Category: Assignments

Question 1: What are the ethical, economic, and societal implications of sneaker botting and similar digital money-making schemes?

Story: The essay revolves around the author’s experience with sneaker botting, where he learned the tricks of the trade, made quick money, and felt the highs and lows associated with such ventures.

Situation: Sneaker botting, a method to outpace genuine consumers in online product releases, has become a profitable venture in the digital resale marketplace. As more individuals turn to such methods to make quick money, it raises questions about the fairness, impact on genuine consumers, and the sustainability of such a digital economy.

---

Question 2: How does the pressure of urban and peer culture affect youth’s financial decisions and mental health?

Story: The author grew up in a divided community in Brooklyn, feeling the pressures to match up to the affluent ones and the challenges faced by those with limited means. The desire to fit in and stand out led him to seek different ways to earn money.

Situation: Urban areas, particularly affluent neighborhoods, often become the grounds for heightened peer pressures. In such environments, youth might feel compelled to adopt certain lifestyles, make financial decisions to “fit in,” or even engage in risky ventures. This not only affects their financial well-being but potentially their mental health as they grapple with the realities of such decisions.

---

Question 3: How do personal setbacks pave the way for professional and personal growth?

Story: After enjoying early successes in sneaker botting, the author faced significant financial setbacks, leading him to introspect, shift gears, and ultimately find his passion in software engineering.

Situation: Life is filled with peaks and valleys. Often, personal and professional setbacks, especially during formative years, become turning points for individuals. These setbacks, while initially perceived as failures, can become catalysts for change, growth, and a re-evaluation of one’s path. The journey from setback to success offers valuable lessons and insights about resilience, self-awareness, and personal growth.

Dyson, A. H. (2020). “This isn’t my real writing”: The fate of children’s agency in too-tight curricula. Theory Into Practice, 59(2), 119-127.

Dyson’s study focuses on children’s autonomy in structured curricula and the impact it has on their creative expression. Primarily meant for educators and curriculum developers, the work delves into the necessity of providing flexibility in educational frameworks to foster a sense of agency among students. Dyson posits that externally imposed structures can hamper the discovery of a unique voice. This concept is mirrored in Gennrich and Dison’s work, which dives deeper into the struggles faced by students in expressing their voice amidst restrictive conditions. The study’s profound insights about school settings set a backdrop against which other works can be better understood, especially when discussing the challenges in the discovery of a unique voice.

Gennrich, T., & Dison, L. (2018). Voice matters: Students’ struggle to find voice. Reading & Writing-Journal of the Reading Association of South Africa, 9(1), 1-8.

A complement to Dyson, Gennrich and Dison focus on students’ challenges in carving out their voice in writing. As they pinpoint the barriers faced by students, Moxley’s piece becomes crucial, highlighting on the role the audience plays in this dynamic, thus painting a full picture of both internal and external influences on the writer’s voice.

Moxley, J. (2021, June 20). Audience. Writing Commons. https://writingcommons.org/section/rhetoric/rhetorical-situation/audience/

In this article, Moxley examines the role of the audience in shaping a writer’s voice and content. Targeted at both novice and seasoned writers, it emphasizes the importance of catering to the needs and interests of the audience for effective communication. Moxley’s insights offer practical advice on striking a balance between personal expression and audience reception. This source is highly informative.

NY Book Editors. (2019, August 30). Finding Your Writer’s Voice. https://nybookeditors.com/2017/06/find-writers-voice/

This source offers a guide on discovering a writer’s voice. It presents reading as a strategy, emphasizing the benefits of analyzing a variety of literary works to understand and develop one’s own voice.

Berlatsky, N. (2014, December 1). ‘Voice’ Isn’t the Point of Writing. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/11/finding-your-voice-as-a-writer-overrated/382946/

Berlatsky challenges the popular notion of prioritizing ‘voice’ in writing, suggesting that the mechanical aspects of writing should not be overshadowed. While the piece is designed for a general audience, it offers an alternative viewpoint on the topic, reminding writers of the fundamental technicalities. This particular stance is thought-provoking, although it risks diminishing the importance of voice in resonating with readers.

