The Quasi-Fulfillment of Escape and Servitude

I honestly believe that this week's theme in all of my classes has been variety. That noisome reminder in my head that I must continue to expand my knowledge in a multitude of ways with the purpose of raising my intellectual capacity has created an entirely new hierarchy of madness. More reading, more television watching, more music listening, and much more thinking; a fait accompli but yet so daunting and of a task for me to encounter on a daily basis. After reading two books, watching two television shows, and listening to hundreds of songs, the impact one book and one episode of a TV sitcom had on me this week was almost chimerical.

Indulging in a few books throughout the past few days seemed to be pretty difficult for me, but I was given a great chance to pick up on a great start while driving 5 hours in a car to Pennsylvania.  The Good Times Are Killing Me intrigues my train of thoughts when it deals with the societal implications people are faced with every day. Moreover, the chance for opportunity diminishes depending on what environment one is exposed to at first hand. After reading approximately one hundred pages of Lynda Barry’s prolific novel, I finally was able to make those conclusions shown above after the events that Edna Arkins must deal with to prosper in life. As the story progresses and the depth of Edna’s character surges, music ends up becoming a great escape to the troubles in her life. The ingenuous innovation of the Record Player Night Club institutes a widespread internal sense of approval which motivates her to even greater extents to pursue the dreams she has. How ironic that her escape from her disturbed environment taken place in her own home is in the basement.

To conclude this overly-extensive blog, I experienced a wild sense of euphoria during the prelude currently of one of the most beloved sitcoms on TV of mine, Wilfred. To begin each episode, a random quote is displayed on the screen to symbolize or foreshadow the theme of all that will happen during the 30-minute show. I was so intrigued by this quote by Lee Iacocca that it was essential for me to put into words what I was feeling at the time I read it.

 “The thing that lies at the foundation of positive change is service to a fellow human being."

This fascinating statement by such a brilliant and groundbreaking businessman completely altered my understanding of our motives for serving others. Do we solely provide assistance to others because it will make us feel better? Or do we genuinely want to deliver relief to one’s grievances in order to benefit them? After thirty minutes of witty, comical, and rib-tickling raillery, it was transparent that my first possible motive for service was the direction the show took the idea. My final analysis to this decision to base the show off that particular theme led to another question, “why is that we only do things to solely benefit our own well-being?

 I guess my parents were wrong when they said that TV will only make me dumber.