Sexism In Language

Yes I agree that there is sexism in the English Language, and I think it will always be there. Men have invented everything women have wanted and plus. Men invented the English Language, so having many play-on words were bound to happen. I think the author should just accept how language is, and how it will always be and to stop complaining and to go wash some dishes.

The Lie Detector

In his writing, Lie Detector, Lewis Thomas writes how the Lie Detector (the machine) is a new great tool that can recognize if one is telling a lie by monitoring the heart beat, skin conductivity and other means. Thomas, thus concludes, through scientific means, that lying is biologically incorrect. That our body changes whenever we tell a lie. And thus we humans naturally have a compulsion to be moral.
I agree that we are biologically made not to lie. But I also disagree, because Lie Detectors are not 100% and trained CIA and other agencies can be trained to lie and not be detected. Maybe 99% of the population biologically has a response to lying and maybe 1% of the population who is superior and illicit no response when lying. Any person trained to beat the Lie Detector test is somewhat superior to a person who is not trained to beat it. Thomas did not speak on this technique (beating the Lie Detector) and was probably not aware of it.

Why We Crave Horror Movies

Yes I do agree in Stephen King's premise that we are all insane, somewhat. I agree with him in that he is telling the reader that we do have a weird lust for "sick" or "anti-civilization" things, that need to be released from within us, an example watching horror films. We like seeing nasty things in horror movies, we like being scared, we like seeing gore, we like seeing people get killed and what not on film. And I agree with King that this behavior does seem insane, but the truth is, that desire for gore and violence is within us. And I would think so especially since we are so civilized, the violent instinct within us (due to evolution and survival of the fittest) is dumbed down and never comes out.

My Wood

Foster's Essay "My Wood" is really about building an empire, because like an empire, owning and gaining property is like building and maintaining an empire in the sense that you have to conquer more, learn how to conquer, and learn how to not get struck-back (pushed back by the mass) and protect it. The author addresses each problem/challenge of having a property and in each is a fruit rich of knowledge on building an empire. First, "it makes me heavy", responsibility. Second, "it makes me feel it ought to be larger", greed. Third, "restlessness", boredom which may lead to more greed. Fourth, "blackberries", protecting your empire. Very quick watered down, but heavy stuff.

Fable for Tomorrow

The first attack on Rachel Carson are, calling her hysterical, unqualified and her sayings as junk science.
This point is misguided because, even though it seemed hysterical and against what was probably said and mainly known about pesticides, ignorance was at hand in here.
Secondly, the old attack on Carson, saying that we (Americans) followed what she said for us to do (research pesticides [probably implying to stop using them]), insects and disease would take over mankind, like in the Stone Age or of something of that magnitude.

Grant and Lee: A Study In Contrasts

The author Catton focuses mainly in Grant's and Lee's Personality and what they believed in.
While they were both very different in to what they believed in, they have very similar unifying qualities. They were strong men, they were marvelous fighters, and their fighting qualities were very alike. They also had "the great virtue of utter tenacity and fidelity". They would both fight to the finish on their feet. And they both were quick thinkers, and able to think faster than their enemies.

Neat People vs. Sloppy People

Britt's essay is a very fun read, from the get-go it gives a twist on what one would think a neat and a sloppy person would be or is, she gives her view on things on this in her essay "Neat People vs Sloppy People". One would think that a neat person would be someone who is very hard-working or of something in that nature, as I do. But Suzanne Britt, describes neat people as lazy instead of calling sloppy people lazy, seeming very contradictory, one would think that a lazy person would be sloppy and not giving effort with her example being that neat people are lazier and do not waste time collecting family heirlooms and birthday cards, newspaper, etc. She has a different outlook on things, that makes a lot of sense if looked from her perspective (a realist in my opinion). She favors neat people of course, because she has a very condescending tone when talking about the sloppy people such as them not ever doing anything and just putting big time consuming tasks such as cleaning out the desk or planning to read all the back issues of the New Yorker. And if you would assume that the author shared the same cultural values as in the United States (where she is from) you would definitely agree that she favors neat people since it is mainly about results here.