Don't forget that you'll have to provide some evidence for both your claim about Chast's POV and each consequence you choose to write about. Don't try to write a whole essay. Concentrate on a single point and its effect(s). Develop each point completely and DOWNSHIFT.
Please post the paragraph by Thursday at 5PM so that we can discuss some of them in class.
I agree with Roz Chast’s claim that being surrounded by modern technology can have a negative impact on academic performance. Chast makes this claim in the cartoon with her illustration of Juliet sitting on her computer, listening to music, and sitting next to a cell phone and remote, while at the same time telling Romeo that she is failing Spanish class. When technology is available at your fingertips, it is extremely tempting to use it instead of focus on schoolwork. For example, when I am doing homework in my dorm room, I am constantly tempted to get on Facebook, text my friends, watch TV, or play games on my iPod, cell phone, or Xbox. It can be very distracting and I feel that it sometimes affects my work.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Roz Chast that teenagers of this current generation do not use proper grammar when using technology such as instant messaging. Throughout the I.M. conversation Romeo and Juliet rarely use full words or proper punctuation. Because of this, their messages are short, lacking in detail, and essentially passionless. The main effect of teenagers not using proper grammar when texting or instant messaging is that they will not be able to become effective writers or have an understanding of the essential rules of grammar and punctuation.
ReplyDeleteRoz Chast’s theory that teens fail at communicating meaningful messages across technology is useful because it sheds insight on the difficult problem of communicating through often short messages online. Chast shows that teens communicate poorly when as an afterthought Juliet types “btw both my rents hate u” and Romeo’s response is “mine hate u 2.” Thus, it is evident that there is little substance in those phrases with no explanation of why the parents hate Romeo and Juliet or why it should matter at all to Romeo and Juliet. Also, it is sometimes difficult to understand what is meant by a statement such as the one by Romeo “going to nicks party.” The phrase lacks any punctuation, confusing me personally but Juliet nonetheless interprets it as a question answering no she is not attending the party. Therefore, Chast has shown that teens are terrible at communicating via technology and she clearly sees it as a serious problem. The specific predicament is that when using technology teens are unable to communicate well or explain things in great detail. One major problem associated with poor communication skills online is that a misunderstanding could occur which leads to embarrassment for you and potentially others in the conversation. For instance, it is often difficult to tell if someone is being sarcastic or joking and did not mean what they typed to be taken seriously. Another potential landmine is not getting across your point completely and then thinking that the person reading your message can also read your mind. This difficulty can arise if you send a text message to someone asking something generic such as “what’s up” when you really meant “I want to hang out and do something with you.” If the reader does not interpret that underlying meaning then you may end up with nothing to do since your friend chose not respond, even though they are not doing anything either. Because of a failure to communicate well teens will ultimately end up in a series of misunderstandings and confusions.
ReplyDeleteOne of Roz Chast’s points that she makes in her cartoon describe, in her own opinion, how the youth of today practice horrible grammar. That is shown through the I.M. conversation that Romeo and Juliet have with each other. Rarely, if at all, Chast has Romeo and Juliet use full words and complete sentences. At the end of the conversation there is a complete lack of grammar as both Juliet and Romeo say goodbye to each other with ‘x’s and ‘o’s. When showing how grammar has disappeared from most teenagers’ conversations Chast is demonstrating there is a lack of how teenagers care how they are presented, which I agree with. This cartoon shows that neither care about how the other and their parents perceives themselves. This is a result from using poor grammar and not caring more about how well thought out their conversations are.
ReplyDeleteRoz's claim that teens are extremely obsessed with their electronics is something that is completely present with this generation today. In the cartoon, there are numerous examples of electronics taking over. First, they are communicating on their computers, and not in person. They lack passion in these conversations simply because they are using electronics to communicate. Second, they are surrounded by other forms of electrons other than their computers. Juliet has a cellphone, headphones, a TV remote, and others. While Romeo has headphones, CDs, and other forms of electronics as well. This problem stated within the cartoon has effected almost all teens. Teenagers spend more time multitasking and trying to balance their lives online, than interactions in person. Teens then cannot correctly communicate with each other, with parents, and with teachers. The lack of communication is present between the interactions of teens and their parents. Teenagers, because of electronics, often say things via text message that they would have never said in person, creating all kinds of new problems. Teens spend too much time obsessing over their electronics.
