Ethics vs. Sadism

As I was going through The Anthology again, I came across the definition of sadism. It's said that it is "the unconscious impulse to acquire unrestricted power over another person," but instead of just people, I believe that we're doing the same thing to animals (485). We the people are slaughtering animals, we are controlling what they do, what they eat, where they live, and most importantly, how long they live. What makes us so special to be able to do such things to others? I believe its because its our intelligence, something that we have way more than any other living organism in the universe, but yes. I believe that we the people can be described as sadistic because we are "inflicting pain [and] suffering" to people as well as animals (485). There is nothing that the animals can do because they don't know any better, which is why I believe it is wrong to do unethical things to the unaware animals.

 [1]

Closely associated with sadism is animal cruelty. In The Four Stages of Cruelty, written by William Hogarth, he talks about the first stages of cruelty by providing examples such as "burning the eyes out of a bird with a hot needle" or how "a pair of fighting cats are hung by their tails and taunted by a jeering group of boys" (490). This reminds me a lot of what I call humans. It reminds me of some of my friends. Some of my friends in the past used to play with CO2 powered BB guns and what they do sometimes is go bird hunting. Why do they do such a thing? It is because they are bored. Little do they know, birds have feelings too. They have emotion and feel pain like we do. I never got myself down to do such a thing. I still wonder how they could do such a thing though. It's such a cruel act. The bird gets shot down and is left struggling on the floor. What can it do then? Its either wait for its death from food and water deprivation or get eaten by bugs or other animals. It's a horrible death. We would never want that to happen to us so why should it happen to them? There should be no reason for our animal cruelty.

Reading on, I find that the “Supreme Court overturns [an] anti-animal cruelty law in [the] First Amendment case,” something in which I find to spark a flame within me (502). Who in their right mind would do such a thing? Who in their right minds would allow animals to be “crushed to death by women wearing stiletto heels” just for a “certain sexual fetish”? (502). Honestly, those are the sorts of things that make me mad. These are the things that anger me the most and actually make me want to get my opinion out there. Usually I don’t like to butt into such controversial topics, but this is just plain wrong in my opinion. People who get aroused from such acts are sick in my opinion. Why does this anger me so much? It’s because the animal is “intentionally maimed, mutilated, tortured, wounded, or killed” (502). How would you like it if someone decided to crush you to death, say toss you in a dump truck and watch you get crushed while I get pleasure from it? You wouldn’t so why do it to animals? There is no reason for this period.

[2]

Citations:

The Anthology

Images:

[1] http://www.slasherama.com/images/nasties/sadism.jpg

[2] http://dingo.care2.com/pictures/c2c/share/12/125/540/1254003_370.jpg

Acquired Taste

As I was reading through the Acquired Taste section of Why We Love Dogs Eat Pigs and Wear Cows, I realized that what Melanie Joy, the author says is true. Usually I would question such things, but this time I'm not because I myself am living proof. It is said that "in China, people eat animals' penises because they believe these organs affect sexual function," which leave me wondering why my grandparents had a lions penis when I went back to Hong Kong (443). I thought it was weird to have such a thing lying around the house, so first thing I did was ask them why they have it. Sure enough, it was used to make soup. I was disgusted, but I can't question my grandparents. They are very traditional, and at times, their traditional remedies have cured me for the better. Just as Melanie says, "The most obvious feeling we lose is disgust," which is exactly how I felt when my grandparents whooped out the lion penis soup. Yuck! Of course I never got the courage to drink it.

[1]

[2]

As I read on, I came across Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson's work, The Face On Your Plate. What he emphasized in was our denial, our "DENIAL IN THE LARGEST SENSE in which we so often use it today... as a psychic defense against an over whelming reality" (478). What he is is true. There are just those times that make you want to belief it isn't true, but it is, which leads me to my next subject, vegetarians. Why did people all of a sudden turn into vegetarians? Are vegetables that tasty? In my stand point, I believe its because they've seen reality and accepted it. They know know out processed meats are made. They know the processes and are disgusted. They realize that we kill innocent animals just for our satisfaction, but what some do is deny that fact. Some say it's because "We need meat to live in a healthy manner," or a simple excuse such as "I was raised that way" (477). Everyone has their reasons, but sometimes, I believe its either straight up ignorance and denial rather than not informed.

