Quote Inspiration

  I became very inspired by a few quotes I have read over the course of researching for my rational argument.

  The first quote can be found in Elizabeth Thoman's "What Parents Can Do About Media Violence" while the second I actually simplified. In reality, Dr. Dale Kunkel argues "Most violence on television follows a highly formulaic pattern that is both sanitized and glamorized," in his hearing to Congress, "The Effects of Television Violence on Children."

Rational Argument Reflection

I was hesitant and weary when I first started brainstorming, not yet ready to put ideas to paper. I found my sources and slowly became more confident as I sub searched them; their quotes and themes were very interesting regarding children and violent television programs. Then I was lost again. Where to start?

I had so many concepts I wanted to include in my paper it was too overbearing especially since I have other responsibilities to turn my time to; I couldn't possibly write another paper! So I reached out to Dr. Kyburz and asked for help. I am so happy I went in that first day because we mapped out my entire paper, the weight of stress and burden was halfway lifted off my shoulders. I sigh with relief.

But now I actually have to write the paper...

Beginning with a free write of every single paragraph, I went on a rant about my feelings and all other thoughts. It was a total whirlwind of words and sentences that would not make sense to anyone else other than myself. But it was worth it. I brought my gibberish of thoughts and feelings to Dr. Kyburz and it was enough to give me that push to start the paper.

Just to show what my free write consisted of, my first paragraph began like this...

"My brother Jake loves, i mean LOVES violent video games. He’s obsessed. He talks of violence and guns., wanting to shoot innocent geese at our lake place without showing any empathy for their well being. While my younger sister who is seldom exposed to violence, has such a huge heart for any living beings well being she actually didn’t talk to my dad for three days after he grabbed a seagull’s leg at the beach and temporarily paralyzed it. Before he got into the games he cared so much about animals; he cried at Red Lobster when he was six after he found out the lobster he was about to eat was boiled alive. Thinking about my brother I now think more broadly about violence in media “Media is today's storytellers” (elaborate more) many of us get these stories from TV, and evidence of the effects of violence on TV is evident. It is such a power impact in media culture, almost like instructions get to kunkel"

And I ended up (for my first draft) like this...

My brother Jake is obsessed with violent video games. He talks about violence and guns regularly, wanting to shoot the geese at my lake house with his BB gun. Before he became involved with these monstrous games he had such a big heart for animals; when he was six, he cried at Red Lobster after my parents told him the lobster he was eating was boiled alive. 

 
"Thinking about Jake, I wonder more broadly about the effects of violent media. Elizabeth Thoman, founder of Media&Values Magazine and The Center for Media Literacy explains in “What Parents Can Do About Media Violence” that “media is today’s storytellers” (Thoman). Many of these stories come from television which is easily accessed and widely used; frequently on at home, found in minivans, store owners feel the need to incorporate TVs into their stores; they are pervasive.  A child at the dentist may be watching the news from a TV--a frequent companion to waiting rooms--about all of the shootings or fights that have occurred as he waits to get called for a checkup. Its impact is so powerful, it seems television is viewed as a mentor, giving instructions on how to live.

I know there are still some tweaks that need to be done in order for the first to paragraphs to really hit home, but because I had the free write, drafting was (almost) a breeze. Finding the correct word choice and flow is still difficult for me."

I feel more confident that I did starting the project, which I feel is a great improvement. I still have a long way to go and continue to dread beginning to draft more paragraphs, however, I know that once I get rolling, I don't stop for awhile.

MultiModal Project

What is the Present Revealing About the Past?

  Writing the Summary and Analysis has been a challenge that was time consuming. However, I feel I have learned more now than I did when I wrote my first analysis the prior semester. And as I continued to persevere with this piece, the project created new realizations about my past. 

  My last analysis copied the structure of another previous student's piece; I took the format and plugged in my own words in a way that would make my professor happy enough to give me a good grade. Sure, I did what she wanted, but was the grade well deserved? The analysis of the documentary Blackfish was unoriginal and probably the same as almost everyone else's. I hate that. I feel so ashamed now I did not try harder to produce a more "Kayla-esc" paper that I can sincerely be proud of. But this Summary and Analysis I truly am proud of as I followed the requirements of my new professor and I did my own thing. I did not know what I was doing, but the paper is me and my own voice and structure. 

