Are Real or Imaginative Stories More Appealing

Generally, a library has two main sections, fiction and nonfiction. The nonfiction section is generally populated by students gathering information for research papers, projects, etc... The fiction section is full of kids and adults alike scanning the books looking for something to spend their free time reading. In this case, the nonfiction section would be the realist section. The fiction section would be the romantic section. People like to read about perfection, perfect lives, perfect conflicts that work out perfectly. It appeals to our senses. We can look at many successful books based on imagination. We have the hugely successful Harry Potter, it has many realistic conflicts however, the way these conflicts are interpreted (generally through magic) is what makes these books interesting. It is something interesting to read about because we can not ourselves fathom this world that is being described. Twilight is another series that has been very successful and used romantic ideals. There are vampires and love and werewolves and hate. Over time, people just become engrossed in this new world opened to them. I suppose there are books that have been "best sellers" in the nonfiction section but I for the life of me, can not name a single one.
Another example of imagination being more appealing than real stories is the ever fantastic world of Disney. The Disney Channel relies on their shows taking place in a plot line that most people have not themselves experienced. For example, Wizards of Waverly Place involves wizards which none of us have ever had to deal with that sort of secret. Another prime example is Hannah Montana, no one can imagine how it is to deal with two seperate lives. Phineas and Ferb is definately unrealistic, no one can build a record breaking roller coaster in one day when they are not even in high school yet. Even the Disney Classics such as Peter Pan, Cinderella, Snow White, Mulan, and even the mascot himself, Mickey Mouse are all unrealistic with idealized traits and happy stories that appeal to people. Overall I believe that Imaginative stories are more appealing because of the unrealistic and unfathomable nature of them.

Trancendental schools

This week we had to create a Trancendental school and present it to the class. The trancendentalists beleived in simplicity, connecting to nature, and individuality. Schools in our systems today have rules that limit individuality, complicated lives that are far from simplistic and often the closest we get to nature is the documentary about reproduction in biology class. Some groups had creative and innovative ways to create trancendental schools. Many had outdoor classrooms and or gardens. Some had drawings each day to decide the class schedule for that day as well as to avoid a pattern of life. I thought that this was exceedingly smart because many other groups simply let you choose what classes you take which is similar to what we have now anyways. Regarding nature many groups had bird watching clubs and classes outdoors. Many had environmental science which helps to connect to nature. For the project it was required to make a model of the school. Some had pictures, others had small scale 3-D boards.
Thinking about what a trancendental school would be like is interesting. Every student must maintain individuality and must not respond to others with feelings of jealousy, envy, or any other strong emotion. This in of itself would be extremely difficult since it is often times almost impossible not to compare yourself with others. A trancendental school however, may seem to be more laid back due to individuality and non conformity. This means that often, these model schools would have had only a few classes a day or short classes depending on the teacher's schedule for the day. There is a constant change of atmosphere for the children of these schools. When comparing this type of school to the type we have now, it is extremely different. We often have some sort of drama going on in one place or another and there are clubs that keep people together and on a similar schedule. This is the opposite of nonconformity and individuality. There are other interesting differences in the way that a trancendental school would be focused on connecting with nature and feeling your outside surroundings through calm and slow days while now we focus on how to work the next big piece of technology or study research effectively. We also have busy schedules that often keep us running around until dark or later. I find it interesting that some people lived like this at one point and right now it is impossible to imagine how they survived. Overall I think I prefer the way my life is lived now, active and conformed.

Elaboration of Transcendentalism Survey (3 examples)

It's ok to be jealous sometimes-theres always someone who has it better than you. I beleive that this is true. It is ok to be jealous of someone sometimes. The world is built on jealousy. We go to the gym not because we want to be in shape but because we want to be as skinny or skinnier than that model on the magazine cover. We are jealous that the other girl has a small figure and want the same for ourselves. The same goes for grades. When the person next to you gets a 97 on a test and you get an 81, then you get jealous of the 97 and work harder to bring up your grades yourselves. This is constructive and helps more often than not. However, there are times when one should not be jealous. It should not take over someone's mind, that is like a virus spreading. Too much jealousy leads to conflict which leads to more jealousy. Therefore, jealousy can be a constructive tool, however; there is such thing as too much. Jealousy quickly transforms to a green monster.
You should always trust yourself. I beleive this to be true as well. In school, teachers tell us to go with our intuitive answer and it will often be the correct one. I have  had first hand experience with changing my answer and changing it incorrectly so I understand where this trust comes from. It is sometimes difficult to understand that you may not think you are right but you are. It is unnerving to beleive in yourself but it is often rewarding. However, if you are trusting in yourself that you are wrong, that is correct too. Not everyone can be right all the time so trust your intuition whether it tells you that you are doing the right or wrong thing and just go with it, see what happens.
It's ok to contradict yourself; it's okay to change your opinions often. I think that this is true as well. Everyone has stated an opinion and during a conversation changed their mind. Do not be embarrassed to admit that you are wrong. Instead be embarrassed that you didn't want to admit your wrong. It makes a better person to change opinions openly and often. It gives more perspective to a situation and that trait comes in handy later in life.