Blog #2

Between Brooks and Blow, I believe Blow is more successful in delivering his thesis statement. First, he used a lot of concrete words and paragraphs to explain his son’s experience. For example, ‘This is how my son remembers it’ and ‘Then this’. Both two sentence are separated into separate paragraphs throughout the story. It is easier for the reader to understand the whole thing. Second, he also used abstract words and paragraphs to communicate his ideas to the readers. Such as the the second half of the article-’ Now, don’t get me wrong: If indeed my son matched the description of a suspect, I would have had no problem with him being questioned appropriately…’ These paragraph is the writer’s inner thought. Which is not physical, we cannot touch thought. Furthermore, the writing technique of combining abstract and concrete can arouse readers’ interest and make them think deeply.

Compared with Blow, I disagree with David Brooks. Because after reading "Building Attention Span," I just know two different lifestyles. One is fluid intelligence and the other is crystallizing intelligence. This article didn’t leave me with a deep impression. David Brooks just used abstract words to explain his point. Without the narrative to bear witness, his essay seems hollow and vapid. Also, David Brooks doesn’t  make his point. It is up to the reader to deduce his point. Some people think he approved fluid intelligence, but others believe he agreed with crystallizing intelligence. The main point is not clear. As far as I am concerned, I believe David Brooks should increase some abstract words, which can enhance readers’ interest in reading. And also, he needs to express his point.

The first month of the spring 2019, we read and thought and then more intentional gathered to talk and compare, which seems like a book club.  David Brooks thought crystallized intelligence is more like being a member of a book club. The first month of study is more like crystallized intelligence. Also, when we learned a new word. We use context words, signal words, antonyms and synonyms to comprehend the new word. It is the ability to make analogies and comparisons about things we have studied before. Besides, if there is a new word, we need to remember it, understand its meaning, apply it in the phase, evaluate and create. The process is more like linear, which can accumulates over the years and leads ultimately to understanding and wisdom.