The Perils of Indifference by Elie Wiesel -Dora Barnhill

After reading The Perils of Indifference, I was left feeling very informed and content with what the author had to say. I feel that no one should be indifferent to others that are less fortunate. I have a good life and nice things but that is not what makes me happy. What makes me happy is being able to help others, and to not be indifferent towards anyone just because they are different then myself.
I enjoyed reading this piece, because Elie used good illustrations. She was also very informed on the topic and her choice of words made the the essay flow. As I was reading I felt as if she was not trying to make me believe what she had to say but give me the facts so that I could create my own opinion. All in all she got my attention and made me think.

The Perils of Indifference (critique) By Spencer Lynch

I enjoyed reading this piece, I believe that Elie makes a good point to say that is indifference a good or a bad thing? Does it induce a better life for most and a bad life for some? These are questions she asks that make me think should I care about other peoples problems? If I am content in my own life should I try to improve the life of another? From her given example such as Aushwitz and Hiroshima, I believe that we should help others in need. Because if America had never helped those suffering in concentration camps, then they might still be under Nazi rule, if not dead.
As far as being persuaded what Elie is saying, I felt more informed as opposed to persuaded. Because I did not feel as though Elie was telling me I needed to care more for others or I am a bad person. I felt as though she were saying if you helps others more, look what can come of it. Overall I enjoyed the piece it was intresting, and gave examples to illustrate the point she was getting across.

Critique " The Perils of indifference" by Peggie McNeil

This is a short but powerfully written essay, and I enjoyed reading it. It ask the tough questions that the U.S turned a deaf ear too. It took years,and much suffering, many deaths ,and unimaginable pain before the U.S. responded to the plight of the Jewish people . Perhaps, the U.S., being a profit driven Country that can turn a blind eye to the plight and suffer of others, saw no profit in helping the Jewish people at that time. The U.S. has a history of being indifferent to the plight of many people from foreign lands who ,in many cases,boarded make-shift crafts in search of a better life for their families and themselves, only to be turned around and left to perish at the might of the sea. These were the poorest of the poor without anything to offer. We should not judge a person's wealth by the size of his bank account, but by the size of his heart. The movie The Pianist, is a good spin off for this essay ,or maybe a movie where the U.S. is actually living up to what's written on the Statue of Liberty,"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

Essay Critique "Sex, Lies, and Conversation" by Spencer Lynch

I enjoyed this essay, because I believe that what Deborah Tannen is saying is very much true. She is imposing that in a given relationship between a woman and man, most of the time men show lack of communication. They act as though they are not listening. But Deborah reassures us that men are listening, they just might not know how to respond. Although, in a public situation around a small group of people, men tend to be more social and talkative. I agree with her strongly, because from a male point of view I can understand what she is describing. I know that when I am around a small group of people that I do not see as often, I am more social and talkative than if I was at home.

Sex, Lies, and Conversation crtique by Dora Barnhill

This essay is about how men do not show that they are listening and how communication is key to a good relationship. I really enjoyed reading what Tannen had to say because I can relate. Allot of times when you are in a relationship with bad communication it can be very difficult and stressful. I feel as if the best way to communicate is to stay calm and not get mad at the other person, and if they do not seem to be listening then let them know how you feel. This essay made me think about things and I found it very interesting. I also thought that the way she wrote the story was very easy to understand and it had facts to prove her thesis. To conclude I felt like the tone of the essay was very educated and well thought out.

Essay Critique "Sex, Lies, and Conversation" by Matt Duncan

I enjoyed this essay and felt that Deborah Tannen did a good job of writing this essay, I felt it was to the point and easy to read. Also, I agree with Tannen when she says that a lot of women, while talking to men, feel that the men are never listening. I can also agree when Tannen says that when to men talk to each other their usually isn't constant eye-to-eye contact. This essay led me to think of an idea to better understand differences and ways that men and women communicate with each other.

First off, I would gather couples at various different points in relationships. For example, a newlywed couple, a couple that has been dating/married for a few years (atleast 5), and a recently divorced couple. After gathering these people I would have a "reality/game" show where the different couples through various communication exercises would compete against each other. As usual there would be prizes involved, just to add the extra competitive spirit. Like most reality shows nowadays, there would be some tenious moments that would spark heated conversation. By comparing how these different types of couples communicate, myself and whoever else is concerned could have a better understanding of differences in communcation between males and females.

Critique " Sex, Lies, and Conversation" by Peggie McNeil

The essay is an essay that explains why men don't communicate well with women. Her assessment of the differences between male's and female's ability to communicate with each other is on the money. Although males and females have inhabited the earth since the beginning of time, like she stated,"there are many cross-cultural differences", and society assigns a role to each. Male children are integrated into society to interact mainly with other male children at a very early age ,and they are often frowned upon , thought of as being weak , or even gay if they interacted mainly with female children. The sexes usually don't mix until adolescence. It's only natural that the guys won't find it easy to communicate with the females. This is new territory for many of them ,and they wont feel as comfortable talking with the opposite sex as they will the same sex. As for females, most females are born with a natural ability to communicate,(Eve was the one that communicated with the serpent, not Adam), and many find it easy to communicate with just about anyone.

In most cases , men don't say much because they aren't sure how the female will react to their feedback. Like she stated in the essay, "Their greatest fear is being pushed away. But men live in a hierarchical world, where talk maintains independence and status. They are on guard to protect themselves from being put down and pushed around".

We as females should take in consideration the differences in the rearing of male and female children, and try to be a little more understanding. Many of the standards by which males were raise for generations are still in play today,almost as if evolution is at a stand still.