[3]

Citations:

The Anthology

Images:

[1] http://bluepyramid.org/ia/lion.jpg

[2] http://www.thelocal.se/blogs/eatingout/files/2009/04/soup.gif

[3] http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/u15/Vegetarians%201.jpg

Leadership Examples

Throughout my search in the LBJ library, I found many traits that I would love to have, but I didn’t realize I passed up something more than just a trait. It wasn’t just a trait. It was a combination of heart and passion. It was a combination of leadership and ethics. What I passed up and eventually went back for was a fine work done by Lyndon B. Johnson.  Johnson “worked so hard to make life better for so many” and these people weren’t even related to him or close to him. They were just people, strangers in particular. Johnson still helped no matter what. In my thoughts, why would someone do such a thing? Why would I help another person when I don’t even know them, not even so much of an acquaintance? Well to answer my own question, it is because Johnson believed in hope and wanted his people that he was leading at the time to “have a healthy and rewarding life.” He didn’t care who we were, but what he did care for is we, the people who put our trust in his leadership.

Johnson believed that they people should be “given a fair chance to develop their capacities, “ which is why he advocated education, housing, and other essentials that developing communities need for growth. Johnson wanted to see the best in people; he wanted to see everyone’s potential. It wasn’t what he could do to make a difference. He viewed it as what we the people could do to carry on the legacy and make the chance ourselves. This is what I call leadership. This is exactly what I want. He trusted us. He guided us through the process. He was the motivation. He is exactly what I want to become.

Along with Johnson, however was President Hoover as well. He had to trait of “command… and persuasion.” This is something I really need to work on myself. When I was a freshman mentor for my high school to help others adjust to the high school transition, I realized that I didn’t have one thing, and that one thing was being bold enough to take charge and take command in a situation. Thus, I was lucky that I had other leaders in the room. Now I realized that if I were Hoover back then, I would have made an even greater difference it the students around me.

Citations:

Image [1] by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyndon_B._Johnson

Image [2] by author.

Image [3] by author.

Bob Bullock Museum Exploration

Yesterday, My UGS class and I went to the Bob Bullock Museum and explored its natural wonders. At first I was thinking how lame it was that the exhibits actually cost money, 8 bucks. At that point I was thinking, "Man, that 8 bucks could have gone to some grub," but in the end, I was glad I went there.


As I entered the wonders of history, I found myself gazing intently at a Comanche hunting bow. As I stood there, I read how the hunting bows were often decorated for good luck. On top of that, I realized that the grip was made by the remnant furs of a coyote, feathers from a turkey, hair from a horse, and the bow string by animal tendon. At that point I was thinking, "Man, how lucky am I to come across such an exquisite work of art." I was immediately enticed in it. It was said the remnants of the animals used on the bow offered the Comanche protection, but as I thought deeper, I wondered what the animals would have thought if they knew about how the Comanche used them. In death, one should be left to rest in peace. How would you feel if you died and someone decided to do the same to you by using your your body parts? I would feel angered and I believe the animals used in the bow would be angered as well. But, maybe if they learned that they were viewed as protection, then they might think otherwise. After examining the bow for a good 5 minutes, I decided that it was time to move on to the next object, something in the second floor.

Venturing through the second floor, I didn't see much animals projected in the historical objects that surrounded me. It took a bunch of walking and looping around to finally find one; I found a horse that was drinking from a water well. In the picture above, it depicts a man and the horse posing in front of a windmill for the woman, who is the part of the press. This event was apparently historical and made an impact significant enough to be put int he museum, so I thought, maybe the horse wouldn't mind having its picture taken and now carved into stone to be placed inside a museum. But, to be honest, I believe that if I were the animal, I would be confused. I would be wondering what the flashing light from that camera is and what the lady is doing. I would have been totally dumbfounded. After this, I started to venture off again and this time, up to the third floor.

What I saw displayed in the third floor were Longhorn Cattle. In Texas ranching, they bred them from hybrids of Spanish stock and English cattle. As I read on, I noticed how they were described as : strong, ornery, and weighed over a ton each. They are slow to mature too apparently. After reading about all its facts, I realized I picked the right school. At UT Austin, our mascot is the Texas Longhorn. Longhorns are strong and I agree. Us Longhorns would never back down on a challenge. The picture depicts several longhorns. If the longhorns knew that they were displayed like this, I think they would have been honored at the fact that people acknowledge them.

At first I was told that there was going to 4 floors that I could explore in the museum, but in the end, there was only 3. I was sad that this was so, but it doesn't matter. I had my adventure.


Citations:

Images by author.

