Reality TV: Cancer or Cure for Society?

My guest blogger this week is Josh McCaleb, who is writing about what reality TV is doing to us. Here’s what he has to say:

Television today is very effective in molding the minds of its viewers, and some programs on TV, especially reality shows, are negatively shaping us. While reality shows are meant to simply show what happens in the lives of some of our favorite celebrities, no script and no filter, they can have a long-lasting and negative effect.

Some of today’s most watched reality shows include Duck Dynasty, The Voice, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and The Biggest Loser. Each program has its own individual effect on society. But despite their original purpose of being entertainment, some of these shows can actually bring a person to a point of depression—yes, it’s depressing to watch families yelling at and fighting with each other all of the time or to see a “favorite” get kicked off.

These are the shows that really get under my skin. These are also the ones that send a negative message to the public, which make them some of the worst things to watch. So next time you turn on the TV, stop and ask yourself: why am I watching this show?

What’s new this week—other than our presidential election? Anyone else nervous about who is about to become our country’s next leader? Of course—and for good reason. This election has been like no other we’ve seen. So, I’m nervous to say the least. And when I get nervous, I eat. Anyone else out there a nervous eater? Many of us resort to food in times of stress, so I thought today’s blog from John David Fuzzell was appropriate. While we’re watching who becomes our president, we should still be watching what we’re eating…and here’s why.

John David writes: Maintaining a healthy diet is essential because a bad diet can lead to many health problems. It is extremely important to be knowledgeable about the effects that bad eating can have on our health. A bad diet typically consists of an overload of calories, carbs, and sugars. Sadly, many are unaware of the reasons behind an unhealthy diet. Here are a few tips to consider:

1. Before creating a meal plan, take into consideration the proportions necessary for each category of food. Setting up proportions for each category consists of making out a table and compiling the percentages of each category that a person needs.
2. Try to balance the following categories of food: fruit and vegetables, meat and alternatives, rice and alternatives, and fats, oils, salts, and sugars.
3. Try to select less of the fats group and more of the other three groups.
4. Don’t overload on a certain category of food. Likewise, don’t eat tremendously less than the recommended portion of food for each category.

In conclusion, the level of quality and quantity of the food that a person ingests directly determines the way in which he or she operates.

Dating These Days…

My guest blogger today, Shelby Elkins, is talking about dating and how we don’t take it as seriously as we should these days. Here’s what she has to say:

My generation does not take dating seriously. Rather than asking someone out in person, we direct message someone on social media such as Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter with a cheap pickup line that can end up being degrading. Also, people never call each other anymore. Texting has become a huge part of our relationships and girls think it is romantic to get cute text messages from guys. As technology advances, romance gets lost.

And what ever happened to dressing up for dates? Girls and guys used to get dressed up and look their best to go out with their partner. Now going on a date has vanished and turned into people texting each other to come over when they are bored.

We should never settle for just Netflix dates or text message romances. We deserve more. It seems like young people today are not willing to invest in relationships like people did years ago, not just with money, but with time. I think love is worth fighting for and it starts with pushing against what has become our norm.

Smokers, Beware

Guest blogger Tyler Thomas warns readers about the effects of smoking.

As of 2014, 16.8% (or 40 million) U.S. Americans smoke cigarettes according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking cigarettes not only causes harm to your physical health, but it can also cause harm to your emotional and financial health. Although smoking cigarettes can sometimes relieve stress, it isn’t worth it. Here’s why: Smoking can cause

1. Bodily damage:  Smoking can cause lung cancer and can lead to collapsing lungs and shortness of breath.
2. Emotional damage: Smoking can lead to depression and isolation.
3. Financial stress: Smoking cigarettes can cause financial stress simply because you are spending money daily to buy cigarettes when you could be saving money or spending it on something more useful.

Spending money on cigarettes is spending money to have lung or heart problems. And while smoking is a hard habit to kick, it could end up saving you more than money—it could end up saving your life.

Anxious for Nov. 9th

“Stop using social media as a platform to spew political agenda,” says guest blogger Reagan Smith.  He writes: Many dread this season every four years because of the non-stop mudslinging campaigns and tiring speeches, debates, and campaigns. However, this year has just proved to be too much. A Facebook or Twitter user today cannot look at his feed without noticing an article about Donald Trump’s racism or Hillary Clinton’s emails. Many dream of the ninth of November and beyond—those glorious days when our next president has been elected.

Everyone has differing views. Therefore, no one can avoid arguing when it comes to politics. For example, my grandmother is a staunch Democrat, and she will surely vote for Clinton. My mother, while a Ben Carson supporter, has unwillingly given her support to Trump. A cousin “Feels the Bern” but has momentarily cast him aside for Hillary. A close friend has remained loyal to Trump throughout the election, even titling his election speech for Honor Society Vice President, “Make Honor Society Great Again.” I use these examples to show the diversity of people—all of whom I am closely associated with. Even within my small circle, very different views have arisen. This has made me all the more anxious for November 9.

What is even more agitating? Looking at social media has been impossible without seeing articles demonstrating how deplorable the opponent is. It is time to leave these political differences in the ballot box and stop alienating others with our comments online.