Step Back

When we were told to write a blog post about the instances when we are manipulated I thought, "I'm never going to find anything. No one manipulates me." Wow was I wrong.
The day I got into Hamilton, my dad said to me, "now you have to go buy some J Crew clothes so you can fit in." I thought he was joking and being silly, but he was right. Never before had I owned a J Crew jean button down. Every time I wear my beloved washed-out jean button down from J Crew I see at least 3 other girls wearing the exact same one.
Never before had I felt like people cared about what shoes I wore, until I found myself buying my third pair of sperrys. I never knew what sperrys were before I started my life at Hamilton.
In so many little ways, Hamilton has made me "preppier" or "better dressed" and I don't necessarily mind it. I like my clothes, and I think they look good, but what was wrong with my worn down vans I always wore? What was wrong with my Forever 21 button down? Nothing.
No one ever told me my clothes weren't nice enough. Everyone complemented my H&M shirts and my Forever 21 dresses. No one once looked at my torn vans and made a comment or even looked twice.
So where did I find the need to change my ways? To spend more money than I ever have on clothing and my image? I guess there is some sort of underlying manipulation that I do not acknowledge telling me to try harder to fit in, to wear my nicer clothes, to make sure I look like everyone else.
I don't think fitting in is a bad thing, I think it is usually a good thing. What amazes me is that I had never thought twice about the fact that since attending Hamilton I dress differently, I care more about brands, and other useless things, until I was told (or manipulated) to take a step back and look at my life. I don't mind that Hamilton has changed it, I love who it has made me, but I love that is also Hamilton (or Janelle) that has helped me see these aspects of my life.

The sun is shining... (the tank is clean)

It is very basic and far reaching, but outrageously truthful, that we are manipulated by our surroundings and environment.  Whether it is your roommate, your family, the classes you take, the shows you watch, where you live, or the season of the year, we are constantly being manipulated by our surroundings.  I take the last from this list, "the season of the year" as a particularly pertinent manipulation.  As the snow has finally melted away and the bean boots shoved under beds or hidden in closets, the beautiful weather of this past weekend made me realize how dependent people become on the weather.  After walking just the short distance from Dunham to North I witnessed and abundance of people outside playing various games, such as volleyball, frisbee, something involving a good deal of running and tackling, or simply lounging in the grass.  I was overwhelmed with content and happiness being outside.  I realized during this walk that we, as Hamilton students, allow the weather to dictate our moods.  The sun seemed to have woken campus up.  After months of grey skies and snowy fields, the campus was worn down and tired.  Yet after this weekend there is a much livelier and excited vibe that seems to be hovering over campus that has not been felt since arguably October.  The fabulous weather has cheered people up from the crankiness that was set in by Clinton's long winter.

Last Saturday

This past Saturday was beautiful, and I spent the whole day outside.  

On Sunday night, I stayed in KJ until 2:00am to finish my studying, and I'm on a similar (if not worse) track tonight.  However, it's hard for me to think of this past Saturday as procrastination.  I hung out with friends, I laughed, I threw a frisbee, I ate outside, I enjoyed the weather and I enjoyed myself - it was an incredible day, yet now it's left me with a consequential pileup of unfinished schoolwork.

The responsible thing to do would have been to go to the library on Saturday, right...?  All of these self-actualization videos and speakers say to take what you want to do and make that a career, but I don't think that sitting on the Dunham green is a particularly promising career path.   

It's tough to rationalize doing things for their own sake while living in a workaholic society.  While my Saturday was not work experience and is not something I can put on my résumé, I think that a day spent being happily unproductive is just as important as a day spent investing time in my future.

Here's a tangentially related youtube video that I found today and really enjoyed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdqVF7-8wng

Cycles of Manipulation

   While paying attention to how my environment manipulated me, I noticed that we are often manipulated in cycles. Take, for instance, a study group (if anyone watches Community, manipulation within the study group is very evident). If you were in a group of people quietly studying, you would likely follow suit. Similarly, the energy in a group of excited fans watching a game might be contagious. As we see, we adopt a mob mentality in a group - we tend to follow what others do. This is why trends in music, clothing, art, and so on, exist. Striving for uniqueness is also a trend, though, so as a certain style of music or clothing becomes popular, a new style begins its rise in popularity. Regardless of whether these trends occasionally bring back old trends (like people nostalgically reliving the 80s or 90s), the cycle of popularity continues. In relating this to the study group, we might see that the group's level of focus may shift, because of an individual's desire to do something else. If we acknowledge that such cycles of manipulation exists, what do we do about it?  Are these cycles necessarily bad? Where might happiness fit into the pictures when thinking about these cycles?

Life After College

As summer approaches, the stress of figuring out summer plans hangs over my head. Similarly, many of my friends are continuously applying for internships, waiting to hear back, hoping to get an interview, etc. When did the idea of summer change from something that made me so excited to something that causes me such anxiety? I was reminded of this when I spoke to my Mom on the phone yesterday, and she told me that I MUST call the woman from the company I’m trying to internship at over the summer.

