Revised: Hazing

Topic: Hazing

Thesis Statement: Hazing, even if it is considered tradition, should be stopped because it causes negative psychological, emotional and physical effects.

I.                   Introduction

A.    Fact

B.     Thesis Statement

II.                Body

A.    Definition of Hazing

B.     Types of Hazing

C.     Arguments followed by counter-arguments

1.      Hazing is traditional since the members who received it feel that it is their privilege to deal it to the new recruits, and so on.

2.      Hazing can be reasonable, however in certain cases, may cause death.

3.      Hazing makes the members worthy, but they never truly recover from the trauma they received.

III.             Conclusion

A.    Summary

According to a study conducted by Elizabeth J. Allen, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Mary Madden, Ph.D., Associate Professor from the University of Maine, 55% of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing. To say then that these clubs, teams and organizations require hazing as a sort of rite of passage or test to prove one’s worth to gain the acceptance of the current members is not a far-fetched idea. However, hazing, even if it is considered tradition, should be stopped because it causes negative psychological, emotional and physical effects.

Hazing is a required act of a certain degree of ridicule to gain membership of a group or organization, notwithstanding the willingness of the person to participate. It is classified into three groups by the gravity of the required act: Subtle hazing, harassment hazing and violent hazing.

Subtle hazing is, as its name implies, the least taxing of the three kinds. The hazing involved can be considered as innocuous or even pointless since whatever they must do is not as unreasonable as the members expect, like having to do things that other members are not expected to do, name-calling or simple drills.  Usually, new recruits feel that they have to endure subtle hazing to be accepted into the fold.

The next kind, harassment hazing, causes a relative degree of discomfort, physically or emotionally, to the rookies involved. In addition to that, they also cause frustration or stress just to make them feel as though they belong to the rest of the herd. These acts can be obeying a certain upper member for a certain period of time, wearing something humiliating for a certain period of time, receiving verbal abuse or even harassing others.

Some of these acts of hazing may progress into the third kind which is violent hazing. The acts involved in violent hazing can cause actual physical, emotional or psychological harm to the novices. New members may be expected to perform a specific crime, to receive a beating or to take drugs and other illegal substances. In the 2008 study conducted by Elizabeth J. Allen, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Mary Madden, participation in a drinking game is the most popular form of hazing for both genders. It goes for 31% of males and 23% of females in the college level. Other acts with significantly high percentages for both sexes are singing or chanting by self or with select others of groups in public in a situation that is not a related event, game, or practice, drinking large amounts of alcohol to the point of getting sick or passing out and depriving oneself of sleep, among others.

Most teams and organizations view hazing as a tradition; it is a rite of passage that every new member must go through to gain the respect of the other members. However, respect is not gained; it is earned. So hazing each batch of new recruits is not simply acceptance with a certain amount of respect, it is also a way for the older members to reciprocate what they went through when they were in the same situation. There may also be instances wherein older members are also required to undergo hazing to still be accepted as members, so the process repeats again and again, creating the illusion of ‘tradition’, when in reality, it’s just a way of getting back at each other.

Some groups may argue that the hazing that new members go through is reasonable, not traumatic in any way. Nevertheless, it is apparent that there are cases where even the simplest kind of hazing cause trauma of a certain intensity for the participant. In worst-case scenarios, the participant may die, as several stories have proved in the past. It is no laughing matter; hazing is a dangerous way to welcome new members of a group, team or organization since it makes the new members feel as though they have to be as ruthless or tough to be accepted as one of the group. However, there are consequences to creating an environment wherein there is an apparent imbalance of power such as unnecessary subservience and a feeling of obligatory obedience.

Various organizations insist that hazing is done to make their members stronger or worthier- to increase the prestige of the overall organization. That may be true, on the outside. People who undergo hazing usually become tougher on the exterior; they are able to take pain or embarrassment lightly, likely because they are around people who have gone through the same thing. The reason for this toughness would also be credited to the organization’s methods. But inside, the trauma is still there. It makes the person more vulnerable psychologically and emotionally. Over time, when the people around the hazed individual are gone, the outside toughness wears away and the stress and challenges of real life prove to be too much to handle for their damaged state. They may break down and succumb to vices like smoking or drinking in order to cope with their lives.