Brits, L. (2020, November 28). Writer’s Voice: What Is It and How to Find Yours. – The Writing Cooperative. Medium. https://writingcooperative.com/the-writers-voice-what-is-and-how-to-find-yours-ed82f1884984

Brits offers a comprehensive guide on understanding the writer’s voice and the role of practice in its development. The article highlights that experimenting with various techniques and styles is essential in the journey to discovering one’s voice.

Renninger, K. A., & Hidi, S. E. (2021). Interest development, self-related information processing, and practice. Theory Into Practice, 1-12.

This paper examines the bond between personal interests and the process of information assimilation. Directed towards psychology enthusiasts and educators, it highlights how intrinsic interests amplify engagement levels, indirectly hinting at the relationship between interest and voice in writing. The paper’s strength lies in its comprehensive approach to the topic, although its broader implications for voice discovery in writing could have been explored more explicitly.

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy: The exercise of control. New York, NY: W. H. Freeman.

Bandura’s work on self-efficacy is a comprehensive exploration of individual belief in one’s abilities. While its primary audience is psychologists and sociologists, the book’s sections related to motivation and behavioral control have implications for writers. It emphasizes in drawing a connection between self-belief and persistence in finding one’s voice.

McCarthy, J. (2017, August 21). The Mechanics of Developing a Writer’s Voice. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/mechanics-developing-writers-voice

McCarthy presents a guide that offers learners strategies to decipher and develop their unique writing voices. Designed for emerging writers and educators, the piece provides practical advice which resonates of Thomas’ (2017) essay about the importance of voice in writing. Its step-by-step approach is a major strength, offering readers a clear pathway to voice development.

Yuliana, D., & Gandana, I. S. S. (2018). Writers’ voice and engagement strategies in students’ analytical exposition texts. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 7(3), 613-620.

This journal article scrutinizes the correlation between voice and engagement in analytical expositions. Targeted at linguists and educators, the research sheds on how voice can enhance the reader’s engagement. Remind of the topic of voice in digital writing, the study, however, has a specific regional focus, which might not be universally applicable.

Insights, C. (2015). Attention spans. http://pausethinkconsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/microsoft-attention-spans-research-report.pdf

This passage delve into the dwindling attention spans in today’s digital age. Primarily crafted for marketers, advertisers, and digital content creators, it highlights the challenge of retaining audience attention amidst information surfeits. The research is instrumental in the essay to emphasize the crucial role of a unique voice in captivating readers. However, the report might benefit from a broader cross-sectoral analysis, expanding beyond the marketing realm.

Schulten, K. (2020, October 7). Writer’s Voice: ‘Intolerance and Love in Jamaica.’ The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/12/learning/writers-voice.html

Schulten discusses the prominence of a writer’s voice when they write about personal and important topics. The piece exemplifies how personal connection and passion in a topic can elevate the quality of writing.

Twenge, J. M., Martin, G. N., & Spitzberg, B. H. (2019). Trends in US Adolescents’ media use, 1976–2016: The rise of digital media, the decline of TV, and the (near) demise of print. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 8(4), 329.

This research provides statistical insights into the changing media consumption trends, emphasizing on the decline of traditional media and the rise of digital platforms. The study provides context for the evolving challenges and opportunities writers face in the digital age.

Thomas, P.(2017). Writers must develop a strong, original voice. Bad Ideas, 126.

Thomas’ piece explores the intricacies of sculpting a distinguishable voice amidst the cacophony of content. Directed at aspiring writers, it beautifully amalgamates theoretical concepts with practical insights. This source seamlessly complements the essay’s primary focus, offering a clear understanding of the challenges and rewards of voice discovery. Thomas’ exploration of voice seamlessly ties together the preceding works, reiterating the importance of voice as both a personal journey and a means to resonate amidst a sea of information.

Introduction

In each class of writing, voice is recognized as fundamental quality for writers to possess. This is because, through voice, a writer can connect with an audience.  According to Thomas (2017), advice on voice has always centered on the need to develop a unique one, but such advice in most cases lacks practical ways through which aspiring writers can develop their voice. Such is the importance of voice in writing, that Thomas (2017) calls it a myth that can, unfortunately, act as a limitation for writers. This is because voice has some attached misconceptions such as “it is a divined gift, talent or genetic trait” (Thomas, 2017, p.128). It is such misconceptions that stop writers dead in their tracks in a world chocked by information excesses. Writers struggle to find their essence in a world that produces information that becomes irrelevant in seconds.  The information overload has been in part due to the remarkable role digital media is playing in this millennium.

