News & Feature Writing

The following is a conversation between an employee and their therapist. All names have been blocked out.

Growing up, the idea of having therapy online seemed futuristic. However, today a majority of my therapy is done online. Maybe not through artificial intelligence (AI), but through video calls on platforms like Zoom. In contrast, my younger brother Landon, who is 14, has been immersed in AI from a young age; from schoolwork, to daily routines, to practice, AI is everywhere. I plan to explore AI, which was once a distant concept, and how it has become an integral part of everyday life. As well as how AI has evolved from its early conceptual stages to its widespread use in education and personal life, and what this rapid integration means for future generations.

The Turing Test is one that many people know the name of, but can’t pinpoint what it is exactly. 

In 1950, Alan Turing became famous for his measure of a machine’s ability to exhibit intelligent behavior known as the Turing Test. It was in his seminal paper “Computing Machinery and Intelligence” that the Turing Test was brought to the world.

That conversation from earlier, is still a conversation between an employee and something they consider to be their therapist. However, the therapist isn’t real; the therapist is AI. Here’s the unedited image, with the employee’s name still blocked out.

While AI therapy isn’t in the near future for most…

Logic theorist…

Landon interview…

Conclusion…

When given the assignment to give out some gummy candy for free to my peers, I figured it would be easy as pie to get rid of it and get some good quotes. 

I was asked which kind of gummy I wanted to give out. We were given the options of Scooby-Doo, Marvel, and Pokémon. Originally, I wanted the Scooby Doo gummies, as they were a huge part of my childhood. I was second to pick, so naturally the Scooby Doo gummies were gone.

I decided to grab the Pokemon gummies instead. Pokémon, just like Scooby Doo, was a large part of how I grew up. My theory in choosing these specific ones was that people would see Pokémon and ask me directly if they could have a package.

The first person given a bag was Samantha Schieffen. She saw my box and kept eyeing it during class. Eventually, I asked her if she wanted a bag of gummies and she enthusiastically said yes. While she picked one out she asked, “Squirtle is my favorite, is there a bag with him on the outside?” With joy in her voice she eagerly said that she found the bag. 

After class I had my work study at Grace UMC just behind Morningside’s Science Center. It was during my work study that I got another bag given away. My boss, Tamera, had mentioned being hungry offhandedly when I walked into her office. I asked her after our initial meeting if she would like a bag and she said, “Oh, sure I’ll take one from you!” Two bags down.

Finally, I brought the box, which had eight bags left, to practice. The first person I asked didn’t want one, she said she didn’t like gummy food stuck in her teeth. The second person I asked seemed skeptical, took a bag, and I’m pretty sure she didn’t eat more than two before throwing it away.

I asked the boys team if they wanted any and I wound up with two left in my box. I left the box alone for a couple of hours while I practiced, hoping someone would just grab a bag or finish off the box for me. As I finished packing everything up, I went to grab my box and it was gone. Sometime between the start and end of me getting everything ready to go, someone took the last two bags and the box.

I never found out who stole my box of gummies. Thinking back, maybe giving away free food with no consequences or asking for names isn’t the smartest thing to do since people can do whatever they want with them.

Gummies or no gummies, free food is free food!

Select an article from one of the story sites linked on Moodle 
(I will also include link to other story options). In a blog post, discuss its “characters,” narrative structure, and themes; What is it “about”? And considering Hersey: Do you believe the story is “true”?

*I would like to preface this by saying that I had a previous post up, but didn’t realize I was supposed to use the full article. I had it typed out on the assumption it was the summary on Longreads. This is the new version.*

The story I chose was titled The Great Cajun Turtle Heist.

There are many characters throughout the article, but a few stand out.

1. John O’Neill: The individual who was investigating the illegal poaching of the alligator snapping turtles.
2. Steve Barlow: An alligator snapping turtle dealer; his operations are a central focus of the investigation.
3. Brian and Melissa McLaren: A couple who illegally harvested and trafficked alligator snapping turtles.
4. Other general poachers: Many names are mentioned, but Barlow and the McLaren’s are the ones who are focused on most. Other poachers were involved in the turtles by either capturing or selling them.

The article follows the Kebab structure. The opening is full of vivid imagery that captures the audience’s attention. The body is full of facts and overall background information, details, and personal stories. The article finally has a full circle event, the people get caught and the reader feels satisfied.

The story overall is about the illegal trafficking of alligator snapping turtles, focusing on how poachers and dealers exploit these endangered animals for profit. It also discusses the efforts conservationists go to fight the continued poaching.

I would like to say this story is true. However, I feel like the author constantly has a slight bias. The difference in amount of storytelling from the point of view of John O’Neill vs the couple makes me feel like the story focuses mostly on the poaching, but more specifically how O’Neill is the hero. The story is listed under the TexasMonthly True Crime category, so I think the story itself is true. After the conversation we had about implicit bias we had in class recently, I feel like no story can be truly “true.”

Pick one news story and make a list of five additional feature–ish stories that could come out of that same event/story. Which one would you most like to do? Why?

Talk with Taylor or her team, ask how they’re doing now and how they feel about upcoming concerts

Reach out to Austrian fans and ask how they feel about the whole situation

Try to get ahold of David S. Cohen to see how he, and possibly his team, feel about how many threats have been going to concerts recently

Reach out to the following concert venues and ask what their plans are for the future

Take a moment to consider the question, “Why do we ‘need’ stories?” Define what a story is, then explain why we need them (or why we don’t).

I feel like we need stories, point-blank period.

To me, a story is an expression of oneself through means of vocal or visual. Visual storytelling has recently seen an increase in popularity thanks to platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Before those platforms, most of storytelling would be done through paintings, writings on paper/stone, and live performances like modern slam poetry. People tend to relate themselves to stories they hear or see from other people.

Coming from someone who has done her fair share of therapy, we need stories. The best way I found to express myself has been through things like journaling, talking things through, and finding other people who have been through the same major life events. As a society I think stories and storytelling helps us. Not only can it help individuals get to understand each other better, but stories also can help to distract groups of people from other major negative topics. When Covid first started, for example, many students at my high school pointed out the similarities between Covid lockdown and when they would get grounded. The stories about being locked in your room with no access to the outside world made everyone in our situation feel a little more comfortable.

Describe:

a) the types of stories you most enjoy — to read and to write

The stories I tend to gravitate towards are realistic and science fiction. Nonfiction stories never really have fully grasped my interest, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve recognized the impact nonfiction has on the world; because of this, I have been meaning to read more nonfiction. I usually write creative nonfiction. While in my Brendan Todt class, I used a largely first person perspective to make the reader feel like they were walking the day in my shoes. Creative nonfiction feels like a safe space for rambling and venting, especially when it is done as a means of expressing myself.

b) what do you want to accomplish this semester?

I hope to feel more confident in my both my writing and creative writing skills. I know that my creative writing tends to lean heavily towards my personal experiences, whether they be positive or negative. With this class, I am hoping to push myself to integrate outside information more smoothly.

Look at my about me as it’s not fully updated!