            I realized that it’s been drilled in my head that I MUST have two “career related experiences” before graduating, to set myself up for finding jobs after college. I feel that pressure from my parents, the Hamilton Career Center, and even my peers. The importance of this is stressed so much that the thought of not getting an internship this summer makes me feel like 1) I’m going to throw up, 2) a disappointment, and 3) I will never get a good job after college.

            When I take a step back to look at this situation, I realize this probably isn’t normal or healthy. Of course, this response is a product of manipulation. I have been manipulated into thinking that I must find an internship this summer, or else I’m just doomed. Is this true? Absolutely not. But then why do I feel like if I don’t have an internship, I’m no longer on track?

Reflecting

Reading both Aura and House of Danger was extremely refreshing. Throughout my academic career, with a few exceptions, reading assignments have always been of the traditional format, with the author presenting the text in a linear fashion and reading from left to right. However, both novels draw attention to manipulation in that we, as readers, bring these conditioned expectations of how to experience novels when we read them.

That being said, now the class has been asked to write a 500-word chapter addition to either of the novels. Actually, scratch that, we have been told that we are going to perform this task. In the prompt, phrases are used like "You write this chapter using 500-700 words" and "you choose one of these texts." But the interesting part of the prompt is how it constantly emphasizes the fact that everything is up to us; how we write the additional chapter is our choice, and the number of words is our choice.

Handpicking certain words to influence the way humans think and act is a common occurrence and seen in many facets of life. Advertisements are a good example because they put their best effort into promoting a product or service in order to make money. Through various life experiences but solidified by this class, I've learned the importance of recognizing when and where manipulation occurs. Thinking for myself, asking questions, and challenging my peers is what will ultimately make me a wiser and more successful person, socially, intellectually, and personally.

Hamilton Irony

We all know that Hamilton says that it a place where students learn to become critical, independent thinkers that question the world around them. Certainly, the many high school seniors roaming campus over the past few days looking around in child-like excitement testify to the allure of this offer. Even we as current students are evidence of submission to this message by paying a handsome amount of money to the college.

So many have come to refer to things like the message Hamilton sends to students and the many activities on campus as "the tradition of the college". This very phrase came up last night as I was eating dinner with my friend and discussing some of the college traditions. We were particularly focused on the tradition of Class and Charter Day. You know, that special day at the end of the spring semester that celebrates the college's rich history and tradition. It also happens to be the day that many students spend in a drunken haze--you know, that classic college tradition. The night before, we had been talking to a group of upperclassman about Class and Charter Day and how some students may skip class to get drunk, while others may still go to class and some may even pull off the ultimate combination: going to class drunk. After laughing at the ridiculousness of some the past goings-on of Class and Charter Day, I asked my friend what she thought of all of it. "Well, you know, it's kind of the tradition of the college."

This phrase, "the tradition of the college", made me think about our lives here. To what extent are we going about our life here at Hamilton by our own free will? Surely, many eventually understand what they love to do and actually act on that passion. At the same time, are there not times in our lives here when we make certain choices because that's what everyone else does, because that's the tradition, or simply because that's what you're supposed to do? These pressures present constant manipulation and can't be avoided. It's kind of ironic that in a place of independent thinkers, we so often depend on the will of others to make our decisions.

Are we manipulated to be happy?

My roommate is writing an anthropology paper about happiness in relation to Hamilton. Last night while we were all hanging out, Sophie asked us to explain our experiences at Hamilton and how they relate to our own measures of happiness. We all began talking about classes, friends, and social media. How they impact our happiness. We construct images and appearances so others will think we're happy. When you came to Hamilton for the first time, didn't you think this was an inviting place? I distinctly remember accepted students day 2012. It was about 80 degrees and everyone was outside in sundresses and shorts enjoying themselves. Accepted students day was entirely mediated. As are the tours we give. Tour guides are taught what to tell prospective students, they're given a variety of approved topics and they don't stray. Genuine experience is never really discussed.

Don't get me wrong; I love it here. I am happy with my friends, academics, and social life, but that doesn't mean I'm never unhappy. I often find myself feeling down or even depressed with no explanation. That, however, is never discussed here. We are manipulated to believe that everyone else is happy all of the time, which is a blatant lie. I think social media is the worst form of this. BBC News published an article a few days ago about how women exposed to social media are more likely to have lower self-esteem. We construct our Facebook pages to look a particular way. I can't remember a time I saw a picture of a person crying on Facebook or Instagram. I am extremely guilty of looking at others timelines and wishing my life was as exciting or "happy" as theirs.

How fucked up is that? A constructed online appearance causes me to doubt myself and become more insecure. At Hamilton we're "A National Leader" in what? Supposedly it's "learning from each other and thinking for [ourselves]". To me, however, it looks like we're so blinded by the images of others that we can't even being to think for ourselves. Our coursework this past semester has caused me to be more conscious of the manipulation around us. While Hamilton is a wonderful institution, and I don't suggest anyone take it for granted, I think it is time to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. No one is perfect or happy all the time. If we could be more open about our insecurities as a campus, I think that would make Hamilton's image less constructed and more realistic.