Digital media has given people the platform and freedom to present their ideas, motivations, fears, hopes, and dreams. Various formal and informal writing devices and strategies have been used to strike a chord with audiences. This has resulted in writing becoming a critical and valued skill as attention spans decrease with an increase in technology use (Insights, 2015). Furthermore, digital media use has increased while the use of legacy media such as books and newspapers has reduced considerably (Twenge, Martin & Spitzberg, 2019). Digital media platforms have become very important to careers, social life, business promotions, and generally human connection. Everyone has an equal opportunity to craft a message and develop an audience.  Writing is the tool to achieve these aims. The tool is not only important in digital media but also within traditional writing fields such as learning, journalism, speech writing, and publishing. Crafting a voice is essential in today’s world that spends most of its time glued to screens reading. Therefore, this research will seek to answer the question of, “how is a unique voice found?”

Writing with the audience in mind by considering how the writer’s perspectives align with their ideas, needs, and level of understanding. According to Moxley(2021), the needs and interests of prospective readers should be a big factor when composing a text. A successful writer can connect with readers by providing text that is relevant or within their sphere of needs and interests. The short-time-spans of individuals require written text to provide immediate significance else attention will wander elsewhere. For instance, when writing a blog post if the title does not offer immediate significance a person is likely to switch to more interesting content.  Thomas (2017) posits that readers use various ideas or place emphasis on some literary devices in an attempt to infer the basis for the work. The writing process should therefore consider who will likely read the material and if the text relates to the values, ideas, and needs of the prospective reader.

Developing a sense of agency is an important step in the development of one’s voice. Berlatsky(2014) notes that writers will write following some externally imposed rules but creating an avenue from which some form of agency can be attained is also important. Writing is subjectively driven by an individual’s need to be heard or to share something they attach some importance to. The will to write on one’s interests and intentions is ultimately the driving force for most writers.  Berlatsky(2014) argues that individual expression is partly a reason for writing and expression is a product of agency. Developing a sense of agency results in an ability to be a non-passive player in society which according to Dyson(2020,p.120) “is central to becoming an active, adaptive participant across the life span”. Ultimately, an effort that is motivated by an individual’s intention to act on their interests, opens up an opportunity for finding what is most relevant. This further opens up the opportunity to discover how voice will fit in with these intentions. 

In any human endeavor, beliefs are a powerful driving force and writers need to develop self-efficacy beliefs to succeed in discovering their voice. Genrich and Dison(2018) posit that self-efficacy is vital towards attaining the confidence needed to master a craft like writing. Self-efficacy provides writers with affirmation that their understanding is enough to take the next step. This is especially important in contexts that writers face frustration in not matching up to the required demands. A belief rooted in self-efficacy presents an opportunity for the enhancement of the required skills. According to Bandura (1997), self-efficacy presents an individual with tools related that can manipulate factors such as motivation, the environment, and behavior.  Therefore, even in the instance of great challenges, a writer can stick to the challenge until they develop a voice they can identify with. The belief system of an individual will impact their ability to find answers in the face of great difficulty. Discovering one’s voice is not an easy endeavor and having a strong belief in self-efficacy makes it much simpler.

Meaning is an important part of writing and finding topics that have relevance or some importance is a step towards finding a voice. According to Schulten(2019), a writer’s voice is prominent when they write about a topic that is important to them. A topic that is interesting to a writer has more opportunity for a richer result since personality and perspective will be injected.  Renninger and Hidi(2021) note that individuals that have greater self-triggered interest in an issue are more likely to have greater engagement with the issue. Thus, it is more likely that by having an interest in a topic, a writer would be more engaged, taking the time to research and develop the topic. Therefore, writers need to take the time to find a personal connection during the writing process as it will lead to a better understanding of their voice. It is important to note that even in cases when a writer fails to connect to a topic, such as when writing for pay, a connection can arise in developing a form of mastery of the process itself. This leads to the attachment of meaning and an opportunity to discover more about voice.