  Although my work ethic was different than now, I realize I still have that same apprehensive feeling before starting a paper. That consuming uncertainty of what to say and how to say it. So many ideas flood my mind I cannot keep track, making me feel almost dumb because I am unable to put my thoughts on paper. Especially when I have the inability to write them down in an eloquent, smart, and unique way. The pressure to be perfect but stand out I feel actually suppresses me. I wish I could just write my voice and it would be appropriate, but I understand there must be a level of professionalism and intelligence. I feel like many writers struggle with this problem as well, but I feel all I can do to improve is to continue writing. And I really try but I have always hated writing because of this problem of trying to be so outstandingly different.

  I will always try to hard to the point where it constricts my mental flow, but I have to keep going, keep writing and practicing. I know how important writing is, how powerful the tool is for my future and I need to get over myself and just... write. 

Summary and Analysis Thoughts So Far

  This week for college writing, I began a new summary for a new article for the third time now. It's been fun these past few weeks...

  As I begin again, I already feel behind compared to what I could have been at if I found the right article the first time. It really sucks in all honesty, I'm used to being ahead or right on time so this is something I'm definitely trying to get used to and work little by little each day on it so I don't explode. 

  Anyways, I finally found an "article" (it's a speech but I found that transcripts and have only read them, I never watched the speech) and Sherry Turkle uses rhetoric for her argument. An argument. I had no idea that we had to find something with rhetoric and argumentative language, but that's okay, I finally found something that works.

  So I started the summary again, but this time I'm trying to incorporate quotes I feel can be heavily analyzed right away instead of simply completing all of the summary, then going back and trying to figure out where I want to put my quote sandwiches. It's still tricky though. I don't know what it is about summarizing for a short while then analyzing something in the same paragraph then going back to summarizing, but it is for me. It sounds so easy to do, right? I'm having such a tough time on it though. 

  Maybe the difficulty lies in the actual analyzation, finding the right words to explain how Turkle was effective or ineffective in proving her point for the argument. Maybe it's difficult finding the right quotes for my ideas, because Turkle does do an AMAZING job with relating to the audience, catching their attention, and bringing home her argument to the point where one will say she's so right. That was my perspective while reading her speech at least. The way she humbles herself instead of insisting she's this all mighty, intellectual psychologist above everyone else because she's not like them, really makes her more attractive (not appearance wise, but intellectually) and likable. I think that is a huge factor in trying to persuade your audience something they do daily is a bad in many ways. Or maybe the difficulty lies in blending everything together, not saying too much or too little, but just right. 

  I'm going to continue drafting, hope what I'm doing is what my teacher wants, and get more help once I have a solid paper to go off of. Until then, I'll keep pulling my hair out and try to make sense of everything I want to say.

  In case you wanted to watch the actual TED talk speech, here ya go!

Unsupportive Claims

https://www.reference.com/technology/mobile-phones-good-bad-1b1c6fa5bfaf9707

  On my previous blog I wrote a summary of an article I read about how cell phone use could potentially lead to brain cancer. The article had credible sources and included actual studies used to analyze the cell phone's influence on the brain. The article I have in this blog however, may not be of the same topic concerning cell phones, but talks about the influence of phones nonetheless. However, the difference between the earlier article and this article is the use of credible sources to back up their claims.

  Sure, you can see this Reference article includes "Studies show", "Scientists believe", and also "The Federal Communications Commission", but it is only for two points the writer makes. And "studies show" is not a reliable or credible source to back up anxiety and depression from phones. There are about ten unsupportive claims in this article. These claims may be common knowledge, or we have read, heard, and seen many sources regarding cell phones and we "just know it", however, when trying to answer a question, especially in written form (and online) evidence is needed for support. 

  With everything on the Internet right now, people are able to say whatever they want to, whether it is false or not. Nowadays, at least for me, I hear a lot of people saying "You can't trust what's on the Internet" or a sarcastic "Oh, since it's on the web it HAS to be true". People can post any claim they want, do not use sources, yet claim everything they say is true, this goes for much of the Internet population that likes to post unsupportive claims. Without sources of statistics, studies, credible authors and thinkers, how are the rest of us to know what they say is actually true? If everyone just starts to believe it and then start saying it all the time? No. We need evidence and proof. Give me facts with evidence to prove the point, not facts "you think you know because you heard it from somewhere else".