Recently, there was news in the Philippines of a death of a victim of hazing named Marc Andre Marcos, who was a San Beda law student. The perpetrators have yet to be captured by the authorities and the relatives and friends of the deceased continue to cry for justice. This incident shows that hazing is indeed a serious issue, particularly in the schools and colleges, and will have serious repercussions. Even survivors of hazing are not safe from it; the scars, psychological or physical, will not fade completely. They will be haunted by their past and it will affect their futures, so imagine, 55% of the youth today are subjected to hazing.  These teenagers may become successful but the trauma from hazing may influence them into doing things that may harm or even destroy their futures, and, in effect, endanger the future of the country.

References:

http://www.stophazing.org/definition.html

http://www.hazingstudy.org/publications/hazing_in_view_web.pdf

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/241143/tarlac-grieves-angry-over-hazing-victims-death

Hazing

Topic: Hazing

Thesis Statement: Hazing, even if it is considered tradition, should be stopped because it causes negative psychological, emotional and physical effects.

I.                   Introduction

A.    Fact

B.     Thesis Statement

II.                Body

A.    Definition of Hazing

B.     Types of Hazing

C.     Arguments

1.      Hazing is traditional since the members who received it feel that it is their privilege to deal it to the new recruits, and so on.

2.      Hazing can be reasonable, however in certain cases, may cause death.

3.      Hazing makes the members worthy, but they never truly recover from the trauma they received.

III.             Conclusion

A.    Summary

According to a study conducted by Elizabeth J. Allen, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Mary Madden, Ph.D., Associate Professor from the University of Maine, 55% of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing. To say then that these clubs, teams and organizations require hazing as a sort of rite of passage or test to prove one’s worth to gain the acceptance of the current members is not a far-fetched idea. However, hazing, even if it is considered tradition, should be stopped because it causes negative psychological, emotional and physical effects.

Hazing is a required act of a certain degree of ridicule to gain membership of a group or organization, notwithstanding the willingness of the person to participate. It is classified into three groups by the gravity of the required act: Subtle hazing, harassment hazing and violent hazing.

Subtle hazing is, as its name implies, the least taxing of the three kinds. The hazing involved can be considered as innocuous or even pointless since whatever they must do is not as unreasonable as the members expect, like having to do things that other members are not expected to do, name-calling or simple drills.  Usually, new recruits feel that they have to endure subtle hazing to be accepted into the fold.

The next kind, harassment hazing, causes a relative degree of discomfort, physically or emotionally, to the rookies involved. In addition to that, they also cause frustration or stress just to make them feel as though they belong to the rest of the herd. These acts can be obeying a certain upper member for a certain period of time, wearing something humiliating for a certain period of time, receiving verbal abuse or even harassing others.

Some of these acts of hazing may progress into the third kind which is violent hazing. The acts involved in violent hazing can cause actual physical, emotional or psychological harm to the novices. New members may be expected to perform a specific crime, to receive a beating or to take drugs and other illegal substances. In the 2008 study conducted by Elizabeth J. Allen, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Mary Madden, participation in a drinking game is the most popular form of hazing for both genders. It goes for 31% of males and 23% of females in the college level. Other acts with significantly high percentages for both sexes are singing or chanting by self or with select others of groups in public in a situation that is not a related event, game, or practice, drinking large amounts of alcohol to the point of getting sick or passing out and depriving oneself of sleep, among others.

Most teams and organizations view hazing as a tradition; it is a rite of passage that every new member must go through to gain the respect of the other members. However, respect is not gained; it is earned. So hazing each batch of new recruits is not simply acceptance with a certain amount of respect, it is also a way for the older members to reciprocate. There may also be instances wherein older members are also required to undergo hazing to still be accepted as members, so the process repeats again and again, creating the illusion of ‘tradition’, when in reality, it’s just a way of getting back at each other.

Some groups may argue that the hazing that new members go through is reasonable, not traumatic in any way. Nevertheless, it is apparent that there are cases where even the simplest kind of hazing cause trauma for the participant. In worst-case scenarios, the participant may die. It is no laughing matter; hazing is a dangerous way to welcome new members of a group, team or organization. There are consequences to creating an environment wherein there is an apparent imbalance of power.

