Sterling Says…

Up until recently, I used to believe that racism was just a southern problem. My friends aren’t racist, my family isn’t racist, and therefore I was exposed to very little racism growing up. In fact, I was exposed to very little culture growing up. At my high school, I was introduced to roughly three black students over the course of four years. One of them I became decent friends with. I can remember plenty of students of Asian and Hmong descent and a handful of foreign exchange students who mostly kept to themselves. This past school year was the first basketball season in over a decade of playing the sport that I have ever played with a black girl on my team. I do not view others based on their skin color, nor do other cultures make me uncomfortable. I’m not sure if it was the lack of mixed cultures in the area where I was raised that lead me to the conclusion that racism only occurred in the south, but I was very ignorant in believing so.

“Racism and discrimination are very real issues. This incident with #Sterling exemplifies such ignorance that (sadly) manages to stay alive.”

This was the tweet I had sent on April 29^th of this year. While running on the treadmill in my campus’ workout facility, I was watching ESPN on one of the televisions (it’s amazing how much further I can run while watching TV). I expected to hear all about the excitement of the NBA playoffs, but overshadowed by this was the disappointing decisions made by Donald Sterling.

Sterling, an attorney and billionaire (and now the former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers) was plastered all over ESPN accompanied with terms like racist, derogatory, and monstrous. Confused and alarmed, I plugged my headphones into the treadmill and listened in on what was being said.

On that day, Sterling was banned from the NBA for life. Additional punishment? A payment of $2.5 million to the NBA. His girlfriend, V. Stiviano submitted a recording to TMZ of Sterling making racist remarks about blacks. The remarks came after an Instagram photo posted by Stiviano of her and Magic Johnson. Reported from CNN, the recordings are as follows:

     “In your lousy f**ing Instagrams, you don’t have to have yourself with — walking with black people,” Sterling says.

     “If it’s white people, it’s OK?” the woman responds. “If it was Larry Bird, would it make a difference?”

     “I’ve known [Magic] well and he should be admired …. I’m just saying that it’s too bad you can’t admire him privately,” the man on the recording says. “Admire him, bring him here, feed him, f**k him, but don’t put [Magic] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games.”

I just could not believe what I was reading. How could such a prominent figure that supports athleticism be racist towards blacks? Hadn’t numerous black athletes played on his team, promoted his ownership, and ultimately earned him money? The whole thing seemed ridiculous to me.

Thankfully, Sterling was punished appropriately. I feel as though the NBA handled Sterling’s remarks appropriately and by no means was his punishment too harsh. However, I feel terrible that such an event has to cast such a dark cloud over the NBA playoffs and it is a shame that the athletes, coaches, and NBA fans have to deal with such an incident.

Due to Sterling’s comments, racism has been brought to the forefront of social media. Headlines have more recently appeared with Michael Jordan’s name tagged in something along the lines of “admits he considers himself to be a racist.” Headlines, such as this one, project false pretenses onto its readers. Rarely do people stop and take the time to comprehend the context of the nature. This racist affiliation with Michael Jordan happens to come from a comment in his book, written years ago. It merely addresses the racism that Jordan was faced with and how he handled that in his younger years. The accurate context would be that Jordan threw a soda at a young girl, after she called him a racial slur. He then admits to being racist towards whites, something that it took him a while to overcome. His book exemplifies growth and maturation for the sensitive subject, not that Michael Jordan is a racist now.

This Sterling incident opened my eyes to the cruelties of racism. It’s important to remember that this issue has never gone away and it’s unfortunate that it takes one man of a high and powerful social rank to stimulate solutions. We should be conscious of this form of hatred from the beginning and what we can do to prevent it.

Share With Me

With 1 billion people (about one in every seven people) worldwide using Facebook, this social media site has become a convenient way to access worldly news. I have personally been exposed to numerous stories of which Facebook friends choose to “share.” Sharing on Facebook (for those who are not on the site as much as I am) is the ability to link certain articles, videos, photos, or any other media form to your personal newsfeed so that friends of yours may view it as well.

