Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Critique.

Gravity Is Heartless The Heartless Series Book One
Gravity Is Heartless The Heartless Series Book One was written by Sarah Lahey. The future is the present. Sarah wrote a novel about a female character by the name of Quinn, who is a scientist who wants to stop climate change when it may be too late. What is more important life or technology. Quinn must decide a few issues that are affecting her life and the people who she loves and likes whether living or technological.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Reflection on Sociolinguistics
Sociolinguistics is present in the life of anyone who is a member of a society. This is because at some point a person will come into the realization that there is some type coming from social factors that has an effect on their linguistics or those of another they know. This may be noticing that a child has adapted slang, that a colleague has developed a different delivery of tone after watching a television series or that they themselves have changed from saying I think to I feel. There are many subtle ways that these occurrences happen over the span of one’s life and many that are not so subtle depending on the strength of the influence. In my life there have been several instances where I have taken notice to how society has played a role in influencing my linguistics. Examples of this are the ways I interact with males compared to females, my interaction with elderly people compared to those my own age and children. There have been a few instances as well where I take a moment and wonder why I keep saying these new phrases or words in place of ones I had commonly used throughout my life.
By LIOP2 years ago in Critique
Compare and Contrast of “Exhalation”, “Sentinel” and “Seed Stock”
"Exhalation" by Ted Chiang, "Sentinel" by Arthur C. Clarke and "Seed Stock" by Frank Herbert are very different stories with their own concepts in the science fiction genre. Comparing the three however shows that there are some commonalities in the stories themes and helps to identify other common devices and in the writings. These include a theme of exploration, a similar style of writing in their narration and the main characters outlook towards the future towards the end of the narratives.
By LIOP2 years ago in Critique
The Life of Orion of Athens
Orion was born, son of Leonidas and Aikaterini citizens on Athens (Kihm, 2021), on on June 22, 439 BC. He was born in his family home and his mother was accompanied by several midwives who cared for her during the process (Cole & Symes 2020). He was born healthy and his mother survived, and on his tenth day of life he was given his name and accepted into the household (Cole & Symes 2020). His father hoped for him to take over the family business when he came of age. They owned a collection of farms outside the city with some of the best slaves in the area. The production was always plentiful and the income kept his family in a good position (Cole & Symes 2020).
By LIOP2 years ago in Critique
The Art Venue M+ Hong Kong
In Hong Kong art and politics are at a crossroads with politics. Many had hoped that the new M+ Museum would be a place that could display risqué or politically charged artworks (Chung). However; since the museum opened it has had to face the issue of a newly formed National Security Law that makes collusion with foreign forces, secession, subversion and terrorism a criminalized act (Chung, Sala). This new law has put the museum in a delicate situation where it had once was hoped to be a place free of censorship (Sala). This new law has left art in China at a crossroads with politics where no public displays are safe from this censorship by the State.
By LIOP2 years ago in Critique
The Sagebrush Rebellion
In the United States, some believe that land controlled by the Federal Government should be transferred to State or local authorities or sold off to private owners. In the 1970’s and 1980’s there was a large push for policy to change so that the land, mostly covered by sagebrush, could be used for various purposes (Wikipedia contributors, 2022). These purposes included the want to extract resources, grazing areas for animals and other development in thirteen of the Western States (Wikipedia contributors, 2022). In 1976 the Federal Land Policy Act was enacted and those who had previously complained that the land was unfairly controlled turned to rebellion to attempt to invoke change and demonstrate how they felt that use of the land was unjust (Wikipedia contributors, 2022). While the act required that the Federal Government regulate land for use in agriculture, farming, grazing and mining it also included consideration for conservation (American Patriot, 2017). Although conservation was viewed as important by some it was more important that control of the land be turned over to State and local authorities to decide how the land should be disbursed.