Summery "Cell Phones and Cancer Risk Factors"

  "Cell Phones and Cancer Risk Factors", composed by the senior leaders of the National Cancer Institute website was last updated May 27, 2016. The article transitions from the concerns of cell phone use to radio frequency, and finally how phone use can contribute to the formation of cancer.

  The article first reviews the three top concerns: the emission of radio waves, the increase of overall cell phone users, as well as the increase of the amount of time using wireless phones. Then, diving right into radio frequency, the article explains radio waves are a form of electromagnetic radiation and its energy can be measured on the frequency of the radiation. High frequency radiation (high energy), such as x-rays can cause cancer, however there are inconsistent studies of low frequency radiation (low energy), such as microwaves and cell phones, causing cancer on the human body. The article goes on to explain the studies done on effects of radio frequency energy might affect glucose metabolism, but scientists concluded there are no established or consistent results.

  Providing three epidemiology experiments, the article explains how the studies analyze the possible correlation of radio frequency energy and malignant brain tumors. Interphone is the first case-control study analyzed questionaries from study participants and concluded there was no substantial increase in brain or central nervous system cancers in people who devoted most of their time to their phones. The Danish Study, a cohort study, connected billing information to the phone subscribers with brain tumors; the end result was a lack of association between the two. Finally, The Million Women Study used questionaries from study participants as well and determined there was also no association of increased cancer from exposure of cell phone radiation energy. Ten other studies were briefly exposed, all of which said there was either no association, no increase of brain tumors, results were inconsistent, and brain cancer may be due to cell phone use at an early age.

  According to the article, the results of the studies previously explained are inconsistent due to five possible reasons. When a participant provides information after their diagnosis of a disease, they may remember their cell phones differently than someone who has never had brain cancer, meaning their information lacks verifiable data and leads to recall bias. Inaccurate reporting is the result of a participant's inability to provide accurate data of themselves because they do not remember how much they really have been on their phone. There is also morbidity and morality among the participants with brain cancer; the participants who have survived may be impaired and not able to recall information correctly, otherwise those who have died will have family members may not provide the accurate amount of use of the participant that is deceased. Also participation bias, those with brain cancer may enroll in studies more regularly than those with no cancer, may lead to inconsistent data. Finally, there are changes in technology and methods of use, such as digital technology and texting; with texting, there is no reason to bring the phone up to the head and expose the brain to the radio frequency energy.

  Through the findings and information from other credible sources, the article explains what experts conclude on all the experiments conducted. The experts said the information was inconsistent, there are possible malignant effects on the brain, more research needs to be conducted, and the scientific evidence is lacking. However, according to the article, there are studies underway, a cohort study named COSMOS began in 2010, enrolled almost 300,000 participants 18 and up to answer questionaries. The study will analyze their health conditions over the next decades.

  The article proceeds to the question of if children are at higher risk due to their developing nervous system and smaller heads (the radio frequency energy can reach more are inside the brain). Studies were performed on children between the ages of 7 and 19 diagnosised with brain cancer, but there was no association between phone use and cancer. To be on the safe side though, the article provides ways to reduce radio frequency exposure, such as limiting phone calls on wireless phones or wearing wireless headsets to prevent bringing the phone to the head.

  Lastly, the article concludes with providing another source of information if one wants to further their knowledge on cell phone radio frequency energy. The article also explains brain cancer is not that common, the rates have stayed consistent over the years but the risk does increase with age.

Fighting Traffic

  Bikes and buses can save the day. In the video Mayor of Bogota on Public Transportation, Enrique Peñalosa explains the problem with traffic is due to the number of vehicles, not the size of the road. With that conclusion, he took action. Bus routes, with an efficient way to pay, were built and bike paths were paved, nicer than some of Bogota's pot hole infected roads. Peñalosa limits parking although his citizens are not happy about the restriction. The people protest, proclaiming parking is a right, but in all actuality, parking is not a right, according to Peñalosa. 

  This shift in transportation aided those impoverished, they had no car but refused to bike because before the shift, Colombians saw bike riding as a sign of poverty. After the paths have been paved though, biking became more "mainstream", as many people, rich or poor, began to cycle around the city more and more.

