Tuesday, 4 February 2014

WARNING THIS POST MAY BE FEMINIST AND SARCASTIC!

Hi,

This Blog post is all about this link: http://iacknowledge.net/student-takes-on-stereotypes-and-sexism-to-reveal-americas-dress-code-problem/

An American student protested to her head teachers sexist attitude by posting a picture of herself on tumblr and by making public statements about it. Her teacher made comments about the school uniform saying; "Modest is hottest" and "Boys will be boys." A sociologist who supports her says "In thinking about these two phrases specifically, both have many implicit messages. Modest is hottest: The word ‘hot,’ when used to describe an individual’s appearance, clearly has a sexual connotation. I doubt that this is what he intended. But this is precisely the problem—we throw these phrases around without thinking through what we are actually saying. This is what we expect of kids, but not of adults, and especially not adults charged with working directly with young people.” So feminism is still an issue. I wrote a blog post about whether feminism is an issue a little while ago:

 http://utterlyinvisibleteengirl.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/sorted.html

This girl stood up for her sex because she believes that we still don't have equality. Most feminists don't expect equal treatment for all people, since people are different and some jobs do suite some people better. What they want are equal opportunity's. As Gloria Steinem says women were (and in some cases still are) second class citizens or less.
Of course women's suffrage was not aimed at getting the vote! It was aimed at getting the vote back! As I keep being told by my wonderful father; If you don't keep your eye on the ball, you will loose it! Here is a modern day feminist, (Who is not Malala) : http://agirlcalledjack.com/

   This is about why feminism is still relevant today using robin Thicke as a reference point.   http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/lydia-smith/blurred-lines-feminism_b_3900546.html  

And my customary DIY link. What do you think here is a debate: http://www.debate.org/opinions/is-feminism-still-relevant

The other side of the argument: http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20131203084443AAikOqN

10 reasons we still need feminism: http://listverse.com/2013/03/16/10-reasons-we-still-need-feminism/

But feminists are often seen as weird, crazy and worst of all unnecessary. Feminism in the media, with songs and YouTube videos means that it is slowly becoming more wide spread. here are some examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0CazRHB0so

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC1XtnLRLPM

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=feminism&sm=3

So yea! As long as people still talk about it and care, feminism seems to be relevant.

feminism seems to be badly named as it implies that it is all about females. It is not, it is about equality.

Happy ranting,

Bye! 

Sunday, 12 January 2014

Depression - 5 steps to feeling better. Yay!

Hi,

Many people get depressed in the winter, this can be due to short days, lack of sunlight, the cold, and pretty much anything that happens in winter. Ironically the festive season sees a spike in suicide rates. Depression is surprisingly common and although many people suffer form it in some shape or form many people don't understand it. Despite this if you Google 'depression help' or 'I'm depressed'  then you will find help pages, blogs, YouTube videos and quizzes to help. The NHS have a help page too:

   http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/depression/Pages/Introduction.aspx

The only way to really know if you are depressed is to see a doctor. But often there are many things you can do for yourself. Here is a basic list of things to do if you feel depressed. (Even though being depressed you may not feel like doing anything.)

1. Talk to someone - this is probably the most important thing you can do as it is important to socialise and to have someone to talk to about how you feel.

2. Get physical exercise, preferably everyday. - although this may be the last thing you feel like doing but it will make a massive difference)

3. A little of what you want, can be exactly what you need - Dark chocolate has a little caffeine and it helps boost your serotonin levels. (apparently) (It is also really tasty) eating a little sweet food is fine, but just a little, comfort eating is not a good idea.

4. Do things you enjoy - Have a little fun and get out of the house, it helps, Smiling releases chemicals in your body that make you feel better and so does giving someone a hug.

5. Sometimes you just need to mope - If you need to cry, do it, and if you want to spend a day in front of the TV then do it, but don't over do it.

Basically get well soon. This cheers me up:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM

Bye!

Wednesday, 8 January 2014

Syria and Becoming Youtube.

Hi,

So this blog post will be based on a video from the 12 part YouTube series, Becoming YouTube. the series began in 2012 and the last part is due to come out soon. The series explores YouTube in a funny honest and sometimes scathing way. Becoming YouTube was created by a journalist called Benjamin Cook who was interested in the 'YouTube phenomena'. Here is the video:

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhDtjM3I0zw&feature=c4-overview&list=UUR2scj6uM8L1x1nkYTlpFrw

I recommend watching this video before reading the post as it is the basis of what I am saying. I am also really enjoying the series so far, so here is the trailer if you want to watch it from the beginning:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttx1yQF2SNM

The point made in this video is that Syria is not like the charity ads and news articles on TV. It is real and not so far away. The video was involved with Oxfam, a charity who help the refugees, Oxfam help many people in poverty around the world.
The problem with Syrian news coverage and charity ads is that, as with all media coverage, it can only show a small slice of what life is like for the refugees. A charity ad only has a few minutes of film and no sound. And a news report tends to show only the 'Newsworthy' bits, the news is the most accurate representation of the Syrian people, but finding all the facts is difficult, especially in the less organised refugee camps. The Becoming YouTube episode seemed like the most full and honest report so far and with the smiling children and more organised camps it seemed to be much closer to home.
The worst part of the Syrian conflict and the part that makes charity's like Oxfam's job harder, is that ordinary people are getting caught up in the war. The refugee camps are often the only place they can go and carrying on is all they can do.