Thanks to Facebook’s share feature, I have begun to come across a variety of newsworthy topics. A common trend seems to be stories that warm the heart. I have absentmindedly clicked on links leading me to “26 Majestic Dogs Who Totally Redefine Perfection” and “15 Big Ways You Love Your Little Sister.” The most recent example of an uplifting story involves the friendship of an eight-year old girl and an NCAA Division I college basketball player.

The touching story of Lacey Holsworth and Adreian Payne has been reported as “bigger than basketball” in the national event of March Madness. Payne, a senior forward for Michigan State University, was introduced to ‘Princess Lacey’ when he paid a visit with his teammates to Sparrow Hospital of Michigan over two years ago. At the time of Payne’s visit, Lacey had just suffered the devastating blow of remission: the rare form of nerve cancer, Neuroblastoma, that she thought she had conquered was back. Lacey asked specifically for Payne to stay with her a bit longer because she “liked his smile.” The moment Payne agreed, a friendship would start that would ultimately teach the world how big his heart truly is.

The two became extremely close. They shared motivational quotes via text messaging, constantly encouraging one another. Payne began leaving tickets for Lacey as soon as she got out of the hospital so she could watch his games. Lacey attended in full-fan gear, including pom-poms, beads, and Payne’s No.5 jersey. She began to collect articles and images of Payne’s basketball successes and pasted them to her bedroom wall, naming it the “A.P. Wall.”

When Lacey underwent a round of chemotherapy around Thanksgiving, Payne visited her in the hospital yet again. Lacey’s mother remembers that Lacy refused to wake up because she was so tired from therapy, but the day that Payne entered her room, her mother whispered that he had arrived and she cried “Superman! You’re here.”

As Lacey’s response to chemotherapy weakened, Payne did everything he could to make sure that her spirits were strengthened. He gave her a black shirt with a pink heart on it as a gift and she wore it proudly to one of Michigan State’s team dinners (along with a charm necklace with the number 5 hanging from it). This remarkable relationship is not one sided, as Payne reports that Lacey gives him strength in moments when he needs it. At times when he is saddened by the memories of his late mother and grandmother, he thinks of Lacey fighting for her life.

On April 9 of this year, just as March Madness had finally calmed down, “Princess Lacey” passed. Prior to her death, Lacey’s mother had told Payne, “While it breaks our hearts that we might be losing our precious girl, we find comfort in knowing we’ve gained a son.”

I used to believe that Facebook helped promote garbage news – that people enjoyed sharing ridiculous things that should probably be kept private, or airing out their dirty laundry to gain sympathy. While this may still be true in part, I have reevaluated my take on the social media site. But over the past year, thanks to the ability to share uplifting stories, I have realized that there could be the potential shift in positive sharing as opposed to negative sharing. Stories such as the one of Adreian Payne and Lacey Holsworth have inspired me and inspired others and I commend Facebook in helping to promote this inspiration.

Number 21

The number 21 signifies much more than just a value. For most, the age of 21 is the true coming of adulthood, as this number marks the legal age for the consumption of alcohol. Turning 21 is supposed to be the best birthday celebrated in life, filled with friends and/or family getting together for a night to remember (or a night to not remember). But for others, the number 21 doesn’t mean alcoholic beverages and the release from the paranoia of receiving an underage drinking ticket. Instead, this number represents a third copy of chromosome 21 in the human body, ultimately resulting in the genetic disorder known as Down syndrome.

How fitting, then, that Down Syndrome International (DSi) has deemed March 21^st (today) as World Down Syndrome Day. This day has been officially recognized by the United Nations since 2012 and is a global affair. DSi’s mission is to raise awareness around the world “of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities” (worlddownsyndromeday.org). This organization focuses on using social media sites to promote facts and stories of the genetic disorder to help people better understand what having Down syndrome entails.

A video was released on March 13, 2014 by Coor Down, an Italian Down syndrome advocacy group, entitled: “Dear Future Mom.” The video was made in response to a nervous mother-to-be who was just informed her baby will have Down Syndrome. Coor Down decided to answer this expectant mother with those who would know best, a group of individuals diagnosed with Down syndrome.

For Coor Down video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju-q4OnBtNU

The important thing to remember is the that people who are diagnosed with Down syndrome are not identical; they vary in personality, ability, interests, and interactions. As stated by National Health Service, “Everyone born with Down’s syndrome will have a degree of learning disability. The level of learning disability will be different for each individual.”

