I was four years old and even though I was an only child I spent a lot of time with my cousins so never experienced the so-called only child syndrome. I remember plenty of blazing hot summer days I and my cousins would spend at the pool yelling “IM OPEN!” as our immature brains became flooded with dopamine when the oldest of us would look to see who he would throw the ball to in a game of catch. I loved enjoying time with my cousins, the only bad part was heading home to a house with just me my dad, and mom and having no one left to play with. One day my loneliness without my cousins would end though, my mom and dad called me in the living room to have a chat. I could tell they were serious and before they could say anything my brain was already jumping to conclusions of what I could have possibly done wrong and how much trouble I would be in. My mom then came right out and said it “Your gonna have a baby sister” I was so excited my mind went from worrying to nothing but pure joy. I spent the next 9 months waiting and asking every day if the baby was coming yet. It wasn’t till my baby sister Maya was born that my whole mindset about having a sibling changed. I looked in my baby sister’s eyes after she was born and holding her in my arms I knew that it wasn’t just going to be all fun and games, I have a duty to be there for and protect this little girl. 14 years later and to this day I still carry on that duty. It’s funny my little sister went to hang out with some friends last weekend and I stayed up till 10 pm waiting to make sure she made it home safe. It’s crazy how much we have been through and how watching her grow up was probably one of the best parts of my childhood and it all started 14 years ago. 

 This is a love story, and I suppose it begins at my birth. It all started in a hospital in Thornton around 11 pm on the 6th floor. My mother who was in labor and I’m sure was frantically yelling a variety of curse words as she gave birth to me in a bed next to my dad excited to welcome his first child into the world were the only people besides doctors in the room. My first day on planet earth outside of my mother’s womb and my only duty was to come out okay and to wait to be granted a name. There I was covered in gunk crying and screaming after making my grand entrance into the world. My father who at the time was obsessed with the rapper DMX really liked the name of the rapper's son and decided he would name me the same thing, pretty creative if you ask me. Xavier would be the name I was given on November 6th, 2002. It was then my love for hip-hop culture was set in stone because well there's no way to escape the name I was given. The next five years would be spent with my dad playing absolutely no other music than rap around me. I knew all the words to Nas “the world is yours” before my sixth birthday. Just imagine five-year-old me picking apart complex rap lyrics while banging my head in the air playing with Lagos. It didn’t feel as if I only loved it because I was exposed to it but instead like it was the only thing for me. It was only a matter of time before Id pick a pen and pad up and scribble my own lyrics on a piece of paper. “Look! Dad, I wrote my own rap song.” I yelled as soon as it was finished excited to show my dad my hard work. See, I and my dad didn’t bond over much but rap at the time so it was a huge moment for us when I wrote my first rap. I guess you can say the love I have for my dad is a lot like the love I have for hip hop. Anyways the love only became deeper when I discovered the internet where I had access to rap music made before my time on this earth and newer stuff my dad didn’t even hear yet. I would get home from school and start slamming my Cheeto dust-covered fingers on the household iPad in hopes of discovering new music every day. Now I’m 18 till making raps, and now I post my own stuff on the internet. I wonder if ill ever inspire a child to write raps of their own one day.

Mescudi Scott, “Hi, I’m Scott” Ted Talks, December 2015,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEaFHPvuE6Y&t=59s

GoogleDoc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kfYpCF8dtSVrZJh3Nmo6iD4mjc3MsqUX3bi5CWA5Vr8/edit?usp=sharing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRE624795zU

Summarize your source: In the TED talk, “The Skill Of Self Confidence” Ivan Joseph talks about how confidence is not a personality trait or something humans are born with but instead a skill that must be honed and perfected. Joseph describes in detail the steps that must be constantly practiced and implemented in everyday life to gain confidence. First, Joseph talks about how the first step is self-talk and how the things people think about themselves drastically affect their own confidence. Joseph proved how important self-talk is by asking the question “if we don’t believe in ourselves who will?’’ Then, Joseph speaks about how the people around you can drastically affect your confidence almost as much as you affect your own confidence with negative self-talk. Next, Joseph goes on the tell a story about how papers people wrote about his work negatively affected his confidence because when he was told what he was for so long he could no longer hold the power to confidently decide what he was all on his own. Joseph was able to prove that confidence isn’t something people are born with but instead, confidence is something that is built through self-talk and surrounding one’s self around positive people. 