The Doggy Days

The Doggy Days

Hello, my name is Dewey. I am a one-year-old male sharpie mix. I’d like to say one of a kind! Its not everyday you see a healthy and good-looking creature like me! Just kidding, but back to the point. First let me fill you in about the details of my life. I absolutely love children!  I just can’t wait to find myself a new family that will love me. I don’t care if they’re rich or poor. I’ve never experienced love. I was separated from my parents at a young age, so it’s hard to remember how love feels like anymore. It will be nostalgic experience. It will be a new challenge that I will find irresistible take because that’s what defines my character. I am always curious and never scared to back down on a challenge. I am ever so ready to learn and be accommodated into my new family. I have so many tricks up my sleeve. For example, I am ready to sit and lay down by command! But there are so many more tricks I want to learn, especially because I get a treat every time I do something right!  Everyone says I am super friendly because I like to lick people when we first meet.  I get along very well with other animals; unless I sense danger, I usually won’t be mean. Meeting new friends is one of my favorite hobbies!  I think I would be better suited in a home with children who would be willing to play with me, hold me, and possibly even love me. However, the three main things I want to limelight and that basically sums up my whole life story: the day I was conceived, my midlife crisis, and where I’m basically standing as of right now.

Now I know this might sound kind of cliché, but I am a Longhorn! I was born and raised in the city of Austin, Texas! I’m a little hazy about the details my past, but what I do know is that my father and mother both left me within the first week I was born. When it comes to the whereabouts of my father, lets just say that he’s in a better place now. I remember when we were one whole happy family, where every night my father would come back from a days of wandering the Austin city limits for food to feed both my mother and I. I remember how my mommy and me would be so happy just to see my father come back home safe and sound, even if he wasn’t able to bring home food at all. It didn’t matter. None of that mattered. What mattered was that we were all together as one happy family. Our life was a harsh one; on some days, we would have to sleep on an empty stomach and on other days, we would be considered fortunate to fill up by the scraps left behind by some of the littering pedestrians of Austin. My parents and I were tired of living this kind of life. There was so much competition out here in the slums. If there were food, there would always be that one other dog that is way bigger and meaner than my daddy. I have to admit, my daddy’s pretty mean looking, but he has the most caring nature ever! That’s exactly what I love about him. He’s sensual and loving when he needs to be, but can stand up for himself and put up a fight if he was ever provoked. Our life wasn’t the best, but we were happy. We were going through the highs and lows of life together and no matter how hard they were, we always went through with the, but one night, things turned for the worse.

It might have been a while since it had happened, but I still remember it ever so vividly. The day was a normal one. The usual always happened; my father goes out to find food for us while mother watches me be the carefree youngster I am. That day was the just like any other day, but what happened that day was so heartbreaking that I don’t think I will ever be able to let it go. I will never forgive myself either. Usually it is something that you did wrong, which is why one would be mad at oneself, but what I did was the exact opposite. It wasn’t what I did, but it was what I didn’t do. On that very day, it was my fourth birthday. I was so ecstatic that I was presents that day. Every month on the 14^th, my family and I celebrate my birthday. Every time my birthday comes up, my father would always find a way to get me a big t-bone steak to masticate it. It always makes up my day and my father knows it too. He knows that it’s my favorite type of food, which is why he goes out of his way to do this for me. Everything was fine that day. The routine was the same and I always assume that my father will come back safe and sound, so I never said bye to him that morning. But, on that same day, I saw my father get run over with my very own eyes. I didn’t know what to think. I was in an emotional wreck. I was bawling my eyes out. I didn’t know what to think. Heck, I still don’t know what state of mind I was in. The scene was too grotesque to be described. All I can say is blue Chevrolet pick-up truck. That’s all I remember and will always remember it. What I didn’t do that day was say goodbye to him because I thought he was going to come back safe and sound. Well apparently I was wrong. From that day on, I learned a lesson: always say your goodbyes and live life to your fullest as if tomorrow were your last. I don’t know if I should hate the driver of that pick-up truck or myself more. How could I be so dumb to not say goodbye to my father? Tell me why! We were so happy together. I don’t understand why he had to take him away from us. Ever since we lost him, our living conditions have turned even worse, but life is life. We make the decisions that depict our own destinies.