ReplyDeleteRoz Chast makes the claim that as a generation we are social inept. This is just a fact that you self-proclaimed “social butterfly’s” are just going to have to deal with. As a Generation we have no ability to communicate with each other. I can’t tell you how many pointless, aimless, and just massively uncomfortable conversations I’ve had (and that’s with people of the same sex!). We can make the excuse as much as we want that it’s the new age of technology we don’t have time. But we do have time and if we don’t we should make time, instead we choose to deprive ourselves of real human interaction for that of our sweet loving, and eternally accepting computer screens because were unable to hold conversation with each other. Look at these poor youths missing out on all the passion, intimacy, and physical interaction, that is the real Shakespearian play, and because of their lack of ability are left with “xoxox” “gtg”. I mean poor us that we have sealed our social fate to be decided by social networks, because of our complex inability to spit out a simple “hey”.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn’t matter if it was back then or today Romeo and Juliet is a confusing pair,and that is because they are teenagers. Most parents would agree with her point about teenagers being a mystery, because they do stuff that doesn’t make all that much sense such as writing with purple ink in school. Teens have headphones placed on their head all the time and can be difficult to understand what is going on inside. They rather listen to music and IM than talk on the phone. Roz Chast even emphasizes their dialogue is hard to follow and passionless with sentences like, “failig Spanish btw both my…”
ReplyDeleteIn her cartoon, “The IM’s of Romeo and Juliet,” Roz Chast insinuates that the youth of America are dependent upon technology. She does so by painting a story where two people in a relationship, Romeo and Juliet, converse via instant messaging on a computer, while listening to head phones in two seemingly isolated existences. It is obvious that Chast thinks that these two, as well as the rest of America’s youth, have too much technology in their lives and that they would live more fulfilling and healthy lives if they toned down the use of technology. I believe that Chast is correct on this thought. The youth of America have become extremely dependent upon technology and do not make an effort to have real interpersonal interactions anymore. Everywhere you look almost every person is either on the Internet, text messaging or talking on a cell phone. I believe that many people have lost the ability to successfully interact with other humans because of this and that our overall health is suffering. Humans are social beings by nature and need to interact with others successfully on some level in order to be healthy, happy and confident in life. Because of that fact, I believe that Chast is correct in saying that humans, especially America’s youth, should be more unplugged and should make an effort to start up a conversation with someone, rather than sit in one’s room punching away at a keyboard so that they can “talk” with someone else.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the illustrator makes Romeo and Juliet’s rooms extremely messy I believe is very accurate. There are many people that would argue with this point, but I can say from experience that it is very true. When it comes to cleaning my room, it is the last thing I think about. I clean my room when I am told to, when I have people coming to visit, or when it just gets so bad that I can’t stand it anymore. This is also true for many of my friends. If their room happens to be clean, it is usually because they were told to clean it. It is very rare, for me at least, to find someone that willingly cleans his or her rooms.
ReplyDeleteOne characteristic Roz Chast describes in the cartoon is how messy today’s teenagers seem to be. Even though I am one of today’s teenagers, I have to admit there is some truth here. This unkemptness is demonstrated by how messy Romeo and Juliet’s rooms are. There are empty cans, spilled drinks, loose pages, open books and left over food all over the floor. I think a messy room leads to a messy mind. When one’s belongings are all over the place so are one’s thoughts. One of the reasons students go to the library to study is because their rooms are kept in such a bad state that they find it hard to think. I think this idea is also represented in the picture when Juliet gets grounded for having bad grades. That is no surprise to me at all given the state of her room! How can she ever concentrate on anything?
ReplyDeleteThe illustrator uses the artwork of this cartoon to convey how this generation is over-saturated with technology. These electronics, such as the TV, remote, headphones, and computers seem to hinder the teenagers. For example, the chat they have has terrible grammar. The chat also shows a lack of social experience when they struggle to carry a conversation or end it properly. Technology not only hurts then socially, but also physically, Because of their coach potato computer lifestyles they remain seated in their rooms. Furthermore, the cartoon depicts this lack of physicality by the outstretched legs, and the junk on the floor which shows they don't walk around their rooms enough to be annoyed by it. Perhaps this is part of why their parents hate the relationship they have.
ReplyDeleteRoz Chast makes her disdain of this generation obvious by depicting them as overly chaotic. Chast is absolutely correct in portraying the current generation in this manner, but at the same time, she goes over the top in making that example. The generation of today do find themselves extremely busy with little time for personal enjoyment and rarely fine time to organize their lives in a way that older generations feel is acceptable. Chast hyperbolizes the messiness of today’s teens, but not without reason; to prove a point. Yes, we all get that teens can be overly messy, but often are given less credit than they deserve.
ReplyDeleteIn the cartoon, Chast makes the assertion that teenagers today are too engrossed in technology. She does this by surrounding the two characters with gadgets such as computers, televisions, and stereos. As a result of this, the characters seem to be doing poorly in school, made evident by Juliet's statement, "cardoza called home, sez im failing spanish..." and by the numerous failing-grade papers strewn across the floor. I know from experience that this is most definitely a problem among teenagers today, as I struggle with this myself. I find that Facebook and other websites cause a huge distraction while I am trying to do my homework, and I always end up procrastinating until late into the night.
ReplyDeleteThe floor littered in pizza, its cheesy smell mixed with the rotten odor of socks, as well as the electronics scattered all over suggests how lazy today’s teens are. The cartoonist illustrates the mess perfectly as the girl is on her bed with her laptop, not caring about the filth surrounding her. While a bit exaggerated, the cartoonist could not be more right about how teens allow simple, daily tasks to pile up. Countless times my mother has asked me to take out the laundry in the washer and move it to the dryer. There is not an easier chore than moving clothes, but countless times I have responded by saying “I will in a little bit,” and I end up not doing it because I expend all my time on my laptop. Checking Facebook for “just a little bit” can easily turn into three hours, which is why tasks get delayed, and one never ends up feeling productive.
ReplyDeleteChast’s claim that our generation is addicted to technology is completely accurate. On Romeo’s side he is listening to music while chatting on his computer with Juliet. She is also on the computer, listening to music, watching t.v. and has her cell phone less then a foot away from her hand. Juliet alone is using 4 different forms of technology while she is simply relaxing on her bed before she goes to sleep. The presence of electronics in our generation is becoming obsessive and to the point where it is addictive. It is comical to have addiction and technology in the same sentence but you know their is a problem when therapist are helping people fight their addiction to technology. The problem Chast states in this cartoon is present in our generation because the technology is so readily available. Teens are constantly going back and fourth between their phone and Ipods to the point where it consumes every aspect of their life. Instead of this technology being a tool to help make life easier, it is now a necessity that every teenager needs to have with them constantly. I have even caught myself obsessively checking my phone in hopes of a text or phone call because when our minds are not being constantly occupied by the technology, it feels as if there is a gap or something missing on your life.
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