Being Bad Blog questionnaire

Age?
- 19
Sex?
- Female
What is your degree subject (both if joint)?
- English and Creative and Professional Writing.
Does ‘Being Bad’ relate well to the other modules you are taking?
- Not really, but I find it a breath of fresh air from them.
If so, how? And if not, why not?
- The other modules I take are Writing For Children, The Story Of English and Film - Storytelling and Adaptation. The ones I enjoy the most are Being Bad and Film - Storytelling and Adaptation. ‘Being Bad’ doesn’t really relate to my other modules, except maybe the film module in a minor way. It is more up-to-date and thought provoking. The things we talk about in ‘Being Bad’ do not come up in my other modules though. Have you found ‘Being Bad’ too demanding, too easy, or at an appropriate level?
- I think it was an appropriate level. The lectures and assignments worked well together.
Do you think the list of topics covered on the module was appropriate?
- Yes. They were all to do with aspects of ‘Being Bad’ in our society and perfect for the module.
Are there any topics not included in the module that you would like to see included?
- I think the ones covered where fine, but if you were expanding, maybe things like bullying and racism. As these are things we have all been through and can relate to.
Do you think that the format for classes has worked well?
- Yes. Although I think other people in the class didn’t like the class being in the evening as they kept leaving which I found extremely rude and disrespectful to the teacher. I always stayed to the end.
What did you think of the module team?
- I think it was a little confusing having a different teacher for every lesson. It didn’t bother me that much, but I prefer to have a consistent teacher so I can ask questions confidently.
Do you think it would have been better to have had more:
Small group discussions?
Discussion and debate among the class as a whole?
Information and talk from lecturers?
- I think all the above were dealt with well in the classes.
The approach taken in the module is interdisciplinary (drawing on perspectives from English Literature, Film Studies, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies and Politics): do you think this a useful way of approaching the topics covered in the module?
- Yes.
Do you think that interdisciplinary modules are a good idea?
- Yes.
Do you think you have benefited from the interdisciplinary approach taken in the module?
- Yes. It’s made it more insightful and well rounded.
Would you like to see more modules that cover this kind of subject matter?
- Yes. It’s nice to combine aspects 0f different modules.
Are you planning to take the follow-up module PH2004 ‘It Shouldn’t Be Allowed’ at level 2?
- Haven’t decided yet, but if it’s like this one I’ll definitely consider it.
Would you recommend ‘Being Bad’ to a friend?
- Definitely
Do you think that the blogs (web logs) were a good idea?
- I enjoyed doing them, but there were to many rules to abide to for them. I agree you shouldn’t let people do all blogs the day before, but two or three a day should be allowed. (I’m being biased though, because as I haven’t got the Internet at home I had to go the library every time I needed to do one)
What did you think of the other assessments (e.g. would it be better to have one longer assessment rather than two shorter ones?)?
- No, I think two short ones were better because there were a lot of topics covered and this gave people a chance to comment on two.
What have you learned from the module?
- I knew a bit about all topics covered, but this module has given me a lot more information on them and I’ve found out a lot of interesting things. They are things you talk about when you’re discussing issues with friends. What parts of the module have you found most useful and why?
- I liked all the extra information I obtained on topics I thought I knew about. I also liked hearing other people views on topics I felt strongly about.
What parts do you think were a waste of time and why?
- I enjoyed the classes, so if I have to put something down here it will have to be parts of the blog. We needed to do twenty for an A. Maybe this should be put down a bit, as there were only twelve classes.
Are there any other comments you wish to make regarding ‘Being Bad’?
- Thank you for an interesting learning experience.

Comedians

Being someone who loves comedians i was looking forward to this lecture. I found it very interesting and insightful. I don't like comedians who make jokes on purpose to single out certain people. I just don't think its nessesary. I love jokes but when a joke, for example, is racist or sexsist i just don't laugh. I don't know why some comedians do this, maybe they enjoy the publicity they get for how shocking they can be, but to me it would be a better idea to stick to whats right so in that way they appeal to a mass audience and make more money. You don't want a arena full of ten racist twats and no one else do you? Well i would have thought you woulnd't anyway. I don't know any really offensive acts becasue i usually steer clear of them but one comedian i really like is Chris Rock and he caused some trouble in the media with his act about black people. Now Chris Rock is black so it was hard for critics to know what to say (i think), but what happened was this. He has an 'bit' where he compares different types of black people (he called one side 'black people' and the other a word i'm not going to type (by the way another issue to think about is - if one minority group is making fun of it's own race is it ok?). Now this caused a thing in America, but from my point of view i think he was trying to send out a positive message. I don't agree he should have used that word, but what he is trying to do it tell non-black people that all black people are not bad. (After watching an Documenty about gun crime in America i discovered the American media portray African-Americans in an unfair light.) I just think he is trying to say, sure some do commit crimes just like other races, but not all of us do so please don't generalize. That's my reading although i watched his show a while back now but from watching his TV show 'everybody hates Chris' recently i think my thoughts are around the right area.

We also talked about comedians swearing. Now swearing has become the 'norm' nowadays but when you hear a swear word in a joke i think it's the icing on the cake. Mainly becasue it's a taboo (suprisingly) it tops of a joke well and almost solidifys a laugh. The funny thing about swearing is - we don't mind saying it but if someone swears at us its shocking! Am i right? I swear all the time (well i'm not that bad) but when i heard my little sister repeat a swear word from the TV i was shocked and told her off. Swearing for comedians exagerates a joke though and that always gets a laugh.

