Response to Chuck Klosterman's " 'Ha, ha,' he said 'Ha, Ha,' "

I found this text very interesting because I often thought about laugh tracks and why there are used.  I never did watch many shows with laugh tracks on them but I have seen enough of them to know that they are extremely corny and do not help me to laugh.  My theory on the laugh box was that it was there because I feel that it is easier for people to laugh when they hear others.  For instance, watching a funny movie with a roomful of laughing friends makes the movie a lot more hilarious than when watching the movie by yourself.  Watching it by yourself, laughing seems almost strange because you are in a room by yourself, laughing to yourself.  I have noticed when I watch something by myself I will only laugh unless something is so absolutely funny that I cannot help it.

Klosterman went into detail about why networks and TV shows use laugh tracks and it made a lot of sense to me.  He talked about how insecure Americans are and how its sad that we need to be told what to laugh at and when to laugh.  I thought it was very interesting when he talked about the time he visited Germany and became aware of when he would laugh, it would be at nothing that is funny.  He realized that he was laughing to be polite to someone when Germans only laugh at things that are truly funny.  I then began to think about the things I laugh at.  When I am at work, people will tell me things and I almost always laugh even when its something informative or not remotely funny.  I realize that I am doing to to show kindness and good customer service.  This is why people nowadays are so fake, because we are told we must pretend things are funny and act the way society tells us. 

I think that this article had a lot of great points and I agreed with almost everything.  I think that it will make people aware of how they abuse laughing.  It's interesting that people use laughter as a filler or in an awkward situation.  I always smile and laugh when I do not know what else to do and I have always wondered about why I do that.  I think a lot of this article helped me to understand why this happens to me; TV, media, and even writing with the use of exclamation points has shaped society to use laughter in a way that it really should not be used.

Research Topic

I think that for my research topic I want to do art therapy.  I did a small project on it before and did a little bit of research and I found it very interesting.  I would really like to know more about the subject because I believe it really works.  Art therapy is helping out people with mental challenges such as autism, brain injuries, anyone who has trouble communicating or opening up, etc.  It can help a wide range of people old and young. 

The creative process deals with psycotherapeutic theories and psychological aspects.  Many believe that art has healing powers because it is relaxing and stress free.  People are more able to express themselves through what art they make rather than having to talk to a strange psychologist that they do not know.  Instead of analyzing the person's thoughts, art therapists would analyze their art to know what's going on inside there head. 

I think that this subject would be great to research.  I think that I could research the pros and cons and find out if this new therapy is going to grow in the future or not.  I should find out what the range of people that this therapy can help.  What kind of degrees would and art therapist need would also be something to look up.  I could answer a few of the questions plus more and create a very interesting paper.

Annontated Bibliography

Duncum, Paul. “Studies in Art Education.”  Visual Culture: Developments, Definitions, and Direction for       Art Education.  Vol. 24.  Winter 2001.  101-112

Your Brain on Computers

After reading "Your Brain on Computers," an article by Matt Richtell, I realized how much people truely are attached to technology.  While reading this article, the first thing I thought about was my boyfriend Troy.  His brain is definitely hooked on technology.  He has his Droid, laptop, computer, PS3, Xbox360 and a 52 inch TV all in his living room.  A typical day is us sitting on the couch, him checking up on every sport that exists, Facebook, email, Ebay,  Craigslist, etc. all on his laptop, while his phone blows up with texts and updates, while watching TV, while I sit there and wonder why he can not unplug and just spend time with me since we only see each other twice a week. 
Thinking that if we go out to eat or on a date that he will forget about all things technology and focus on me, we sit down to eat at a nice restaurant and I will begin to talk.  After finishing my story I will hear silence.  That silence is the sound of Troy and his phone and not hearing one word I had just uttered.  Don't get me wrong, I have my Droid smart phone, Ipod touch, laptop and so on, but I can't stand to be on them while were together because I feel I am wasting my time with him. 
Upon reading the article, I began to realize that he is not the only one with these issues.  Many people today are going through the same technology addiction that he is.  I thought the part of the article that talks about the effect on multitasking that technology has had was very interesting.  I have noticed that I am very good at multitasking whereas my parents can usually only do one thing at once.  I never really connected that to the technology that has been offered to me growing up that wasn't to my parents.  They never learned to be connected as our generation is. 
I think that technology is important in our society today, but I wish people could learn to limit themselves.  Not only the people you wish you could spend more one on one time with to limit themselves, but also the people that run into you while texting and walking. 

Introduction!

Hello!  My name is Savannah Grant and for my introductory blog, I would like to say ten random facts about myself.

1.  I very competitive and athletic.
2.  I hope to be an art teacher one day.
3.  I am currently a photographer at Target Portrait Studio and work there back home every weekend.
4.  I love dogs and I have two; a black lab/malamute mix named Sidney and a miniature schnauzer named Geno.
5.  I HATE chicken noodle soup and chocolate cake.
6.  I have been dating the same guy for five years.
7.  Wiz Khalifa is my all time favorite artist.
8.  I am a huge Pittsburgh fan.  (Steelers, Penguins...not so much pirates however..)
9.  I'm terrified by the sound of Styrofoam.
10.  My friends would describe me as loud, obnoxious, amusing and fun.