The majority of news reports are either talking about the less organised camps and the refugees in the worst trouble, or the political side of the war. Videos and pictures are being taken to show us the front line and the fighting in Syria, often with a commentary about the politics. But the ordinary people in the camps don't talk about politics they just want to be safe and go home. In meetings all over the world our leaders are discussing whether or not to intervene. But know one knows if that will help the ordinary people.

Here is the video that Benjamin Cook recommended in Becoming YouTube explaining the Syrian crisis (the political side):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exrqMPJ1Bts

And here is another video about Syria:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElRoN-uNli4

An opinion:

http://www.youtube.com/user/SyrianGirlpartisan

And more:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VERXaAy6_yw

And as usual a random news report:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17258397

and a news which isn't mainstream:

http://www.syrianews.cc/

So my feelings are help the needy and don't fight and eat your 5 a day!

Thanks for listening
Bye!

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

Whovians and Philosophy


Hi,

Do you think that the things you do and the TV shows you watch have a big effect on the way you see the world? I found a YouTube video about the idea that Doctor Who is a religion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Csjr8bXvPw

Also how have programs and characters like The Doctor effected individual people?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-WtqAD6kMU

Now I am a big Doctor who fan/ Whovian. so... beware this post will be biased.
Doctor who is a hero and to quote (possibly misquote) head writer Steven Moffat "I think The Doctor would be very surprised to find that he is the main character." So doctor Who is everyone's favourite hero but he hasten just changed the lives of his companions, the dedicated fans have had there life's changed by him too. All about Whovains:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_ibW6a5oFc

So some people live for the doctor while others just enjoy the odd episode. But the point is how does it change your life?
For many geeks, The Doctor stands for being strong and the geeks and weirdoes are the people who will change the world. The Doctor is all about hope. But as it says in the first link the Whoniverse (Doctor Who universe) has a philosophy and a way of looking at the world that sets it apart from other stories and TV. People who watch the show often take on the ideas and theories of Doctor Who as their own, therefore the Doctor has given them a way of looking at the world, a philosophy that looks at the world in a particular way.

Not all TV shows do that although if you think about it everything you watch has some kind of message or a way of seeing things that will effect or change your own. People learn from everything they see and do including watching TV.

What other shows change your views on life? For me Star Trek, and Firefly are good ones as they are Sci-Fi so they are all about the universe and they all have theories about the world that people can take on board as philosophies for their own lives.

Think about what TV, Films, Books and other stories have effected you?

Doctor who for me is not just about the episodes, it is also about the behind the scenes. Doctor who was one of the first BBC shows to be produced by a woman, the theme tune was mostly made by a woman (Delia Derbyshire) and the original director of doctor who was one of the first Indian Directors at the BBC:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verity_Lambert

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waris_Hussein    

Whovians:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOi3nawBxwE

So Doctor Who has changed my life, I am more hopeful about the future than I used to be, I watch the stars every night before I go to bed, (Although that is more to do with the fact that I like stars!) and I love blue police boxes. But more than that I see the world in a more exciting way and I believe that many of the scientific and philosophical opinions and theories in Doctor Who ether are very possible or at least have a good point.

Bye!

Sunday, 8 December 2013

I want to be different and unique just like everyone else - and Questions

Hi,

At some point in everyone's life they have done something that has no other purpose except to make themselves look cooler/more interesting/quirkier. And many people do this every day, playing the newest songs wearing the coolest fashions etc. Being a teenager in 2013 I know all about this. but does everyone do this? many people restrict this kind of behaviour to hipsters and fashion victims. YouTuber Charlie McDonnell said this:

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYA8cSQB_rA

It is interesting that he doesn't seem to believe that everyone sells out to fit in, only hipsters etc. But Every time he makes a video or uses modern slang he probably thinks about what other people will think of him and acts in a way he believes people will approve of. People do little things to fit in every day, whether it's agreeing with someone when they say they like certain music or watching a TV program just so you can understand what people are talking about when they discuss it. Do you think it's worth it? Just for one nod of approval, or another lie so you can fit in more easily. I am not saying everyone does it all the time but most people must do this at least once in their life, probably a lot more than they think. fitting in is hard even for the most 'normal' people. Vivian Stanshall once said "I want to be different and unique just like every one else." What he probably meant was, everyone says they want to be different but only up to a point. No one wants to be so outrageously weird that pretending to be normal or even acceptably different would be being themselves. In other words no one wants to be so different that being themselves would mean really, really weird. So weird that they wouldn't fit in at all or maybe they think they wouldn't have any friends. This is an older blog post of mine that illustrates this point in more detail.