  Watching this video, I felt inspired. It seemed the Colombian citizens were pretty cooperative with the slight change and it made me wonder why this is not more pronounced in the United States. I know there are buses and bike paths laid out alongside the roads however, even with the restricted parking in the city the traffic is so congested and chaotic, one would not have thought the alternative transportation was effective.

  As I think about limiting vehicle transportation I realize how beneficial it would be for the earth as well. Less cars means less gas used and less toxic chemicals floating in the air that cause pollution. I feel this would let the earth breath again, if only a little bit but nonetheless breath. Having people bike more often to the places they need to get to can increase their physical activity and get them outside more often. Now, I know there would be many difficulties for some people traveling to the city that need a car, either because they need a lot of room for objects, have a large family, or coming from far away, but that does not mean that alternative transportation should not be attempted for awhile.

  All in all, I thought the increase in alternative transportation is a beautiful idea and action to partake in especially because it is another step ahead in "going green" or simply helping the earth. Cars today are widely used, I know this just by looking out my window or going someplace and seeing hundreds upon hundreds of cars in one day. Even I use a car since that is the normal way to transport and I would feel uneasy letting it go, as hypocritical as that sounds, so I imagine others would be very hesitant with an alternative transportation movement. However, just because something may be out of our comfort bubble, does not mean that we should not try it. We adjust to change all the time, so I'm sure if a large enough amount of people wanted to find a way to make buses, trains, or bikes more widely used, the shift in transport would eventually become normal. Everything takes time and a lot of effort and failing along the way. Our problem today is we want everything right away and give up the first time something does not go our way, but that is a problem for another blog.

side note: I found the video on my college writing professor's blog (thanks for posting it Dr. K, I really enjoyed it!!)

Microtheme Forces Internal Reflection

Through this course, and maybe especially through the work of writing your microtheme, what are you learning about yourself as a writer? More broadly, what are you learning about yourself, in general?

Looking at a microtheme paper and then reflecting about yourself may seem far fetched but I actually learned a lot about myself during a fifteen minute free write in my College Writing II class. I may not have gotten to the point right away but I just let my mind spew words into my pen and I wrote, so here it is...

"Writing assignments for College Writing II so far have been a challenge. However, most papers I write are difficult, as I am not the greatest writer. Every paper though, I slowly develop new skills and reach out of my comfort zone, striving for excellence whether it be content, fluency, or organization.

There are many aspects about my writing I still have to work on but I am trying to do the best I can and work with what I have (my intelligence and writing abilities). At first I always dislike teachers that place me out of my little comfort bubble, but eventually I suck it up and accommodate to the different wishes of each teacher. That being said, with every teacher I encountered, the more skills I develop and improve.

Working on my microtheme, I found it to be difficult, like with every paper I start, but after the feeling of being overwhelmed and finally beginning the assignment, I realize I can do it. Simple as that, I can do it. So now, as I sit here, I think to myself, if I can focus my attention on one very specific problem, get down to the nitty gritty, what else can I do if I put effort and time into it? The answer: practically anything I want to do and I realize that this what always happens to me. Every time I want something I do it myself and put my heart into it and eventually the outcome comes out perfect.

The key to doing anything desired is to involve yourself, but more importantly, keep going even when it seems impossible or is pushing you back. No one improves without going through hard times because if life is great all the time, would there be a reason to strive, overcome, reach out, reflect, and solve problems? No, probably not. So as much as I hated the first steps to writing that microtheme I am glad I got through it because now I have that wonderful feeling of satisfaction after completing it. And I learned a new style of writing and thinking that will for sure benefit me in my future.

Improving and learning are the most important ideas or concepts to me. Without them, I would never gain new knowledge or insight into myself and others, with how they think and learn. My brain feels lifeless if I don't continue to push and better myself."

--------------------------------------------------------

So basically my free write took the microtheme and saw how challenging it was but I was able to overcome it through time and a good amount of hard work. When I understood that was how I got through the assignment, I kept thinking and saw that throughout my entire life everything that was challenging, I completed because I focused my mind and gave it my all. I learned how determined I really am and how I refuse to create anything less than average, I actually strive to be perfect, with papers, grades, art, or any other activities. I am determined, and persevere through it all because I want the best and want to do my best, I feel I have a strong mentality and really do have a bright future ahead of me.