Various organizations insist that hazing is done to make their members stronger or worthier. That may be true, on the outside. People who undergo hazing usually become tougher on the outside; they are able to take pain or embarrassment lightly, likely because they are around people who have gone through the same thing. But inside, the trauma is still there. It makes the person more vulnerable psychologically and emotionally. Over time, when the people around the hazed individual are gone, the outside toughness wears away and the stress and challenges of real life prove to be too much to handle for their damaged state. They may break down and succumb to vices like smoking or drinking in order to cope with their lives.

Recently, there was news in the Philippines of a death of a victim of hazing named Marc Andre Marcos, who was a San Beda law student. The perpetrators have yet to be captured by the authorities and the relatives and friends of the deceased continue to cry for justice. This incident shows that hazing is indeed a serious issue, particularly in the schools and colleges, and will have serious repercussions. Even survivors of hazing are not safe from it; the scars, psychological or physical, will not fade completely. They will be haunted by their past and it will affect their futures, so imagine, 55% of the youth today are subjected to hazing.  These teenagers may become successful but the trauma from hazing may influence them into doing things that may harm or even destroy their futures, and, in effect, endanger the future of the country.

References:

http://www.stophazing.org/definition.html

http://www.hazingstudy.org/publications/hazing_in_view_web.pdf

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/241143/tarlac-grieves-angry-over-hazing-victims-death

Revised: Revealing the Otaku

“There are only two types of people in the world--those who became otaku and those who didn't--and the latter just can't understand what the former is so excited about." This quote from Ono Norihiro gives the basic insight into the meaning of the Japanese-coined term ‘Otaku’. Put very simply, an otaku is someone who is excessively obsessed over something. But contrary to popular stereotyping, there are several kinds of otaku, not just the anime otaku or the manga otaku, who are usually spread over the internet. These various kinds of otaku influence the society in significant ways.

“An otaku is someone who is highly dedicated to something and uses information from anywhere and everywhere to further his or her understanding of that thing for fun and maybe even profit,” as written by Lawrence Eng (The Politics of Otaku. (2001, September). Otaku Defined and Redefined Retrieved July 18, 2012, from http://www.cjas.org/~leng/otaku-p.htm). Here, it is evident that an otaku is an enthusiast of a particular subject and pores over several resources of information in order to attain more comprehension regarding the subject, therefore the term ‘excessive obsession’.

Also, an otaku is clearly not limited to the anime, manga or cosplay-type, which are the three most popular kinds of otaku. The first two are often used interchangeably in the world so a thorough explanation regarding the exact differences of the two is necessary to understand them.

An anime otaku is a person who is engrossed with anime, which is the unique animation from Japan distinguished by colourful graphics and stylized drawing. They are the kind of otaku who watch anime series and movies, subbed or dubbed, obsessively. They are likely to memorize the names of characters, repeat frequently used Japanese phrases and even learn the Japanese language, that is, if they prefer the subbed-type of anime. On the other hand, a manga otaku is a person immersed in the Japanese style of comics, or manga.  They are the type who read these comics relentlessly and wait for translations patiently because manga is typically released in Japanese and there are people called translators who receive these as ‘raw scans’ and translate them for manga readers. They may also become Mangakas, or manga artists, who draw original or fan manga. Since anime is typically based on manga, it is possible to be both an anime and a manga otaku. Lastly, the cosplay otaku is someone who is engaged in dressing up as his or her favorite character from any form of media, like anime or manga. This is the more visual type of otaku. They are also called ‘cosplayers’. 

Aside from these three, there are also Pasocon otakus, who are people obsessed with their personal computers. In normal terms, they are the tech-geeks, who are always updated in the latest developments in technology and equipped with the best gadgets and gizmos. Another kind of otaku would be the Gemu otaku, who is obsessed with video games on all platforms. Playing games is the gemu otaku’s passion, no matter how simple or challenging the game may be. Wota, or Idol otakus, are people who are ‘superfans’ of a particular singer or band in music, be it pop, rock, indie or any other music genre. There is also voice actor or voice actress otakus, or more simply, Seiyuu otaku. These are usually crossed with anime otakus because they can recognize the voice of their favourite Seiyuu in almost any anime. The Figure otaku, or Figure moe zoku, is someone who collects figurines of anime, manga and game characters. There are more forms, but these eight are the most common types apart from the former three.

