Eliezer Natera

  Blog Post: Are We Only Products of Our Environment? The question of whether we are products of our environment is deeper than most people realize. In The Other Wes Moore , both Wes Moores grew up in similar circumstances—urban neighborhoods, exposure to violence, and limited resources—yet their lives took very different paths. This shows that while environment plays a major role in shaping who we are, it is not the only factor that determines our outcome. Environment has a powerful influence on our lives. The people around us, the opportunities we are exposed to, and the situations we experience all shape how we think and how we react. For example, someone raised in a neighborhood where crime is common may begin to see that lifestyle as normal. In the book, the “other” Wes Moore is influenced by negative surroundings, including family members and peers involved in illegal activity. Over time, these influences affected his decisions and led him down a destructive path. However, th...

Growing up isn’t just about who you are—it’s also shaped by the environment you come from. In The Other Wes Moore, one theme that stood out to me is how a person’s surroundings can influence their life choices, whether they realize it or not. Wes had to grow up in different neighborhoods, learning how to survive in each one. Some places were filled with poverty, crime, and danger, while others offered safer environments and more opportunities. Even when he moved to better areas, the influence of where he came from and the people he was around didn’t fully go away. That made me realize how much environment can affect the way we think and see the world. Where you grow up can shape what you consider normal. In Wes’s life, hustling, fighting, and making quick money didn’t always seem wrong—they were just ways to get through each day. When that’s all you see, it doesn’t feel like a bad decision at first. It feels necessary. If everyone around you is doing the same thing, it becomes easier t...

  Is Higher Education Worth the Price? After reading the article, I realized that the value of higher education really depends on what a person hopes to get out of it. The author points out that many colleges have shifted away from their main purpose, which is to educate, and instead focus more on attracting students through branding, reputation, and campus lifestyle. While college can offer incredible opportunities, it is clear that financial motives have become a driving force for many institutions. Colleges market themselves to younger audiences by highlighting the lifestyle you’ll have the parties, social life, and campus culture rather than emphasizing education or career preparation. Colleges like Harvard, or NYU,  are often viewed more as status symbols than places of genuine learning. Many students choose these schools because their friends are going, or because society makes them feel like they have failed if they do not attend a prestigious college. In reality, succe...

 Is Fast Food the New Tobacco? Reading the article Don’t Blame the Eater gave me a completely new perspective on advertising and how it shapes the choices we make about our eating habits. Zinczenko compares fast food to tobacco, arguing that it can be addictive and harmful to our health. This comparison immediately caught my attention because today, more children are overweight and struggle with physical activity at very young ages. Fast food—high in fat, sodium, and calories—plays a major role in this issue, and it is difficult for families to avoid it when it is promoted as fun, cheap, and convenient. One of the main points the author makes is about advertising. Fast food is promoted everywhere: on TV, social media, billboards, and even in schools. Restaurants like McDonald’s create meals that look delicious, affordable, and fun, especially for children. For example, Happy Meals include toys to make them more appealing, even though the meals themselves are often very high in calo...

  Is Pop Culture Good for You? Pop culture is often seen as just TV or entertainment something people turn on after a long day or when they’re bored. But research shows that it has a deeper impact than many people realize. Modern television shows, video games, and digital platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become more complex and engaging than ever. Instead of following a simple storyline, viewers now track multiple characters, hidden messages, and layered plots. As Steven Johnson explains in Watching TV Makes You Smarter, this type of media engagement can improve cognitive skills, including problem-solving, attention span, and critical thinking. Following a show closely challenges the brain in ways similar to learning in school, meaning that even while we are entertained, our minds are actively engaged. For example, shows like Stranger Things or The Mandalorian involve intricate plots that require viewers to remember details and anticipate story developments, which strengt...

  Hello, my name is Eliezer Natera, but I also go by Eli. I am currently in college in my early years of higher education. I am someone who is interested in learning, improving, and deeply understanding people. I chose this class this semester because I want to become stronger in my communication skills, especially reading and writing, which I know will help me throughout my life. Thinking back to my earliest experiences with literacy, I remember learning how to read basic words in elementary school and sounding out letters little by little. One recent memory I have is when I started reading books out loud instead of only in my head. This helped improve my fluency and gave me more confidence with reading, along with support from my teachers. At home, literacy was emphasized heavily in my everyday life through communication and schoolwork. My family encouraged me to stay on the right path, and I often had small assignments to complete at home even when there was no school. I pra...