It’s been six-months since the incident. My birthdays just haven’t been the same without him. My mother tries to accommodate for my dad; she would try and do the same he did, but truth is, she’s getting old. I too am getting older as well as stronger. I can now proudly say I inherited my father’s strength and courage. I know my father’s up there watching over my mother and I, but I guess when the time comes it has to come. The time for my mother was up. It was her time to leave Earth and join my father in the graceful heavens. After my mother left me, I was all by myself. I wasn’t able to take care of myself. Lets just I was “homeless” for a few months and was starving until some strangers with green lettered shirts rescued me. At first I was skeptical of their initiatives, so I struggled when they tried to take me in. Little did I know, they took me into their home where they took care of me. I was actually fed food everyday! What made it even better was I didn’t have to go out and hunt for it. It was all brought to me. Apparently I’m in a shelter right now, but it sure beats roaming the cold streets of Austin right now. It seemed to be a dream come true until I found out why I was here. Apparently, I won’t be here much longer and will be euthanized if no one comes and adopts me. It’s so stupid. Why would they kill me? I never did anything wrong. I’m a perfectly healthy dog that has always minded his own business. Why would someone want to do this to me? Well after chatting with the other dogs in the shelter, I found out that it’s because there is a population overflow of my species. So what if there are too many of us? What gives they the right to kill us? There should be no reason for such unfair reasoning. The only way I can be saved is if someone adopts me.

I’m still young. I’m still very playful considering how old I am and I do not plan on growing up any faster than I have to. Just like Peter Pan, I want to stay a boy forever! My cutest behavior is running around to catch my tail, but for some reason it is so illusive that I never actually get a hold of it.  Silly me, because I keep trying no matter how many times I miss it.  I want a family again. I want to experience love again. I love my parents, but it’s just too soon for us to meet again. I still got a lot to look forward to. I promise I never bark or bite for no reason. If I do, its just because I don’t want anything to happen to my new family. Scouts honor! Please save me. I promise I’ll be the best you ever had. 

Word Count: 1587

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Appendix

Roger’s Blog

Hi there! My name is Roger.  I am a two-year-old male Sheppard mix and APA rescued me from the horrible slums of Austin not too long ago. I have no fear. I have been through a lot throughout my life so have no reason to back down to any obstacle. I love to sit and gaze at the clouds; they are so simplistic, so peaceful. I could say it is one of my favorite hobbies and it always turns my frown upside down. I absolutely children and I can’t wait until I finally get a family that can embrace me, a family that can show me how love feels like.

            I can be active as well; a walk in the park or a dip in the pool would absolutely make my day. I would say my perfect home is with a newlywed couple. They could take me with them everywhere, one of them being romantic walks. I can’t wait until the time comes for them to add children the family. I love contact with people and since I tend to be very active, they would offer me the perfect environment.

            My favorite toy is a little bear I’ve always had by my side; he keeps me safe and sound.  But I think that anything soft that I can carry around in my mouth would be fine!  Standing on my hind legs and waddling around is something I enjoy doing because it always seems to make my care takers smile, plus I usually get a reward, be it a pat on the head or a treat to snack on.  I have never learned how to sit on command, but I would be willing to learn for whoever wants to teach me.  Learning new things is so much fun, I only wish there were someone to teach me.  I want to travel and go to picnics, but most importantly, I want to be loved.

I promise not to bite. Please help me find a new home where I can be safe and have fun with a new mommy and daddy.

Word Count: 351

Dewey's Blog

Hello, my name is Dewey.  I am a one-year-old male sharpie mix. I’d like to say one of a kind! Its not everyday you see a healthy and good-looking creature like me! Just kidding, but back to the point. I absolutely love children!  I just can’t wait to find myself a family that will love me. I don’t care if they’re rich or poor. I’ve never experienced love. I was separated from my parents at birth so I never go the chance to know how it is to be loved. It will be new experience and I find it irresistible to take on new challenges. I am ever so ready to learn and be accommodated into my new family.

            I have so many tricks up my sleeve. For example, I am ready to sit and lay down by command! But there are so many more tricks I want to learn, especially because I get a treat every time I do something right!  Everyone says I am super friendly because I like to lick people when we first meet.  I get along very well with other animals; unless I sense danger, I usually won’t be mean. Meeting new friends is one of my favorite hobbies!  I think I would be better suited in a home with children who would be willing to play with me, hold me, and possibly even love me.

            I am still very playful considering how old I am and I do not plan on growing up any faster than I have to. Just like Peter Pan, I want to stay a boy forever! My cutest behavior is running around to catch my tail, but for some reason it is so illusive that I never actually get a hold of it.  Silly me, because I keep trying no matter how many times I miss it.  I promise I never bark or bite for no reason. If I do, its just because I don’t want anything to happen to my new family. Scouts honor!

Word Count: 335

Dewey

           Hello, my name is Dewey.  I am a one-year-old male sharpie mix. I’d like to say one of a kind! Its not everyday you see a healthy and good-looking creature like me! Just kidding, but back to the point. I absolutely love children!  I just can’t wait to find myself a family that will love me. I don’t care if they’re rich or poor. I’ve never experienced love. I was separated from my parents at birth so I never go the chance to know how it is to be loved. It will be new experience and I find it irresistible to take on new challenges. I am ever so ready to learn and be accommodated into my new family.