Microtheme Revision

original paper

It seems there is always another task to complete every time I need to do something else. Attempts at time management seem futile because I can never get everything done. I imagine others suffer through this predicament as well. Why is time management so difficult?

  One possible reason time management is difficult is because we may want a break or relax. Our lives may become very hectic from everything we need to get done and doing nothing may seem easier than doing something. Also, organizing a to-do list or checking the list off may seem overwhelming or undesirable to us so we may just avoid the task altogether. Another cause of poor time management may be due to distractions such as phones, television, or people. It may be difficult to manage responsibilities on top of desires and may lead to wasted time. Moreover, not understanding how to prioritize may be a possible cause of failed management and not completing what needs to be done. 

  If we could begin to understand the causes leading to unsuccessful time management, we might be able to navigate around lost time from distractions or relaxing. We might realize how our skills may not be as great as they could be and could potentially improve them. Also, recognizing there is a problem with managing time may lead us to understand how to prioritize in order to get all desired tasks completed.

--------------------------------------------------------------

  Rewriting this person's paper made me realize exactly what I must do to my own in order write an accurate microtheme. It was a lot easier to take someone else's ideas and turn it into my own words without having to think too hard of the focus at hand. 

  Since I was able to take the ideas and form them into the experience, causes, and full public awareness, I have more confidence going into my rough draft and not as apprehensive. Revising someone else's paper other than my own makes it easier to find what is wrong and how to fix it. Using this mindset it will not be as difficult to correct mine as I will act like my paper is not mine. By doing that I will be able to focus on the specific problem and not get carried away by the general ideas.

Microtheme Challenge

  "Write a one page paper,"she said."It will be easy," I thought.

  Microtheme. A one page paper narrowing down the focus so much it is possible to forget what was the subject. For some reason I am having a very difficult time starting the process as well as revising. My first (and only right now) draft was a failure to some extent; it is evident in the draft that I had no idea what I was doing, at least with the beginning and ending. This project has deemed itself incredibly challenging, I hate copying other's formats and always strive to be original but that may not be the greatest idea for me right now.

  One aspect I have going for me in my writing is I know what the possible consequences are for constantly staring at a phone. I had many examples that I may have to compress or only say what is really important. Making sure every sentence has a purpose, not fluff, is difficult but when there's only one page to write an experience of a problem, causes/consequences, and what would happen if we became aware of that problem, there's no room for fluff.

  I can see how this assignment can be very helpful in the long term and train our minds to stop seeing general problems, or the big picture, and focus on individual, specific topics. Right now though, I absolutely hate writing it.

  The challenge with completing the paper and doing well is limiting my words, getting to the point, and ending the paper correctly. This may seem easy, read the instructions, read other microtheme papers, and finally write yours to perfection, but like always, it is easier said than done. Also, not including knowledge claims will be nearly impossible, I thought only writing speculative claims would not be a problem, but once again, I was wrong.

  With those challenges in mind I will take it step by step and only work on one task at a time rather than try and fix everything all at once. If I did try and change everything simultaneously I think I may explode from being overwhelmed and frustrated. Looking at other's microthemes may help but can possibly hinder my creativity, at the same time though, I have no idea what I'm really doing. 

  In the end though, I'll complete the assignment and it will be well done, I just need to relax and let the words flow from pen to paper and revise often. Going through that process will be the only thing that keeps my from losing my hair. 

Documentary Impact on Writing

   Documentaries work as great tools in teaching rhetorical knowledge and skill, they are considered rhetoric as well as informational.  Rhetorical materials consist of an ability to persuade or motivate and use language to leave an effective impression upon a group, this is exactly what a documentary attempts to do.  Analyzing a film's purpose, focusing on the director's intended influence on the audience, uncovering strategies and organization, and unveiling the mood, tone, and bias, helps a writer learns how to study rhetorical material as well as use it for their own writing.    