Respond to the source. Hearing Ivan Joseph speak about how confidence is a skill served as a confirmation of my own beliefs about confidence. When Joseph said that “confidence is built through repetition” I thought about how I have struggled with confidence in the past and how I overcame that struggle. For instance, when I first began making youtube videos I wanted to make videos where I spoke to random people in public and said outlandish things for shock value. The issue with the type of videos I wanted to do is it takes a lot of confidence to say outlandish things to strangers. The first time I filmed a video where I talked to strangers and said crazy things I was terrified. My voice was shaky and I couldn’t stop thinking about what the other person was thinking of me. I continued to film videos like this and for whatever reason, it got much easier. After watching the ted talk “The Skill Of Confidence” I understand now why it got easier to film video speaking to strangers, its because I practiced reputation and perfected the skill of confidence. 

connections between sources: The first time I filmed a video where I talked to strangers and said crazy things I was terrified. My voice was shaky and I couldn’t stop thinking about what the other person was thinking of me. I continued to film videos like this and for whatever reason, it got much easier. After watching the ted talk “The Skill Of Confidence” I understand now why it got easier to film video speaking to strangers, its because I practiced reputation and perfected the skill of confidence. 

Ask questions: Have you ever struggled with confidence? If so do you think you have or have not overcome it because it’s a skill that needs to be practiced? Do you think confidence is something people are just born with? 

Ivan Joseph, “The Skill Of Confidence” Ted Talks,

 January 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-HYZv6HzAs

Summarize your source: In the TED talk, “Your Brain On Music” Alan Harvey talks about how big of effect music has on the human brain. Harvey Even goes on to list things that music can affect like emotion, blood pressure, stress levels, and much more. First, Harvey talks about how music has been hand and hand with the power of language since the bugging of human civilization. Harvey proved how important music is by making the listener aware that in every part of the world there are people making and responding to music in some way shape or form. Then, Harvey speaks about how there are musical instruments like a bone flute that is 40,000 years old. Next, Harvey goes on the tell a story about how there were times where just listening to a song provoked him to shed real genuine tears. Harvey was able to prove that music has a very big neurological effect on the brain.

Respond to the source. Hearing Alan Harvey speak about how big an effect music has on humans started making me think of the possible effect it has had on me. My favorite genre of music is hip hop and with music having such a big effect on the human brain I began to think about the subject matter in hip hop and if listening to it so much is healthy. It made me wonder if my love for hip hop has had any negative effects on my life. I’m really not sure just how much my love for hip hop has allowed me to be easily influenced by it. Although art is purely subjective and that’s what hip hop is so it’s possible the effect of one person can have nothing to do with the affect hip hop has had on me. On the other hand hearing, Harvey speak about just how much the brain responds to music on a scientific level made me think maybe the effect it has on me is on a subconscious level. 

connections between sources: My favorite genre of music is hip hop and with music having such a big effect on the human brain I began to think about the subject matter in hip hop and if listening to it so much is healthy. It made me wonder if my love for hip hop has had any negative effects on my life. I’m really not sure just how much my love for hip hop has allowed me to be easily influenced by it. Although art is purely subjective and that’s what hip hop is so it’s possible the effect of one person can have nothing to do with the affect hip hop has had on me. On the other hand hearing, Harvey speak about just how much the brain responds to music on a scientific level made me think maybe the effect it has on me is on a subconscious level. 

Ask questions: How often do you listen to music? Do you think music has changed your life in any way? If so do you think it’s been for the better or for the worst?

Alan Harvey, “Your Brain On Music” Ted Talks,

 Jun 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZFFwy5fwYI

Summarize your source: In her article, “Scientists probe the brain to see why our favorite music gives us the chills,” Steph Panecasio talks about how Scientists got to the bottom of the neurological effects music has on the brain. Panecasio begins by referencing a study done in France on why music gives us chills. First, Panecasio talks about how in the study conducted up in France how scientists noticed how the brain lit up in three major areas when listening to music. Next, Panecasio goes into detail when referencing the study and talks about how the three areas being lit up in the brain are doing so due to a high increase in the hormone dopamine when listening to music. Lastly, Panecasio concludes her article by saying that music releases the hormone dopamine in the brain which in turn gives us chills.

