.Will this system ever change and how could it? is college meant for all of us? 

Blog 9

A great forum post would require an in depth understanding of the book to pose an in depth question or thought. Great questions always require knowledge when referring  to a book. 

A great conversation post would require a couple key elements. One would be answering the prompt correctly. Some people drift on about their own topic that they want to talk about when they should be answering the question. Also evidence. What good is an opinion without evidence? 

My responses have not been the longest ones on the forum page,but I did put thought into each one and tried to pose a different opinion than others. Also I tried to pose questions so others could become involved as well. I hope my forum question (or post) has been helpful to others to further understand the book. I put, "Who does a man like Gatsby trust?", a question that I have not heard yet so I thought it might be of some use to others wanting to talk more about Gatsby's character in relation to other characters.

Blog 8

"As for Tom, the fact that he "had some woman in New York" was really less surprising than that he had been depressed by a book." I find that in many instances today I am less surprised that someone did something morally wrong rather than doing something educated (or in this case, reading a book). It is sad but true. This quote just explained this  event  eloquently and in a humorous way. also the book he was referring to has historical context. The book was about how other races might be in power soon if the white race does not take action. During that time, after the civil war, the great migration took place. African Americans in particular along with other immigrants moved to the north, mainly New York. So the fact that a rich white guy is concerned about this issue is current news for him. 


"I have been drunk just twice in my life, and the second time was that afternoon, so everything that happened has a dim, hazy cast over it..." This was during the time of Prohibition, which was the law that made the production, and distribution of alcohol illegal for some time. The rich however were able to get alcohol easily. They drank champagne from France and Wine from Italy and the occasional Tequila. If you were rich during this time, it was like prohibition never happened. 


"At least once a fortnight a corps of caterers came down with several hundred feet of canvas and enough colored lights to make a Christmas tree of Gatsby's enormous garden." This is just the beginning of the description of how Jay Gatsby sets up for a party every week. For the rich, the Roaring 20's was a marvelous time of leisure and partying. Gatsby expressed every stereotype about a rich man in the 20's because he his spending so much money for parties every weekend. 

Blog 7

Description is key. The author gives such a thorough explanation of every place he is in. Also his vocabulary is stunning and makes his story just a bit more indulging. I would like to meet Gatsby soon though. I have a feeling it will be rumors of him for a while....

BLog 6

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What stood out to me is inefficient a group can be as well as vice versa. Our group was working well together at first, but towards the end of the project we became dysfunctional. It really was unfortunate that it had to be that way, but it was our own fault. We did not plan for the worst, which is what a functional group would do.

The best newspaper I saw (although I cannot remember who created it) was laid out perfectly.  The asthetics of this newspaper caught my eye at first. Everything had its place and it was clear where a story ended and also What picture went for each article.


I have a more sympathetic feeling for people who write and put together news papers. It is a tough job and I am glad that someone enjoys doing it. Also I notice more opinionated stories throughout the news rather than just pure facts. 

I decided to write an editorial in favor of the owners. It really gave me a new perspective on the facts, although I did not even agree with my opinion in the article. I realized that there are always two sides (or more) to every story and if you don't look at both sides than the facts are pointless.