Pls. critique essay
1. Stanford students are widely known to possess a sense of intellectual vitality. Tell us about an idea or an experience you have had that you find intellectually engaging.
I grew up watching TV shows about vampires and ghosts. Horror movies and supernatural stories fascinated me because they represented my love for the unique and unknown. In sixth grade there was a requirement for a TAG (Talented and Gifted) project, it was not surprising that I choose "Cannibalism" as my topic. This however would be unusual for someone of my generation. Most of my classmates have already picked the usual topics: Brett Favre, Ipods, etc., but I knew mine is interesting because it is going to be unique. It proved to be true. However, my perceptions of cannibalism changed after doing my project. At first, I pictured a poster filled with bloodthirsty ancient primitive tribes roasting humans over fire. Most of the cannibals, however, are normal human beings. Caught by irreversible forces, many were forced to survive on the flesh of their loved ones. In Andes Flight disaster, survivors had to collect flesh from their comrades in order to feed themselves. All of them were Roman Catholics. These are not tribal people. In one documentary, I could see one person' anguish as he talked of his experiences. It's amazing how humans can do the unthinkable in order to survive. My research uncovered a new learning. Cannibalism is not only a primitive ritual but also a mode of survival. I changed my poster to reflect my new discovery. Perceptions are always unreliable. It can be corrected by careful research and challenging perceptions. My questioning attitude remains until today.
1. Stanford students are widely known to possess a sense of intellectual vitality. Tell us about an idea or an experience you have had that you find intellectually engaging.
I grew up watching TV shows about vampires and ghosts. Horror movies and supernatural stories fascinated me because they represented my love for the unique and unknown. In sixth grade there was a requirement for a TAG (Talented and Gifted) project, it was not surprising that I choose "Cannibalism" as my topic. This however would be unusual for someone of my generation. Most of my classmates have already picked the usual topics: Brett Favre, Ipods, etc., but I knew mine is interesting because it is going to be unique. It proved to be true. However, my perceptions of cannibalism changed after doing my project. At first, I pictured a poster filled with bloodthirsty ancient primitive tribes roasting humans over fire. Most of the cannibals, however, are normal human beings. Caught by irreversible forces, many were forced to survive on the flesh of their loved ones. In Andes Flight disaster, survivors had to collect flesh from their comrades in order to feed themselves. All of them were Roman Catholics. These are not tribal people. In one documentary, I could see one person' anguish as he talked of his experiences. It's amazing how humans can do the unthinkable in order to survive. My research uncovered a new learning. Cannibalism is not only a primitive ritual but also a mode of survival. I changed my poster to reflect my new discovery. Perceptions are always unreliable. It can be corrected by careful research and challenging perceptions. My questioning attitude remains until today.