The National Institute of Child Health reports that there are over 400,000 people living in the United States with Down syndrome. With improving technology and medical advancements, these people are living longer, healthier, and more fulfilled lives than every before. Regardless of the medical upshot, negative stigmas still remain.

Already occurring in the 2014 year are various alarming stories of ignorant individuals negatively impacting those with Down syndrome. A mother killed her diagnosed infant by injecting hand sanitizer into his feeding tube, while a different mother abandoned her diagnosed 6-year-old son. Both cases took place in Louisiana. Another incident involved a rape case that inevitably was overturned by a Georgian judge on accounts that the woman with Down syndrome did not behave like a victim of rape.

But how can someone judge another simply because they have Down syndrome? People are unique – shape, size, skin color, hair color – and this statement is no different from those who are diagnosed with the genetic disorder.

There are, indeed, remarkable stories of individuals with Down syndrome who face incredible hardships every day and serve as an inspiration to others.

This past fall, Little Chute High School (a small, public high school in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin) ran an article/video on their varsity football team’s manager, Noah Van Vooren. Noah was diagnosed with Down syndrome in 1995 when he was just two months old. When Noah’s family doctor told his mother that she should not expect much out of Noah’s life, she advocated strongly for her son and never went back. Although Noah is incapable of the learning material at a high school level, his parents felt that it was critical he receive as much learning as he could, along with a social life. In this process, Noah has gained true friends, companions that do not feel sorry for him, but treat him as they would any other person.

But it was during football season that the admiration of Noah from his fellow classmates, teammates, and friends would truly be revealed. On the last home game of the season, October 18^th,  the team told Noah that they wanted him to suit up and run through the tunnel with them for the game. In reality, they had quite more in store for Noah that night…Noah would take the field. With cooperation from their opponent, the Little Chute High School football team facilitated Noah’s touchdown run. The entire community watched with tear-filled eyes as Noah experienced the best night of his life and was congratulated in the end zone by his team.

For video of Noah:http://www.postcrescent.com/videonetwork/2872853122001/Little-Chute-boy-with-Down-syndrome-inspires-a-community

Heartwarming stories like Noah’s help to remind us that we are all more alike than different.

Spring is Upon Us, Dietary “Solutions” Available

With spring nearly here, it won’t be long until the warm weather kicks in…well hopefully. Regardless, soon we will all be trying to get our bodies back into shape and ready to go for beach season. The long months of the winter snow and cold have most likely done our figures a disservice. And who wants to prance around with unwanted pounds or rolls that are in places they shouldn’t be? Thus awaits the ever-present dilemma to lose weight.

 Grumble.

But how does one lose weight? Most of us tend to be extremely busy; there are kids to take care of, households to run, degrees to earn, and jobs to maintain. Hence, time is something that a lot of us struggle to come by – precious time that could be used for exercise. To lose weight requires the body to burn off more calories than consumed. Therefore, if you don’t have time to exercise, you have to change your diet.

The kind of diet that’s best for you all depends on what you’re looking for. There’s the “Cabbage Soup Diet”, where you literally eat nothing but cabbage soup. The “Apple Cider Vinegar Die” that advocates ACV burns fat. Or you could go with the “Acai Berry Diet,” which promotes supplementing acai berries with low-calorie meals. The list goes on and on…

A fad diet is a diet that is considered to be very popular over a short period of time. However, the term fad diet is often representative of a diet that fails over time. For instance, there are a variety of “3 Day Diets” that promises instant gratification, but there is never any long-term satisfaction with such a diet. In order to promote a healthier lifestyle, our diets should be changed intermittently over a longer period of time. Eating healthier is to promote a lifestyle change!

Further yet to aid in the weight loss journey, is the ability to purchase diet supplements. There are a variety of pills available that claim to help with weight loss. One of the latest diet pills contains a raspberry ketone that causes a significant amount of weight loss. A recent study called Anti-Obese Actions of Raspberry Ketones reports that “researchers from Japan found raspberry ketones seem to have a very strong effect at increasing lipolysis (the burning of fat) within fat cells” (Healthy Lifestyles). The catch? The Food and Drug Administration have not reviewed this dietary supplement.