Respond to the source. Reading Steph Panecasio’s article about how Scientists got to the bottom of the neurological effects music has on the brain made me feel reassurance. It was when I read that “These areas of activity combine to trigger a release of the hormone dopamine, which provides "feel good" emotions and sensations, resulting in the chills we experience while listening to a particularly stirring piece of music.” The reason Panecasio’s article was able to give me so much reassurance was due to the fact that the past research I was doing made me question my choice in music due to the lyrics being toxic for lack of a better word. The research I did prior to this article made me aware of how music can change your perspective on things and influence you and because of that, I questioned my taste in music. Panecasio’s article reassured me because dopamine is a feel-good chemical and reading her article made me aware that when listening to music you like there is an increase in it, therefore, no matter what there is a positive coming out of my love for music no matter how much questionable the subject matter. 

connections between sources:  The past research I was doing made me question my choice in music due to the lyrics being toxic for lack of a better word. The research I did prior to this article made me aware of how music can change your perspective on things and influence you and because of that, I questioned my taste in music. Panecasio’s article reassured me because dopamine is a feel-good chemical and reading her article made me aware that when listening to music you like there is an increase in it, therefore, no matter what there is a positive coming out of my love for music no matter how much questionable the subject matter. 

Ask questions: Have you ever felt afraid to speak up? Have you ever took the opportunity to just speak your mind and if so how did you feel after?

Panecasio, Steph. “Scientists Probe the Brain to See Why Our Favorite Music Gives Us the Chills.” CNET, CNET, 5 Nov. 2020, https://www.cnet.com/news/scientists-probe-the-brain-to-see-why-our-favorite-music-gives-us-the-chills/. 

Summarize your source: In her article, “How to Speak Up: It takes courage and confidence to raise your voice,” Carro, Mackenzie talks about how having the confidence to speak up isn’t a piece of cake but it is necessary to be content with one’s self.  Carro begins listing all of the steps it takes to be confident. First, Carro talks about how there is a voice in everyone’s head that lets us know when we don’t like something. Next, Carro talks about how speaking up is a reflection of a person’s trust in themselves. Lastly, Carro speaks about how not everyone will agree with you, and that’s okay, she also talks about how there is no right or wrong when voicing how you feel.

Respond to the source. Reading Carro, Mackenzie’s article about how having the confidence to speak up isn’t a piece of cake but it is necessary to be content with one’s self, made me feel motivated. It was when I read that “Here are five ways you can find the confidence and courage to speak up.” that I began to feel motivated because there have been many times where I felt completely clueless on how to voice my own opinion without facing ridicule. Carro’s article made me feel hopeful and motivated because it taught me that acceptance that you might face ridicule for speaking up can be the biggest tool to doing so. Learning that its not about saying what you feel you have to say in a matter that will help other preserve it better but instead just saying what you have to say. Learning to be fully prepared to face ridicule makes being confident less work and is freeing. 

connections between sources:  There have been many times where I felt completely clueless on how to voice my own opinion without facing ridicule. Carro’s article made me feel hopeful and motivated because it taught me that acceptance that you might face ridicule for speaking up can be the biggest tool to doing so. Learning that it is not about saying what you feel you have to say in a matter that will help other preserve it better but instead just saying what you have to say. Learning to be fully prepared to 

Ask questions: Have you gotten the chills when listening to a good song? Has a song ever drastically changed your mood before?

Web, How to Speak Up: It Takes Courage and Confidence to Raise Your Voice., Apr. 2018, https://web-b-ebscohost-com.frccwc.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=14&sid=50601eb3-4ff4-42c9-9159-70f00131c02e%40sessionmgr101&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3D%3D#AN=128576605&db=sch. 

2. Give two examples of information or findings that shifted your thinking along the way. One example of information or findings that shifted my thinking along the way is the Post 5: First Academic Source (“Scientists probe the brain to see why our favorite music gives us the chills,”) because It forced me to learn information in a new way. The next example of information or findings that shifted my thinking along the way was the Post 4 Second Friendly Source (“Your Brain On Music”) because it helped me understand the science of how music effects your brain.

3. What are some questions you still need to answer? How many people contribute their choices to the music they listen to?

4. If you had to put your big idea into words right now (but we know it can still change), how would you complete this sentence? I want to get others to think about how their favorite type of music can be influencing them in a negative manner because music has a large effect on the human brain.

5. If someone were to ask, "So, what did you learn about research in college?" how would you respond? I learned just how many methods there are to get relevant information on subjects.