With so many kinds of otaku sprouting all over the world, one must wonder how the term came about. According to Lawrence Eng, “Literally and originally, it (otaku) means "your house", and more generally it is also a very polite (distancing and non-imposing as opposed to familiar) way of saying "you".” Otaku was first publically coined by Aiko Nakamori, a journalist who wrote about the ‘otaku-zoku’ (otaku tribe) in 1983. He described them as unruly, eccentric and obsessive fans that referred to each other as ‘otaku’. After a decade or so, when Japanese pop culture spread through the internet, the otaku-zoku transformed into the known Otaku of today, people who are addicted to a certain subject. Otaku continues to grow as the world of media expands; with so many subjects of possible obsession, there will likely be no shortage of otakus in the world.

What is the influence of otakus in the world? To be able to pinpoint these influences, we must first understand that otakus are not born; they are made. Based on the person’s interests and personality, they may be an otaku in various subjects. The environment they are surrounded by may also influence the growth of the otaku mindset. For example, if a child grows up watching anime shows instead of the typical kiddie shows, it is likely that he or she will grow up into an anime otaku. If a girl is obsessed with shoes, she may be classified as a shoe otaku. Likewise, a boy who is obsessed with video games may be called a gemu otaku. Secondly, the otaku-ness is typically developed over time and depends on the loyalty of the person to the subject. If the person decides to stop, then the otaku within either hibernates or dies out completely.

Eventually, one must consider the dangers of being an otaku. Such excessive loyalty is bound to have consequences. Ignoring important duties in favor of satisfying the obsession will have serious repercussions. If the otaku is a student, that may mean lower grades and social isolation. If the otaku is a grown person, that may result in not being able to keep a job or even have a job because he or she is too addicted to care about other things. This may also be connected to staying with one’s parents and instead of helping them, end up being a liability to deal with. There will also be health concerns, like not eating for long periods of time, or staying glued to a computer screen for hours on end. It is, in short, unhealthy to be too much of an otaku, physically, mentally and psychologically.

Being an otaku isn’t bad, as long as one knows how to balance the real world with his or her passion. An advantage of being an otaku is that when one finds another of the same kind, they will instantly have an unspoken connection. At events hosted for otakus, one may find acquaintances from all walks of life and broaden one’s social life. Also, the responsibility of an otaku, which is quite heavy to non-otakus, may not seem much of a burden since they enjoy what they do.

All in all, an otaku is not limited to one type. One may be a cross of several kinds of otaku and still be able to branch out into other kinds. The stereotyping of otakus as merely anime, manga or cosplay addicts should not be so. There are so many kinds of otaku in the world that the term isn’t limited to aficionados of the Japanese culture anymore; there are otaku all over the world. Some probably don’t even know that they are an otaku at all. All people have their particular interest in something, and that alone is enough to become an otaku.

Revised: ENGLCOM Goals

According to Ray Bradbury, an American fiction writer, "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you." This quote inspires me for one reason; I know that improving my writing skills will help me reach my long-term goals. Writing will help me become the person I want to be, as long as I hold on to it and make my ability bloom.

For this ENGLCOM class under the writing component, my goals are quite simple: to improve my writing skills and broaden my knowledge about writing. I can never learn enough when it comes to writing. I'm always open to new ideas and concepts that I may be able to add to my stock of knowledge. I'm quite confident that my writing skills are more than simply 'good' but I do want to become better than how I am now. Although I do prefer writing like the way I normally do, which is descriptive and moderately paced, I know that it is important to be able to write in a scholarly fashion, which is, truthfully quite foreign to me. I know that it is also equally important to know the paradigms needed to be able to do so, such as grammar rules, vocabulary rules and such. I'm quite certain that I'll be able to achieve my goals since I do love writing and I do sincerely want to hone my talent for it. Continuously writing in blogs and diaries will make  me develop ideas in a clearer and cleaner order since I know that the possible viewers of my work will be critical. This will also help me in criticizing the manner in which I write. The mistakes I commonly make and the logic in the development of my ideas are some of the things I will keep an eye out for in re-reading my work since I find that sticking to one idea is not a skill I’m very good at.  I'll even try to stop procrastinating by giving myself a great motivation to write and improve my writing. 