   Working with a documentary can help frame an understanding of exploring good questions and problems by focusing on specific ideas, concepts, or topics that are important in the film.  Training the mind to cover a distinct topic will prevent loading information into a paper may either cover a broad idea or not have any focus at all.  Good questions and problems about a documentary can be discussed in depth and investigated thoroughly; precise evidence, assumptions, reflection, or opinions regarding the questions and problems provide an exact focus for a paper and shows a writer's true understanding of the material at hand.

   There is great value for using a documentary as a tool to teach writing; a film has a story perceived differently by every individual in its audience because of its numerous perspectives and angles.  A writer can reflect heavily on the film or of oneself and provide authentic ideas and opinions that can be expressed in their writing.  Because of its different elements that creates a documentary, it allows various routes of writing styles from one single source and helps expand writing techniques such as a summary, rhetorical, critical, or objective analysis.

   Overall, a documentary can help expand the mind of a writer and forces them to think and write critically about what they watched.  

White Supremacists Infiltrating Law Enforcement

  Racism is an immense problem in our country; I will be the first to admit my family is not too kind towards others with different color skin, however I, on the other hand, try not to judge people simply by looking at them.  It is difficult with them constantly shoving racist thoughts into my head though. If racism is in MY house, there is no question that it is found in many other households, work, and recreational environments. I have zero doubts that racism has been embedded into our law enforcement and government as well. 

  Just yesterday I read an article "FBI: U.S. Law Enforcement Infiltrated by White Supremacists" and it sparked my interest but also made me think back to all the police brutality claims. I would like to point out that I am no expert and probably just as naive as the next person, but I'll still attempt to respectably voice my opinion and thoughts. 

  Learning world history opened my eyes to see this has been a problem for centuries because of the belief of "white supremacy" that initially started in Western Europe. Now, according to the article, there are American police supremacists, advocates of the supremacy of a particular group, and not much is being done about it. The FBI was investigating but that proved to be difficult; law enforcers fired and accused of being a supremacist have challenged the dismissals in court yet there is much evidence from some officer's text messages. The Republicans saw this investigation as an "unforgivable insult to the patriotic officers and veterans" and basically ended any further action against the supremacists. 

  I know we all have our differences, whether it be physically, mentally, emotionally, or anything else, but that means that we are all different from one another. And, we are all human beings. Superiority by right of color or heritage is a joke to me. If you work hard and get to the top, sure you have influence over someone but that STILL does not mean you are superior to anyone else. So knowing that I'm living in a country, home of the free that meant to welcome all, have policemen who are supposed to be our protectors viewing themselves as superior, makes me sick to my stomach honestly. 

  Supposably the FBI ceased action and investigation too. Why? Because a certain party of people were getting upset and protested? We have a right to speak and protest, but why would the FBI simply stop if this is becoming a bigger problem? We all need to be protected, and I would feel a lot more comfortable if my protecters didn't see themselves as macho men or women who think they're better than a civilian different than they are. 

  Again, maybe I'm just a naive little girl, who grew up in a nice neighborhood and never had anything to worry about, but I still care about other people and their equality. If someone else is not equal then that makes me unequal since I am no better than others and I do not want to be inferior to someone else. What I do not understand is why we, as human beings, in any society at any part of the world, cannot put our differences aside for the greater good, work together, and fix what really needs to be important (I won't discuss what is really important but there are definitely more important problems than starting wars with someone to due to their skin color, race, or ethnic group). 

  I want respect just as I imagine everyone else does too. But in order to get respect, you must give it. I think this will be a major problem to solve however, so many people are too worried about their pride and ego than the well being of other's (even though those same people want others to care about them). I am living in a world full of hypocrites and I am at a lost of what to do.

My Review vs. Professional Review on Project Nim

  Micheal Phillips, a movie critic, wrote a "review" on Project Nim for the Chicago Tribune.  He gave the documentary a 3.5 star rating however he didn't exactly specify why; Phillips' review was more like a summary than his professional opinion.  He left most of his emotions out of his writing, merely stating the facts, and incorporated only a few sly adjectives that expose his opinion whereas my review was only about how I felt.  I only covered a few scenes or concerns that really kept my attention when in reality much of the documentary was impacting and interesting.  I also went on to discuss the possible concerns or problems with the experiment and added my own questions to what happened and why.  Overall, my review was unprofessional and biased compared to Phillips' summarizing review.  Also, if I had thought of it at the time, I would have gave Project Nim a 4-5 rating because of how moved I was as well as how James Marsh, the director, constructed it. 

