The Rhetoric of Being a Masshole

In lieu of the recent and heartbreaking loss to the Giants in the Super Bowl, I've decided to write about Boston. Boston is known for many things, some more famous than others. We're obnoxious sports fans, Brady-worshippers, terrible drivers, and everyone has that uncle that worked for Whitey. Just like any other city, we're loud and proud. But ever since I've been eight hours away from home at Penn State this year, I've realized just how different Boston is. What I tend to say as a colloquial expression is absolutely foreign here. I mean, God forbid i ever say "wicked." How does not one person out of a 40,000 student body not know what a rotary is? Or even a frap or beruit for that matter. 

As I was visiting Boston over Christmas Break, I noticed a certain picture taken from a magazine, blown up, and distributed by the mass to everyone in the city at the time. To say this picture was in high demand would really be an understatement. However, it’s one of my favorite pictures. Ever. As you can see below, it’s loud, it’s proud, and it’s aggressive as hell. It’s encompasses everything about my city so well. We are die-hard fans who love the sports a little too much. I think the “loozah” ties it all together so well. It illustrates our culture and pride and basically shows everyone what we’re all about. Win or loose, I love my city and wouldn’t trade it for the world. Welcome to Boston, loozah.

Renovating a Kitchen with Bud Light

As I was looking up past Super Bowl commercials the other day after our last English class, I started to notice the usage of kairos more and more. The purposeful details that particular commercials utilized were really effective in broadcasting their products to certain audiences. The commercial I chose was a Bud Light advertisement where a couple was getting their kitchen redone. Instead of refurnishing the kitchen, a case of Bud Light was put on the counter. Obviously the wife wasn't too happy and was expecting an actual renovation, but the funny part was that the husband was more than thrilled. Just putting the Bud Light case on the kitchen counter was enough for him. This advertisement really appealed to men because it mocked how women are really interested in home improvement details while the men couldn't really care less. The "host" of the show then goes on to talk about the landscaping being done to the yard. This landscaping is really just filling the yard with more beer. As a female, I thought the mockery of the home improvement shows was hilarious, so it appealed to me as well. This advertisement appeals to men because it highlights the simplicity of a man's thought; all you need is beer. It's a man's commercial, but the humor appeals to women as well. This advertisement discusses the commonplaces among most males but does it in a way that brings humor to the whole situation, which makes for a very successful ad.

Bud Light Super Bowl 2011 Advertisement

This I Believe

WE ARE...because YOU WERE

After watching the memorial service held in the Bryce Jordan Center commemorating Joe Paterno’s death, I am overcome with immense feelings of pride toward my university. The speeches were incredibly powerful and moving, to say the least. The rhetoric used by the speakers was so respectful and impressive that I was left speechless after every single delivery. The words of the CEO of the Nike Corporation, Phil Knight, particularly grabbed my attention. His delivery made it seem as if I could listen to him for hours; he was so steady and collected, it just exuded respect for the entire service. While also honoring and commemorating the life of a great man, Knight bravely addressed the situation no one else dared to speak of: the scandal. During his speech, Knight stated, “If there is a villain in this tragedy, it lies in that investigation, not in Joe Paterno’s response…Joe is my hero for twelve of the last twelve years…begs the question, who is the real trustee at Penn State University?” Knight received a standing ovation for these words shortly after. I think these words were so well received because he touched on a subject so taboo at the time that its delivery was almost appreciated by Knight’s audience.

I believe Knight’s words demand a reaction from Penn State’s administration because of the way they were so directly stated. The beauty of this rhetoric is that is has made us as a university think about our actions and how we have handled the whole situation in the past ten weeks. His expression of disappointment in Penn State almost jumped out at the audience during his speech and was felt with so many different emotions. I think the power of his rhetoric gave him the ability to connect with thousands of people over such a sad service. Knight was incredibly well spoken and clearly put a lot of thought into the structure and diction of his speech. It was admirable to see such educated and well-spoken people such as Knight be able to celebrate Joe Paterno’s life and comment on the impact he has had on them.

Analyzing the Rhetoric of "a Football Team with a Good University"

As I strolled downtown Wednesday afternoon, I noticed a rather "prideful" Joe Paterno shirt in a storefront window. This particular shirt I showed a picture of Beaver Stadium. Underneath the stadium read the phrase "Beaver Stadium- the House that JoePa built." In light of the chaos regarding the Sandusky scandal in the past few months, it is a blessing to see such pride and unity radiating throughout the student body; however, I'm afraid some things are being taken too far. It is clear that our University wants to move forward from this disaster, but the rhetoric used when describing the new era of Penn State Football in particular sends off a surprisingly negative vibe. Producing products such as the shirt I glanced over downtown discourage the public from accepting change. In such an attempt to remain positive about Bill O’Brien’s new reign, I feel as though our University is almost in a “cult-like” obsession with Joe Paterno’s previous years. The rhetoric used in the post-Paterno products suggests an unwelcoming feeling toward the upcoming Bill O’Brien years.

NY Daily News

         In the midst of the outrage over the scandal, t-shirts emerged which promoted Joe Paterno as a god-like figure. I understand the need for pride at such a dark hour, but the rhetoric of these shirts made moving forward almost impossible because our student body was fixated on saving Joe. The amount of pathos exuded from these products inhibits the logos of the people. The rhetoric of the post-Paterno products is sending the wrong message. Instead of obnoxiously worshipping Paterno, we should acknowledge his accomplishments and give O’Brien a warm welcome. WE ARE…supposed to be moving forward, not stuck in the past.