To discover voice, a writer needs to practice consistently to find out what works and what does not work. According to Yuliana and Gandana(2018), practice is essential for students to craft a voice that increases their ability to achieve engagement. Practice refers to the repetition of an activity or exercise that leads to great proficiency and skill. Voice is also cultivated by consistent writing. Writers, therefore, have to be open to writing a considerable amount of literature to discover what makes their offerings unique. According to Brits (2020), instances of personality, tone, and rhythm are discovered when writers take the time to write a lot and test new methods and techniques. For instance, some writers begin powerfully but end their pieces weakly. This is because personal writing projects have no deadline and most writers will begin the process but rarely finish. Thus, having less practice leads to gaps in skills. To discover your voice, therefore, requires taking the time to experiment, make mistakes and learn from mistakes.

Reading the works of other writers offers an opportunity through which individual voices can be developed. NY Book Editors (2019) advise that to develop a voice, a writer needs to develop the habit of reading a variety of literary works. McCarthy (2017) agrees that analysis of various texts offers learners an opportunity to develop an eye for understanding the voice of these authors. A large part of learning takes place through copying which is essentially how learned behaviors arise. Similarly, the writing done by successful authors can be emulated as a means of learning the mechanics or qualities of voice. This can be done through reading or writing down passages by authors that have struck a strong chord. Such forms of emulation offer writers the chance to experiment and to modify texts they find some relevance or importance. Thus, taking the time to read the work of successful /favorite authors provides a basis on which voice can be recognized. Having an idea of a concept provides a greater chance of the replication of the concept.

Voice is found in written text and through feedback, a writer will have the means to improve and discover their voice. Thomas (2017 p. 128) notes that voice is “contingent” on how a reader perceives the text. For instance, in an essay, the voice of the text will hinge on what the instructor perceives to be important in terms of instructions and how well the essay meets the requirements. On the other hand, such an essay in the hands of another student will have a different voice from the instructors. However, feedback from the instructor will be more valuable and objective due to experience and expertise while the feedback of the fellow student might be more subjective to affirm the voice more positively. It is therefore crucial for writers seeking to discover voice to share their work as much as possible. Feedback from both perspectives enables a writer to form a well-rounded approach to criticism and praise as well as offer an opportunity to work on weaknesses. Discovery of voice thus requires the expression to be critiqued. Therefore; writers get to discover whether their idea of voice in their writing correlates to the voice reader’s encounter. Thus, writers are given an opportunity for feedback which is key for improvement.

Conclusion

Voice is an essential quality for writers and it is the unique value that a piece of text offers to readers. The world’s reliance on digital media has seen people’s attention spans significantly reduce requiring writers to be unique in their craft to capture audiences. However, discovering a unique voice is not easy but it can be done by careful application of various strategies. Writing should be done with the audience in mind and how they relate to a writer’s perspectives and ideas. A writer has to develop a sense of agency which will provide a sense of ownership of the work. Furthermore, developing self-efficacy will aid a writer to persist in developing a voice. Writing on topics with personal connection or meaning will lead to more engagement with the test and open up opportunities to develop a voice.  Practice makes perfect and consistent practice will lead to a greater chance to make mistakes and learn. Reading the voice of favorite authors provides an opportunity to emulate and replicate by imitation opening up the chance for self-discovery. Feedback is also important for the discovery of voice since it offers a chance to learn from constructive criticism. Voice is not an easy quality to cultivate, but by application of these strategies, a writer can be on the right path to discover theirs.

Bibliography

Dyson, A. H. (2020). “This isn’t my real writing”: The fate of children’s agency in too-tight curricula. Theory Into Practice, 59(2), 119-127.

Gennrich, T., & Dison, L. (2018). Voice matters: Students’ struggle to find voice. Reading & Writing-Journal of the Reading Association of South Africa, 9(1), 1-8.

Moxley, J. (2021, June 20). Audience. Writing Commons. https://writingcommons.org/section/rhetoric/rhetorical-situation/audience/

NY Book Editors. (2019, August 30). Finding Your Writer’s Voice. https://nybookeditors.com/2017/06/find-writers-voice/

Berlatsky, N. (2014, December 1). ‘Voice’ Isn’t the Point of Writing. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/11/finding-your-voice-as-a-writer-overrated/382946/

Brits, L. (2020, November 28). Writer’s Voice: What Is It and How to Find Yours. – The Writing Cooperative. Medium. https://writingcooperative.com/the-writers-voice-what-is-and-how-to-find-yours-ed82f1884984

Renninger, K. A., & Hidi, S. E. (2021). Interest development, self-related information processing, and practice. Theory Into Practice, 1-12.

