Chp. 1 Response

So the author starts out the story by telling the narrative in third person. Third person, I find is easiest to read and understand because you don't get only one perspective. You sort of get everyone's general view on things.  The author also uses a lot of descriptive words to show of just what the island looks like. So far, the authors attitude about the story is well paced and deliberate. He only tells and describes to you what he wants you to know.

Utopia

Well if I was stuck on a deserted with a group of my peers, the utopia I would create would look kinda like this. First off we would leave the most capable person to lead, as that person would be the most qualified. Next would probably be splitting up into groups and taking over different parts of the island so we wouldn't have potential for confrontation in the future. As the community evolved, I feel we would lean more towards a group democracy with a majority vote for making important decisions. Making the entire group have a say in matters would ease some doubt's about certain decisions.
Each person would have their general role and responsibility. One person might be the guy to get firewood or get food or water. Sharing the role of surviving together would encourage teamwork and smooth out relationships. We wouldn't have an actual currency, just general trade between each other in case someone wants something another person has. All in all, our utopia would be one with a well running government, equal rights for everyone, shared roles, and a trading economy.

Essential Questions

Why do some societies fall while others thrive? Because some societies have internal problems like conflicting ideologies and freedom vs security.  They might have external problems like not enough resources or war.

How do humans react to isolation? Sometimes, humans need to separate themselves from society for a little to gather their thoughts. It can be peaceful or awful depending on the situation. 

How do rules and morals function to create a good society? When their are consequences to bad actions, humans will understand not to do that. Rules and morals limits chaos and keeps order in a society.

How does society influence a persons awareness of reality and the self? Society   could change the way you think. The masses have the power to sway your decisions and beliefs depending on what is popular or the things everyone is doing.

Stand by me first person journal 2

As we were reaching the end of our trip, we stopped that night to take a breather and rest. We set up and campfire and swapped stories, it was a good time. About halfway into the night, we heard howling in the woods. Turns out it was coyotes. Thinking on it, we all decided to take turns with the gun watching over the camp. Teddy went first of course and drove us crazy with his stupid army stuff. Then Vern nearly killed us all with his fear for the unknown and his trigger finger with the gun. Then Chris got a turn with the gun, and I decided to join him to keep company.                                                                               After a little while, Chris started to tell me a story of how he got accused for stealing a kids lunch money. I asked him if he really had, and he said of course he had. After he had stollen the money, he felt bad for doing it so gave the money back to one of the teachers in the school. He started to break down saying the day after he had given her the lunch money, she came to school with a new suit. He cried about how he was taken advantage of and how he wished no one knew him so he could have a fresh start.

Stand by me first person journal

Today Chris showed me the first gun I had ever seen in person. It was a sleek, metallic looking gun. Need I remind you that it was real? Of course, I wondered where the heck he had gotten it from. He told me he had gotten it from his dads gun drawer. We were both excited to see it being pulled out. I asked him if I could hold it and he lent it to me for a moment. I played around with the gun for a bit before asking him if the gun was loaded. He said it wasn't so I pulled the trigger into a random empty barrel and bam, I shot it. Guess it was loaded.
        We ran as fast and far as we could to prevent anyone from seeing us and landing us in a lot of trouble. When we stopped, I confronted Chris saying he knew it was loaded and prompted me to pull the trigger. I had trusted him and he had lied to me. He profusely said he had no idea it was loaded and didn't lie to me. He pinky swore on it. Well, I guess he really did not know it was loaded. I have to be able to trust my friends, especially me best friend.