Brainblast!

As you can tell from my title, I had probably the best epiphany this whole trip today; okay maybe not the best but certainly the most helpful for my research paper.

So since I was beat this morning to the shower again- it’s a never ending silent battle between my suite mates and me- I decided to get a few words in for my research paper. While I was writing, I typed in the most used word in policy debate, hegemony. Hegemony is the predominant influence one has over another. As you can tell, my fondness for policy debate goes with me everywhere. I didn’t think much of it at first; I just went through my daily routine of a shower and such. The only thing I learned at that moment was that I could write one hundred words in ten minutes; after a few calculations, I assumed I could “finish” my research paper in about five hours and ten minutes. Then I assumed my usual routine of getting dressed and going to breakfast.

Once I had my fill, I headed to a different class in the Schermerhorn building for class today. Today we discussed the presidential empathy and how it can be used as an effective tool. If you’ve read my previous blog, you could probably tell my fondness for the article. One of my favorite quotes from the document was from Obama who stated that, “… We live in culture that discourages empathy. A culture that often tells us our principal goal in life is to be rich, thin, young, safe, and entertained. A culture where those in power too often encourage these selfish impulses.” I completely agree with this excerpt; every well to do human should adopt a Carnegie’s “Gospel of Wealth.” But that’s just my opinion on the matter. Since our discussion only lasted about an hour, we watched a few presidential campaign ads from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Barack Obama. And of course at the end, we had to “plan out” ads for this year’s presidential campaign. Unfortunately I had to advocate an anti-Obama ad; it’s quite humorous because every person in my group are Obama supporters. So we thought of a commercial with random people in an elevator waiting for their floor to come but it never arrives. A narrator will then ask them if they’re tired of waiting, the same way Obama has yet to fulfill his promises during his first term. Although I can easily destroy that thought by saying Obama’s agenda will take more than 4 years to complete, hence why he needs a second term.

After an eventful first session, we got lunch and conversed for a while. But as usual, my fatigue kicks out of nowhere and demands I take a nap. So I headed to my dorm for a quick rest before my next class.

My second session was more eventful for me today. So while I was writing my paper, I reread the contents of what I wrote this morning. And after I read the word “hegemony” I felt like such a fool; being a policy debater, I’ve analyzed how different aspects increase and decrease a president’s or nation’s hegemony. So I quickly adjusted my thesis to a policy plan. My paper will now argue that economic policies, international affairs, and social change all affect a nation’s hegemonic status. Thus the status of the nation during a term defines a person’s presidential legacy. During the time attempting to write my paper, I never felt such a huge burden being lifted from my shoulders. Never has such clarity enveloped my mind. Thank the above, now I can do my paper.

Thirty-eight hours lie between me and my deadline. Challenge accepted.