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy: The exercise of control. New York, NY: W. H. Freeman.

McCarthy, J. (2017, August 21). The Mechanics of Developing a Writer’s Voice. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/mechanics-developing-writers-voice

Yuliana, D., & Gandana, I. S. S. (2018). Writers’ voice and engagement strategies in students’ analytical exposition texts. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 7(3), 613-620.

Insights, C. (2015). Attention spans. http://pausethinkconsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/microsoft-attention-spans-research-report.pdf

Schulten, K. (2020, October 7). Writer’s Voice: ‘Intolerance and Love in Jamaica.’ The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/12/learning/writers-voice.html

Twenge, J. M., Martin, G. N., & Spitzberg, B. H. (2019). Trends in US Adolescents’ media use, 1976–2016: The rise of digital media, the decline of TV, and the (near) demise of print. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 8(4), 329.

Thomas, P.(2017). Writers must develop a strong, original voice. Bad Ideas, 126.

e world of sneaker botting during the trend of street fashion. Blinded by the quick profits, he quickly accumulated substantial wealth to face the industry’s challenge and his own burnout of passion. This journey of swift success, disillusionment, and eventual self-discovery made the author realize his own personal growths are more important than fleeting wealth. In the narrative “My Personal Growth Story”, the author shares a different journey of perseverance and self-discovery spanning over thirteen years. The story follows the author’s pursuit of becoming a successful author despite facing repeated rejections and endless moments of self-doubt. The central theme of the narrative revolves around the commitment to personal growth across various aspects of life, emphasizing the power of consistency and dedication. In the narrative “Mike Tyson: From Being Bullied to Becoming One of the Greatest Boxers”, the narrator highlights Tyson’s early life, marked by bullying and adversity, which eventually drove him to find solace and strength in the sport of boxing. Tyson’s encounters with bullying fueled his determination to prove his worth and seek self-improvement. His dedication to boxing led to his transformation from a troubled youth to one of the greatest boxers in history. As we delve into the three stories, we will be analyzing the ethos, pathos, and logos presented in the stories to discover the intricacies of personal growth, show how individuals navigate challenges, overcome obstacles, and emerge stronger versions of themselves.

            In “My Personal Growth Story”, ethos is established by emphasizing through the author’s personal experiences. By openly admitting his struggles in detail, the author gradually established his credibility and connections to the readers. The author shares his experience of sending his works to numerous publishers over a span of thirteen years and receiving either no response or rejections. The author’s initial earnings from his self-published book were only at just 12 cents in the first month. The honesty and transparency create a sense of trust between the author and the readers, enabling them to connect on a deeper level and empathize with the author’s ups and downs. In “Mike Tyson: From Being Bullied to Becoming One of the Greatest Boxers,” ethos is established through well-known historical facts and the credibility of Mike Tyson’s own life experiences. Tyson’s own words about his struggles, motivations, and growth add a layer of authenticity and personal insight. Additionally, interviews with someone who witnessed his journey firsthand, such as his trainer Cus D’Amato, provide a credible perspective on Tyson’s story. The narrative also maintains a factual and objective tone, avoiding emotions. Finally, in “From Bots to Bytes”, the author builds its credibility by detailing his experiences in the sneaker botting industry. By detailing the journey from earning $200 to managing a substantial operation and earning thousands, the story is more connectable and relatable for the readers. Furthermore, the author’s shift from solely pursuing wealth to seeking genuine personal growth and a viable career path enhances the ethos. In all three passages, ethos is established through the authors’ personal experiences and reflections. While “My Personal Growth Story” relies on the author’s persistence in pursuing his writing career, “From Bots to Bytes” builds ethos through the author’s journey in the world of sneaker botting and realization. “Mike Tyson: From Being Bullied to Becoming One of the Greatest Boxers” relies on the widely recognized achievements and challenges of Mike Tyson’s life. Each narrative draws on the credibility of the individuals involved to engage readers and create a sense of authenticity in their personal growth.