I want to hone my skills in writing because of three things. Firstly, writing is a part of my life. There isn't a day that passes where I don't write. Be it a simple note or a descriptive essay, I always make sure to write something every day. Secondly, writing will help me move forward. Compared to the skills of decorated authors and journalists, my skill could very well be ranked as a neophyte. I want to be able to write in a way that captures people's hearts, not by fluffy romance or scandalous conspiracies but by honest realism with a dash of unique imagination. Lastly, writing is a stepping stone towards my long-term goals. The dreams I long to reach will require a certain aptitude in writing, which is why I so want to be an exemplary writer; I want to be able to clearly express my ideas through my work.

All in all, writing is a huge part of my life and my lifelong ambitions. Despite everything that I've learned about it, I know that there is more, just waiting somewhere around a corner or on greener pastures. My writing style can definitely become better, as long as I don't waver from my goals.

Revised: Simple Goals: Outline

Title: Simple Goals

Thesis Statement: Improving my writing skills will help me reach my long-term goals.

              I.        Introduction

A.   Quotation from a noted person

B.   Thesis Statement

            II.        Body

A.   My goals

1.    Improve my writing skills

2.    Broaden my knowledge about writing

a)    Define my style of writing

b)    Grammar and vocabulary

B.   How to achieve my goals

1.    Write continuously

2.    Analyze how I write and find ways to improve

3.    Motivate, not procrastinate

C.   Why I want to achieve my goals

1.    Writing as a part of my life

2.    Writing as a means of moving forward

3.    Writing as a stepping stone to my long-term goals

           III.        Conclusion

A.   Summary with emphasis on certain ideas

Revised: Your Nose is Giving You Away

I am very picky when it comes to television shows. That is why I don’t watch local television; I think that all the shows, except for the news and a select few are cliché. Telenovelas and the like are not at all my cup of tea. However, when I am faced with foreign television shows, I usually gauge it by the first episode. I think it is so important to make a good first impression since, as a critical viewer, time will be spent watching these shows so there may as well be an interesting storyline, an exciting plot and a worthwhile use of time. So now, I watch shows like the Big Bang Theory, Merlin, House, The Mentalist and Lie to Me.

            Now, allow me to share how the television series ‘Lie to Me’ has changed my perspective in life and how I look at people.

            ‘Lie to Me’ is an American television series released not three years ago. The main protagonist is a doctor named Cal Lightman. I refer to him as the Lie Detector but he is referred to as ‘the world’s leading deception expert’ in the show. This means that Dr. Lightman can ‘read’ the lies that people tell through their body language, particularly through their facial muscles.

It’s very interesting stuff, believe me. You wouldn’t believe how many people I’ve caught lying to me, thanks to Cal’s tips. For example, if you’re a sassy young lady like me, you talk to boys. A sure-fire way to tell if a boy is lying is if he scratches his nose or his nape. Men have erectile tissue in the part of their noses that is above the upper lip. When they try to deceive others, it itches, hence the scratching. As for the nape-scratching, this is called a manipulator. It draws the eye away, even just for a moment, from the person who is telling a lie. It’s the same with brushing hair away from your face or just running your fingers through it. For more tips, I suggest you watch the series. It’s a very gripping show since Cal is called to solve crimes and uncover the truth while dealing with his own problems.

            As for me, Cal’s tips and tricks have helped me find out who lies to me. I’m no expert but I think I have the fundamentals covered. One time, I asked my classmate if she sent me the articles I needed for the school paper. She told me she did. Then, just to test out one of Cal’s tricks, I asked her to tell me what else she did that night in chronological order. She told me that she went on Facebook, blogged on Tumblr, had dinner, sent me the files and did her homework before bedtime. After that, I told her to tell me again, but this time, before she went to bed in reverse order. She couldn’t tell me in the same, albeit reverse, order. So, I concluded that she was lying. Neat trick, right? When asked to do that, liars usually can’t because they actually make it up.

