Extending your sociological imagination

As you enter class today, please answer these questions:

1. What is a sociological imagination?



2.  Why is the reading Outliers an example of having a sociological imagination?




Here is a moving and inspiring slam poetry performance by Marshall Soulful Jones called Touchscreen:

 

Here is some interesting research to follow up with Marshall Jones' poem:

From Psychology Today:

...the emergence of reading encouraged our brains to be focused and imaginative. In contrast, the rise of the Internet is strengthening our ability to scan information rapidly and efficiently ...

From The Independent:

A Wisconsin paediatrician, Dr Sharon Rink, told local news channel WBAY2 she has seen a surge of teenagers coming to see her for treatment [because of selfies], something which was unheard of five years ago.

Please Answer:

3)How is Marshall Jones' poem an example of having a sociological imagination?

4)What are some ways you are influenced by when and where you live?

Finally, for a bit of humor, watch this Louis CK video called Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy.    He provides a funny look at how not having a sociological imagination can makes us really annoyed with our problems but really we should be thankful. Also the twitter feed #FirstWorldPains is a humorous example of this.