            The narrative in “My Personal Growth Story” evokes pathos through the author’s perseverance and determination. The author’s description of sending his works to publishers for thirteen years without significant success creates a sense of empathy to the readers by his struggles and persistent efforts. The pathos is more focused on the disappointment and challenges the author faced, expecting a sympathetic response from the reader. “From Bots to Bytes” evokes pathos through the emotional journey of the author as he transitions from a pursuit of material success to a deeper connection with his true passions and personal growth. The narrative takes the reader through the excitement of the author’s early success in sneaker botting, as he describes the thrill of making profits and controlling his “robot kingdom”. This initial excitement creates an emotional engagement with the reader, as they can relate to the sense of accomplishment and ambition. As the story progresses, the author introduces a shift in emotions. The initial success begins to feel hollow, and the author experiences burnout and disillusionment. The turning point in the narrative comes when the author encounters a talented developer named Omni. The reader can resonate with the author’s journey of rediscovering his passion and finding a new path that aligns with his true interests. While the previous two passages tend to connect with the readers, in “Mike Tyson: From Being Bullied to Becoming One of the Greatest Boxers”, the narrative employs pathos by highlighting Tyson’s difficult upbringing and his transformation into a successful boxer, creating a sense of admiration and inspiration to the readers. Mike Tyson is too well known for someone to relate and connect with; the author used a different pathos approach that emphasizes the admiration from the readers.

            In “My Personal Growth Story,” the utilization of logos is evident through the systematic presentation of the author’s personal structured plans towards personal growth. The plans are structured around distinct areas of life, and specific actions and measures are outlined to demonstrate a logical and practical approach to self-improvement. The following quoted structure plan by the author highlight the use of logos in the article:

            My actions:

• Keeping a diary
• Affirmation
• Reading and writing
• Developing gratitude
• mindfulness training

These actions present a structured plan for personal growth, appealing to logic by suggesting a methodical way to enhance one’s life. The organized list appeals to the reader’s rational thinking, indicating a progressive approach to self-improvement.

In “From Bots to Bytes”, the appeal to logos is present through the author’s rational and logical exploration of his journey into the world of sneaker botting. The author employs a logical sequence of events and explanations to convey his experiences. Quotes exemplify the use of logos within the text:

“In 2018, street fashion, particularly brands like Supreme, was at its peak before the pandemic. If you were in Soho Manhattan, you would see someone wearing box logos crossing by every 2 minutes.”

By referencing a specific time period and highlighting a widely recognized trend, the author appeals to logic by grounding the narrative in reality and using verifiable details to set the context.

“The competition intensified. One more person could mean 10,000 humans in actions. Botting became exponentially more challenging…”

The author’s explanation of the increased competition and challenges demonstrates a logical understanding of supply and demand dynamics in the sneaker botting industry, reinforcing his credibility. The term “exponentially” emphasizes the math concept behind botting.

While in “Mike Tyson: From Being Bullied to Becoming One of the Greatest Boxers”, the logical aspect of the narrative is not as presentative. However, there is one particular example that uses logos:

“Tyson’s rise in the boxing ranks can be attributed to his consistent victories and the speed at which he defeated opponents.”

The emphasis on consistent victories and “speed” logically supports his reputation as a dominant boxer. The term “speed” also lands in explaining why Mike Tyson is so famous.

            In “My Personal Growth Story”, “From Bots to Bytes”, and “Mike Tyson: From Being Bullied to Becoming One of the Greatest Boxers,” the narratives showcase the power of transformation, each in its unique context, while employing various rhetorical strategies that resonate with readers’ emotions, logic, and trust. The narratives also reveal that personal growth is a universal theme, transcending individual experiences across different fields. Through struggles, triumphs, and the pursuit of becoming better versions of themselves, these narratives remind us that personal growth is not just an individual endeavor but a shared narrative that touches the essence of what it means to be ourselves.