How are diet supplements sold before the FDA approves them? According to the Food and Drug administration website:

     “In October 1994, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) was signed into law by President Clinton. Before this time, dietary supplements were subject to the same regulatory requirements as were other foods. This new law, which amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, created a new regulatory framework for the safety and labeling of dietary supplements. Under DSHEA, a firm is responsible for determining that the dietary supplements it manufactures or distributes are safe and that any representations or claims made about them are substantiated by adequate evidence to show that they are not false or misleading. This means that dietary supplements do not need approval from FDA before they are marketed” (FDA).

Consequently, any dietary supplement that has not been approved by the FDA is most likely ineffective, and often times dangerous. For instance, most dietary supplements have side effects and can often cause health-related risks when in combination with other prescribed medication. In order to take these dietary supplements safely, you should always check with your physician beforehand. Some other useful tips provided by the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (NIH) consist of never taking more than the prescribed dosage and gaining knowledge of the supplement prior to consumption.

Needless to say, the pressures to lose weight can often cause us to do crazy things in order to obtain our personal goals. In reality, our health is what is most important. We can avoid the next fad diet (i.e. the “Cabbage Soup Diet”) because we want our weight loss to be for the long hall rather than short-term gratification. We can also become knowledgeable of the dietary supplements we are taking in order to prevent any health risks or complications.

Mayhem, Pandemonium, Madness…It’s All The Same in March

For many, March is the best time of the year  – some may even compare it to Christmas. The month encompasses the spirit of competition and the excitement of college basketball. Friends will get together and bring as many televisions as they can manage into one room to view multiple games simultaneously. Grown men will argue with one another in pubs and restaurants about which team will be in certain brackets. Fans from all over the country will represent their favorite NCAA teams in clothing and accessories for the duration of the tournament. Employees will take off of work and students will skip classes to view the games. For NCAA college basketball followers, March is literally madness.

March Madness has become a cultural event for Americans. All State Car Insurance prefers to call this madness “mayhem” on their national commercials and I would tend to agree. March Madness is marketing heaven. All State is not the only company to take the opportunity to use the national basketball tournament to their advantage. Subway, Southwest Airlines, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Blackberry are just a few businesses that incorporate the March Madness theme. Brobible.com lists the top 15 March Madness commercials, according to those who vote. But these commercials do not come cheap. They fall short to the Super Bowl for the most expensive commercial time slots during the event.

People are scheduling their procedures to coincide with the tournament games. According to a clinic in Cleveland, doctors have confirmed that vasectomies ultimately increase during the month of March. Reason being? The males want to relax and recover in front of the television while they enjoy college basketball.

Vasectomies aren’t the only medical side effect of March Madness. Americans also experience other physical (mainly negative) symptoms when involved with the tournament. These symptoms consist of lack of sleep, irritability, sweaty palms, an increase in stress and anxiety levels and so on…

Let’s not forget the gambling. According to USA Today, nearly 20% of the nation’s total population participates in bracket play – that’s about 58 million Americans. For those who are unfamiliar in bracket play, the NCAA allows 64 teams to enter the “big dance.” Once the qualified teams are in, a selection show indicates the seeding of the teams. For instance, four teams will receive the 1 seed, while another four teams will receive the 2 seed, and so on and so forth all the way until the 16 seeds. Once seeded, a bracket is laid out for the first round games of the 1 seeds playing the 16 seeds, the 2 seeds playing the 15 seeds, and so on. After the first round, only 32 teams remain, and the bracket continues.  (See below for the official 2013 NCAA tournament bracket.)

Bracket play turns into “bracketology,” where fans across the country attempt to predict who will win each game and fill out their brackets accordingly. This is where the gambling comes in. Betting on the tournament is illegal activity, but the FBI estimates that the actual amount of money that is gambled towards the even is $2.5 billion! I know of various companies, work places, and groups of friends who combine their brackets in a pool and for a low price (between $5-$20) anyone can enter; The bracket that looks the closest to the actual results wins the pot of cash. There have even been reports of elementary school students getting into trouble for organizing bracket pools and betting on the results of the games.

