Swing Swing
Picture this, you are sitting in your dorm consumed with boredom. What do you do? Do you pick up a book? Call a friend? Go for a run? Or rather grab your laptop and binge watch Netflix? Today many of us find ourselves entertained by technology, whether it be television, video games, computers, or phones. But, have you ever wondered what people did to pass the time just a mere hundred years ago?
Back in the early 1900's people didn't have the technological advancements we have today, so what did they do? People spent their free time playing sports, similarly to the entertainment we have now, only the industry has grown greatly since the early twentieth century. Children used to play many games that they made up, which is still similar to children today, however today's kids also rely heavily on ipads and televisions to hold their attention instead.
As a potential paradigm shift, I would analyze the difference in which sources of entertainment have changed from the early twentieth century to present day. But, entertainment isn't the only shift we see in today's society. Another potential paradigm shift I may analyze is the political polarization of the country in 30 years.
When you look at the political climate in America 30 years ago, the vast majority of Americans were moderate in their political views, with fewer people a part of the extreme left and extreme right. However, in the following years, an observable shift towards the two extremes, polarizing the nation. This has lead to the political climate that we see now in which our government is completely divided. Each vote in Congress goes along party lines. Even the Supreme Court, which is supposed to remain impartial, votes along party lines, and the appointment of a justice has become a political endeavor to allow a certain party a majority on the bench.
With this topic, I would analyze the differences in societal views and political elections that could warrant such a change in political ideologies through the past 30 years. As of now between these two topics I am not really leaning one way or another so I would greatly appreciate your feedback!
Photo Credit: Damir Sagolj
These are two really great topics! I think the first one about changing sources of entertainment would be easier to research and quantify than the political feelings of the country 30 years ago. Whenever I was sitting inside watching TV my parents always liked to tell me how they were always outside when they were younger. I think it might also be easier to explain why this shift happened as opposed to the political shift.
ReplyDeleteKaitlyn, personally, I find your topic on the changing forms of entertainment more interesting. I think this topic is relative for college kids and I would be interested to learn more history on what my parents and grandparents did for fun. However, you seem to have more research and background knowledge about the polarization of politics in our nation. I think this is relative to our society as a whole, and this topic has played a major part in the growing tensions felt in our nation. I think either topic would be a good choice. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteBoth of these ideas are good examples of paradigm shifts. I like the idea of the first one, but I feel as though you would have trouble gathering enough scholarly information about free time in the 1900s.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think people now a days don't know how to be bored. Researching the shift in entertainment would be a fun and interesting one, especially since you will find very interesting ways people had fun "back in the day". However, it will be a requirement you include at least one, "when I was yer age..!" or "back in MY day..!" sort of agey quote (totally optional btw, not a requirement).
ReplyDeleteKaitlyn, if you went with the entertainment topic, I feel as if you'd have to narrow it. "Entertainment" is so broad. It encompasses exercise, outdoor activities, vacationing, listening to music, going to sporting events, hanging out with friends, watching movies, watching TV, watching our phones, etc. Given this, the broad umbrella of "entertainment" for a 100-year span is going to be unwieldy, so I'd consider reigning it into something more specific.
ReplyDeleteIt has potential, for certain, it just needs more focus. Hope that helps!
My goodness these two topics are both equally great in their overviews. While your first topic of the shift in entertainment over the years is very relatable and currently relevant to your audience, the second topic on political extremism is one that has been experienced in the recent election and will continue to be present in current politics and future elections. On the other hand, the political topic may be a little repetitive given all of the information and conversation dedicated to these politics already, while the topic of entertainment provides a self-reflection for your audience in regards to their everyday life. Between these two topics, I honestly can not even decide. I hope the decision comes easier to you! One aspect that I would take into account, though, is the amount of information that is available for you to discuss on the first topic of entertainment. For example, tying in statistics on how many children possess their own form of technology, the age range in which children start using technology in today's society, cinema attendance ratings, video game sales trends, and percentages of cell phone possession amongst children are all possible subcategories that would provide you with research and data for this topic.
ReplyDelete