References

https://simonternyik.medium.com/my-personal-growth-story-d94e8b41d26d

“My Personal Growth Story – How I Never Gave Up and What Successes I Achieved” by Simon Ternyik

https://suninme.org/true-story/mike-tyson

“Mike Tyson: From Being Bullied to Becoming One of the Greatest Boxers” by Colm McKenna

1.
I would describe my ability to pay attention to school work as extremely bad. I am very easily distracted by almost anything. I used to listen to music during learning and it was a disaster. Losing focus very easily, my favorite place to learn without being distracted has to be somewhere in dead silence like a library.

2.
It took me around and hour and a half to finish “My distraction sickness”. I got distracted twice during the reading.

3.
In the defence of distraction: The tone is very engaging and contemplative. It encourages the readers to reconsider their problems of distraction in a completely different way.

My distraction sickness: The tone is self-reflective and critical. The author isreflecting his over-use and addict to the social media. Critizing the overwhelming nature of the online world.

The distracted student mind: The tone is informative and analytical. The article focuses on emphasizing technology’s impact on teenagers behaviors by using practical data. The language used were objective and data-driven.

All three passages write about the formation and outcomes of distraction, but they all use different tones. Very interesting to see how different tones and have different impacts on people.

4.

Sam Anderson’s primary arguments in defense of distraction:

Value of Unintentional Discoveries: Anderson argues that what might seem like wasting time or being distracted can actually lead to valuable and unexpected discoveries. He presents the example of stumbling upon interesting information, like the “Boston Molasses Disaster,” while spending time on the internet. These moments of distraction can enrich one’s life and contribute to a deeper understanding of the world.

Interconnectedness of Focus and Distraction: Anderson presents the idea that focus and distraction are symbiotic and intertwined. He discusses an exercise by William James involving a dot, demonstrating that even attempts to focus inherently involve distractions and associative thoughts. This challenges the notion that distraction is solely a hindrance to focus.

Next Generation’s Cognitive Abilities: Anderson speculates about the cognitive abilities of the next generation, growing up with technology. He proposes that they may possess unique skills, such as multitasking and handling information overload, which could be beneficial in the evolving technological landscape.

Balanced Approach: Anderson’s overall argument suggests that a balanced approach that embraces both focused attention and managed distraction could lead to a more holistic and effective cognitive experience. He challenges the notion that complete and unwavering focus is always superior, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of attention and distraction.

Surprisingly I happen to support Anderson’s argument because he promoted a view that valued the interplay between focus and distraction for a more enriched and productive cognitive experience, which could definitely lead to a better result.

5.
My thoughts to the “epidemic of distraction” are more agreeing to Anderson’s ideas about how distraction could work towards unexpected discoveries and creative insights. Being exposed to new technologies could let us learn the art of multitasking.

What would you do with $30,000 sitting in your bank account at the age of seventeen? While it sounds absurd, this was the honest question I encountered during high school. Earning such a substantial amount at a young age, I thought making money was remarkably easy. Little did I know that this pursuit of money would take me on a roller-coaster ride of successes and pitfalls.

I live in a divided community on 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, known as the real Chinatown in New York. Here, there were two distinct groups: the extremely wealthy and the extremely poor. I was one of the very few “stuck in the middle” examples, inheriting the worst of both worlds – a desire for excellent taste but limited financial means. In high school, we often compared clothes, shoes, and bags. The rich kids could spend their parents’ money to get those, while the poor kids needed to work outside school to afford them. Me? I didn’t have the money to get those and was too lazy to find an actual job outside of school. Therefore, I turned to the internet for money-making ideas.

In 2018, street fashion, particularly brands like Supreme, was at its peak before the pandemic. If you were in Soho Manhattan, you would see someone wearing box logos crossing by every 2 minutes. People would pay thousands of dollars for Supreme Box Logo tee shirts, but they could be bought for just $60 from the Supreme website. A light bulb went off in my head –All I needed was a credit card and I could make a profit. My first attempt with a Supreme hoodie earned me $200. Feeling good while browsing Twitter afterward and I found someone posting a picture of over 100 order confirmation emails from Supreme. Thanks to big data, modern technology surveillance, and social media algorithms, I discovered a new world called sneaker botting and there my journey began.