While this event can be exciting and strangely unifying, it can also be brutal for American companies. Employees are constantly checking the results of their brackets and staying updated with the tournament, while slacking in their place of work. I can remember my boss telling me to take the rest of the day off because the Badgers were on at 7…Fox News reports that “online March Madness coverage could attract more than 2.5 million unique visitors per day, each spending an average of 90 minutes watching games. That’s about $175 million in lost productivity over the first two full days of the tournament alone.” The only city that reaps the financial benefits of March Madness this year is New Orleans, as they are responsible for hosting the final four.

Whether you are an avid March Madness participant who is involved in bracketology, a basketball fan who represents their favorite teams and enjoys watching them play, or a combination of the two, you cannot ignore the cultural effect this NCAA national basketball tournament has on America.

The Netflix Takeover

I would be interested to meet someone who has never rented a movie or gone to the theater. Even I, the girl who watched Caddyshack and Home Alone for the first time this year, have stood in line for a must-see film and have rented a number of flicks at once. Through feature-length films, we can escape reality and get lost in a fantasy for the time being, relate to characters and situations, or expose ourselves to new cultures and ways of life. Who wouldn’t want to watch movies?

But often times movie theaters are not very convenient: leaving the house nearly an hour earlier to get a good seat, standing in multiple lines for tickets and popcorn, the prices…And if we are still speaking of convenience, while movie rentals may rank higher than the theater, renting a flick is not always ideal either: the possibility of the movie selection being pitiful, or the movie that you’re interested in renting runs out of copies before you get there, the late fees…Sometimes we just don’t want to get out of bed. We want to lie around and eat junk food and watch movies from the comfort of our homes. All of this has been made possible through Netflix.

In 1997, Marc Randolph and Reed Hastings from Scotts Valley, California founded Netflix. Originally, this company was a DVD mailing service that would attract subscribers due to no late fees, due dates, or shipping fees. Customers could obtain their movies in the mail and wouldn’t have to leave their home. By early 2007, Netflix introduced video-on-demand through the internet. This new concept completely blindsided Blockbuster (although Netflix did offer to sell half of their company to Blockbuster and change their name and Blockbuster denied this offer). Blockbuster suffered the consequences. They refused to stay with the movie trends of society and failed as a business.

What exactly are the movie trends of society? The answer to that question is convenience and affordability. What better way to view movies and shows than from your own home? In addition, there is no required media player for viewing and viewers can enjoy their movies and shows ad free and in high definition. This service isn’t just for adults; there are categories for children and parental features to prevent inappropriate viewing by children. Netflix is also mobile capable. This means that subscribers can enjoy Netflix from a variety of electronics, such as iPads, computers, DVD players, and even cell phones.

As if these benefits aren’t appealing enough, the cost for this service is extremely reasonable. Netflix offers 3,000 movies and over 20,000 television episodes for its subscribers and only costs $7.99 per month to its users. That’s less than the price of one movie ticket! Not to mention movie theater snacks and gas money prices are voided when using Netflix. It’s no wonder Netflix has 23 million users.

I often wonder about whether or not television networks that do not rely on internet streaming will survive. For instance, HBO and Cinemax are two examples of television networks that have adopted the Netflix-approach. Writer for the New Yorker, Ken Auletta wrote that television networks, like CBS are not too concerned. With the exception of DVR-ing certain shows, live television still has an appeal to Americans. Let’s be honest, who enjoys reading immediate reactions on their twitter feed from who was most recently eliminated on The Bachelor during airtime because they’re stuck at work and had to record it? No one.

Another concern I have with the use of Netflix is the productivity of our generation. Because Netflix is so easily accessible and convenient, movie and shows can be viewed essentially anywhere that has internet availability. This allows students in class to be viewing movies on their laptops instead of taking notes and employees watching their favorite shows when they think no one is watching them. Just a little food for thought…

Has Netflix created a new world of shopping? In addition to shopping online, many companies have resorted to monthly membership fees where members swap out their old merchandise for new merchandise. For instance, Rocksbox, a jewelry company, is operated this way. Rocksbox members create an account and receive three pieces of the latest, personalized jewelry in a box delivered by mail designed to try and match the member’s profile. If the member falls in love with an item, they can buy it. If not, they can switch out their box at any time and receive a new box in the mail. The cycle continues for as long as the member prefers. With jewelry (book and clothing) companies copying the route of Netflix…what’s next?

