“I am autism. I’m visible in your children, but if I can help it, I am invisible to you until it’s too late. I know where you live. And guess what? I live there too” (Autistic Self Advocacy Network). These eerie words opened the 2009 video “I am Autism,” which quickly gained internet views and caused a world of problems for the autistic community. This video, set to sinister … [Read more...] about “I Live There Too”: Rhetorical Problems and Solutions for Autism Advocacy
A Dark Twist on Capitalism Brings Out the Consequences of Identity Loss
Commonly known as the land of opportunity, the United States has long-since boasted the seemingly limitless ceiling of its capitalist economy and promised that people of all backgrounds can achieve their dreams here through hard work and determination. While the incentive to achieve a better life has brought purpose, ambition, and economic success to the lives of many … [Read more...] about A Dark Twist on Capitalism Brings Out the Consequences of Identity Loss
An Optical Approach to Sleep
“Americans spent an estimated $41 billion on sleep aids and remedies in 2015, and that’s expected to grow to $52 billion by 2020,” declared BBC researcher Natana Raj (1). The success of this massive sleep industry speaks volumes about the amount of rest that people are getting. According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over … [Read more...] about An Optical Approach to Sleep
The Romantic Heroine Gets a Clue
Amy Heckerling’s 1995 blockbuster film, Clueless, introduced the 20th-century satirical hero Cher Horowitz, a beloved protagonist who captured the sensibilities of a generation. Cher is materialistic, vapid, and blissfully ignorant of the goings-on outside her life, yet audiences love her and cheer her on because she possesses the film’s titular trait. Indeed, it is … [Read more...] about The Romantic Heroine Gets a Clue
Change in the American Ideal
First coined by James Adams in The Epic of America, the American Dream has always invited hope into all those that think of it. For those that journeyed into the US during the early 1900s, they strove for success and freedom that they were unable to attain elsewhere. During the 1950s, the American Dream became the ultimate idea of success: hard work and dedication will pay … [Read more...] about Change in the American Ideal