Evaluating Evidence

The first blog I chose talks about health care for government officials. The author, Jim Hightower, discusses how their plan is more socialized and how we, the American people, are funding their care. Hightower is very emotional in his blog and passionate about his opinion of socialized medicine. This leads to strong remarks targeted to a specific audience, the Blue dog Democrats and Republicans who are against a socialized health plan. He mentions specific examples of Congress officials who are staunch against the plan and those who are determined to serve and deliver a better plan to their constituents. These examples provided more insight to his opinion and were relatable. For example, Sherrod Brown (D-OH) refuses to take congressional coverage until everyone in America has equal coverage. The way he presents his examples backs up his opinion and informs the public. He crafts a unique writing style. By this, I mean his writing is informal and easy to read but at the same time, sharp, compelling, and almost addicting. I found myself wanting to hear more at the end of the blog post. Clearly, his writing style attracts many because he had several constructive comments regarding his post, which, to note, was posted yesterday. Highwater asks a few thought-compelling questions that tend to stem from his passionate writing style. His emotion builds up, he offers examples and statistics, and then poses a question to the reader as if he is looking for feedback. His noteworthy credentials back up his strong post. A columnist, author, national radio commenter, and public speaker for nearly three decades, Hightower seems to know a lot about Congress. His statistics show that he has done research and can make comparisons between studies. He can accurately refer to the FEHBP and can explain the issue at hand regarding this program to any reader. Highwater’s credentials, writing style, knowledge, and passion for his topic enhance the blog’s credibility and subtle use of sources.
link to blog: http://www.truthout.org/1028095

Another blog that also relates to health care on the more health aspect stance is a Healthy Kid’s Pediatric Blog on stress. The blog talks about stress, its causes, how it can negatively affect us, and then addresses how this can affect others around you. Dr. Deborah Z. Bain, the blogger, points out several stressors that affect nearly everyone’s lives. This makes the post relatable and keeps the reader interested. Bain makes the story personal because she writes the post as if it were a public diary. Her reflections on the week brought her to write about the topic and her personal encounters with breast cancer make her argument believable. She gives statistics on breast cancer, but her implications that stress is linked to breast cancer were a bit confusing. At first, I thought the blog was specifically addressing stress and how to overcome its negative effects, but she transitioned sharply into its links with breast cancer. A smoother transition and more statistics or cited research would have made her argument more convincing. I do not know if stress is at all linked to cancer-more research would have helped readers to understand this. She offers a different view of how to address breast cancer.

"As we all buy our breast cancer awareness t -shirts, mugs, and jewelry to support "finding a cure," shouldn't we be asking ourselves what we can do to prevent cancer from developing in the first?"

I found her different viewpoint compelling because it actually addressed direct prevention, not just finding a cure. She poses some bold questions regarding a sensitive issue that does in fact affect many, towards the end of the blog. Bain’s credential as a doctor, her use of examples and statistics, and her ability to make a relatable subject even more personal keep the reader interested and makes her story plausible. However, more statistics and exposed research would have enhanced her credibility and maybe attracted comments.
link to blog: http://www.healthykidspediatrics.blogspot.com/

Overall, what makes evidence credible and believable includes credentials of the author, specific examples, visible research and use of statistics, relatability to the story, an easy to follow but sharp writing style, simple but still interesting word choice, and use of compelling questions that make the reader want to find out more about the subject or question their view of the topic.

Drackett Tower was built in 1965 and the architecture here in the dorm reflects that time period. It is named after Harry R. Drackett who was a student here and was originally built to house 870 men. The details of the building and room do not suggest that the building was originally suited for men as it is a prototype for most dorms seen around north. My common room has dented wooden furniture including the hollow doors, white cinderblock walls along with a white, woven thatch wall, a white drop panel ceiling, and hard linoleum floors. The black accessories update the look of the room with black appliances, chairs, tv and a stand. It’s a typical north campus dorm room, and I know it may seem rather stale, outdated, and disappointing for a young college student, but the room offers basic functions allowing the borders to personalize the room to their liking. And that’s just what we did. We have introduced many colorful accessories into the room. A poster above the couch sports vibrant yellows, reds, blues, greens and pinks while the poster opposite displays is a burst of bright pink. Our two lamps are pink and turquoise while a poster to the side of the lamps gives a soothing mix of blues, greens and white. The candy jar, even though low on supplies, is filled with Halloween chocolates and purple, green, orange, and black M &M’s. Our freestanding lamp has mixes of blue, lime, brown, baby blue and white on the shades. More neutral tones in the room include the beige carpet, brown ottoman, and the dark sofa and love seat which serve to ground the room and really unify all the different colors. The sofa and love seat bring a sense of modernism into the nostalgic room.
A common theme playing throughout the area is the city vibe. Pictures of New York City, Paris, Toledo, OH, and Detroit lie hanging by desks or walls. We’re fortunate to have a great view of downtown Columbus, since we’re on the 9th floor. The martini glasses on the poster and the decorative shot glasses all play into the city theme. This specific theme leads into a big picture theme of entertainment in our common room. A poster of the movie “Fight Club” hangs high above the window and pictures of famous music artists are cluttered about the desk space. A Frisbee, two beach balls and a deck of cards lie around, waiting to be used while the tv is a focal point of the room. Our two computers are a portal to another whole world of entertainment via the internet. Even a pair of pointe shoes and pictures of ballet performances are showcased, along with two old cameras, which relate the connection of entertainment to theatre and the arts. Movies, music, games, television and computer all play into the idea of entertainment. In contrast to this busy city theme is a subtle beach theme. Unfortunately, you cannot see in the photo posted to my blog the poster of the beach I have next to my desk. But, that combined with my desktop background, which is that of a beach (properly named “Azul”) provides a quick escape from the prominent entertainment and city themes, and even to our busy schedules as college students. I guess you could say the beach theme I created is a wishful escape when school stresses me out. All of the elements, common strands, and themes taking place here contribute to a relaxed, “chill”, colorful, inviting, and eclectic room. Our common room invites others in with plentiful seating and the appeal of entertainment. There are many oddities to note and conversation starters present. Everything, in some fashion, allows guests to locate similarities in style or personality from observation in the common room-I don’t think you would ever be bored in our room!
While our artistic endeavors as the residents to this space seem great, these exciting themes sometimes inhibit study, which is one of the intentions of this space. The many posters and tempting patterns could distract you from studying. So far, I have found studying rather difficult at times because I feel so relaxed here. When I should be reading about forces in statics class, I find myself sitting in front of the television watching The Office. Or I invite people in when really I should be typing a paper because this feels more like a social and hang out space. Though, we keep most everything very organized here, at least with respect to function and use of space. I suppose that could motivate me to be productive and mindful of my time. The room certainly promotes recreation and play and provides relaxation to some degree. I suppose only time can tell if this space promotes or inhibits my learning abilities!