The thrill of just thinking about potentially securing more than ten orders in a single release day motivated me to dive deeper into the world of sneaker botting. I invested the $200 profit in purchasing a sneaker bot, and from there, my “business” boomed. I was successfully hitting on every release, and my earnings rose exponentially. I had over 15 credit cards under my and my mom’s names, running 20 instances on different virtual machines and Amazon web servers – simulating the actions of 20,000 humans at a machine’s speed. I felt like a king. Controlling all these, my robot kingdom.

One day, I found over $30,000 sitting in my bank account. However, my seventeen-year-old mind went blank; I didn’t know what to do next. I had been so focused on chasing success that I hadn’t stopped to assess my path or where it might lead.

As time passed, I became an admin in a paid Discord group, where members could access information and tools to make money. I was earning $3,000 a month for simply sharing my experiences and tricks. But as more people and capital flooded into the botting industry, the competition intensified. One more person could mean 10,000 humans in actions. Botting became exponentially more challenging and my exhaustion led me to burnout. I was no longer passionate about a release. The whole thing was no longer like before, or maybe I was the one that changed. I didn’t know. The once straightforward path now seemed convoluted and exhausting. I made the difficult decision to detach myself from the all-consuming pursuit of botting and reclaim my connection to reality.

Still part of the group, I encountered a talented developer named Omni. Our discussions about coding fascinated me, and Omni eventually introduced me to computer programming. In 2020, I wrote my first complex computer program that automatically registered Nike accounts using different phone numbers pulled from various APIs. I sold the program for $200, which made me remember what Omni said in a random conversation we had: “Botting is not something people can do forever; people need to find something else they enjoy and can pursue as a viable career.”

After this journey, what do I leave with? Nothing physical, really; the money I’ve made those three years was all spent during the pandemic since I had no income and maintained a lavish lifestyle. When did I discover it? It was when I found no money in my bank account to pay off my credit card bills. What was the resolution? By working a part-time job as a college student and paying them off bit by bit.

It was a hard lesson in bankroll management but it also pushed me to face reality. To this day, I still cherish the valuable lesson that I learned along the journey. While the money may have come and gone, the experiences have shaped my character, and I am grateful for all of this that led me to my true determination to pursue a career path of becoming a successful software engineer.

Ethos:

William F. Buckley: “It is impossible in my judgment to deal with the indictment of Mr. Baldwin unless one is prepared to deal with him as a white man, unless one is prepared to say to him the fact that your skin is black is utterly irrelevant to the arguments that you are advancing.” Buckley is positioning himself as someone who is trying to approach the issue from an intellectual and colorblind standpoint, attempting to build ethos as a rational debater. He aims to present himself as unbiased and his argument here builds his credibility.

James Baldwin: “It comes as a great shock… to discover that the country which is your birthplace and to which you owe your life and your identity, has not, in its whole system of reality, evolved any place for you.” Baldwin is sharing a personal revelation. The ethos is rooted in his firsthand experience as an African American.

Pathos:

James Baldwin: “One’s appearance was already a kind of confession; one had to be mercilessly ‘realistic’ about that; one had to deal with that and accept the effect that that had on other people.” Baldwin speaks to the reality of being judged on appearance, particularly on his skin color. The emotion lies in the constant struggle of living in a world where his own existence and identity is a subject of bias.

Buckley’s appeal to emotion was more rooted in fears and concerns about societal breakdown and the supposed dangers of radical change. He argued that the push for civil rights might be moving too quickly, potentially leading to bad results. His pathos was more about caution and fears of change.

Logos:

Baldwin’s argument was built on a series of logical situations about the state of African Americans in the U.S. He pointed to systemic oppression, historical subjugation, and ongoing discrimination as evidence that the American dream was, in many ways, not applicable to black citizens. Baldwin’s logic was based on historical fact, social observation, and strong evidence. It all prove to his logos.

Buckley approached the topic from a different angle, arguing about the potential negative outcomes of radical change. He often suggests that rapid change might be more damaging than beneficial. Buckley weren’t as logical as Baldwin. Baldwin uses a lot more historical facts and data, hence to be more logos.

Personal opinion:

I side with Baldwin as he uses all three elements to the speech fully. Buckley, on the other side, weren’t as objective since his arguments were solely based on his own fears and concern. While Baldwin also uses Pathos in his speech, we can see that Baldwin’s usage of Pathos intertwined with Logos and Ethos, making his arguments a lot more relatable and effective.