As for what happened after that I prefer to keep it to myself. But I can reveal that it involved raised eyebrows and dramatic exits.

Due to this experience, I have been more observant of people and the idiosyncratic nature of human deception. Just in case you’re wondering if this applies to all people, the answer is yes. Why? As Cal said, it is because of human anatomy. Structurally, humans are composed of the same muscles and bones. The muscles I use to smile are the muscles you use to smile. So, the muscles I use to lie are what you use to lie as well. It’s all very scientific. Knowing these things made me into a better person, I think.

Through this show, and the other ones I mentioned before, it is with confidence that I can say that not all television shows are bad. Of course, there are some that start out good and become worse with each season but there are shows that are truly good and full of substance that will keep you on your tiptoes. As long as it keeps you interested and gives you something to ponder, the television show is worth watching. I don’t mean pondering about who ends up with who or what will happen to his and her relationship. I mean something you will remember and wonder when you can use it in real life, before our minds all rot.

Revealing the Otaku

“There are only two types of people in the world--those who became otaku and those who didn't--and the latter just can't understand what the former is so excited about." This quote from Ono Norihiro gives the basic insight into the meaning of ‘Otaku’. Put very simply, an otaku is someone who is excessively obsessed over something. But contrary to popular stereotyping, there are several kinds of otaku, not just the anime otaku or the manga otaku and they influence the society in significant ways.

“An otaku is someone who is highly dedicated to something and uses information from anywhere and everywhere to further his or her understanding of that thing for fun and maybe even profit,” as written Lawrence Eng (The Politics of Otaku. (2001, September). Otaku Defined and Redefined Retrieved July 18, 2012, from http://www.cjas.org/~leng/otaku-p.htm). Here, it is evident that an otaku is an enthusiast of a particular subject and pores over several resources of information in order to attain more comprehension regarding the subject.

Also, an otaku is clearly not limited to the anime, manga or cosplay-type, which are the three most popular kinds of otaku. An anime otaku is a person who is engrossed with anime, which is the unique animation from Japan distinguished by colourful graphics and stylized drawing. They are the kind of otaku who watch anime series and movies, subbed or dubbed, obsessively. They are likely to memorize the names of characters, repeat frequently used Japanese phrases and even learn the Japanese language, that is, if they prefer the subbed-type of anime. On the other hand, a manga otaku is a person immersed in the Japanese style of comics, or manga.  They are the type who read these comics relentlessly and wait for translations patiently because manga is typically released in Japanese and there are people called translators who receive these as ‘raw scans’ and translate them for manga readers. They may also become Mangakas, or manga artists, who draw original or fan manga. Lastly, The cosplay otaku is someone who is engaged in dressing up as his or her favorite character from any form of media, like anime or manga. This is the more visual type of otaku. They can also be called ‘cosplayers’. Two popular cosplayers in the Philippines are the sisters Alodia and Ashley Gosiengfiao.

Aside from these three, there are also Pasocon otakus, who are people obsessed with their personal computers. In normal terms, they are the tech-geeks, who are always updated in the latest developments in technology and equipped with the best gadgets and gizmos. Another would be the Gemu otaku, who is obsessed with video games on all platforms. Playing games is the gemu otaku’s passion, no matter how simple or challenging the game may be. Wota, or Idol otakus, are people who are ‘superfans’ of a particular singer or band in music, be it pop, rock, indie or any other music genre. There is also voice actor or voice actress otakus, or more simply, Seiyuu otaku. These are usually crossed with anime otakus because they can recognize the voice of their favourite Seiyuu in almost any anime. The Figure otaku, or Figure moe zoku, is someone who collects figurines of anime, manga and game characters. There are more forms, but these eight are the most common types.

