Questions for the Final

1. The word dichotomy is a(n): A) adjective B) adverb C) verb D) noun (Ashanti Marshall)
2. As seen in The Joy Luck Club, hulihudu means: A) brave B) clever C) adventurous D) confused  (Ashanti Marshall)
3. In Fences, Bono got to drive the truck at work: True / False (Ashanti Marshall)
4. Where did we encounter existentialism? A) Fences B) Like Water for Chocolate C) No Exit D) The Color Purple (Ashanti Marshall)
5. The word inherent is a noun. True / False (Ashanti Marshall)

Thoughts on Steve Jobs's Stanford Commencement Speech

Steve Jobs's speech provided a small glimpse into the life philosophy of the Apple co-founder. He spoke about "connecting the dots", loving your work, mortality and having the courage to follow your heart. I resonanted with Jobs when he said your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. I interpreted this as don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. Your inner voice is guide you to make the best decision for you.

Thoughts on David Blaine's TEDTalk "How to hold your breath for 17 minutes"

Create the illusion of success until it becomes a reality. Everything is possible, David Blaine proves that as long as work towards your goal with a plan, you can and will achieve it. Blaine explored different avenues of research, trial and error invention for all his feats. Each method had two things in will and innovation.

Thoughts on Tony Robbins' TEDTalk: "Why we do what we do"

This TEDTalk was very moving and made me question a few things. What is your motive for action? Emotion is the force of life, your inner drive drives you. We as people need to understand human need. Decision is the ultimate power. The choice of decision dictates your destiny. When you give something attention, emotion becomes associated with it and you decide to work towards that goal or not to.

"Fences" Questions

1. What is Troy and Bono's Friday night ritual? A) smoke B) play cards C) talk trash D) talk and drink
2. Who is Troy married to? A) Rose B) Alberta C) Lucille D) None of the above
3. Who recruited Troy? A) the Army B) the Navy C) the Coast Guard D) a college football team
4. Who said "Death ain't nothing but a football on the outside corner." A) Bono B) Troy C) Rose D) Cory
5. True or False: The only time Troy sees Lyons is when he wants something.
6. What will Troy be eating for the rest of the week if he gives Lyons ten dollars? A) rice B) beans C) rice and beans D) steak
7. Who plays the lottery? A) Rose and Troy B) Troy and Bono C) Alberta and Lyons D) Rose and Lyons
8. Why couldn't Cory help Troy with the fence? A) He didn't want to. B) He went to the grocery store. C) He went to football practice. D) He left the house.
9. True or False: Troy's brother, Gabriel, wasn't injured in World War II.
10. What does Cory want Troy to buy? A) radio B) TV C) camera D) car

Thoughts on Raghava KK's TEDTalk "Shake up your story"

Artist Raghava KK has developed an app of a children's book that effectively eliminates propaganda. The innocence that children possess don't recognize social constructs like race, sexual orientation and religious affiliation. Life is all about perspective, separating fact from bias. Teaching perspectives is the best way to teach creativity. Bias your child with multiple perspectives, as a result your child will be truly well-rounded. Raghava KK has shown me that art comes with a responsibility to aspire to inspire.

Updated TeenTED Talk Script

Good morning, Kings and Queens. My name is Ashanti and I’m a passionate Lover of Love. It thrills me to please people and to be pleased in return. I have a few things to ask all of you. Is that okay with everyone? (waits for response) Okay, here we go. Everyone close your eyes and relax your mind from your head to your feet. Take a few deep breaths.

1. Raise your hand if you’ve had your first kiss. (Take a mental or physical tally.)
2. Keep your eyes closed, raise your hand if you’ve engaged in any sexual activity. (Take a mental or physical tally.)

The survey is over, you all can open your eyes now. How do you feel? (Wait for response.) It’s totally normal as you journey through life, you will encounter both intimacy and sex. The two are NOT synanomous at all. Sex resided in the physical realm of your Being, it is detached genital contact void of all emotion. On the other hand, intimacy transcends into the Spiritual realm greeting your partner’s aura will an intense level of understanding and appreciation of your desires. The energy emanating between you two will raise the vibrations of the space as the sound of Love ricochets off the wall. The vibrations will return to you and rehydrate the lust that passion extracts from you like a honeybee extracting nectar from a sunflower in the summertime.

Thoughts on "If I Should Have A Daughter" TEDTalk

Beautiful, touching spoken word piece. This poem was a great example of prose poetry. Sarah Kay told her story so rhythmically, it was like hearing a song I loved once before that my ears were reconnected with. Sarah's passion fueled her presentation, she inspired great emotion.

Thoughts on Artrageous!

My favorite pieces were the faces created with text. They were physical, tangible representations of the written word. The student artists created a picture through words with words, similar to a Tagxedo. These pieces did a phenomenal job of getting people to discuss the work as well as spark discussion and further analysis, after all poetry is the possibility of language.

Thoughts on Romo the Robot TEDTalk

Romo is an extension of its owner. The owner gets to see their world through a robot's eyes. Creativity, an active imagination and robotics all merge together to influence the progression of personal robotics.

Thoughts on Skateboard TED Talk video

This electric skateboard is an innovative vehicle. The remote control, regenerative braking and reduced energy footprint are great features. This skateboard with a boost is a great idea but would it work in various terrains outside of San Francisco?

Thoughts on TEDTeenTalk

This young girl's TEDTeenTalk on feminine characters in the media was captivating and introspective. She intertwined her interest in feminism and informing the audience of the idealistic portrayal of women in media as "cardboard cut-outs" seamlessly without bashing one party or the other. She also redefines what it means to be feminine today by saying that it's okay to still be figuring things out for yourself as opposed to growing up to become the idealistic woman, wife and mother.

