English IV

Wesley

9/29/2016

Crazy

Crazy. I am not going to sit here and explain to whom ever may be reading this what the meaning of the word crazy is- that would just be crazy. There are too many different examples of the word crazy used in context and the word is too polarizing and general to use as often as it is used. People need to cut back on the use of the word crazy and only use it in appropriate situations.

 The word crazy means much more to some people than it does to others. To be honest, you probably don’t have the slightest clue who is affected by mental illness. According to Victoria Bekiempis of Newsweek, 1 in 5 Americans suffer from mental illness each year. So look around the class room. Would you bet against the claim that 20% are somehow affected by mental illness? If so place your wager, I'll match anything. Mental illness does not target a certain age, race, gender or social class, it targets all walks of life.

 People obviously do not choose their mental state. Whether it's through genetics or acquired during this long road of life, nobody has control over the problem of mental illness. So that homeless old man sprinting for his life, yelling out how he's being followed? He has PTSD from being forced to serve his country in Vietnam. That kid who sleeps in class and has done his homework twice this year? He has to take care of his bipolar father 24/7. That girl in your class who has to get her way all the time and is a total “control freak”? You think you are the unlucky one for having to sit next to her in class? Try being the one with OCD.

            Think of how many people who have revolutionized the world have been called crazy. Marshall Mathers, Albert Einstein, Ken Kesey, Hunter S. Thompson, Lady Gaga, Dennis Rodman, Nikolai Tesla, Edgar Allen Poe, Neil Armstrong, Obama. Shit, this essay has to be a page and a half and I could make a list of people called crazy double the length. And even if they are famous success stories, the people who are called crazy that the world has not heard of are just important. One man has the power to change the world and personally, I think you kind of do have to be a little crazy to do so, in a good way.

           

The bottom line is, the use of the word crazy needs to decline and should only be used when appropriate. Besides is calling somebody crazy not the same exact same thing as writing “hypocrite” across your forehead? Admit it, were all a little batshit. And just remember, be careful who you call crazy, because one day, they might just show you how crazy they are.

Wesley

Lang.&Comp. [AP Rhetoric]

2 October 2016

                                                            Please Don’t Tell it Again

            Originated in 2011, the phrase cool story bro, tell it again! is commonly used as a witty remark to give feedback on a story that you truly did not find interesting and would not want to hear again. According to Urban Dictionary, the phrase is used in a “dickish/sarcastic way,” “to indicate one’s disgust or indifference towards a story.”

            The phrase is just so condescending. Don’t be a jerk. Why is it so hard to pretend that you’re interested in their boring story? Instead of having to completely shut down somebody’s excitement over a story, why not just nod and smile? You don’t even have to listen. On the outside it looks like you truly are engaged, but internally you are going over what you want for dinner or a list of things you need to buy at Target.

Sure the rebuttal is supremely sarcastic, but it’s utterly unoriginal. It’s become way overused. Proof of this is that in t-shirt shops in popular vacation spots have neon shirts that say cool story bro, tell it again! on them. You don’t want to be THAT person, using things they’ve seen on t-shirts from Daytona Beach, FL, during Spring Break.  The phrase demotes your ability to make good comebacks by using it. You’re not a true “sarcasm god/goddess” if you use this ancient antiphon. Be original when it comes to your sarcasm.

Too many breaths are used just to get it out of your mouth. You want to be quick and witty with a response, and taking 2 breaths just to get cool story bro, tell it again! Out is a complete waste of oxygen. By the time you’ve finished, the storyteller could’ve began another boring story not worth repeating, and no one wants that.

The increased use of this commentary shows how society has become pessimistic and afraid of others having more fun or a more extravagant life. It also proves that we as a society are afraid to fall inferior of others. By shooting down a story with this sharp retort, people are finding satisfaction. This yet again proves that we feel the need to cut down others exciting life events in order to feel better about ourselves.

In the end, you could hurt someone’s feelings by raining on their ‘cool story’ parade. They genuinely could’ve thought their story really was cool! Another important detail to know is if your audience understands sarcasm. The only thing worse than having to explain a joke is telling a person you are being sarcastic. Having to explain that their story was truly extremely boring is such a waste of time. Worst-case scenario? Actually having to hear the story again.