TOW #23 (TEXT)- Abstract Ideas Don’t Deserve Patents by The Editorial Board

This text, despite all the others that I have read, does not have an author. Instead it has "The Editorial Board" claim rights to the idea that Abstract Ideas Don't Deserve Patents. In this piece, the board uses examples and logical reasoning to defend its claim that patents should only be used on concrete ideas and not those that are the basis of science and nature. To start the essay, the authors directly jump into tying the piece to current day events by discussing how right now the Supreme Court is reviewing the case as to whether or not abstract ideas can be patented. By relating the current issue, the reader then acknowledges that the article is indeed relevant and not something mundane and not worth reading. The authors then jump into discussing the current problems of having people able to patent an abstract idea. In doing so, the authors are able to assess and counter the other side of the argument, thus allowing for a logical flow and sense of reasoning for the reader. In today's society, the number of patents are skyrocketing, and therefore, according to the authors, the patent department needs to have stricter laws regarding how and when a person/company can get a patent. By having a vague and conceptual idea patented, other people are not allowed to use that idea. If ideas are being patented, then that only slows down growth instead of spurring it. The Editorial Board argues that the laws need to be stricter in order to get a patent, and because of their logical argument and organization, I feel very convinced. After reading this article I think that there should definitely be stricter patent laws because otherwise people won't be able to use certain technologies. If the idea is not concrete, then it should not have a patent.

TOW #22 (TEXT)- The Lost Art of the Unsent Angry Letter By Maria Konnikova

What do people do when they get angry? Throw a tantrum? Punch a wall? Tweet about it? In generations before, people wrote what they called, "hot letters" in which a person would release their anger into paper and then throw it away. In The Lost Art of the Unsent Angry Letter by Maria Konnikova, the author discusses the downfalls of "subtweeting" and how today's generation is not able to release their anger adequately. By using chronological comparisons, as well as personal anecdotes, Konnikova is able to shed light on the fact that today's generation lacks a pressure release valve for anger. Konnikova starts her article off by referring to how past leaders like Abraham Lincoln, and Mark Twain used to deal with their anger. She describes how these "hot letters" helped such great leaders cope with pressure, deal with their anger, and therefore become better leaders in their respective fields. Konnikova, after establishing the positive effects of writing down one's anger, then shifts to our current generation. She writes about how in our current generation, people rather tweet about their feelings, and thus aren't releasing their anger in the right way. Since tweeting is for all to see, anger isn't able to be thrown away, but rather it lingers on the internet. Konnikova's comparison between the past and the present allow the reader to see that there is clearly a problem with our generation. Through logical comparison, Konnikova effectively convinces the reader that there is a problem, thus forwarding her purpose. In addition to comparing the past to the present, Konnikova uses personal anecdotes to exemplify how someone today should cope with their feelings. Being that Konnikova is aware of the problems with tweeting she writes that instead she uses the, "'track changes' feature in Microsoft Word for writing retorts to suggested editorial changes. I then cool off and promptly delete the comments — and, usually, make the changes." By showing how someone can use digital "hot letters" instead of tweeting about something, Konnikova allows for her readers to see a  proper way to deal with anger. Overall, I thought this article was well written, and makes me think about all of the "subtweeting" that goes on Twitter. I now think that I should try to control my anger, and possibly use a "hot letter" next time I get angry. 

TOW #21 (VISUAL TEXT)- The Princeton Review's "Best 378 Colleges 2014 Edition" (Analyzing the rhetoric of the front cover)

For this week's TOW I decided to look to my desk for some inspiration. For most, if not all of the students in the junior class, right now is the time in which we are all contemplating different colleges. Since there are so many colleges and universities out there, it can be a hassle to sort through them all. Although this is the case, many students look to buy books that rank schools and give a bit more information about every school. Since there are so many rankings out there, it is up to the ranking company to make their book stand out on the book shelves. When I went to Barnes and Nobles to buy my book, The Princeton Review's, "Best 378 Colleges 2014 Edition" stood out. Obviously the book is looking to attract students who are looking to go to college and its is also trying to promote itself as the best ranking book. In order to do so, the book utilizes several different rhetorical strategies and devices. What first stands out is the fact that the book is a bright yellow color. Amongst the other colors on the bookshelf, the yellow clearly stands out and thus makes it noticeable for all students to see. In addition to its bright attractive colors, the book utilizes capitalized fonts to draw in the shopper. On the front cover, the book has the words "best" and "colleges" capitalized. With the word best capitalized, the shopper associates best with the book, as well as the colleges. This subtlety brings the shopper in and draws their attention to the book. Besides simply just drawing in shoppers, the book also needs to establish its ethos as the best ranking book. In order to do so, the book utilizes testimony from CNN saying, "A great book...plus its a bargain" This testimony from CNN establishes the book's ethos as one of the more credible and affordable options. Again to try and bolster the book's ethos, the cover has highlighted the words "most popular" in order to show that the book is used by the most people. By both drawing the attention of shoppers, and establishing its ethos as the best book on the shelves, The Princeton Review's, "Best 378 Colleges 2014 Edition" definitely stands out. I personally thought the book was very credible and attractive and therefore I bought it. 

TOW 20 (IRB): Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell

In today's society, everyone has to make decisions. The common pondering phrase, "Decisions, decisions..." is commonly used when contemplating what to do in a situation. However there are many instances when gut reactions have to be made. Everyone at some point has made a gut decision, but many have never realized why they occur, or even if they are better than thought out decisions. In "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking" author Malcolm Gladwell uses various collections of scenarios and studies to analyze what he calls, "thin-slicing". Gladwell is a contemporary writer who studies things that are often overlooked but have a large impact on our lives. Since Gladwell's style of writing is so unique, if one is not interested, they have time to abandon the book right away as he states the purpose of his book in the opening pages. By stating his purpose and subject right off the bat, Gladwell sets the tone for the remainder of the piece, and makes the book much easier to understand and read. So far, Gladwell's writing style includes directly addressing the reader, and then expanding upon several examples. His direct diction such as "Imagine you are" and "We, as human beings" allow for Gladwell to connect with the reader through the book. Through his diction, Gladwell makes the book seem as though he is verbally teaching the reader and educating them on thin slicing. I personally really enjoy Gladwell's writing style as it is direct, and perfect for explaining a complex topic. So far, Gladwell's purpose is to educate the public and display his findings through this book. He wants to educate people on understanding such an integral part of our lives: decision-making. What makes his book so impressive is that it is scientific information catered to the average person. His writing style, diction, and direct approach allow him to be very effective and has so far made me thoroughly enjoy reading this book.