There Are Sports in The Olympics?

As a young girl, I used to dream about going to the summer Olympics when I was older – although, not much older because gymnasts are not fully developed when they get their big shot. I would put on my new leotard and intently gawk at the women tumbling and performing routines that most people would not even think of attempting. It wasn’t until years later that I started to watch the winter Olympics. (If the sport wasn’t gymnastics, at the time, I was not interested.) And thus I began to marvel at the meaning behind it all: camaraderie amongst athletes, the joining of nations, the comfort in knowing that individuals and teams were only to be judged off of their athletic merit. The whole idea of the Olympic spirit was mesmerizing and the fact that it each comes only once every four years made it all the more special.

 

 

 

As this year’s winter Olympics approached, every advertisement in favor of the games was upon America. As soon as the Super Bowl passed, all forms of social media were dedicated to Team USA and winning Olympic gold. Famous athletes have been featured in nearly ever commercial, their faces plastered across billboards and cereal boxes, and their voices on the radio. (I am fairly certain that Sean White’s twitter followers have increased due to the Olympic games.) With all of this press, I was expecting nonetheless than a nation focused on marvelous competition. Was I ever incorrect.

 

 

 

In 2007, Vladimir Putin earned the right for his country to host the winter games. And so it was settled, seven years later the winter Olympics would be held in Sochi, Russia. Putin did not take this responsibility lightly. The cost of the Olympic games for Russia is currently at $50 billion, the most expensive games yet, and that number continues to climb. The absurd expenses for the Olympic games seem to be a ploy demonstrating the power of Putin. This is only one of the many distracting stories that have so far stemmed from the Olympics. Rather than being concentrated on the competition itself and the nature of the games, terrorist concerns, anti-gay laws, rumors involving the Russian government, and poor water for the athletes are just some of the controversial topics that have flooded and consumed these Olympic games…and we aren’t even half way through the games.

 

 

 

Problems began even before the start of the winter Olympics. One of those problems has been terrorist concerns. According to USA Today, “Experts in Olympic security have called the strength of the threats aimed at disrupting these Games unprecedented. This is the only Olympics in recent history where a credible threat made well before the Games came to pass.” Just two months ago, 34 people were killed 400 miles from Sochi in Volgograd by suicide bombers. These alleged terrorist attacks promoted an increased security for the Games (as well as costing Russia even more money) and ultimately have put a huge impediment on the event.

 

 

 

Along with terrorist concerns accumulating before the opening ceremonies, a social uproar involving Russia’s anti-gay laws has been promoted to the public eye.

 

 

 

The opening ceremonies were highly anticipated, as reports had given that Russia had hired some of the best artists, directors, designers, engineers, and choreographers around the world. Putin’s objective was to make this opening ceremony the best anyone had ever seen and prove to everyone that Sochi, Russia was where the Olympics were supposed to be. The performance began magnificently initially, only to lead to one of the most obvious technical difficulties televised. Five designs hanging from the stadium that resembled snowflakes were to transform into five rings, symbolic to the Olympic games. Unfortunately, the upper right snowflake never transformed and was left dangling…a dud.

 

 

 

As shockingly embarrassing as that incident was, nothing was as shocking compared to what followed. There were rumors circulating social media that the engineer behind the construction of those transforming snowflakes was found dead in his room. Speculations surfaced about the Russian government. Conspiracy theorists claimed to have predicted this from all along. Americans were expressing how thankful they were to not be under the Russian government. The best part? It was all a hoax. The power of social media spread a rumor so inaccurate, that nearly an entire country (America) believed it, overshadowing the games themselves.

 

 

 

And if that negative publicity is not sufficient, Russia is only getting more of it courtesy of their lack of healthy water. Hotels in the city, as well as other facilities, suffered from unavailable water. Once restored, it was unsafe to not only drink, but clean with. From a CBS reporter’s twitter feed, live updates were given: “My hotel has no water. If restored, the front desk says, ‘do not use on your face because it contains something very dangerous.’ #Sochi2014” Most recently, the water is a deep orange color and athletes are forced to resort to bottled waters in order to stay hydrated. If the water can’t go right in Sochi, what can?