If your looking for some good comedians (hopefully not nasty ones) in the UK this site is a good one for telling you who's playing and when - http://www.chortle.co.uk/comics/a/

Smoking!!

Well let me state the obvious – Smoking is bad. Yes, we all know that, but then why oh why do people do it??? Especially now when the sighs about it are everywhere. Those smoking adverts are frankly chilling and on nearly every billboard there’s an unsettling picture of someone suffering because of smoking. So is it cool? Well that is what most people think. Smoking has been seen as ‘cool’ for a very long time now. All the old movies feature smoking and all the old TV shows. It’s very uncommon for the ‘cool’ guy or girl in a movie not to be smoking is it? Okay so maybe that guy in the movie does look attractive with it. Note I said looks – what about all the others things smoking does. You can’t smell it on TV can you? If you’re not a smoker and someone is smoking nearby it is sooooo annoying. It smells, it gives you a headache and it makes you, the non-smoker, breathe in the smoke. Also you can’t see the insides of his body can you? Now I’ve seen the effects so much on TV etc smoking had definitely lost his allure. I just don’t know how these people start. I know quiet a few people who smoke. Most of them say it was a social thing. They started because everyone was doing it when they went out and they just…started…magically. Most people want to stop. Well they say they do, or is that just to shut me up? But it’s too hard! That’s what they all say. Okay I agree it must be hard as it’s an addiction, but if you do really want to do it – you can. I know people who have given up too and it was only because they really REALLY wanted too.It’s really up to you. You can’t stop people in the media making it seem cool, but you can do something by not smoking and being around people who don’t smoke. Think of the white teeth and clean fingernails.
Here's a good site that tells you the reasons why to stop and how you can do it - http:/www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/asp/healthy_living/lifestyle/smoking/

Being to religious

In this day and age religion seems to have taken a backseat in many of our lives and this is mainly down to the lifestyles we lead. Before technology religion was a given and you prayed to the God you were brought up knowing and obeyed his rules. But now, in this three-minute culture, people don’t have time to visit holy buildings and obey rules. As time has gone on the world has become more competitive and taking hold of your own life seemed to be stressful enough without extra commitments. To be honest I couldn’t tell you why people stop believing in God. Maybe it’s because of the world we live in. Maybe they ask themselves if there was a God why does he let all the pain and suffering go on in the world? It’s really down to the individual and their experiences. Then again I couldn’t tell you why some people have excessive religious behaviour. Again it is down to that person.In my opinion I don’t mind what you believe in. You could be any religion under the sun and I wouldn’t hold it against you. When I make friends I only care if they are a nice person. Problems arise when people are too openly excessive in their beliefs. If someone believes in something that’s fine. More power to you. But when people make it abundantly clear that you are WRONG if you don’t agree with them, that’s when problems occur. I don’t understand why people feel it necessary to force their beliefs on you. If God made all of us isn’t he watching over all of us no matter what we believe in? Religion should be open. You shouldn’t have to undergo tests or anything you should just be able to believe what you want to.If a friend of mine joined a cult I must admit I would worry. If they suddenly started changing their lifestyle and stopped talking to me for example I would be very concerned. I’d have to have a deep conversation with them and find out firstly if they are really happy and secondly if it is healthy. Let’s hope that never happens though ay.

Here is an eye opening site about extremists - http://www.meta-religion.com/Extremism/extremism.htm

Body Modification

This lesson really did teach me something about this subject. Before hand I just thought tattoos were cool. I never knew such history was behind them. And piercing? Well I was never really to keen on them anyway because I happen to be allergic to pain (except my ear piercing and that’s only because I was young when I had that done) but the extent to which some go to with this art is shocking. Of course it all does come down to freedom of choice and if you want a tattoo or piercing you can have one. It’s your body.In don’t have a problem with people who have tattoos or piercing. It’s their choice. But with some forms (like the particularly hardcore ones we saw in the lecture) you do wonder the question ‘why?’ Some people go to extreme and painful lengths and the process is shocking to witness, but again, it’s their body not yours so are we allowed to pass judgement?When it comes to things like plastic surgery I tend to hold the opinion ‘why can’t people just be happy with what God gave them?’ I do find it vain but again, I’m sounding like a broken record I know, it’s their body so let them. However sometimes, like the extreme piercing we saw, it becomes a kind of addiction. People do want to see how many they can have etc.I think fashion does play a huge part in body modification. Today’s body modification anyway. We seem to be hitting a ‘no holds barred’ in this area with people using technology to push boundaries. All I can say it ‘it’s your choice.’

For a good site about tattoo designs got to - http://www.tattoofashion.com/

Reply to Mandeep Dhillon

What Mandeep said -
I think a person can only be called a prostitute if she or he takes money from someone and then provides sex. Someone who takes money from but doesn’t provide sex shouldn’t be called a prostitute because; she or he didn’t have the intention to present sex. However he or she can be seen as a thief as the money was handed over, but didn’t supply what the “customer” wanted. This I think is at the same level as socially unacceptable, as the “prostitutes” still have the intention to be paid for sex.

My Response -
I agree with the statement that you can only call a person a prostitute is they take money for sex. If someone gives the inkiling they will 'put out' for money it is not prostitusion, it is conning. They are conning that person and the person is falling for it.
I agree they are theifs but not prostitutes. Stealing and selling your body are two completly different things. They are both wrong but very different.
The extract we wacthed was an example of conning. This form of being bad depends on the person you're connings gulability. It is kind of their fault for assuming the girl is going to be a whore. It is there choice to hand over the money. She dosen't have a gun to his head. I guess it's the basic 'a women abusing her power over a man'. Make a man think he'll get sex and he'll do anything.