With so many kinds of otaku sprouting all over the world, one must wonder how the term came about. According to Lawrence Eng, “Literally and originally, it (otaku) means "your house", and more generally it is also a very polite (distancing and non-imposing as opposed to familiar) way of saying "you".” Otaku was first publically coined by Aiko Nakamori, a journalist who wrote about the ‘otaku-zoku’ (otaku tribe) in 1983. He described them as unruly, eccentric and obsessive fans that referred to each other as ‘otaku’. After a decade or so, when Japanese pop culture spread through the internet, the otaku-zoku transformed into the known Otaku of today, people who are addicted to a certain subject. Otaku continues to grow as the world of media expands; with so many subjects of possible obsession, there will likely be no shortage of otakus in the world.

What is the influence of otakus in the world? To be able to pinpoint these influences, we must first understand that otakus are not born; they are made. Based on the person’s interests and personality, they may be an otaku in various subjects. The environment they are surrounded by may also influence the growth of the otaku mindset. For example, if a child grows up watching anime shows instead of the typical kiddie shows, it is likely that he or she will grow up into an anime otaku. If a girl is obsessed with shoes, she may be classified as a shoe otaku. Likewise, a boy who is obsessed with video games may be called a gemu otaku.

One must consider the dangers of being an otaku. Such excessive loyalty is bound to have consequences. Ignoring important duties in favor of satisfying the obsession will have serious repercussions. If the otaku is a student, that may mean lower grades and social isolation. If the otaku is a grown person, that may result in not being able to keep a job or even have a job because he or she is too addicted to care about other things. This may also be connected to staying with one’s parents and instead of helping them, end up being a liability to deal with. There will also be health concerns, like not eating for long periods of time, or staying glued to a computer screen for hours on end. It is, in short, unhealthy to be too much of an otaku.

Being an otaku isn’t bad, as long as one knows how to balance the real world with his or her passion. An advantage of being an otaku is that when one finds another of the same kind, they will instantly have an unspoken connection. At events hosted for otakus, one may find acquaintances from all walks of life and broaden one’s social life. Also, the responsibility of an otaku, which is quite heavy to non-otakus, may not seem much of a burden since they enjoy what they do.

All in all, an otaku is not limited to one type. One may be a cross of several kinds of otaku and still be able to branch out into other kinds. The stereotyping of otakus as merely anime, manga or cosplay addicts should not be so. There are so many kinds of otaku in the world that the term isn’t limited to aficionados of the Japanese culture anymore; there are otaku all over the world. Some probably don’t even know that they are an otaku at all, until they realize how dedicated they are to something.



Sources: http://www.cjas.org/~leng/otaku-p.htm
http://www.articlesbase.com/television-articles/what-is-otaku-415839.html
http://www.cjas.org/~leng/otaku-origin.htm
Word count: 1,144

ENGLCOM Goals

According to Ray Bradbury, an American fiction writer, "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you." This quote inspires me for one reason; I know that improving my writing skills will help me reach my long-term goals. Writing will help me become the person I want to be, as long as I hold on to it and make my ability bloom.

For this ENGLCOM class under the writing component, my goals are quite simple: to improve my writing skills and broaden my knowledge about writing. I can never learn enough when it comes to writing. I'm always open to new ideas and concepts that I may be able to add to my stock of knowledge. I'm quite confident that my writing skills are more than simply 'good' but I do want to become better than how I am now. Although I do prefer writing like the way I normally do, which is descriptive and moderately paced, I know that it is important to be able to write in a scholarly fashion. I know that it is also equally important to know the paradigms needed to be able to do so, such as grammar rules, vocabulary rules and such. I'm quite certain that I'll be able to achieve my goals since I do love writing and I do sincerely want to hone my talent for it. Continuously writing in blogs and diaries will  make  me develop ideas in a clearer and cleaner order. This will also help me in criticizing the manner in which I write. The mistakes I commonly make and the logic in the development of my ideas are some of the tings I will keep an eye out for in re-reading my work.  I'll even try to stop procrastinating by giving myself a great motivation to write and improve my writing. 

I want to hone my skills in writing because of three things. Firstly, writing is a part of my life. There isn't a day that passes where I don't write. Be it a simple note or a descriptive essay, I always make sure to write something everyday. Secondly, writing will help me move forward. Compared to the skills of decorated authors and journalists, my skill could very well be ranked as a neophyte. I want to be able to write in a way that captures people's hearts, not by fluffy romance or scandalous conspiracies but by honest  realism with a dash of unique imagination. Lastly, writing is a stepping stone towards my long-term goals. The dreams I long to reach  will require a certain aptitude in writing, which is why I so want to be an exemplary writer.