Here's the article if you're interested: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-26952394

It's Everywhere

As I search for my own mediated artifact, is hard to come across an object that doesn’t enforce our media-driven culture. Even objects once innocuous, pervasive in many regions of the world long before modern media even existed now serve to enforce its domination in our daily lives. The clock, for example, has been a staple in punctuating our behavior. However, it now serves as the backbone of media constraint, segmenting our lives and defining transitions between different media. We no longer read a clock, a clock tells us where to be, what to do and even how to live no that media keeps us connected at all hours of the day.

The advancement of modern media is in many ways very similar to House of Danger in its presentation of freedom and manipulation. An object like television advertises freedom of choice and an infinite variety of content. However, what we view on TV is manipulated by those who broadcast it and selectively filtered to restrict our choice to a handful of options, much like House of Danger, which claims to provide the reader with control over the story, but in reality only presents the reader with a few choices that lead to predetermined outcomes. Both forms of entertainment rely heavily, however, on the reader’s sense of freedom to sell and expand their popularity.

Expectations and Manipulations

            I woke up sick this past Thursday and missed the last class. After reading through everyone’s blog posts I started to notice a common trend, and knew that there must have been an assigned topic to blog about this week. I felt that it was my job to find out what that assignment had been. We are manipulated into following the instructions of our teachers. We’ve been warned from the beginning of the year about the manipulations that we are faced with day after day. Yet I still feel responsible to do as my teachers say. We learn from a young age that we must obey our teachers. We are taught that they are authority, and I have always associated authority with being correct, no matter the circumstances. All my life I’ve believed everything my teachers have taught me. I’ve sought to please them by following their assignments exactly as they have instructed me, never daring to take a leap and go outside the boundaries.

            Having been in this class for more than half of a semester, I now question so many things that I used to do without hesitation. Why am I waking up at 7 in the morning to run? Why am I studying for the three tests I have in one week? Why am I going to class? Why am I doing my homework? What is the purpose behind these actions? We have been manipulated into following our strict schedules and obeying the rules laid out for us in order to succeed. Yet although I do think twice about my daily schedule, I still perform the same things day after day. It’s expected of me; I’m expected to get good grades, play soccer, stay focused, and have fun. It’s all in the college experience, right? These manipulations do pressure me, but at the same time, they guide me and motivate me. Manipulations do indeed force us to follow a particular path, but this path could either lead you nowhere or to a whole new world; it all depends on how you take these manipulations. You can allow them to control you or you can allow them to encourage you to stay on the right path.  

Just an Example of Real Life Manipulation that I Recently Encountered...

            I figured I’d speak a little bit about something I came across on the internet a couple weeks ago. It is a book called Missing 411 by David Paulides, and it concerns strange and seemingly unexplainable disappearances throughout wilderness areas in North America. According to the author, he has tried to get information from the national park service about these disappearances but has been met with stern resistance. He thinks that the National Park Service is engaging in a cover-up, and that there is some sort of foul play or secret that they are hiding from the American public. I read excerpts from a couple stories, and they were frightening enough to give me the chills.

            Going through this information, this class along with the associated ideas of manipulation immediately came to mind. I personally spend all the time I can outdoors, often in remote wilderness areas, and often alone, so I was especially frightened. I vowed not to read the book, as I do not want to be scared and worried while venturing out in the wild.

            I realized that there are several layers of manipulation here. The NPS is manipulating the author by controlling the amount of information that he receives regarding strange incidents. Paulides has apparently attempted to bypass this by using dogged research methods and scrounging out all the information that he can get. In turn, Paulides is manipulating his readers by choosing what information to include in the book. Is being intentionally sensationalist to get better sales? Finally, I am manipulating myself by choosing not to read the book. I tell myself that mysterious incidents of this sort are just as likely to happen in urban areas. I tell myself that the percentage of people who venture into the wilderness and do not return due to strange circumstances is miniscule. Both of these are probably true. However, it is just another example of the complex web of manipulation with which we engage in our everyday lives.

            Here are a couple links to information regarding the book if anyone is interested. As I said before, I find them very fascinating but also terrifying:

http://www.amazon.com/Missing-411-Eastern-United-States/dp/1468012622

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbUsEBO6C2M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAh02EB7SNI

The world around me

The advertisement companies are constantly manipulating their audiences with their products. However, the manipulation  done by these advertisement companies do not make any direct impact in my life. Rather, the biggest manipulation that I have found in my life has to be the manipulation done by people around me. The manipulation done by many people around me are not necessarily bad.  For example after the class last Thursday, my friend texted me to eat lunch at an earlier time because she was really hungry. So I changed my schedule to eat lunch with her earlier. Later after talking with her in lunch I found out that she decided to eat lunch earlier because she wanted to take a nap during our usually lunch time. She did not think it was a good excuse to take a nap to make me change my schedule. Little manipulation like this is constantly done around me that I may not necessarily be aware of but is constantly impacting my life.