TOW #16: In My Brother's Image, Eugene L. Pogany (IRB)

As I continued with the book, In My Brother's Image, by Eugene L. Pogany, I became much more invested in the story. The way the book is structured; there are snapshot stories from the past, mixed in with events in the present. Due to the fact that this is a secondary source, rather than a primary source, the narrator of the book did not experience the events. Pogany chose to create two different story lines (past and present), to show the connection between his actions, and those of his father and his uncle. One moment, Pogany is telling the story of his uncle and father visiting a church as children, and the next moment, he is visiting a different place of worship himself. The parallels throughout are all very interesting, and readers can feel as though they are going on two separate journeys. One, with the young boys, and one with the adult narrator. It gives the book a truly authentic feel. Also structurally, Pogany chose to split the book into chapters, similar to the layout of a novel. I really liked this, especially because the author gave each chapter a name. Rather than naming them after subtopics that he would talk about, the titles of the chapters were very simple, while still extremely meaningful. Chapter 1, the Prologue, was titled "Sorrow in Search of Memory" (1). In contrast, Chapter 6 was titled "Exile" (93). I think these chapters set a tone for the book that would not be there otherwise. When you begin reading a chapter called, "Exile" or "Flight" it creates emotions for the readers. These simple words connect with some memory that every reader has, so it causes them to connect more to the story as well. Beneath the chapter names, the author placed allusions to other texts. One that stuck with me the most was the quote before the last chapter. "'Go, summon Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses...They know how to mourn.' Louis Ginzberg, 'The Great Lament' in Legends of the Jews" (305). The title of the chapter was "Remembrance." I thought the allusions definitely added to the tone that Pogany was aspiring towards, and with all the pieces together, I truly think he accomplished that tone. I enjoyed this book, especially because it was written like a story, similar to my last IRB. I also liked it because it held a lot of history and culture. I would recommend this book to all audiences. 

http://compellingjewishstories.blogspot.com/2010/11/in-my-brothers-image-twin-brothers.html

TOW #15: "AT&T’s new data cap 'deal' is just another weapon against regulation," Art Brodsky

With every passing day, technology is getting more complex, growing more advanced, and opening many doors for innovation. It is an extremely large market right now, that is making millions of dollars on improved gadgets, year after year. AT&T, a large technology provider, is a leading company that has been a very large player in cellular devices and advances in data. In the article, "AT&T's new data cap 'deal' is just another weapon against regulation," the author, Art Brodsky brings up a new cap created by AT&T, that allows for extended data. He obviously does not have a very positive opinion about AT&T. He uses statistics in order to portray his opinion. For example, he says, "when AT&T's 2011 takeover of T-Mobile failed and the company had to cough up $4 billion in break-up fees plus more billions worth of spectrum, the company didn't blink." The company has enough money to pay for a bail out like that, and every year they come out with a new product and take more consumer dollars. Brodsky also uses the comparison of two quotes, one from a phone company owner, the other said by a Congressman. These quotes were extremely similar to each other. This comparison extends the idea that cellphone companies are running our country, just like our Congressmen/women. Either way, the money of the people is not being looked after. The way technology is going, every year you need to replace your recently purchased device. The system is a con. Also, many devices are only compatible with other products from that company, or even made especially for that product. This way, the companies gain more revenue with every little new idea. I believe that Art Brodsky brought up some good points in his article, making it seem as though some technology is just a scam. I think we just have to be careful what we spend our money on, and know all of the details.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/01/op-ed-atts-new-data-cap-deal-is-just-another-weapon-against-regulation/

TOW #14: Ambler Alley of the Arts Mural

Off of the main street of a tiny Pennsylvania town, this mural splashes against the white exterior of Act II Playhouse, a professional acting theater. This tiny road is known around town as the "Alley of the Arts." Ambler is a town that is full of art and entertainment, and right next to this larger-than-life piece of artwork is Addicted 2 Dance, a popular dance studio. Fitting right? Especially because the mural depicts three different genres of dance, and a scene from a play. There is also an artist painting a masterpiece and a singer strumming out some tunes on his guitar. The whole wall is bright and colorful, which creates an air of expression. Forms of art may be very different, but things like dance, music, theater, and fine art are all forms of expression. The colors represent the variety of outlets for creativity. The people that are depicted in the piece are all different. This diversity symbolizes the idea that every person, no matter their appearance, can present the world with something beautiful in the arts. Art is not about the artist. It is about what the artist is able to create. I believe that the purpose of this mural is to spread the importance, along with the joy, of the arts. In a world where art funding is cut in schools nationwide, it is crucial to ensure that the power of creativity is still spread. Dancing, acting, and singing are pretty major aspects of my life, so it is even more special to me that the artist dedicated this wall to those things. Also, as I said before, the image is located right near a dance studio and a theater, so the pedestrian public can view the mural and connect the picture to their surroundings. I believe that this bright mural does a fantastic job of presenting the arts in a true form. The painting is one of my favorite parts of town, and I love being able to see it as I walk out of dance class.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harpo42/4101526965/?rb=1