Today we began class with the usual Writing Into the Day assignment. We viewed a video that animated the words to the poem, "Totally like whatever, you know?" by Taylor Mali. The poem is about how our generation no longer has any conviction in our opinions and ideas. The poem states that,
"it has somehow become uncool
to sound like you know what you're talking about?"
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4608329
The poem really resonated with me because once I heard the words I realized that everything being said was true. That even though I know what I'm talking about that I do add those "ya knows" and "I guess" to most of my sentences. It really bothers me that I am guilty of all the things the poem touched upon because I think I should value my opinions more so than I do. I think everyone should value their opinion because in turn it is thiers to value.
After listening to the poem and realizing that I am guilty of all the things the poem says, in my head I wanted to promise myself that I will start valuing my own opinion and making sure that when I am talking to someone that they know that I know what I am talking about. I am also going to try to modify the way i form sentences to make it more apparent that I know what I am talking about.
Hey Cory, how's it going? Well I read your first post titled "writing into the day reflection 1101", and I totally agree with you. I too picked Taylor Mali's poem "Totally like what ever you know?". The first time I heard the poem I didn't really understand it b/c I was LIKE daydreaming you know? well anyways I agree with your point on how "we lack conviction in our ideas and opinions." I also feel the same way about, how everyone needs to express their ideas clearly and thoroughly so that conviction and confidence will resonate in an individual.
ReplyDelete--Johnny Seyok
Hi Cory! How are you!? Hope you are doing well. First off I adore your background! Hahaha it really catches the eye. I love that you picked this to write about. When i first read the poem I did not look at it in the same way as you. But now I see where you are coming from. It is interesting to know that someone else feels the same way as I do. I feel the same way you do about how you need to be confident in what you are saying when you are talking to people. Be sure of yourself. I love when you said that "everyone should value their opinoins because in turn it is theirs to value."
ReplyDelete-Arin Hall
Hi Cory! This poem struck home with me as well. It strikes us as funny because we recognize the truth behind it. Its interesting how often we commit to edify our speech, whether eliminating the "likes, umms and uhhs" or speaking with proper grammar, yet always seem to slide back to old habits. I agree that everyone should value their opinion, and that we should aim to speak in a way that reflects this self-respect. Good luck with your new goal!
ReplyDeleteCory, I really like how you are thinking about this poem, and it is really helping me think about my own perspective. While I think it is funny and interesting, Taylor Mali also kind of irritates me, because I think some of those ya knows and likes and I guesses are really useful to writers in just getting our ideas down. I know that they don't lend authority to our words, though. Anyway, what you are saying is different to me, though. You are really looking at this from an internal perspective- thinking of self-value. I really like this. Thank you!
ReplyDelete