http://utterlyinvisibleteengirl.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/why-i-write-this-blog.html

I talk about being different and not fitting in a lot, mostly because I consider myself to be a bit unusual and I have always had trouble fitting in. I am a 15 year old girl who is interested in politics, religion and philosophy and I am basically a geek so being normal has never really been an option. I tried to fit in lots of times. But for me, lying to fit in is worse than being weird, and I am not a very good liar.
Most people have lied to fit in at some point in their lives and admitting it is not easy. But whether or not you decide that lying or being outcast is the easiest or the most important way of living, it is an individual decision.
Obviously not everyone has to work that hard to fit in, to some people that is just the way they work. And that is great, they are lucky, but for me I am stuck being different, and although in the past (and still sometimes now.) I wish I could fit in more easily, I wouldn't have it any other way.
In 'The Invention Of Hugo Cabret' They say that everyone has a place in the world like the cogs of a clock, there are no spare parts everyone has a place, A role if you like. If this is true I don't think mine involves being 'Just like everyone else'.

I will leave you with a question to think about: Where do you fit into the world?

That's all for now.
Bye  

Wednesday, 27 November 2013

Sorted!


 Hi,

So many people believe that feminism isn't applicable to the modern world. I am a feminist (Not the crazy man hating kind) and I believe that so long as women feel the need to put on makeup instead of just using it to express themselves, and men feel the need to work out just to look the way they think they are expected to look. we have a long way to go. feminism is about being equal. this doesn't mean that women and men should always be treated exactly the same, for example if you want someone to play a character in a film, and the film has more male/female characters in it, your not going to get female/male actors to play the opposite sex just to be equal. that would be silly! the point of feminism is that if a woman and a man go for a job interview then the person that is hired, will only be hired because they are better qualified not because of their sex. there are still glass ceilings and feminism is still an issue. many people believe feminism is a thing of the past with war time suffragette, and women throwing themselves under horses. this is modern day feminism:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHNBGjBtBPg&list=TLKa_BKxuUoKBH8jQ8kE-1MUCs1goZPEYu

And glass ceilings:
  http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/13/the-glass-ceiling-illustrated-in-one-meet-the-staff-web-page-4186032/

So although many women and men think that feminism is Sorted It's not!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzwcF-Vno14&list=PL7W9rLxGqiophlAXPpyEx-hC31VeyfwHD

So what about the people who are effected by this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6LjMyg7-ho

Yep so maybe feminism isn't Sorted. The best thing we can do in this situation is to form our own opinions and beliefs! to do this we need all the information. usually I give you the information but today I will just give you the recourse and let you work it out. What if more people actually had an opinion? on anything!

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=sexist+opinions

I hope you can get all opinionated now.
thanks for listening to my rant!
Bye.

Friday, 1 November 2013

Why I Write This Blog

Hi,

Yesterday I discovered that Googling lessinkyfingers brings my blog up at the top of the page! How cool is that. If you go on Google images then you can see pictures I have used on this blog. I was really surprised how professional it looked. Although I don't update my blog every week or write perfect posts I do put a lot of work into this and I am glad that people are interested in what I have to say. But at the same time many adults don't take me seriously. I am 15 and I am home educated. This means that many 'grown ups' probably find what I have to say silly (because of my age) uneducated (Because I am home educated) and they don't care what I think because I am not even old enough to vote yet. I don't know that's what they think but I have been dismissed because of at least one of these things in the past. I'm not saying it happens all the time or that all adults do this, but it happens enough for it to make a difference. My opinion and my views are not valued or considered just because I am young and Home educated. This happens a lot to people all over the world. people don't listen because they are: young/old/black/white/well educated/uneducated/just different. My Mum sent me this link:

  http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/30/12-year-old-suffragette-fires-back-at-nc-gov-for-voter-suppression-i-am-not-a-prop/

The girl from this link is frustrated just like me, and being heard is difficult whoever you are. But for people like me, people who don't want to speak to crowds or lead a revolution. People who just want to be heard and to help. We are not getting a voice. I know I refer to Disney a lot when I talk about being who you want to be and doing what you believe in, but in all seriousness this Disney message is a good one. But its not as easy as that. Because however hard people try they will always care what other people think. And being beaten up for being different isn't something you can just 'get on with' so you can be 'true to yourself'. I think that whoever wrote the Disney message about 'Being yourself no matter what.' can't have been that different or ever had to face a class full of other bored 10 year olds and explain why they are vegetarian. But then if you don't fight for what you believe in, there won't be anyone else to do it for you. I also don't believe that everyone has a person inside them who's the 'real you' and all you have to do is be true to yourself and you will be a good person. Sure there are many things people can't change about themselves, but many characteristics are habits. In other words they are breakable and not permanent characteristics.

So yes doing what you believe in is important, of course it is. But being who you are is easier said than done. Especially if you don't know who you are. I don't know who I am, but I know who I want to be. I will work on that.

Thanks for listening to my rant today.
Until the next time!
Bye