All in all, writing is a huge part of my life and my lifelong ambitions. Despite everything that I've learned about it, I know that there is more, just waiting somewhere around a corner or on greener pastures. My writing style can definitely become better, as long as I don't waver from my goals.

Simple Goals: Outline

Title: Simple Goals

Thesis Statement: Improving my writing skills will help me reach my long-term goals.

              I.        Introduction

A.   Quotation

B.   Thesis Statement

            II.        Body

A.   My goals

1.    Improve my writing skills

2.    Broaden my knowledge about writing

a)    Define my style of writing

b)    Grammar and vocabulary

B.   How to achieve my goals

1.    Write continuously

2.    Analyze how I write and find ways to improve

3.    Motivate, not procrastinate

C.   Why I want to achieve my goals

1.    Writing as a part of my life

2.    Writing as a means of moving forward

3.    Writing as a stepping stone to my long-term goals

           III.        Conclusion

A.   Summary with emphasis on certain ideas

Your Nose is Giving You Away

I am very picky when it comes to television shows. I don’t watch local television because I think that all the shows, except for the news, are cliché. Telenovelas and the like are not at all my cup of tea. However, when I am faced with foreign television shows, I usually gauge it by the first episode. I think it is so important to make a good first impression since, as a critical viewer, time will be spent watching these shows so there may as well be an interesting storyline, an exciting plot and a worthwhile use of time. So now, I watch shows like the Big Bang Theory, Merlin, House, The Mentalist and Lie to Me.

Now, allow me to share how the television series ‘Lie to Me’ has changed my perspective in life and how I look at people.

‘Lie to Me’ is an American television series released not three years ago. The main protagonist is a doctor named Cal Lightman. I refer to him as the Lie Detector but he is referred to as ‘the world’s leading deception expert’. This means that Dr. Lightman can ‘read’ the lies that people tell through their body language. It’s very interesting stuff, believe me. You wouldn’t believe how many people I’ve caught lying to me. For example, if you’re a sassy young lady like me, you talk to boys. A sure-fire way to tell if a boy is lying is if he scratches his nose or his nape. Men have erectile tissue in the part of their noses that is above the upper lip. As for the nape-scratching, this is called a manipulator. It draws the eye away, even just for a moment, from the person who is telling a lie. It’s the same with brushing hair away from your face or just running your fingers through it. For more tips, I suggest you watch the series. It’s a very gripping show; Cal is called to solve crimes and uncover the truth while dealing with his own problems.

As for me, Cal’s tips and tricks have helped me find out who lies to me. I’m no expert but I think I have the fundamentals covered. One time, I asked my classmate if she sent me the articles I needed for the school paper. She told me she did. Then, just to test out one of Cal’s tricks, I asked her to tell me what else she did that night in chronological order. She told me that she went on Facebook, blogged on Tumblr, had dinner, sent me the files and did her homework before bedtime. After that, I told her to tell me again, but this time, before she went to bed in reverse order. She couldn’t tell me in the same order. So, I concluded that she was lying. Neat trick, right? When asked to do that, liars usually can’t because they actually make it up.

As for what happened after that I prefer to keep it to myself. But I can reveal that it involved raised eyebrows and dramatic exits.

Due to this experience, I have been more observant of people and the idiosyncratic nature of human deception. Just in case you’re wondering if this applies to all people, the answer is yes. Why? Human anatomy. Structurally, humans are composed of the same muscles and bones. The muscles I use to smile are the muscles you use to smile. So, the muscles I use to lie are what you use to lie as well. It’s all very scientific. It’s made me into a better person, I think.

It is with confidence that I can say that no all television shows are bad. Of course, there are some that start out good and become worse with each season but there are shows that are truly good and full of substance that will keep you on your tiptoes. As long as it keeps you interested and gives you something to ponder, the television show is worth watching. I don’t mean pondering about who ends up with who or what will happen to his and her relationship. I mean something you will remember and wonder when you can use it in real life, before our minds all rot.