 

 

 

I sincerely hope that for those who enjoy the competitive aspect of the Olympics, the bad press hovering over these games begins to diminish. The Games should not reflect negativity, but the light that should be shining over the athletes and their competitions.

 

“Let Me Live That Fantasy”

The first day in class we were asked to provide an answer to our pop culture myopia. Most students gawked at me as if my head was screwed on backwards when I admitted to my “Game of Thrones” obsession…I immediately found myself on the defense, offended for the sole purpose that this HBO show is by far the greatest series I have ever seen; I truthfully could not believe that not one of my peers expressed any interest at all!

I then began to ponder the numerous possibilities as to why the class seemed so unmoved. I considered that perhaps some have yet to see it because they have never heard of it – HBO promotions are few and far between if you do not own the channel – or due to time constraints, as each episode’s run time is about an hour. More probable yet, perhaps the idea of a mythical world filled with hierarchy, soldiers, dragons, and other magical elements simply does not appeal to all. These possibilities, while I’m sure are liable, are nowhere near as controversial as the ensuing likelihoods.

The show revels in its provocative and explicit content; nearly each episode displays some type of nudity, violence, or foul language (often times, all three). But perhaps the most alarming aspect to this nature is the extent to which each is expressed. Females are considered property and are often raped to demonstrate power in times of war. Men are slaughtered: throats slit, bodies beaten and burned, decapitated. Cruelty is quite common and used in the most gut-wrenching sense to its victims. Insults are shared amongst the characters, often so vulgar and crude that a sane mind would most likely never even think of such offenses. If this show possesses such a broad range of sensitive topics, then it could never be well received…

Pop culture says it can.

First aired in 2011 and continuing on today into its fourth season, “Game of Thrones” has earned 46 awards and was nominated for 116, according to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Among the awards earned consist of Primetime Emmy Awards, AFI Awards, and a Golden Globe. Reported by The Globe and Mail, “the season-three finale garnered 12.4-million U.S. viewers, with an estimated 8.1-million viewers falling within the coveted 18-49 viewing demographic.” The show is predicted to increase in ratings for next season.  The fan base is so large, that the show is marketable in seemingly every aspect of merchandise. Flasks and jewelry with family symbols, clothing with memorable quotes, and even letter openers can be purchased on the HBO website. This would seem that I am not alone in my fascination with “Game of Thrones.”

I propose five reasons as to why this show is so captivating. The first and foremost luring aspect is the plot, and we have author George R.R. Martin to thank for that. The show stays true to Martin’s novels, and in doing so a remarkable, complex, and relatable plot develops before the audience. Historical references are implicitly incorporated as well, and if you are not a history buff – have no fear; the nature of the plot is so riveting that you will be satisfied nonetheless.

The second enticing facet is the wide range of topics included. For instance, a single episode may involve a battle between enemies, romantic gestures between forbidden lovers, a simple bar fight courtesy of a drunken jokester, and a shocking betrayal amid allies due to politics. Needless to say, there’s a little bit of something for everyone.

Thirdly, the characters compel you to one side or the other – you hate them or love them, trust them or distrust them, and root for them or wish they would just be killed off already. With a cast of tremendously talented actors such as award-winning Peter Dinklage and Emilia Clarke, the mythical world that they live in seems nearly real to the audience.

The fourth inviting quality to the show is the portrayal of leaders throughout. While it is true that women were viewed as property, the show includes a handful of strong, female roles that have obtained power in some form or another. For instance, Queen Cersei literally gets to decide who lives and who dies as she pleases, while youngster Arya Stark exemplifies strength as she learns to survive on her own.

And finally, the show offers some aspect of guilty pleasure. Surely brutality, vulgarity and nudity are not ethically compelling topics, but the scandal and controversy of them combined leave viewers inclined to watch again and again. Perhaps the guilty pleasure found in “Game of Thrones” is a little more profound than that of reality television…_

The reasons behind why viewers tune in for a “Game of Thrones” will vary from person to person, but the important thing to note is the attraction towards fantasy. I believe this show’s success helps to exemplify (as did the world’s love for Harry Potter as well as The Lord of the Rings) the fact that fantasy is a part of mainstream society, rather than just a cult. Fantasy has never really gone away, our world has only begun to embrace it.