Thoughts on the Happiness TEDTalk

This TEDTalk was enlightening. I recently had a change of attitude that has reflected "synthesized happiness". I think positively therefore I act positively. If we can manifest happiness through synthesis, what exactly are we searching for?

Concept for TEDTalk

Good afternon, Creators. My name is Ashanti Marshall, amatuer poet and wild sunflower. Poetry is the possibility of language. Language is the most common form of communication. Free thoughts equate to free lips. In this TEDTalk, I will explore prose poetry. Writing prose poetry is much like painting a picture, there is an artistry to it. Start with some form, create a general picture, paint with adjectives to give depth, incoporate texture and add a little mystery. Here's an example of prose poetry....(poem appears on screen). I will proceed to point out identifying, unique characteristics of this genre of poetry. The audience will interact by identifying these characteristics. Then, I will read my prose poem. To conclude with why prose poetry is important and needed.

My Prose Poem (Rough Cut)

You’ve been in bed all day.

Allow me to indulge myself in you.

If I were to be graced with your presence

in this very moment, I would

disrobe you and adore your every glorious curve,

bathe you in scents of white jasmine and mint…

lay you down on that same bed that has

gotten to know you so

intimately and

explore your garden….

with my childlike innocence and pursuant curiosity.

I gather up the sunshine of your smile

when I caress your skin

and partake in the sweet nectar

produced betwixt your aureate thighs.

Rhythmic stimulation made your

sunflower’s petals open.

I lay with you, content in your warmth and fullness.

Solar flares.

We personify Light,

beaming brilliantly.

List of ideas for a TED Talk

1.     nail art tutorial

2.     how to write a haiku

3.     lesson on how to write prose poetry

4.     tips on how to care for small children

5.     how to swaddle a baby

6.     how to conduct yourself properly in a place of business

7.     how to style hair

8.     how to mix foods

9.     public speaking skills

10. how to orient yourself around Chicago

11. how to hold your feelings in

12. how to jump a car

13. how to speak your mind respectively

14. how to take the ‘L’ (using public transportation from a tourist’s perspective)

15. how to thrift

16. how to clip coupons

17. how to make friendship bracelets

18. how to tweet

19. how to create a captivating Prezi presentation

20. how to play the guitar

Thoughts on J.K. Rowling's Harvard Commencement Speech

Rowling's speech was honest and pure. When she recalled her past failures and experiences, the audience related. She was a great fit for this event, she was inspiring and captivated the audience with her wit.

Thoughts on Pranav Mistry's TEDTalk

Will sixth sense technology do away with the basic functions we learned when we were younger? As technology progresses forward, will things like writing a letter and using the Dewey decimal system become a thing of the past? Education will forever be transformed by this technological advancement as the world is embracing the wonders of the "digital age". If information and content are King, where do our own, individual thoughts rank?

Spirituality vs. Religion

Ashanti Marshall

Interdisciplinary Writing

Period 5

March 19, 13

Everything meant to define people, divides them.  Truth is only truth if one believes, right? Life can only be understood backwards but must be lived forwards.

You alienate yourself from the world when you act as if you know it all, none of us know everything, we just know a little. A growing number of people are beginning

to identify with spirituality as opposed to claiming a specific religion.

            Majority of individuals have been introduced to religion at some point and

time in their life. Whether you have gone to church, watched a sermon or joined in on a casual conversation about religion, you have been exposed to it. Religion provides people with individual instinctive behavior thus cultivating moral support amongst the followers of the religion. In contrast, religion also limits free thinking and stunts personality growth. People blindly believe in things due to convenience. People don’t question, they assimilate.

According to a study conducted by Neil Greenberg, a professor of ecology and

evolutionary biology, spirituality can be defined as “that which gives meaning to one's life and draws one to transcend oneself” (Greenberg). The way, the truth and the light is within one’s self. To find truth one must be free. To be free one must have no limitations and be full of faith. Don’t be afraid to question, don’t be afraid to doubt, don’t be afraid to soul search. A person won’t be content until they find true peace.  Some realize that their mind, heart and spirit are too free for the restrictions of religion. If your life is not at peace, maybe there’s a reason why. Instead of faulting one’s self for not pleasing “God”, seek peace elsewhere. Instead of blaming one’s pain and “mistakes” and “struggles” on the “Devil”, take more control of your life and have more faith in yourself. 

There is no moral, no story…we all write our own. Be the change you want to

see. The eyes are better students and more willing than the ear. Mind over matter,

soul before flesh. All love, all ways. Emit positive energy into the atmosphere and it

will come back to you. Your aura is everything.  All energy is contagious, be positive.

Lao Tzu is quoted as saying, “The key to growth is the introduction of higher

dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.” Religion and spirituality are

really synonyms. They share more in common than difference. “Both connote belief

in a Higher Power of some kind. Both also imply a desire to connect, or enter into

more intense relationship, with this Higher Power. And, finally, both connote interest in rituals, practices, and daily moral behaviors that foster such a connection

or relationship.” (BeliefNet) In this world kindness is the loudest voice in the house

of love, those who wish to speak harshly, are shown the doorway to understanding. 

Peace individually, collectively, and universally.

Greenberg, Neil. "Can Spirituality Be Defined?." religiousworlds.com. N.p., 12 13 2007. Web. Web. 14 Mar. 2013. <http://notes.utk.edu/bio/unistudy.nsf/935c0d855156f9e08525738a006f2417/bdc83cd10e58d14a852573b00072525d>.