The link to Micheal Phillips' review: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-07-08/entertainment/sc-mov-0705-project-nim-20110708_1_project-nim-adoptive-humans-experiment

Project Nim Reflection

  The opening of the documentary Project Nim will forever be embedded into my mind.  Authentic footage showed a mother chimpanzee curled into herself in a corner with a baby cradled in her arms.  Nim, the infant chimp, was her sixth child after her previous five were abducted by researchers.  It was obvious to me, and surely the scientists about to sedate the mother, that she knew exactly what was going on and what was about to happen.  The anger I felt towards those researchers was and still is unfathomable.  I realize this research project took place in the seventies, but did they not have any compassion, morals, or common sense to see how inhumane that was?  With my rage boiling inside of me, my heart broke instantly at the sight, even more when I saw Nim crying helplessly for his mother in someone else's arms.

  All I could think about after that, and throughout the rest of the documentary was what if I was the mother and had all six of my kids taken away?  How depressed would I be?  I wondered what exactly was going through the mind of that childless chimpanzee and if I could even attempt at understanding what it was like.  I am so heartbroken at the thought of this and in complete disbelief that people thought that was okay, especially if they had children of their own.  Did no one sympathize with these chimps they experimented on day and night, forcing them into cages and into a lifestyle they were never meant to have?  

  The project was extremely interesting though.  The goal was to find out what went through a primate's mind and if they could teach Nim, and other chimps, sign language so they can communicate with humans.  What surprised me was how fast Nim was able to sign words and create demands and almost have a conversation with the people he made a connection with.  This should not have surprised me however, considering I knew since I was very little that chimpanzees as well as other apes are highly intelligent.  Yet I was, probably because I never witnessed a chimp learning and developing, just as a human infant would.  The similar characteristics between the two were astounding, the only difference was Nim could not make human words, had hair everywhere, and was able to climb and run.

  After watching Project Nim, I was speechless.  One question that kept I kept thinking was why did the faculties not treat the animals in a more humane way and did they not know that forcing the chimps into cages was not a natural way of living?  One chimp facility Nim was deceived into living in used cattle prongs to keep them in check.  It was a chimp prison, except none of the inmates deserved to be in or had any choice to be there.  These mammals feel, they have needs that are evident just like a human being. I was so frustrated with the lack of commitment the researchers that had a true, intimate relationship with Nim had to Nim in the end.  Sure they protested a little and was angry when the head director ended the project but all they did was tranquilize Nim and take him to a prison they thought he would stay for the rest of his days (he doesn't but they didn't know that).  Nim was like a child to them, how could they stand back and watch him suffer?  

  Project Nim was an experiment that involved animal testing.  That concept alone was a major red flag to me because I am against the act.  To this day there are ongoing experiments using animals as tools and I believe no animal should ever deserve that treatment, even if there are laws today that protect against inhumane behavior.  Also, the documentary revealed animal mistreatment--cattle prongs, cages no bigger that a couple feet wide and some feet tall, and eventual solitary confinement that was mistakenly thought of as okay.  Chimps are very social animals and are wild animals so of course they would not bend to the will of humans who were so below their physical prowess and wild nature.  

  It was admitted that the head researcher had quite a couple affairs with his students and colleagues and was one of the reasons he gave Nim to the first family.  For one, that was so inappropriate, to choose a woman he had an affair with as the caretaker of a chimp mostly because there was sexual relationship between them.  This is a chimpanzee, not a doll, and the lead researcher should have taken a lot more precautions and set up the environment and experiment better.  Along with setting up the project better, the first family that Nim was with, had no scientific experience and had no idea what they were doing when it came to providing information and observations of Nim and his development.  There were no log books or scheduled routines for a long time while Nim was growing up and that probably had a serious affect on him in the long run, even though he eventually had a more calming and scientific environment.  One last concept that I found horrendous in the documentary was when a worker at the chimp prison let Nim drink alcohol and smoke weed.  I was happy that even in that hellhole Nim found a buddy to be himself with and be spoiled again, but allowing an animal to become intoxicated, with no idea how that might affect him is irresponsible and wrong.