By LIOP2 years ago in Critique
Interpretation of "Won’t Get Fooled Again"
Released in 1971, the now iconic rock anthem performed by the legendary rock group The Who titled Won’t Get Fooled Again is a well-known classic by any fan of the genre and beyond. The video for the song instills a feeling of unity and togetherness but shows little more than the band performing from the view of the audience. The lyrics written by Peter Townshend encompass the rise of rebellion against a tyrannical leadership and unjust system, the overthrowing of those in power and then the rise of new leadership which in turn becomes just as corrupt as those they replaced when given power. The lyrics of the song still carry great weight today as the cycle of rebellion, succession and corruption is still a factor that plays part in politics and leadership in our modern society. Because these factors are still found in our society the lyrics and message stress the importance of civic engagement.
By LIOP2 years ago in Critique
The Rich Man's Journey: A tale of Adventure and Friendship
'The Rich Man's Journey: A tale of Adventure and Friendship was written by Alison Pitt. This is a storybook story about a man, a lonely man named Edward Theodore Marmaduke de'Casagrande, who was very rich as well. Edward did have friends when he was known as Eddie Bighouse but Edward changed with money. Edward builds a mode of travel, leaves a letter and begins a journey of self-discovery. The pictures throughout the storybook were quite imaginative with a lot of blues and greens. Alison Pitt also wrote this book as a way in helping others and yourself to bring understanding to how you live now and how you lived your past life.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Opinion on the Founders and Slavery Debate
There seems to have always been a debate with the subject of the Founding Fathers of the United States, slavery and the Declaration of Independence. Walter E. Williams makes some interesting points in his article titled “Slavery Is Neither Strange Nor Peculiar” written in 2019. In the article Willams makes some valid points about the ignorance of people’s perceptions as well as the fact that it was estimated that at the beginning of the nineteenth century it is estimated that three quarters of people who were alive were living in bondage (Williams, 2019). This means slavery was not only common but it certainly was not a unique principal in the United States. It should also be considered that since conception, the United States was populated by people from Europe and other countries who would be continuing to live in the way they were accustomed to when landing in North America. Williams also poses the question that had the North not compromised to ensure the union of states and the Southern states not wanted to count slaves for the Electoral College would the Declaration of Independence been formed as it is today? (Williams, 2019). These are not only valid questions but a realistic perspective as power given in politics has influenced decision making in recent years and it would make sense that it influenced decisions going back in history as well. In the Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln states that the nation was built on the “proposition that all men are created equal” (Lincoln, 1863). If this was the case why would there have been any compromise from the North at the Constitution Convention rather than for them to hold their ground and insist slavery be abolished? Eventually the country ended up in a civil war and to this day equality is not something that is a true experience in any nation.
By LIOP2 years ago in Critique
Fed Up - The Documentary
The movie “Fed Up” is a documentary on obesity and how it is perpetuated in the United States. The movie examines why Americans are obese and how it is a trend that has been taught and passed down through the generations. Although interesting, the documentary was not much of a surprise. It is alarming however to see some hear some of the statistics that are talked about and how the general opinions of the public are not completely accurate compared to scientific studies produced that show obesity is not as simple as “eat less, exercise more” (Fed Up).
By LIOP2 years ago in Critique
Lars Eighner’s “Dumpster Diving” Thematic Selection
Dumpster Diving” by Lars Eighner is an informative essay writer from the perspective of the author when he was homeless in the late 1980’s. The essay contains two secondary themes, the one most obvious would fall under Conformity and Rebellion and the other is Communication. However, it is quite clear that the essay is educational as it not only gives insight into the people who live in this manner and practical advice on scavenging but it also teaches about excessive waste production, particularly by students. The educational value of the essay makes it suitable for reading in several fields of study as it offers a dynamic range of insight from a unique perspective.
By LIOP2 years ago in Critique
Orson Wells’ Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane directed and starring Orson Wells is considered a classic film as the story is intriguing, the cinematography is masterful and the parts are well casted. It is impossible to watch Citizen Kane and not be instantly pulled in to the fantastic life of Charles Kane. At first the way the story jumps from period to period in the characters life can be a bit confusing but once Kane’s story begins to be established it becomes easy to follow.
By LIOP2 years ago in Critique