            I have so many tricks up my sleeve. For example, I am ready to sit and lay down by command! But there are so many more tricks I want to learn, especially because I get a treat every time I do something right!  Everyone says I am super friendly because I like to lick people when we first meet.  I get along very well with other animals; unless I sense danger, I usually won’t be mean. Meeting new friends is one of my favorite hobbies!  I think I would be better suited in a home with children who would be willing to play with me, hold me, and possibly even love me.

            I am still very playful considering how old I am and I do not plan on growing up any faster than I have to. Just like Peter Pan, I want to stay a boy forever! My cutest behavior is running around to catch my tail, but for some reason it is so illusive that I never actually get a hold of it.  Silly me, because I keep trying no matter how many times I miss it.  I promise I never bark or bite for no reason. If I do, its just because I don’t want anything to happen to my new family. Scouts honor!

Word Count: 336

Roger

Hi there! My name is Roger.  I am a two-year-old male Sheppard mix and APA rescued me from the horrible slums of Austin not too long ago. I have no fear. I have been through a lot throughout my life so have no reason to back down to any obstacle. I love to sit and gaze at the clouds; they are so simplistic, so peaceful. I could say it is one of my favorite hobbies and it always turns my frown upside down. I absolutely children and I can’t wait until I finally get a family that can embrace me, a family that can show me how love feels like.

            I can be active as well; a walk in the park or a dip in the pool would absolutely make my day. I would say my perfect home is with a newlywed couple. They could take me with them everywhere, one of them being romantic walks. I can’t wait until the time comes for them to add children the family. I love contact with people and since I tend to be very active, they would offer me the perfect environment.

            My favorite toy is a little bear I’ve always had by my side; he keeps me safe and sound.  But I think that anything soft that I can carry around in my mouth would be fine!  Standing on my hind legs and waddling around is something I enjoy doing because it always seems to make my care takers smile, plus I usually get a reward, be it a pat on the head or a treat to snack on.  I have never learned how to sit on command, but I would be willing to learn for whoever wants to teach me.  Learning new things is so much fun, I only wish there were someone to teach me.  I want to travel and go to picnics, but most importantly, I want to be loved.

I promise not to bite. Please help me find a new home where I can be safe and have fun with a new mommy and daddy.

Word Count: 349

Sympathetic Imagination

What is sympathetic imagination? To me, it is to imagine yourself in another's shoes and see how it would feel if it were you. To me, it is to "secure a momentary but complete identification with it" (Anthology 404). What does this mean? To me it means to become one with the other. It is to be that person and feel his or her pain, to his or her sadness, his or her anger, and etc. "By actually entering into the object... [you learn to] take part in its existence" and learn to develop the feeling of sympathy. How might I know such a deep emotion you may ask. It's because I for one have been through pain, everyone has. If you haven't yet, you haven't lived life to its fullest yet. It isn't all bad in my point of view though. One can learn from its experiences. One can become wiser and much more sophisticated after such experiences. Just like the image below quoted by Mr. Koichi Tohei, we should "become one with the Universe." That is what I believe everyone should do to be able to display sympathetic imagination. Not being able to complete this objective would make you emotionless.

In The Odyssey by Rick Bass, he wrote about how the main character "stopped and backed the truck up"  on he road when he saw Ann in the mirror (Anthology 421). The reason I believe why he did what he did wasn't because of what Ann thought he was, "a do-gooder" (Anthology 421). No, that is not the reason. The reason I believe he did what he did was because he developed sympathetic imagination. He mostly imagined himself in Ann's position. Maybe he asked himself, "What if that were me on the road with no body to care for me?" What he did wasn't because he was a do-gooder. It was because he  developed the emotion sympathy. You might ask why would I think like this? What is going through my head? I know because I have done the same as he have before. I've seen many animals in my lifetime and I believe there is going to be many more to come, but before I ramble on, I want to get to the point I'm trying to express. My first pet compared to the story was a little bit different. Mine was a cat instead of a dog, but I got her the same way; I got her by picking her up in the streets. Soon enough, the both of us became the closest of all friends.

Citations:

The Anthology

Images:

http://tacwblmcqk.cdn.tinycdn.com/ocks/home_noflash.gif
http://media.photobucket.com/image/cat%20best%20friends/shg_graphics/best_friend/shg-kittens-best-friends-fo.gif